Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/20
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences reached in the past year have included a range of multidisciplinary scholars and practitioners interested in elder abuse/exploitation prevention and intervention. Three presentations occurred at the Gerontology Society of America, reaching an international audience of interdisciplinary gerontology scholars, at the November 2019 national conference. Five presentations were accepted by the Gerontology Society of America for the November 2020 virtual conference. A journal article was submitted to and accepted by the Journal of Family Theory and Review, reaching a wide range of scholars in the field of family science. Practitioners and family members from multiple states were the audience for a virtual webinar in October 2020. Target audiences reached in the project's three years have included gerontology, elder abuse, and family scholars; a range of practitioners involved in prevention and intervention of EFFE, and intergenerational family members (adult children and older parents). Geographically audiences have been within Minnesota, across the North Central Region, U.S. and international. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One Family Social Science graduate student has been involved in the project during the past year, gaining experience with the mixed methods data analysis, and co-authoring conference presentations and journal manuscripts. A former research assistant continues to co-author conference presentations and a journal manuscript in progress. Two extension educators were involved in project dissemination and virtual webinar presentation delivery. Over the past 3 year of this project, Three different Family Social Science graduate students have been active as project research assistants, gaining hands-on experience with qualitative interview data coding, analysis, and dissemination. One additional Social Work post-doc gained experience during the summer in data analysis and developing two manuscripts. Three Extension educators have been involved in project dissemination efforts. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dissemination of findings in year three included a range of professional development conference presentations. Three symposium and poster presentations occurred at the Gerontology Society of America, reaching an international audience of gerontology scholars, at the November 2019 national conference (findings on the use of social services, key family processes from a family systems theory, and symposium on use of theory). Five symposium and poster presentations were accepted by the Gerontology Society of America, to reach an international audience of gerontology scholars, at the November 2020 virtual conference (a symposium on the role of concerned family members, a case study of successful intervention, and the complexity of family contexts). A virtual webinar on the myths and facts of EFFE reached 38 practitioners and family members from multiple states (October 2020). A systemic use of theory in EFFE literature was submitted and accepted in a peer-reviewed journal reaching scholars in the family science field. Scheduled dissemination efforts include an invited lecture series presenter for the Minnesota Elder Justice Center (statewide), a public webinar, one regional webinar and related blog post; and a statewide ABC TV news story (November 2020). Overall, in the past three years total dissemination to target audiences has included 12 symposium and poster presentations at the Gerontology Society of America, reaching an international audience of interdisciplinary gerontology scholars as well as at the National Health Outreach Conference. Ten conference abstracts have been published (Innovations in Aging). One peer-reviewed journal article was just released virtually (December 2020), two have been submitted for consideration, and 4 are in progress with a 6 month submission plan. Practitioners have been reached nationwide with professional development opportunities (3 training webinars, 1 podcast). Practitioners in Minnesota and bordering states have been reached with professional development through 2 World Elder Abuse Awareness Day workshops, and 2 presentations at the Minnesota Elder Justice Center Partners meetings (in person and virtual). In addition, adult children and older parents, have been reached with a regional news publication, a TV evening news story, a virtual webinar, and a by receiving a report for study participants. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The overall goal of this project is understand and address a major social and economic issue of elder family financial exploitation (EFFE). In year three, work focused on Objective 1, to gain in-depth understanding of how concerned family members (CFMs), other than the direct victim and the perpetrator, perceive and articulate the meaning and experience of EFFE. Research to-date has focused on understanding the profiles of one victim and one perpetrator. Little is known about the family context in which EFFE occurs. Informed by Family Systems Theory, this study explored the range and complexity of EFFE victim and perpetrator roles and family context (i.e., number of involved family members, victim-perpetrator relationship, living arrangements and financial management). Four family context profiles were identified, organized by the number of victim(s) and perpetrator(s) in each family system including: Single victim, single perpetrator (n=7), Single victim, multiple perpetrators (n=12), Two victims, single perpetrator (n=1), and Two victims, multiple perpetrators (n=3). Adult children and remarried spouses were common perpetrators acting alone. Up to five perpetrators across three generations, most often included an adult child, in-law, and a grandchild of older parent as victim. Across four profiles, most primary perpetrators moved in to live with the victim and were the Financial Power of Attorney for the victim. EFFE is more complex than often assumed, involving multiple perpetrators and victims, and family