How do you keep your senior parents safe? You have a life you are busy navigating and as your parents age you are having to take on more responsibilities to help them. So What are some tasks you can do that will help your elderly parents stay safe from scams, and abuses?

1. Senior Citizen Safety Tips
Keeping Your Loved Ones Safe

2. Burglary
Fraud and Scams
Abuse
Fire Hazards
Physical Limitations
We all know that the world can be a dangerous place. Our Senior Citizens are at
danger of several different circumstances.

3. Ounce of Prevention
Most Burglaries happen during
the day.
Intruders gain access to the
house because of unlocked
doors and windows.

4. Keep Landscaping Neat
Over grown shrubs and trees are easy places to hide

5. Keep the exterior of the home well
lit. Especially the doors and
windows. Exterior lights with
motion sensors are even better,
because it alerts others to
changing circumstances and
potential criminal activity.

6. Check The
Access Points
Ensure that the doors and windows lock securely. The
tougher it is for the bad guys to get in the safe mom
and dad are.
Make sure Doors and Windows can’t be forced open

7. Make A Plan
Do your parents or senior citizens know how to get out of the house in an emergency?

8. Use Light timers
Set it up not only to lamps but to radios to
sound like people are home.
Have them come on at different times of
the day and night.

9. Upon Returning
Give the house a good once over If you find anything contact police.
If your loved ones still has an answering machine make sure the
answering message doesn’t give away indication of only one person
there. Use We are not able to answer, etc.
Get to know the neighbors on your parents block.
Form a neighborhood watch.

10. Visitors
If it is an official visit from someone. Have them show proof of who
they say they are.
Contact who the main office of who they say they are.
Get the name of the person visiting.
If you receive an unexpected visit

11. When out shopping
What to look out for when your parents go out on the town.

12. Ways to Avoid Trouble While Out
Avoid going out with large amounts of cash or unneeded credit cards.
Use the Buddy system. Go with friends and/or family.
Keep ID and money close to your persons. Not dangling from a strap or cord.
Pay attention to people just hanging around in parking areas and garages.
If someone is being a bit sketchy trust your instincts.
Do not carry your social security card with you and don’t leave wallet in car.

13. Elder Abuse
What to look out for.

14. Many Types of Elder Abuse
Being hurt or controlled by another is often hard to determine and can often go
unreported till it it too late. There are also many types of abuse.
• Physical
• Emotional
• Sexual
• Psychological
• Financial
• Neglect

15. Indicators of Abuse
Injuries such as Cuts and Bruises.
Difficulty sitting or walking are often indicators of physical or sexual
abuse
Withdrawn or fearful are often signs of psychological abuse
Family member is suddenly involved in day to day money decisions is
a sign of financial abuse.
Poor Hygiene or nutritional habits could be a sign of neglect.

16. You can Make a Difference
How to take Action

17. How to Help
If you suspect that something good isn’t happening, contact Adult
Protective Services, or Law enforcement in your area.

18. Frauds and Scams
Scams are conducted through
phone, email, and door to door
Often people are pressured into
making financial decisions
The scams are often disguised as
official government entities.

19. Know This…
Legitimate organizations don’t need an immediate decision.
Take your time reviewing the information and research to verify that the information is correct.
If it is too good to be true it is a scam.
Never give out your credit card information unless you initiate the call.
You are allowed to hang up the phone
Ask for references
Ask all the questions you have
Don’t let anyone rush you. You can take the forms with you.
Government agencies will not call you. They will send your notifications through the mail.
If the government agency sounds like a call center hang up.

20. Fire Safety
We want the fire to stay where it belongs

21. Test the Smoke detectors once a month.
Replace smoke detector batteries when the time changes
Have a fire extinguisher on each floor
Have a Carbon Monoxide and smoke detector on every floor
Have regular fire drills.
Find the best way for your parents to escape the second floor of the house if
they have one.
Turn off all burners after use.
Store Flammables in a safe place.
Throw away any extra paper.

22. Other ways You can keep your parents
safe
Helpful services

23. There are many different services out there to help people who have a
senior citizen as a parent. Our seniors are still fiercely independent and
like being able to be at home. There for to help put your mind at ease
and allowing your parent the opportunity to hold onto their
independence.
Home Care Service - This is a person who comes to your parents
house and sits with them. They can often help with light housekeeping
and other tasks your parent’ may need.
If you would like some help you can call Jeanie At:
Above All Home Care.
Ph: 580-213-2899