Adeste In-Home Care - Colorado

In-Home Care in Colorado

  • Caregiver Information
    • Finding Senior Care
    • Tips For Caregivers
    • Fraud Alerts
  • In Home Care in Colorado
  • Tips For Better Living
  • Long Term Care
    • Alzheimers
    • Caring For A Parent
    • Caring For A Spouse
  • Home Page

Are We Scaring Seniors Too Much?

August 12, 2014 by admin Leave a Comment

Are We Scaring Seniors Too Much?

Marketing is an amazing thing. With just words and a little bit of skill, you can have people buying what they don’t necessarily want or even need, and feel good about it in the process.

But in some cases, the way we present things may go a little overboard, and cause unnecessary fear.

Nearly 46 percent of women over the age of 75 live alone. One in three of these women will live well into their 90s. And because movement may be limited and they may not be as active as they once were, they resort to a life inside the home, often in front of the television. And in close access to their phones.

The news, the commercials in between, even the weather station promotes fear and instability. If you survive the tornadoes, excessive heat, wildfires or flash floods, will you make it past the political fringe groups out to get you? Watching this day in and day out is enough to scare anyone. Yet with this group of people, you also add in vulnerability.

And marketers and scammers know it. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fraud Alerts Tagged With: caring for a loved one, elderly scams, fraud alerts, protecting seniors from scams

A Guide To Eldercare Fraud

April 30, 2013 by admin Leave a Comment

A Guide To Eldercare Fraud

Less honest members of our society are always looking for a weak target, an easy source of income.  Unfortunately, many of these weak targets are those near and dear to us, our elderly loved ones.  If you are caring for an elderly loved one, it is imperative that you keep on the lookout for scammers that prey on elderly members of society.  Here is a sampling of a few of the scams that elderly loved ones may fall prey to.

Prize money scam – These scammers write or call elders and tell them that they have won amazing amounts of money (usually through an offshore lottery).  All they have to do to claim their prize is provide a certain amount of money for the taxes.

“Selling” goods to seniors – These scams typically offer seniors goods at a drastically reduced rate.  After the money has been paid, the goods provided turn out to be junk or they never show up.

Overpriced goods – A similar scam offers seniors goods they feel they need for their comfort and safety.  The scammers claim that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity and then charge exorbitant amounts for their goods or services. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fraud Alerts Tagged With: A Guide To Eldercare Fraud

How To Protect Your Loved Ones From Elder Fraud

June 5, 2012 by admin Leave a Comment

Your aging loved ones hold an important place in your heart and in your life. They have been there for you throughout your entire life. They have protected you, keeping you safe and out of harm’s way.

As your loved ones get older, the tables begin to turn – and it becomes your job to protect them. Protecting your aging loved ones goes beyond installing smoke alarms and anti-theft devices. Elder fraud is a serious problem among the senior community. It can take place in a variety of ways – and strangers are not always the only culprits. Keep the following in mind to protect your loved ones from elder fraud. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fraud Alerts Tagged With: How To Protect Your Loved Ones From Elder Fraud

How to Protect Your Elderly Loved Ones from Scams

April 20, 2011 by admin 1 Comment

With today’s difficult economy, scammers are getting more and more cunning in their tactics.  This means that everyone, and especially elderly loved ones, needs to be on the lookout for these malicious frauds.  But how can you help protect your loved ones from scams?  Here are a few tips to help you help them.

1. Help them get organized – It is important that you and your elderly loved one know where important documents are.  Do you know where your father’s pension plan papers are?  Do you know where your parent’s marriage license is?  Where do they keep their financial records?  Where do they bank?  If their information is organized and accessible to them and to you, they have taken the first step to protecting themselves. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fraud Alerts Tagged With: fraud, protect dad from scams, protect mom from scams, protect parents from scams

Tips to Help Seniors Avoid Investment Fraud

October 19, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Tips to Help Seniors Avoid Investment Fraud

Everyone is interested in making more money, especially when it is an easy, sure thing. Investment scams depend upon this. So, how can you protect yourself or a loved one from being the victim of investment scams? Here are a few crucial tips to help you avoid investment fraud.

1.If it sounds to good to be true, it probably is.
Be careful of companies that promise huge returns for practically nothing. Be careful too about companies that promise a sure thing. Every investment comes with risks. A ‘sure thing’ is likely a fraud.

2.Be careful about companies that try to rush you. If the company you are looking to invest with tries to hurry you into a decision, go with another company. Frauds will often press for a quick decision. If you have to give a final answer now, say no. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Fraud Alerts Tagged With: Avoid Investment Frraud, fraud advice for seniors, How to avoid investment fraud, Tips to Help Seniors Avoid Investment Fraud

Protect Your Senior From Medicare Fraud

September 13, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Protect Your Senior From Medicare Fraud

Medicare is a great base system for insuring yourself or a senior citizen in your family. The benefits of Medicare include inpatient and outpatient insurance and prescription drug coverage, but with all bureaucratic systems there are risks that come with it.

