How to Protect Seniors with Dementia from Scams

Seniors living with dementia are prime targets for scams—from fake phone calls and emails to social media impersonation and financial fraud. Memory loss, reduced judgment, and confusion make it harder to recognize red flags that once felt obvious.

The good news?
You can put quiet protections in place that work in the background, keeping your loved one safe while still respecting their autonomy.

1. Lock Down the Phone (Your First Line of Defense)

Phone scams are the #1 threat to seniors with dementia.

What to do:

• Set the phone to allow calls only from contacts

• Silence or block unknown numbers

• Register numbers on the Do Not Call list

• Use call-blocking apps or carrier tools

📌 Why it works:
If the call never rings, the scam never starts.

2. Filter Mail Before It Reaches Them

Fake charities, lottery letters, and “urgent” bills can be very convincing.

Smart options:

• Send mail to a PO Box you manage

• Use a mail-scanning service

• Remove your loved one from marketing lists

• Pre-sort mail and only give them what’s safe

💡 Tip:
If checking mail is part of their daily routine, leave a few “safe” letters so the habit remains intact.

3. Make the Internet Dementia-Safe

Social media scams are growing fast—especially fake profiles pretending to be family members.

Protective steps:

• Disable or limit friend requests

• Keep only trusted contacts on social media

• Block scam keywords (e.g., lottery, prize, urgent)

• Install pop-up and ad blockers

• Bookmark only safe websites

🛡️ Think of this as dementia-proofing, not restricting.

4. Put Financial Guardrails in Place

Even one scam can cause serious financial damage.

Set up:

• Transaction alerts for spending over a set amount

• Joint account access or financial power of attorney

• Prepaid debit cards for limited spending

• Weekly or monthly account reviews

📌 Goal:
Prevent scammers from accessing money—not remove your loved one’s control entirely.

5. Use Gentle, Repetitive Safety Scripts

Instead of saying “Don’t trust anyone,” use simple rules repeated often:

• “If someone asks for money, call me first.”

• “Banks never ask for passwords.”

• “We check things together.”

Repetition builds safety habits—even as memory fades.

6. Accept That No System Is Perfect

Even with protections, scams can still happen.

If they do:

• Do not blame or shame

• Reassure your loved one

• Report the scam

• Adjust safeguards going forward

💛 Dementia makes people vulnerable—it is never their fault.

The Key Principle: Protect Quietly, Respect Fully

The most effective scam prevention:

• Works automatically

• Requires no remembering

• Preserves dignity and independence

You’re not taking control—you’re preventing someone else from taking advantage.