Scam artists often target seniors, as they believe people in this age group are more susceptible to cons. Whether or not this is true, seniors deserve protection from people targeting them. Here are a few ways to help your senior loved one avoid scams.
Offer Financial Assistance
As they age, seniors may have difficulty managing their personal finances. This is especially true for those who are used to balancing checkbooks and sending payments for their expenses by mail.
Finances are primarily conducted online nowadays, and seniors who aren’t tracking their bank accounts with apps may not catch financial irregularities until it’s too late. Help your loved one by monitoring his or her accounts for any unusual activity. If there are any strange withdrawals or transactions, alert the bank and rectify the situation.
Apart from being susceptible to scams, seniors can face a variety of other challenges as they age. If you have a senior loved one who needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of home care Pearland families can trust. Our caregivers help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and we offer mentally stimulating activities that can boost cognitive health and delay the onset of dementia.
Sign Up for the National Do Not Call Registry
Seniors are more likely to answer unsolicited phone calls than younger individuals, which is why most phone-based scams target seniors. To stop telemarketers and other unwanted callers, place your loved one’s phone number on the National Do Not Call Registry. Additionally, you can put your loved one’s address on the Data & Marketing Association opt-out list, which prevents him or her from getting junk mail.
Set Phone Call Rules
The Do Not Call Registry prevents many unwanted calls. However, if a scam artist manages to bypass it, your loved one needs to be on guard. Make sure your loved one knows not to give out personal information over the phone. No matter who the caller claims to be, your loved one should never give out his or her Medicare, social security, banking, or credit card information over the telephone. Medicare phone scams are one of the most common ways con artists target seniors, and you should make sure your loved one is aware of these issues.
From avoiding scams to performing basic housekeeping tasks, older adults may need help with an array of tasks. If your aging loved one needs occasional help with bathing, grooming, cooking, or other basic household tasks, or if you need time to attend to important personal matters, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of respite care. Pearland seniors can maintain their independence while living at home with the help of our reliable home caregivers.
Provide Smart Cards
If you’re truly worried your loved one will lose money on a scam, set him or her up with a smart credit card designed to prevent dubious spending. These cards allow caregivers to set limits on monthly spending and veto certain transactions. They also provide extra protection, as they watch account activity for known senior scams. The True Link card for seniors is one of the most popular options.
Discourage Making Immediate Decisions
Scammers often try to compel seniors to make on-the-spot decisions. Tell your loved one not to make spontaneous decisions. When talking on the phone or speaking with a door-to-door solicitor, your loved one shouldn’t hand over his or her personal information without having all the facts. For seniors who have a tendency to get flustered, caregivers can provide foolproof conversation enders. If phone solicitors are trying to sell products or services, your loved one should tell them he or she only responds to requests provided in writing.
Protection from scams isn’t the only thing older adults need to enjoy a high quality of life. Living alone at home in the golden years can present a few unique challenges. Trust elder care professionals to help your senior loved one maintain a higher quality of life while he or she lives with an illness and performs the daily tasks of living. Rely on the professionals at Assisting Hands Home Care to provide high-quality compassionate care for your loved one. Give us a call today to learn about our flexible in-home care plans.
