In the context of senior neglect, which behavior is considered a form of exploitation?

The behavior identified as taking a senior’s Social Security benefits unlawfully is deemed a form of exploitation because it involves illegally accessing and using a vulnerable individual’s financial resources for personal gain. This constitutes a serious violation of trust and represents financial abuse, where the abuser overrides the senior's rights and autonomy in handling their financial affairs.

Financial exploitation is particularly harmful as it can lead to significant distress and a loss of essential resources, impacting the senior's ability to afford basic necessities such as housing, healthcare, and proper nutrition. This type of exploitation preys on the elderly, who may be unable to advocate for themselves due to cognitive decline or physical limitations.

In contrast, while other behaviors listed, such as ignoring dietary needs, withholding companionship, and failing to provide transportation, can harm the senior and contribute to neglect, they do not directly involve taking or misusing the senior's financial resources. Thus, they fall into different categories of elder abuse rather than financial exploitation.