Ann Stanyer: Help protect elderly clients against hidden abuse

Consider ‘lasting power of attorney’

clock • 4 min read

For every instance of financial abuse that comes to light, 24 cases are thought to go unreported so, says Ann Stanyer, professional advisers have a real gatekeeper role to play in protecting vulnerable elderly clients

As professional advisers we will deal with clients from all walks of life and, among them, the elderly can need careful attention and special skills. This is especially the case where the circumstances for any instructions come from a relative or friend of the elderly person, rather than directly from the new client. This should be a first warning sign that particular attention is required in dealings with this client. We should be on our guard to ensure that financial abuse is not taking place and that we are not being asked to help facilitate that abuse. So how does financial abuse ...

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