In This Episode:
Dr. K talks with attorney Candace Heisler, JD, an expert on addressing financial exploitation and other forms of elder abuse. Ms. Heisler served as assistant district attorney for the City and County of San Francisco for over 25 years, and remains active in training various professionals to address elder abuse. They discuss:
- What it means to financially exploit an older person
- The role of trust and relationships in facilitating financial exploitation
- Why it can be hard to determine whether financial abuse has occurred
- What to do if you suspect that an older relative has been financially exploited
- The role of Adult Protective Services in investigating worrisome situations
- The difference between pursuing a criminal case versus a civil case
- What is “undue influence” and how it’s related to financial abuse
- Steps older adults can take to reduce their risk of being financially exploited
- How to reduce the risk of that a power of attorney might be misused
Related episode:
091 – Interview: Reducing the Risk of Power of Attorney Abuse
037 – Interview: Using Powers of Attorney to Help Older Adults
Related Resources:
- Financial Exploitation in Aging: What to Know & What to Do
- Candace Heisler’s recommended resources:
- Legal Services for the Elderly Program
- National Academy of Medicine: Cognitive Aging: Progress in Understanding and Opportunities for Action
- The New Yorker: My Mother and Her Scammer
Jc says
Thanks so much for these important conversations.
Wish people like Ms. Heisler, David Godfrey, Mark Gilfix and the good Dr.would share non personal info of powers of attorneys , advance directive provisions they find useful.
Solo agers really need these….hard to advance plan when so hard to find professionals with as much experience and compassion as the above. Hope can find elder law professionals in area who have listened to as many of these amazing podcasts as myself. Don’t want to keep wasting $$$ on lawyers who provide boiler plate documents that don’t address planning for possible incapacity and supported decision making ( for short-term as well as possible long-term incapacities ) in a way that empowers the health or financial Poa while providing reasonable protections to reduce risk of abuse,, and in a way that financial institutions will accept. Sample documents would be a big help! Thanks!
Nicole Didyk, MD says
I’m glad you appreciated the podcast!
Those are good suggestions, although it might be a challenge to suggest professionals who are available in every area of our readers.
Pam says
This podcast was very informative to me as my brother and I are gathering information on this topic in order to intervene with our father’s caregiver who is financially exploiting him with undo influence. I got a lot of great information and some great resources! Thank you!
Nicole Didyk, MD says
I’m so glad it was helpful and thanks for your positive feedback – it means a lot! I hope you can help your father get the help he needs.
LORETTA AUGUSTUS says
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I love your site! I have registered several times and each time I find myself seeking some of your valuable information it prompts me to give email and then I am emailed and must confirm.
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Nicole Didyk, MD says
Hi Loretta
I get that prompt to sign up too, and I am not a tech specialist but I think it is just programmed to pop up like that. You should be signed up if you have added your email once. Did you confirm when you got the confirmation email? If so, then you should be all set! Thanks for signing up!