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Caregiver: A Love Story
These interactive events are a showing of the film along with discussion. We are sharing this information to support the work of the Family Caregiver Alliance. They are an excellent resource for questions around finding and hiring caregivers. We credit them as a resource in our new presentation: How to Age in Place: Hiring and Working with a Caregiver.
Coronavirus: Scammers follow the headlines
Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the Coronavirus. They’re setting up websites to sell bogus products, and using fake emails, texts, and social media posts as a ruse to take your money and get your personal information.
The emails and posts may be promoting awareness and prevention tips, and fake information about cases in your neighborhood. They also may be asking you to donate to victims, offering advice on unproven treatments, or contain malicious email attachments.
Here are some tips to help you keep the scammers at bay:
• Don’t click on links from sources you don’t know. It could download a virus onto your computer or device. Make sure the anti-malware and anti-virus software on your computer is up to date.
• Watch for emails claiming to be from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) or experts saying that have information about the virus. For the most up-to-date information about the Coronavirus, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).
• Ignore online offers for vaccinations. If you see ads touting prevention, treatment, or cure claims for the Coronavirus, ask yourself: if there’s been a medical breakthrough, would you be hearing about it for the first time through an ad or sales pitch?
• Do your homework when it comes to donations, whether through charities or crowdfunding sites. Don’t let anyone rush you into making a donation. If someone wants donations in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money, don’t do it.
• Be alert to “investment opportunities.” The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is warning people about online promotions, including on social media, claiming that the products or services of publicly-traded companies can prevent, detect, or cure coronavirus and that the stock of these companies will dramatically increase in value as a result.
Want more information on the latest scams we’re seeing? Sign up for our consumer alerts. If you come across any suspicious claims, report them to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.
IdentityTheft.gov is the federal government's one-stop resource for identity theft victims. The site provides streamlined checklists and sample letters to guide you through the recovery process. Visit ftc.gov/idtheft for prevention tips and free resources to share in your community.
If you started 2020 in a Medicare Part C Advantage Plan you have rights to make changes by March 31st.
https://cahealthadvocates.org/unhappy-with-your-medicare-advantage-plan-you-can-change-your-coverage-before-3-31/
Unhappy with your Medicare Advantage Plan? You Can Change Your Coverage Before 3/31 January 20, 2020 Unhappy with your Medicare Advantage Plan? You Can Change Your Coverage Before 3/31 Posted by Karen Fletcher on January 20, 2020 in Medicare Advantage, Prescription Drugs, Prescription Drugs - Blog I...
We know that Care Giving is an important topic which is why we are introducing our new presentation:
How to Age in Place: Hiring and Working with a Caregiver.
This presentation:
-Reviews definitions of skilled care and personal care and explains available payment sources
-Covers tips for success and how to identify care needs to remain in the community
-Explains differences between hiring through an agency or other methods
-Provides resources for how to hire and maintain employment of a caregiver
If you are interested in requesting this topic for a group in Alameda County call our office and ask for the Community Education Department. 510-832-3040
For people turning 65 who stay on COBRA instead of enrolling in Medicare there can be serious financial consequences and lifelong penalties. Learn more...
https://cahealthadvocates.org/house-leaders-introduce-bills-to-prevent-cobra-from-biting-people-eligible-for-medicare/
House Leaders Introduce Bills to Prevent COBRA from Biting People Eligible for Medicare February 4, 2020 House Leaders Introduce Bills to Prevent COBRA from Biting People Eligible for Medicare Posted by Karen Fletcher on February 4, 2020 in Medicare & Other Health Insurance, Medicare Billings, Claim...
The Social Security Administration launched a new Public Service Announcement campaign to raise awareness about the ongoing nationwide telephone impersonation scheme.
Remember:
1) The government will never call out of the blue and ask for a social security number.
2) The government will never ask for payment by gift card or wire transfer.
