What You Should Know about National Crime Prevention Month and Telemarketing Fraud

You never want to think about your aging parent falling victim to anything dangerous or harmful. Unfortunately, elderly adults tend to be targets of crimes more often than younger people and can suffer more serious consequences. Understanding this and taking steps to prevent these crimes can protect your parent from identity theft, financial losses, property damage, and even physical harm.

Homecare Lexington NC – What You Should Know about National Crime Prevention Month and Telemarketing Fraud

October is National Crime Prevention Month. This is the ideal time for you to learn more about the potential dangers that your senior faces and what you can do to protect them as they age in place. One particularly pressing type of crime against seniors is telemarketing fraud.

Everyone has gotten a phone call from a telemarketer. They are annoying and inconvenient, and you likely dread them when the phone rings. For an elderly adult, however, these calls go beyond being a nuisance and can become a true danger when these calls are from a fraudulent company, or someone who is unethical. According to research by the Community Law Center, between 56 and 80 percent of fraudulent telemarketing calls are directed specifically at older adults.

This type of fraud costs elderly adults billions of dollars each year. It is an unfortunate reality that seniors are generally targeted because they tend to be more trusting than younger people, may suffer cognitive functioning limitations that keep them from fully understanding what is being said to them, and are less likely to be familiar with technology, products, or services being referenced so they are more likely to go along with something that might not make sense to a younger person. This can result in their identity being stolen, their financial accounts compromised, and their computers being hacked, all of which can have devastating consequences.

It is extremely important to educate your parent on these dangers and help them to know what they can do to protect themselves. If you are concerned that they are at risk and will not be able to make good choices for themselves, supervision by an elder homecare provider along with redirection of phone calls to you when they are alone can mitigate these dangers.

If you have been looking for a way to enhance your parent’s quality of life, fill care gaps that might exist in the efforts that you give them, and support a more active and fulfilling lifestyle as they age in place, starting elder homecare for them might be the ideal solution.

With the ability to create a customized schedule that means they will be with your parent when your parent specifically needs them, an elderly homecare services provider is a fantastic supplement to the care that you already give your aging parent. Highly personalized services, companionship, and valuable support mean that your parent can continue to live a life that is as independent as possible even when dealing with challenges and limitations.

Some of these services can include transportation, assistance with activities of daily living, physical mobility support and assistance, and companionship and activities to boost their mental and emotional health and well-being.

Source:  http://www.ncpc.org/topics/crime-against-seniors

If you or an aging loved one are considering Homecare Services in Lexington NC, please contact the caring staff at Tender Hearted Home Care today. (704) 612-4132.