Nurses' Role in Identifying Elder Financial Abuse

One of the current worldwide public health problems is elderly financial abuse (EFA). Although EFA remains a hidden social phenomenon, it has been recognized as a serious concern in the United States, and currently, one in 18 cognitively intact older adults is affected by EFA. Detecting EFA is difficult because the perpetrators are often family members, trusted friends, or guardians. Thus, EFA is frequently unrecognized and grossly under-reported. In the coming decades, EFA will increase as the elderly population continues to grow rapidly worldwide. This article highlights the magnitude of the problem and the role of nurses and other health care providers in identifying, intervening in, and reporting EFA. [.