Protecting Your Loved One’s Digital Identity

By Roz Jones

Helping your aging loved one stay safe online is about more than recognizing suspicious emails or protecting a bank account. Every time they create an account, download an app, shop online, use social media, schedule an appointment, or sign up for a new service, they may be sharing pieces of personal information that become part of their digital identity.

A digital identity can include everything from a name and email address to a birthday, phone number, location, photographs, healthcare information, purchasing habits, and the accounts a person uses online. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) describes digital identity as the identity a person uses when interacting with an online service. For caregivers, that is an important reminder that protecting an aging loved one online also means paying attention to how their personal information is collected, shared, and managed.

Protecting that identity does not mean removing an aging loved one from the digital world. It means helping them understand what information they are sharing, where that information is going, and whether every website, application, or service really needs access to it.

Pay Attention to What Is Being Shared

Personal information can be shared online so routinely that it stops feeling personal. A website asks for a birthday, an application requests access to contacts, a store wants a phone number, and a social media platform encourages users to add where they live, where they worked, and the names of family members. Each individual request may seem harmless, but together those details can reveal a lot about a person.

Caregivers can help aging loved ones become more intentional about what they provide online. Before entering personal information, consider whether the service actually needs it. A shopping website may need a delivery address to ship a purchase, but another website may be requesting information that has very little to do with the service being provided.

The goal is not to become afraid of sharing information. The goal is to stop treating every request for personal information as something that automatically has to be answered.

Review What Applications Can Access

Applications can quietly collect more information than people realize. A weather application may request access to location services, while a photo application may ask for access to an entire photo library. Other applications may request access to contacts, the microphone, camera, or other information stored on the device.

Sometimes that access is necessary for the application to work. Sometimes it is not.

Reviewing permissions on your loved one’s phone or tablet can help determine which applications have access to information they no longer need. Location, camera, microphone, contacts, photographs, and other permissions can often be adjusted through the device settings.

This matters because personal information can travel farther than your loved one may realize once access is granted. Location information, for example, can reveal patterns about where someone lives, shops, attends appointments, or spends time. Instead of automatically accepting every permission request, encourage your loved one to consider why the application needs the information and whether that access makes sense.

Your aging loved one does not need to understand every technical detail behind data collection. They do need to understand that allowing access to personal information should be a decision rather than something they automatically approve because a screen pops up.

Clean Up Accounts That Are No Longer Used

Digital clutter can build just like household clutter. Over the years, your aging loved one may have created accounts for stores, subscriptions, social media platforms, travel websites, applications, newsletters, memberships, and services they no longer use. Some may have been forgotten completely, but those old accounts can still contain personal information.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology recommends closing online accounts that are no longer being used and reviewing privacy settings to limit unnecessary personal information online.

Caregivers can help by periodically reviewing accounts with their loved one and deciding what still serves a purpose. This does not have to become an all-day project. Begin with services they use most frequently, then gradually work through older accounts when time allows.

The goal is to reduce the number of places holding information that no longer needs to be there.

Look at What Is Publicly Visible

Social media can make it easy to share a lot of information without realizing how much of it is visible to people outside the intended audience. A public profile may reveal an aging loved one’s birthday, city, family relationships, photographs, travel plans, favorite activities, employment history, or other details. Individual pieces of information may not seem significant, but together they can create a detailed picture of someone’s life.

Sit with your loved one and review what another person can see when viewing their profile. Look at whether posts are public, who can see personal details, who can send messages or friend requests, and whether older information still needs to remain visible.

This conversation should not become an argument about whether your loved one should be on social media. Staying connected online can provide companionship and help older adults maintain relationships with family and friends. The goal is simply to make sure connection does not require giving the entire internet access to their personal life.

Be Careful With Forms and Quizzes

Not every request for information looks serious. Online quizzes may ask about a first pet, childhood neighborhood, first car, family names, birthdays, or favorite things. Social media posts may encourage people to answer questions about their past or participate in games that reveal personal details.

The problem is that information shared casually can sometimes overlap with information used to verify an identity or answer security questions.

