There’s no doubt the internet has impacted our lives in a variety of positive ways. Unfortunately, cyberspace is also the domain of identity thieves who prey on the vulnerable. Older adults, who have built a lifetime of solid credit, are perceived as “high-value targets,” making senior identity theft a serious threat to those who remain unvigilant.
Here are a few tips to protect yourself—and your money—from those who are very skilled at trying to separate you from it.
Just Hang Up
If you pick up the phone and someone at the other end asks for personal or financial information, just hang up. The con artists claim to be from your bank or credit card company and sound very official. Don’t take any chances. Hang up and call your financial institution immediately to find out if they were trying to contact you. If the call was fraudulent, let them know that a scammer is targeting their clients.
Delete, Delete, Delete
Identity thieves are clever at designing emails that look incredibly credible. Protect yourself by never clicking on email links or opening email attachments that don’t look familiar to you. Doing so can put your computer and personal information at risk. These seemingly legitimate requests for your personal information are in fact con artists “phishing” for your social security number and account info. If you see an email that looks like it’s from your bank or credit card company, delete it. To check on your accounts, go to the company website by typing in the URL yourself.
Set Up Direct Deposit
Talk to your bank about the direct deposit option. That way your social security or other benefit checks will go directly from the sender into your account, lowering the risk of theft. Be sure to check your statements regularly to monitor deposits and look for any suspicious transactions. If you see something that sets off an alarm bell, call your bank immediately.
Keep Your Eyes and Ears Open
Paranoia is not healthy. But being overly trusting can be just as detrimental to your financial health. Carefully vet any in-home employee and be on alert for an inappropriate level of interest in your finances and personal data. No matter who has access to your private information, it is important to stay on top of your finances and always keep your eyes and ears open.
Your Social Security Number? Just Say NO!
Your social security number is the gateway to your identity. Never give it out to anyone, unless you have initiated contact with that person at your financial institution.
If the Worst Happens
If an identity thief manages to get the better of you, close any bank account or credit card that has been stolen and contact your local police department and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) immediately. The FTC will provide an identity theft affidavit which will help them in working with creditors and banks to track down the culprits.
The more proactive you are about protecting yourself, the less vulnerable you will be to senior identity theft. There are so many wonderful ways to put technology to work for you. Don’t let the criminals use it to turn you into a victim.
As Hank and Marla continue their quest to find the right active adult community, their rightsizing solution appears right in front of them, in the form of a new Overture 55+ apartment home location. The more they learn, the more they realize Overture is committed to creating the best active adult communities with world class amenities that include special accommodations for their special pet. To hear their pup Chancey tell it, as he does in this next excerpt, “they had me at dog park!”
“After a few weeks, Marla decided to revisit the condo idea but in a different location. She began to clip information about condos in surrounding areas and we resumed our Saturday and Sunday drives. If nothing else, I got used to driving in the car. Plus, I was out of the den so it was all good! I heard Marla say she and Hank were thinking of driving all the way to Pensacola, FL in the future and it would be helpful for me to get used to a long drive. I couldn’t argue with that thinking.
In spite of our wonderful weekend drives, we came up empty. Just when they were ready to give up, they stumbled across a banner near Hank’s office advertising a soon to be built community. It read: “ Overture Tanglewood . Over 55+ active adult living apartments coming soon.” Could this be our solution?
The next day, Marla called the phone number on the banner and spoke to a representative, who invited them to lunch the following day to learn about Overture . Hank cleared his calendar and they met the representative at the restaurant at the allotted time. I wondered what happened to Hank as he always comes home at lunch to give me my liver pill. I waited but he did not show up.
Little did I know he and Marla had gone to the restaurant and met two warm and friendly ladies who had already signed Overture leases. After lunch, the representative showed them a slide show of what the structure would look like when finished. She then listed the amenities that came with the rental.
Hank and Marla loved the idea that this was a rental open only to residents 55 and older. There would be no younger population to take over the gym or pool and no worries about wild, noisy apartment parties. They were invited to tour the project the following day. Donning hard hats, they walked through the partially built structure imagining the finished product. They inspected a fourth-floor unit that Marla had shown an interest in. It had two bedrooms, plus a study and there was going to be a balcony! Once they heard it came with a dog park, covered parking, and affordable rent, they knew it was exactly what they were looking for. Did I mention the dog park?
