New Scam in Town......Scammers Use Fake E Mail to Lure Victims Into Giving Personal Information.

Posted on January 27, 2016 by Amy Herbert, Consumer Education Specialist, FTC

The subject line says “Get Protected,” and the email talks about new features from the Social Security Administration (SSA) that can help taxpayers monitor their credit reports, and know about unauthorized use of their Social Security number. It even cites the IRS and the official-sounding “S.A.F.E Act 2015.” It sounds real, but it’s all made up.

It’s a phishing email to get you to click on a scammer’s link. If you do, a scammer can install malware — like viruses and spyware — on your computer. Or, the link might send you to a spoof site — a lookalike website set up by a scammer to trick you into entering your personal information.



Not sure if an email is really from the government? Here are a couple of clues. Did the email end up in your junk folder? Email providers use filters to help catch phishing scams and prevent spam from getting into your inbox. And when you hover your cursor over the link, is the web address really a trusted website? In this fake SSA email, when you hover over the URL you’re invited to click on, you see the link goes to an unrelated “.com” — instead of the Social Security Administration’s socialsecurity.gov or another “.gov” site.

If you get a questionable email, don’t click on any links, or open any attachments. Report it to the FTC by forwarding the email to spam@uce.gov — and to the real organization impersonated in the email. You also can report it to your email provider. Some email providers let you mark messages as phishing scams. Your report is most effective when you include the full email header, although most email programs hide this information. To find out the full header, type the name of your email service with “full email header” into your favorite search engine, and include this information in your report. When you’re done, delete the email.

If you’re unsure about an email that looks like it’s from the government, contact the agency directly. But find the contact info yourself.

Wentworth Douglass Hospital Highlights Health Through Nutrition in January 20th Workshop

 

Here's some food for thought ...

Can you improve your health by eating differently?

Join Dietitian Brook Gowdy-Johnson on Wednesday, January 20, from 10-11 am, for a discussion about how your nutrition habits can affect your health and how to make changes.
 

At The Works Family Health and Fitness Center.

Call (603) 742-2163 to register.

Maine President of International Securities Organization Announces Annual List of Top Investment Threats and Scams--Investors Urged to Approach Unsolicited Offers with Caution

12/23/2015 02:42 PM EST

Maine's Securities Administrator Judith Shaw, who serves as President of the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA), today released an annual list of top investor threats and urged investors to use caution when approached with unsolicited investments, especially those involving promissory notes, oil and gas deals, and real estate investment opportunities, including non-traded real estate investment trusts.

"Education and information are an investor's best defense against investment fraud," Administrator Shaw said. "These top threats to investors were determined by surveying members of NASAA to identify the five most problematic products, practices or schemes."

 

Maine Securities Administrator Judith Shaw

 Shaw cited the most often noted concerns identified by securities officials:

1. Unregistered Products and Unlicensed Salespersons: The offer of securities by an individual without a valid securities license should be a red alert for investors. Criminals also try to bypass stringent state registration requirements to pitch unregistered investments with a promise of "limited or no risk" and high returns.

2. Promissory Notes: In an environment of low interest rates, the promise of high-interest-bearing promissory notes may be tempting to investors, especially seniors and others living on a fixed income. Promissory notes generally are used by companies to raise capital. Legitimate promissory notes are marketed almost exclusively to sophisticated or corporate investors with the resources to research thoroughly the companies issuing the notes and to determine whether the issuers have the capacity to pay the promised interest and principal. Most promissory notes must be registered as securities with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the states in which they are sold. Average investors should be cautious about offers of promissory notes with a duration of nine months or less, which in some circumstances do not require registration. Short-term notes that appear to be exempt from securities registration have been the source of most - but not all - of the fraudulent activity involving promissory notes identified by regulators.

3. Oil and Gas Investments: Many oil and gas investment opportunities, while involving varying degrees of risks to the investor, are legitimate in their marketing and responsible in their operations. However, as in many other investment opportunities, it is not unusual for unscrupulous promoters to attempt to take advantage of investors by engaging in fraudulent practices. Fraudulent oil and gas deals frequently are structured with the limited partnership (or other legal entity) in one state, the operation and physical presence of the field in a second state, and the offerings made to prospective investors in states other than the initial two states. As a result, there is less chance of an investor visiting a well site or nonexistent company headquarters. Such a structure also makes it difficult for authorities to identify and expose the fraud.

4. Real estate-related Investments: Troublesome real estate-related investments identified by securities officials include non-traded real estate investment trusts (REITs), timeshare re-sales, and brokered mortgage notes. These types of products often carry higher risk. For example, non-traded REITs are sold directly to investors and are not traded on exchanges (as are conventional REITs). Non-traded REITs can be risky and have limited liquidity, which may make them unsuitable for certain investors.

