Financial

Financial or material abuse can take the form of fraud, theft or using of the vulnerable adults property without their permission. This could involve large sums of money or just small amounts from a pension or allowance each week.

It is important not to jump to the wrong conclusions too quickly, however the following is a list of possible indicators of financial abuse:

• Sudden inability to pay bills
• Sudden withdrawal of money from an account
• Person lacks belongings that they can clearly afford
• Lack of receptivity by the persons relatives to necessary expenditure
• Power of attorney obtained when the person is unable to understand what they are signing
• Extraordinary interest by family members in the vulnerable adults assets
• Recent change of deeds o the house
• Carers main interest is financial with little regard for the health and welfare of the vulnerable adult
• The person managing the finances is evasive and uncooperative
• Reluctance to accept care services
• Purchase of items that the individual does not require or use
• Personal items going missing
• Unreasonable or inappropriate gifts