ADULT SAFEGUARDING DAY
7 November, 2024ADULT SAFEGUARDING DAY is the major annual public awareness drive of safeguarding Ireland which takes place on the second Friday of each November (Nov 8th in 2024).
Safeguarding means putting measures in place to uphold our rights, support our health and wellbeing, reduce risk of harm – and empower us to protect ourselves.
Adult abuse happens when a person’s rights, independence, or dignity are not respected. This can be deliberate, or caused by a lack of knowledge, or omission of care. However, all circumstances of not respecting a person’s rights are abuse and, in some cases, a serious crime.
There are many forms of abuse including – financial, emotional and psychological, physical, sexual, organisational, online, neglect, coercive control, or discrimination.
Approximately 14,000 cases of alleged abuse, and 1,500 cases of financial abuse, are reported to the HSE Safeguarding and Protection Teams each year, although the actual figures (what is not reported) are thought to be much higher.
About Financial Abuse
Financial abuse is a serious form of abuse and is particularly common among older people.
While the majority of people are honest, it has been estimated internationally that one in ten people are dishonest in how they manage another person’s money, or property.
Surprisingly, a significant amount of financial abuse is carried out by people known to the person.
This can involve people we know well – a family member, carer, neighbour, worker, or social welfare Agent doing the following:
- Keeping change, or taking cash that is around the house
- Misusing a bank card, or online banking
- Being dishonest about social welfare payments
- Using property or possessions without agreement or permission
- Threatening withdrawal of care unless a person complies with money or property demands
- Pressurising to change a Will, property deeds, or Enduring Power of Attorney.
It could be that the person committing the abuse has themselves a money difficulty, gambling problem, or addiction.
To keep safe from this abuse – there is a need to plan how we will manage our money in the future, particularly if we are likely to face challenges with capacity.
There is also a risk of online financial fraud and scams, but this campaign is focused on the form of financial abuse when the abuser is known to us.
Tips to ‘Prevent’ Financial Abuse
1. If you could be vulnerable at times, but have decision-making capacity
- Don’t share bank details – keep your bank card and PIN number, account number and online passwords to yourself.
- If you need help first ask your bank, An Post, or Credit Union for advice
- Get monthly bank statements – ask your bank, An Post account, or Credit Union to send you monthly statements, or regularly review your account online
- If you need independent advice – contact the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), the National Advocacy Service (NAS), or Sage Advocacy
- Make a Will – set out what you want to happen to your money and property after you die.
- This makes sure that your wishes are known and can be followed. Your Solicitor can help you with making one
- Plan ahead – set up legal arrangements which include your wishes and give authority to the person you trust. These include an Enduring Power of Attorney or decision support arrangement.
2. If you have challenges with decision-making and need help
- Only share with your most trusted person – don’t share your details with your ‘whole family’ or ‘care team’. Think about who you trust the most and limit their help to only what you really need
- Use less cash – avoid keeping cash in the house. Set up direct debits
- Talk with your bank, An Post or Credit Union about setting up an expenses account.
- Keep your main account private and only share the expenses account.
- Ask for hardcopy statements, or check regularly online
- Get receipts – ask the person who helps you to provide receipts and records of all spending.
3. For people who help – how to support a person
- Plan ahead – if there is a concern that the person may not have capacity in the foreseeable future – advise them about putting in place an Enduring Power of Attorney, or decision support arrangement
- It is 100% their money always – no family member, carer, neighbour, or Agent has an entitlement to a person’s money or property – even if caring for or helping them
- Least support – provide the least intervention necessary, the person has a right to their own decisions even if they seem unwise, but be aware of online financial fraud and scams
- Keep receipts and records – and encourage the person to access their own bank statements.
4. For organisations – tips to reduce Financial Abuse
- Train staff – to support needs of vulnerable customers, to spot financial abuse and to take action
- Implement the Assisted Decision-making Act – support all customers as much as possible to make their own decisions
- Increase checks and balances – the Department of Social Protection, banks, An Post and Credit Unions should strengthen checks to identify financial abuse and fraud.