Financial Abuse in Elderly - Essay Example

Financial Abuse in Elderly Name Professor Course Date Introduction Elderly financial abuse is a growing area of concern in Australia. It is the most common form of reported or suspected abuse in Australia (Wilson, 2009, p. 12). According to Helmes& Cuevas (2007, p. 12), financial exploitation or abuse is defined as illegal or unauthorized use of elders’ funds, property, or assets. There are a number of models that can be employed to diagnose and treat financial abuse. (Wilson, 2009, p.23). One such model is called biopsychological model. Cerulli et al, (2012, p. 34) reports, biopsychological approach to health posits that health is a factor of a complex interaction of biological, psychological and social factors. Therefore, we have to consider, biological, psychological and social factors when diagnosing and treating any diseases (Barkway, 2009, p. 65). In particular, the paper will analyze the case of Greta’s family when determining the psychological and sociological factors contributing to financial abuse. Sociological factors contributing to Dylan’s financial abuse of Greta and Greta being a victim of this form of abuse. Wilson (2009, p. 54), discusses the social conflict theory with regard to health, and identifies social determinants of health as conditions that we are born, grow, live with including the age and health system they grow in. These conditions are shaped by distribution of power, money and resource. According to Wolf, (2010, p. 56), individuals social disadvantages are constantly associated with poor health and higher rate of mortality. Wilson (2009, p. 23) identified a number of conditions that increases the likely hood that an elderly person will suffer financial abuse in a domestic setting. In his discussion, Wilson (2009, p. 24) refers to the feminist theory, and suggests that white old women’s, such as Greta, are at higher risk of financial abuse. From sociological perspective, a number of reasons are given to explain this finding. First, Wolf, (2010, p 22), suggests the abuser may see women as weak and vulnerable. Second, most women have not handled financial affairs as their husband has handled them (Wilson, 2009, p. 76. Other sets of factors that raise the likelihood of abuse as identified by social conflict theory include the social status (Engel, 2010, p. 55). Some of the social risk factors include, loneliness, isolation due to loss of relatives (Fisher, Zink, & Regan, 2011, pg 148). Greta says that she feels unwanted, isolated, and is lonely. In addition, having family members who are unemployed, or who are alcoholic, or abusing other drugs increase the risk of financial abuse (Helmes & Cuevas, 2007, p. 66). John is unemployed and Greta has suspects Dylan to be smoking. These factors make her vulnerable to abuse. Again, according to Wolf, (2010, p 112), when an elderly person entirely depends on the relative, chances are high that they will exploit them. Greta is highly dependent on the assistance of his family. Ann had to move back to Perth to care for her. Conversely, according to Helmes & Cuevas (2007, p. 61), when an elderly person has a family member who is assisting to manage their finance in good faith the chance of being financially abused, are minimal. However, Fisher, Zink, & Regan (2011, pg 118) notes, due to busy lives, elderly people refusing to admit that they need assistance, or reluctant to confront issue may hinder family members from fulfilling such commitments. This is the case here, Anne out of good faith offered to assist her mother. However, she has no money and has been busy trying to support the family. Moreover, Greta does not admit that she needs assistance on financial management. Probably if she was open that she needs to save some money for her burial, she could have been advised on the safe place to save money. In addition, Greta is afraid of confronting Dylan even though she knows that he is the one stealing her money. Some of the abuser’s sociological features that tend to be common with all form of elderly abuse are gambling, substance abuse, and financial problem (Wolf, 2010, p. 42). Younger people below the age of 40 are also more likely to be abusers (Fisher, Zink, & Regan, 2011, pg 132). In the case of Greta, Dylan is smoking and this could be the number one reason why he is stealing money from Greta. In addition, he is still a student with no job, thus no source of income to sustain his smoking behavior. The whole family is undergoing some hard financial times. Anne, always seem to be stressed and very busy trying to take care of the family. This might be the reason why she has not had time to monitor Dylan and counsel him accordingly. According to Helmes, and Cuevas, (2007, p 119), the abuser is most likely to be family members, particularly adult children and grandchildren. Furthermore Engel (2010, p. 76), suggest, where such close relative depend on the elderly person for assistance such as housing and other substance, the likely hood for abuse to occur is much higher. The abuser in this case Dylan fits the above description. Psychological factors that contributes to Dylan’s financial abuse of Greta and Greta being a victim of this form of abuse According to Erikson, (1980,p. 23) psychological