The representative suggested Hank and Marla visit Overture Sugar Land to see a completed community. They left the future Overture Tanglewood and drove down Highway 90 to Overture Sugar Land.
All the while, I was at home alone, sitting in the kitchen, missing another lunch and my liver pill. Whatever they were doing, I was sure it was pretty important!
Overture Sugar Land sat on a new boulevard across from a baseball field. It was four stories and unlike Tanglewood, had first floor living with private attached yards. The amenities were the same, breakfast in the morning, a movie room, a full gym, a game room and a large dog park in the rear. This was perfect. As much as they loved the future Tanglewood community, Sugar Land offered first-floor living which would make taking me to the dog park a breeze.
After mulling over the options at home, they decided to go back to Sugar Land for a second look, this time with yours truly. We checked out a bright and airy apartment on the ground floor with two bedrooms and its own yard. Immediately I knew this was it! I even named the yard. I would call it Chancey’s Yard! Of course!
Fortunately, Hank and Marla shared my conviction that this was the perfect place for the three of us to “rightsize!” Their only concern was the distance from our current neighborhood but when they realized Highway 90 gave easy access, the deal was done!
In his next excerpt , Chancey marvels at all the wonderful amenities Overture has to offer to all its residents, two-legged and four-legged alike.
ABOUT AUTHOR
Henry Radoff
Henry (Hank) Radoff is a recently retired attorney in Houston, Texas and author of the book, “Taking Chancey”. He has always been a pet lover. He authored a movie script entitled “The Guide” which features a dog that guides survivors to safety during the Holocaust, has authored a second book entitled “Breaking Free, a Journey for Survival”, and is working on his third book, “Chancey’s Overture”. He and his wife Marla, adopted their dog, Chancey, who is officially the boss of their home.
Next stop: Overture Sugar Land! In this final excerpt, our distinguished author, Chancey the dog, explores the wonders of life at Overture. Blinded by diabetes, Chancey has to learn his new surroundings by feel. As he becomes acclimated, he discovers this new adventure includes the best of 55 and over community amenities.
I love Hank and Marla, but seriously, selling the house was beyond annoying. First of all, we had to deal with 14 years of accumulated stuff—theirs, the family’s and of course mine. Then there was the issue of realizing the furniture in your home won’t fit into an apartment. This was especially annoying since I was so familiar with the furniture layout in the house. New furniture would indeed be alien to me, but I had my trusty sense of smell to help sort things out. With a little trial and error, I’d figure out the new lay of the land.
On our last visit before moving day, they put me down to roam the open spaces in the apartment and I got a pretty good idea where the living room, bedrooms and kitchen were. Ok, so I bumped a few counters but that is how I learn. That diabetes may have affected my sight, but it didn’t ruin my brain. To Hank and Marla’s surprise, I navigated with ease even finding the back door to the patio and my yard.
“Let’s try the hallway,” said Hank. With my harness on, they walked me carefully down the hallway, pausing at the door. Hank opened the door and I went through. We practiced three times. It was a breeze. Actually, there was a breeze. Hank called it the wind. When we walked back from my dog park—yes, MY dog park right in my backyard!—I stopped to feel the breeze he calls wind.
Whatever you call it, when you been out in the heat it’s great! We crossed over a big space I could not identify and wound up at the office. I love the office because the humans in there always give me a treat. It is my special treat. How thoughtful of them. They always offer Hank and Marla candy. Wait, candy? Hmmm. No one offers me candy. Another hallway leads to the gym. I am not allowed in the gym and frankly, I don’t care. What am I going to do in the gym anyhow?
Next, we visited the party room, which I am allowed to walk through. I didn’t hear any party noise, so why was it called the party room? Weird. We then passed through a door to the outside that eventually leads to my dog park. I found out later we can also get there by taking the elevator to the second floor. My own dog elevator! They tell me there is also a cinema on the second floor, but I’m blind. So, helloooo! There is also a nature trail near my park which will probably be more fun for Hank and Marla and a great place for them to meet other humans. Which is fine…as long as they don’t ignore me.
All in all, this place is awesome. I think we are going to be happy here. What’s not to like? I’m ready to move in!
