Tips to Avoid Senior Fraud

By: Carey Fitzgerald

This previous Wednesday, I recently gave a presentation to the residents of Birch Heights (Independent Living Community) in Derry, NH on tips to avoid senior fraud. In the audience I was not suprised to note that about half the audience had been scammed or that someone had attempted to scam them.

Not enough education can be done on the subject. The Securities Exchange Commission revealed that even though seniors are currently about 15% of the United States population they make up about 35-40% of the population that falls victim to fraud each year.

Education is the only way to decrease the population being scammed. Rule #1 to remember...Trust your instincts, if something seems too good to be true, it probably is!

Why Target seniors?

Individuals 55+ are more likely to have a "nest egg", own their own home and/or have excellent credit. Americans born in the 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's were raised to be polite and very trusting. Due to cognitive decline, memory loss, Alzheimer's disease which seniors are more likely to be effected they are less likely to remember critical details and/or report it. Many times when a senior discovers that he/she has been scammed they feel a sense of sham or guilt and may be fearful that a relative with view them as incompetent if the scam is discovered. Also, as we age we become more interested in products/services that promise cognitive function, physical conditioning, anti-cancer, etc. This is due to our investment of the American dream of all wanting to live long, healthy and financially stables lives.

What This Means for the Scammer?

A con-artist is likely to view someone 60+ as an attractive target who is easy to exploit. Considering that a senior acts as a poor witness and/or is unlikely to report any fraud this increases their chances of not getting caught. Since older Americans are so focused on staying young, living healthy, and being financially stable it is easy for a scammer to create a pitch/product/story that is attractive to seniors.

Common Frauds Affecting Seniors

• Healthcare/Medicare Fraud
• Counterfeit prescriptions
• Lottery Scams
• Funeral/Cemetery Fraud
• Fraudulent "Anti-Aging" Products
• Telemarketing Fraud
• Internet Fraud
• Investment Schemes
• Reverse Mortgage Schemes

Senior Scams are costing older adults their life savings, their homes, or even their lives!

Tips to Avoid Fraud

• Everyone, regardless of age, sex, education level, financial situation or where they live, is a potential victim—including seniors.
• Don’t be afraid to hang up—it’s okay to be rude.
• Seniors may be targeted more because they are perceived by scam artists to have more free time and tend to be alone more.
• Educate yourself and talk to others. These are the most effective ways to prevent scams.
• There will never be a solution to eliminate scam artists—they are constantly changing their methods to keep from getting caught.
• Don’t be afraid to ask a neighbor, family member, friend, banker, or trusted advisor if you have doubts about an offer or business.
• Call law enforcement immediately if you think you have been victimized.
• Never accept the help of someone who calls you and offers to help recover the losses in a scam “for a small fee”. Odds are, it’s the same scam artist coming back for more.
• Shred all personal information

To report a fraud, please contact your states:

Office of Attorney General
The Consumer Protection Bureau
The Better Business Bureau
Local Law Enforcement

To report a fraud, in New Hampshire:

Office of Attorney General
22 Capitol Street
Concord, NH 03301
(603) 271-3658

The Consumer Protection Bureau
(603) 271-3641

The Better Business Bureau
(603) 224-1991

How Home Instead Senior Care Can Help

Many of our clients do not have families close or cannot be with their senior loved ones 24/7 as a result our caregivers can act as the eyes and ears for your senior loved one.
In the last 6 months alone, Home Instead Senior Care of Seacoast & Southern NH have helped prevent over 6 attempted scams on seniors in the Seacoast and Southern region. Clients have been harassed via phone regarding a fraudulent outstanding credit card bill that was "overdue" and they needed to pay it over the phone immediately. Handy-men have approached homes stating they arrived to help with home maintenance. Client have also been contacted via email, phone and mail stating they have won lotteries and but to receive the winnings they would need to pay for shipping and handling.

Our caregivers have been with our clients during these incidients and were able to act as their sound boarding, support and friend to prevent them from being scammed.

Reach Out To Loved Ones This Holiday Season!

Americans will send over 1.9 billion holiday cards this year. During the holiday season, many seniors may believe they are alone. It is essential to acknowledge the importance of others in our lives. Don’t underestimate the power of letting your loved ones know you are thinking of them.
There are more than 13.7 million widowed individuals in the United States (family.org). Many seniors have little or no social contact or support from anyone, which can result in extreme isolation. Widowers may not have family or friends close by, making the holiday season especially difficult.

