As our parents and loved ones grow older, they become the target of scammers and con artists across the globe. This is especially scary if your parents have developed dementia, Alzheimer’s, or another form of mental incapacitation. Knowing how to care for someone with dementia—and how to protect them—isn’t always straightforward, and sometimes legal intervention is required. If you are not named the agent on a preexisting power of attorney document, having an elder care attorney help you set up a guardianship/conservatorship may be the best way to make sure your parent’s finances are safe from predators.
When considering how to care for someone with dementia, it’s important to remember that they are a much easier target than most due to memory loss, confusion, and not being as mentally present as they used to be.
One of the best resources available to help you tackle the legal and financial planning issues that arise with the elderly is to engage the services of an elder care attorney, or a law firm that specializes in elder law. Working with a qualified attorney will ensure you have what you need to protect your parents and aging loved ones.
However, with or without a lawyer, you should know how to care for someone with dementia, as well as how to recognize the warning signs that your aging loved one has fallen victim to a scam:
Common Scams To Be Aware Of
Some of the most common scams that target the elderly, as well as those with conditions like dementia and Alzheimer’s, are:
- Fake lotteries and sweepstakes that ask for money upfront for prize collection or entrance fees
- People posing as representatives from government agencies like Social Security, Medicare, or the IRS
- Bogus discount prescriptions and medical equipment
- Credit card fraud
- The “Grandparent Scam” where someone will claim that a grandchild is in trouble and needs money
- Investment schemes
- And others…
Signs To Look Out For
Guarding against those who would abuse our elders is a big part of how to care for someone with dementia. The following are some of the many signs of suspicious activity to be wary of:
- Unusual monthly charges on bank and credit card statements
- Out-of-the-ordinary calls from companies, utilities, government agencies, or charities requesting money in an unusual way
- Callers who pressure you to make immediate decisions, ask for a lot of personal or financial information, or demand payment in unusual or specific ways
- Official-looking emails, letters, bills, offers, etc. with spelling and grammar mistakes, or that seem out of place
What You Can Do?
If you have a parent who has Alzheimer’s or dementia—or some other form of incapacity—and they’re having a difficult time making decisions, or are getting taken advantage of, you may want to contact an elder care attorney about getting a guardianship or establishing a conservatorship over their finances. If your aging loved ones are not able to manage their own care or money, an elder law attorney can help you navigate the process of stepping in and protecting them.
Download our Free Guide: Caring for Aging Loved Ones
If you need to protect your own aging parents or loved ones, start by downloading our free guide: Caring for Aging Loved Ones: The ABCs of Long-Term Care Planning or by calling our elder law firm at (256) 251-2137. Our team is here to help guide you through the process of planning for long-term care, and setting up guardianships and conservatorships when needed.
Contact Miller Estate & Elder Law