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PROFILE OF
THE VICTIM OF FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION THROUGH UNDUE INFLUENCE
Researchers have found that the older persons who are most likely to be
financially exploited by care-givers through undue influence share one or more characteristics. These
include:
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Being physically disabled or weakened, and thus dependent on others for
the activities of daily life, such as bill-paying, transportation, and
shopping.
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Living alone, and being isolated from community activities and health care
services.
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Having few family or friends who are able and willing to visit and engage
in social interaction.
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Experiencing grief over the loss of a loved one (spouse, sibling, etc.)
who they lived with or to whom they were emotionally close.
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Suffering from depression or some other form of mental illness caused at
least in part by their isolation or loss.
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Being naturally naive, overly trusting, and open with strangers.
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Lacking knowledge about their own finances and/or the confidence in their
ability to handle them, e.g., their recently deceased spouse always took care
of the bills and finances, so that the older person does not trust himself to
handle such responsibilities. |
Research has also found that even when the older person is aware that the
perpetrator is misappropriating their funds, they will still not report the
theft to the authorities or others. This silence can be based on fear of
abandonment, being overwhelmed at the prospect of involving the courts and law
enforcement in their personal affairs, and/or a fear of being forced to go into
a nursing home if they would report the abuse.
Elderly victims of financial exploitation may also
feel guilty or ashamed, particularly if the offender was a family member or
someone else whom they trusted. As a result, they may lose confidence in their
own judgment and become severely depressed, even to the point of attempting
suicide
Reference: Michael J. Tueth, M.D., Exposing Financial Exploitation of
Impaired Elderly Persons, American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 8:104-111,
May 2000.
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DISCLAIMER
Martin J. Hagan is licensed to practice law in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. This website is intended solely for
informational use and is not intended to solicit clients. Likewise, any
information contained in or obtained from this web site is for informational
purposes only and is not intended to be used as legal advice.
IRS CIRCULAR 230 DISCLAIMER :
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(or any link from it) does not constitute a formal opinion. Accordingly, any tax
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based on your particular circumstances from an independent tax advisor.
Send mail to mhagan@haganlaw.net with
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Copyright © 2008 Martin J. Hagan, One Gateway Center - 8 South; Pittsburgh, PA 15222-1435
Last Updated:
05/28/08
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