W3191: Elder Financial Exploitation: Family Risk and Protective Factors

(Multistate Research Project)

Status: Inactive/Terminating

Project Menu

SAES-422 Reports

Annual/Termination Reports:

[10/31/2018] [09/30/2019] [10/27/2020]

Date of Annual Report: 10/31/2018

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 08/31/2018 - 09/07/2018
Period the Report Covers: 07/01/2017 - 09/07/2018

Participants

Axton Betz-Hamilton, axton.betzhamilton@sdstate.edu, South Dakota State University
Cory Bolkan, Bolkan@wsu.edu, Washington State University, Vancouver
Ashton Chapman, champmana@iastate.edu, Iowa State University
Cole Ehmke, cehmke@uwyo.edu, University of Wyoming
Megan Gilligan, mgilliga@iastate.edu, Iowa State University
Cynthia Jasper: crjasper@wisc.edu, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Don Rudisuhle donrudi@donrudi.com, Fraud Investigator, Laramie, WY
Ken Gerow, gerow@uwyo.edu, University of Wyoming
Marlene Stum, mstum@umn.edu, University of Minnesota
Pamela Teaster, pteaster@vt.edu, Virginia Tech University
Virginia Vincenti, vincenti@uwyo.edu, University of Wyoming

Brief Summary of Minutes

W3191 Multistate Project: Elder Financial Exploitation Annual Meeting Day 1 (8.31.18)

Attending: Cory Bolkan, Pamela Teaster, Marlene Stum, Virginia Vincenti, Don Rudisuhle, Axton Betz-Hamilton, Ashton Chapman, Cole Ehmke and Cindy Jasper

Bronfenbrenner Model: We discussed our used a modified Bronfenbrenner model to frame our collective efforts. In response to Bronfenbrenner’s updated model, we explored specifically adapting the Process-Person-Context-Time (PPCT) Model.

Time/Process: We discussed the distinctions between time and process, and brainstormed specific examples of process that may be relevant to our collective work (e.g. family relationships, history of abuse, gatekeeping, history of exchanges and family stress). We also discussed that perhaps we are best able to capture time at this stage by utilizing retrospective and prospective data. There may also be secondary datasets which will allow us to examine elder financial exploitation longitudinally.

Macrosystem: We brainstormed several possible examples of the macrosystem that we might include (e.g. cultural values, norms and economic systems).

Microsystem: We discussed who might fit best in the microsystem of our model (e.g. victim, perpetrators and families). There was some discussion whether the PPCT model is actually the best fit for us given that we are not all focused on one person’s individual development.

Next Steps: We should look at models used by other researchers and determine our project’s unique contributions (e.g. family systems perspective, family complexity and data collection from multiple family members).

Meeting with Brent Eldrod, NIFA: The USDA and DOJ are holding a Rural Elder Justice Summit in Des Moines, IA on Nov 14^th and 15^th. Members of our group may be asked to talk at this event. Brent shared a preliminary agenda for the meeting (this should only be shared with project members at this point). Also, Brent shared that group members may receive access the Medicare database.

Individual Updates

Marlene and Axton are working on a joint project that emphasize the family system by considering the perspective of multiple family members (and recognizing that there may multiple victims and perpetrators in the same family).

Ginny, Axton, Bernard, and Cole are working on a joint project regarding risk and protective factors within families when older adults have appointed power of attorneys. Cole is working specifically on developing print materials to add an extension effort.

Don, Pam and Cory are working on a project on the role of opioids in financial exploitation. Don has used a web crawler to look at over 7,000 articles related to financial exploitation.

Axton asked us to brainstorm ideas for recruitment for her project.

Pam and Cory received funds from the Retirement Research Foundation for their project on abuse of vulnerable adults by surrogate decision makers.

Ashton received funds from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation to examine rural older adults’ health and well-being.

Megan completed a community-based elder abuse needs assessment in Iowa by collecting data from over 200 professionals who work with older adults and their families.

Prep for next meeting (9.7.18)

We should read additional elder abuse literature. Also, Ashton shared that there are slides at the end of the Tudge’s talk she shared which we can use to fill information from our own project.

