This morning, we (mom and I) had coffee and tea—like we always do. But today… I had my mom. All of her.
She was present. We chatted, laughed, shared scripture, caught up on little things. We talked—really talked. And for a little while, it felt like time rewound and gave me a gift.
It was just coffee and tea. But it was everything.
If you’re a caregiver, you know that moments like these are rare. When they are arrive, you stop, no matter what you are doing. Drop everything. Soak it in. Let the moment fill the cracks that the hard days make.
That one morning? That one cup of coffee? It was like a week-long vacation for my heart.
This afternoon was different. Harder. But this morning was golden – and I’m basking in it.
And that’s enough to carry me a little further down the track.
Wishing you all a great weekend and some golden moments that you can bask in also.
Wishing you all a golden moment with your loved ones, too.
It’s another day, and there is never a dull moment in the life of caregiving! Let’s talk about money. It’s always a “fun” topic.
Managing finances can be challenging for anyone, but for our aging loved ones, especially those experiencing cognitive decline, it becomes increasingly complex and confusing. As family caregivers, it’s essential to approach this role with integrity, transparency, and a deep respect for their autonomy.
Understanding the Changing Financial Landscape
In today’s digital age, the way we handle money has transformed dramatically. Online banking, automatic bill payments, and digital transactions are the norm. For seniors who didn’t grow up with this technology, it can be overwhelming. Coupled with cognitive challenges, managing finances can become a source of anxiety and confusion. Add to it that customer service centers are not equipped (most of them) to deal with elderly clients that don’t understand today’s money system. In fact, some are just not equipped period – for anything – but that’s for the another blog series.
It’s also crucial to recognize that difficulties in managing money can be one of the early signs of cognitive impairment. According to the National Institute on Aging, individuals with dementia may struggle with tasks like paying bills, understanding bank statements, or recognizing financial scams. They are vulnerable, and that’s why they are targeted so often.
Initiating the Conversation: Respect and Reassurance
Approaching the topic of financial assistance requires sensitivity. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about independence, trust, and dignity. Here are some steps to guide the conversation:
Choose the Right Moment: Find a calm, private setting to discuss financial matters without distractions.
Express Your Intentions: Clearly communicate that your goal is to support and protect, not to control.
Emphasize Collaboration: Frame the discussion as a partnership, ensuring they feel involved in decisions.
Listen Actively: Allow them to voice concerns, fears, or preferences.
Remember, the objective is to provide reassurance that they remain in control, with your assistance serving as a safety net. THIS IS HUGE!!!!
Establishing Clear Agreements
To ensure transparency and protect both parties:
Document Agreements: Put financial arrangements in writing, detailing responsibilities and permissions.
Legalize Authority: Consider setting up a durable power of attorney, allowing you to make financial decisions on their behalf if necessary .
Involve a Neutral Third Party: Having documents notarized or involving a legal professional can add an extra layer of security and clarity.
It’s imperative to understand that having access to someone’s finances is a position of trust, not an opportunity for personal gain. Misusing this trust is not only unethical but also illegal.
Recognizing and Preventing Financial Abuse
Financial exploitation is a serious concern. Signs include sudden changes in financial documents, unexplained withdrawals, or new “friends” influencing financial decisions. If you suspect abuse:
Report Immediately: Contact Adult Protective Services or local law enforcement.
Seek Support: Organizations like the National Adult Protective Services Association offer resources and guidance.
Educate Yourself and Others: Understanding the signs of financial abuse can help prevent it.
Remember, protecting our loved ones includes safeguarding them from potential exploitation.
Maintaining Dignity and Independence
So let’s look at the emotional side of this topic. Letting go of financial control can feel like a loss of independence to our loved ones. To ease this transition:
Involve Them in Decisions: Even if you’re handling the logistics, keep them informed and involved.
Simplify Finances: Consolidate accounts, set up automatic payments, and reduce unnecessary financial complexities.
