Each year millions of elderly seniors fall prey to ruthless schemes that rob them of their money and identity. The sad part it is often a result of a senior’s trusting nature or feelings of isolation and loneliness; or in some cases, a senior may have cognitive issues that impair their judgement and decision-making skills. Experts also say seniors are from a generation that was raised to be polite and agreeable to others, which in turn can make them more susceptible to fraud.
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) updates the public to current scams targeting seniors so if you have a parent or other elderly loved ones who may be at risk, take a look at the info and discuss the various schemes used with them. One scam frequently used this year is a phone call, email or in-person approach to collect money for disaster relief. Thieves also scam those who have been the victim of a disaster by trying to collect personal information under the guise of providing some sort of financial relief. The NCOA says there are ways to avoid getting scammed such as never giving out your personal information to anyone but a trusted family member, friend or your professional financial advisor. In addition never make big financial decisions without consulting with one of those trusted people. Also do not give out personal PIN #s, or Medicare and other financial info over the phone unless you initiated the call or know the person. Other commonsense advice includes being wary of high-pressure sales persons, never signing a contract until you understand it entirely, and to be suspicious of unexpected announcements of winning money, trips, or other prizes. Experts say it is most likely a hoax. Always take your time when making financial decisions and do not give blanket approval to a vendor for medical equipment and other purchases. Please visit MorningStar of Sparks to learn more about vibrant senior living in Reno. Our community has 128 bright suites for independent living and another 80 for assisted living. Within our memory care wing, we provide 32 secure suites devoted to the care of those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. Please visit our website to learn more. MorningStar of Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities. Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Contact us for more info regarding one of the finest Reno assisted living & independent living communities. Source: ncoa.org/economic-security/money-management/scams-security/protection-from-scams/
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The medical profession is worried that people have put off seeing a doctor or coming in to the emergency room for medical conditions that demand immediate attention. While many states are coming out of “stay at home” orders, doctors say there are still far too many people afraid to seek medical attention for critical care.
Doctors fear that patients who need urgent care for conditions such as stokes, heart attacks, abdominal conditions, and bladder infections are not reaching out for help. Moreover in some cases, by not seeking appropriate, timely assistance, there has been an uptick of people dying at home or suffering from irreversible damage caused by the lack of medical intervention. Reports out of Spain, one of Europe’s hardest hit countries “found that the number of heart attack patients treated in healthcare facilities has plummeted by 40% since the onset of the virus.” Hong Kong had similar reports. This is why hospitals and care providers around the country want to reassure the public that they are doing everything possible to keep you safe from catching the virus while getting the emergency care you need. In fact most medical centers and hospitals have completely separated potential COVID-19 patients from the general public. To ensure you get the critical care you need, healthcare providers say it is “crucial that patients identify key symptoms early and call 911 as soon as possible, regardless of the pandemic situation” MorningStar of Sparks is proud to be the most trusted senior living in Reno. While temporarily closed to non-essential visitors due to COVID-19, we are still safely accepting new residents. Along with 128 bright suites for independent living, we offer 80 suites for assisted living. MorningStar’s Reflections Neighborhood also provides 32 secure suites devoted to those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Please check out our website for a virtual tour of independent and assisted living in Reno and use our email link to inquire about availability and pricing. MorningStar of Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities. Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Please visit our website for contact information and to learn more about the area’s most trusted senior living in Reno. Especially in these unusual times when many of us will be unable to visit an elderly loved one, we want to make sure our parents or grandparents know how special they are to us. With Father’s Day just around the corner, let dad or grandpa know that while they may be out of sight, they are not out of mind.
