Financial Exploitation and Psychological Abuse of Older Adults in the Chicago Metropolitan Area, 2007-2008 [United States]

The research team developed two self-reporting questionnaires, the Older Adult Mistreatment Assessment (OAMA) Client Questionnaire and the OAMA Staff Questionnaire, in order to measure for financial exploitation and psychological abuse of the elderly. The OAMA Client Questionnaire was administered to clients aged 60 years and over who had been substantiated for at least one form of elderly mistreatment within the Chicago metropolitan area. In addition, a corresponding Staff Questionnaire was administered to each evaluator involved in the field test and submitted on behalf of each client in the study. In all, 227 client interviews with 227 corresponding staff questionnaires were compiled between 2007 and 2008, and scales were developed for measurements of both financial exploitation and psychological abuse. Financial exploitation of the elderly was measured through variables related to theft, scams, coercion, signs of abuse or financial entitlement by trusted friends or family members, and money management difficulties. Psychological abuse of the elderly was measured through variables related to isolation, disrespect, exploited vulnerability, shame, threats and intimidation, and risk factors related to the client's trusted friends or family.