Regular Check-Ins: Schedule periodic reviews of financial matters together, reinforcing trust and collaboration.
By approaching financial caregiving with empathy, transparency, and respect, we not only protect our loved ones’ assets but also honor their dignity and autonomy. If we don’t protect our loved ones, who is going to?
Caregiver Hack of the Week:
To ensure your loved one’s financial safety, consider setting up “view-only” access to their bank and credit accounts. This allows you to monitor transactions for any unusual activity without having the ability to move funds yourself. It’s a proactive way to catch potential issues early and provides peace of mind for both of you. It’s not going to help with the scammers, but it’s a start.
Additionally, services like EverSafe offer monitoring tools that can alert you to signs of fraud or financial abuse. Remember, transparency is key—discuss these steps with your loved one to maintain trust and collaboration.
Good luck and we will see you at the next stop! All aboard!
Being a full-time, in-home caregiver is a bit like starring in your own one-person show. Except there’s no script, no intermission, and the audience might throw apples (or worse). One minute you’re a nurse, the next you’re a short-order cook, then a personal assistant, therapist, tech support, housekeeper, and occasional magician. It is never ending.
And let’s be honest… not one of those roles comes with a paycheck, benefits, or even a decent break room. (Unless you count the bathroom, where you hide for five sacred minutes with a protein bar.)
Nurse (But Without the Degree)
You’ve mastered medication schedules better than some pharmacists. You know the difference between a good blood pressure reading and a “we need to go now” reading. You’ve learned how to decipher what “my leg feels buzzy” actually means. And you’ve done it all while trying to keep your loved one calm—and yourself from Googling symptoms at 2 a.m.
Chef (Who Takes Requests But Gets Complaints)
Some days you’re creating gourmet soft-food meals. Other days, you’re just trying to make toast without setting off the smoke detector. You’ll hear things like, “This tastes funny,” even though it’s the exact same meal they asked for yesterday. Culinary excellence? Optional. Thick skin? Required.
Executive Assistant
You schedule appointments, track paperwork, reorder prescriptions, and manage calendars like a Fortune 500 CEO—except your client thinks it’s 1978 and wonders why you’re always “on that darn computer.”
Housekeeper (Who Also Chases Dust Bunnies)
You clean everything. Constantly. Then clean it again because somehow, that same tissue reappears like it’s haunting you. Laundry piles, clutter stacks, and mysterious smells become part of your daily scavenger hunt. And, honestly, they are not that important – leave them once in a while.
Tech Support
You’ve rebooted the TV remote more times than you can count. You’ve explained the difference between a text and a voicemail. And if one more button disappears from the phone screen, you might just throw it in the toaster.
Therapist (Without the Couch)
You listen to fears, regrets, memories, and confusion. You try to ease worries you can’t fix. You become the safe place for tears, venting, and occasional misplaced frustration. And even when your own emotional tank is running on fumes, you keep showing up.
Magician
Because sometimes, you pull peace out of chaos. You conjure patience when there’s none left. You make laughter out of tears. And you perform the greatest disappearing act of all—your needs vanish to make room for theirs.
But Here’s the Thing…
Yes, caregiving is exhausting. It’s heavy, relentless, and often invisible. But it’s also filled with profound moments of connection. There’s a kind of sacredness to being the one constant in someone’s unraveling world.
And despite the exhaustion, the absurdity, and the very real moments when you want to scream into a pillow—you stay. You love. You show up again and again.
Because underneath all those hats is a heart that refuses to give up.
Caregiver Hack of the Week
Stop trying to wear all the hats all the time. Pick one or two roles to truly focus on each day, and delegate the rest when you can. Can a friend drop off a meal? Let them. Can your sibling call and handle a bill? Ask them. You’re not failing—you’re managing. And that, my friend, is the real magic trick. Management – not doing it all, all the time.
All aboard! We’re headed to the next stop of the Silver Haired Choo Choo! It’s spring and there are flowers to plant and the master gardener has made an appearance.