W3191 Multistate Project: Elder Financial Exploitation Annual Meeting Day 2 (9.7.18)

Attending: Cory Bolkan, Marlene Stum, Virginia Vincenti, Don Rudisuhle, Axton Betz-Hamilton, Ashton Chapman, Cole Ehmke and Cindy Jasper

Next Meetings: We are not meeting as a large group in September and December. Instead, we should check in with our subgroups.

Annual Meeting (Thinking Ahead) We discussed of a having an in-person annual meeting. The second week of May was discussed as a possible time. We also discussed Minneapolis as a possible location. Marlene is going to look into logistics (e.g. housing, transportation, etc.). We should check our schedules for times and dates that will not work. Also, we should check with our home institutions regarding when travel funds for the meeting are available.

Reporting: Our group annual report is approaching. Also, we will need to create an report for our 2018 annual meeting. Cory and Axton will take lead on generating these documents. We should send Cory our individual updates (e.g. publications, conference presentations, grants, webinars, etc.) asap.

Meeting with Brent Eldrod, NIFA: Update on USDA and DOJ Rural Elder Justice Summit in Des Moines, IA on Nov 14^th and 15^th. Pam and Megan are both planning to attend the summit. The thematic area where our work will likely be highlighted is “Strength of Rural Communities.” We discussed the level of the involvement that the groups could/should have in the summit.

PPCT Model: We spent the majority of our time discussing how our individual projects and the overall group work might fit into a PPCT model. An idea developed of using the PPCT to explain elder financial exploitation more generally. We discussed the possibility of writing a theoretical paper as a group and possible planning a conference symposium ( maybe GSA?).

For next steps, we should all review existing models of elder financial abuse more generally (and perhaps other types of violence). Specially, we should consider work which has applied an ecological model- and identity ways that our proposed model pushes this work in new directions. (We did not think that there was work that has used the PPCT model to frame elder financial exploitation.)

Minor note: The group had been using RefWorks to share work. Some group members indicated that they no longer use this package (but can access it). In the future, we should decide what is the best mechanism for us to share work with each other.

