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I would like to know if there are any good ways to help in remembering all the passwords and login usernames. I also don't understand how the government expects the aging to possibly understand and keep up with all of the Medicare and health care prescription information and picking a plan that they will not be able to change except for their birthday month and that if they miss any payment on their plans they may lose that service for good. A life insurance policy payment is overlooked after paying on the plan for the last 45 years just gets terminated and no refund and you lose all of what was put in, just because a person has a memory lapse from something.

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I'm surprised athow many peopl recommend keeping their poasswrds in a file on their computers....That's just asking for hackers to steal them. Don't do it!
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Ypu can purchase journals specifically for password. I keep mine in my notes on my phone which needs a password to access
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I have all mine in excell.
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Get a Password assistant. You can download one online and set it to autofill all of your passwords. I use Last Pass and I couldn't live without it.

Gary
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I use Google keep
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If like me, you don't have a generic "memo" on your phone, I have found an app that works so great - I think it will do a lot more but instead of learning the tricks of it, I just make lists on it - easy to use, double tap allows editing, no need to save, whatever you did last is how the file looks next time you open it. Colornote and I downloaded it from the Playstore (I have a Motorola smart phone)

However I don't use it for my passwords, for those I keep a file on my laptop that I update each change. Unfortunately it isn't foolproof. I am not always on that laptop, and sometimes the file gets confused with a backup file.
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I have a lot of login info too (ie: usernames, passwords, etc). I use a rolodex. I have one strictly for job search and another for all the others.
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I have the same problem - too many passwords, etc. I have an Apple computer and made a PAGES (Apple program; WORD program if you have a Microsoft computer.) I have it a title that would not be recognized and it is located among my documents I store in Pages. I added the name of the SITE, LOG-IN E-MAIL, PASSWORD and made notes as to whatever information the sites require. When I forget, all I do is open the document and find the site I want to access and all the information is written down. There are other more complex methods but I don't know how they work. This password file is my bible and avoids so many problems for me.
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Reality.....you will need to become Court appointed Conservator. I just went thru this after having to catch up all the bills that were anywhere from 30-90+ past due.
It isn't so much the Government expecting the elderly to remember things as much as children should realize the time has come to take care of one's parents now.
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For all passwords and user names on my computer, I use my cell phone. I don't actually put in the passwords but I use hints like some are my dog's name so I put in "dog" and an abbreviation for my user name. If I lose my phone, no one would know what my passwords or user name is and I also use my cell phone as a list for things that I have to buy at the store. You have a section on your cell phone called memo and I list everything on it that I know I want to remember. My insurance plan takes out their fee automatically from my bank account. And I'm sorry that your life insurance plan was cancelled. I also list on my cell phone payments that are due for electricity, water, insurance, etc. along with the amount and date it is due. And I list those also on my calendar on my phone when they are due. I utilize automatic payments from my bank for those services that I know are due so I never get a late fee. Hope this helps.
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ThereIsNoTry Aug 2018
I use a similar system of reminders that tell me the password without revealing to others.
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Re Passwords:  I keep spread sheet doc on my computer.  One for me, one for my mom, one for business...  Each spread sheet has a password.

As far as remembering dates:  I use outlook and set up reoccurring payments, appointments, etc.  with reminders on my phone.

I am a caregiver myself, and it is hard enough for me to remember everything too!

Hope this helps!  :-)
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I use Kaspersky Total Security software to protect my computer. It has an app "Kaspersky Password Manager" that I have a user name and password for. That is the only one I have to remember. The rest of my usernames and passwords for various sites and accounts are safe inside of that app. I can have a secure connection with Amazon, Ebay, Pay-Pal, my bank, and my credit cards all from that one app. I do keep a master list of all of my information in case something goes wrong with my computer.
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I have an apple computer with Safari and use the auto-generated "suggested passwords" which are full of letters, numbers and characters and very long, and save them to each site that I need userid and password. The only one I do not have "saved" into my computer is for my banking accounts and have that memorized.

