Elder abuse is often closer to home

19/07/2010

I have just seen your May issue and read the leader on financial abuse of older people.

 

I am a Welfare Benefit Adviser for my county Social Services and, unfortunately, come across financial abuse frequently - mainly by relatives and/or their carers I am sorry to say.

 

The 5 top tips by Age UK only appear to apply to financial abuse by outside organisations - they have missed the more insidious, sometimes not so insidious, abuse by people close to them. And this is not only confined to older people, I often come across this with younger people who suffer from learning disabilities or mental health problems. So professionals and advocates from charitable organisations should look at this issue when they become involved with a vulnerable person.

 

Some of the more obvious cases I have been involved with are: the vulnerable person living in residential care or supported living being entitled to Disability Living Allowance DLA) high rate mobility component (currently £49.85 weekly) which has been exchanged for a Motobility car being used almost exclusively by a member of their family, who may visit once a month not even taking the person out for a drive; this person is losing out on the weekly amount of DLA. 

 

Another regular occurrence is where somone is an appointee or Power of Attorney (POA), usually a close relative, and the person whose financial welfare they should be taking care of being given a fraction of the benefits being paid to the appointee or POA.

 

Despite Social Services (SS) being responsible for safegurding vulnerable adults, too often these abuses carry on for years even though SS may be involved .

 

 

A. White