Mores Prohibiting Theft or Unauthorized Seizure of Material Assets

For a 90-year-old, the developmental focus concerning 'Mores Prohibiting Theft or Unauthorized Seizure of Material Assets' shifts from initial understanding to the practical application, reinforcement, and defense of these mores in complex later-life scenarios. At this age, individuals may face increased vulnerability to financial exploitation, fraud, or undue influence, making the safeguarding of their material assets a critical developmental task. The chosen primary tool, 'Financial Elder Abuse: How to Protect Your Loved One From Financial Exploitation,' directly addresses this by empowering the individual (and their trusted caregivers) with knowledge and proactive strategies to prevent violations of these fundamental societal mores.

Our selection principles for this age and topic are:

1. Cognitive Preservation and Ethical Reinforcement: Tools should support continued cognitive engagement with ethical frameworks and their real-world application, reinforcing deeply held mores by providing contemporary relevance.
2. Maintaining Autonomy and Dignity: Tools must empower the individual to understand and advocate for their own material assets and rights, fostering financial literacy and protection against exploitation.
3. Proactive Safeguarding: Given potential vulnerabilities, the most impactful tools will equip individuals with concrete strategies to prevent theft or unauthorized seizure, rather than simply discussing the abstract principle.

This book is the best-in-class for its direct relevance, practical advice, and comprehensive approach to preventing elder financial abuse. It leverages existing internalized mores by providing the 'how-to' for their practical defense, thus promoting the individual's autonomy and protecting their legacy. It offers maximum developmental leverage for this age by addressing a salient concern with actionable knowledge.

Implementation Protocol:

1. Guided Reading Sessions: Suggest that the 90-year-old engage with the book at their own pace, perhaps with a trusted family member or caregiver who can read aloud or discuss sections. Break down chapters into manageable segments to avoid cognitive overload.
2. Discussion and Scenario Planning: After reading relevant sections, discuss specific scenarios outlined in the book and relate them to the individual's personal circumstances. This helps apply the abstract mores to concrete situations.
3. Action Plan Development: Encourage the creation of a personalized action plan based on the book's recommendations, such as reviewing financial statements, updating wills/trusts (with legal counsel), identifying trusted contacts, and establishing communication protocols for financial matters.
4. Resource Identification: Utilize the book to identify legitimate resources (e.g., elder law attorneys, financial advisors, adult protective services) and ensure the individual knows how and when to seek professional help.
5. Secure Document Management: Implement the recommended extras (file organizer, shredder) to put the book's advice into practice for secure management and disposal of sensitive financial documents.