Don't Become a Victim of Elder Abuse

Don’t become a victim of elder abuse
By Penny Bussey

Thursday, July 17th, 2008.
Issue 29, Volume 12.

At the last meeting of the Fallbrook Senior Circle, Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood, who heads up the San Diego Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit, and Stephanie Shaffer, MSW at Fallbrook Hospital, presented valuable information regarding elder abuse.

Greenwood has put together a 10-step program entitled “It’s Not Rude to be Shrewd.” Here are the first five steps of his program that can help ensure that you are not the next victim of elder abuse.

Choose a caregiver with caution

If you or a loved one needs a caregiver, consider hiring from a reliable agency or doing a background search on the person you are hiring. Local law enforcement will assist with a background search for about $22.

An agency should have this information and many agencies are licensed and insured. Remember that you are allowing this person into your house and they have free access to your possessions and, at times, even your checkbook. Make sure you can trust them.

Keep an inventory of jewelry

This is true for men as well as women. Have pictures of valuable items stored in a safe location, such as with a family member or friend. Make sure your jewelry is also kept in a secure location inside of your house.

Every home should have a shredder

This is good protection even if you don’t have a caregiver. Throwing bills, credit card applications and any mail with your name, address and sometimes account numbers on them can leave you vulnerable. Dumpster divers can use this valuable information to tap into or open accounts in your name.

Protect incoming and outgoing mail.

If you pay your bills by mail and it is convenient to use your own mailbox you are potentially giving away bank balances and account numbers. All it would take is for someone to drive by and empty your mailbox.

If you must use your mailbox, don’t put the flag up, advertising that there is outgoing mail. Taking your mail to the post office and having a box there is much safer.

Do credit searches on yourself

Have these searches performed two or three times a year. Often they are free and they will instantly let you know if someone is using your name for their purposes. Large amounts of credit can be obtained and used in a very short time.

SOURCE: The Village News Ca. USA

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