Archive for the ‘Senior Scams’ Category

Senior scams to watch out for

Posted on: June 13th, 2011 by aagingbetter

Elder financial abuse costs older Americans more than $2.6 billion per year and comes in a wide variety of guises.  With many financial scams, the biggest red flag warning is being asked to send or give someone money.  Even worse is a request that you provide them with confidential financial information which then allows the scammer to gain access to your credit card or bank account.  If you or your elderly loved ones are ever asked for personal financial information by someone you aren’t familiar with, beware!  It is almost always a scam to get your confidential information which could end up costing you or your loved ones significant grief.  Here are some other things to watch out for:

Whether in mailings or on the phone, be aware of:

• A promise to win money, make money, or borrow money easily;

• A demand to act immediately or else miss out on a great opportunity;

• A refusal to send written information before you agree to buy or donate;

• An attempt to scare you or your loved one into buying something;

• Insistence on wiring money or having a courier pick up a payment; and,

• A refusal to stop calling after being asked not to call again.

Did you know?

• It’s illegal for companies that operate contests or sweepstakes to ask one to pay to enter or claim a prize or even suggest that chances of winning will improve if there is a purchase.

• It’s illegal for telemarketers to ask for a fee upfront to help get a loan if they guarantee or strongly imply that the loan will be made.

• There is no reason to give a credit card number or bank account number to a telemarketer unless a payment is actually being made with that account.

• If payment is required before getting detailed information about the offer, it’s probably a scam.

Here are three easy ways to reduce victimization of seniors:

Ask companies with whom business is done not to share personal information with other marketers.

Use a service such as Tonic Mailstopper (http://mailstopper.tonic.com) to stop junk mail from being delivered.

Know the “Do-Not-Call” rights. Under federal law, a telemarketer can be instructed not to call a number again.  Call 1-888-382-1222 or register online at www.donotcall.gov.

For further information on how to protect against elder abuse (or to obtain respite care or daily in-home care services), please call AAging Better In-Home Care at (208) 777-0308 in the Coeur d’Alene/Post Falls/Hayden areas, (208) 263-7889 in the Sandpoint/Priest River/Bonners Ferry areas or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg/Pinehurst/Wallace areas.  Or click on the “Contact Us” tab at the top of the website for an immediate reply via e-mail.

Developing A Care Plan For The Future

Posted on: March 16th, 2011 by aagingbetter

Preparing a long-term care plan may seem daunting, but will help alleviate the burden if and when the time comes and it is necessary. Key things to consider when developing a long-term care plan are:

  • Start by identifying what types of care services may be needed. Sit down with family members and physicians and/or an AAging Better In-Home Care care manager and discuss what is perceived to be your loved one’s caregiving needs.
  • Next, outline the duties and responsibilities the caregiver will be required to provide. This helps to define the caregiver role that works best in your situation and will help clarify which type of caregiving situation is most appropriate for your loved one’s needs.
  • Compare and understand long-term care insurance options.
  • Communicate with family and friends and decide who can be counted on for help.
  • Establish clear legal directions.  A home-care company can help define these for you.
  • Focus on available finances.
  • Learn what is offered in your community.  Call the Area Agency on Aging for a list of home-care companies in our area.  That number is (208) 667-3179.
  • Make home improvements, like a ramp leading up to the front door, if necessary.
  • Take control of health and personal needs.

Asking the right questions is extremely important, as well as involving the senior who requires in-home care in the planning process.  After all, it is most often their home that the care will be given in and seniors want to maintain control of their environment and themselves for as long as possible.  For further assistance with eldercare planning in Idaho, contact AAging Better In-Home Care at (208) 777-0308 in Coeur d’Alene and Post Falls or (208) 263-7889 in Sandpoint or (208) 784-1505 in the Kellogg area.

You may also want to check out Medicare.gov’s Long-Term Care Planning Tool, which was created with the goal of helping people better understand what long-term care services are available, how much one can expect to pay for long-term care, and what financing options are available to support long-term care costs.  The tool asks between twelve and twenty questions and then provides long-term care results by comparing your answers to those of individuals with similar profiles. Click here to view the tool.

 
Call Us Toll Free at 866.464.2344 or send us a request by email... click to get started »