Dementia Patients Not Like Children
July 29, 2008

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Policies Cover Help in Old Age
July 28, 2008

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What Is Identity Theft?

Identity theft is a crime in which someone wrongfully obtains and uses another person’s personal data in some way that involves fraud or deception, usually for economic gain.

• Personal Data to Protect:
• Social Security Number        
• Bank Account Numbers
• Credit Card Numbers          
• Calling Card Numbers
• Medicare Cards and Policy Numbers

A criminal can use these numbers that are unique to you to make unauthorized withdrawals from your accounts or fraudulent charges to your credit cards. In worst cases, a person may take over a victim’s identity completely running up vast debts and even committing crimes while using your name.
 
Prevent Criminals From Obtaining Your Personal Data.

1. Do not throw away copies of your bank or credit card statements, or any documents with personal information on them. Invest in a small personal shredder and shred documents before dumping.

2. Do not allow anyone to stand within hearing or seeing distance when you are giving personal data to anyone verbally, or punching into a keypad.

3. Cut up credit cards before disposing, and also tear up or cut up any “preapproved” credit cards you may receive in the mail. Criminals may try to activate cards without your knowledge.

4. Do not give your personal data to anyone over the Internet unless you are specifically soliciting services from that organization. Be careful of unsolicited Emails that promise benefit, but ask for identifying data.

5. Do not put too much information such as SS# or phone numbers on your personal checks. In fact you can print your intials only on your checks so that how you sign your name is not obvious to anyone but your bank. When writing checks to pay credit card bills, do not put the full account number on the check. Instead, just put the last 4 numbers.

6. If possible, try to make your mail inaccessible to anyone but you. Post office boxes or locked mail boxes can prevent criminals from stealing your documents.

Identity Theft Resources

If you suspect you have become a victim of identity theft or your wallet has been lost or stolen, or would like more detailed information on prevention, here are some resources and contacts to be aware of.

Equifax
Credit reports: 1-800-685-1111
Or write: P.O. Box 740241, Atlanta GA 30374
To report fraud: 1-800-525-6285

Experian
Credit reports or fraud: 1-888-397-3742
Or write: P.O. Box 2002, Allen, TX 75013

Trans Union
Credit Reports: 1-800-888-4213
Or write: P.O. Box 1000, Chester, PA 19022
To report fraud: 1-800-680-7289

Identity Theft Internet Resources

Federal Trade Commission

Privacy Rights Clearinghouse

Identity Theft Prevention and Survival (Survival Kit)

www.usdoj.gov/criminal/fraud/idtheft.html

The Scoop for seniors on the West Nile Virus
 
We have heard about the West Nile Virus (WNV) in the media these days and also konw that there have been infected birds discovered in Santa Clara County. But what do families really need to worry about here?
 
Where is it?
As of August 4, 2004, four birds have been reported found infected with WNV in Santa Clara County. The virus is spread by mosquitoes and the California Department of Health Services reports that 8 counties in California have found birds infected with the virus. There is no evidence, according to Vector control, that people can get West Nile Virus from an infected bird, and no evidence yet that other animals can get sick if they eat the birds. Vector control recommends for sanitary reasons to pick up dead birds with your hands in plastic bags and seal hte bag before calling authorities.
 
There have been 36 human cases of West Nile Virus so far, and two fatalaties in California. One in Orange County and the other in San Bernardino County.Heallth officials say that this virus is now here to stay and like any new disease, until the human population builds up immunity, some people are going to get sick.
 
What is it?
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a disease that affects the central nervous system. About 1 out of 150 or (.00667%) will develop symptoms that can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysys. Symptoms may last several weeks and effects can in some cases be permanent.
 
Up to 20 percent of people who become infected will display milder symptoms like headache, rashes, or nausea, and symptoms can last a few days up to several weeks. Most people (80 percent) who are infected will not show any symptoms at all.
 
Why is this important to seniors - and what can be done to prevent infection?
People over 50 are at higher risk to get sick. People over the age of 50 are more likely to develop serious symptoms of WNV if they do get sick and should take special care to avoid mosquito bites. Applying insect repellant containing DEET to exposed skin when going outdoors is one precaution that will help. Be aware that the hours from dusk to dawn are peak mosquito biting times and consider staying indoors during these times if you do not want to use repellant. Another useful tip is to drain standing water around your home because this is a place where mosquitoes can breed. Check your window screens to see that they are free of holes and fit well. Screens in bad shape can be a way for mosquitoes to enter the home.
 
Finally, report dead birds to state and local health departments. You can go online to: http://westnile.ca.gov to report dead birds or call 1-877-WNV-BIRD (968-2473). Birds of particular interest to the health department are: crows, raens, magpies, and jays that have been dead for less than 48 hours. Vector control recommends for sanitary reasons to pick up dead birds with your hands in plastic bags and seal the bag before calling authorities. If they don't come to pick up the bird within a day or two, it is recommended the bird is double bagged and thrown away.
 
More detailed information about vector-borne diseases like WNV can be found at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/

Governor Schwarzenegger’s California Budget Proposals for The In Home Supportive Services Program

Write to your state representative at savehomecare.org

Facts:
Over 350,000 aged, blind or disabled individuals receive In Home Supportive Services (IHSS) in California. IHSS enables these consumers to remain safely in their own homes, as an alternative to out-of-home care.

