You can help educate other individuals and families about preventing elder financial abuse. You can join groups such as resident and family councils. You can invite a police officer, long-term care ombudsman, or Adult Protective Services representative to talk about their role and answer questions. Banks, credit unions, and other financial professionals may offer free trainings on how to prevent fraud or manage money. You can work with nursing home or assisted living staff members to coordinate these activities and see if they are willing to host events.
Some ideas for possible training topics include:
- How to protect private documents and valuables, including virtual valuables: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/about-us/blog/virtual-valuables-consider-your-digital-footprintyou-prepare-future;
- Online safety, such as creating strong passwords: https://www.consumerfinance.gov/aboutus/blog/online-mobile-banking-tips-beginners/;
- Federal and state laws about elder financial abuse. Texas specific laws can be found at www.justice.gov;
- How to avoid common scams: consumerfinance.gov/moneysmart; and
- Tips for caregivers on how to manage someone else’s money: http://protecttheirmoneytx.org/.