#118-How Does Financial Exploitation Affect Older Adults' Mental Health?

Have you ever wondered what really happens after someone is scammed out of $25,000? Not only the steps to take after you've been scammed, but the psychological toll? 

A couple weeks ago, I received an email from a listener asking for help—resources for older adults who’ve been financially exploited. That email sparked this episode, and I’m so glad it did.

 

Today, I’m taking you behind the scenes of what it’s really like for older adults after financial exploitation. I’ll share two powerful stories—one of an 84-year-old and another of a 46-year-old—and walk you through the unconscious age biases that shape how we react to fraud victims. We’ll also talk about the common scams, the emotional fallout, and most importantly—what you can do to support healing and prevent re-traumatization.

 

This episode is especially close to my heart. I was invited by the Vermont Financial Elder Abuse Specialist Team to lead a workshop on this very topic, and I’ve been wanting to share it with you ever since.

 

If you care about protecting and uplifting older adults—this is a must-listen.

 

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• Why older adults aren’t the only ones falling for scams—and why we judge them more harshly
• How ageism quietly shows up in our reactions to fraud
• The top financial scams impacting people 60+ and how scammers manipulate trust
• The emotional timeline of recovery: from shock and shame to anger and exhaustion
• 4 major mental health effects of financial exploitation you need to watch for
• How to talk with older adults about fraud in ways that heal—not harm
• What trauma-informed support really looks like after financial betrayal
• Where to find peer support groups, prevention tools, and trusted therapists

Click here to get all the resources mentioned in this episode

A Guide for Mental Health and Aging Services Professionals to Supporting Older Adults Recovering from Financial Exploitation. Click here to download the guide

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