What sorts of actions constitute financial abuse?

Financial or material abuse includes

• theft of money, belongings, or pension cheques;
• forcing an older person to change a will;
• forgery of signature on personal cheques or legal documents;
• withholding money that the older person needs;
• forcing or tricking an older adult to sell a home or possessions, or to pay for unnecessary services;
• pressuring an older person to provide services for free, for example, babysitting or sharing his or her house;
• abusing power of attorney, guardianship, or trusteeship responsibilities.

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January 2006

see also:

• More Abuse of Older Adults FAQs

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