Please make an effort this holiday season to reach out to those who may not have loved ones near and may be feeling lonely. By placing a phone call or sending greeting card through the mail, you may be making an individual’s holiday season special.

Should Your Senior Loved One Still Be Driving?

By: Emily Jefferson


The topic of driving can be a difficult subject to broach with your senior. Citizens have come to believe that driving is no longer just a privilege, but a right. It is possible that a loved one or acquaintance of yours is no longer able to safely transport themselves in a motor vehicle. When this is recognized, it is imperative to speak up and offer an alternative.

Most accidents involving seniors occur at intersections and in high volume traffic areas. Poor eyesight and confusion are the two main causes of accidents involving seniors. If you are questioning your loved one’s ability to drive, have their eyesight and other cognitive skills tested. Many seniors are taking the initiative to attend self-help classes in order to improve their driving skills, enabling them to stay on the road longer and become safer drivers.

Offer to give your senior a ride when he or she has appointments or would like to get out of the house. If you are unable to provide transportation for your senior, suggest a taxi service or local bus. There are many alternative means of transportation, take the time to explore these different options with your loved one.

Have your loved one take a minute to fill out The American Automobile Association Foundation’s self-rating form to see how he or she’s driving habits will score!

Should Your Senior Loved One Still Be Driving?

The topic of driving can be a difficult subject to broach with your senior. Citizens have come to believe that driving is no longer just a privilege, but a right. It is possible that a loved one or acquaintance of yours is no longer able to safely transport themselves in a motor vehicle. When this is recognized, it is imperative to speak up and offer an alternative.

Most accidents involving seniors occur at intersections and in high volume traffic areas. Poor eyesight and confusion are the two main causes of accidents involving seniors. If you are questioning your loved one’s ability to drive, have their eyesight and other cognitive skills tested. Many seniors are taking the initiative to attend self-help classes in order to improve their driving skills, enabling them to stay on the road longer and become safer drivers.

Offer to give your senior a ride when he or she has appointments or would like to get out of the house. If you are unable to provide transportation for your senior, suggest a taxi service or local bus. There are many alternative means of transportation, take the time to explore these different options with your loved one.

Have your loved one take a minute to fill out The American Automobile Association Foundation’s self-rating form to see how he or she’s driving habits will score!

Seven Tips to Help Boomer Children Communicate With Their Aging Parents

Many adult children of aging adults know how difficult it can be to talk with their parents about certain topics. Following, from Home Instead Senior Care and communication expert Jake Harwood, Ph.D., from the University of Arizona, are tips to help family caregivers communicate with their aging parents on sensitive subjects.


1. Get Started. If you're 40 and your parents are 70, it's time to start observing and gathering information carefully and thoughtfully. Don't reach a conclusion from a single observation and decide on the best solution until you have gathered information with an open mind and talked with your parents.


2. Talk it out. Approach your parents with a conversation. Discuss what you've observed and ask your parents what they think is going on. If your parents acknowledge the situation, ask what they think would be good solutions. If your parents don't recognize a problem, use concrete examples to support your case. 


3. Sooner is best. Talk sooner rather than later when a crisis has occurred. If you know your loved one has poor eyesight or has trouble driving at night, begin to address those issues before a problem arises.


4. Forget the baby talk. Remember you are talking to an adult, not a child. Patronizing speech or baby talk will put older adults on the defensive and convey a lack of respect for them. Put yourself in your parents' shoes and think of how you would want to be addressed in the situation.


5. Maximize independence. Always try to move toward solutions that provide the maximum amount of independence for the older person. Look for answers that optimize strengths and compensate for problems. For instance, if your loved ones need help at home, look for tools that can help them maintain their strengths. Professional caregiving services, such as those offered by Home Instead Senior Care, provide assistance in a number of areas including meal preparation, light housekeeping or medication reminders. Or find friends who can help.


6. Be aware of the whole situation. If your dad dies and soon afterward your mom's house seems to be in disarray, it's probably not because she suddenly became ill. It's much more likely to stem from a lack of social support and the loss of a life-long relationship. Make sure that your mom has friends and a social life.


7. Ask for help. Many of the issues of aging can be solved by providing parents with the support they need to continue to maintain their independence. Resources such as Home Instead Senior Care, ServiceLink and your local senior center can help provide you with solutions. 