Next stop: Overture Sugar Land! In this final excerpt, our distinguished author, Chancey the dog, explores the wonders of life at Overture. Blinded by diabetes, Chancey has to learn his new surroundings by feel. As he becomes acclimated, he discovers this new adventure includes the best of 55 and over community amenities.
I love Hank and Marla, but seriously, selling the house was beyond annoying. First of all, we had to deal with 14 years of accumulated stuff—theirs, the family’s and of course mine. Then there was the issue of realizing the furniture in your home won’t fit into an apartment. This was especially annoying since I was so familiar with the furniture layout in the house. New furniture would indeed be alien to me, but I had my trusty sense of smell to help sort things out. With a little trial and error, I’d figure out the new lay of the land.
On our last visit before moving day, they put me down to roam the open spaces in the apartment and I got a pretty good idea where the living room, bedrooms and kitchen were. Ok, so I bumped a few counters but that is how I learn. That diabetes may have affected my sight, but it didn’t ruin my brain. To Hank and Marla’s surprise, I navigated with ease even finding the back door to the patio and my yard.
“Let’s try the hallway,” said Hank. With my harness on, they walked me carefully down the hallway, pausing at the door. Hank opened the door and I went through. We practiced three times. It was a breeze. Actually, there was a breeze. Hank called it the wind. When we walked back from my dog park—yes, MY dog park right in my backyard!—I stopped to feel the breeze he calls wind.
Whatever you call it, when you been out in the heat it’s great! We crossed over a big space I could not identify and wound up at the office. I love the office because the humans in there always give me a treat. It is my special treat. How thoughtful of them. They always offer Hank and Marla candy. Wait, candy? Hmmm. No one offers me candy. Another hallway leads to the gym. I am not allowed in the gym and frankly, I don’t care. What am I going to do in the gym anyhow?
Next, we visited the party room, which I am allowed to walk through. I didn’t hear any party noise, so why was it called the party room? Weird. We then passed through a door to the outside that eventually leads to my dog park. I found out later we can also get there by taking the elevator to the second floor. My own dog elevator! They tell me there is also a cinema on the second floor, but I’m blind. So, helloooo! There is also a nature trail near my park which will probably be more fun for Hank and Marla and a great place for them to meet other humans. Which is fine…as long as they don’t ignore me.
All in all, this place is awesome. I think we are going to be happy here. What’s not to like? I’m ready to move in!
Hank, Marla and Chancey are now living happily ever after at Overture Sugar Land , busy making new memories and enjoying the best of Overture’s 55+ apartment home community amenities. Publishers are eagerly awaiting Chancey’s sequel about his fabulous new life as a member of the Overture family.
ABOUT AUTHOR
Henry Radoff
Henry (Hank) Radoff is a recently retired attorney in Houston, Texas and author of the book, “Taking Chancey”. He has always been a pet lover. He authored a movie script entitled “The Guide” which features a dog that guides survivors to safety during the Holocaust, has authored a second book entitled “Breaking Free, a Journey for Survival”, and is working on his third book, “Chancey’s Overture”. He and his wife Marla, adopted their dog, Chancey, who is officially the boss of their home.
Hank and Marla had reached a crossroads. Their big townhouse with its multiple floors was just not working anymore. Could they modify the home with an elevator and stay put, or had the time come to move? Finding themselves between an elevator and a hard place, Hank and Marla quickly realized when it comes to downsizing for seniors, there are a lot of issues to consider. When to downsize and moving into the right type of environment takes planning and research. Like Goldilocks, Hank and Marla discovered there is some trial and error necessary before finding the solution that’s “just right!” Chancey, their beloved, blind dog was so inspired by their quest to find the perfect next chapter he decided to write a book about it. In this excerpt, he explores the ups and downs—of elevators and other things.
I had finally adjusted to the house when Hank and Marla had to make a critical decision. They would either have to do something about the stairs or move. Unhappy at the prospect of being uprooted and exposed to some alien living space, I was relieved when Hank and Marla chose renovation over relocation.
The duplex Hank and Marla lived in was supposed to be “elevator ready.” What exactly did that mean? Turns out it meant the house was built with three closets on top of each other and a place on the electrical box designated “future elevator.” Hank called a company to come out and give an estimate for the installation of an elevator. How cool would that be? I always loved riding up and down in those things!
