By Guest Blogger Dale Carter of TransitionAgingParents.com
Elder abuse can take many forms
Elder abuse is something I don’t like to think about. It’s a tough subject to write about. But, each of us needs to raise our level of awareness so we can protect our aging parents. When I hear the term, I think about physical abuse and neglect of the elderly by hired employees in a nursing home. But, it encompasses so much more.
The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) lists these other forms: emotional or psychological abuse; verbal abuse and threats; financial abuse and exploitation, sexual abuse, and abandonment. It can happen anywhere: nursing home, private home and other institutions. Surprisingly, it affects the elderly across all socio-economic classes. Dementia is an especially strong risk factor.
This particular article focuses on Elder financial abuse. The elderly can be financially abused by mail fraud, phone fraud, business fraud and stealing by a family member or hired caregiver, or visitor. Today, I heard yet another instance of a trusted caregiver stealing a large sum of money, $20,000, from an elderly man.
Here are some key ways we can prevent financial abuse from happening to our elderly loved ones.
- Stay in frequent contact with elderly relatives, and keep lines of communication open.
- Be observant and perceptive about any physical or behavioral change.
- Choose any caregiver carefully. Never select one through an ad. Use a licensed, bonded agency. Hire an investigator to ensure the potential caregiver is not a convicted felon.
- Keep a photographed inventory of all jewelry in a locked box.
- Use a criss-cross shredder on any paperwork containing identifying information.
- Protect incoming and outgoing mail. Getting a Post Office box is a good preventive measure.
- Obtain a credit search for your parent 2-3 times a year.
- Have Caller Id on the phone. Teach your parents to not answer “unknown” or “out of area”. Tell them that scam artists use the phone as a weapon, and it is OK to hang up on someone.
- Tell them “You will NEVER win a foreign lottery”.
- Have a duplicate copy of their banking account statements sent to a trusted family member.
- Tell them to not assume a handyman is to be trusted, even if he has a wonderful name and is charming. Check the Better Business Bureau and state licensing. Always get 3 estimates. Obtain a written contract. And, never pay more than 10% or $1,000 up-front, whichever is less.
- Have a second line of defense at their front door (a peephole or locked screen door).
Report any suspected mistreatment immediately. Contact the Helpline for your state at http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/Find_Help/Help_Hotline.aspx
Dale Carter of TransitionAgingParents.com, is the author of “Transitioning Your Aging Parent: A 5 Step Guide Through Crisis & Change.” Dale’s background is quite varied – she’s worked as a high school/college instructor, systems analyst/programmer, business intelligence manager, and project manager/consultant – but she has found her current work with elders to be the most fulfilling. Her blog, book, podcasts, an e-course on “Five Essential Strategies to Help Your Aging Parent Face Change” and much more can be accessed through her website: TransitionAgingParents.com. Click to listen to Dale’s Story
Want more information on how to protect your aging loved one from elder abuse? Then check out these 3 AgeWiseLiving articles:
Is Anyone Safe From Identity Theft (7/23/09)
http://agewiseliving.com/2009-07-23-IdentityTheft.htm
Internet Security (11/06)
http://agewiseliving.com/internet-security.htm
How to Prevent Elder Abuse (10/06)
http://agewiseliving.com/elder-abuse.htm
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© Copyright AgeWiseLiving™ 2010 Barbara E. Friesner, Generational Coach and adjunct professor at Cornell University, is creator of “The Ultimate Caregiver’s Success System, the ultimate eldercare instruction manual that shows you exactly how to resolve your eldercare issues by choice, not crisis. To get your F.R.E.E. downloadable MP3 and receive Barbara’s weekly eldercare success articles, visit www.AgeWiseLiving.com.
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• Have Caller Id on the phone. Teach your parents to not answer “unknown” or “out of area”. Tell them that scam artists use the phone as a weapon, and it is OK to hang up on someone. Actually “role play” with a parent on “how to not answer the phone.” Let it ring and ring and ring (after seeing on caller ID that it’s “unknown” or “out of area”….also “restricted” is another one to be aware of), and they ignore it. It may sound silly, but often the elderly are lonely and an incoming phone call to them is “company,” giving them someone to talk to.
• Have a second line of defense at their front door (a peephole or locked screen door). Again, do a “role play.” Older people always want to “help” someone. Even with a peephole, they might talk to the person while keeping the door closed. The “visitor” could say, “Can I use your phone?”; “My car broke down,” etc. This could spell trouble.
Sheryl Kurland
Patient Advocates Of Orlando