Resources For Professionals
Explore our broad assortment of information and materials to learn more about how older adults make financial decisions. Whether you are a finance professional, psychologist or caregiver, you’ll find resources relevant to your needs. See our special section for Caregivers, too. Want to learn more? Read a Department of Justice article about the creation of the Lichtenberg tools.
Research & Publications
Most Recent
Older adult financial exploitation (FE) is increasing. This study investigates a conceptual framework to understand how financial stressors and resources are associated with substantiated FE in Black older adults. The older adults who sought services to address FE was more likely to be unmarried and had fewer years of education. Measures of financial literacy and perceived financial vulnerability had protective and risk effects. Sociodemographic and financial stress and resource measures have significant relationships with FE. This new conceptual framework provides a guide to understanding vulnerability to FE in older adults.
Innovation in Aging, 2022, Vol. 6, No. 2, 1–10, Feb 28, 2022This study examined the relationship between contextual measures of financial decision-making and the financial exploitation experiences of older Blacks, and the convergent validity of mental health measures of contextual decision-making items. Results underscore the significant relationship of the contextual factors involved in financial decision-making and financial exploitation. This study provides a conceptually driven approach to understanding the experiences of older Black adult victims of financial exploitation.
Journal of Aging and Health 2022, Vol. 0(0) 1–10: Contemporary Research on Older Black AmericansA recent research study assessed SAFE’s (Successful Aging thru Financial Empowerment) impact on the financial, mental, emotional and physical health of older adults who had been victims of financial exploitation. At the onset of the study, persons who had been victimized had more health problems, poorer memory, less social support, and greater stress than a comparable group that had not been victimized. Six months after financial coaching with SAFE ended, however, SAFE clients showed significantly less anxiety. Results indicate that SAFE’s coaching, recovery and education services can help financial exploitation victims alleviate stress and protect cognitive, mental and emotional health.
Journal of Financial Counseling and Planning, Volume 32, Number 1, 2021 / http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/JFCP-20-00047
Training & Education
Videos & Webinars
Deepen your knowledge by watching Dr. Lichtenberg present webinars to the National Adult Protective Services Association and conduct an actual Financial Vulnerability Assessment.
Organizations
A carefully vetted list of credible organizations that provide safe, accurate information about protecting older adults from financial abuse and preventing financial exploitation.

Start Training to Use the Interviews for Professionals
Certification is simple and straightforward. Our convenient online training shows you how to administer the assessments to achieve accuracy and reliability. Training to become certified to use the Decision Tracker and the Family & Friends Interview is available to all professionals. Training and certification to use the Vulnerability Assessment, however, should be completed only by a mental health professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
Explore questions and answers around financial decision-making terms and concepts
Glossary
Some of the terms used in assessing financial decision making are academic, medical or legal in nature. Find simple, accurate definitions of these profession-specific terms here.
Financial Capacity
The ability of an individual to manage his or her own money and financial affairs and make relevant decisions while keeping in mind possible financial and legal consequences of those acts.
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