Page 16 Sa Sa a Say y Senior enior Sen by Jim Miller Helping an Aging Parent Manage Their Money Dear Savvy Senior, Since my dad passed away last year, my 82-year-old mother has struggled to keep up with her bills. She’s proud and insists on doing things herself, but I worry she’s falling behind. How can I help her manage her fi nances without upsetting her? --Concerned Daughter Dear Concerned, You’re not alone – lots of adult children step in to help aging parents with their fi nances. Whether it’s paying bills, handling bank accounts, filing insurance claims, or sorting through taxes, taking on these responsibilities can feel tricky. The key is to approach it with respect, organization, and the right safeguards. Here’s how to help your mom without stepping on her independence. Have a conversation Talking about money can be sensitive, especially with a parent who values doing things on her own. Start with a gentle, respectful conversation. Share your concerns and off er to help with her bills or other chores. If you have siblings, loop them in too. Knowing the whole family is on the same page can reassure your mom that everyone cares, not that you’re taking over. Get organized If your mom is open to your help, the fi rst step is getting organized. Make a clear list of her fi nancial info, including monthly bills like utilities, phone, cable, and credit cards; bank and investment accounts; company benefi ts like retirement plans or pensions; insurance policies, including life, home, auto, long-term care, and Medicare; and copies of recent income tax returns. Having everything in one place will make managing her fi nances much smoother for both of you. Locate legal documents Now’s also a good time to see if your mom has essential legal papers: a will or trust, an advance directive with a living will and health-care proxy, and a durable power of attorney for fi nances. If she doesn’t, now’s the time to get them in place. If she does, make sure they’re up to date and that you know where to fi nd them. Simplify fi nancial tasks To make life easier for both you and your mom, set up automatic payments for her bills and have her income go straight into her bank account. If her accounts and investments are scattered, consider consolidating them – it makes everything much simpler. You can also get her banking and investment accounts online so you can pay bills and monitor everything anytime, without digging through papers or making extra trips. Set up protections Protect your mom from scams or risky spending. A True Link Visa Prepaid Card (truelinkfinancial.com/prepaid-card) gives her access to her money but lets you set spending limits. Online monitoring services like Carefull (getcarefull. com) or EverSafe (eversafe.com) can watch her accounts, fl ag anything suspicious, and send alerts if something seems off . These tools give peace of mind while letting her maintain independence. Seek outside help If you live far away or just need a hand, professional services can step in. SilverBills (silverbills.com) handles bill payments, while a certifi ed daily money manager (aadmm.com) can come by once or twice a month to pay bills, make deposits, sort through health insurance statements, and keep everything organized. Think of them as extra hands to make life easier for both of you. Helping a parent manage fi - nances takes patience, respect, and tact. With clear communication, organization, and the right safeguards, you can support your mom while keeping her independence and peace of mind intact. Send your questions or comments to questions@ savvysenior. org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070. nr ior THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 16, 2026 SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 14 The work is scheduled from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Residents are kindly asked to keep vehicles off the street when sweepers are in the area. Residents may assist the Department of Public Works by sweeping their driveways or sidewalks into the gutter area prior to the program’s start. Residents are asked not to sweep driveways and/or sidewalks once the sweepers have swept. Keep in mind that street sweepers are unable to collect stones, branches, leaves or other foreign objects. In addition, residents are asked to be mindful that sweepers cannot pick up large piles of sand. Please contact the Department of Public Works at 781-231-4145 with any questions. Elks plan Alcohol/Drug Recovery Presentation Nov. 9 The Saugus-Everett Elks Drug Awareness Committee is sponsoring an Alcohol and Drug Recovery presentation from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 9, at the Saugus Senior Center (466 Central St. in Saugus). This hourlong presentation is free and it will be presented by Sober Shuttle Inc. — explaining the benefi ts off ered to recovering individuals. If you or someone you know would like to know more about these services, you should not miss this informative