Accomplishments

W3191 Accomplishments Since the Last Annual Meeting   Short-term Outcomes. As indicated in our outputs (listed below) we participated in a number of education and outreach opportunities which targeted researchers, professionals who work with older adults, as well as community members. This work helps to increase recognition and detection of elder financial exploitation, which ultimately reduces costs to families, communities, and society.   Outputs. We list below our annual outputs in terms of presentations, publications, grant funding, and publications.   Presentations: <ul> <li>Betz-Hamilton, A., & Vincenti, V.B. (2018, May). Beyond estate planning: What families need to proactively prepare for success during late-life dependency. Peer-reviewed webinar presentation for the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Virtual Professional Development Program.</li> <li>Steinman, B. A., Betz-Hamilton, A. E., Bolkan, C. R., Jasper, C. R., Stum, M. S., Teaster, P. B., and Vincenti, V. B. (2017). Risk and Protective Factors for Elder Financial Exploitation by Family Member Power of Attorney Agents. International Association of Gerontology and Geriatrics conference.</li> <li>Stum, M. (May, 2018).  Changing the Culture of Under Reporting Elder Family Financial Exploitation to Improve Health.  National Health Outreach Conference:  Minneapolis, MN.</li> <li>Stum, M. (June, 2018).  A view from inside: Experiencing elder family financial exploitation.  World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  Minneapolis, MN. </li> <li>Vincenti, V. (13 June 2018). What We Know: Family Risk & Protective Factors Affecting the Likelihood of Elder Family Financial Exploitation (EFFE). Groves Conference on Marriage and Family. Portland, ME.</li> <li>Vincenti, V. (17 October 2017). Social Justice Scholars Panelist. 10th Year Celebration. Change the Conversation: Change the Narrative. University of Wyoming.</li> <li>Vincenti, V. B. (14 September 2017). Elder Financial Exploitation by Relatives with Powers of Attorney. Community Program. St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. Laramie, WY.</li> <li>Hartnett, A., Rudisuhle, D., Kohm, K. (2017, October) Diminished Capacity and Senior Clients: What Steps Compliance Can Take to Protect its Firm and the Client. Webinar for investment advisers presented by Ascendant Compliance Management.</li> </ul>   Publications: <ul> <li>Betz-Hamilton, A. (2018). Challenges and strategies associated with recruiting participants for family financial exploitation research. Consumer Interests Annual, 64.</li> <li>Betz-Hamilton, A. and Vincenti, V. B. (2018). Risk Factors within Families Associated with Elder Financial Exploitation by Relatives with Powers of Attorney. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences. 110 (1): 19-27.</li> <li>Teaster, P. B., Vincenti, V., Betz-Hamilton, A., Bolkan, C. and Jasper, C. (2018). Themes from Elder Financial Exploitation by Family Member Powers of Attorney. In Gender, Sexual Identity, and Families: The Personal Is Political.  Co-editors: Lyness, K. & Fischer, J. (Monograph, vol. 6). (accepted)</li> </ul>   Grants: <ul> <li>Betz-Hamilton, A. (2018). Exploration of the risk and protective factors associated with elder family financial exploitation (EFFE). South Dakota State University Foundation Women and Giving Grant. ($1,200.00).</li> <li>Betz-Hamilton, A. and Vincenti, V. B. (2017). Elder Family Financial Exploitation: Risk and Protective Factors within Families. Alumni Research Grant, Phi Upsilon Omicron, Inc. $2,500.</li> <li>Ehmke, C., and Vincenti, V. CRIS (Current Research Information System), Based on WY Multistate Project. June, 2018-May 2019. $3600.</li> <li>Teaster, P., Bolkan, C., Ramsey-Klawsnik, H., & Gerow, K. The Abuse of Vulnerable Older Adults by Surrogate Decision Maker Perpetrators. Retirement Research Foundation ($154,000).</li> <li>Vincenti, V., Betz-Hamilton, A., & Chapman, A. (2018-2021). Understanding elder family financial exploitation (EFFE): Identifying risk and protective factors. Kappa Omicron Nu New Initiatives Grant. ($9,000.00).</li> </ul>   Activities. Multistate team participants are engaged in multiple types of scholarly and outreach activities that include grantwriting, data collection, data analyses, outreach, and publication.   Milestones. The multistate team has a number of key milestones for achieving and delivering additional outputs of our project. During the next year, the team plans to: (a) participate in the NIFA/DOJ sponsored national summit on Rural & Tribal Elder Justice; (b) develop a socioecological theoretical model for elder financial exploitation for publication and presentation at a national conference; (c) continue data collection, data cleaning, and data analyses; and (d) continue to publish results.

Publications

<ul> <li>Betz-Hamilton, A. (2018). Challenges and strategies associated with recruiting participants for family financial exploitation research. Consumer Interests Annual, 64.</li> <li>Betz-Hamilton, A. and Vincenti, V. B. (2018). Risk factors within families associated with elder financial exploitation by relatives with powers of attorney. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 110(1), 19-27.</li> <li>Teaster, P. B., Vincenti, V., Betz-Hamilton, A., Bolkan, C. and Jasper, C. (2018). Themes from elder financial exploitation by family member powers of attorney. In Gender, Sexual Identity, and Families: The Personal Is Political.  Co-editors: Lyness, K. & Fischer, J. (Monograph, vol. 6). (accepted)</li> </ul>

Impact Statements

Impacts Elder financial exploitation (EFE) of older adults is a widespread and growing problem. In response, the field of elder mistreatment has grown exponentially, particularly examinations of the subtype area of financial exploitation. Most researchers have focused on identification of the problem. Little work has been conducted on how and why exploitation occurs, particularly within the family unit. The goals of our multistate project are to better understand this phenomena from multiple levels and lines of inquiry, with an eye toward prevention and intervention. Activities. Activities associated with achieving these impacts include monthly multi-state team meetings to discuss development of a socioecological theory of elder financial exploitation within families and subgroups are working on collecting both quantitative and qualitative data, analyzing primary and secondary data, and disseminating results in peer-reviewed publications, at academic conferences, and to community members. Milestones. Milestones for achieving these impacts include submission of a manuscript focused on our developed socioecological theory of elder financial exploitation within families by December 2019, submission of a manuscript focused on perpetrators of elder financial exploitation within families by December 2018, and presentation of subproject findings at academic conferences throughout 2019. Indicators. Regular communication among members of the multi-state team and subproject groups will help ensure achievement of our objectives and impacts.