relationship types beyond older parent/adult child. Implications for reframing risk profiles, assessment tools, and family-focused intervention strategies are discussed. A second paper examined the experience of being a concerned family member (CFM) trying to do the right thing when faced with elder family financial exploitation (EFFE). Six primary tasks EFFE help-seeking can involve were identified (e.g. gathering evidence, learning new systems, taking on money management roles). CFMs consistently put the victim's health and well-being before their own, often becoming secondary victims in the process. CFMs experienced a wide range of costs to their individual health and well-being, including physical, emotional, psychological, social and financial dimensions (e.g. stress, depression, inability to sleep, isolation, harassment, physical abuse, attorney and court costs, time off work). The findings have implications for supporting CFMs and addressing practical and health-related needs as secondary victims. Effective interventions are needed to address EFFE, one of the most prevalent types of elder abuse globally. This poster examines the unique and critical help-seeking role informal family support can play when faced with EFFE. We present a holistic case study that offers an understanding of one family's successful help-seeking and resolution of the EFFE situation. The family drew on internal family and community supports and did not seek formal elder abuse services. The case stood out as unique relative to 23 family's help-seeking attempts in a larger study of the meaning and experience of EFFE from the perspective of concerned family members (non-abusing/non-victims). The case summary and analysis are based on an in-depth interview narrative reflecting the subjective experience of a concerned family member who was directly involved in the EFFE situation (in-law relative to both the older victim and the perpetrator). Study findings reveal 5 interwoven themes related to help-seeking processes and outcomes: 1) honoring the victim's wishes, 2) providing support and accountability for perpetrator, 3) restoring family relationships and functioning, 4) maintaining internal (family-based) control, and 5) engaging in family problem solving processes. The family's help-seeking demonstrated three distinctive features: a) embracing their informal social support role, b) the interdependence of family members, and c) restorative justice principles. The findings raise questions about broadening the scope and continuum of EFFE intervention research and practices to recognize and support informal social intervention. Calls to address theoretical gaps in elder abuse as a field have been made over time. Work in year three involved conducting a systematic review on the state of theory in elder family financial exploitation (EFFE). A synthesis of the scope and use of theories and constructs in 15 identified peer-reviewed EFFE empirical articles published between 1990 and 2019 confirmed a field in its infancy. Findings identified theoretical gaps in almost half of the studies utilizing a grand or middle-range theory (eight of 15), four focused on culture as a single concept, and three did not mention theory or constructs. Five interdisciplinary theoretical lenses have been used to examine EFFE; offering little depth and breadth in any one theory. To move EFFE forward theoretically, we discuss building on identified theories, integrating culture as a concept, and adding a focus on family systems using relevant family-focused theories. Work in year three also focused on Objective 2, to disseminate findings to advance EFFE prevention education and intervention efforts. Dissemination included five formats reaching international and state-specific practitioners in Minnesota, scholars, and family members (professional conference, virtual presentation, peer-reviewed journal). Over the total three year project, Objective 1 has included addressing key gaps in the EFFE literature provided increased knowledge in the field. This project has increased what's known about: a) the costs and consequences of EFFE for victims, concerned family members, family systems and ripple efforts on society; 2) the range and scope of EFFE discovery and help-seeking response processes and outcomes; 3) the complexity of the intergenerational family contexts in which EFFE occurs; 4) the meaning and role of entitlement as an EFFE risk factor; 5) three EFFE trajectories or pathways; 6) lessons learned from experiencing EFFE; and 7) the use of theory in EFFE literature. Implications of study findings for preventing and intervening in EFFE has been identified; with suggestions for future research and improving practice. (Specific findings are provided in yearly progress reports). Dissemination (Objective 2) over the 3 year project has included 12 symposium and poster presentations at national referred professional conferences. Ten conference presentation abstracts have been published (Innovations in Aging). One peer-reviewed journal article was just released virtually (December 2020), two have been submitted for consideration, and 4 are in progress with a 6 month submission plan. Practitioners have been reached nationwide with professional development opportunities (3 training webinars, 1 podcast). Practitioners in Minnesota and bordering states have been reached with professional development through 4 workshops (in person and virtual). In addition, adult children and older parents, have been reached with a regional news publication, a TV evening news story, a virtual webinar, and a by receiving a report for study participants.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Bolkan, C., Stum, M., & Teaster, P. (2019). Elder financial abuse in families: Expanding theory and research. Innovation in Aging, 3 (Suuplement 1), S383).Gerontology Society of America. doi: https://doi:org/10.1093/geroni/igz038.1406
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Chan, A, & M. Stum. (2020). The state of theory in elder family financial exploitation: A systematic review. The Journal of Family Theory and Review.
