If your mom or dad is living alone and they’re not getting as much social engagement as they should, going online and using social media is a good way for them to engage with others socially. But, seniors who don’t have a lot of experience with social media do have a higher risk of being targeted by scammers. It’s important to do what you can to make sure that your mom or dad is safe online. One way to keep your mom or dad safe online is to make sure they have companion care at home services.
With companion care at home, seniors get regular visits from a care provider who is just there to talk with your mom or dad, do activities and play games with them, and provide company for them. A companion can also help your mom or dad set up their social media profiles and explore social media safely.
In addition to getting companion care at home for your mom or dad you can do these things to help them be safe online:
Set Up Privacy Settings Together
One of the most important things you can do is help your parent adjust their privacy settings on social media platforms.
Go through their profile settings together to limit who can see their posts, send friend requests, or access their details. By customizing these settings you can be sure that your mom or dad isn’t sending personal information to the wrong people.
Teach Them to Recognize Scams
Seniors are often targeted by online scammers who use tactics like fake friend requests, phishing emails, or fraudulent messages.
Teach your mom or dad how to spot common scams, such as requests for money, links from unknown sources, or messages claiming they’ve won a prize.
Remind them never to share sensitive information like bank details, Social Security numbers, or passwords through social media. Tell them to ask their companion or you if they are not sure if something might be a scam.
Help Them Create Strong Passwords
A strong password is one of the best defenses against hacking. Work with your parent to create passwords that are long, unique, and include a mix of letters, numbers, and special characters.
Avoid using easily guessed information like birthdays or pet names. Encourage them to use a different password for each account and consider using a password manager to keep track of their credentials.
Encourage Them to Think Before They Click
Many scams rely on tricking people into clicking on unsafe links or downloading malicious files. Teach your parent to be cautious about links in messages, emails, or social media posts, even if they seem to come from someone they know.
Regularly Review Their Social Media Activity
Check-in with your parent regularly to review their social media activity and ensure they’re staying safe. Look at their friend list together to ensure they only connect with people they know. Romance scams that target lonely seniors are on the rise, so if your mom or dad is looking for love online make sure that they are not sending money or sharing financial information with anyone online.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Companion Care at Home Services in Edgewood TN, please get in touch with the caring staff at Senior Solutions Home Care. (865) 539-5224
Senior Solutions Home Care is a Trusted Home Care Agency serving Knoxville, Old City, Fort Sanders, Old Sevier, Edgewood, North Knoxville, Forest Heights, Sequoyah Hills, Knox County, and surrounding areas.
Over the years, we have expanded, providing service in all 95 counties throughout Tennessee, and we now have a growing presence in Georgia.
Senior Solutions is recognized as a top 5% independent agency and a three-time Inc. 5000 honoree in 2018, 2019, and 2020. These types of awards matter to us because they show growth in our goal of eventually touching a million lives. We’re excited to continue that growth and to touch even more families with our commitment to quality care!
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