But before there could be an estimate for the elevator unit, the representative had to examine the closets, the electrical box and the base of the first-floor closet. The findings were less than optimal. First of all, there was no pit in which to house the elevator equipment. That meant the equipment would have to be in the attic. And that meant the attic would require a $75.000.00 expansion. The elevator cab would run another $25,000.00 and the permits, electrician, and annual maintenance contract another $15,000.00. There would, of course, be an additional cost for the requisite emergency phone service so Hank and Marla could get us out if we got stuck! All that added up to—you guessed it—no elevator and for me, a new living space to deal with.
So, Hank, Marla and I set out to find our new home. I was thrilled to be out in the car after being confined to the den. Riding in the car was always one of my favorite activities—as long as we weren’t going to the vet! We started out looking for places close by. Hank and Marla thought it would be better for me. But, between us, that was all in their heads. It really didn’t matter to me, which was fortunate since all the homes near us were basically like ours and not what we were looking for.
We wanted to rightsize into a home with no stairs, less square footage, and no homeowners association fees. The farther we drove the more condos we saw that appeared to be just what we wanted.
The good news: An 1800-square foot condo in the Museum district in downtown Houston was selling for an average of $400,000. The sale of our duplex would generate enough to pay for more than half of the condo and interest rates had dropped to an all-time low. Hank and Marla were on board and as long as it had a yard and elevator, I was in! Then came the bad news: Yearly condo fees of $40,000.00. The condo was out.
Next, we looked at a new apartment project down the street from our duplex. It was a really nice, roomy apartment on the second floor with a gym, mail room and little dog park for yours truly in the back. The apartment was furnished and at the end of the lease term, Hank and Marla would own the furniture. I was only interested in the elevator and dog park, so it was fine with me.
Hank wanted to see the gym, so we were taken to the main floor where the gym is located and were greeted by a group of twenty-somethings working out. Hank overheard them planning a party for later that evening. The festivities would be in an apartment on the same floor as the one shown to us. When Hank asked about apartment parties, he was told that tenants were allowed to entertain in their apartments or around the pool. Hank took a copy of the lease to review and then he and Marla came up with a plan. They would come back later, unannounced to get a sense of what it would feel like to be at home with a party going on down the hall. Their scouting mission revealed full-on partying complete with loud noise and blaring music. The verdict was a no brainer. This scene was not for their generation.
Even though the apartment was already off the table, they did go back a few days later to observe the activity at the pool. I heard Hank say he didn’t mind the young girls in those skimpy outfits at all. I think he was kidding although, it didn’t seem like Marla thought it was funny. Humans.
So, no condo. No apartment. We were right back where we started. Were they going to consider the elevator again? All fine with me. I was ready to go up and down.
As the journey continues, Chancey, Hank and Marla find out that downsizing for seniors can be a joyous adventure in a community designed specifically for them. In his next installment , Chancey gets excited by a long, fun car ride and the perfect apartment at the end of it.
ABOUT AUTHOR
Henry Radoff
Henry (Hank) Radoff is a recently retired attorney in Houston, Texas and author of the book, “Taking Chancey”. He has always been a pet lover. He authored a movie script entitled “The Guide” which features a dog that guides survivors to safety during the Holocaust, has authored a second book entitled “Breaking Free, a Journey for Survival”, and is working on his third book, “Chancey’s Overture”. He and his wife Marla, adopted their dog, Chancey, who is officially the boss of their home.
Mother Nature’s winter wrath presents challenges at any age, but for older adults, freezing temperatures and the ice and snow they bring can be much more than a minor inconvenience. In the brutal winter months, the outdoors can become treacherous terrain that can increase your risk of injury and illness exponentially.
That said, there is also much to enjoy in the winter wonderland, as long as you bundle up and pay attention to these winter safety tips.
Dress the Part
Older adults lose body heat faster than youngsters, making them prime candidates for frostbite and hypothermia. Don‘t let indoor temperatures dip too low, and dress in layers even when inside to keep your body warm and cozy at all times. If you’re going outside, be sure to generate warmth from head to toe. Warm socks, a heavy coat, good gloves and a scarf are a must. In extreme cold, leave no skin exposed and cover your mouth to protect your lungs.