*Information repurposed from Home Instead Senior Care's 40/70 Booklet. 

Resources for Caregiver Stress

Does taking care of Mom and Dad make you feel like you’re the only one out there struggling with the care of aging parents? If so, join the crowd. Research suggests that you’re anything but isolated in your feelings, nor are you alone in the crowd.

A study of family caregivers who responded to a survey conducted for the Home Instead Senior Care^® network revealed that nearly half said they rarely if ever receive assistance from friends.

Perhaps you’ve felt a lack of camaraderie right here in our own community. The truth is, people just don't have as many deep friendships as they did 25 years ago, and they're reluctant to ask for help. But asking for help becomes much easier once you understand your options.

One thing is for sure, though, seniors such as your parents know where they want to be as they grow older - in their own homes. But you may not know how to get them the help they need to stay there.

That’s why the Home Instead Senior Care network has developed a new family caregiver resource:  Caring for Your Parents: Education for the Family Caregiver to provide practical help for the family caregiver. The information, videos and links available through the program give family caregivers like you tools for dealing with a host of difficult family issues such as choosing an in-home care provider, the signs of aging, long distance caregiving and communicating with aging parents.  

Days with My Father - A Wonderful Story To Share

Philip Toledano - Days with My Father


Check out this Time.com Web exclusive, “My Aging Father’s Decline: A Son’s Photo Journal,” a slide show from a photographer’s final years with his father. This powerful photo journal was taken over a three year period that documents Philip's experience with his father as he suffered from dementia/Alzheimer's disease. Anyone with a senior loved suffering from dementia/Alzheimer's disease can relate.

A Woman's Nation Takes on Alzheimer's

Currently in the United States there are 10 million women who either have Alzheimer's or are caring for someone with the disease. Women are barring the burdeon of this disease as they are more likely to care for an aging family member with Alzheimer’s than their male counterpart. Home Instead Senior Care of Seacoast and Southern New Hampshire lives and breathes this statistic locally. Like Maria Shriver, our team of over 130 employees is comprised of 98% women--we are simply women helping women. With the recent release of The Shriver Report: A Woman's Nation Takes on Alzheimer's and a this week's Time news article Attacking Alzheimer's  we are excited to see more light be shed on the complexity of this family disease as we deal with the importance of this issue on a daily basis. 


For the last 8 years, Home Instead Senior Care has provided non-medical home care services to over 850 clients--more than 75% with Alzheimer's/dementia. And with the aging population of baby boomers, the number of people with Alzheimer’s disease is expected to triple by 2050—if no cure is found. 


If you are a struggling caregiver trying to balance your work, life and family responsibilities we encourage you to contact Home Instead Senior Care. We can help be your solution. 

Resources

Alzheimer’s Association: To eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

Home Instead Senior Care of Seacoast and Southern NH: A New Hampshire resource and service for families dealing with Alzheimer’s disease.

Caregiverstress.com: This is a helpful tool that encourages you to care for yourself while continuing to care for your aging loved one.

Caregiver Support Groups: Contact your local hospital to learn more about caregiver support groups. 


**Not a complete list. **


Leave your thoughts below. What is your biggest burden when dealing with a loved one with Alzheimer's disease?

New Hampshire Resources for the Senior Hoarder & Their Loved Ones

Home Instead Senior Care has been working with seniors and their clutter issues for over  8 years in the Seacoast and Southern area of New Hampshire. As Community Liaison for Home Instead Senior Care, I recently had the opportunity to share our knowledge with the Adult Day Centers of New Hampshire on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at Silverthorne in Salem, N.H. When preparing for their annual conference, I only thought it was appropriate that I bring in a local expert as they recently launched a new program in the Spring of 2010 to help hoarders in New Hampshire. Pam Manes, Director of Service Development was a joy to collaborate with and she  brought many real life situations to the table. For anyone in the New Hampshire area unsure of how to get started I recommend calling Community House Calls.  

As you may know hoarding is a problem for many Americans--not just seniors. But seniors tend to be in the highest risk group as they are more likely to suffer physical ailments as a result of excess clutter and hoarding. Their homes may potentially become unlivable or impossible for emergency personnel to gain access into the home. Self care can also be come difficult or impossible. For a senior who may already have mobility issues, clutter and hoarding may increase their fall risk--even more dangerous if they live alone. Below are some signs to tell if the senior in your life as a clutter/hoarding problem. 

