Elder Law Report

The silent epidemic of elder abuse affects countless seniors, yet many families don't recognize the warning signs until significant harm has occurred. Attorneys Brendan Begley and Jordan McIntyre tackle this critical issue head-on, revealing how cognitive decline creates vulnerability and opens the door to exploitation.Financial exploitation stands out as the fastest-growing form of elder abuse, with seniors losing billions annually to scammers, unethical caregivers, and even family members. The attorneys explain the sobering reality that willingness doesn't equal consent when cognitive impairment is involved—seniors may sign over deeds or write checks without truly understanding the consequences or remembering previous transactions.What makes this issue particularly heartbreaking are the risk factors that compound vulnerability. Beyond cognitive decline, social isolation emerges as perhaps the most insidious threat, where seniors knowingly accept exploitation simply to maintain human connection. Th