3) Social security numbers cannot be suspended.
https://blog.ssa.gov/social-security-launches-new-campaign-to-fight-scammers/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
Our 15th Annual Conference on Elder Abuse is being held at a new venue, Golden Gate University, on Tuesday May 12th.
https://mailchi.mp/d18396c65a16/01o6sdwqdy?e=d653144fab
This year’s census will be the first to be completed largely online, causing concern that older adults may face challenges in participating. Thankfully, there are multiple ways to complete the 2020 Census—online, on paper, by phone, and in different languages. People can choose the method they are most comfortable with. If you or someone you know needs help with the forms, support is available:
https://disabilitycounts2020.org/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=a6d0f771-b662-428f-99f1-4f031337c427
Participation in the 2020 census by disabled people and seniors living in California will help make sure that our communities receive their rightful share of
Outreaching to undercounted and hard to count populations is one of the most important things we can do during the 2020 Census. Every address will receive a Census questionaire and every person living at the address should be counted regardless of relationship to the person filling out the Census.
Let's welcome February with some reminders about how to spot Romance Scams.
February 23, 2020 LAS & HICAP will be out supporting the community at the Black Joy Parade and Festival. Come join us for this fun Oakland event.
Beware of Offers for “Free” Foot Spas
https://cahealthadvocates.org/beware-of-offers-for-free-foot-spas/
Beware of Offers for “Free” Foot Spas January 9, 2020 Beware of Offers for “Free” Foot Spas Posted by Karen Fletcher on January 9, 2020 in Fraud & Abuse, Fraud & Abuse A free foot spa? Sounds pretty good, huh? Yet, according to the Federal Investigation Bureau (FBI), this is a new Medicare s...
Important reminders about spotting Social Security scams
Social Security will never:
-threaten you with arrest or other legal action unless you immediately pay a fine or fee;
-promise a benefit increase or other assistance in exchange for payment;
-require payment by retail gift card, cash, wire transfer, internet currency, or prepaid debit card; or
-send official letters or reports containing personally identifiable information via email.
https://cahealthadvocates.org/have-you-heard-the-new-twist-in-social-security-phone-scams/
Have you ever considered becoming a HICAP Counselor and helping people understand Medicare? We are holding a training class beginning in February. If you are interested please check out the flyer. We encourage you to share this with your networks in Alameda County.
Transportation Resiliency, Access and Climate Sustainability (TRACS) wants your input to improve transportation for seniors and people with disabilities! They have prepared a survey and want to hear from the San Francisco Bay Area’s senior and disability communities about how they use transportation and what needs to be improved. Do you have 10 minutes to fill out the survey? Your feedback is key to their work!
All survey respondents can enter their name and email for a drawing for a $25 gift card!
Fill out the survey here: https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5389814/Transportation-Survey-Seniors-and-People-with-Disabilities-in-the-Bay-Area
TRACS is an initiative to understand the transportation needs of seniors and people with disabilities in the Bay Area. Their team includes staff from the World Institute on Disability (WID) and Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC). This work will make transportation more accessible and meet our communities’ needs.
Please also forward this widely to your friends, colleagues and clients! More responses will support this project to reach everybody’s transportation goals.
Transportation Survey: Seniors and People with Disabilities in the Bay Area.
"CMS understands that for a variety of reasons, a coverage change may be necessary. For example, a beneficiary might have experienced exceptional conditions that require a new plan choice, such as being provided incorrect or misleading information. So CMS provides “Special Enrollment Periods” (SEPs) and other options to help beneficiaries with any necessary change."
If you think you made need assistance with a Drug Plan change or exception request call for a HICAP counseling appointment (800) 434-0222. Our counselors can also help if you started the year in a Medicare Advantage Plan and you want to make a change to your coverage.
https://www.cms.gov/blog/end-another-successful-medicare-open-enrollment-cms-dedicated-ensuring-seniors-are-confident-their
As we start a new year, we know that for many seniors January 1st also signals a fresh start for their Medicare health insurance coverage. Coverage and costs may change, deductibles reset, and those who changed health or drug plans start learning about their new plan benefits.
