Tag Archives: fraud

Fall Safety, General Safety Issues, Health Issues

SAFETY TIPS FOR SENIORS (AND) EVERYONE! PART II

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Yesterday, we took an imaginary tour of our homes to find if there are certain hazards that could cause injury to individuals, especially senior citizens.  We  continue today with more safety tips.  Please think about keeping your home safe for all who live there, regardless of their ages, and when older visitors come, pay close attention to the tips we have already mentioned.  Here are more safety ideas: 

Although we are all getting older with each day, exercise is very important.  The earlier you begin an exercise program, the better.  Always ask your doctor about the type of exercise you can do safely, if you have health problems.  Your health may be hurt more by inactivity than by exercise, because with age,  we lose ground in four areas: strength, balance, flexibility, and endurance.  Staying physically active and exercising regularly can help prevent or delay dementia, according to the National Institute of Health.  Fitness experts can work out a customized plan for individuals to exercise safely.

 Now, let’s talk about keeping medications either in clearly marked containers or in a medication organizer with individually sealed slots for every day of the week.   Those who have poor vision or other health problems could ask a family member to help with this.  

Have important phone numbers programmed in your home phone and/or cell phone.  If you go for a walk, take your cell phone, just in case of emergency, such as a fall.   Take along a cane or walking stick of some type just in case a “friendly” dog comes along; this will help with balance, as well as letting him know he needs to move on.  Dogs can jump up on those who are unsteady, causing them to fall.  Cats can easily trip someone.   I’ve known this to happen, and in both instances, broken hips were the result.  One lady died from complications following the hip surgery.

Place deadbolts and peepholes on the doors to your home, and keep the doors locked.  Don’t let strangers in without verifiable identification, don’t reveal you are alone, and always have your neighbors contact info.  Many persons choose to install a home security system.  Schemes abound for all of us – old, young, and inbetween.  When you are out shopping, keep purses close to you, and, guys, don’t keep a wallet in your back pocket.  Tell a family member or friend where you are going, avoid traveling alone, stay away from dimly lit  surroundings, and carry a whistle or other alarm.  Don’t sit in your parked car, counting money, or talking on a cell phone without locking the door first, and be sure you are in a safe area.  If you need handicapped parking accessibility, it’s there for you if you have a placard on your car or license plate.  If you don’t, please leave that space for someone who does qualify.  A caregiver or handicapped person will thank you for doing that.    When driving, don’t talk on the cell phone.  If you have taken medication, and are feeling drowsy, ask someone else to drive you where you need to go.  

Be aware of internet or phone fraud.  According to AARP, many senior citizens are victims of fraud.  Here’s some reminders about this subject:

  • Never give out information such as your social security number or other personal information on the phone or internet.
  • Stay informed of current schemes.
  • Don’t freely give large amounts of cash. 
  • Research a home-repair company’s credentials.  Use reputable local contractors for repairs. 
  • Don’t fall for the “You’ve won the jackpot!” ploy.  This is probably a scam.
  •  If you receive a call saying it is from your internet provider and you have a virus, and they can fix it for you from their office, don’t believe it.  Call them to verify the call.  It’s probably another “phishing” scam.

Last, but not least, consider a security alert button if you are at risk for falling, or have a chronic illness that may require urgent medical attention.  A  monitoring system similar to Life Alert will sound for help if you have fallen, or unable to talk due to a head injury or stroke.  Most systems are portable and can be worn as a necklace or bracelet.  Once the button is pressed, emergency personnel or the primary caregiver is immediately notified and contact is made with the client.  Others such as wearable health monitoring systems  alert medical personnel of any changes in the body via sensors.  A new senior cell phone option is an emergency cell phone that provides wide emergency response coverage, unlike most medical alarms that work only within or near your home.  It has an SOS button that will activate automatic dialing, which contacts up to five pre-programmed numbers to call for help.  It can also power up a loud alarm to call attention of nearby people that someone needs help.

Aren’t we lucky to live in an age where we can get assistance in many instances by merely pressing a button?  Never hesitate to ask for help when you need it.  You have a family member, neighbor, or friend who is there simply for the asking.  Don’t take chances with your safety – you are too important!

General Safety Issues

HELPFUL PROJECTS TO DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME

This may cause you to smile, because there are many folks who feel that they don’t have any spare time.  But some of the things we are going to mention will save you time in the long run.  The weekend might be a good time to start, so let’s get going! 

How many times do you get a bill from a clinic, doctor, or hospital and you just lay it aside for a while?  Do you think, “I don’t remember seeing Dr. X on that particular day”, or “I didn’t have that test”?  Don’t pay that bill until you have received your Explanation of Benefits from your insurance company.  If you are on Medicare, you will get an EOB from them, and then one from your supplemental insurance.  I started a folder for each of us, my husband and me, and keep them separate, with the date of our doctor visit and the reason we went.  Then, when the bill arrives, I can compare it to their charges.  Once I receive the EOB’s from the supplemental insurance company,  I know for sure what I really owe. 

