What You Can Do To Protect Seniors

Following, from the National Association of Triads, Inc. and Home Instead Senior Care, are ways that family caregivers can protect their senior loved ones:

1. Watch for unusual activity. Seniors who are scammed may be embarrassed and try to hide what happened. Watch for changes in their lifestyle as well as any other unusual financial or business activity.

2. Be on guard for individuals who have befriended your loved one. Lonely or isolated seniors may be vulnerable to con criminals who befriend them and provide them with companionship. Ask to talk to your parent’s new friend to find out more about him or her. A thief won’t stick around long to chat.

3. Investigate organizations looking for money. Often seniors want to donate to organizations and other worthy causes. Help your loved ones check those out by requesting written information on the organization and reviewing that thoroughly. Or contact the Better Business Bureau.

4. Assist seniors with their finances. If a senior can no longer handle his or her finances, encourage your loved one to put a plan in place that can help ensure bills are paid and his or her assets are protected. That plan may include your senior designating a financial power of attorney.

5. Destroy information that could be compromised. Make sure your senior shreds all financial information and credit card offers before discarding them in the trash.

6. Seek out a second set of eyes. If you live a distance from your loved one or can’t always be there, help your senior build a support network. This can include neighbors, friends, trusted church members or professional CAREGivers like those from Home Instead Senior Care.

Additional Telemarketing and Internet Fraud Tips are available from the National Fraud Information Center at www.fraud.org.

A tip sheet with all of the information is available free of charge from the local Home Instead Senior Care office. For more information, or to order a copy, please call Robin Perry, at 704-636-2010 or 704-788-3399.