Community
BY ETHAN THOMAS
community members and tips for nancial literacy as adults age. What resources are available, from your organization or others, for those who are unsure how to handle their nances like paying taxes and budgeting? At NCOA, we know managing money later in life can feel overwhelming—especially with rising costs and complex systems. We oer tools like Budget CheckUp and Bene tsCheckUp.org, which help older adults identify ways to stretch their income and nd programs that can lower expenses for essentials like food, medicine, or utilities. Beyond NCOA, community resources such as Area Agencies on Aging, local senior centers and nonpro t credit counseling services can also help
yourself and call back. We encourage people to talk openly about scams with friends and family. Scam- mers count on silence. And using simple tools—like two-factor authentication, credit freezes and strong passwords—can go a long way. We have an online education material available for professionals and caregivers, Steps to Avoiding Scams: Savvy Saving Seniors Financial Education Module, that oers insights into education and prevention for older adults. It’s about pausing before reacting. What can be done if someone does fall victim to these scams? First, know that it can happen to anyone. The most important step is to act quickly. If money was transferred, contact your bank or credit card company right away to see if it can be stopped or reversed. Report the scam to www.reportfraud.ftc.gov (Federal Trade Com- mission) and local law enforcement, especially if personal information was shared. Then, change passwords and monitor nancial accounts closely. For emotional support, it can help to talk to someone—scams can leave people feeling ashamed or isolated, but we always remind people: you’re not alone, and you’re not to blame. Sharing what happened can even help prevent others from being victimized. What is the best time to begin end-of-life planning, and what are some best practices when doing so? The best time to begin is now—while you’re healthy and able to make decisions con dently. End-of-life planning isn’t just about nances; it’s about peace of mind. It’s really about ensuring your choices are honored and reducing stress for your family later. It’s a gift of clarity and care for every- one involved.
with budgeting or navigating bills safely. What scams are most prevalent among the senior community?
Ebony P. White is the director of economic security and social safety net initiatives for The National Counsel on Aging.
COURTESY THE NATIONAL COUNSEL ON AGING
Unfortunately, we see a lot of scams targeting older adults because scammers know they often value trust and connection. Some of the most common include imposter scams, where someone pretends to be a grandchild, government ocial or utility company; tech support scams, claiming your computer is infected; and romance scams, where scammers build emotional relationships online to ask for money. We also see a rise in phishing and investment scams, often tied to retirement or supposed “safe returns.” What all these scams have in common is urgency and secrecy—they pressure you to act fast or keep things quiet. What could be done to keep themselves safe? A big part of staying safe is slowing down and verifying. If someone is pressuring you to act right away or pay in gift cards or cryptocurrency—that’s a red ag. Hang up, look up the ocial number
Q&A: The National Council on Aging gives tips on nancial literacy The National Council on Aging, or NCOA, began in 1950 and provides resources and advocacy for the U.S.’s aging population, with the goal of improv- ing the health and nancial readiness of 40 million older Americans by 2030, according to its website. Ebony P. White is the NCOA director of economic security and social safety net initiatives, with 15 years of experience in the eld, according to NCOA’s website. In an email to Community Impact , White answered questions about best practices for senior
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