I stopped using lists of passwords years ago.
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There is a program called keypass that helps create passwords, even gives a rating on how secure, let's you customize password criteria, stores all of your information with only one password to get into the program. Has tons of nifty features to keep your electronic information safe.

I have used it for years and found changing my passwords easy and no need to remember more than one password is a HUGE plus for me.
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I would use a small dedicated laptop or smartphone. Set up a Google (or other) email you both have access to..for saved contacts and shared files.
Before I go further, this means if LO for helper, helps them reset a password, you will also get an email about the change immediately. You should change all accounts that send statements, bills or reminders to this new email address.
If possible, get one that uses LO face as a password, but has alternative password you can use remotely. Put a sticker on the cover showing icon for using facial recognition, stating use ( icon) to open.
Now you have first layer of security made easy. Next, whenever an option, save all passwords on the computer.
I also have used to techniques. If you have Notebook Program, or word, or a spreadsheet. Enter information on company, username, password, answer to security question - maybe in form of a sentence with key words in bold.
I also make many passwords look like street address, city + zip ( any 5#s), or nickname...if your contacts has that line.
You should have contact information for all of the companies and accounts in contacts anyway. Then add an address or nickname or note, even email, with what you need to remember.
Also when setting up a new account or even site access account, send it from new shared email to yourself, or visa versa.
You can do a screenshot, open in Chrome and Share, etc. This is another backup.
Many people don't realize you can use search to find part of an email or contact quickly. So if you put an x at the end of company or 0 at front of account #, you can still find it quickly.
Another label on cover, if LO not computer savvy every day.
🔍 To search and find what you want.
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I bought a note book and enter all companies names, user name and password. I put it where I would know where it was when I needed it. It has been a big help for me.
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I have a category in my email called passwords. I have about 25 log ins and passwords. I simply go to it when I forget. It works great!
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I use primarily electronic storage because that's easier for me to keep up with. If you choose to use physical storage (note cards or address books) then I encourage you to not carry sensitive information in your purse or even outside your home except on rare occasions. If I'm asked for some information I don't have on me, I take the clerk's name and number and call back with the info later in the day. Don't store it somewhere in the house someone else could easily get their hands on it without your knowledge either. A baggie taped under a desk drawer can be easy to access and still difficult for someone else to find.

I separate information into three groups based on the security needed for the information and manage where and how I store that information differently.

First group is no or nearly no security needed - these accounts have no purchase (debit/credit card or banking) information stored. These are fast food, grocery store, yarn/fabric retailers, tv channel apps, etc. I have one standard password I use for all of them. I don't care if someone hacks the account and sees what my favorite shows or meals are.

Second group includes limited financial info - like a prepaid debit card used for online purchases. These accounts include restaurants and stores where I make online purchases (hulu, netflix, dominos, zaxbys, gamestop). I use mostly the same password for all of these because they have a limited catalog and because I only use the prepaid debit card. During checkout from one of these stores, I electronically transfer enough money into the debit card account to cover the purchase; otherwise the debit card uses has less than $50 on it.

Third group is anything with a large catalog or any financial information other than the prepaid debit card. These include social security, amazon, walmart, online banking, retirement accounts, etc. Each account has a unique password. I maintain an electronic copy of this password and other information (like card numbers, banking accounts, etc) in a secured encrypted file with a master passcode. That file is synced to a secure and also encrypted online repository. The master passcode is stored between the pages of a particular book (one of thousands in my home). In the event of my death or a POA being executed because of my mental incompetence, my lawyer has a sealed envelope identifying the book. There's also a sticky note inside a certain hutch that identifies the book if you know to look there...
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www.keepersecurity.com
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I work for the Fed. I know more than anyone the struggle of keeping up with passwords, especially because the government system makes us change passwords every 90 days! My solution: buy password pocket book or an address book with A-Z tabs; use a pencil to write in entries in case they need to be changed at a later time; systems alphabetically, i.e.: Netflix under N, Facebook under F, etc.; store book in a handy but private place where you can refer to it often. My book has lasted for years and every 90 days, I have to make penciled changes. I refer to my little black book every day!
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More than one of my friends has had the situation of a life insurance policy lapsing due to non payment. It happens before they are aware that their parent has dementia.
You can designate someone to be informed if your policy is in danger of being cancelled. You can also do this for important bills like utilities, mortgages, long term care insurance, storage units, ect. It is called secondary notice or third party notification. Everyone should do this, no matter what age they are.
However, if your elder refuses to list someone- anyone- to be notified , there apparently isn't anything you can do to reinstate the policy after it has been cancelled. They don't care that your dad had dementia and paid the policy for 40 years. If they sent the appropriate notifications to him- that's too bad for you.
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JoAnn29 Aug 2018
Yes! My Mom was smart and had me put on all her accounts in case of nonpayment.
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I use a program called LastPass to automatically fill in my passwords. It is great! But sometimes it balks, for whatever reason, so of course I also have a file (Ecco Pro, but an Excel spreadsheet would work, too) that is itself password-protected, to hold all the other passwords, usernames, account numbers, etc.