Date of Annual Report: 09/30/2019

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 09/06/2019 - 09/06/2019
Period the Report Covers: 07/01/2019 - 09/12/2019

Participants

Brief Summary of Minutes

Accomplishments

W3191 Accomplishments Since the Last Annual Meeting   Short-term Outcomes. As indicated in our outputs (listed below) we participated in a number of education and outreach opportunities which targeted researchers, professionals who work with older adults, as well as community members. This work helps to increase recognition and detection of elder financial exploitation, which ultimately reduces costs to families, communities, and society.   Outputs. We list below our annual outputs in terms of presentations, publications, grant funding, and publications.   Presentations: <ul> <li>Vincenti, V. B. and Werth, C. (24 August 2019). Preventing Elder Family Financial Exploitation (EFFE): Identifying Risk and Protective Factors. Rocky Mt. Elder Law Retreat. Vail, CO.</li> <li>Rudisuhle, Don. (13 August 2019). Investigating Cases of Financial Crimes Against the Elderly. Association of Certified Fraud Examiners Northern Colorado Area Chapter, Loveland, CO. </li> <li>Vincenti, V. B. (10 June 2019). What Research Tells Us: Family Risk & Protective Factors Affecting Elder Family Financial Exploitation. Knowledge is Power: A Workshop for Victims of Elder Financial Exploitation & Abuse & Elder Justice Advocates. Washington, DC.</li> <li>Teaster, P., Bolkan, C., Ramsey-Klawsnik, H., & Gerow, K. (August 2019). Abuse of Vulnerable Older Adults by Surrogate Maker Perpetrators. Presented at the National Adult Protective Services Association Conference. Denver, Colorodo.</li> </ul>   Publications: <ul> <li>Teaster, P. B., Vincenti, V., Betz-Hamilton, A., Bolkan, C. and Jasper, C. (in press). Themes from Elder Financial Exploitation by Family Member Powers of Attorney. In Gender, Sexual Identity, and Families: The Personal Is Political.  Co-editors: Lyness, K. & Fischer, J. (Monograph, vol. 6).</li> </ul>   Grants: <ul> <li>Ehmke, C. and Vincenti, V. (2018). Elder Family Financial Exploitation Awareness & Prevention. John P. Ellbogen Foundation, Wyoming Communities, Agriculture, and Rural Living Fund. $12,240.00 in the first year and $1,025.00 in the second year.</li> <li>Ehmke, C. (July 2019). Multistate Research Project W2191, Elder Financial Exploitation: Impact on Families. July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. $3,600 annually funded.</li> <li>Ehmke, C., and Vincenti, V. CRIS (Current Research Information System), Based on WY Multistate Project. June, 2018-May 2019. $3600.</li> <li>Teaster, P., Bolkan, C., Ramsey-Klawsnik, H., & Gerow, K. (2018 – 2019).The Abuse of Vulnerable Older Adults by Surrogate Decision Maker Perpetrators. Retirement Research Foundation ($154,000).</li> <li>Vincenti, V., Betz-Hamilton, A., & Chapman, A. (2018-2021). Understanding elder family financial exploitation (EFFE): Identifying risk and protective factors. Kappa Omicron Nu New Initiatives Grant. ($9,000.00).</li> </ul>   Activities. Multistate team participants are engaged in multiple types of scholarly and outreach activities that include grantwriting, data collection, data analyses, grant writing, outreach, and publication.   Milestones. The multistate team has a number of key milestones for achieving and delivering additional outputs of our project. During the next year, the team plans to: (a) develop a socioecological theoretical model for elder financial exploitation for publication and presentation at a national conference; (b) continue data collection, data cleaning, and data analyses; and (c) continue to publish results.