51% of IHSS consumers are disabled, 47% are aged, and 2% are blind. Persons with developmental disabilities constitute more than 12% of IHSS consumers.

IHSS services include domestic services (such as meal preparation and laundry), non-medical personal care services (such as bathing, feeding, toileting), paramedical services and assistance while traveling to medical appointments.

IHSS costs per individual are approximately $9,000. This is less than one-fifth the cost of nursing home care.

Governor’s Proposed Cuts:

• Eliminate the “residual” IHSS program, or approximately 74,000 cases, representing about 23% of the total IHSS caseload in California.

• Eliminate domestic and related IHSS services for consumers who live with able-bodied family members, starting October 1, 2004. This would eliminate services to approximately 90,350 consumers when fully implemented.

• Eliminate funding for certain collective bargaining activities and make it optional, vs. mandatory, for counties to establish an IHSS employer of record. This would make it impossible for counties to operate registries of home care workers who are screened and trained to provide home care to IHSS consumers.

• Reduce the state’s share of costs for IHSS home care worker wages and benefits to $6.75/hour and no benefits.

Eliminate funding and the current mandate for counties to have consumer-directed IHSS Advisory Boards/Committees.

What are Residual Services?:

• Recipient whose provider is a spouse

• Parent caring for a minor child

• Recipients under protective supervision

• Recipients receiving advanced pay

• Recipients with a Restaurant Meal Allowance (RMA)

Seniors and driving

Here has been a lot of talk in the media these days about seniors and driving. This is all following an accident in southern California involving an older person and some outdoor shoppers. This was certainly a tragic event, but we think the media coverage unfairly focused on the age of the driver and implication here is to consider whether older people should have driving privileges at all. It seems unfair to let the mistake of one individual defining an entire population.

The actual statistics from the U.S. Department of Transportation show that the bulk of accidents nationwide involve drivers age 16-54. So, in reality there are problem drivers on the road of all ages. We still can’t ignore the issue of any driver, of any age, that may be impaired. The question is: How do we determine who those drivers are? Clearly this cannot be determined by simply looking at the age of a person. So, what do we do?
Well, as it turns out the DMV already has mechanisms in place to find out if a driver, of any age, is capable behind the wheel. The real solution to this problem is to ensure that these mechanisms are used and laws that already exist are enforced:

•Any individual concerned about the ability of any driver can anonymously request the DMV re-evaluate the driver.

•Law enforcement reports drivers with multiple violations to the DMV for re-evaluation.

•Every physician is required under the California Vehicle Code to report to the DMV any individual 14 years or older who has a disorder characterized by lapses of consciousness. Physicians may notify the DMV when other conditions may cause impairment.

The next step is that the DMV responds by formally notifying the driver that they must come in for a review/hearing. They may bring a lawyer and a physician’s statement with them. The DMV can request a road test that is a little more vigorous than the standard test being used for first time licensees. However, we have heard from several individuals that they reported their own family members and they were never called in for testing. One of the problems may be that the DMV doesn’t have the resources to respond to all these reports. That is what should be addressed first - the mechanisms are in place...Are they working?? COA suggests an ad campaign targeted to our nation’s families and health professionals reminding them that they can help by reporting serious problems that they have seen.

The system is already in place, let’s examine it before rushing headlong into ageism. Dr. Monika White, CEO, Center for Healthy Aging states: "What happened at the Santa Monica Farmers Market on July 16th is a tragedy on many levels. It is essential to respond without drawing biased, prejudice, ill-informed conclusions about older adults and driving. The same rules of agility, mental alertness, mechanical difficulties, and reflexes can be applied to a 25 year-old driver as well as an 85 year-old driver.”

Driving is a key requirement for any of us in the Bay Area. Losing this independence would impact any resident’s life. What happens to seniors in our community when they lose their driving privileges? The reality is that they become dependent on family members and the community to provide many of their daily needs. A person who cannot drive cannot get to doctor appointments, grocery stores, pharmacies, or restaurants on their own. Their social interaction is cut off. They must rely on public transportation, family members, friends, or the kindness of strangers. One of our seniors said that if she couldn’t drive any more "I would not go anywhere” She said she would go hungry if she ran out of groceries between shopping trips, would be unable to get prescriptions filled when needed, and would avoid imposing on family or friends by asking them to take her places. All of this leads to isolation, depression and even more severe consequences for our seniors.

If there is concern, there are resources available. AARP’s 55 Alive Mature Driving Program is an eight-hour classroom refresher for experienced motorists age 50 and older. Web resources include: the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has a senior driver resource website at: www.seniordrivers.org. Also, there is a web seminar at: www.asaging.org/webseminars. These seminars cover talking to family members about difficult decisions, promoting safety and independence, and assessment of driving capacity. Take a look at these resources, and drive safely!

Feed a Senior with Meals on Wheels

Not everyone who is hungry is homeless.

Facts about Bay Area Seniors:

1 out of 4 seniors go hungry each day. The high cost of living in the Bay Area makes it necessary for some seniors to choose between housing & food.

The high cost of prescription drugs makes it necessary for some seniors to choose between vital drugs & food.

With your gift, in any amount, we will deliver nutritious meals to your elderly neighbors.

Click here for donation form (Acrobat Reader required)