Older People and Their Assets: A Range of Roles and Issues for Social Workers

Abstract

Following a 10-year research program around assets and ageing, the present paper summarises the work done, and outlines the major findings from the perspectives of older people, carers, and service providers. The research has explored the roles and practices of family caregivers in managing older people's assets, the experiences of older people who receive such assistance, the factors associated with the financial abuse of older people with and without cognitive capacity, and the concerns of aged care practitioners when the mismanagement of assets is suspected. The experiences of older people and their carers are characterised by a range of responses that generate a number of issues for social work practitioners. Taking a critical perspective, the article discusses practice responses in relation to financial abuse, the assessment of the capacity of the older person to make decisions, and assisted and substitute decision making around asset management.

Abstract

Keywords:

• Aged
• Elder Abuse
• Social Work Practice

Notes

1. The research program outlined here has been supported by Australian Research Council Linkage grants in partnership with Queensland Government authorities charged with aspects of substitute decision making (i.e., the Public Trustee, the Adult Guardian, and the Guardianship Tribunal) and with Departments involved in raising issues that affect vulnerable populations (i.e., the Public Advocate and the Department of Communities). Additional funding from the Wicking Foundation assisted with the community pilot program.