Recognising and responding to financial abuse in residential aged care
| Date | 14 June 2013 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-11-2012-0025 |
| Pages | 141-152 |
| Published date | 14 June 2013 |
| Author | Cheryl Tilse,Jill Wilson |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
Recognising and responding to financial
abuse in residential aged care
Cheryl Tilse and Jill Wilson
Cheryl Tilse and Jill Wilson are
based at the School of Social
Work and Human Services,
The University of Queensland,
Brisbane, Australia.
Abstract
Purpose – Responding to suspected financial abuse in residential aged care provides particular challenges
to care managers. This paper aims to explore responses to financial abuse by care managers and the
knowledge, policies and principles that guide practice in this context.
Design/methodology/approach – The research is part of a larger project exploring financial asset
management and financial abuse in residential aged care in Australia. The thematic analysis reports on
responses of care managers in 62 aged care facilities to survey interview questions and case scenarios
presenting issues of alleged financial abuse.
Findings – Although most care managers accepted an obligation to act in response to suspected financial
abuse, inconsistency and a lack of familiarity with policy are clearly demonstrated. Practice responses vary
according to whether the primary focus is on residents, family or managing risk. Despite most reporting
policies in place in the event of alleged theft, reports on the use of policies and protocols to guide responses
to suspected misuse of an enduring power of attorney or undue influence are limited. The care manager’s
knowledge and approach to practice are crucial to framing the response.
Originality/value – The research provides insight into inconsistencies in responses to financial abuse in
residential aged care, identifies good practice and outlines the limitations in knowledge of some care
managers. It argues for the need to enhance understanding, support and training to further develop practice
in this setting, particularly in relation to adult protection principles.
Keywords Residential aged care, Financial abuse, Older people, Safeguarding, Elder care,
Institutional care, Social care, Elderly people
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
Recognising the signs of abuse of older people and responding appropriately is a challenge
confronting care workers, service systems and professionals (Penhale, 2010; Benevolent
Society,2007). Therecognition of financial abuseis problematic: thereare differing definitions of
what constitutes abuse by different stakeholders (Furness, 2006; Dixon et al., 2010; Penhale,
2010); the dynamics underpinning different forms of abuse are contested (Biggs et al., 2009);
and hence differing frameworks for understanding it emerge in practice (Nerenberg, 2008;
Setterlund et al., 2007; Brandl et al., 2007).
Financial abuse in residential aged care has received limited attention from research, policy and
practice and is easily overlooked in generic studies of abuse (Hafemeister, 2003). In the UK,
Biggs et al. (2009) argue for avoiding blanket forms of understanding mistreatment and suggest
the need for specific research to understand this issue in aged care facilities (ACF). Penhale
(2008) supports this and also suggests that residential settings may require different responses
and interventions to alleviate or prevent mistreatment in these settings. The focus in this paper is
on recognition and responses to one particular form of abuse – financial abuse, in the specific
setting of residential aged care in Australia.
The research was funded by an
Australian Research Linkage Grant
in partnership with residential care
providers (BlueCare and Tricare)
and the Office of the Adult
Guardian, Queensland
Government. The partners, as
members of a critical reference
group, assisted in developing and
piloting the research instruments
and sampling strategy, provided
updates on concerns in the field,
commented on interpretations of
key results and assisted with
dissemination of results.
DOI 10.1108/JAP-11-2012-0025 VOL. 15 NO. 3 2013, pp. 141-152, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1466-8203
j
JOURNAL OF ADULT PROTECTION
j
PAGE 141
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