Your loved one does not have to stop enjoying social media. They should, however, understand that something being presented as entertainment does not automatically mean every question deserves an answer.

The same principle applies to online forms. Before completing one, look at who created it, why the information is being requested, and what information is actually necessary to accomplish the task. Personal information should be treated as something worth protecting even when the request for it seems harmless.

Decide What Family Members Actually Need

Caregiving can require access to important information, but access should have a purpose. A caregiver helping manage medical appointments may need access to healthcare information, while someone handling household bills may need a different level of access. Another family member who occasionally provides transportation may not need access to either.

It can be tempting to solve caregiving challenges by giving one person access to everything, especially when that caregiver handles most of the responsibilities. That may be convenient, but it can also create unnecessary privacy concerns.

Think about what each person actually needs to perform their caregiving role. Whenever possible, use authorized caregiver, delegate, or proxy access offered by healthcare systems, financial institutions, and other organizations instead of simply sharing your aging loved one’s username and password.

This keeps your loved one’s information connected to the people who genuinely need it while preserving more control over their accounts.

Revisit Privacy When Care Needs Change

The right amount of digital independence can change over time. An aging loved one who comfortably managed online accounts several years ago may eventually need help understanding new applications, reviewing privacy settings, or keeping track of where personal information has been shared. Another person may continue managing those responsibilities independently for many years.

Caregivers should respond to the person rather than assuming age alone determines how much help is needed. Pay attention to whether your loved one understands what information they are sharing and whether they can comfortably make decisions about their accounts. If additional support becomes necessary, introduce it gradually and explain why the change is being made.

Digital privacy should not disappear simply because someone needs more caregiving support. The goal is to provide the amount of assistance that is needed without unnecessarily removing control from the person receiving the care.

Include Digital Information in Future Planning

Caregivers often talk about important documents, financial accounts, medical decisions, and emergency contacts when preparing for the future. Digital information deserves a place in those conversations too.

Your loved one may have online accounts connected to bills, photographs, subscriptions, financial information, healthcare records, and other parts of daily life. Families should understand what happens to those accounts if the person becomes unable to manage them.

That does not necessarily mean giving someone every password today. It means having a plan for how important digital information will be handled if circumstances change.

Some platforms allow users to identify a legacy contact or another person who can manage certain information after death. Other services may have their own procedures for account access or closure. Reviewing those options while your loved one can participate allows them to have a say in what should happen to their digital information later.

Digital planning should follow the same principle as the rest of caregiving: make decisions before a crisis removes the time to make them carefully.

Keep Privacy Connected to Independence

The internet can make life easier for aging adults. It can help them communicate, manage appointments, order groceries, access entertainment, pay bills, learn something new, and remain connected to people they care about. Protecting their privacy should support those benefits rather than remove them.

The goal is not to tell your aging loved one that they cannot use an application, create an account, or participate online because something could go wrong. The goal is to help them understand that their personal information has value and deserves the same attention they would give other important parts of their life.

Digital identity is now part of everyday life. As caregivers, we need to make sure protecting that identity becomes part of the care plan without taking away the independence technology can help preserve.

Continue Reading About Online Safety

This blog continues the conversation from Empowering Your Loved One to Stay Safe Online. If you have not read the original blog, start there for more information about recognizing phishing attempts, creating safer browsing habits, and helping your aging loved one develop stronger digital literacy.

The original blog focuses on helping aging loved ones use the internet more safely. This continuation looks specifically at protecting the personal information they leave behind while using it and making digital privacy part of the larger caregiving plan.

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When Your Aging Loved One’s Home Becomes More Connected

By Roz Jones

Technology is becoming part of everyday life inside the home. Your aging loved one may use a video doorbell to see who is outside, a voice assistant to turn on the lights, a smart television for entertainment, or a medical device that shares information with a healthcare provider. These tools can make daily life easier, but they can also change what caregivers need to manage.