https://doi.org/10.1111/jftr.12396
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kilaberia, T. & Stum, M. (2020, November 4-7). When Concerned Family Members Intervene in Elder Family Financial Exploitation: Goals and Outcomes. In Stum, M. (Chair), The Critical Help-Seeking Role of Family, Friends, and Neighbors in the Lives of Elder Abuse Victims
[Symposium]. Gerontological Society of America. 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting,
Philadelphia, PA, United States.(virtual)
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Stum, M. (2020, November 4-7). Concerned Family Members Help-Seeking in Elder Financial Exploitation. In Stum, M. (Chair), The Critical Help-Seeking Role of and Neighbors in the Lives of Elder Abuse Victims [Symposium]. Gerontological Society ofAmerica 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kilaberia, T. & Stum, M. (2020, November 4-7). Successful Informal Help-Seeking Resolution of Elder Family Financial Exploitation: A Case Study [Poster Gerontological Society of America, 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, United
States.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Chan, A. & Stum, M. (2020, November 4-7). Elder family financial exploitation: The complexity of roles and family context [Poster presentation]. Gerontological Society of America 73rd Annual Scientific Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
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Progress 10/01/18 to 09/30/19
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences reached in the past year have primarily included a range of multidisciplinary scholars and practitioners interested in elder abuse/exploitation within Minnesota, across the North Central Region, and internationally. Research findings on how concerned family member's experience intervening in EFFE were shared at a statewide (Minnesota) World Elder Abuse Awareness Day reaching a potential 500 practitioners (primarily adult protective services, law enforcement, policy and advocacy). Two presentations reached statewide practitioners involved in the MN Elder Justice Center Partners, and MN Courts professionals involved in auditing conservatorships. Extension faculty across the North Central Region participated in a professional development webinar focused on EFFE. Two presentations were accepted by the Gerontology Society of America, reaching an international audience of gerontology scholars, at the November 2019 national conference (sharing findings on family processes and systems intervention) (proceedings also published). In addition, the target audience of intergenerational family members (adult children and older parents) was reached with a regional news publication as well as with the report for study participants. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two Family Social Science graduate students have been active in the project during the past year, gaining hands-on experience with qualitative interview data coding and analysis. One additional Social Work post-doc gained experience during the summer in data analysis and co-authoring manuscripts. Participants in the MN World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (500) were eligible for professional development credits (social work, law enforcement). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dissemination of findings in year two have included six presentations and four publications reaching national and state-specific practitioners, scholars, and family members. Research findings on how concerned family members cope with faced with EFFE were shared at a statewide (Minnesota) World Elder Abuse Awareness Day reaching 500 practitioners with professional development (primarily adult protective services, law enforcement, policy and advocacy workers). Invited statewide presentations to the MN Elder Justice Center Partners and MN Courts contributed to reaching a range of professionals. Project findings were also disseminated in a northwest MN regional news publication for seniors (invited article); as well as via a written report mailed to study participants. Findings as well as additional background on the issue were the focus of a professional development webinar reaching extension faculty in 8 states within the North Central Region. A poster session and symposium were presented at the Gerontology Society of America, reaching an international audience of gerontology scholars, What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In project year 3 tasks will continue to focus on data analysis and dissemination (Objectives 1 and 2). Data analysis and identification of findings from the 11 key themes will result in referred journal manuscript submissions and national conference submissions targeted to family and gerontology scholars. Manuscripts on EFFE response systems, decision making, and multiple perpetrators are a priority. Dissemination of findings will include developing a blog entry for extension professionals and hosted by the North Central Regional Network on Aging (February 2020). Discussion of the translation of key findings into prevention education curriculum and resources will be underway with the MN Elder Justice Center staff, the project advisory task force, and extension colleagues from Illinois and Iowa.