Children with early inheritance syndrome feel a sense of entitlement to their parents' assets. They are not prepared to wait until their parents die. These impatient children seek ways for their parents to give them money, or interfere in the management of their parents' assets to protect what they see as their entitlement.

Financial abuse is the most common, and fastest-growing, type of abuse of older people. It involves taking or misusing an older person's money, property or assets. It also includes persuading an older person to change their will through deception or undue influence.

As economic conditions worsen, older people are at a greater risk than ever of being financially abused. Credit:Virginia Star

As economic conditions worsen, older people are at a greater risk than ever of being financially abused. People who are locked out of the housing market may expect access to their parents' assets, even though their parents are still alive.

As the vulnerability of older people increases, their dependence on family members also increases. Often they do not want to say "No" to their children's requests for money or asset transfers for fear of upsetting these relationships.