No need for elderly to be flummoxed by checkbook

An unbalanced check register, a bank statement and a stack of bills can be the triple threat for some people. Even for those individuals who usually are not flummoxed by the everyday handling of finances, unforeseen mishaps can send them into a quandary.

And sometimes it doesn’t take much. Debit cards are designed for the organized. Duplicate checks are designed for those of us who need a record of the written check, so that much later down the line, when an attempt is finally made to balance the register, a momentary memory lapse doesn’t result in a snippy bank notice.

If all of this sounds too familiar, Eastern Agency on Aging has just the program to help.

“The Money Management Program helps seniors or disabled adults organize their bills, balance their checkbooks and pay bills on a regular basis,” said Kerry Kier, program coordinator. “This program can help these individuals stay independent and in control of their finances and retain their privacy.”

Some of those who may be helped by this program are:

. People who have vision problems or who have difficulty writing checks because their hand shakes badly due to Parkinson’s disease.

. Someone with mild memory loss, who can’t remember if a bill was paid.

. The senior whose late spouse handled all the finances and now is at a loss as to what to do. In some cases the bills just pile up because the person becomes overwhelmed.

“This program uses highly trained volunteers, typically with a business or financial background, who have had background checks performed and who are monitored monthly,” said Kier. “The volunteers can meet individuals in their homes or in a safe, convenient location. This program also can keep seniors from taking their checkbooks to the bank to be figured out, which happens quite a bit. And the individual’s bank will be informed that a volunteer is helping the client pay bills and will be participating in monitoring the account for the protection of the client.”

Initially it was a grant-funded program through AARP, but now EAA has made MMP its own. And the benefits to seniors and those living with disabilities are vast.

“It helps the people know exactly how much income they have coming into and out of their account,” said Kier. “It can help these people have a sense of security and relieve their stress knowing that their bills are being paid on time and their checkbook is regularly balanced. And the peace of mind of knowing that there is someone available to them that they can rely on for assistance as financial issues come up, and who will help budget and save for future necessary expenses, such as home or car repairs.”

There are some key points to remember about this program, said Kier:

. Persons participating in the program must be able to physically sign their own checks and have a full understanding of how MMP works.

. Participants are in full control of their accounts at all times.

. Volunteer bill payers do not sign checks for the client and do not have access to the person’s account.

. Participants and volunteers sign a contract of understanding so they each know what to expect from the other.

“There is also an added benefit to MMP,” said Kier. “The volunteers are trained to watch for things that may be out of the ordinary. For example, a person who suddenly starts subscribing to dozens of magazines, etc. This program prevents people from being exploited, abused and-or neglected. Those are red flags.”

There is no fee for this service, but volunteers are needed, so if you would like information about MMP or would like to volunteer, call EAA at 941-2865.

A balanced checkbook can be the best sleep aid.

Carol Higgins is director of communications at Eastern Agency on Aging. E-mail Carol Higgins at chiggins@eaaa.org. For information on EAA, call 941-2865, toll-free 800-432-7812, e-mail info@eaaa.org or visit EAAA.org. TTY 992-0150.