At Arella on Jones, we value and care about our residents. That's why we want to take the time to acknowledge Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15th. We encourage you to read the article below and explore the helpful resources provided by Charles Schwab. This article underscores the urgent need to protect our seniors from physical, emotional, and financial mistreatment. It emphasizes the importance of community awareness and collective responsibility in safeguarding the well-being and dignity of older adults. Let's come together to bring attention to these critical issues and advocate for the safety and respect that active adults deserve.
June 15 marks an important day on our calendar – Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It is a day for communities worldwide to unite in bringing attention to the challenges and difficulties faced by elders and our collective responsibility to protect and support them.
At Schwab, we’re dedicated to shedding light on the often unseen and unspoken issue of elder abuse, which includes physical, emotional, and financial mistreatment of older adults. Financial abuse of seniors is a particularly concerning aspect of elder abuse, involving the unauthorized or improper use of an older person's funds, property, or resources.
Here’s what you can do to help protect the seniors in your life:
Stay informed: Be aware of the common signs of financial exploitation, such as sudden changes in accounts, estate planning documents, or unexplained withdrawals or spending.
Communicate: Maintain open lines of communication with elderly family members about their financial matters.
Report suspicions: If you suspect that an elderly person is being financially exploited, it's crucial to report it. You can contact local adult protective services, law enforcement, and financial institutions where they hold accounts.
Talk about money: Talk to your aging parents about money and creating a financial plan to manage their affairs. Learn more at Aging Parents? 5 Money Topics to Discuss.
Here’s how seniors can protect themselves:
Stay connected: Keep in touch with loved ones and remain active in your community to reduce isolation and vulnerability.
Regularly review your finances: If you have questions, seek assistance from a trusted family member, a financial advisor, or an attorney. Find out more about how to prepare at Planning for the Challenges of Aging.
Know your rights: Learn about your rights and the resources available to you. This includes understanding how to use legal tools like powers of attorney and wills. Check out our Financial Caregiving 101 article to learn more.
Add a trusted contact: Designate a trusted contact to provide another layer of protection to help keep your accounts safe. You can find out more about trusted contacts by reading this article.
Seek professional advice: Consult with professionals when making significant decisions, especially those involving legal, financial, or health matters.
Protect your personal information: Don't give out your Social Security, credit card, or bank account numbers over phone or email.
We're here to help.
Additional resources on protecting yourself or the seniors in your life can be found at Protecting Senior and Vulnerable Investors on SchwabSafe®. If you have any concerns regarding the financial safety of an elderly family member or friend, please don't hesitate to reach out to us by phone at 800-435-4000.
Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our senior family and community members.
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