Adult Maltreatment 245D

Financial and Material Exploitation

Financial or material exploitation involves the misuse or exploitation of an adult's property, possessions, or assets. This includes using someone's assets without consent, often through coercion or false pretenses. While one might think of clear cases, like stealing money, financial exploitation can manifest in many subtle ways.

Real-Life Example

Deb Salerno, a service provider, illustrates this with a case where an individual was overdrafting their bank account after paying a friend for rides. Although the payments were informal (a cup of coffee and gas for rides less than five miles), they accumulated to significant unauthorized expenses. Eventually, this was reported to the appropriate authorities, leading to restrictive measures to prevent further overdrafting.

Important Reporting Guidelines

Even if unsure about whether a situation constitutes maltreatment, it is crucial to report any suspicions to the proper state authorities. The responsibility lies with the observer to report, not to make the determination of maltreatment.

Advice for Direct Support Professionals

Deb advises that if something feels off, professionals should trust those instincts and inquire further. It can take time for individuals to disclose their experiences, particularly if they feel embarrassed.

Misuse of Property

Another aspect of financial exploitation includes the improper use of someone’s property, which may not always be recognized. This lists both significant valuables and seemingly minor household items as potential forms of exploitation.

Missing Medication

Becky Eichmeier discusses how missing medication, particularly psychotropic pills and pain medications, often represents a more serious form of financial exploitation as these can be sold or misused by others.