So what is a good gift that lets him know he is not forgotten? As you know dad best, ask yourself if he’s a guy who loves practical gifts, tech toys or something on the humorous side? I know many dads may not buy one themselves but would love a plush new bathrobe; so why not personalize it with a monogram? If he is more of a t-shirt kind of guy, order him a personalized shirt. A popular one has handprints with the names of all the grandchildren and a message calling him out as “Hands Down Best Grandpa,” or how about one that says “Great Dads Make Great Grandpas?” If dad gets chilly and loves to fish, how about getting him a cozy throw decorating with fish bearing the names of his grandkids. Another idea is an indoor gardening kit for the dad who loves to grow things. If granddad is a gamer at heart, how about getting him a lap-sized Nintendo Switch. A recent study showed in addition to fun, 3D-platform games can help improve cognitive health. Don’t forget the gift of music or audio books targeted to his interests, and if he doesn’t already own a set, consider noise cancelling headphones for the ultimate listening experience. If dad still gets around, a step tracking device is a fun way to keep him moving. While the MorningStar of Sparks senior living community is temporarily closed to non-essential visitors, we are still open to the love that is pouring in for our residents. We are also carefully accepting new residents into our 128 bright suites for independent living or our 80 assisted living suites. Sparks’ has another 32 secure suites devoted to caring for those with Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. Please visit our website and take a virtual tour of beautiful senior living in Reno. MorningStar of Sparks’ unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior communities. Committed to creating a true home for residents within a gorgeous setting, our foundation is built on honoring God, valuing our seniors and hiring staff with a felt calling to serve. Please visit our website for contact information and to learn more about the most trusted senior living in Reno. There are some legal problems unique to older adults that many attorneys are not equipped to provide accurate advice about such as Medicaid, Social Security or disability claims, trusts or estate planning, or issues regarding long term care. When an elderly person requires the services of an attorney to protect their financial interests or to solve legal issues, experts recommend hiring an elder law attorney who specializes in advocating for the elderly and their loved ones.
The FindLaw website explains, “Most elder law attorneys handle a wide range of legal matters affecting an older or disabled person, including issues related to health care, long term care planning, guardianship, retirement, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, and other important matters.” However, remember that as with all attorneys, elder law attorneys also specialize in specific areas of the law so look for one that has the expertise you need. Many families find it makes good sense to hire an elder attorney to protect and preserve their loved one’s assets when they sell their home to move into a senior living community. This is a case where you would want to find one that specializes in financial and estate planning. The elder attorney also can assist with legal issues that arise with the actual care of the senior including helping to sort out supplemental and long-term health insurance problems. An elder attorney can draw up a durable power of attorney as well as draft a living will, living trust or other advance directives, or set up conservatorships and guardianships. They can help answer questions regarding nursing home resident rights and other patient rights, To find an elder law attorney, experts recommend asking friends, family members or other business connections for referrals. Findlaw.com says you can check online and read through websites or use their online attorney directory. MorningStar of Sparks proudly provides the very best in senior living with our unique mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest.” With a foundation built on honoring God, valuing all seniors and selecting staff with a felt calling to serve, we create a true home for residents amid a beautiful setting. Please contact us to learn more about the finest independent and assisted living Reno-Sparks offers. Source: elder.findlaw.com/what-is-elder-law/what-does-an-elder-law-attorney-do-.html MorningStar of Sparks’ goal is to provide the best independent and assisted living Reno-Sparks offers, which includes helping our assisted living residents make the transition to our community a smooth one.
MorningStar understands that often the move to assisted living is done because of a life changing event so not only is the person adjusting to a new home but may be mourning the loss of their old life. For some seniors, moving into assisted living can be stressful as they start to feel more and more of their independence is being taken away from them. Our job is to be ready to help smooth over any rough patches. Even before someone makes the move into assisted living there are some things families can do to help ease the coming change. We recommend that you let your parent take part in making the decision as it gives them meaning and purpose. Also, while you may not want to put your loved one through taking tour after tour of senior living communities, they can certainly help research places and narrow down the list to the most favorable ones. Once the family weighs considerations such as price, services, location, etc., and agrees on a couple of choices, your parent should take a tour as well as go back a few times to spend some time observing the community. Other ways to assist the transition include helping them get to know the staff in advance. Also future visits can be planned around an activity they would enjoy or eating a meal with the community. After a decision is made, let your parent decide what furniture they want to move with them and help them decorate their new home. Just remember your parent may go through an adjustment period so give them time and be ready to listen. Please visit our website for more information about our beautiful independent living, assisted living and memory care community. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to learn more about the finest independent and assisted living Reno/Sparks has to offer. The population of aging adults continues to grow and so does the demand for quality housing solutions and services. To make it easier for people to find senior housing that best meets their needs, the following is an explanation of the terms you will come across while shopping for a new home for you or your loved one.
