Older adults with extreme depression symptoms and low social status fulfillment are at greater risk for financial exploitation, according to new data.
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Researchers analyzed data from a representative US sample of 4,461 respondents from the 2002 Health and Retirement Study regular survey and a 2008 Participant Lifestyle Leave Behind Questionnaire. Respondents were 61.9% female, 85.4% white and their mean age was 65.8 years. A majority (70.6%) reported having partners.
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Researchers analyzed data from a representative US sample of 4,461 respondents from the 2002 Health and Retirement Study regular survey and a 2008 Participant Lifestyle Leave Behind Questionnaire. Respondents were 61.9% female, 85.4% white and their mean age was 65.8 years. A majority (70.6%) reported having partners.
Financial fraud, including identity theft, fake home repairs and telemarketing scams, in the overall sample was 4.5% with 52.7% of respondents reporting satisfaction with their finances. The most significant prevalence of fraud (14%) was observed among older adults with the highest depression and lowest social-needs fulfillment, compared with the rest of the sample