• Janey C Peterson, David P R Burnes, Paul L Caccamise, Art Mason, Charles R Henderson, Martin T Wells, Jacquelin Berman, Ann Marie Cook, Denise Shukoff, Patricia Brownell, Mebane Powell, Aurora Salamone, Karl A Pillemer, and Mark S Lachs.
• Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Evaluative Sciences Research, Center for Integrative Medicine, Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Weill Cornell Medical College, 1300 York Avenue, Box 46, New York, NY, 10065, USA, jcpeters@med.cornell.edu.
• J Gen Intern Med. 2014 Dec 1; 29 (12): 161516231615-23.

BackgroundFinancial exploitation is the most common and least studied form of elder abuse. Previous research estimating the prevalence of financial exploitation of older adults (FEOA) is limited by a broader emphasis on traditional forms of elder mistreatment (e.g., physical, sexual, emotional abuse/neglect).Objectives1) estimate the one-year period prevalence and lifetime prevalence of FEOA; 2) describe major FEOA types; and 3) identify factors associated with FEOA.DesignPrevalence study with a random, stratified probability sample.ParticipantsFour thousand, one hundred and fifty-six community-dwelling, cognitively intact adults age ≥ 60 years.SettingNew York State.Main MeasuresComprehensive tool developed for this study measured five FEOA domains: 1) stolen or misappropriated money/property; 2) coercion resulting in surrendering rights/property; 3) impersonation to obtain property/services; 4) inadequate contributions toward household expenses, but respondent still had enough money for necessities and 5) respondent was destitute and did not receive necessary assistance from family/friends.Key ResultsOne-year period FEOA prevalence was 2.7% (95% CI, 2.29-3.29) and lifetime prevalence was 4.7% (95% CI, 4.05-5.34). Greater relative risk (RR) of one-year period prevalence was associated with African American/black race (RR, 3.80; 95 % CI, 1.11-13.04), poverty (RR, 1.72; 95 % CI, 1.09-2.71), increasing number of non-spousal household members (RR, 1.16; 95 % CI, 1.06-1.27), and ≥ 1 instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) impairments (RR, 1.69; 95 % CI, 1.12-2.53). Greater RR of lifetime prevalence was associated with African American/black race (RR, 2.61; 95 % CI, 1.37-4.98), poverty (RR, 1.47; 95 % CI, 1.04-2.09), increasing number of non-spousal household members (RR, 1.16; 95 % CI, 1.12-1.21), and having ≥1 IADL (RR, 1.45; 95 % CI, 1.11-1.90) or ≥1 ADL (RR, 1.52; 95 % CI, 1.06-2.18) impairment. Living with a spouse/partner was associated with a significantly lower RR of lifetime prevalence (RR, 0.39; 95 % CI, 0.26-0.59) CONCLUSIONS: Financial exploitation of older adults is a common and serious problem. Elders from groups traditionally considered to be economically, medically, and sociodemographically vulnerable are more likely to self-report financial exploitation.

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