What does "Exploitation" entail regarding older persons?

The concept of "Exploitation" in relation to older persons primarily involves taking advantage of the trust that an older individual has placed in someone else. This can manifest in various ways, such as manipulating their decisions or financial matters due to the older person's dependency or vulnerability. Individuals in a position of trust may exploit the relationship for their own gain, leading to financial or emotional harm to the older person.

While using deceit to obtain property and willfully isolating an older person are forms of mistreatment, they do not encompass the broader notion of exploitation, which fundamentally hinges on the manipulation of trust. Maintaining legal guardianship, in contrast, can be a responsible role when executed appropriately and does not inherently constitute exploitation unless misused. Thus, taking advantage of the trust held by an older person most accurately captures the essence of exploitation in this context.