A connected home should do more than add convenience. The technology should support the way your loved one actually lives. As health, mobility, hearing, vision, or memory needs change, caregivers may need to look at whether the technology in the home is still helping or whether it has quietly become another source of frustration.

Use Technology to Support Daily Independence

One of the greatest benefits of connected technology is its ability to help an aging loved one continue doing things independently. Voice-controlled lights may make it easier to move through the home without reaching for switches. A smart thermostat can reduce the need to repeatedly adjust controls. Video doorbells can make it possible to see visitors without rushing to the front door.

Those small conveniences can become more important when mobility or stamina changes. The goal is not to fill the home with devices. It is to identify where technology can remove a barrier from something your loved one already does every day.

Caregivers should pay attention to what creates the most difficulty inside the home. If getting up to adjust the thermostat has become harder, technology may help. If remembering whether the front door is locked creates anxiety, a connected lock may be useful. Technology works best when it responds to a real need rather than creating another system that has to be maintained.

Make the Home Easier to Use

More technology does not always mean more independence. A home can become so connected that everyday tasks begin requiring multiple applications, remotes, screens, or complicated instructions.

That can be overwhelming for anyone.

Caregivers should look for ways to simplify the technology already being used. Frequently used devices should be easy to reach and understand. Settings that improve readability, hearing, or navigation should be adjusted to match the loved one’s needs. Voice commands or automated routines may help reduce the number of steps required to complete familiar tasks.

The goal should be to make the home easier to live in, not more complicated. If a smart device takes longer to operate than the task it was supposed to simplify, it may not be the right solution for that household.

Think About Accessibility Before Adding Something New

Connected technology can be helpful, but not every product is designed with every aging adult in mind. Small text, complicated menus, unfamiliar icons, or touchscreens that require precise movements may make some devices difficult to use.

Before adding something new to the home, caregivers should consider how the loved one will actually interact with it. A device that works well for one person may be frustrating for someone experiencing changes in vision, hearing, dexterity, or memory.

Accessibility features should be part of the decision from the beginning. Larger text, voice control, captions, louder alerts, simplified displays, and other features can make technology easier to use without taking control away from the person using it.

A connected home should adapt to your loved one. Your loved one should not have to constantly adapt to the technology.

Be Thoughtful About Monitoring

Connected technology has also made it easier for caregivers to check on an aging loved one from another room, another neighborhood, or another state. Cameras, motion sensors, door sensors, medical alert systems, and other devices can provide useful information when a caregiver cannot physically be present.

That convenience also requires balance.

Monitoring should have a clear purpose. A caregiver may need to know whether a loved one has safely returned home or whether movement in the house has changed. That does not mean every room needs a camera or every activity needs to be watched.

Whenever possible, the aging loved one should be included in decisions about monitoring technology. They should understand what is being used, why it is being used, and how it supports the care plan. Technology should provide reassurance without making the home feel like a place where privacy has disappeared.

Prepare for Technology to Stop Working

Connected homes depend on electricity, internet access, and functioning equipment. When one of those systems fails, several devices may stop working at the same time.

That matters when technology has become part of the care plan.

A voice assistant cannot control the lights when the power is out. A connected doorbell may not work during an internet outage. Some medical or monitoring devices may need electricity or cellular service to continue operating.

Caregivers should know which devices are simply convenient and which ones have become important to daily care. Anything essential should have a backup plan that does not depend entirely on the same technology.

Emergency preparation should also include charging important devices before severe weather, keeping necessary contact information available outside of a phone, and understanding how critical equipment will operate during a power or internet outage.

Keep Important Information Available to Other Caregivers

Technology can create problems when only one person understands how everything works.

The primary caregiver may know which application controls the thermostat, how to reset the television, or what to do when the medical alert device begins flashing. If another family member or respite caregiver steps in, they may have no idea how those systems operate.

Basic instructions can prevent unnecessary confusion.

Caregivers may want to keep information about important household technology with the rest of the care plan. That can include instructions for equipment used during daily care, contact information for service providers, and notes about what another caregiver needs to know when stepping into the home.

