Care and support - Safety - Preventing abuse of older adults

There are many types of frauds, scams and theft that can leave you vulnerable to the loss of your hard earned money. In general, older adults are often the target of unscrupulous individuals because they live alone, can be more trusting, are less likely to report being taken advantage of, and generally have larger savings accounts. Additionally, persons with dementia may be at an even greater risk of financial abuse due to problems with cognition. There are five categories of financial exploitation:

• Telemarketing (e.g., prize scams, lottery scams, charity scams, vacation or timeshare scams)
• Direct marketing (e.g., Door-to-door sales of products, personal and home services, energy providers, home renovation)
• Mail or newspaper marketing (e.g., prize notices, scratch 'n' win cards, work at home scams, chain letters)
• Bank related scams (e.g., phony bank inspectors, automated teller machine (ATM) fraud)
• Theft by deception or distraction (e.g., Door to door deceptions, grocery store distractions)
• In all cases, someone is misrepresenting themselves to gain access to your money or your personal possessions

To avoid the risk of losing you money or personal property, remember the following:

• You are in control of what you want to purchase. If you do not want to buy a particular item or service, just say NO!
• Don't feel pressured and never let strangers into your home
• Always get a written estimate and three additional quotes with regards to home renovations
• Ask for a fully itemized contract
• Never give cash deposits or pay for work until it is done
• Check out all references and if there have been any complaints registered with the Better Business Bureau
• Trust your good judgment
• Never give out your personal information or credit card number over the phone or over the Internet to unsolicited callers
• Ensure that you get your bank or credit card back as soon as a financial transaction is complete
• Make sure the back of your bank and credit cards are signed and cut up old ones
• Never give anyone a blank cheque
• Don't endorse cheques in advance
• Report lost/stolen cards or cheques immediately
• Always keep all house or apartment doors locked, even when at home
• If someone is requesting access to your house, ask to see credentials first and then call their company to confirm their identification. Get the phone number from your phone book.
• Always be alert and cautious when dealing with strangers, either at home or in public
• If you ever have any concerns, call the police immediately

Source: The information above was reproduced with permission from the Niagara Elder Abuse Prevention Network. (n.d.). Be aware…take care: a safety guide for older or vulnerable persons. Niagara, Ontario: Niagara Elder Abuse Prevention Network.

The best way to protect yourself from abuse and neglect is to know what abuse is and by taking the necessary steps to protect yourself. Beside financial abuse (see previous section), abuse can also be physical, psychological and can also be due to neglect by someone else or even yourself. In general terms, abuse and neglect are actions (slapping, unwanted sexual activity, forced confinement, being humiliated or ignored) or inaction (abandonment or deliberately failing to provide the necessities of life) by any person that causes harm to an older adult or someone who may be experiencing mental or physical impairment and/or cultural or language barriers, in other words, who is vulnerable.

Source: The information above was reproduced with permission from the Niagara Elder Abuse Prevention Network. (n.d.). Be aware…take care: a safety guide for older or vulnerable persons. Niagara, Ontario: Niagara Elder Abuse Prevention Network. 

Some signs to be aware of that may suggest abuse or neglect include:

• Unexplained injuries or a history of "accidents," poor hygiene, bed sores
• Depression, fear, anxiety, withdrawal or weight loss
• Dehydration or lack of food, clothing, medicine, or other necessities of life
• Unnecessary purchases or repairs to house or property
• Unexplained loss or misuse of property items such as banking records or wills

Source: The information above was reproduced with permission from the Niagara Elder Abuse Prevention Network. (n.d.). Be aware…take care: a safety guide for older or vulnerable persons. Niagara, Ontario: Niagara Elder Abuse Prevention Network.