Today, we pause to be a daughter —and honor our mothers.
Because before we were their caregivers, we were their children. And before our mothers needed help remembering, walking, or understanding the world around them, they were the ones teaching us how to live in it.
They did the best they could—maybe not perfectly—but they showed up, again and again, in the ways that greatly mattered.
They tied our shoes. They made impossible things feel possible. They stayed up late to talk or to worry or to pray. They packed lunches, dried tears, and clapped for us when we didn’t even know someone was watching. They taught us how to be strong.
How to be kind.
How to keep going.
And now, it’s our turn to love them with the same quiet strength.
Not just because of where they are today, but because of who they’ve always been.
So today, we say thank you, Mom. For everything we remember—and everything you’ve forgotten. You are still the woman who shaped our lives. You are still worthy of all the honor. You are still ours. And we will forever be your children – and we will always love you.
Proverbs 31:28: Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
Happy Mother’s Day from The Silver Haired Choo Choo
It’s rainy and cold today . This weather always makes me think of comfort foods like tomato soup and toasted cheese. That brings me to my topic for today which is the role that food can play in the care of our loved ones.
Mealtime can be more than just nourishment—it can be an opportunity for connection, joy, and fun. For caregivers, adapting meals to be both enjoyable and manageable is key. Here are some creative meal ideas to brighten your daily routine.
Soup & Memories
There’s something inherently comforting about a warm bowl of soup. Preparing a simple, easy-to-eat soup like butternut squash or creamy cauliflower can be both nourishing and soothing for your loved one. My mom’s favorite is chicken noodle! While the soup simmers, take this opportunity to sit together and share stories from the past or the present. Discussing cherished memories can stimulate cognitive function and provide emotional comfort. This combination of sensory warmth and reminiscing can make mealtime a highlight of the day. Just remember to keep it simple and don’t ask, “Do you remember (open ended)…rather ask simple questions to nudge their memories.”
Breakfast for Dinner
This one is always fun – and mom loves it! Switching up the routine by serving breakfast foods for dinner can bring a sense of novelty and fun. Consider preparing soft, easy-to-chew options like scrambled eggs, oatmeal with mashed bananas, or pancakes topped with pureed fruits. These familiar flavors can be comforting and may even evoke pleasant memories. Plus, the simplicity of breakfast foods often makes them easier to prepare and more manageable for those with dietary restrictions.
Mini Egg Muffins
Whisk together eggs, diced vegetables, and a sprinkle of cheese, then bake in muffin tins. These bite-sized delights are easy to handle and can be customized with various ingredients to suit your loved one’s preferences. If you need to up the protein, add ricotta cheese or cottage cheese – sounds weird, but it’s wonderful!
Soft Veggie Fritters
Combine mashed sweet potatoes or carrots and onion with a bit of flour and seasoning, then pan-fry until golden and crispy. These soft fritters are flavorful and easy to chew, making them ideal for those with dental sensitivities.
Deconstructed Sandwich Plates
Instead of traditional sandwiches, present the components separately: slices of soft bread, deli meats, cheeses, and spreads. This allows your loved one to assemble their own bites, promoting engagement and choice.
Mini Muffin Tin Meals
Use a muffin tin to create mini portions of various dishes:
Mini Quiches: Fill with eggs, cheese, and vegetables.
Meatloaf Bites: Prepare small servings of meatloaf for easy handling.
Mac and Cheese Cups: Bake individual portions for a fun twist.
These bite-sized meals are not only fun but also easy to store and reheat.
Fruit and Cheese Kabobs
Assemble soft fruits like melon and strawberries with mild cheese cubes on skewers (ensure the skewers are safe and appropriate). These colorful kabobs are visually appealing and easy to eat.
Smoothie Bowls
Blend fruits with yogurt to create a thick smoothie, then top with soft granola or finely chopped nuts. Serve in a bowl for a spoonable treat that’s both nutritious and enjoyable.
