Brief Summary of Minutes of Annual Meeting

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

Short-term outcomes:

• Application of Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Theory as a theoretical framework for understanding elder family financial exploitation

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. https://doi.org/10.1080/08946566.2020.1823290

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: https://doi:org/10.1093/geroni/igz038.1406

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: https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igz038.1408

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

• 9 publications
• 6 presentations (with 3 additional accepted for later in 2020)
• 5 grant proposals (3 funded)

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.

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. https://doi.org/10.1080/08946566.2020.1823290