Scams against people aged 60 and older have increased as online methods of communication have increased. In fact, according to a report by the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, there is an increase of 14% from 2023 in elder fraud complaints and the financial loss is $3.4 billion for those victims. One solution to phone scams comes out of the personal experience of Gogie … [Read more...]
The Conversation Caregivers Dread the Most – Convincing an Elder to Stop Driving.
An objective third party can help. Giving up driving is a tangible loss of independence for your elder. It’s no wonder they resist the topic. If you are truly worried about not only the safety of your elder, but everyone else on the road, then understanding what motivates them can help initiate the conversation. If finances motivate them, talking about how much you pay for … [Read more...]
What Help is Available for Mom in a Disaster? Where Can I Find Up to the Minute Information in an Emergency?
What state and county services need to know about your seniors needs in a national emergency? Given the record number of floods, fires, hurricanes, and other natural disasters occurring across the United States, I’ve been giving some thought to how I can ensure mom and I are prepared. I put the pieces of this complex puzzle together with the help of Kelly Boyd, Access & … [Read more...]
Healthcare Safety and Investment Includes Your Family Home
Just how old is the plumbing? My parents’ house was 57 years old when my father died. Not long after he passed I noticed a crack in the ceiling in their dining room. Was it from the house settling or something more serious? (Jump to Lessons Learned) The last months of my father’s life he made sure I knew where important documents were kept and how to access them. He left me … [Read more...]
Keeping Parents Safe at Home Without Huge Expense
It's the little things that matter most. Our family home is 57 years old; maintenance and modifications that allow mom to stay in her home are a part of her health care investment. (Jump to Lessons Learned) Modifications allowing your parents to age-in-place are not always big, expensive projects. My father, whom I fondly called MacGyver, was a master at inventing little … [Read more...]