The FBI’s Common Fraud Schemes webpage provides tips on how you can protect yourself and your family from fraud. Senior Citizens especially should be aware of fraud schemes for the following reasons:
1. Senior citizens are most likely to have a “nest egg,” to own their home, and/or to have excellent credit—all of which make them attractive to con artists. 2. People who grew up in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s were generally raised to be polite and trusting. Con artists exploit these traits, knowing that it is difficult or impossible for these individuals to say “no” or just hang up the telephone. 3. Older Americans are less likely to report fraud because they don’t know who to report it to, are too ashamed at having been scammed, or don’t know they have been scammed. Elderly victims may not report crimes, for example, because they are concerned that relatives may think the victims no longer have the mental capacity to take care of their own financial affairs.
Click here for FBI tips on what to kook for and how to protect yourself and your family.
How to Report Identity Theft and Get a Recovery Plan
Last summer, my father’s identity was stolen. We still don’t know who did it or how they did it, but someone stole his information and used it to open and charge up a bunch of credit cards. My dad was furious and so was I. Even worse, he had paid a company that specializes in identify protection a monthly fee to prevent this, but it happened anyway.
If you find yourself or a loved one in this situation, contact the Federal Trade Commission. They have resources dedicated to helping victims clean up the mess. Getting my dad's credit and identity restored was a long and messy process, but were able to do it on our own, for free.
Viva Fiesta at the only official Fiesta event for people 55 years and older! This event will have live entertainment, special guest appearances, door prizes, dancing and dozens of vendors providing free promotional items and information on topics such as retirement planning and living, home improvement, health and wellness, leisure and senior services, etc.
Catholic Charities is a social services agency assisting more than 177,000 individuals per year in the 19 counties comprising the Archdiocese of San Antonio.
Occasional memory lapses occur to all of us. For those afflicted with one of the many types of dementia including Alzheimer’s, there is no escape.
These once productive and caring individuals have been deprived of what many of us take for granted. The memories of the past, and the hopes and plans for the future will never be revisited by these individuals.
A person or family member that is interested in the well being of an individual with dementia should be striving to meet them where they are - whether it is a time or place.
Therapeutic fibs are a way of saying things in a way that safeguards people with dementia from pain or heightened anxiety. Often at times the caregiver or family member may feel guilty for lying. However, the benefits outweigh the fib. Therapeutic fibs meet them where they are at. Validation therapy is another way of dealing with these situations. Validation therapy meets the individual where they are. It too, reduces stress and anxiety and augments dignity in a person that is confused.
Making, the “This Moment in Time”, as pleasant as possible increases the quality of life for these individuals. A kind word, a warm smile or a gentle touch is vitally important because the now moment is the only thing that remains. “This Moment in Time” can make or break a person’s spirit. Uplifting those who no longer can fend for themselves is the best benefit of all.
Senior of the Month: Astronaut Buzz Aldrin
On July 20, 1969, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong made their historic Apollo 11 moonwalk, becoming the first two humans to set foot on another world. An estimated 600 million people (at that time, the world’s largest television audience in history) witnessed this unprecedented heroic endeavor. Since retiring from NASA and the Air Force, Col. Aldrin has remained at the forefront of efforts to ensure America’s continued leadership in human space exploration and has even devised a master plan for missions to Mars.