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The overall goal of this project is understand and address a major social and economic issue of elder family financial exploitation (EFFE). Study findings reinforce the complexity of EFFE and interactions of individual, family, and social systems. Findings in year two provide new insight into the critical role concerned family members play in EFFE intervention. "Trying to do the right thing" when faced with EFFE involved: a) ensuring the victim's quality of life, b) honoring and respecting the victim's wishes, c) protecting the victim's financial well-being, d) preserving important family relationships and stopping divisions; and e) dealing with perpetrators. The process of intervening involved: a) gathering and documenting evidence, b) resourcefulness, c) learning new systems and language (including guardianship), and d) talking on formal fiduciary roles as well as informally managing the victim's income/assets. Of the 23 cases, 7 were addressed within the family system, 7 were reported to Adult Protective Services, others involved private services (e.g. private attorney, bank), or other government authorities in trying to do the right thing. Over one-half of the cases were "invisible" to any type of authorities. Concerned family members described multiple unaddressed practical and health-related needs as secondary victims, and what's needed to be effective as a caring advocate for EFFE victims. Additional year two work focused on understanding the role of entitlement as an EFFE risk factor. A vast majority of EFFE cases in the study involved some elements of entitlement (feeling deserving, the right to get something). Three differing pathways or trajectories emerged when examining the role of entitlement and EFFE. In some cases, there was a long pattern of both parental obligations to adult children, and adult children expecting access to a parent's assets. In these families, it was normal to give and to receive, setting the stage for EFFE as "it was a matter of time." In other cases, EFFE appeared to emerge "out of the blue" with family members expressing out of the norm behaviors as "they weren't raised" to be entitled or to take advantage of a parent. The third pattern involved often interwoven trigger events or windows of opportunity in which entitlement emerged. Trigger events included the perpetrator's experiencing wants and needs due to life transitions (divorce, unemployment), and older adults needing caregiving, loss of decision making capacity, widowhood, and isolation. Patterns of entitlement reinforce the difficult decisions later life families face in regards to what's a fair use of parental resources to meet competing goals of supporting family caregivers, paying for formal care, meeting individual needs of adult children, and leaving an inheritance. The findings support that entitlement is more than an individual risk factor, taking place within the historical and normative giving and taking of resources within intergenerational families, and within the norms of our society. In year two, data analysis and writing included understanding lessons learned from the EFFE experience. Study participants, typically an adult child of the elder and sibling of the perpetrator, identified four overall strategies they wish they would have used and encourage other families to use to help prevent EFFE. Suggested prevention strategies included: a) Plan ahead by utilizing financial and health care advance planning documents (financial power of attorney, health care directive, will). b) Communicate about money, advance planning wishes and expectations about the use of parent's resources normal in your family, c) Be involved by finding meaningful ways to be present in your older parent's life to better understand quality of life, and d) Trust your instincts by listening to your gut reactions and feelings that something is "off" or not right, then listen, document, and take action. Concerned family members can and do play a critical role in both preventing and intervening in EFFE. Work in year two also focused on Objective 2, to disseminate findings to advance EFFE prevention education and intervention efforts. Dissemination included six presentations and four publications reaching national and state-specific practitioners, scholars, and family members (national conference, regional professional development webinar, invited presentations, and print publications).
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Kilaberia, Tina R., Fuhrman, E, Stum, M., & I. Freeman. (2019). Elder family financial exploitation: Experiences with social services. Innovation in Aging, 3 ( Supplement 1), S920, https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igz038.3352
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
Stum, M. (2019). Examining the nature and role of family system interactions and elder family financial exploitation. Innovation in Aging, 3(Supplement 1), S383S384, https://doi.org/10.1093/geroni/igz038.1408
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Progress 10/01/17 to 09/30/18
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences reached in the past year have included a range of multidisciplinary scholars and practitioners interested in elder abuse/exploitation. Research findings on the consequences of elder family financial exploitation for secondary victims and family systems were shared at statewide (Minnesota) World Elder Abuse Awareness Day reaching 500 practitioners (primarily adult protective services, law enforcement, policy and advocacy). A workshop at the National Health Outreach Conference attended by health and extension professionals focused on understanding barriers to under reporting elder family financial exploitation. A poster session was accepted by the Gerontology Society of America, reaching an international audience of gerontology scholars, at the November 2018 national conference (sharing findings on the consequences of elder family financial exploitation for secondary victims and family systems). As part of the Military Families Learning Network, a 45 minutes podcast on elder family financial exploitation was developed and is available, reaching military family service professionals. