Conceptual Model and Map of Financial Exploitation of Older Adults

• Published in: Journal of elder abuse & neglect Vol. 23; no. 4; pp. 304 - 325
• Main Authors: Conrad, Kendon J., Iris, Madelyn, Ridings, John W., Fairman, Kimberly P., Rosen, Abby, Wilber, Kathleen H.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis Group 01-10-2011; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: abuse theory; Adult abuse & neglect; Aged; Concept mapping; Elder Abuse - classification; Elder Abuse - economics; Finance; financial abuse; Geriatric Assessment - methods; Health Services for the Aged - organization & administration; Humans; Mass Screening - economics; mistreatment; Models, Theoretical; Older people; Social Environment; Social Support; theoretical hierarchy; United States; victimization; United States
• ISSN: 0894-6566; 1540-4129
• DOI: 10.1080/08946566.2011.584045

This article describes the processes and outcomes of three-dimensional concept mapping to conceptualize financial exploitation of older adults. Statements were generated from a literature review and by local and national panels consisting of 16 experts in the field of financial exploitation. These statements were sorted and rated using Concept Systems software, which grouped the statements into clusters and depicted them as a map. Statements were grouped into six clusters, and ranked by the experts as follows in descending severity: (a) theft and scams, (b) financial victimization, (c) financial entitlement, (d) coercion, (e) signs of possible financial exploitation, and (f) money management difficulties. The hierarchical model can be used to identify elder financial exploitation and differentiate it from related but distinct areas of victimization. The severity hierarchy may be used to develop measures that will enable more precise screening for triage of clients into appropriate interventions.