Elder Law

Elders susceptible to financial abuse and fraud due to neuropsychological deficits

By Levin & Perconti

Elder financial abuse and fraud is one of the most common types of abuse and neglect inflicted upon senior citizens. New evidence has shown that aging of the brain, and not gullibility, loneliness or intelligence, can make elders vulnerable to financial exploitation. A recent University of Iowa study has shown that medical or neurological problems in the brains of the elderly can lead to an increased vulnerability to financial abuse and fraud. A significant percentage of elderly participants in a study showed disproportionate signs of aging in the brain region responsible for decision-making. It is important to protect elders from financial abuse and fraud because they may not be able to do it themselves.

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Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on January 30, 2008 (boomark / email).