What constitutes financial abuse?

The definition of financial abuse is anchored in the exploitation of an individual's financial resources for the abuser's personal gain. This often involves the misuse of someone’s money or property without their consent or in a manner that benefits the abuser to the detriment of the victim. Such actions can include coercing an elderly person to change their will, misappropriating funds from an account, or controlling finances in a way that limits the individual's access to their own money.

In contrast, other options don't fully align with the specific concept of financial abuse. While the misuse of personal funds for family needs might suggest some level of exploitation, it doesn't necessarily indicate a direct gain for the abuser or an intention to deceive. Theft of physical belongings refers more to property crime, and neglecting financial responsibilities, while potentially harmful, fails to detail the exploitative relationship characterized by financial abuse. Together, these distinctions clarify why the misuse of money or property for the abuser's financial advantage is the clearest representation of financial abuse.