Mark Reckman - Financial Abuse of the Elderly

Roughly 6 million Americans suffer from one or more dementia symptoms. 10% of folksover 85 have dementia. This is expected to rise to 14 million people by 2050.Profile of Potential Target:.1. Dementia symptoms2. Easily influenced by others3. Lives alone (isolated)4. Lonely5. Recent loss of family memberForms of Abuse:1. Forging checks or forcing victim to sign checks2. Forcing victim to sign a deed, will, trust or POA3. Stealing property4. Promising lifelong care in exchange for money5. Using property without payment or permission6. Phone scams7. Mail scams8. Internet scams9. Self neglectIndicators of Abuse:1. Changing mailing address on financial reports/statements2. Large withdrawals3. Unpaid bills4. Substandard care5. Perpetrator spends too much time with victim6. Perpetrator shows too much interest in money matters7. Missing belongings8. Limiting visitation by family and friends9. Investing in sketchy business ventures10.Late life marriagesDuty to Report:1. Last year, Ohio passed a new law that creates a duty for lawyers, doctors, socialworkers and mental health professionals to report suspected abuse2. Reports are investigated by Ohio Adult Protective Services (1-855-OHIO-APS)3. Reports are kept anonymous