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two Family Social Science graduate students have been active in the project during the past year, gaining hands-on experience with qualitative interview data coding and analysis. One additional Social Work post-doc gained experience during the summer in data analysis and developing two manuscripts. Participants in the MN World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (500) were eligible for professional development credits (social work, law enforcement). Three extension educators were involved in project dissemination discussion and submission of an approved Later Life Programming Business Plan (Family Development Center, University of Minnesota Extension). How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Dissemination of findings in year one have included five formats reaching national and state-specific practitioners, scholars, and family members. Research findings on the consequences of elder family financial exploitation for secondary victims and family systems were shared at statewide (Minnesota) World Elder Abuse Awareness Day reaching 500 practitioners with professional development (primarily adult protective services, law enforcement, policy and advocacy workers). A workshop at the National Health Outreach Conference attended by health and extension professionals focused on understanding barriers to under reporting elder family financial exploitation. A poster session was accepted by the Gerontology Society of America, reaching an international audience of gerontology scholars, at the November 2018 national conference (sharing findings on the consequences of elder family financial exploitation for secondary victims and family systems). As part of the Military Families Learning Network, a 45 minutes podcast on elder family financial exploitation was developed and is archived, reaching military family service professionals (2017). A community workshop on the study purpose and key findings were shared with older adults as family members (October, 2018). What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?In project year 2 tasks will continue to focus on data analysis and dissemination (Objectives 1 and 2). Data analysis and identification of findings from the 11 key themes will result in referred journal manuscript submissions and national conference submissions targeted to family and gerontology scholars. Manuscripts on EFFE consequences for families and the entitlement as a risk factor are a priority. Dissemination of findings will include developing and presenting a webinar for extension professionals and hosted by the North Central Regional Network on Aging (February 2019). Discussion of the translation of key findings into prevention education curriculum and resources will be underway with the MN Elder Justice Center staff, the project advisory task force, and extension colleagues from Illinois and Iowa. A Minnesota extension educator will be collaborating to develop and deliver a community workshop on EFFE, including key research findings from this project.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The overall goal of this project is understand and address a major social and economic issue of elder family financial exploitation (EFFE). In year one, work focused on Objective 1, to gain in-depth understanding of how family members, other than the direct victim and the perpetrator, perceive and articulate the meaning and experience of EFFE. A new and unique database designed and gathered by Stum includes a sample of 28 family members from 23 different family systems. Participating family members were primarily an adult child of an older parent/victim, and a sibling of the primary perpetrator, married, with a mean age of 59 years. Open coding of each individual transcript, identifying the range and scope of patterns and themes took place and involved two coders. Following open-coding resulting in 12 major themes, sub-themes in each theme were identified. A codebook with derived definitions of themes and sub-themes evolved. A complete file of coded data using NVivo qualitative software was completed. Only four studies published studies provide insight into the EFFE experiences of non-perpetrator and non-victim family members. An updated literature review and summary of relevant articles was conducted (Fall 2018). The findings in this project contribute changes in the existing knowledge base adding in-depth insight into: 1) discovery and response processes and outcomes, 2) descriptions of elder victims, 3) descriptions of perpetrators, 4) intergenerational family context pre and post EFFE, 5) consequences and costs, 6) resource exchange context, 7) entitlement as a risk factor, 8) family member's description/role, 9) decision making/planning in place, 10) Response systems (formal and informal), 11) lessons learned, and 12) poly victimization. Overall, initial study findings reinforce the complexity of EFFE. While it is often assumed that there is one elder victim and one perpetrator, our findings reflect multiple elder victims and 3-4 multiple family members as perpetrators. Not surprisingly, EFFE does not occur in isolation from other types of elder abuse but may be the most acceptable to discuss or report. Evidence of poly victimization, especially neglect and emotional abuse as well as financial exploitation were being experienced. Key findings identified the costs and consequences of EFFE on family members and their family systems. Six types of consequences ripple from individuals to family systems and beyond: 1) Loss and redefinition of who's family, 2) financial well-being, 2) grief and loss, 3) trust, 4) physical and mental health, and 5) quality of life for elder. Family members consistently emphasized the emotional and social consequences of EFFE on their families, not the financial impact. Family members reinforced, "It's not about the money but the destruction of my family." Family members identified the loss of family relationships and roles given the need to redefine whose family, "cutting off" processes and outcomes, resignation and acceptance; and the loss of relational dynamics (broken trust, respect, closeness, honesty). The consequences of EFFE potentially impact all dimensions of health and well-being, not only for the direct victim(s), but extending to the non-perpetrator family members as secondary victims. In some families, consequences were also positive with strengthened relationship quality and dynamics for selected family members as alliances were developed. Work in year one also focused on Objective 2, to disseminate findings to advance EFFE prevention education and intervention efforts. Dissemination included five formats reaching international and state-specific practitioners in Minnesota, scholars, and family members (national conferences, professional development workshop, community presentations, podcast).
Publications
|