This is not about documenting every electronic device in the house. The focus should be on the technology that affects your loved one’s safety, comfort, communication, or daily routine.

Revisit Technology When Care Needs Change

The technology that works today may not be the technology your loved one needs next year. Changes in mobility, hearing, vision, memory, or overall health may make some devices more useful while making others harder to manage.

That is why connected technology should be reviewed along with the rest of the care plan.

A loved one who becomes less steady on their feet may benefit from easier lighting controls. Someone who begins having difficulty hearing the doorbell may need visual alerts. A caregiver who can no longer visit every day may need a different way to support routines from a distance.

These changes do not mean filling the home with more technology. They mean asking whether the current setup still matches the person living there.

Keep the Person at the Center of the Connected Home

Technology can support independence, but it should never become the entire care plan. A smart device cannot replace conversation, observation, or human connection. It can only support the care already happening.

Caregivers should continue looking at the whole person. What makes your loved one feel comfortable in their home? Which routines matter to them? What are they still able to manage independently? Where would a small amount of assistance make daily life easier?

A connected home works best when the technology stays in the background and the person remains at the center.

As caregiving needs change, the home may become more connected. That connection should create more support without creating more confusion, preserve independence without eliminating privacy, and make it easier for the care plan to adjust when life changes.

If you have not read the first blog in this series, start with Creating a Safe Digital Haven at Home. It introduces the foundation for creating a safer digital environment as aging loved ones use more technology at home.

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Protecting Your Aging Loved One Online

By Roz Jones

The internet has become part of everyday caregiving. Your aging loved one may use a phone, tablet, or computer to manage bank accounts, refill prescriptions, communicate with healthcare providers, shop, and stay connected with family. That convenience also creates more opportunities for scammers to reach them, which means digital safety now deserves a place in the caregiving plan alongside financial, medical, and household concerns.

The risk has grown since we first discussed cybersecurity on The Caregiver Cafe. Federal Trade Commission data released in 2026 show that consumers reported losing about $16 billion to fraud in 2025, with imposter scams alone accounting for $3.5 billion in reported losses. Older adults can face especially serious financial consequences when a scam is successful, which makes prevention and early intervention increasingly important for caregivers.

Slow Down the Urgency

Many scams are designed to create pressure before the person receiving the message has time to think. A scammer may claim that a bank account has been compromised, pretend to represent a government agency, or create an emergency that appears to require immediate payment. The details may change, but the goal is often the same: keep the person moving quickly enough that they do not stop to verify what they are being told.

The FTC continues to warn consumers that government agencies will not tell someone to move money in order to protect it, nor will they demand immediate payment through cryptocurrency, wire transfers, payment apps, or gift cards. Caregivers can help aging loved ones develop the habit of slowing down when an unexpected financial request appears. Ending a phone call, leaving a text unanswered, or verifying an email through a trusted source can create enough distance to recognize when something does not feel right.

Make Account Security Part of the Routine

Online safety is easier to manage before something goes wrong. Strong passwords still matter, but using the same password across several accounts can create a larger problem if one account is compromised. A password manager can help create and store unique passwords without expecting an aging loved one to remember each one individually.

Multifactor authentication can add another layer of protection by requiring additional verification before an account can be accessed. Device updates are equally important because phones, tablets, computers, browsers, and applications regularly receive security updates that address known vulnerabilities. Caregivers do not have to overhaul every account at once, but starting with banking, email, healthcare, and other high-risk accounts can strengthen the digital environment over time.

Protect Financial Accounts Without Taking Over

Financial safety can become complicated when an aging loved one wants to remain independent. Protecting them does not automatically mean removing access to their own money. In many cases, additional safeguards can be put in place while allowing the loved one to remain involved in financial decisions.

Account alerts can help identify unusual activity quickly, while regular statement reviews can make changes easier to recognize. The FBI has also warned about schemes in which criminals convince older adults to withdraw large amounts of money or arrange for couriers to collect cash directly. An unusual withdrawal or sudden request for money should not automatically be treated as poor judgment. It may be a sign that someone is influencing the loved one behind the scenes.

