With the shiver of cold in the air, the holidays are upon us. Along with festive gatherings comes the desire to give, and seniors are no exception when it comes time to gift shop for loved ones.
At The Parke Assisted Living community, we understand the evolving needs seniors have. Seniors deserve the dignity of living life independently as long as possible. We combine thoughtful amenities with practical assistance as needed for our residents. We invite you to visit our beautiful facility, meet our amazing residents, and enjoy a delicious meal—on us.
Safety Tips for Online Shopping
With the convenience of online shopping, it pays to learn some safety tips to protect ourselves from identity theft, and have a positive “shopping” experience. Here are some tips for safe holiday shopping for seniors:
Online Shopping Tips:
- Never give out your social security number when shopping online.
- Don’t trust every site you find online. Go only to reputable sites, and only give your credit card information to legitimate sites such as Target, Walmart, Amazon, etc.
- Be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true. They probably are.
- Choose a unique password when creating your login. Most companies you buy from online ask you to set up a password. Avoid the temptation to create a predictable password, and set a different password for every account you hold. Use various characters, such as letters in both lower and upper case, numbers, and symbols within the password. Avoid the hassle of people trying to tap into your personal information by creating a strong and unique password for each account you establish.
- Keep an eye on your bank and credit card statements. Make sure there are no charges on them that you didn’t incur. If there are, call the bank or credit card company immediately, and inform them of the incident.
- Read the fine print before you buy online. Take a look at the return policies, shipping methods, shipping costs, and timeframes for shipping.
- Be aware that people create fake websites. Avoid being scammed by double checking the spelling of the site you are on.
- Take advantage of coupons. RetailMeNot and other reputable coupon sites can save you money if you use them. They gather coupons for you from various stores, and make them easily accessible to you in one convenient location.
- Learn to be a savvy online shopper by signing up for email lists from the stores you love. When you show loyalty, stores reward you with discounts. An easy way to keep up with the best deals at your favorite online stores is to sign up for their email list. The discounts are generally announced via email, creating an easy buying process from the comfort of your own home.
Safety Tips for Shopping in Brick and Mortar Stores or Malls
- Shop early in the day to beat the crowds. It’s always more enjoyable to shop when you can relax and skip the evening rush hour traffic (and rush hour at the stores).
- Shop with a friend to enjoy the journey. Aging comes with benefits like more time to spend with family and friends. So invite a friend or family member along for your holiday shopping and enjoy the journey.
- Pace yourself. Start your Christmas shopping early so you don’t have to do it all at once. And when your shopping days arrive, plan a relaxing lunch out to break up the day.
- Be aware of your surroundings. Unfortunately, thieves look for vulnerable targets, so make sure you aren’t one! Stay off your cell phone as you walk from your vehicle into the store, and do the same as you walk from the store to your vehicle. Stay alert, be aware of others, and travel in groups of at least two for your own safety.
- Prevent falls (and other opportunities for urgent care visits). While you shop, wear comfortable shoes that you are easily mobile in. Shopping days aren’t the time for your new heels, even if they’re low ones. Avoid the setbacks a fall can bring by wearing the right shoes, and observing the changes in the terrain. Allow others to help with those heavy doors into your favorite store, and stay off the phone as you walk.
- Be discreet with the merchandise you purchase. When you shop for bulky items, rather than sauntering out to your car, placing them in the trunk, and going back into the mall to do more shopping, think ahead. Sometimes thieves lurk in mall parking lots waiting for someone to deposit valuables into their car. For your safety, head to the car when you’re ready to leave the parking lot, rather than halfway through your shopping trip. If you have more shopping to do than you have arms to carry things, put your goodies in the trunk out of sight, then drive to a different location for lunch before heading back into the mall.
Is your senior loved one lonely? Do they need some help grooming, cooking, and preparing for the day? Perhaps it’s time to consider the option of an assisted living community where they can benefit from the help of caring staff members, and get the assistance they need, yet enjoy independence, thriving relationships, and healthy aging.
The Parke Assisted Living Community’s Activities Department offers a variety of diverse recreational options, particularly during the holiday season. Our community outings keep residents active while they enjoy life. Our convenient location makes getting to just about anywhere in the Tulsa area a breeze.
So if you’re looking for a new home for your aging parent, give us a call and schedule a tour of our beautiful facility. We are locally owned, and our personal touches make all the difference. Schedule a tour and discover all The Parke has to offer your loved one.