Neuropsychological profiles of victims of financial elder exploitation at the los angeles county elder abuse forensic center.

The current article examines neuropsychological correlates of financial elder exploitation in a sample of older adults who have been documented victims of financial elder exploitation. The purpose of this exploratory study was twofold. First, a subsample of the referrals at the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center (LACEAFC) was compared to community dwelling adults in terms of the specific cognitive domains linked to financial capacity including memory, calculation, and executive functioning. Next, the correlation between presence of neuropsychological data and the likelihood of filing a case with the LA County's District Attorney office was examined. Twenty-seven LACEAFC cases and 32 controls were assessed. Overall, the forensic center group performed worse than a community-based age-matched control group on the MMSE, calculation, and executive functioning (ps < .01). The presence of neuropsychological data was significantly correlated to an increased likelihood of a case being filed.

Geriatricians and psychologists: essential ingredients in the evaluation of elder abuse and neglect.

This article describes the clinical work that three sets of geriatricians and psychologists provided in three elder abuse forensic centers in California. After a brief history of how the clinical services in each program developed, the contributions of geriatricians and psychologists within these elder abuse teams are detailed through the use of several case anecdotes. Beyond providing physical and psychological evaluations, geriatricians and psychologists provide consultations and education to other professionals and to elder abuse victims and their caregivers. These clinical teams emphasize the importance of conducting home visits and functional assessments, working with interdisciplinary team members, and providing expert testimony.