We owe it to them to make the #WiseChoice

They’re vulnerable. Their intuition’s weakened. Join #WiseChoice Home Instead Senior Care and me in protecting our elderly loved ones on this Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15.

According to the Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance (TDCI), one in 10 elderly Americans annually are victims of either abuse, neglect or scam exploitation — and as few as one in 14 cases are ever reported.

“Their vulnerability stems from the wealth they have accumulated over their careers, their tendency to be trusting and their increasing isolation from family, friends and caregivers,” said TDCI Commissioner Julie Mix McPeak. “It is our responsibility to keep a watchful eye out for the signs of elder financial exploitation and to promptly report any suspicions to the appropriate party.”

It’s also our responsibility to hire compassionate, professional caregivers when we can no longer care for them ourselves. I endorse Home Instead Senior Care of Memphis, Southaven and Oxford exclusively for in-home senior care services. Its rigorous CAREGiverSM training program screens applicants’ background histories and ensures compassionate caregivers who offer 24-hour, live-in and hospice support care, in addition to light housekeeping, meal prep, transportation and companionship. Home Instead Senior Care also alerts families to the latest senior scams and caregiver resources through its proprietary website CareGiverStress.com.

“Unfortunately, many times abuse is caused by the very people who live with the senior,” said Home Instead Senior Care Memphis President/CEO Ken Cope. “At Home Instead, our caregivers are trained to look for signs of abuse and are required to report these signs to us. We have seen everything in our business, and it is sad because in most all cases of senior abuse, the senior is stuck in a situation they feel they have to endure.”

Follow these safeguards from TDCI to protect your beloved seniors:

SENIOR INVESTOR TIPS:

• If a stranger asks for money, proceed with caution. Swindlers can take advantage of your good manners.
• Make sure you invest with a licensed investment adviser. You can check an investment adviser’s license here.
• Beware of salespeople who prey upon your fears. Only invest when you have all the facts and feel comfortable.
• Don’t be embarrassed to report fraud or abuse. Every day that you delay reporting fraud or abuse is another day the scammer is spending your money and finding new victims.

IDENTITY THEFT PROTECTION TIPS:

• Never buy from a stranger who calls or visits unannounced.
• Shred all paperwork containing any identifying information, health care information, banking information or passwords.
• Monitor bank and credit card statements.
• Monitor your credit report. You can do that annually for free and securely at AnnualCreditReport.com.
• Use direct deposit for benefits checks to prevent checks from theft.
• Never give your credit card, banking, Social Security number, Medicare number or other personal information over the phone unless you initiated the call.

Copyright 2019 Wise Choices TM. All rights reserved.