The Ice is NOT Your Friend
Far too many seniors wind up in the ER with ice-related injuries. All it takes is one misstep on unseen ice to wind up with a fracture, head trauma or major laceration. If you must venture out into the ice and snow, be sure to wear shoes with non-skid soles for better traction. Re-tip a worn cane to keep it from slipping out from under you. Leave the danger outside by taking off your shoes when you return home. Wet shoes can create dangerously slippery conditions indoors.
Cabin Fever is Also a Threat
Being trapped inside may not be detrimental to your physical health but it can have a profoundly negative impact on your mental and emotional wellbeing. Isolation can lead to a serious case of winter depression. It is important for family members to be aware of this potential problem and stay in close contact with their loved ones through the winter months. To proactively combat loneliness, more and more seniors, are choosing designated active adult communities to guarantee that whatever the weather, there will always be plenty of company, things to keep you active, and emotional support.
Is Your Car Snow Worthy?
Winter driving is always hazardous but can be even more dangerous in a car that has not been properly serviced. Be sure to get the car inspected before winter hits to make sure the battery, oil, tires, wipers, and defroster are up to the task. If you feel uncomfortable driving in inclement weather, avail yourself of one of the many transportation services, like Lyft. (can we add the link to Lyft that is on our website? We have a partnership with them.) Or, enlist the help of family or friends.
Keep the Flashlight Handy
Winter weather makes power outages a very real possibility. It can be a fun adventure or a scary nightmare, depending on how prepared you are. Keep flashlights and extra batteries handy, as well as plenty of extra blankets. Lengthy outages can lead to spoiled food in the fridge so be sure to stockpile plenty of emergency, non-perishable food. Dress in layers and keep moving to keep your body temperature stable.
Follow these simple winter safety tips and surviving the cold will be a breeze.
The kids are grown. Retirement is a reality or within shouting distance. Nothing left to do but get this active adult party started. And nobody does it better than the Baby Boomers.
Just as they did decades ago, America’s huge group of Baby Boomers are profoundly impacting the culture of their present, redefining what it means to be a senior. Far from passively observing from the sidelines, the former activists of the 60s are actively pursuing the good life as older adults.
One is the Loneliest Number
The good news is there are more and more people living longer and enjoying a better quality of life than ever before. The not so good news: The number of Baby Boomers aging alone without close friends or family around is staggering and continues to increase.
Statistics point to about one in 11 Americans over 50 growing old without a spouse, partner or living child. That translates to roughly eight million aging people who lack the support of close family. With social isolation responsible for an estimated $6.7 billion dollars of Medicare costs per year, policy experts have concerns about boomers straining the federal budget.
Loneliness Stresses the Body, Mind, and Spirit
Burdening the body in a way that is similar to stress, loneliness raises cortisol levels, which impairs immune responses and contributes to inflammation, mental illness and chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes. It is as closely linked to early mortality as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day or consuming more than six alcoholic drinks per day. And according to a study published in the Journal of American Medical Association Psychiatry, loneliness may also be a factor in brain changes associated with preclinical Alzheimer’s disease.
Another interesting study indicated that loneliness is not only debilitating for seniors, it is self-perpetuating. The lonelier the person, the more they tend to isolate themselves by disengaging and pushing people away.
Active Adult Living: The Antidote to Loneliness
There are definitely ways to stave off loneliness later in life. For example, it is clear older adults will reap huge benefits from healthy social interaction . Physical activity is critical to maintaining physical and mental health. Taking classes will stimulate the brain and help keep seniors interested and engaged.
But all of those solutions require access to like-minded peers. Or transportation. Or motivation. And there you have the reason active adult communities are becoming the go-to rightsizing option for the over 55 crowd. A community meticulously designed with the specific needs of 55+ active adults in mind offers a complete smorgasbord of anti-loneliness remedies under one roof. Active adult communities focus on every aspect of your, or your loved one’s health and wellbeing. It’s a lifestyle that will both enhance and prolong life as it inspires, involves and invigorates.
After working hard, raising a family, and paying all those dues, you or your loved one deserves the support of a warm, caring community. Active adult living: The antidote to loneliness.