Publications

Impact Statements

Elder financial exploitation (EFE) of older adults is a widespread and growing problem. In response, the field of elder mistreatment has grown exponentially, particularly examinations of the subtype area of financial exploitation. Most researchers have focused on identification of the problem. Little work has been conducted on how and why exploitation occurs, particularly within the family unit. The goals of our multistate project are to better understand this phenomena from multiple levels and lines of inquiry, with an eye toward prevention and intervention.

Date of Annual Report: 10/27/2020

Report Information

Annual Meeting Dates: 09/09/2020 - 09/09/2020
Period the Report Covers: 09/07/2019 - 09/08/2020

Participants

Betz-Hamilton, Axton (axton.betzhamilton@sdstate.edu) – South Dakota State University;
Shigeto, Aya (as1959@nova.edu) –Nova Southeastern University;
Stum, Marlene (mstum@umn.edu) –University of Minnesota;
Ehmke, Cole (cehmke@uwyo.edu) – University of Wyoming;
Vincenti, Virginia (vincenti@uwyo.edu) –University of Wyoming;
Teaster, Pam (pteaster@vt.edu) – Virginia Tech;
Jasper, Cynthia (cjasper@wisc.edu) –University of Wisconsin-Madison;
Rudisuhle, Don (don@donrudi.com) –Self-employed;
Bolkan, Cory (bolkan@wsu.edu) – Washington State University;
Texeria, Ana (teixeirc@mailbox.sc.edu) – University of South Carolina;
Freund, Nicole (nicole.freund@wichita.edu) –Wichita State University;
Puhlman, Daniel (daniel.puhlman@maine.edu) –University of Maine;
Murillo, Gustavo (G.MurilloBorjas@my.calsouthern.edu) –California Southern University;
Bobbit, Julie (jbobbitt@illinois.edu) –University of Illinois

Brief Summary of Minutes

Researchers have been working in three subgroups since 2017: One group (Shigeto, Ehmke, Vincenti, Rudisuhle, Texeria, Freund, Puhlman, Murillo, Steinman, Yoon, Barry, Bobbitt, Chapman) is focused on identifying risk and protective factors of elder family financial exploitation by POA agents, one group is focused on identifying behavioral patterns of elder family financial exploitation perpetrators (Betz-Hamilton, Stum), and one group is focused on surrogate decision-making of older adults (Bolkan, Teaster).

The annual meeting centered on subgroups sharing accomplishments for the year and discussing the mid-term reviews of the project. As chair of the project, Betz-Hamilton emphasized the need for subgroups to focus on products (e.g., publications, presentations) over the next year, given the comments provided in the mid-term reviews. Additional discussion focused on identifying leadership for the project as no chair-elect and secretary were in place during the period covered by this report. Betz-Hamilton stated she wanted to step down as chair of the project and noted her concerns with researchers being added to the project without being notified as the chair. Aya Shigeto has agreed to assume the role of chair and Nicole Freund has agreed to assume the role of secretary. A chair-elect for the project is still needed. As well, a discussion regarding how to address inactive members occurred.

