My elderly aunt lives alone and her neighbours have been very good to her. I am becoming concerned, however, that they might be taking advantage of her financially. They shop for her and cash her cheques, but when I last saw her, she seemed to be very short of money and food. How can I tell if they are stealing from her?

Financial abuse can be difficult to detect because it will often occur over a period of time. If you have suspicions, however, it is a good idea to check them out. You can ask your aunt about her finances and who controls them, and about her relationship with her neighbours. If your aunt is reluctant to tell you, you may just have to keep monitoring the situation. Maybe other neighbours have noticed a problem and they might be able to help you find out what is going on.

You could also talk to your aunt about managing her affairs in a different way, perhaps by asking for assistance from a regular authorized caregiver or by giving a trusted person a power of attorney over her finances. You can also give her information about financial abuse and support services. In having these discussions with your aunt, it is important to respect her wishes and confidentiality, and to get her consent before you do anything.

---

January 2006

see also:

• More Abuse of Older Adults FAQs

Back