At the top of the list is Medicare fraud. Medicare patients have suffered numerous fraudulent files and payments, which costs taxpayers $60-90 billion per year. The majority of Medicare suppliers are honest, trustworthy providers, and Medicare has taken aggressive steps to combat the problem. But you must be careful and take precautions to protect yourself or your loved ones on Medicare.

Protect your information
Treat your Medicare account information like you do your financial accounts.  If asked over the phone, or randomly in public for your Medicare number, social security number, or other privacy information, do not give it out. Even if offered discounts or free goods, giving out these numbers is the quickest way to be taken advantage of. Be sure to never fill out your information on a document or sheet without first completely reading and understanding it, and make sure it is a legitimate necessity for the coverage.

Medicare representatives will never make telemarketing calls, go door-to-door, take random surveys, or solicit services in public. While they can be very convincing, remember they are costing you money, and turn them in immediately.

Discuss potential problems
When you read about fraud, or hear of a new scam against seniors, tell your loved one immediately. Talk about different scenarios, and things they might say either on the phone or in person. In some cases you may need to repeat warnings again and again, but the important thing is your loved one is safe and understands how to deal with different situations.

There is a Medicare hotline that should be called right away if a Medicare card is lost or stolen, or if you or your loved one falls victim to fraud.

Review documentation
Because most account information is online, it’s easy for you to check up on your loved one, and keep them safe. Login to credit card information periodically to make sure large or continual payments aren’t being made to unknown sources. Check with phone company records to verify your loved one isn’t receiving calls from potentially harmful companies.

Also review your loved one’s Medicare Summary Notice and make sure that everything listed is valid. Mistakes can be made, but if they cannot be explained by your physician or provider, contact Medicare directly by phone or letter. After a series of questions, they will be able to review the claim and take further action.

Filed Under: Fraud Alerts Tagged With: Protect Your Senior From Medicare Fraud

Fraud Alert: Home Improvement and Repair Scams

May 18, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Spring means repairing damage caused by the harsh winter. It is prime time for ‘Travelers’ or home improvement scam artists to approach homeowners, especially the elderly.

These con artists often find their victims by driving up-and-down neighborhoods looking for people working in their yard. They often sport new pick-up trucks with an out-of-state or temporary license plate and temporary magnetic business signs attached to the door of the truck.

They will approach an individual in a yard to “warn” them about a problem with their roof or guttering, about limbs of trees that should be removed, or cracks in sidewalks and driveways. They may offer a ‘special deal’ or cut rate price because they just finished a job and happen to have some materials left over from that job. They may provide a lowball quote and may ask for a down payment up front; should the victim provide money before any work is done, they may never see this individual again.

Sometimes they inflate the original quote once the work is done and can sound demanding or threatening if challenged about the ‘new price.’ Almost always the work done is shoddy or sub-par and must be re-done by a competent home repair business.

Because Colorado does not have a State Contractor’s Licensing Board, a consumer must expend the effort to check out any business representation prior to allowing any work to be done on their property.

Here are some helpful tips:

  • Call the local Better Business Bureau for references;
  • Get referrals from friends who have had satisfactory work done on their home;
  • Get a written contract, at least three different bids, and don’t be pressured into paying more than expressed in the contract;
  • Don’t pay money up front for materials or pay the material’s vendor directly;
  • Never allow any stranger, including a door-to-door contractor, into your home—they may use the opportunity to steal personal information & valuables;
  • Call local law enforcement if you hear of home improvement trucks cruising through your neighborhood.

Source: District Attorney Scott Storey, Office of Jefferson/Gilpin Counties, Colorado

To report fraud, ask a question, or schedule a ‘Power Against Fraud’ seminar, call: 303-271-6980

Filed Under: Fraud Alerts Tagged With: fraud alert, Home Improvement and Repair Scams, scams in Colorado

Fraud Alert: Census Scams For Colorado Residents To Watch Out For

March 25, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

The Census for 2010 is in full swing. Here is a reminder of tips to avoid falling for a scam.

A questionnaire will be mailed to all homes in Jefferson and Gilpin Counties. The census will contain only 10 questions and can usually be completed in 10 minutes of less. Questions are asked about residential status (home owner or renter), who lives in a residence, race, and ethnicity. Your Social Security number will not be required but you will be asked to list the names of all persons who live in your home as well as their date of birth. No personal financial information is required. If the survey is not returned, a census representative may visit your home. It is law that you respond to the census.

Some residents may be selected for a ‘sample survey,’ a more extensive survey taken throughout any decade. Should that occur, census workers will explain your participation.

Here are some helps to avoid becoming a victim of ID theft:

  • If a census-taker comes to your door, they will show a badge. You may also ask to see another picture ID and may call 303-264-0202 to confirm their status as a census-taker;
  • You will receive NO E-mail concerning the 2010 Census. You may receive a telephone call asking for a time when a census-taker may stop by to complete your census;
  • You do not need to allow a census-taker into your home;
  • The Census Bureau will not ask for your Social Security number, bank account or credit card numbers, nor will they solicit donations;
  • If you need assistance filling out the census form, you may call 1-866-872-6868 from 8 A.M until 9 P.M.;

For more information than you’ll ever need: https://ask.census2010.gov.