Accomplishments

Accomplishments Short-term outcomes: <ul> <li>Application of Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory as a theoretical framework for understanding elder family financial exploitation</li> </ul> Outputs: Peer-Reviewed Publication Steinman, B. A., Vincenti, V. B., & Yoon, S. (September 2020). Family Dynamics and Their Association with Elder Family Financial Exploitation in Families with Appointed Powers of Attorney submitted to J. of Elder Abuse and Neglect. Published online. <a href="about:blank">https://doi.org/10.1080/08946566.2020.1823290</a> Conference Proceedings and Refereed Abstracts Betz-Hamilton, A., & Rich, J. (2019) Successful family member POA agent implementation: Estate planning experiences in South Dakota. Proceedings of the 2019 Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education conference. Bolkan, C., Stum, M., & Teaster, P. (2019). Elder financial abuse in families: Expanding theory and research. Innovation in Aging, 3  (Supplement 1), S383).Gerontology Society of America. doi: <a href="https://doiorg">https://doi:org/10.1093/geroni/igz038.1406</a> Gilligan, M., Betz-Hamilton, A., & Chapman, A. (2019). Addressing the theoretical gaps in elder financial exploitation.  Innovation in Aging, 3 (suppl_1), S384. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igz038.1409 Kilaberia, T., Fuhrman, E., Stum, M., & Freeman, I. (2019). Elder family financial exploitation:  Experiences with social services, Innovation in Aging, 3 (Supplement 1), S920). Gerontology Society of America. doi:https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igz038.3352 Stum, M. (2019). Examining the nature and role of family system interactions and elder family financial exploitation. Innovation in Aging, 3 (Supplement 1), S383-384). Gerontology Society of America. doi: <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igz038.1408">https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igz038.1408</a> Editor-Reviewed Publications Betz-Hamilton, A. E., & Zurlo, K. (2019). Financial abuse and victimization of older adults. In C. Callahan & J. Frey (Eds).  Handbook on Financial Social Work and Clinical Implications (pp. 26-37). Rich, J., & Betz-Hamilton, A. (2019). Promoting family strengths to reduce elder family financial exploitation. NCFR Report. Available at https://www.ncfr.org/ncfr-report/fall-2019 Teaster, P. B., Vincenti, V., Betz-Hamilton, A., Bolkan, C., & Jasper, C. (2019). Themes from elder financial exploitation by family member powers of attorney. In K.P. Lyness & J.L. Fischer (Eds.) Gender, Sexual Identity, and Families: The Personal is Political. Ann Arbor, MI: MPublishing, University of Michigan Library. doi: 10.3998/groves.9453087.0005.001 Presentations Bolkan, C., & Teaster, P, Ramsey-Klawsnik, H., Gerow, K. (November, 2019). Preliminary Findings on Family Perpetrators as Designated Surrogate Decision Makers. Paper accepted as part of symposium, Elder Financial Abuse in Families: Expanding Theory and Research. Co-chairs: C. Bolkan & M. Stum, accepted to the 74th Annual Scientific Meeting of the Gerontological Society of America, Austin, TX. Ehmke, C. Elder Family Financial Exploitation. Wyoming Women in Ag Symposium. Casper, Wyoming. 15 November 2019. Ehmke, C. and Vincenti, V. Abuse of Power of Attorney: Risk Factors, Prevention and Responding. Extension Risk Management Education National Conference. Denver, CO. April 1-2, 2020 (poster)            Vincenti, V. B. and Chapman, A. Elder Family Financial Exploitation by Power-of-Attorney Agents Through the Lens of Bronfenbrenner’s PPCT Model. Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting. Austin, TX. 14 November 2019. Vincenti, V. B. and Chapman, A. Understanding Risk and protective Factors for Elder Family Financial Exploitation: A preventive Approach. Gerontological Society of America Annual Scientific Meeting. Austin, TX. 14 November 2019. Vincenti, V. B. & Steinman, B. A. Family Dynamics and Their Association with Elder Family Financial Exploitation in Families with Appointed Powers of Attorney. American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Annual Conference. Virtual Conference. June 25-26, 2020 (poster) Grant Activity   Ehmke, C. and Vincenti, V. (October 2019). Elder Family Financial Exploitation: Data Analysis. USDA NIFA priority area of Communities, Families, and Youth. $10,000. Funded. Ehmke, C. and Vincenti, V. (2019). Elder Family Financial Exploitation Awareness & Prevention. John P. Ellbogen Foundation, Wyoming Communities, Agriculture, and Rural Living Fund. $12,240.00 in the first year and $1,025.00 in the second year. Funded. Vincenti, V. (2019). Preventing Elder Family Financial Exploitation: Risk and Protective Factors within Families by Family-Member Power-of-Attorney Agents.” Phi Upsilon Omicron Educational Foundation, Inc. December 31, 2019-December 31, 2021. $2,500. Betz-Hamilton, A. (2020-2022). Exploring FEOA perpetrator motivations using qualitative content analysis. National Institute of Justice. ($76,987). Unfunded. Activities (Organized by Subgroups): Risk and Protective Factors Subgroup: We prepared an accepted proposal to present at the 2020 Gerontological Society of America conference.  