A5 · Neglect or money exploitation risk
Risk Older adult
Definition
The older person may be neglected or taken advantage of by others.- Dependence
- dementia
- abusers
- isolation
- Missing money
- unpaid bills
- poor hygiene
- fear
📋 Scenario
An older woman with early dementia lets a relative manage her bank card.
Subjective (S): "My son handles my money."
Objective (O): Early dementia; lives with a relative who manages her bank card; cannot say her balance; clean and well fed; no missing money found yet.
Assessment tools for this scenario: CP-OLDER Older Adult Check
Validated scales to consider: 4AT / CAM, Mini-Cog
**CarePath diagnosis:** Neglect or money exploitation risk related to dependence and memory problems (risk factors); no signs of the problem are present yet.
**Interventions and rationale**
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Ask privately. | Speaking alone lets her answer without pressure from the person who may be controlling her, so she can speak freely and safely. |
| Document. | Accurate, dated and factual records protect the patient and support any later investigation and clear notes give a reliable record if the concern is investigated later. |
| Report per policy. | Reporting through the agreed policy brings in people with legal authority to investigate and protect vulnerable adults. |
| Involve a social worker. | A social worker can assess her finances and care, and arrange independent help and protective measures. |
| Ensure safety. | Making sure she is safe comes first, so no further harm can occur while concerns are looked into. |
**Expected outcomes**
- Patient safe.
- Concerns reported per policy.
- Independent help arranged.
- Finances protected.
**Linking the data to the diagnosis**
The patient says, 'My son handles my money.' She has early dementia, lives with a relative who manages her bank card and cannot say her balance. She is clean and well fed, and no missing money has been found yet, so neglect or exploitation has not been shown. This is why a risk statement fits, and it rests on dependence and memory problems. The plan aims for the patient to be safe, concerns reported per policy, independent help arranged and finances protected.
CarePath diagnosis
Neglect or money exploitation risk related to dependence and memory problems (risk factors); no signs of the problem are present yet.
Interventions and rationale
Listed in priority order.
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| 1. Ask privately. | Speaking alone lets her answer without pressure from the person who may be controlling her, so she can speak freely and safely. |
| 2. Document. | Accurate, dated and factual records protect the patient and support any later investigation and clear notes give a reliable record if the concern is investigated later. |
| 3. Report per policy. | Reporting through the agreed policy brings in people with legal authority to investigate and protect vulnerable adults. |
| 4. Involve a social worker. | A social worker can assess her finances and care, and arrange independent help and protective measures. |
| 5. Ensure safety. | Making sure she is safe comes first, so no further harm can occur while concerns are looked into. |
Expected outcomes
- Patient safe.
- Concerns reported per policy.
- Independent help arranged.
- Finances protected.
Linking the data to the diagnosis
The patient says, 'My son handles my money.' She has early dementia, lives with a relative who manages her bank card and cannot say her balance. She is clean and well fed, and no missing money has been found yet, so neglect or exploitation has not been shown. This is why a risk statement fits, and it rests on dependence and memory problems. The plan aims for the patient to be safe, concerns reported per policy, independent help arranged and finances protected.