Enroll in Hospice & Get a Visa? Newest Trends in Medicare Hospice Fraud
https://cahealthadvocates.org/enroll-in-hospice-get-a-visa-newest-trends-in-medicare-hospice-fraud/
As people will be seeing friends and family this week, have conversations about scam prevention. You'll be surprised how many people of all ages receive scam calls. Reach out to the FTC if you need to file a complaint.
https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/features/feature-0030-pass-it
Your complaint can help protect other people. By filing a complaint, you can help the FTC's investigators identify scammers and stop them before they can get someone’s hard-earned money. It really makes a difference.
Do you need more information about Medicare's General Enrollment Period or the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period which both run from January 1st through March 31st? Call the HICAP line to request an appointment with a counselor or check out Medicare.gov for more information. (510)839-0393
https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/how-do-i-get-parts-a-b/part-a-part-b-sign-up-periods
https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/joining-a-health-or-drug-plan
Read about when you can sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B when you're first eligible for Medicare during your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, between January 1-March 31 each year (General Enrollment Period), and during other special times (Special Enrollment Periods).
Our Fall 2019 Newsletter is here
https://mailchi.mp/4c96c42ccbde/news-information-from-legal-assistance-for-seniors-las?e=d653144fab
If you have questions about your Long-Term Care Insurance Policy call your local HICAP and ask for an appointment with a counselor. 1-800-434-0222
https://cahealthadvocates.org/policyholders-beware-paying-for-the-insolvency-of-a-long-term-care-insurance-company/
CFPB has released a video with useful tips on spotting debt collection scams and protecting yourself from scammers.
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/fraud/debt-collection-scams-video/?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=debt_scams&utm_content=Nov2019
Dealing with debt collection issues can be challenging—especially when you’re not sure if the person you’re being contacted by is a legitimate debt collector or someone trying to scam you. Watch these videos to learn the warning signs of debt collection scams.
Happy Halloween from LAS/HICAP
Need help understanding which 2020 Part D plans cover your medications? Come visit us along with the pharmacy students from University of the Pacific at Ed Roberts Campus until 5pm today.
At our Community Education events we continue to hear that so many people are still receiving calls like this. Here are some reminders on how to avoid scams.
Social Security Phone Scams on the Rise ~ When in Doubt, Hang Up! September 27, 2019 Social Security Phone Scams on the Rise ~ When in Doubt, Hang Up! Posted by Karen Fletcher on September 27, 2019 in Fraud & Abuse, Fraud & Abuse We’ve written a couple warnings on “spoofed” Social Security pho...
Consumers 60 and older report losing money to scams less often than younger adults, but when they do lose money, they report higher individual losses
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2019/10/ftc-report-congress-details-fraud-reports-older-consumers?utm_source=govdelivery
A new report from the Federal Trade Commission shows that adults aged 60 and older are less likely to report losing money to fraud than younger adults, but the amount of money they report losing is on the rise.
Alameda County is nearing the end of a county-wide needs assessment survey that will inform the development of the 2020 Alameda County Plan for Older Adults. The county has so far collected over 5,500 surveys.
The challenge is to make sure survey respondents reflect the broad, diverse community of people age 55 and older. With the clock ticking, the following populations are still underrepresented:
• Latino and Hispanic seniors
• Livermore residents
• Central county residents (Hayward, Castro Valley, Ashland, Cherryland, Fairview)
• Berkeley residents.
An important survey for adults 55+ living anywhere within Alameda county is wrapping up soon. Please use the link to complete the survey.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/L_A_S
Words cannot express the world class hospitality provided by John Bliss & Kim Thompson last night for Legal Assistance for Seniors (LAS)' Fall Fest 2019, Historical Night at The Morse House! LAS raised over $45K and donations are still coming in! John & Kim opened their incredible home to host what some are saying was LAS' most successful Fall Fest yet. Warm thanks to John & Kim on behalf of LAS' clients, staff, donors, Board of Directors!
The podcast may be from 2015, but the same thing continues to happen today. Check out this podcast to learn more about Romance Scams and Older Adults.
https://thisiscriminal.com/episode-twenty-gil-from-london-5-15-2015/
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