Caregiver Hack of the Week
Create a Visual Meal Calendar
Design a simple, colorful calendar displaying the week’s meals with pictures. This not only helps your loved one anticipate what’s coming but also stimulates conversation and engagement around mealtime.
Welcome back, friends! If you’re just joining us, this special two-part series is written by my wonderful friend, Jenta Kunkel — a woman with a heart bigger than Texas, years of hospice care experience, and a true gift for helping families navigate these tender decisions with wisdom, compassion, and grace.
Today, we’re continuing our journey, digging deeper into the differences between Palliative Care and Hospice Care — and why both can be a lifeline, not a death sentence.
So refill that coffee (or wine) and let’s keep going. Spoon in hand!
Palliative Care: Early Support for the Journey
Can be provided at any age and at any stage of a serious illness—not just for the elderly.
Begins alongside curative treatments — you can still be seeking a cure or remission.
Symptom management is a top priority: pain, nausea, fatigue, anxiety, and more.
Care is interdisciplinary — involving several specialists (physicians, nurses, social workers, chaplains, etc.).
Available in multiple settings: hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care facilities, assisted living, and homes.
Focuses on quality of life — even while treatment continues.
Hospice Care: Dignity, Comfort, and Compassion
Falls under the larger umbrella of Palliative Care.
Provided at any age but usually when a person’s life expectancy is six months or less, based on physician judgment.
Focuses entirely on comfort and quality of life, not curing the illness.
Not assisted suicide or euthanasia — Hospice does not hasten death.
Does not mean giving up hope — it shifts the focus to living fully, comfortably, and meaningfully.
Care can start earlier than most people realize, providing months of support and cherished time with family.
Hospice can be revoked at any time if a patient chooses, and re-enrolled if needed later.
Medications unrelated to the hospice diagnosis (like blood pressure meds) can continue but are billed through regular insurance, not hospice.
Bereavement Care continues for families for up to one full year after loss — offering grief counseling and emotional support at no cost.
Common Misconceptions About Hospice and Palliative Care
Hospice and Palliative Care are NOT only for cancer patients.
Hospice is NOT just for the final days or hours.
Accepting Hospice does NOT mean abandoning all treatments — it means shifting to comfort-driven care.
Choosing Hospice does NOT remove hope — it changes the definition of hope to peace, comfort, and dignity.
Choosing the Right Hospice or Palliative Provider
Interview, interview, interview and find the right one for your loved one and family! Not every hospice agency is created equal!
Look up reviews.
Ask questions about their philosophy of care.
Notice how they treat you when you call: If they’re too busy, rushed, or dismissive — move on. You and your loved one deserve nothing less than genuine, patient, compassionate care.
It’s a deep topic, and a deeply divided topic, but we’ve focused on the points that we can all agree on. As always, discuss options with your primary care physician and make the choices that will make either option one that will give your loved one the most peace, and best quality of life.
Here are some helpful resources that you can use to find out more information.
Hospice and Palliative Care are not about giving up—they are about leaning in. They are about making sure every breath, every hug, every laugh, every tear, and every sunset counts. They are about honoring life until the very last moment.
Thank you, Jenta, for sharing your heart, your knowledge, and your incredible compassion with us today. The Silver Haired Choo Choo—and everyone who boards this ride—is better for it.
Caregiver Hack of the Week
Start the Conversation Early—Before It’s an Emergency
Talking about hospice, palliative care, or end-of-life wishes doesn’t have to happen in a crisis. Start while things are calm—over coffee, during a quiet evening, or while sharing a memory. When these conversations happen early and gently, decisions later feel less rushed, less panicked, and filled with more love and clarity. Because honoring someone’s wishes is one of the greatest gifts you can give them—and yourself.
At The Silver Haired Choo Choo, we believe knowledge is one of the greatest gifts you can give to yourself—and to those you care for.
I’ve had so many questions and emotions swirling from caregivers about hospice and palliative care that I wanted to provide some information that is tried and true.
