Tulsa Home Health care solutions for all of Northeastern Oklahoma.

The sense of security and self sufficiency that older people get from continuing to live at home can be shattered if they become victims of fraud. Here are some practical ways to reduce the risk of fraud:

• Direct Deposit

  A paper check can easily end up in the wrong hands through mail theft or deception. Having pension checks and other regular income sent directly to a bank account electronically eliminates this risk.

• Do Not Call Registry

  Scammers prey on the elderly and they have tricks that can potentially fool even the smartest among us. One of the best ways to reduce the likelihood of being scammed over the telephone is to register with the Do Not Call Registry. This will also reduce the number of calls from annoying but legal businesses.

• Caller ID

  Caller ID has its uses. An elderly person can screen their calls and only pick up when they recognize a number as being from friends or family. Scammers have recently gained access to technology that lets them spoof their identity. The AARP recently reported on a scam where fraudulent callers accused elderly persons of missing jury duty. They proceeded to ask them for their Social Security number. The telephone number of the local courthouse showed up on caller ID and many people fell for it, thus exposing themselves to identity theft.

• Ignore Direct Mailing Scams

  Here’s a simple rule to remember. You don’t win a prize from a contest that you didn’t enter. Shady enterprises appear to target the addresses of elderly people with a larger share of junk mail. The bulk of it should be thrown out. If in doubt, seniors can hold onto a piece of mail until a trusted family member or friend can offer their opinion.

• Avoid Medicare Drug Discount Card Scams

  No legitimate companies sell Medicare discount cards by phone or through door-to-door sales. There’s no gray area here. Real discount cards can be purchased from anyone on Medicare’s list of approved dealers. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to find out more.

• Never Disclose Personal or Financial Information

  If you receive a phone call from anyone claiming to be a representative of your financial institution, credit card company or other service provider ask them for a telephone number so that you can call them back.

For more information on home health care contact Oxford Healthcare.

For many elderly people, driving a car is a source of independence that is very hard to give up. That is understandable, but many of the effects of aging make safe driving more difficult. The AARP has a great page that every elderly driver should read, whether they are considering stepping out from behind the wheel or not.

The home health care services from Oxford Healthcare include transportation using our aide’s vehicle or the client’s vehicle. All aides have a valid driver’s license and appropriate insurance.

Here is a list of things that might mean it’s time to stop driving:

• You feel uncomfortable, nervous or fearful while driving.
• There are dents and scrapes on the vehicle or on fences, mailboxes or garage doors.
• You sometimes have difficulty staying in your own lane.
• You frequently get lost.
• You have trouble paying attention to traffic signals, road signs and pavement markings.
• Your response to unexpected situations is slower than it should be.
• You have had some close calls.
• You have trouble judging gaps in traffics at intersections and on highway entrance/exit ramps.
• You are experiencing or causing ‘road rage’
• Your friends don’t want to get in the car with you.
• You can’t clearly see the sides of the road when looking straight ahead.
• You have trouble time turning around to check over your shoulder while backing up or changing lanes.
• An increased frequency in warnings or fines from the police.

Elderly people should arrange to have their skills and abilities assessed by a professional instructor if this list raises doubts.

Source: AARP.org
Image Credit: Joe Shlabotnik