Thursday, November 5, 2009

3:00pm - 4:30pm

Financial Elder Abuse - A Growing Shame!

Presented by Erika Falk, PsyD, Director of Geriatric Assessment & Psychological Services, Institute on Aging, and Director of San Francisco Elder Abuse Forensic Center  

Increasingly, older adults are the vulnerable targets of identity theft and various financial abuse scams.  Too many seniors are being convinced to take out unsuitable home and other loans they don’t need, to involve themselves in fraudulent investment, lottery or other scams.  Unfortunately, financial elder abuse doesn't only involve strangers, but too often involves a known person to the elder who is financially exploiting the elder, i.e., a family member, friend or caregiver.  This session will present an overview of what are a number of the types of financial elder abuses occurring and will also present important information on how mandated reporters and others concerned can file appropriate complaints with Adult Protective Services, Ombudsman and/or law enforcement.

Institute on Aging offers monthly scheduled trainings and case studies for professionals. Speakers cover topics ranging from how to communicate with clients suffering from dementia to understaning the role of spirituality when working with aging and disabled clients.