Dr. Virginia Vincenti, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
Laramie, WY
Phone: 307-766-4079
Email: vincenti@uwyo.edu
In 1964 the power of attorney (POA) was created as a cheaper, less embarrassing and less expensive alternative to guardianship. By 1984 the POA was widely used to help older adults mange their affairs if and when they become unable to do it themselves. Power of attorney documents are frequently used to perpetrate EFE, although there are many other means, such as but not limited to joint bank accounts, quitclaim deeds, inappropriate use of credit and ATM cards. "Do it Yourself" POA documents are especially risky because they are easily accessible and inexpensive, but lack the opportunity for legal advise and building in safeguards relevant to an older person's particular situation. Because power of attorney lacks oversight, it has been called a "license to steal" (Stiegel, 2008).
Family members, being the largest group of EFE perpetrators, have on average stolen larger amounts and have used more methods to do it than non-relatives (Utah, 2011, p.11).
The U.S. population is aging and more older people are living longer. EFE is predicted to escalate as the large baby boomer population becomes vulnerable. Adults 65 and older are expected to be approximately 22% of the population by 2040, up from 14.5% today (US Dept. HHS, 2016).This also means more family members will be involved for longer periods of time with their vulnerable older relatives. This demographic change increases the opportunities for family-perpetrated EFE to occur as well as increases stress and expense for older relatives, family members, and society.
It results in psychological, financial, and relationship consequences for victims and their families as secondary victims, causing family fractures and estrangements, often for generations. This problem also increases the likelihood of earlier death for older relatives.
Costs to society include increased costs to Medicaid, the justice system, community service agencies and organizations, and costs incurred for prevention, education, and research. Businesses unpaid by impoverished older people also suffer consequences from EFE as well as losses because of employees' distraction and absenteeism resulting from the family stress EFE causes.
JL
We need family-member participants who have experienced a successful POA implementation period AND those who have experiences alleged or substantiated elder financial exploitation.
Participants can be older adults who appointed a family member as their POA agents, the POA agents, and/or other family members who know about the situation.
The active POA implementation period does not need to be current to be eligible to participate in this study.
The older relative who appointed a family member as her/his POA agent does not have to still be living.
Where You Can Get Help:
Dr. Virginia Vincenti, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences
Laramie, WY
Phone: 307-766-4079
Email: vincenti@uwyo.edu