Protecting my dad
Dear Doris,
My father is 84 and lives alone. He is becoming more and more confused and beginning to wander out of his apartment (he is no longer driving but leaves the house on foot).
Recently, he received a text message from someone posing as a fundraiser for the US military. My dad has now begun walking to the bank (over 4 miles round trip) to try to wire money to this person. I know it's time to think about other living arrangements for him, but in the meantime, how do I protect him from potential theft by the scammers that prey particularly on the elderly?
Thank you for your insight,
Kristin D.
Hi Kristin,
Thank you for submitting this inquiry. Fraud and scams of older adults are so prevalent these days. While I do not have personal experience with this type of situation, I do know where to go for help.
The best advice that I can give you is to educate yourself on who in your community can intervene on your dad's behalf. The Upstate Elder Abuse Center at Lifespan of Greater Rochester can help. First and foremost, they can advise you on your next steps and connect you to resources that are local to you.
They also provide:
Investigation and intervention services in cases and suspected cases of elder abuse and mistreatment in ten Finger Lakes counties in upstate New York.
Informational presentations about elder abuse and scams for organizations, caregivers and others throughout upstate New York.
Education and training for professionals and those who work with/have frequent contact with older adults to recognize the signs and symptoms of abuse.
Administrator of Enhanced Multidisciplinary Teams (E-MDTs) in New York State.
Advocacy as manager of the NYS Coalition on Elder Abuse.
You can visit their web page or contact them directly:
Upstate Elder Abuse Center at Lifespan:
1900 S. Clinton Avenue, Rochester, NY 14618
585-244-8400 or 1-866-454-5110 (toll-free)
email: info@lifespanrochester.org
Safeguarding our loved ones from theft and mistreatment is crucial. I applaud your dedication to supporting your dad and wish you nothing but success as you remain his champion.
Doris