Just a reminder about getting things organized.

[TNNurse]

My sister is 82. She has been a very independent person. She had a small stroke several years ago. She fell at home recently, just broken toes but I was called and found a paperwork nightmare. This retired literature professor had not been paying bills, not even opening some of them. I have Power of Attorney. Have spent the last week or so learning all about her finances including investments, insurance and who knows what else. I brought paperwork home and have organized and researched and may now have a handle on things. She seems fine to let me take over as if she just lost interest. Her utilities, cable, cell etc. are now all on autopay from an account I am also on. She has money to handle things.

Don't let this happen to you or someone you care about. Asking someone about whether they are paying their bills or need help with them is hard, but this is worse. Years ago she and I handled our mother's affairs when she was ill, but doing it solo for a sibling is MUCH harder.

This will however make certain that my husband and I have our records in much better order.

[usonian]

1. Seniors (who didn't have a career in engineering and computing) are very vulnerable to scams.

And scams are exponentially rising, as AI multiplies the ability of scammers to flood people with fake messages, and even realistic fakes of family voices.

If you know a non-tech-savvy senior, please get in contact with them and stay in contact and encourage them to ask first before clicking.

You are lucky to have paperwork and power of attorney. I have trouble tracking and managing all my online accounts.

My advice, which many people aren't going to comprehend, is to use a password manager app to safely store strong passwords, never use weak passwords, or recycled ones (such as birthdate+1, birthdate+2, and so on) and to share the password to this "safe" with a relative or trustee.

I suppose it would be "OK" to write down long passwords, but store that list in a lock-box.

Yes, I know, even this might be a lot to ask of many folks who are bamboozled by computers. That's why I suggest staying in contact, and offering help as needed.

[deRien]

2. My family has organized

a "Death Summit" (terrible name). We are having the second meeting soon... this one is more about what kind of service I want, what to put on the headstone, etc. I have put together a document that has all the information about banking, investments (retirement plans), bills and how and when they are paid, doctors' names, etc.
There are no account numbers or any amounts ~ just who to contact and where things are. The original copy of my will is with one of my children.

I was told that the bright green POLST form should be posted in a prominent place so that if 911 is called, your wishes can be followed. It is also important that all parties concerned know about what you specifically want so that there is no
arguing about what to do in case you are incapacitated.

[Alice Kramden]

3. Good reminder

Thanks for posting