The financial abuse of mentally incompetent older adults: A Canadian study

This article reports the results of a pilot study on the financial abuse of mentally incompetent seniors. The objectives of the study were to: (1) est ablish the incidence of suspected financial abuse among the clientele of th e Office of Public Trustee, Province of Manitoba, (2) identify the characte ristics of mentally incompetent older adults most at risk, and (3) identify indicators of financial abuse. Approximately 20% of the cases opened in a one year period were under suspicion of abuse. Findings were consistent wit h those of other research projects on elder abuse, in general, showing an o ver-representation of women over the age of eighty as victims of financial abuse. Unpaid personal care home bills when money should have been availabl e was the most common indicator. In addition to providing a list of indicat ors of financial abuse that are of potential use to professionals, devising prevention programs, practical implications for service providers are pres ented.