People who are on fixed or low incomes truly understand the difficulties these situations can present. Also, financial abuse of senior citizens is a problem that is rampant but widely ignored in many law enforcement circles. People who are responsible for an older person in the family should be mindful of these tips:

-Government funded programs that help people pay for medical coverage are a great thing to take advantage of, including Medicaid and Medicare. For a good summary of these programs, all that’s required is a little research on the internet.

-Your doctor can tell you about lower cost generic drugs. Also, inquire about where you can find cash discounts for expenses that aren’t included in your medical coverage.

-Educate yourself about the provisions of the recently signed health care reform bill which will gradually reduce medical costs between now and 2020.

-The IRS has many tax advantages that target seniors. More information about these programs can be found on the IRS’s website.

-Government funded programs that help with your assisted living cost are also available and can be found on numerous government websites.

-Be sure to have open communication with the senior about her/his financial habits. Working out a monthly figure to ensure that all expenses are covered, along with making sure those funds are available each month is a great start. Be sure to communicate regularly about finances so you can be aware of any slight changes that arise. If your loved one is dealing with dementia or any other kind of mental degeneration, you’ll have to take some extra steps to ensure that their financial security is in place. In these situations, taking direct control of the person’s finances may be your only choice.

-If the senior is in an assisted living facility, try to seek out or organize an education program for all the residents that will focus on the hidden dangers of identity theft. Also, be sure to stay on top of all the details that go along with her/his cost of living. Education programs in these facilities tend to build solidarity amongst the residents and allow them to help each other avoid financial scams.

-Make an agreement with the senior to regularly talk about financial issues and remind her/him periodically about the agreement.

The phenomenon of financial abuse is deplorable, especially when it’s perpetrated by an institution that is trusted to work with seniors. These tips may not totally help avoid being taken advantage of, but implementing them in small steps can be a beginning.

Assisted living marketing services are provided by 800seniors.com a leading referral system in the assisted living industry. For more information, call 1-800-768-8221. Sky Palma is a freelance staff writer