The information below has come from the Alzheimer’s Australia NSW Library & Information Service News, and is a very important piece of work.

On June 15 it was World Elder Abuse Day which although not everyone with dementia is older, the majority are, and it makes the following quote and information even more relevant.

“All human beings are born with equal and inalienable rights, and have the right to age with dignity, respected by their families and communities, free of neglect, abuse and violence. ”

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon

Discussion Paper 10 June 2014: Preventing Financial Abuse of People With Dementia

The financial abuse of people with dementia is a concern to Alzheimer’s Australia NSW with staff hearing about numerous cases. This research was conducted to examine how the abuse occurs and what can be done to prevent or reduce the incidence of it. The Paper includes examples of financial abuse of people with dementia which highlight the ways in which it is perpetrated and the devastating effects it has for victims and their loved ones.

A number of possible strategies to reduce the incidence of financial abuse of people with dementia and to resolve cases satisfactorily emerged from the research. These include reporting of the abuse, and registration and monitoring of people appointed as an attorney under an Enduring Power of Attorney.

This discussion paper includes examples of financial abuse of people with dementia; an Executive summary; Background and aims;    What it is; The prevalence of financial abuse of people with dementia; Why are people with dementia vulnerable to financial abuse?; The “red flags”: signs of financial abuse; The importance of planning ahead; Previous research and many other important topics and issues, including Recommendations.

You can download the full Discussion paper here AlzheimersAustraliaNSW-Pub_DiscussionPaperFinancialAbuse_2014or it is also available for loan to members of AANSW – please email the Library on nsw.library@alzheimers.org.au