theories with reference to elderly financial abuse and suggests that health is influenced by feelings, learning, thoughts, behaviors, and environment. This chapter identifies some of the psychological factors that contribute to Greta being abused and Dylan abusing Greta. As Wilson, (2009 p. 110) writes, according to biological theories the physical or mental disabilities are some psychological factors that increase the risk of being financially abused. The victim, Greta, has been diagnosed with cerebral vascular accidents, dysphagia, hemiplegia and arterial vibration these conditions affects her cognitive ability and behaviors, putting her elderly at higher risk of being financially abused. According to cognitive theories some cognitive abilities such as memory, reasoning and speed of processing information decline with age (Bandura, A 2001, p. 45). In addition, elderly persons are more likely to be disabled, forgetful, due to the diminishing reasoning capacity (Fisher, Zink, & Regan, 2011, p. 5). These factors make them more venerable to financial abuse. Isolation is another psychological factor contributing to Greta being vulnerability to abuse. Fisher, Zink, & Regan, (2011, p. 152) discuses the stress process model and suggest, isolation can make one to be stressed. Furthermore, Wolf (2010, p. 113) repots, according to stress and coping model and system theory, stress affects health in many ways. Besides age, other factors such as biology and socioeconomic factors can affect her cognitive ability. Greta is old and living under low socioeconomic situations, therefore, we can conclude that her cognitive ability has declined thus vulnerable to financial abuse. In addition, her deteriorating health has is making it harder for her to carryout daily living activities. Another factor that makes an elderly person such as Greta, susceptible to financial abuse is that some abusers assume that the victims are less likely to report the abuse or action taken (Wolf, 2010, p. 42). This is especially true if the perpetrators are family members (Fisher, Zink, & Regan, 2011, p. 152). In this case, Dylan may not be worried that his action may me be reported as he does not believe that her grandmother who cares for him, would like to see him in jail. Dylan may also realize that Greta, with few days to live may not be able to follow the length case process. Wilson, (2009, p. 150) writes about behavior and learning theories and points out that certain behaviors such as smoking impact on health of a person. According to what we learn from Greta’s diary, Dylan is smoking. In addition, where the primary care giver is the abuse, stress has been identified as the main motivator (Wolf, 2010, p. 56). The abuser, Dylan, is stressed; his performance in school has also not been good. Thus is more likely to cause financial abuse. What impact does financial elder abuse have on Greta’s own bio-ecological model? According to, Fisher, Zink, & Regan, 2011, p. 182, financial abuse is major source of stress and can have long term effects on the health and well being of older adults. The stress associated with abuse may trigger health complications and may be such heart problem, high blood pressure or breathing problem. Wolf (2010, p. 39) identifies, high blood pressure, breathing problem, stomach problem, heart problem and panic as some of the common stress related symptom among older people who experience abuse According to Wolf (2010, p. 39) the abuse of older adults is not private matter, it affects individuals, families, communities and ultimate societies at larger. Financial abuses have had numerous effects on Greta’s health as well as to the rest of the family member. This section uses bio-ecological system to explore and describe the impact of the abuse on Greta. Biological system theory was formulated by Urie Bronfenbrenner (1977). The main thrust of the theory is that health cannot be explained or explored by any single concept, but rather by more multidimensional and a complex system. The ecological environment as bronfenbrenner puts it is a set of nested structures (Wilson, 2009 p. 220). It is important to note that an impact of financial abuse is gradual and involves a reciprocal of relationships between the victim and his environment (Wolf, 2010, p. 156). According to Wilson, (2009 p. 220), the bronfenbrenner system theory is better understood with related framework components such as, the process, person, context and time. In term of the process, the financial abuse has affected the interaction between Greta and the rest of the family members. Initially, Anne’s family was supposed to provide companion to Greta as well as assist her to Cary out her daily activities. The interaction was supposed to contribute to her well being. However the interaction has been hampered by financial abuse caused by Dylan. Therefore, Greta’s well being has rather deteriorated. As a person, financial abuse can be associated to development of numerous health issues. Greta has been diagnosed with cerebral vascular accidents, dysphagia, hemiplegia and arterial fibration. Because of stroke Greta is mobilizing small distance with the help of three sticks. In addition, her past medical history shows she has had hypertension, tarns-ischemic