Watch for Changes in Online Relationships

Not every scam begins with an obvious financial request. Some begin by building trust through social media, messaging platforms, or online communities. A relationship can feel genuine long before money becomes part of the conversation, which can make these situations especially difficult for family caregivers to address.

Accusing someone of being scammed may cause them to become defensive or stop sharing information. A more effective approach is to focus on changes in behavior and patterns that deserve attention. Repeated emergencies, unexpected requests for money, secrecy, or pressure to keep a relationship hidden from family can all signal that something needs a closer look.

The goal is not to embarrass an aging loved one or make them feel incapable of using technology. It is to create enough trust that they will continue sharing concerns before a problem becomes more serious.

Create a Plan Before a Scam Happens

Cybersecurity belongs in the care plan because families should know what to do if something goes wrong. If money has been sent to a scammer, contacting the financial institution quickly may help protect the account or stop additional transactions. Passwords should also be changed when login information may have been exposed.

Suspicious activity may need to be reported through the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center or the FTC’s fraud reporting system. Caregivers should also preserve available documentation, including messages, transaction information, receipts, and phone numbers connected to the incident. That information may help financial institutions or investigators understand what happened and identify a larger pattern of fraud.

Embarrassment can become one of the biggest barriers after a scam. Aging loved ones may hesitate to admit that they clicked a link, shared information, or sent money because they fear losing independence. If every mistake is treated as proof that they can no longer use technology, they may become more likely to hide a future problem. Digital safety works best when asking for help leads to support instead of shame.

Keep Digital Safety in the Care Plan

Cybersecurity is not a one-time conversation because scams, technology, and caregiving needs continue to change. A loved one who managed every account independently last year may need more support this year, while someone who once recognized suspicious messages easily may begin having more difficulty separating legitimate communication from fraud.

That change does not automatically mean technology has to be removed from their life. It means the support surrounding their technology may need to change. Caregivers already adjust routines when medications, transportation, mobility, or healthcare needs shift, and digital safety should be approached with that same flexibility.

The goal is not to make aging loved ones afraid of being online. The goal is to create enough protection around them that they can continue using technology while reducing the risk of financial loss, identity theft, or exploitation.

If you have not read the first blog in this series, start with The Digital Dangers of the CyberWorld. It explains common online threats and provides the foundation caregivers need to begin recognizing digital risks that may affect an aging loved one.

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Empowering Your Loved One to Stay Safe Online

By Roz Jones

The digital world offers countless opportunities for connection and information, but it also comes with risks. By helping your senior family member recognize phishing attempts, develop safe browsing habits, and understand the importance of digital literacy, you can enhance their online safety and peace of mind.

Recognizing Phishing Attempts

Phishing is a prevalent online threat, and seniors can be particularly vulnerable to these deceptive tactics. Phishing attempts often involve emails, messages, or websites designed to trick individuals into revealing sensitive information or clicking on malicious links. Here are some tips to help your loved one recognize and avoid phishing attempts:

Check the Sender: Encourage your loved one to carefully examine the sender’s email address. Legitimate organizations typically use official email domains, not generic or suspicious ones.
Look for Red Flags: Teach them to be cautious of emails with urgent demands, misspelled words, or a generic greeting like “Dear Customer.” These are common indicators of phishing.
Avoid Clicking on Links: Instruct them not to click on links in emails unless they are certain of the sender’s legitimacy. Hovering the cursor over a link (without clicking) will often reveal the actual web address.
Verify Requests for Personal Information: Remind them that trustworthy organizations will never ask for sensitive information like Social Security numbers or credit card details via email.

Safe Browsing Habits

Encourage your aging loved one to adopt safe browsing habits to protect their online experience:

Update Software: Ensure that their computer, browser, and antivirus software are regularly updated to safeguard against security vulnerabilities.
Use Strong Passwords: Emphasize the importance of strong, unique passwords for each online account. Consider using a password manager to simplify this process.
Enable Two-Factor Authentication: Encourage them to enable two-factor authentication whenever possible to add an extra layer of security to their accounts.
Be Cautious with Downloads: Remind them to be cautious when downloading files or software from the internet. Only download from reputable sources.
Secure Wi-Fi Networks: Teach them to secure their home Wi-Fi network with a strong password to prevent unauthorized access.

