Could Your Parent Have Been a Victim of Identity Theft?

By Marlene Diaz | August 17, 2017 |

When you took on the role of being a family caregiver for your elderly parent it was because you wanted to make sure that they could stay safe and live a high quality of life as they aged in place. While this might immediately make you think of the steps that you will take to give them the physical support and care that they need, such as helping them with their meal preparation or providing them with transportation.

Home Care Federal Way WA – Could Your Parent Have Been a Victim of Identity Theft?

It is important to keep in mind that elderly adults can face other challenges and it is important for you as their family caregiver to acknowledge these and take the appropriate steps to protect them from them. One such risk is identity theft.

With today’s lifestyle increasing more “virtual” and people of all ages performing tasks online or over mobile devices that were once handled specifically in person, identity theft is a more common crime than ever before. Unfortunately, elderly adults tend to be especially vulnerable to such crime for a variety of reasons. While taking steps to prevent such theft is crucial, it is also important that you are aware of the signs that your parent has already been victimized so that you can do what you can to minimize the damage and get them back on their feet.

Some signs that your elderly loved one might have been a victim of identity theft include:

Transactions appearing in their banking account that they do not remember making or that do not make sense
Very small, repeated transactions in online banking that might indicate a criminal is checking the account to see if there is money
Increase in bounced checks
Cards that are refused at stores
Receiving bills for services that they did not receive, particularly for medical procedures, visits, tests, or materials that are not related to them
Rejection from health insurance because they have records of a medical condition or health history that your parent does not have
Notification from the IRS that they received more than one return filed in your parent’s name
Inaccurate information on your parent’s credit report, particularly accounts or debts.

If you have been trying to find ways to enhance your parent’s life while also ensuring that they are getting all of the assistance that they need to remain healthy, happy, safe, and comfortable, now may be the ideal time for you to consider starting home care for them.

An in-home senior care services provider can be with your elderly loved one on a customized schedule that ensures that they are there for them when your parent needs them, while also keeping you at the forefront of their care routine. The highly personalized services of a home care provider are tailored to specifically address your parent’s individual needs, challenges, and limitations while also helping the to live a lifestyle that is as active, engaged, and independent as possible.

Even if your parent’s needs are not serious and they are already able to live a largely independent lifestyle, home care can enable them to save time and energy, engage in more activities and events, remain more mentally and physically active, and seek a quality of life that is more fulfilling throughout their later years.

Sources: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nextadvisorcom/4-tips-to-protect-seniors-against-fraud-and-identity-theft_b_7842850.html
http://www.idtheftcenter.org/Identity-Theft/protecting-the-elderly-from-identity-theft.html
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/articles/0271-warning-signs-identity-theft

If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care Services in Federal Way WA, contact the caring staff at Hospitality Home Care today. Call us at (206) 966-6552.

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Marlene Diaz

Care Supervisor at Hospitality Home Care

Marlene brings to Hospitality Home Care's Care Supervisor Team an unprecedented level of passion for caring for others and a wealth of knowledge and understanding in the care services field. Marlene has worked in the healthcare field for more than 15 years in a variety of settings including, adult family home administration, home care HR supervising and working with specialty populations including dementia, mental health and developmental disabilities. Throughout this time Marlene has also maintained her caregiver credentials that she obtained as a teenager because, while her knowledge is best served helping to train caregivers and assist families to get the care they need, her heart is most fulfilled when she is providing care to others. When she is not in the office, you will most likely find Marlene caring for her family, or spending time with her friends.