Maureen A. Wendt is president and CEO of The Dale Association, a non-profit organization that provides senior, mental health, in-home care, caregiver support services and enrichment activities for adults.
There are things you can do to help protect yourself from abuse and neglect. The following information is from the National Center on Elder Abuse.
Plan for your future. Talk with family members, friends and professionals that you trust, and consider doing the following:
— Have your income (retirement, Social Security, SSI, Disability, etc.) directly deposited into your checking account. Contact your bank or go to www.godirect.org for help.
— If managing your daily finances becomes difficult, consider using a daily money manager. Only allow someone you trust to manage your finances. Visit www.aadmm.com for information on professional money management services.
— Get your estate plan in place. Talk with an attorney about helping you create these documents as appropriate: A living will (visit www.agingwithdignity.org); a revocable trust; and a durable power of attorney for healthcare and/or asset management (naming someone to make decisions for you when you’re incapable, and note, having co-powers of attorney ensures no one person can act unilaterally).
— If you go into a long-term care facility, learn about your options. Visit www.medicare.gov/quality-care-finder for more information on long term care facility quality.
Read the full article at the Lockport Journal.
