Objective and Subjective Visual Difficulties and Financial Exploitation in Older Adults

Financial exploitation (FE) is associated with negative social and health consequences. This study examined the relationship between objective/subjective vision abilities and FE vulnerability among older adults.

97 community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and over completed self-report questionnaires assessing subjective vision difficulties, FE vulnerability, and history of FE experiences. Additionally, participants underwent objective vision assessments (distance, near and contrast sensitivity) conducted by a certified gerontological optometrist.

Multiple linear regression and logistic regression models showed that self-reported vision difficulties were associated with FE vulnerability (β = .355, p < .001) and self-reported FE experiences (OR = 7.866, p = .005), while objective vision measures were not.

Self-perceived vision difficulties are more strongly linked to FE than objective measures. Subjective vision may reflect a cognitive averaging of vision ability not fully captured in well-controlled environments characteristic of objective assessments.

These findings advance our understanding of FE risk factors by highlighting the importance of subjective vision abilities, and suggest practical approaches for identifying and supporting at-risk older adults through patient-reported visual assessments.