By Elder Law Attorney Rick Law, Estate Planning Center of Law Elder Law in Aurora, IL
It’s far too common to hear stories of seniors who were taken advantage of financially by the scammers and schemers populating the internet and the airwaves. Criminal enterprises and scam artists are not the only financial threat to clients with dementia. Online shopping, infomercials, and the lottery can be just as dangerous to a person with Alzheimer’s! There are misleading advertisements that convince the vulnerable senior that they absolutely must have something that they do not really need and quite possibly cannot afford.
Senior citizens afflicted with Alzheimer’s may choose to spend thousands of dollars buying gifts for their relatives on their computer, or they may buy what they see on an infomercial because the commercial convinces them they need that ‘must have’ gadget or special jewelry. They may not remember that they’re on a fixed income – which can often be a delicate balance at best.
Who doesn’t enjoy playing the lottery occasionally? Legitimate lotteries are incredibly popular and, when the jackpots grow, the television and radio news coverage can be very exciting. Most people are able to play the lottery without going overboard and spending more on tickets than they can afford. However, one of the effects of dementia is the lessening of healthy cynicism.
If your loved one has memory problems and you’re afraid of the consequences that may bring, give our office a call today at 800-310-3100 0r 630-585-5200. Your first consultation is absolutely free. We’ll let you know what steps you need to take, right now, to protect yourself and your family. Call now.
Sincerely,
Rick L. Law, Attorney, Estate Planner for Retirees.
Rick was named the #1 Illinois elder law estate planning attorney for 3 years in a row by Leading Lawyer Magazine. He has been quoted in the Wall Street Journal, AARP Magazine, TheStreet.com, and numerous newspapers and articles. Rick is the lead attorney for Law Elder Law, LLP, focusing in Estate Planning, Guardianship, and Nursing Home Solutions. His goal is to give retirees an informed edge when it comes to dealing with an uncertain future. Get flexible retirement strategies that work during good times and bad, plus information on how you can save your home and assets from being used to pay for long term care.