UAB Alzheimer's Disease Center
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Five Warning Signs for Declining Financial Ability in Older Adults*


1.

Memory Lapses:

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Forgetting to pay bills, or paying them more than once

 

 

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Difficulty remembering personal property (and its value) or estate plan

 

 

 

 

2.

Disorganization

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Problems organizing and keeping track of bills, statements, other documents

 

 

 

eg., papers scattered throughout the house

 

 

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Increased difficulty preparing (or organizing) annual taxes

 

 

 

 

3.

Math Mistakes:

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Math and counting errors in everyday life (eg., making change, tipping)

 

 

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Problems balancing checkbook

 

 

 

 

4.

Confusion:

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Difficulty understanding basic terms and concepts (eg., like loan or interest

 

 

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Trouble understanding personal estate plan, despite repeated explanations

 

 

 

 

5.

Impaired Judgment:

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Questionable or poor financial decisions

 

 

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New interest in lotteries and get-rich schemes