Managing your own checkbook and your own finances can be a huge piece of what makes you feel independent. However, when a person’s finances do get off track, pride may cause the person to hide the problem from loved ones. Cognitive decline is another reason that finances get in shambles, and it is also sometimes hard to know that the decline is as severe as it is until the issue is a real problem.
Here are some suggestions:
• Put your elderly loved one on the no-call list for telemarketers. (Register him or her at DoNotCall.gov).
• See if you can be involved in decisions on home repairs or major purchases.
• Pay attention to the mail: look for unopened or unpaid bills and responses to contests.
• Check credit card bills for inappropriate purchases.
• If a computer is in use in the home, make certain that security software is in place and up to date.
• Watch for TV purchases that can be made by telephone.
• Check for mounting credit card debt: mail order purchases, charging medications, charitable donations, etc.
When caring for elderly people, it is important to remember that it is still their money and they have the right to choose, make mistakes, and retain their independence for as long as possible. Aunt Ann’s Home Care agency in San Francisco can help with eldercare services in the comfort of home, helping to maintain a senior’s feeling of independence while assuring his or her safety with our experienced home care services.
To learn more about watching for signs of a financial issue and a possible need for home care services in the San Francisco area, download our handy resource sheet, When Finance Becomes An Issue (PDF).