Today, I am handing my pen over to someone who is so special and dear to me. Jenta Kunkel, MSN, RN, FNP-BC, PHN (or as she prefers Nurse Practitioner sans all the alphabet soup) whose most recent focus has been Hospice as a Family Nurse Practitioner after experiencing how confusing and scary Hospice and Palliative care can be without an advocate. She is going to tackle this tough and touchy subject and do it with knowledge and a grace and grit that I do not possess.
Jenta has dedicated several years throughout her career to the specialty of hospice care, pouring her huge heart and compassionate spirit into every patient and family she’s touched. She share with me that it is one of her favorite specialties as a Nurse Practitioner. I asked her to give us a clear, honest explanation of the difference between Palliative Care and Hospice Care—and why Hospice isn’t just for the dying.
Grab your coffee (or a glass of wine—we won’t judge) and settle in. Jenta’s wisdom is worth every word and the time it takes to read it. Thank you, Jenta for doing this for us. I’m so grateful and appreciative for your open and willing heart!
Let’s Dig In (Spoon Optional)
When discussing Palliative Care or Hospice Care, it can feel like you’re digging a rabbit hole with a teaspoon.Online searches make your head spin, your eyes cross, and no amount of coffee can reboot your brain. It’s overwhelming. I get it.
I’m here to give you the bullet-point version — to point you toward informed decisions, without falling into a coma.
But first, hear this: this doesn’t have to be a time of sadness. In fact, some of my most humorous stories have come out of hospice.
A patient who joyfully requested daily chocolate milkshakes as part of her care plan. (You better believe we brought them—even when she didn’t drink them, they made her smile!)
A 101-year-old woman who politely suggested that if she had to stare out the window all day, she’d like “a better-looking pool guy… maybe younger… 50 or 60?”
A gentleman who winked and said, “I should have gone on hospice years ago—I haven’t taken out the garbage once, I watch football without interruption, and if I want people to leave me alone, I just say I need rest. I like this!”
It’s okay to laugh. It’s okay to cry. It’s okay to be tired, joyful, sad, and hopeful—all at once. It’s all okay. It’s real. It’s life.
Ready? Let’s dive in.
Palliative Care vs. Hospice Care: How Are They the Same?
Both focus on quality of life, not just length of life. Both are patient and family-centered. Both offer medical support like social workers, chaplains, physicians, nurses, volunteers, and help with medications and equipment. Both provide emotional, spiritual, and social support. Both encourage advance care planning and are covered by most insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid (with some fine print, of course—because it’s healthcare). Both allow you to revoke services at any time.
Both services can be provided in:
Hospitals
Hospice Programs (like Enhabit, Vitas, Elizabeth Hospice, the VA)
Long-Term Care Facilities
Assisted Living Facilities
Personal Homes
What Palliative Care and Hospice ARE NOT:
They are NOT “Home Health” (which focuses on rehabilitation and recovery).
They are NOT a way to “hasten death.” In fact, some hospice patients live longer than expected—and a few even improve enough to be discharged from hospice! It’s about comfort and dignity, not giving up.
Who Can Benefit?
People of all ages with serious illnesses like cancer, heart failure, or lung disease.
Families and caregivers who need emotional and practical support.
So now that we understand what hospice and palliative care are – our next stop is going to be a deeper dive. All aboard!
Some days, the blues just hit and no matter how much effort you put in, it seems like you’re dropping balls left and right. The house is in disarray, your loved one is having a tough day, and it feels like it was 1999 the last time you were carefree. These days can make you question your abilities and worth.
You’re Not Alone in This Feeling
It’s essential to recognize that these feelings are a common part of the caregiving journey. Many of us experience moments of doubt and sadness, questioning if they’re doing enough or doing things right. With a sense of loss of identity that comes with caregiving, it can compound the feeling. Remember, feeling overwhelmed doesn’t mean you’re failing; it means you’re human.