Gabriel
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igloo572 Aug 2018
LastPass is pretty great and straightforward to use.
Narrowing down & winnowing out credit cards, old paperwork, etc where you can also makes things easier.
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Make use of as many automatic payments that you can, mark on a calendar what needs to be paid when, then start a system for passwords

1 system I heard of is take a book you have had for a while for example one on dog breeds [or mums, or cat breeds] then start at any page you want [for example page 26 because that is your birthday] then use the breed names as passwords shortening them to the number of letters needed - if you need a number use the page number so it would be 34beag [because page 34 has a beagle] then go to the next breed when you need another - leave a bookmark in it to show where you are - do not write what you are using it for but you could write a hint like 'green' because that is the colour your bank uses in their advertising

I would question that insurance company if they cut you off because of 1 payment missed & there must be a standards board to report them to because of this - check it out
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It is a problem. I don't have an Excel spreadsheet, but I do have about 8 pages of usernames and passwords. Mostly I have automatic sign-in for all of my sites. I have autopay for all of my recurring payments, including credit cards, which notify me if they see unusual payments--and yes, my card(s) have been hacked twice, but I didn't have to pay. My two children know where everything is, but I have to admit my files need updating! The important information is in my "Beneficiary Book" which I do keep updated and in a place where they know to get to it in an emergency. My main problem know is who to make POA for financial matters in event I am incapacitated...my son and daughter do NOT trust each other, although I trust both of them. I guess the answer is a lawyer or my professional financial manager. Expensive, yes, but its my kids' own fault for not getting along!
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I have to say ... I do not open accounts just because they recommend I do. No account for SS, no account for Medicare, no account for my supplimental etc. There is no reason I personally need to look at my information on line. Just for this reason...all the IDs and passwords needed to get in. Then its setting up the accounts. I have spent lots of time in getting the "right" password. Its frustrating for me. If I have a problem, I use the phone. Go to the doctor's, I get my statement from Medicare and my supplimental. Match them up to the dr. bill and pay. Then its emails sent after you sign up. I really don't like having all my personal info out there either.

I don't know who I ordered from or signed up with but I have been getting emails from all kinds of companies lately. I unsubscribe but some of them have used my name and my husbands. My DH is computer illiterate. I would love to know what company we both deal with gave out my email addy.
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I use a spreadsheet. I'm not elderly, but the myriad different passwords can become daunting to keep track of. I keep the spreadsheet on my desktop and change the passwords whenever it's necessary. It's convenient and easy.
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Yes there are several programs out there for doing just that so if you are planning on helping your elder do that it would work well but not if they had to use the computer to do it. I use keepersecurity but there are several that offer a completely free version.
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I have mine all on excell (a computer program). If you aren't computer wise, write them down in a binder. I have over 100 passwords now because they keep making them change them. It's a pain but no way can I remember all of them.
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Years ago, I was advised to "quit the notebook" and use a Recipe Box with index cards. I still use it today.
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I have a recipe box I use for passwords, and when I change them I put the change immediately in my notes on my iPhone with the date, then transfer to recipe box when I have a minute.
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