Posts
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!
Friday, December 10, 2010
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.
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.
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
Monday, December 6, 2010
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.
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
Friday, December 3, 2010
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)