Embrace the Imperfect Moments
Perfection is an illusion, especially in caregiving. It’s okay if the laundry piles up or meals aren’t gourmet. Sometimes hotdogs and macaroni are what makes my mom happy. What matters most is the love and care you provide. Celebrate the small victories: a shared laugh, a moment of connection, or simply making it through the day. That’s me some days. Just trying to get through the day. It’s not pretty, but it’s real.
Find Your Support System
Connecting with others who understand your journey can be incredibly therapeutic. Our caregivers group that meets on Wednesdays is a lifeline for me. Sharing, laughing, understanding, consoling and just being there for one another is priceless.
Find a space for support. Whether it’s a friend, a support group, or an online community, sharing your experiences can lighten the emotional load. Remember, seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. And, when you share with others who REALLY understand – it’s a sunshine hour.
Prioritize Self-Care
Every day, but especially on the tough days taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity. Even short breaks—a walk around the block, a few minutes of deep breathing, or enjoying a favorite song—can rejuvenate your spirit. When you nourish yourself, you’re reinforcing that identity or feeling of purpose that you’re missing.
Give Yourself Grace
On the days when everything feels heavy, remind yourself of the compassion and dedication you bring to your role. It’s okay to have off-kilter days. Remember, they are temporary, and that its a signal that you need to focus on you for a moment. It may be in five minute increments, but they add up. On days that are hard, do the minimum – there’s always time for the tasks later. Just rest for a moment guilt-free.
Caregiver Hack:
No caregiver hacks on this stop…just give yourself a break and breathe. You’re doing amazing – even in the moments when our hearts don’t feel like it. Real talk!!!
Not in the pamphlets. Not in the support groups. (In my caregiver group, we talk about this – cause it’s so important!) Not in the “how to be a caregiver” checklists.
They don’t tell you that you’ll start grieving before the goodbye.
Not because they’re gone… but because, in so many small ways, they’re already slipping away or gone.
The Long, Slow Loss
Caregiving often feels like living in a long hallway—doors closing behind you one by one. You remember the way they used to tell stories, the way they made coffee just so, how they never forgot a birthday.
And now?
They can’t remember your name some days. They ask you the same question four times in five minutes. They sit quietly, unsure of where they are or why they’re sad.
You feel it: that slow unraveling of the person you love. And it shatters your heart in tiny, invisible pieces.
What Is Anticipatory Grief?
Anticipatory grief is the mourning that happens before a death. It’s grieving the changes, the losses, the fading.
You grieve the person they used to be. You grieve the parts of your life that have changed forever. You grieve for them, even if they don’t realize what’s slipping away.
And you do it all while smiling, while managing meds, while folding laundry and answering repetitive questions and saying, “I love you,” even when they don’t say it back.
You Are Not Crazy for Feeling This
If you’ve felt tears sneak up while brushing their hair… If you’ve felt anger at the disease, the universe, the unfairness of it all… If you’ve felt lonely in a room with the very person you’ve loved your whole life…
You are not alone. You are not failing. You are human.
This kind of grief is real. It’s complicated. And it deserves just as much grace as the grief that comes after someone is gone.
What Helps
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here are a few gentle things that might bring you peace in the middle of the ache:
Let yourself cry. Or rage. Or write it all down. Suppressing it doesn’t make it easier—it just builds a wall around your heart.
Talk to someone who gets it. Another caregiver. A friend. A counselor. Anyone who won’t tell you to “stay strong” when all you need is to fall apart for a minute.
Celebrate what remains. Find joy in the good moments. Laugh at the silly things. Hold their hand when they reach for yours. These moments matter and you’ll remember them when you need them the most.
Give yourself grace. You are doing sacred, exhausting work. You won’t always feel patient or cheerful or composed. That’s okay. God sees it all.
Under His Wings
Psalm 34:18 says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
And Psalm 91:4 reminds us:
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge.”
