Protect Your Parents from Devastating Scams and Fraud

Safety Tips for Seniors from the Healthcare Team at Home Instead

Unfortunately, the elderly population in Canada is very susceptible to being taken advantage of by criminals. These con artists will stop at nothing to strip your loved one of their life savings or excellent credit. Many seniors are extraordinarily polite and do not want to hang up on a person, so they can quickly be sucked into a phone scam. The result is an embarrassed parent that can develop mistrust in people. It can even affect their sense of wellbeing.

Caregivers often struggle to have meaningful conversations with their parents on these matters because Mom or Dad may feel their independence is being threatened. When you cannot be around to help keep an eye on things, an experienced caregiver from Home Instead Hamilton can step in to help. Our professional PSWs (Personal Support Workers) make sure your loved one can live as independently as possible, and they can help keep you abreast if things seem off.

6 Tips to Thwart Scam Artists and Protect Your Senior  

Empower your elderly parent to use their common sense and avoid being taken advantage of. Here are some steps to avoid hurting their feelings while keeping them safe:

• Explain the Whys behind Shady Calls and Letters: It is not enough to tell your Dad to throw out the junk mail. He deserves a conversation on why the calls and letters are bogus. For example, a government agency already has his social insurance number and other personal information on file. They will not ask him for it.
• Remind Them Not to Trust Strangers: Over these years, your Mom has taught you many things, including not to trust strangers. You might want to remind her that it is OK to be polite gently, but she should avoid being too friendly and believing everything they tell her, especially if they are asking for personal information and money.
• Buy Your Senior a Shredder: Any document that can be used by a criminal should be shredded, such as financial statements, credit card statements, and other types of financial information.
• Sign Them Up for the Do-Not-Call Registry: The advantage of putting them on the registry is that legitimate companies respect this list. Con artists will not. Your loved one will not have to feel guilty when they hang up on the caller.
• Enlist the Help of a Trusted Neighbour or Friend: If you do not live close, it is harder to keep tabs on what is happening. You can ask a trusted friend or neighbor to check in on your Dad and keep an eye out for “weird” mail.
• Keep Mom and Dad Socially Active: Lonely or isolated seniors can quickly fall prey to scammers. If your Mom cannot get out as much, a professional caregiver can step in to offer companionship services. Your mom’s new companion can also keep you informed of any odd calls and mail.

Protect Your Senior from Fraud with Help from Home Instead

No one wants to see their loved one be taken advantage of. At Home Instead, we have a variety of resources including a checklist to help scam proof your senior. Gain peace of mind when you enlist home care services of one of our caring and highly-trained caregivers. Our team is ready to help your loved one stay safe from scammers and con artists. We also offer tailored plans to give them the attention needed.