event. Services provided are cost-free transportation into treatment, recovery coach services, placement assistance, food assistance, clothing assistance, community engagement and much more. Light refreshments will be served. Call the Saugus Senior Center at 781-231-4178 to attend; walk-ins are also welcome. DAR prepares for 6th Annual Veteran’s Day Field of Flags Preparations for the 6th Annual Veteran’s Day Field of Flags to be placed on the lawn of Veterans Park at the corner of Winter and Central Streets (not the Saugus Town Hall) to honor and remember all veterans on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, is underway. The Parson Roby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) is sponsoring this event to honor all veterans, living or deceased, including those currently serving. American fl ags may be sponsored through the Parson Roby Chapter DAR at a cost of $5 each. The fl ags will be placed at Veterans Park prior to Nov. 11 and will wave throughout the week until Nov. 12 with your veteran’s name on the fl ag. Flags may be sponsored to honor a family member, friend, neighbor or employee who has served or is currently serving our country. The deadline to sponsor fl ags is Oct. 30. You may send a check ($5 per fl ag) made payable to Parson Roby Chapter along with the information of the veteran (Name/Rank/ Branch of Service/Years or War if known) and mail it to Treasurer, 27 Pearson St., Saugus, MA 01906. After 12 noon on Nov. 11, you can pick up your sponsored fl ag to either keep or put on a grave. “2021 was our fi rst year sponsoring the Field of Flags and it has been a huge success. So many members of the community stopped by to thank us in remembering our veterans this way. There were over 140 fl ags sponsored with veteran’s names waving in the wind and we hope for many more veterans to be sponsored this year. All proceeds from the Veteran’s Field of Flags will support the Daughters of the American Revolution’s mission to preserve American history and secure Americans’ future through education and promoting patriotism. For more information on how to sponsor a fl ag or in joining the Parson Roby Chapter DAR, please email parsonroby. saugusdar@gmail.com.” Household Hazardous Waste Day Oct. 31 The town will host a Household Hazardous Waste Day on Saturday, Oct. 31, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Belmonte STEAM Academy (25 Dow St.). There is no cost to Saugus residents to discard allowed items at the Household Hazardous Waste Day. No appointment or preregistration is required. The following items can be disposed of at this event: Household materials: acids (corrosives), aerosol cans, art supplies, batteries, chemistry set and photography chemicals, fi - berglass resins, furniture, fl oor, metal polishers and strippers, mercury containing devices, moth balls/crystals, oil paint, paint thinners, varnish, stain/ shellac (no latex), rug and upholstery cleaners, solvent adhesives, turpentine and paint solvents, wood preservatives, hair dye, nail polish remover, toilet cleaners, brighteners, chlorine bleach, spot removers, spray starch, whiteners, drain and oven cleaners, lawn and garden materials, cesspool cleaners (corrosives), fl ammable liquids/ gasoline, fl ea and tick powders, fi re starters, herbicides and pesticides, no-pest strips, poisons, pool chemicals, propane tanks (empty or up to 20 lbs.); automotive products: antifreeze, batteries, brake fl uid, carburetor cleaner, oil (used), radiator fl ush, solvents and degreasers, tire cleaners, transmission fl uid. Latex paint can be dried out and disposed of with your curbside trash. Please contact Scott Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions. Saugus Lions Food Drive Nov. 7 The Saugus Lions will hold a “Drive up and drop off” food drive on Saturday, Nov. 7, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Saugus Senior Center (466 Central St.). We will donate all proceeds to the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry, which will be getting Thanksgiving dinners together for families in need. Some items they are requesting: Cranberry sauce, boxed mashed potatoes, boxed stuffi ng, canned corn or green beans, cream of mushroom soup. If you aren’t available to drop off , we are accepting donations through the Lions venmo account, where even a $15 donation may get 15 cans of vegetables or several boxes of stuffi ng or toward much-needed grocery gift cards. You make the donation and we will do the shopping! Venmo to: Saugus-Lions MA. Please put “Food drive” in the memo. Veterans Day Ceremonies Nov. 11 The Saugus Veterans Council will hold the Veterans Day Ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 11, which will begin promptly at 11 a.m. Please come and show our Veterans that we appreciate their service and this is the day to say thank you. It will be held at Saugus Veterans Park at the corner of Central and Winter Streets.
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