Elder Fraud Abuse Prevention Research Conducted in Manistee County

October 4, 2021

MANISTEE COUNTY, MI - - - Manistee is one of three counties selected to participate in a three-year research project that will develop and test the effectiveness of a financial abuse prevention model for elders with cognitive decline living in rural communities in Michigan. Individuals with cognitive impairment, especially the elderly, are prone to be victims of fraud and abuse. Programs and services for abuse prevention in rural communities are scarce and difficult to access.

Dr. Fei Sun, a Professor in the School of Social Work at Michigan State University with the assistance of Social Work Doctoral Candidate Lucas Prieto and the rest of their team are providing the education, support, and skills needed to address risk factors for financial abuse of persons with dementia or mild cognitive decline living in the community.   

The first in-person training with caregivers took place recently at the Manistee County Council on Aging Wagoner Center.  Participants were given an overview of dementia and financial abuse fraud, looked at risk factors for financial abuse and fraud, considered an assessment of risk factors and preventative strategies, and learned about community support and services.

Judy Crockett and Rose Fosdick of the Manistee County Human Services Collaborative Body will serve as community liaisons to the project.

Participants are still needed. If you are a family care provider for a person with dementia/mild cognitive decline, a service provider, or a person with dementia/mild cognitive decline and want to learn more about the project, please contact, Judy Crockett at 231-723-7914 or email: crockettjudy@gmail.com.

This project is sponsored by:

This project is funded by: