or friends nearby and people with disabilities, memory problems, or dementia. Abuse can happen to any older adult but often affects those who depend on others for help with activities of everyday life — including bathing, dressing, and taking medicine. People who are frail may appear to be easy victims. Money Matters Financial abuse is becoming a widespread and hard-todetect issue. Even someone you’ve never met can steal your financial information using the telephone, internet, or email. Be careful about sharing any financial information over the phone or online — you don’t know who will use it. In addition to the theft of an older person’s money or belongings, financial abuse also includes: Financial neglect occurs when an older adult’s financial responsibilities, such as paying rent or mortgage, medical expenses or insurance, utility bills, or property taxes, are ignored, and the person’s bills are not paid. Financial exploitation is the misuse, mismanagement, or exploitation of property, belongings, or assets. This includes using an older adult’s assets without consent, under false pretense, or through intimidation and/or manipulation. Health care fraud can be committed by doctors, hospital staff, or other health care workers. It includes overcharging, billing twice for the same service, falsifying Medicaid or Medicare claims, or charging for care that wasn’t provided. Older adults and caregivers should keep an eye out for this type of fraud. Abuse can happen in many places, including the older person’s home, family members’ houses, assisted living facilities, or nursing homes. CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 Pub. 1 Issue 2, 2022 19
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