attacks, and stroke. In term of context, the financial abuse has influenced Greta’s ability to interact with her close family members as well as other friends such as those in local lavatian club. Moreover, the abuse might result to another stoke limiting her ability to tender her garden- an activity that she enjoys. In addition, depending on whether the abuse is going to continue, the stress that has resulted from the abuse might progress to depression or even death. What actual and potential impact does financial elder abuse have on the bio-psycho-social health of Greta and Dylan and the rest of their family? Wolf, (2010, p. 49), identifies signs of elderly people experiencing financial abuse to include, depression and anxiety, seem fearful around certain people and they become suddenly socially withdrawn, that is have less contact to people to people who they have been close to in the past. Already Greta is showing these signs. If the financial abuse continues, Greta may become passive and very complainant or/and show changes in her hygiene or nutrition. However, as Wolf, (2010, p. 69) notes, some time these signs are mistaken as sign of being older. Furthermore, Wilson, (2009, p56) writes, as result of stress older people may experience worry, depression or anxiety. Older adults may also feel shame, guilt or embarrassed, that one of the family member has abused them. Some abused elderly persons may start to eat less, use more medication or drink more alcohol to cope with the emotional or physical hurt. In addition they may experience difficulties in sleeping or sleep too much. Some abused individual may loose interest in life become withdrawn and some may have suicidal thoughts (Helmes, & Cuevas, 2007, p 219). All these impact can potentially happen to Great if appropriate action is not taken. According to Wilson, (2009, p. 230), the impacts of financial abuse is greater for old people compared to young people. This is explained by Wolf, (2010, p. 156) when he suggests older people feel they do not have time to recover their losses. For older people the threat of financial loss may be permanent and life threatening, it can result to greater dependency to government or caregiver (Helmes, & Cuevas, 2007, p 219). Fisher, Zink, & Regan, (2011, p. 182) refers to Stress process model, and suggests that elderly victim of financial abuse experience higher level of psychological distress and depression than younger people. In addition, they experience a decline in physical health coupled with decreased resource for managing their healthcare (Helmes, and Cuevas, 2007, p 233). To elderly people financial abuse may lead to ongoing fear, lack of trust and acute chronic anxiety (Wolf, 2010, p. 156). This is the case with Greta. Because of her losing money, she is so worried. The act has caused so much distress, which might progress to depression and even death. Wilson, (2009, p. 98) reported that financial abuse affects not only the victim but also spread to unsuspecting family members, which can lead to loss of trust confidence or faith with the individuals. In addition, financial abuse may lead to hopelessness, or death (Helmes, and Cuevas, 2007, p 243). Furthermore, although she suspects her grandson Dylan, she fears to tell her daughter in case she thinks that she hide money when she is struggling financially. It is important that abuse is addressed properly; otherwise, the family is going to lose trust with each other. Already Greta feels unwanted, disconnected and lonely. In addition the abuse have led deterioration of her health, she had had stroke in past and fear she might have another stroke. According to Wilson, (2009, p. 198) the abused older adults have 200% increased risk or early death the stress or living in an abused situation may shorten the life of Greta by several years. Also unlike psychological or physical abuse, the effect of financial abuse spread to other family members who feel that they were entitled to the share of the resource depleted (Christiansen, M 2008, p. 100). The effect of the abuse can be carried from generation to generation. For instance grandchildren, who witness the abuse, may come to view negative behaviors toward older adult as acceptable and perpetuate disrespect. In addition, Dylan who is now perpetuating abuse may feel that it is acceptable to be abused when he is old. If in any case the impact of the abuse reads to serious illness or death, the abuser, Dylan might feel guilt. Ann, who lovers her mother, may also be affected. She may feel that her son was responsible for her mothers’ death. In addition, she may never be able to forgive her son. This may cause serious distress to Ann, Dylan and the rest of the family Conclusion Elderly financial abuse is a growing area of concern in Australia. According to Cerulli et al (2012, p. 8) it is the most common form of reported or suspected abuse in Australia. In order to address the issue properly it is important to take a Biopsychological approach when diagnosing and treating case of financial abuse. Biopsychological approach to health posits that health is a factor of a complex interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors (Bagshaw et al 2013, p. 2). 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