First and foremost, you can help protect your senior and reduce their risk of financial abuse by making him or her aware of the risk of elder financial abuse.

• Avoiding isolation by staying involved with friends, family, and community activities.
• Seniors should include safeguards in their durable powers of attorney to help prevent those being misused by their agent is another way to secure his or her assets.
• Refuse to engage with anyone who calls or comes to the door selling anything or looking for donations is another good practice.
• Use direct deposit for checks ensures that they go right into their accounts and are protected.
• Never give credit card, banking, or other personal information out over the phone unless your senior loved one initiates the call.