Exposing financial exploitation of impaired elderly persons.

There is a dearth of medical publications on financial exploitation of elderly persons, but a significant amount of information on this subject is contained in the literature of other disciplines. Financial abuse accounts for up to one-half of all types of elder abuse in the United States, accounting for over 500,000 victims. Psychological abuse, including deception, intimidation, and threats, always accompanies financial exploitation. Despite the devastating emotional and financial losses incurred, physicians are reluctant to recognize, diagnose, and assist impaired elderly victims of financial exploitation.