Aging comes with many challenges, and among the more notable ones, we have a loss of mobility, vigor, and cognitive abilities of one's youth. When this happens, the seniors are left at a disadvantage, increasing the likelihood of fraudsters trying to dupe them.
This is why a home caregiver needs to take proper care of your loved ones to ensure they are not taken advantage of by scammers who have become more rampant in the recent past.
As a senior caregiver <Senior Helpers Home Care Services in Salem, OR> , you should get yourself acquainted with the common frauds, and consequently the ways to mitigate them. This will help you sensitize the elderly and reduce the risks of fraud. Discussed below are some of the tips caregivers can employ to protect our esteemed senior members from this scourge.
Make Online 'Buffer zone' for Devices
A majority of senior members of our families do not use a password on at least one of their devices. This makes these devices easily accessible to virtually anyone. A home caregiver can oversee the creation of strong and secure passwords for the elderly.
Another measure that can be implemented is the installation of security software. There is a number of credible antivirus software available for this purpose. This will provide an auxiliary layer of security against online malware and other viruses, thereby cushioning the senior member from being a target.
Scout for Red Flags in Financial Transactions
One of the commonest frauds facing seniors is identity theft. This intricate information such as social security numbers can be used by scammers to file tax returns and claim tax refunds. For this reason, a home caregiver can help the senior by periodically going through the financial transactions with their consent. A review of the actual financial transactions, bills, and emails will help in the identification of transactions that are not normal. Home caregivers should sensitize seniors about the need to keep this information private.
Discretion in Sharing Personal Details Online
Social networks such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, just to mention a few, are useful for elderly people to connect with family and friends. These platforms, however, can be used by fraudsters to extract personal details if they are posted publicly. The seniors are gullible to disclose such critical information online.
Online shopping for seniors should also be guided by a caregiver or a trusted family member to access safe e-commerce sites to avoid scams. Home caregivers can also help seniors sign up for the National Do Not Call registry to ward off telemarketer's calls and mitigate the likelihood of elder fraud.
Home caregivers can help seniors with tweaking their account settings to restrict those who have access to the content on their profile. Caregivers can also warn them about the repercussions of revealing private details to the general public.
Liaising With Experts and Seeking Fraud Prevention Tips Online
Home caregivers can reach out to requisite authorities and report overboard frauds for necessary action. They can also get themselves acquainted with the latest cybersecurity trends to be properly equipped to deal with online fraud threats. What's more, regular updates and posts on Fraud can be of help to home caregivers.
It is imperative to protect our seniors from fraud and accord them consistent senior care. Senior Helpers <Home Care Services In Salem, OR | Senior Helpers of Salem> boast of a team of versatile and experienced home care professionals to ensure best-in-class home care for seniors. Contact Us To Learn About Our Home Care | Senior Helpers of Salem today!