Experts estimate $100 billion is lost to health care fraud in the United States each year.  Patients and consumers feel these losses in the form of higher health care costs.  If you are billed for services or equipment you didn’t get, and you need that item or service later, your claim could be denied on the basis you’ve already received it.  This is a very important reason you should scrutinize your bill.  If a provider files a suspicious claim on your policy, it can mean a number of things, including a billing error, a fraudulently filed claim, or possible identity theft. 

Keep your medical folder or diary current, as it’s easy to forget when we went to the doctor, especially if we aren’t feeling well that day.  This has worked for me, and is like putting a puzzle together once all the explanations of benefits have come in.  Don’t pay the bill up front, as many times that is duplicating payment – you go ahead and pay it, then your insurance pays it, and it will be much harder for you to get a refund for overpayment. 

Another kind of record-keeping that might make your life easier is one that helps you keep track of a certain goal you are trying to reach – whether it is quitting smoking, exercising more, or managing a health condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure.  I remember as a kid, I loved to write in a diary every day.  If you are trying to lose weight, keeping a food diary is helpful.  A study in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found people who kept a daily food diary for six months lost twice as much weight as those who kept no records.  There are even electronic tools that come preloaded with information, such as foods’ fat and calorie content; these may become more accurate.  But a paper and pencil diary is inexpensive and easy to set up.  The main thing is to check in with your diary often.  Write down the food you eat right after the meal, so you don’t forget.  A study in the journal Contemporary Clinical Trials reported people who recorded what they ate within 15 minutes of their meal lost the most weight. 

There are probably several goals you have set for yourself rather than losing weight, or keeping up with health costs.  It may be handling stress at work.  When our inner thoughts stay hidden in our minds, frustration builds up, and we don’t know how to overcome this.  Document things that you feel are causing this stress.  Seeing it in writing will reveal how you are dealing with it.  Just taking the time to write your feelings down may be as successful as talking it out with another person.  Try the diary approach and see if it will help. 

Keeping records at home are as important as any records you are responsible for in your line of work.  See if keeping a diary will help you be successful in reaching your goals.  Have a great week-end, and a safe one!

General Safety Issues

HOW TO PROTECT YOUR IDENTITY

Almost every one of us is carrying a wallet or purse full of personal information, and there are crooks out there just waiting to get their hands on them!  Some thieves may be hiding behind a computer, but there are many others that gain access to your good fortune and hard work simply the old-fashioned way, by stealing your purse or wallet.    Women, especially, should keep an eye on their purse at all times, and never leave it in their cars, even locked. 

When someone uses your personal information, they are committing identity fraud.  The Federal Trade Commission estimates that up to 9 million Americans have their identity stolen each year.  This is a very serious crime, one that can result in causing hard working persons to spend a great deal of money and time repairing their good name and credit records.  Others may be able to resolve the problem easily, but it still shouldn’t happen to anyone. 

Just in case, it is a good idea for you to take the time NOW to copy front and back of every card that you carry with you.   You will need the information on the cards to help you with security codes and contact information required to report loss or theft.  If you have travel plans, keep this info with you in a safe place, and also keep it secure in your home. 

If you do online banking, etc., it is a good idea to change passwords often.  Don’t use the standard things such as your mother’s maiden name, your pet’s name, or other things they may have a way of discovering.  When you need to call your credit card company, don’t cancel your account, as that might hurt your credit score, if you have an outstanding balance.  Just ask for an account number change and explain what has happened.  If you should lose your checkbook, be sure to notify your bank and get a new ATM or debit card, along with a new checking account.  Monitor any online accounts that you have often in order to track suspicious transactions. 

The Federal Trade Commission classifies several types of identity theft as follows:

  • Dumpster Diving:  persons who rummage through trash, going through your bills and other information.
  • Skimming: stealing credit/debit card numbers by using specialized storage devices when processing your card.
  • Phishing: pretending to be companies or financial institutions that send spam or pop-up messages to get you to reveal personal information.
  • Changing your address: Divert billing statements by completing a change of address form.
  • Stealing:  Lifting wallets, purses, or stealing your mail that contains pre-approved credit card offers, new checks from your bank, or by bribing others who have access to personnel records.
  • Pretexting:  Persons who use false pretenses such as posing as an employee with a research firm to obtain your personal information.  Never give that information to anyone over the phone.   

Shred most statements within 45 days of receipt, unless you need them for proof of purchase.  Bank statements, check stubs, medical bills, and anything containing your personal information should also be shredded.  Keep income tax information, records of payments, and prescription and medical information that you need in a safe place. 

It’s sad, but there are bandits and cyber-bandits everywhere.  We need to protect our information and teach our children to do the same.  When it comes to your privacy, you can’t be too safe!