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4 Things You Can Do To Protect A Senior From Online Scams

Elder Care in Webster FL
Elder Care in Webster FL

Seniors are often the targets of online scammers. Every year seniors lose more than $500 million in scams. If your senior loved one is aging at home and spends time online socializing or surfing the Web you should be worried about scammers targeting them. Use these tips to help protect your senior parent from being the victim of an online scam:

Enlist the Help of Elder Care

Elder care for seniors helps seniors stay safe at home, including keeping them safe from scams. And elder care provider can be there with your senior parent to keep track of what they’re doing online, ask questions about any people that they are talking to, and caution them not to send money online for things that seem fishy. Elder care helps protects seniors from all kinds of dangerous things including scams.

Check Your Senior Parent’s Social Media Accounts

It’s a good idea to have the password for your senior parent’s social media accounts. That way you can monitor who they are talking to and make sure that they are not being scammed. Romance scams where scammers pose as seniors who are lonely and looking for love are very common on social media. Scammers will ask the seniors that talk to them to send money, usually directly through the social media site or through a payment app, so that it can’t be tracked. Your senior parent could think they are loaning money to a potential romantic partner or a friend and end up losing thousands of dollars.

Get Added To Their Financial Accounts

Another way that you can help protect your parent is to get added to their credit cards and bank accounts as a co-signor. That way you can talk to the bank about the account, approve or deny large payments, and make other decisions about the money in the accounts. If your senior loved one is scammed it’s important that you’re on the account so that you can talk to the bank fraud investigations team. If you’re not on the account they won’t be able to talk with you unless you have a financial POA for your senior parent.

Talk To Your Senior Parent About Common Online Scams

You should also talk to your senior parent bout the most common types of online scams. Write them down and tape them next to your senior loved one’s computer so that they have a constant reminder of things that are scams. Some of the scams that you should discuss with your senior parent include:

  • Romance/dating scams
  • Travel and prize scams
  • “Your grandchild needs help” scams
  • “You owe money to the government” scams

You can get a more comprehensive list of the current scams targeting the elderly from the National Council on Aging. They keep track of the most current scams that people are using to con seniors out of their money. Don’t let your senior parent lose their retirement savings because of an online scam.

Sources:
https://www.ncoa.org/older-adults/money/management/avoiding-scams
https://aginginplace.org/internet-scams-affecting-elderly/
https://ovc.ojp.gov/program/stop-elder-fraud/providing-help-restoring-hope

If you or an aging loved one is considering elder care in Webster, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.

How Does Home Care Benefit Your Senior Parent?

Home Care in Clermont FL
Home Care in Clermont FL

It’s always been your dad’s goal to live in the family home for the rest of his life, but you’re wondering just how possible that really is. He fell getting out of the shower, and while he’s okay, you’re worried about him being alone. Have you considered home care services?

He’s Never Alone for Long

What happens with your dad when you live on the other side of the country? Does he have friends and neighbors checking in or is he alone? Do you worry about him falling in the middle of the night and laying for days before someone realizes he hasn’t been active?

Home care services eliminate this worry. He has a caregiver available to check in each day. Pair caregiver visits with an emergency alert system for optimal security and support.

If he likes to take walks, he doesn’t have to go alone. His caregiver can walk with him.

Personal Care Isn’t a Struggle

Your dad has a hard time with showers. Ever since he fell, his confidence diminished. With home care services, his caregivers can help him in and out of the shower, assist with dressing, and trim his nails. He has caregivers to help him pick out the right outfits and dress in the appropriate attire if he’s heading outside for a walk.

He Has Home-Cooked Meals

A CDC report found that around two out of five people eat fast food on any given day. Adults 60 or older account for almost a quarter of these people. If your dad is likely to eat fast food for a quick meal, it’s time to address healthier options.

With home care services, your dad has healthy meals. He has vegetables, fruits, protein, and whole grains. All of that is essential for balanced nutrition.

When your dad needs groceries, his caregiver can take him. Your dad’s caregiver can take him shopping or help him order groceries online. His caregiver can help him carry groceries in from the car and put things away.

Someone Is There to Help With Housekeeping Chores

Your dad has a hard time with his vacuum. It’s heavy and he often trips on the cord. He doesn’t vacuum and prefers to wait until you visit. The problem is that you only stop by once a month, so the carpet gets covered in fur, crumbs, and dust in the meantime.

With housekeeping services from a home care agency, your dad’s housekeeping is done. He has a caregiver available to do his laundry, clean his floors, wash his dishes, and change sheets and towels.

He Has Rides When Needed

Your dad’s caregiver can take him wherever he needs to go. If he shouldn’t drive, his caregiver can ensure he doesn’t feel isolated. He’ll have a ride to area businesses, medical offices, or his friends’ homes. Call today and ask about available services. You can have a caregiver with your dad during his morning routines and no longer have to worry. A home care agency can help you get started.

Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db322.htm

If you or an aging loved one is considering home care in Clermont, FL, please contact the caring staff at Golden Heart Senior Care of Clermont today. 1-888-423-4046.