Money ‘handling’, financial abuse and elderly people with dementia: implications for welfare professionals

Abstract

The ageing of the elderly population will mean an increase in the numbers of people with dementia and the thrust of the community care reforms suggest that many of these will continue to live in mainstream and sheltered housing. This article draws upon two different research projects to explore one implication of these trends, namely the 'money handling' issues (pension collection, bill payments, etc.) raised for social services and in particular for field level welfare professionals. The administrative framework for handling the social security benefits of others is shown to be inadequate with few safeguards over those who take on appointeeship roles. The article then goes on to draw upon focus group interviews with 37 field level staff to illustrate their anxieties and concerns over such issues as money left or lost in the house, their vulnerability to accusations of financial abuse and their need for guidance on when to challenge relatives who appear to perform appointeeship responsibilities not in the best interests of the elderly person. It is concluded that social services authorities need to improve radically the training, support and good practice guidance available to field level staff on personal finance issues.

Why are the oldest old less generous? Explanations for the unexpected age-related drop in charitable giving

“…Financial decision making requires a broad range of cognitive skills, and older people who experience cognitive decline might opt to have other people take over the responsibility for their finances (Moye and Marson 2007; Tilse et al 2011). Or they might have their financial management taken over without their knowledge by family members, formal care-givers or government representatives, which can be problematic due to competing interests (Means and Langan 1996). Either way, when older people who have experienced cognitive decline are no longer responsible for their own finances, they are also no longer capable of making charitable donations.…”

Managing older people's money: assisted and substitute decision making in residential aged-care

“…Family members and formal carers may not understand or act in response to the duties that run alongside the power they have either been formally given, as by an enduring or lasting power of attorney, or have informally assumed. Research that explores the experiences of community care staff in relation to ' money handling' for clients has identified the need to improve training, support and good practice guidelines (Means and Langan 1996). Although the importance of assisted (or supported) as well as substitute decision making is a key implication of current policy, how this operates in various care settings is not well understood.…”