One popular senior living option is referred to as “independent living.” These are apartments or suites designed specifically for older adults who want the advantages associated with senior living communities, but do not require any assistance. Residents benefit from the amenities, activities and companionship of community living. While each community differs, services may include light housekeeping and laundry as well as on-site beauty shops and spas, exercise rooms and wellness classes. Some communities also provide emergency response at night. Another term used to describe senior living is “assisted living.” Many people mistakenly assume that “assisted living” is just another term for nursing homes. In fact, nursing homes are intended for people that require long-term, around-the-clock medical care and supervision and should not be confused with assisted living, which provides residents support for daily care activities. At an assisted living community, you will receive the care you need to live comfortably and safely while still retaining your privacy and as much independence as possible. Most communities offer daily meals, wellness programs, social activities, housekeeping services, 24-hour care, scheduled transportation and more. Lastly another form of senior living is “memory care” that is devoted to the specialized care of individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementia-related diseases. The best communities offer their residents comprehensive care that includes recreational and purposeful activities, scheduled outings and daily health monitoring. If you are looking for the best senior living Reno–Sparks has to offer, we invite you to consider MorningStar of Sparks. We have a choice of independent living, assisted living and memory care options. Our spacious, private suites are available in a variety of well-designed floor plans and have details reflective of those found throughout our beautifully appointed community. MorningStar of Sparks’ mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest senior living Reno-Sparks offers. At MorningStar of Sparks, we encourage families to get to know as much as possible about our beautiful, loving senior living community so they can understand what sets us apart from other communities. On our website, you will find a variety of resources as well as information about our lifestyle options.
Under our FAQ’s, we answers common questions families and seniors have about our community such as the type of services we offer, our payment structure, and the different levels of care. In addition you will find information regarding our values and way of thinking as well as how MorningStar Senior Living was started. In 2003, Ken Jaeger founded MorningStar under the philosophy that he would create “senior loving homes” where residents would be seen as heroes. This approach and mission resonates at every level and is how we align our priorities as well as define our behavior. Our team consists of a group of dedicated individuals who have a felt calling to serve, and while we are rooted in Judeo-Christian beliefs, we welcome all faiths among our residents and team members. We dispense our brand of service excellence under our exclusive “Radiance” program, which is what we use to guide our service and to foster a culture where kindness and authenticity are paramount. Following Ken Jaeger’s example, we are encouraged to be a company of servants’ hearts and people of action, and to meet the needs of others both here in our community as well as across the globe. Visit MorningStar of Sparks’ website to learn more about our beautiful and vibrant campus. We are honored to care for seniors and respectfully treat each of our residents with the dignity they deserve. Please contact us to learn more about the finest independent and assisted living Reno-Sparks offers. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. We encourage you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the finest independent and assisted living Reno-Sparks has to offer. A study from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) found that loneliness in aging adults can impact their health and wellbeing and be responsible for accelerating seniors’ decline and death. They cite that “people 60-years-old and older who reported feeling lonely saw a 45 percent increase in their risk for death. Isolated elders also had a 59 percent greater risk of mental and physical decline than their more social counterparts.”
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that 28 percent of people 65 years and older (11 million at the time of the census) lived alone. In addition to living alone, there are several reasons seniors feel lonesome including losing a spouse. Furthermore, the AARP reports that more and more seniors do not have children, which means fewer family members available to provide companionship and care. As many elderly people stop driving, they may not have a convenient way to get around and this can contribute to more feelings of isolation. Researchers also discovered that isolated seniors often behave in ways that make others less likely to want to spend time with them. Not only do the seniors resist the efforts of those who want to reach out but actually push them away. If you have an elderly parent or know someone who is living alone, there are some easy things you can do to make them feel cared about. One way is to really engage them in conversation and ask questions and listen to their stories about the past. Another thing you can do is to help them find a hobby they will enjoy or rekindle an interest in something they used to do. If you live a distance from an elderly parent, call frequently and send greeting cards or small gifts that let them know you are thinking of them. If you are looking for exceptional independent or assisted living, Reno area MorningStar of Sparks may be your answer. We provide an ideal place to socialize and form bonds with both residents and staff and all the comforts of a real home. Please visit our website to learn more. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. We encourage you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the finest independent and assisted living Reno-Sparks has to offer. Source: agingcare.com/Articles/loneliness-in-the-elderly-151549.htm Many adult children who live a distance away from elderly parents often feel there is not much they can do to help with day-to-day care. However, one of the things experts suggest that can be done long-distance is to help mom or dad get their paperwork organized.
