Before the pandemic, I traveled to work in person with many of my older clients. COVID-19 changed that. Suddenly, I was figuring out ways to provide services remotely with individuals who need support to manage their personal finances and who find computer technology challenging. Finding the right Tech to Help Older Adults from Afar can be a challenge, but not impossible.
Many of these clients are competent at managing email and using word processing programs. Beyond that, computers and smart phones get more difficult and frustrating for them. Some regularly misplace their mail and important documents.
If you are trying to help an older adult, such as a parent, remotely, here are three tools I have found helpful.
Three-Way Calling
Many people are now meeting via Zoom, Google Meet, Go to Meeting, Microsoft Teams, etc. This is not easy for people who find computers challenging. Many of my older clients do not have cameras on their computers (and have no desire to get one). They find the login process to these apps confusing and cumbersome.
These clients are comfortable with their landline phones. This has generally been the best tool for me to “meet” with them. I frequently use my smartphone’s three-way calling feature, as well. This helps clients resolve issues with billers, insurance companies, advisors, and others. I first get my client on the line, then bring in the third party. Recently, I used this feature to help a client give her updated prescription insurance information to her mail-order pharmacy.
Screen Sharing Software
Screen sharing software allows me to access clients’ computers remotely. Once clients are sharing their computer screens, I talk to them on the phone while they watch me move around their computer. I than show them their bank accounts online. We can search their email for invoices, and download transactions to financial software stored on their computers.
I mostly use TeamViewer. Once it is installed, TeamViewer is simple for my clients to locate, open and navigate. They click on an easily identifiable icon on their desktop, follow my verbal directions to locate a well labeled password. Then, they relay the password to me.
The challenging part of using TeamViewer is getting it installed on clients’ computers. Some clients were able to download it with me coaching them through the process. For others, I had to wait for a time when it was safer to be in their homes for a short period (with masks and social distancing).
I prefer TeamViewer over other screen sharing services as I only have access to the client’s computer when he or she gives me a unique password generated with each new session. TeamViewer is free for personal use.
Automated Payments
For clients who need support to pay their bills, automatic payments are one of the best tools available. With the billers drawing the amount due from a client’s bank account, I can be certain everything is being paid and paid on time. I still regularly monitor their bank account for inappropriate payments and fraud.
Not all elders like automated payments. Some don’t trust that it is safe. Others think they are giving up control. It was a challenge to set this up for one of my clients. She insisted she needed to see the bills and write the checks herself. I knew from experience, however, that without help she frequently loses bills and the checks she writes rarely make it to the mailbox. She no longer is able to send payments from her bank’s online bill-pay feature. With the encouragement of her son-in-law, whom she respects and trust, she agreed to try automated payment with one utility bill. When she saw that she can still receive paper bills before payments are made, she permitted me to set up automatic payments for her other utilities. These included homeowners association dues, property taxes, and insurance. Now she enjoys not having to pay the bills!
When an elder is concerned about companies having access to his bank account, a separate account can be set up from which bills are paid. This account can be funded by regular deposits from an income source. An annuity or Social Security, or regular automated transfers from his main bank account generally work. You need to monitor the account to be certain the payments are appropriate and there are sufficient funds to cover all the bills.
If you are remotely helping an older adult with his or her finances, these tools Tech to Help Older Adults from Afar may be helpful to you, too.
This blog is published to provide you with general information only and is not intended to provide specific or comprehensive advice. Money Care, LLC encourages individuals to seek advice from competent professionals when appropriate.