So when you feel yourself unraveling a little at a time, remember—you are covered. Held. Known. Even in your quiet heartbreak.
Caregiver Hack of the Week
Start a “Memory Moments” Journal. When something sweet, funny, or beautiful happens—even if it’s small—write it down. A word they remembered. A hug they offered. A smile that felt like the old them. It becomes a healing space, a reminder that even in the loss, there is still love. One day, those memories will be the pieces you hold onto when the goodbye is final.
See you at the next stop, friends. Keep it real, and keep going! Choo choo!
Today, a bonus entry and I’m afraid it’s not a fun or humorous one.
Yesterday, someone tried to scam my mom via the mail. She believed she had won the Publisher’s Clearing House. Her eyes lit up, her heart swelled, and then kablammo – I leveled the mood with bad news! The realization that it was a lie broke her heart. The look on her face broke mine.
The scam was a good one too…even the routing numbers on the fake TD Bank Check were correct…but there were so many red flags to see after a cursory glance. They practically jumped off the page. Criminals count on people being so excited that they don’t pay attention to the inconsistencies. In fact they literally bank on it. Pun intended.
Scamming is not new, and many of us have felt the sting, humiliation and anger – but when it comes to the elderly it gets my giddy-up into a hot rage. It’s not the first time it’s happened to mom. Criminals are relentless. They call, mail, email and they will even sit at your dining room table and lie to your face with out a second thought for the damage they are causing. #truestory. These people need a lot of prayer and ride to the train station. (Sorry, not sorry)!
To the scammers, and grifters out there: You soulless, bottom-feeding, oxygen-thieving, pieces of…..errr pickpockets. I’m quite certain your favorite color is cowardly yellow and that you have bad breath all the time. I can only hope that thousands of fleas love your armpits on hot and sweaty days – and that everyone bites you at least twice. No calamine for you!
Why Do Scammers Target the Elderly?
Because they’re cowards. They exploit the most beautiful part of our loved ones heart:
Trusting Nature: Our elders grew up in a time when a handshake meant something.
Loneliness: A friendly voice on the phone can be a lifeline.
Cognitive Decline: Memory issues can make discerning scams challenging. They are vulnerable and compassionate to others.
Financial Stability: They believe seniors have savings ripe for the picking. And, even if they do – it doesn’t belong to any one but them!
Common Scams to Watch Out For
Sweepstakes Scams: You’ve won! Just pay this fee…
Grandparent Scams: Grandma, I’m in jail. Send money!
Tech Support Scams: Your computer has a virus. Let me fix it remotely. There are documentaries on this one.
Romance Scams: I love you. Now, can you wire me some money? Again, lonely.
Toll Road Scams: Let us not forget this new one.
Bank Scams: This often comes through texts on their phone.
IRS Scams...the list goes on.
Protecting Our Loved Ones:
So how can we help?
Educate: Regularly discuss common scams and red flags. Once is not enough
Screen Calls: Use caller ID and block unknown numbers.
Set Up Safeguards: Implement trusted contacts on financial accounts.
Monitor Finances: Regularly review bank statements for unusual activity. Have open conversations regularly. Make sure your bank knows to call you for any odd charges or large amounts. Put amount limits on withdrawals without approval.
Report Scams: If targeted, report to the National Elder Fraud Hotline at 833–FRAUD–11. Yep, I’ll be contacting them with this little bundle of joy mom received.
Do What You Can
We can’t stop everything, 100% of the time, but by being vigilant, we can certainly make it less easy for people to harm our loved ones. Stay vigilant, stay connected, and let’s keep our elders safe from the digital dung of the world.
Caregiver Hack Bonus:
Get Informed Delivery service on their mail and have it sent to yourself so you can monitor what they receive in the mail. It’s free and it is so helpful. I often ask mom if I can open a piece of mail that is for her together. She is grateful for the help. We don’t realize just how vulnerable they truly are.
I’m off my rant, and I’ll see you next week at the next station!
The Silver Haired ChooChoo 