Trauma-Informed Approaches to Support Victim-Survivors of Elder Financial Exploitation

Abstract

Elder financial exploitation, which includes scams, fraud, and financial abuse, is a growing elder justice issue that affects the health, financial security, and emotional well-being of older adults. Social workers play a critical role in elder financial exploitation prevention, detection, and response, including helping victim-survivors heal from the traumatic loss of trust, feelings of shame, and financial loss. In this article, we summarize research on the social and emotional costs of elder financial victimization and advocate for person-centered and trauma-informed interventions. We highlight research on trauma-informed interventions used to treat older adult victim-survivors in other contexts and communities such as domestic violence, older combat veterans, and older adults with other forms of past trauma. We describe how social workers can improve the lives of elder financial exploitation victim-survivors using trauma-informed psychotherapy, peer support groups, community engagement, care coordination, and advocacy within financial institutions and justice systems. This paper also showcases recent innovations in person-centered and trauma-informed care for elder mistreatment and offers recommendations for further research on and greater access to trauma-informed services.