Quick show of hands (well, virtually)—how many of you like to do the regular task of paying your bills? Anyone? Anyone?
Many people find the task of paying bills arduous and time-consuming. Now, imagine that you are a senior, perhaps struggling with vision or memory issues. Picture how much harder bill paying is for someone in that position.
Although bill paying may be more challenging as we age, that doesn’t mean that aging seniors can’t do it. They may just need a few more tips and tricks to make it a little easier. Here are a few ways to make bill paying easier for seniors.
- Stay alert for scams. Seniors are especially vulnerable to scammers who want to take away their hard-earned money. Alert your senior loved one to their vulnerability if they can stay aware of these scams on their own. If not, plan to regularly check the mail/email for potentially fraudulent bills.
- Set up auto-pay when available. This means that a company will automatically deduct the monthly balance from your loved one’s bank account, so they don’t need to remember paying that bill.
- Use technology to your advantage. In addition to auto-pay, set up online notices for bills that are due. This may be especially useful if you or another family member is involved with tracking bill payment tasks. It also eliminates the risk of something getting lost in the mail or inadvertently tossed away.
- Don’t wait for your senior loved one to speak up and ask for help with bill pay. They may not realize they are having trouble paying bills on time—or, if they do know it, they may feel ashamed about speaking up. Watch out for signs of slowing cognition or late notices received in the mail. It can be difficult to talk with an elderly loved one about their need for help with finances, but you’ll save some headaches in the long run.
- Reach out for help if your senior loved one can no longer handle bill paying on their own. Secure Aging provides financial and care management for our area seniors. This helps you as a family member or loved one avoid taking on the challenging task of money management. Contact us to find out how we can work with your senior loved one live a little easier.
Call Secure Aging to Find Out How We Can Help Seniors With Money Management
At Secure Aging in Bradenton, we transform the weight of the world into a sigh of relief for our senior clients and their concerned family members. The mission of Secure Aging is to protect and preserve our client’s independence and dignity through careful and thoughtful financial and care management. As our clients age, it is their desire to remain independent and age with dignity. Our services protect our clients from talented con artists looking to exploit and deplete the financial resources of our vulnerable seniors. Secure Aging helps families in Manatee County and Sarasota County and in and around the communities of Anna Maria, Bradenton, Bradenton Beach, Ellenton, Holmes Beach, Lakewood Ranch, Longboat Key, Myakka City, Palmetto, Parrish, and Sarasota. Call us at 941-761-9338, or visit us online at www.secureaging.com.