Provided By: Community House Calls - Healthy Homes Program

-Piles of mail and unpaid bills.

-Difficulty walking safely through a home.

-Frustration trying to organize.

-Difficulty managing activities of daily living.

-Expired food in the refrigerator.

-Jammed closets and drawers.

-Compulsive shopping.

-Difficulty deciding whether to discard items.

-A health episode such as a stroke or dementia.

-Loneliness.

If you are having difficulty understanding the senior hoarder the list below may help provide clarity and find ways you can help:

The sentimental attachment. The beloved prom dress represents the history and memories of the event; it’s not the dressitself. Save only a piece of the dress to make a quilt or display in a shadow box. Scrapbooking and converting photos to DVDs are other ways to save treasured keepsakes without all the extra mess.

The sense of loyalty. Older adults who’ve received gifts from family and friends may be reluctant to part with them. Encourage your loved one to give unused gifts back to the giver or grandchildren.

The need to conserve. Seniors are the original green people. Appeal to a senior’s desire to help others. “You went through the Great Depression, now it’s time for you to let go and help someone else.” Counter a senior’s inclination to conserve by appealing to their desire to give back.

The fatigue. A home with a lifetime of memories can easily become too much for an older adult to handle. Help seniors manage clutter by establishing online bill paying. Also, get your senior off junk mail lists, which can put them at risk for identity theft, and buy them a shredder.

The change in health. Seniors who have suffered a brain trauma or stroke, who are wheelchair bound or who are experiencing dementia may no longer be able to manage household duties, which could contribute to clutter. If you see a health change, encourage your senior to visit his or her doctor and consider a professional organizer and caregiver to help your loved one.

The fear. Seniors often fear what will happen if they give up their stuff, like the older adult who saved three generations of bank statements. Use logic and information to help seniors understand it’s O.K. to let go.

The dream of the future. Those clothes in the closet don’t fit anymore, but your loved one is sure that some day she’ll lose enough weight to get into them. Ask seniors to fill a box with clothing they don’t wear much and make a list of the items in the box. Agree that if they have not gone back to the box in six months to wear the item, they will donate that to charity.

The love of shopping. Today’s seniors have more money than any other previous generation of older adults and they love to shop. Clutter can become so bad seniors can’t find things and they repurchase items they already have, contributing to the clutter cycle. Try to convince seniors to cut back and to say “no” to free stuff.

The history and memories. Keepsakes represent history and memories. Encourage seniors to take old photos to a family reunion and share with several generations. Let seniors know they can contribute to the history of their time and leave a lasting legacy by donating to museums and historical societies, a theater and library, or churches and synagogues.

The loneliness. Stuff can become a misplaced companion. Loneliness may also lead to depression, which makes it difficult for seniors to get organized. Consider the services of a professional organizer and caregiver. 

Resources for the Senior Hoarder in New Hampshire 

NSGCD Clutter Hoarding Scale

This is a great reference tool for family members and health care professionals to understand the best way for an individual to seek help based on their level of disorganization. 

Breaking Point: Decoding Problems for Seniors and Hoarding

This is a great resource created by Home Instead Senior Care to help family caregivers understand their senior loved one and why they may not address their clutter or hoarding issues. 

Community House Calls - Healthy Homes Program 

 Community House Calls is dedicated to maximizing independence at home through home modifications and adaptations with a focus on safety, accessibility, repairs and maintenance. This private-pay company is additionally a Medicaid approved provider, a VA  approved contractor and an approved vendor for those with home modification riders on their Long Term Care insurance policies.

A new division - "Healthy Homes" - was recently added to Community House Calls. It offers help and support to people of all ages with hoarding, cluttering and organizing challenges. They help return a home to a safe and comfortable environment while being compassionate and understanding of the individuals and the issues involved.

If you know of a senior hoarder, let Home Instead Senior Care be your solution. We have CAREGivers that can help individuals organize and de-clutter. For more information on how we can help your senior loved one in the Seacoast and Southern regions of New Hampshire call  603.433.5959 or visit www.homeinstead.com/scnh. 


By: Carey Fitzgerald, Community Liaison

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Laughter truly is the best medicine. Watch this video from Home Instead Senior Care Convention 2009 that already has received 1.3 million views in the last week.

This site is currently under construction. Thank you for your patience.