Talk to your parents about the COVID vaccination program, if they have not already been vaccinated. Below is the link to the official website of New York State, that highlights a range of services, including COVID-related topics:
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Talk to your Parents
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Now is always a great time to sit down with parents to discuss their present and future plans. Take a look at "How do I Start" on the side bar for hints on how to start the two-way conversation going.
Try recruiting other family members, close friends and long-term neighbors(who might be in the same situation).
Having this small "community" helps grow the support net for elders. Plus, hearing the same idea from multiple sources may improve the uptake by parents.
A more organized approach would have members of that community take on certain roles including monitoring their overall health and living situation. Topics such as physical and mental health, finances and driving are best handled by family members. But social issues can be discussed with a broader circle of friends and neighbors. Spreading the responsibilities also takes the pressure off a single person.
Another source of support are the services offered by municipalities in the US aimed at aging gracefully. Westchester, NY has the Westchester County Senior Services Program which can be found at https://seniorcitizens.westchestergov.com/
In addition, each town has various services including Meals on Wheels and Senior Centers.
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Talk to your parents about Fraud
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Fraudsters have a special place in Hell, right next to bike thieves.
Fraud against seniors is especially unforgiving due to several issues seniors face: fixed incomes, a continued onslaught of new technologies and what seems to be a general trust in people, especially when they call on the phone offering help.
According to the U.S. Department of Justice, financial exploitation affects one in 10 seniors.
Additionally:
“According to the “2018 DOJ Report on Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation,” each year an estimated $3 billion is stolen from America’s seniors through a variety of mass mailing, romance, and vendor or contractor scams. They may also fall prey to imposters who claim to represent the IRS, Medicare or Medicaid, or Social Security.”
We can add to that list of imposters technology services (Apple Support, Google Support) various warrantee extension services and credit card support.
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The National Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311 ) https://stopelderfraud.ovc.ojp.gov/
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This hotline is helpful, but it is designed only to offer help AFTER fraud has occurred.
Your local police department can help you determine if you are at risk of a fraud before it happens.
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Don’t be afraid or embarrassed to call them.
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It is also up to family members and close friends to educate parents and others about the potential to become victims of fraud.
Elders need to understand that Apple Support or Medicare, Medicaid, the Social Security Administration, not even the IRS, calls people directly. If a person or something that sounds like a person calls from any official-sounding organization just hang up. If it’s that important and legitimate, they will contact you by other means. If someone calls purporting to represent your bank , visit the closest branch before giving the caller any information. If another bank calls where you do not have an account, just hang up.
Feel free to say “I think this is a fraud, contact me by letter.” Do not give them your address or any other personal information as they are supposed to have that information already. NO EXCUSES.
If they continue to call you feel free to get creative. I have found that using a whistle is a great way to get on a “Do not call” list.
If you receive a call from a “grandson or granddaughter” who says they have been kidnapped or arrested while on vacation, call anybody else that knows them and verify that they are safe.
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There is no reason to be nice or apologetic. Its a fraudster’s job to do whatever is necessary to separate you from your personal information and money.
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Regarding email solicitations:
Always check the email address first. Hover your cursor over the address. Fraudsters use randomly generated addresses that are filled with letters and numbers. They also use address that LOOK LIKE real people or real company addresses. Check it against the real company website contact address. Do not open the email if you do not recognize the sender.
Do not open the email and if you do NEVER, EVER click on a link or attachment in the email.
If you are not sure, save these emails and show them to a trusted person like a son or daughter. There is plenty of time to answer an email so saving it for review later is not going to hurt your credit score.
The best defense is a great offense.