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Help Relatives and Friends To Be Safe From the Internet, Postal or Phone Sales and Scams

At this time of year, many people are encouraged by salesmen to buy goods they do not want or need. Black Friday or Cyber Monday special offers have been mentioned everywhere on the internet or in newspapers recently. Special bargains are advertised in every possible space. Elderly people or those with dementia are especially vulnerable. Is a member of your family or a friend receiving unwanted mail or phone calls? Have they access to the internet and so are vulnerable through this? Are companies trying to sell them unwanted items or asking them to subscribe to contracts? It is very worrying to see somebody struggling with financial problems when they get older. Many societies or charities have suggestions on how to help relatives. These include The Alzheimer’s Society and Age UK.

Suggestions

With the run-up to Christmas in full swing, how can vulnerable relatives be protected?  The following suggestions could be helpful but it must be remembered that if someone is able to make their own decisions (i.e. have mental capacity) then they have the right to make decisions that others might think are unwise:

  • Talk to the relative or friend to discuss your concerns.
  • Ask if help is needed.
  • If your relative or friend gives permission, monitor their emails and perhaps their internet searches.
  • Arrange to stop receiving unwanted mail or phone calls by using the Mail Preference Service and the Telephone Preference Service.
  • A financial lasting power of attorney could be set up if it was thought necessary.
  • Post could be re-directed if this is agreed.
  • Arrange for a visitors book to be used in the person’s home. This could include details of all the visitors or callers with their names, organisation, job, telephone number and reason for calling.

Alternatively, If you think that your relative or friend needs help to stay in their own home this Christmas or in 2020, then contact Acquire Care Ltd to see how they can help. The Company can provide both live-in and home care in Oxford and around the surrounding area. Acquire Care should be able to help make your relative or friend’s life easier. Many people do not like to ask for help but our helpful, friendly carers can support people who need help to stay in their own homes. This can be from short home care visits or full-time care when one of our carers live in the Client’s home with them. To contact Acquire Care to discover what can be done to help, please phone 01865 601010, email info@acquirecare.co.uk or visit the website www.acquirecare.co.uk.