Psychologically Vulnerable Seniors More Vulnerable to Financial Exploitation

General Posted by anthony Date May 31, 2013

Financial exploitation of the elderly is on the rise according to the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and the numbers are expected to continue to grow as Baby Boomers age. This exploitation, which includes telemarketing scams, fake home repairs, fake check scams, identity theft and more, costs approximately $3 billion each year.


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Researchers at Wayne State University, in collaboration with Illinois Institute of Technology, recently published a study advising clinical gerontologists in the field to be aware that psychologically vulnerable older adults could be more likely victims of financial exploitation.

The study, ÛÏIs Psychological Vulnerability Related to the Experience of Fraud in Older Adults?Û published in the recent issue of Clinical Gerontologist, is the first study to include prospective predictors of reported financial fraud victimization of older adults, and is the first to review financial exploitation of any kind with the same population from a psychological-vulnerability perspective.

ÛÏSaid Peter Lichtenberg, Ph.D., director of WSUÛªs Institute of Gerontology and lead author of the paper – ÛÏThose in the clinical study showed characteristics of extreme depression symptoms and perceived low social-status fulfillment, thus showing they were more vulnerable to the experience of theft of scams. ÛÏ

The study included 4,440 participants. Those participants that were the most psychologically vulnerable with the highest levels of depression and lowest levels of social-needs fulfillment, experienced higher levels of fraud compared to those that were not vulnerable psychologically.

ÛÏOne of the most significant findings of our study was with the most psychologically vulnerable population,Û said Lichtenberg. ÛÏThe combination of high depression and low social-status fulfillment was associated with a 226 percent increase in fraud prevalence in this population. This supports our theory that depressive symptoms and lack of social-needs fulfillment have an effect on fraud prediction, and serves as a reminder to clinical gerontologists how psychological vulnerability can affect older adultsÛª lives in a variety of ways.

The research team recommends that this population be assessed for the potential of financial exploitation, and this assessment should be a regular part of cliniciansÛª toolkits when working with highly vulnerable individuals.

The implications for caregivers are clear. How is your loved one’s state of mind? Could they be exploited? What steps will you take to make sure they are not?

What Causes Age Stereotypes – Three Things (VIDEO)

General Posted by anthony Date May 30, 2013

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What Causes Age Stereotypes – Three Things

General Posted by anthony Date May 29, 2013


Forever Young on TV Land Does a Good Job at Debunking Myths and Promoting Cross-Generation Learning

Princeton University psychology professor Susan Fiske and graduate student Michael North conducted research on the challenge society faces to adjust to a graying population and the intergenerational tensions that can arise.

While most are familiar with descriptive ageist prejudice, in which seniors are discriminated against based on negative stereotypes (i.e. seniors are ÛÏslowÛ or have poor memory), the researchers focused on ageism that is based on what psychologists call prescriptive prejudice.åÊ

Prescriptive ageist prejudices are beliefs about how older adults should differ from others. When older adults do not adhere to these beliefs, they are punished by those who discriminate against them.
The researchers found that the prescriptive stereotypes center on three key issues:

Succession, the idea that older adults should move aside from high-paying jobs and prominent social roles to make way for younger people
Identity, the idea that older people should not attempt to act younger than they are; and
Consumption, the idea that seniors should not consume so many scarce resources such as health care.

I have to say that a new reality show entitled Forever Young, on TV Land, does a good job of addressing these stereotypes. It bridges the generation gap as “juniors” and “seniors” work together to experience each other’s point of view and find out just how much they do or don’t have in common.åÊ

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40+ Are Not Prepared and Misunderstand Long-Term Care Options

General Posted by anthony Date May 24, 2013

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The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research recently released ÛÏLong-Term Care: Perceptions, Experiences andAttitudes among Americans 40 and Older.Û

They conducted a national survey of Americans 40 or older to understand the experiences and attitudes of this population as they begin to plan for their own care and interact with the long-term care system to provide care for loved ones, we examine their understanding of the long-term care system. åÊIn all 1,019 interviews with a nationally representative sample of adults were conducted.

The study reveals several critical issues:

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Although Americans 40 years or older report several concerns about aging and losing their independence, they are not taking actions to plan for their own long-term care needs.

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Only 41 percent of this population has taken the important first step of discussing their preferences for long-term care with their families and only 35 percent have set aside money to pay for their long-term care needs.

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ There are widespread misperceptions among those 40 or over surrounding the costs of long-term care services, with significant proportions of the population underestimating the costs of nursing home care and overestimating the role of Medicare in paying for that care.

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ A majority supports some public policy options for financing long-term care. This includes bipartisan support for tax incentives to encourage individual saving for long-term care expenses.

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Americans 40 or over count on their families to be there for them as they age, but those who are currently receiving long-term care or who have received it in the past are less likely to believe they can rely on their family in a time of need.

Key findings from the survey are provided.

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Three in ten Americans 40 or older would rather not think about getting older at all, and, when prompted to think about it, a majority worry about losing their independence.

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Even with widespread concerns about aging, many Americans have not translated those worries into effective planning strategies.

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ People frequently misperceive the costs of long-term care and they overestimate the role of Medicare in paying for their care.

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Americans 40 or older show majority support for several policies to help individuals pay for the costs of long-term care, though with some partisan divides.

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ The majority of Americans 40 or older have some experience with long-term care.

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Americans 40 or older count on their families to be there for them in times of need and as they age.

åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ When thinking about their living situation as they age, Americans prioritize features that promote independence.