Do you agree with Kernisan that AAFV should be part of a “regular comprehensive assessment for common age-related problems” that all doctors need to conduct routinely? Why or Why not, and do you feel other health professionals should also be conducting the same assessment as needed?
The age-associated financial vulnerability has been under-researched and overlooked for decades. This issue remains a personal problem or even tragedy within families, and older people’s voices are mainly unheard. It is reported that almost 5% of older New Yorkers experience some type of financial exploitation (Lachs & Han, 2015). Importantly, the study involved telephone interviewing, so the most vulnerable group, people with cognitive and other impairments, did not take part in this research.
Therefore, it is essential to pay more attention to the issue. One of the possible solutions is the introduction of mandatory assessment of financial vulnerability in the healthcare setting. Nurses and GPs should implement this kind of assessment as they are in the closest contact with older patients. This practice may help the elderly and their close ones identify the most urgent problems and react correspondingly. It can be necessary to address such organizations as Seniors Advocacy Group or Senior Abuse Information Line.
What do you think can be done in cases where GP’s who continue to deny incompetency in their elderly patients and deem them competent when there is “outside evidence (e.g., bank managers)” that they have great memory deficits? And what would you do if this was your family member who had been isolated from you by an influencer?
If a healthcare professional insists on their patient having no issues despite the evidence that certain impairments are apparent, it is necessary to ask another competent healthcare practitioner to implement the assessment. I would also address the administration to carry out an investigation and make sure that at least two competent employees conduct the assessment. I would also try to identify the degree of vulnerability using the signs described by Rapaport (2015). I would also attempt to improve my relationships with my relative to ensure his or her security and wellbeing.
Have you dealt with cases of undue influence at your job site(s)? Please share your stories and results on this safe site (if there were any)
I have not faced such issues, but this discussion made me learn more facts on the matter. The three major indicators of this kind of vulnerability can be instrumental in identifying the problem and taking the corresponding action (“Seniors’ financial vulnerability flagged for doctors,” 2015). However, it can be beneficial to develop a framework to assess older patients’ financial vulnerability.
References
Lachs, M. S., & Han, S. D. (2015). Age-associated financial vulnerability: An emerging public health issue. Annals of Internal Medicine, 163(11), 877-878.
Rapaport, L. (2015). Age-associated financial vulnerability often overlooked. Reuters. Web.
Seniors’ financial vulnerability flagged for doctors. (2015). CBC News. Web.