Federal Holiday Campaign Helps Prevent Financial Exploitation of Seniors

The federal Elder Locator program recently announced a holiday campaign to encourage seniors and their families to use the holiday season to learn about the warning signs of, and resources to prevent, the financial exploitation of seniors.

The program notes that such financial exploitation is often committed by a family member or other trusted person. Signs of financial exploitation include, among other things, (1) financial activity that is inconsistent with a senior's past financial history, (2) confusion about recent financial arrangements, (3) unauthorized changes to key documents, and (4) a senior who feels threatened by a caregiver or other person who is trying to control their finances. The program offers a guidebook with strategies to help seniors and their families avoid such behavior.

The Elder Locator program connects seniors with local services and resources. It is funded by the federal Administration on Aging and administered by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging.