Research Note: Managing the Financial Assets of Older People: Balancing Independence and Protection

Family involvement in managing the financial assets of older people is an area of policy and practice importance. This importance relates to the complexity of older people’s assets, systems of paying for care and concerns around substitute decision-making and financial abuse. Although a common task of informal care, little is known about older people’s experiences and wishes in relation to asset management. This paper reports on a qualitative study of the experiences and perspectives of thirty-four older people receiving such assistance. It identifies three scenarios that promote or inhibit independence in this context and draws out the challenges for this emerging area of practice with older adults and their families.