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Caregiver Matters - Tips for Caregiving

scams matter!

4/20/2021

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As we age our need for assistance in many areas of life increase dramatically. The opportunity to be a caregiver for a senior is a high calling. It involves meeting a variety of those needs- physical assistance, emotional support, mental encouragement and spiritual help. 

Another facet of care that many seniors need assistance with is protection and safeguarding of their finances. The elderly are a prime target for scams, con artists and thieves to take financial advantage. It is important that their family and caregivers provide a protective wall between these evil doers and the elderly. There are many things caregivers can do to help keep them safe.

First, it is important to communicate regularly with the senior about their finances, and if allowed to do so as a family member, check their accounts to make sure that there are not any unusual withdrawals. Ask the senior to talk to you about their finances, and make yourself available to discuss any concerns they might have regarding their money.

Second, be aware that many of the instances of financial abuse of seniors is perpetrated by a family member or close friend. Asking for a "loan", sharing personal financial crises to gain sympathy, or even blatantly taking monies or property from the senior take place on regular basis. Other family and friends need to watch for these horrible cases of "financial friendly fire", and be prepared to address those issues with the senior or with other family members.

Third, watch out for scammers who worm their way into the life of the senior via the telephone or print materials. Promises of financial benefits through sketchy investments regularly assault their space through telemarketers and bulk mail. Be on the lookout for these, and respond quickly if you feel they are being taken advantage of. 

Finally, have an open and honest conversation with the senior about the possibility of scams or people trying to take advantage of the senior. They need to understand how broad and rampant the problem is across the country, and look out for those who might take advantage of them. One easy way to do that is to pick up a copy of the resource "Protecting Your Nest Egg: Fraud Protection for Senior Citizens from Con Artists, Thieves & Scams" and go through it together. It is full of descriptions of common scams, and even a "self test" to see just how likely it is the senior might fall prey to a scam.

We love the seniors we care for in our lives. Stand in the gap and protect their hard earned money, investments and property!

Page Cole
Visiting Angels of Tulsa
Visiting Angels of Bartlesville
Visiting Angels of SWOKC

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Family matters

3/17/2021

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The seniors in our lives are among the most precious gifts we possess! Parents, grandparents, neighbors and friends, the elderly among us need and deserve our love and respect. Some of those providing the gift of care are family members who provide much needed assistance to a loved one. Others are paid professional caregiving aides who work in the home health or medical fields.  Either way, it is hard not to fall in love with these wonderful people who are being cared for!

There are several very critical things to remember when it comes to caregiving and family. Handling these issues well is vital to the quality of life for the senior. 
  1. Effective Communicate- if you are a caregiver, do the very best you can to communicate effectively and consistently with the family members of the senior. Families who are not able to be the primary caregiver appreciate it so much when they are kept in the loop of information and need.
  2. Respect Family Dynamics- This senior has spent decades building relationships with various family members. Some of those relationships are positive, while others may be distant or strained. It is not the responsibility of the caregiver to "fix" anything. However the caregiver needs to be aware of the relationship dynamics in a family, and sensitive to any special issues or situations that can arise because of those unique situation.
  3. Acknowledge Boundaries- In every caregiving situation there are boundaries that must be communicated, understood and respected. Sometimes those boundaries involve personal space. Other boundaries might focus on financial or property issues. Still other boundaries may include topics of conversation or issues that should or should not be discussed. A quality caregiver learns the boundaries by asking questions, watching interactions closely, communicating regularly with the senior and family members and by responding appropriately to a crisis when it happens.
  4. Ask for Help- You should never feel alone as a caregiver. Communicate with family members of the senior as needed and as you are able. Encourage visits, phone calls, Facetime or other types of communication from family members with the senior.  If you see problems that are beyond what you feel qualified to understand or help with, then seek out professional counsel from experts in the senior care industry. 

Understand your role as a caregiver. If you are a family member, you've taken on a huge responsibility. It can be full of both joy and heartache. If you are a paid professional or a volunteer, know that you have legal, ethical and even moral responsibilities to provide the very best care for your senior. They may not be your family, but you should care for them as if they were the dearest member of your own family. 

If you would like more information about caregiving issues as they relate to family matters, contact the amazing people at Visiting Angels of Tulsa!

Visiting Angels of Bartlesville
1401 SE Washington Blvd.
Bartlesville, OK 74003
www.visitingangels.com/bartlesville

dritter@visitingangels.com

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    Author

    Page Cole is a leader in home care in Oklahoma. He has published the following resources for Seniors-

    "LifeChest- Gathering Your Most Important Life Information in One Location"

    "Taking Care of Mom & Dad- A Beginners Guide to Caring for Your Parents"


    "Protecting Your Nest Egg- Fraud Protection for Senior Citizens from Con Artists, Thieves and Scams"

    "Life Hacks for Seniors: Tips and Tricks for Older Americans!"

    All of these resources are available on Amazon.com!

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Tulsa, OK 74120

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Tulsa, OK 74120

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OKC, OK 73170

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  • Home
    • Book: Taking Care of Mom & Dad
    • Book: Protecting Your Nest Egg
    • Book: LifeChest
    • Book: Life Hacks for Seniors
  • Caregiver Matters - Tips for Caregiving