Initially the job requires more time and energy, but once you have everything gathered together, you will just need to make sure to keep it updated. In fact, having all of your parents’ pertinent information up-to-date and in one place, will make caregiving long-distance much easier as it allows you to more quickly make decisions and respond to a crisis. Paperwork should include maintaining and managing current information about your parent’s health and medical care including the type of medications and the dosage they are taking. Other important information includes details regarding sources of income and assets, i.e. bank accounts, pensions, life insurance policies, IRAs, 401(k)s and other investments, their home and monthly liabilities. To do long-distance, it may be easier to schedule a visit or two to their home to begin the process. Also, if you do not already know, ask if they have a will, and if so, make sure it is in order. Furthermore, discuss with them the benefits of drawing up a durable power of attorney, which legally gives the person named on the document the right to handle their financial decisions should the need arise. Sometimes older adults can be protective of their financial and personal information. You will need them to understand that you are not trying to invade their privacy or take over their personal lives but rather want to be prepared to assist in the case of an emergency. At MorningStar of Sparks, our goal is to provide the best independent and assisted living Reno or Sparks offers, and we are ready to care for your parent’s physical, intellectual, spiritual and social needs. Amenities and services include wellness programs and activities, three tasty, daily meals and a staff that feels privileged to serve seniors. Contact us to set up a tour of our beautiful community. The unique mission statement of MorningStar of Sparks, “to honor, to serve, to invest,” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. We encourage you to schedule a tour to see firsthand the finest independent and assisted living Reno-Sparks has to offer. According to the U.S. News & World Report, every year there are 5 million cases of elder fraud in the U.S., resulting in as much as $27.4 billion in losses. Additionally, these crimes are often hard for law enforcement to prosecute because in many cases victims are too embarrassed to report the crimes. The FBI says con artists also know that seniors do not make good witnesses even if they do report the crime due to the effects of age on their memory and the length of time it takes to bring a case to justice.
Experts explain there are several reasons why seniors are more susceptible to fraudulent schemes starting with the fact they tend to be very trusting. Our elderly population was typically raised to be polite, to believe people are basically good, and have a hard time saying “no.” These are the traits con artists exploit. Lonely seniors can easily be preyed upon as they are willing to stay on the phone and engage in conversation with a stranger. A recent scheme that targeted a large group of seniors was a robocall that informed people they needed to return the call as there was a security issue with their social security number. When the person called back, they were asked for their full name, address and S.S. number, and told their SS# had been comprised and they would be receiving a new one. Authorities warn that if criminals obtain someone’s full name and SS#, it allows them to do all kinds of damage to the victim including trying to collect their benefits. Another scam is romance fraud, which involves a person being approached by the scammer through dating sites or other social media. A relationship ensues through online contact but never face-to-face. After a level of trust is established, the person is asked to send small amounts of money for alleged emergencies to test their willingness and gullibility. Finally as the scam plays out, the person may give the con artist large amounts of money, or even be used to receive money or goods purchased with stolen credit cards or to transport drugs. The FBI warns that there are many fraudulent schemes to be aware of including telemarketing scams, Medicare scams, tax fraud, etc. They say, “If you are age 60 or older—and especially if you are an older woman living alone—you may be a special target of people who sell bogus products and services by telephone.” Remember to never give out personal or financial information over the phone or online and do not send money. MorningStar of Sparks’ mission statement “to honor, to serve, to invest” sets us apart from other senior living communities. Our foundation is built upon honoring God, valuing all seniors, and investing in staff with a felt calling to serve. Dedicated to creating a real home for residents within a beautiful setting, we encourage you to see for yourself the finest senior living Reno-Sparks offers. Sources: health.usnews.com/health-care/for-better/articles/how-to-prevent-senior-fraud fbi.gov/scams-and-safety/common-fraud-schemes/seniors |
MorningStar
MorningStar Senior Living offers assisted living, memory care and respite (short-term) care. Our communities have graciously-appointed assisted living suites, as well as beautiful and spacious private suites for those living with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. Morningstar Senior Living's award-winning architecture, together with amenities that foster a lifestyle of comfort and wellness, make our residents’ retirement years as carefree as possible. Our activities and programs are enriching, and our care services first-class, but what truly sets us apart from other senior living communities is the love beneath our roof. To experience firsthand the finest senior living in your area, contact us to schedule a tour. Archives
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