'Inherently Risky?': Personal Budgets for People with Dementia and the Risks of Financial Abuse: Findings from an Interview-Based Study with Adult Safeguarding Coordinators

Abstract

The shift within publicly funded social care towards personal budgets and Direct Payments may present some risks as well as advantages to people with dementia. Fifteen Adult Safeguarding Coordinators were interviewed in 2011, building on earlier interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify three main consistencies in response. Most participants saw personal budgets as potentially risky, but outlined ways in which these risks could be minimised and felt that the principles of risk empowerment could be used by practitioners to support people with dementia, carers and care staff and enable greater protection against financial abuse. Principles of the Mental Capacity Act were seen as offering some safeguards for when an individual lacks capacity, but not when they are vulnerable, mildly confused and less vigilant. Alongside a need for social work practitioners to be more alert to signs and risks of financial abuse, safeguarding practitioners urged regular reviews and monitoring that flag up inconsistencies in spending patterns. If not, system neglect may add to individual cases of abuse.