What do you do when your aging parent is being scammed—and keeps sending money even after you’ve begged them to stop? It’s heartbreaking. It’s infuriating. And it can leave you feeling powerless.
If this is happening in your family, you’re not alone—and there is hope.
In this episode, I unpack what’s really going on when an older adult falls victim to financial exploitation, why they often can’t stop—even when they know it’s a scam—and how to intervene without shaming or severing the relationship.
Here’s What You’ll Learn in This Episode
✅ Why people get trapped in scams—even when the truth is obvious
✅ What “dignity of risk” and “duty of care” mean for families
✅ How to lead with compassion instead of control
✅ What to do when cognitive decline might be involved
✅ Concrete steps to prevent re-victimization
✅ Where to turn for professional support
Whether you’re a family member or a professional working with older adults, this episode is packed with tools to help you respond with clarity, compassion, and honesty.
Resources Mentioned:
- Click here to get your free “Support for Older Adults After Financial Scams” Guide
- Older Adult Nest Egg: Assess financial vulnerability and get expert tools for reducing risk
- AARP Fraud Watch Network: Up-to-date scam alerts and prevention tips
- Give an Hour: Mental health support including for victims of exploitation
- Center for Mental Health & Aging: Find a therapist specializing with older adults
- Adult Protective Services: State-specific reporting and support
- Find an Aging Life Care Expert
Remember…
It’s only with your help that we can meet the mental health needs of older adults. So thank you for being here—and thank you for doing your part.
Subscribe and Leave a Review
If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a colleague or friend. Together, we’re building a movement for mental health and aging. Because there is no expiration date on healing, transformation, and growth.
Professionals:
Click here to get your free “Support for Older Adults After Financial Scams” Guide
Dr. Regina Koepp is a board certified clinical psychologist, clinical geropsychologist, and founder and CEO of the Center for Mental Health & Aging: the “go to” place for mental health and aging. Dr. Koepp is a sought after speaker on the topics of mental health and aging, caregiving, ageism, resilience, intimacy in the context of life altering Illness, and dementia and sexual expression. Dr. Koepp is on a mission to ensure mental health and belonging for older adults, because every person at every age is worthy of healing, transformation, and love. Learn more about Dr. Regina Koepp here.
Regina Koepp, PsyD, ABPP
Want More? Listen to Our Most Recent Episodes
Older adults deserve high quality mental health care.
Therapists deserve the training to provide that care.