The group has been focused on using genograms to document the range and scope of family relationships, interactions, and patterns in cases of elder family financial exploitation using data collected on 20 families. We have disseminated findings via three presentations to community members, attorneys, and social services professionals. Findings have also been disseminated via Wyoming Cooperative Extension at http://www.uwyo.edu/uwe/programs/money/elder-financial-exploitation.html; information is also on the Age-Friendly Laramie website.  Moreover, a poster regarding risk factors, prevention, and responding to elder family financial exploitation was displayed in the University of Wyoming Agricultural and Natural Resources Building from October-December 2019.  Finally, the Wyoming team initiated with a new state level advocacy group aimed at addressing issues related to vulnerable adults including proposing a modified state statute defining vulnerable adults which will permit more vulnerable adults to receive assistance from APS and law enforcement. This group is also doing public education via radio and newspapers.  This subgroup’s activities further objectives 1, 2, 3, and 4 of the project. Perpetrator Behavioral Patterns Subgroup:  Researchers analyzed interview data from 28 concerned family members who had an older adult relative experience elder family financial exploitation.  These family members’ experiences have provided insights on perpetrator behavior patterns prior to the exploitation.  Two proposals were accepted for presentation at the 2020 Gerontological Society of America conference.  Findings were shared with researchers at the 2019 the Gerontological Society of America conference, as well as via a webinar to South Dakota State University Extension.  Moreover, a graduate student co-authored a publication disseminated to researchers and practitioners who are members of the National Council on Family Relations. A peer-reviewed manuscript was submitted and is currently under review.  Another peer-reviewed manuscript is in preparation and is expected to be submitted in early 2021.  This subgroup’s activities further objectives 1 and 3 of the project. Surrogate Decision-Making Subgroup: Researchers analyzed data from 390 cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation by surrogate decision makers in the APS system. Over 90% of these cases involve perpetrators who were family members/relatives or trusted others. Preliminary results were presented at the annual meeting of the Gerontological Society of America and a manuscript is forthcoming in 2021.  Findings were shared with researchers at the Gerontological Society of America meeting as well as the annual meeting of the National Adult Protective Services Association. A series of peer-reviewed manuscripts are in preparation and expected to be under review in 2021.  This subgroup’s activities further objectives 1 and 3 of the project. Milestones: The milestone identified in the W3191 project outline for 2020 is: “Continue writing articles, dissemination, and educating various audiences such as elderly and their families, professionals working with elders and their families including lawyers, law enforcement personnel, Adult Protective Services (APS) professionals, accountants, financial planners, bankers, health, gerontology, and family and consumer sciences, family therapists, consumer specialists, educators, as well as policymakers based on findings. Continue grant writing as needed. Obtain input from advisory committee to assist in planning. Share findings with national audiences and organizations and at international meetings, such as the International Federation of Home Economics conference. Review team organization and governance and change as needed.” During this reporting period, team members authored and presented <ul> <li>9 publications</li> <li>6 presentations (with 3 additional accepted for later in 2020)</li> <li>5 grant proposals (3 funded)</li> </ul> Team governance was reviewed during the annual meeting and a new chair and secretary were appointed.  A chair-elect is still needed.  No advisory committee is in place.  Moreover, it was noted that we have inactive members listed in NIMSS, along with team members who indicated to the chair of the project that they resigned from it.  Inactive team members include Barry and Yoon.  Team members who indicated to the chair of the project that they had resigned are Gilligan, Chapman, Bolkan, and Teaster.

Publications

Steinman, B. A., Vincenti, V. B., & Yoon, S. (September 2020). Family Dynamics and Their Association with Elder Family Financial Exploitation in Families with Appointed Powers of Attorney submitted to J. of Elder Abuse and Neglect. Published online. <a href="about:blank">https://doi.org/10.1080/08946566.2020.1823290</a>

Impact Statements

Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory was been applied to understanding elder family financial exploitation risk and protective factors as well as perpetrator behavioral patterns.