Importance of Digital Literacy

Digital literacy is an essential skill in today’s world. Encourage your loved one to continually improve their digital literacy by:

Attending Workshops: Look for local workshops or community centers that offer classes on digital skills and online safety.
Exploring Tutorials: There are many online tutorials and resources designed to help seniors become more proficient in using digital devices and navigating the internet safely.
Engaging in Social Media: If they use social media, encourage them to learn about privacy settings and how to control what they share.
Seeking Help: Let your loved one know that it’s okay to seek help or advice when they encounter unfamiliar online situations or challenges.

Empowering your aging loved one to stay safe online is a valuable gift. By educating them on recognizing phishing attempts, promoting safe browsing habits, and emphasizing the importance of digital literacy, you can help ensure that their online experiences are not only enjoyable but secure. Online safety is an ongoing process, so encourage open communication and be there to support them as they continue to explore the digital world. With the right knowledge and guidance, they can navigate the internet confidently and safely.

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Creating a Safe Digital Haven at Home

By Roz Jones

In an increasingly digital world, caregivers of aging loved ones are not only responsible for their physical well-being but also their online safety. As our loved ones embrace technology for various aspects of their lives, it becomes essential to ensure they have a secure digital environment. In this blog, we will explore practical steps and best practices for securing your loved one’s digital home environment. From password management to software updates, we’ll guide you through the essential measures to protect their online presence.

The Growing Importance of Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is not just a concern for businesses and governments; it’s also crucial at the individual level, especially for aging adults who may be less familiar with online threats. Here’s why it’s essential:

Protecting Personal Information: The digital world stores vast amounts of personal information. Ensuring its security is vital to prevent identity theft and fraud.
Preventing Scams: Seniors are often targeted by online scams and phishing attempts. Implementing cybersecurity measures can help safeguard them from falling victim to these scams.
Securing Digital Assets: Many aging adults have digital assets like photos, documents, and financial records stored online. Protecting these assets is essential for peace of mind.

Practical Steps for Digital Security

Strong Passwords: Encourage your loved one to use strong, unique passwords for each online account. Consider using a password manager to generate and store these passwords securely.
Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): Enable 2FA wherever possible. This adds an extra layer of security by requiring a second form of verification, like a text message or authentication app.
Regular Updates: Ensure that all devices and software are regularly updated. Updates often contain important security patches that protect against known vulnerabilities.
Antivirus Software: Install reputable antivirus software to scan for and remove malware. Schedule regular scans to keep the system clean.
Secure Wi-Fi: Use strong, unique passwords for Wi-Fi networks and change them periodically. Additionally, consider setting up a guest network to separate guest devices from sensitive data.
Educate About Phishing: Teach your loved one to recognize phishing emails and suspicious links. Emphasize the importance of not sharing personal information online.
Back Up Data: Regularly back up important data to an external hard drive or a secure cloud storage service. This ensures data can be recovered in case of loss or ransomware attacks.

Securing your loved one’s digital home environment is a vital aspect of caregiving in the digital age. By implementing practical cybersecurity measures like strong passwords, 2FA, regular updates, and antivirus software, you can help protect their online presence and personal information. Educating them about online threats and safe online practices is equally crucial. Remember that your role as a caregiver extends beyond physical care; it also encompasses ensuring their safety and security in the digital realm. By creating a safe digital haven, you can provide your loved one with the peace of mind and confidence to navigate the online world securely.

Stay Ahead of the Storm: Download Your Free Expert Storm Guide Now!

One of the best ways to prepare is allowing your loved on to assist in packing their travel bag, checking their contact list and ensuring there are adequate emergency supplies.

Participation… not isolation… go a long way when preparing for major storms. This Seniors Storm Guide gives essential information to refer to again and again!

Download!