Source: District Attorney Scott Storey, Office of Jefferson/Gilpin Counties, Colorado

To report fraud, ask a question, or schedule a ‘Power Against Fraud’ seminar, call: 303-271-6980

Filed Under: Fraud Alerts Tagged With: Census Scams For Colorado Residents, fraud, fraud alerts for colorado seniors

Fraud Alert: Tax Tips For Colorado Residents

March 22, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

Tax returns include Social Security numbers and if a refund is going to be automatically deposited, the return will also contain your routing and bank account number. This is information ID thieves can readily use.

A big caution for all of us is to be careful with our tax information. Find a place to secure your tax information at home when you’re not working on your taxes. Don’t carry completed tax forms or information in your car; this information can be stolen at a gas station, restaurant, or any other place you park your car—even if for a short time. Don’t take your tax information to work and leave it lying out.

Here are more tax time safety tips:

  • When your taxes are finished, do not place the envelope in your curbside mailbox or a convenient blue postal box; it can be stolen. Take it to the Post Office and deposit it inside;
  • Even though the Internal Revenue Service makes the suggestion to write your Social Security number on your check, it is not a legal requirement to do so; you may leave it off;
  • Ask any tax preparation service you use, how they will file or dispose of your information when they are finished. Make sure it is discarded in a safe manner, such as shredding, or stored in a locked room;
  • When you take your completed tax forms to be copied, at Kinkos, the supermarket or work, make sure you do not leave any forms behind;
  • If you use a computer program, such as TurboTax, to complete your taxes, turn your computer off when not in use to avoid being hacked. Better yet, use TurboTax on an old computer not connected to the Internet;
  • Have any refund ‘Direct deposited’ so that a refund check does not sit in your curbside mailbox; it can be stolen, altered, washed and cashed using a fake ID;

Source: District Attorney Scott Storey, Office of Jefferson/Gilpin Counties, Colorado

To report fraud, ask a question, or schedule a ‘Power Against Fraud’ seminar, call: 303-271-6980

Filed Under: Fraud Alerts Tagged With: fraud alert for colorado seniors

Fraud Alert: Keeping Electronic Devices Safe

January 29, 2010 by admin Leave a Comment

The holiday season seemed to be teeming with ads and offers for new and creative electronic devices, gadgets, and toys. We were inundated with offers of new phones with Internet capability, upgraded laptops, Xbox or Wii’s, and home computers; perhaps a friend or loved one offered to create a Facebook account as a gift for you. ID thieves can use the Internet and wireless world to steal your personal information and create financial havoc in your life. Here are a few reminders so you can fully and securely enjoy that new electronic gift with Internet and/or wireless capability:

  • Any device or application involving the Internet needs to have a strong and unique Password, including social networking sites, games connected to the Internet  and Online accounts (Amazon; banks; credit card companies, etc.). Do a Google search on ‘How to create strong Passwords;’
  • Never store any non-public personal information (for example, SS#, bank account numbers, credit card numbers, etc.) on any device that can be connected to the Internet;
  • Be careful and wary when using wireless devices in public; Wi-Fi cafes, airports, libraries or other public facilities are where listening devices may be able to intercept transmission;
  • Remember that any wireless device connected to the Internet can be hacked and/or information can be stolen via listening instruments;
  • For your home computer with Internet service, do some research on packages that offer a Firewall, Spyware, Virus Protection, and a Spam Filter; check with a consumer reporting magazine for some of the better companies. Even though it is an additional expense, don’t necessarily stay with the protection package that was pre-installed with your computer;
  • Try to avoid paying bills or accessing bank accounts and credit card accounts via the Internet when in a public place;
  • Enjoy your new electronic gift but don’t allow it to make you become a victim of ID theft.

Source: District Attorney Scott Storey, Office of Jefferson/Gilpin Counties, Colorado

To report fraud, ask a question, or schedule a ‘Power Against Fraud’ seminar, call: 303-271-6980

Filed Under: Fraud Alerts Tagged With: colorado senior care, fraud alert, Keeping Electronic Devices Safe

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Next Page »

Check Out Our Brand New Guide!

What’s On The Blog

  • The Most Important Elements Of Caregiving At Home
  • Do I Have To Quit My Job When My Parents Need Full Time Caregiving?
  • When Honesty Isn’t The Best Policy With An Alzheimer’s or Dementia Patient
  • Easy Ways To Introduce In-Home Care To a Parent That Says No To Outside Help
  • In Home Care or Something Else? How Do You Choose?
  • How Do I Take Care Of My Aging Parents?
  • Is Your Mom’s Home Ready To Grow Old In?

Copyright © 2021