5. Ponzi Schemes: The premise is simple: pay early investors with money raised from later investors. The only people certain to make money are the promoters who set the Ponzi in motion.

"Investors should always be wary of unsolicited financial advice or investment opportunities," Shaw said. "Before making significant investment decisions, ask questions, make sure you understand the risks, and contact Maine's Office of Securities for detailed background information about those who sell securities or give investment advice, as well as about the products being offered." Consumers are encouraged to contact the Office of Securities to check an adviser, salesperson or investment, or for other information related to investing, by calling 1-877-624-8551 (TTY: Please Call Maine Relay 711), by visiting the Office's website (www.investors.maine.gov), or by writing to Maine Office of Securities, 121 SHS, Augusta, ME 04333-0121.

The Office of Securities is part of Maine's Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, which encourages sound business practices through the oversight of insurers, financial institutions, creditors, investment providers, and numerous professions More information is available at www.maine.gov/pfr.

Reminder: Calls purporting to be from the IRS demanding a payment are a SCAM

12/04/2015 09:22 AM EST

(AUGUSTA) The Maine Attorney General's Office has noticed a recent increase in the number of Mainers calling to report they are the target of phone scams in which someone pretends to be calling to collect a debt owed to the Internal Revenue Service. Maine Attorney General Janet T. Mills is reminding people to be aware that these are scams and they should not give people credit card information or wire money.

"The IRS scam and others like it are the most common complaint we receive," said Attorney General Mills. "However, we have noticed a recent spike in the number of people calling our office to alert us and to complain specifically about IRS scams. On Thursday alone we received 61 contacts from Maine people. These are often randomly dialed calls, but for some reason the 207 area code seems to be their target in recent weeks. People should not engage the callers and hang up the phone. Do not give them personal information and do not wire them money."

Here's how they work: Scammers posing as IRS officials call and say you owe taxes. They threaten to arrest you, or deport you, or revoke your license, or even shut down your business if you don't pay right away. They may know your Social Security number - or at least the last four digits of it - making you think it really is the IRS calling. They also can rig caller ID to make it look like the call is coming from Washington, DC.

You are the instructed to put the money on a prepaid debit card and tell them the number - something no government agency would ask you to do. Once you do it, you find out it was a scam, and the money is gone.

"No governmental agency or legitimate business will call you up and demand an immediate payment by credit card, wire transfer or by pre-paid debit card," said Attorney General Janet T. Mills. "If you receive one of these calls, do not answer any of their questions. Hang up the phone immediately."

If you owe - or think you owe - federal taxes, call the IRS at 800-829-1040 or go to irs.gov. IRS workers can help you with your payment questions. The IRS doesn't ask people to pay with prepaid debit cards or wire transfers, and doesn't ask for credit card numbers over the phone. When the IRS contacts people about unpaid taxes, they usually do it by mail, not by phone.

One Maine resident recorded his interaction with a scammer claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service and posted it to YouTube. The call illustrates several tactics used by phone scammers. They claimed to be from an entity that the target is familiar with and who he has the potential to owe money to - we all have to deal with the IRS at some point. When challenged about his authenticity, the scammer tried to reassure the target by giving a badge number in order to sound official. And finally, the payment could only be made by "Green Dot Money Pak," available at places like WalMart or drug store chains, and not by other means. The scammers are also not easily dissuaded; different people called repeatedly making the same claims in order to make him think they were legitimate.

Report IRS imposter scams to the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) online or at 800-366-4484, and to the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint.

If you have questions about these or other consumer matters, please contact the Consumer Protection Division of the Maine Attorney General's Office at 1(800) 436-2131 or consumer.mediation@maine.gov .

Milton New Hampshire Police Warn Area Residents of a Phone Scam that is Targeting Their Area...........

Another phone scam is uncovered in a nearby New Hampshire town.
This time the warning comes from Milton, New Hampshire.

Lebanon Friends, since we have no police department to warn of these phone scams, if you are contacted by someone and you believe it to be a SCAM, please alert the Maine State Police, and let us know at LMTS and we'll post it here for folks to see.

The BEST way to avoid your friends and neighbors becoming the unwilling victims of a scam is to let others know about it and shut the scammers down before they begin!!

From Milton, NH PD.......

Milton Police Department

Yesterday at 5:47pm ·

Milton Police Department has received notice of another phone scam going around.
In this scam, the caller purports to be calling from the federal government an...d promises an amount of money to be paid to the victim from the "American Recovery Act" in exchange for a Western Union Moneygram for a smaller amount.

As the holiday season approaches these type of scams promising easy money are more prevalent. Please consider letting loved ones, especially family or friends who may not have Facebook, know about this so they do not fall victim.
If you have any questions, please contact the Milton Police Department via dispatch at 652-4500.

Medicare Open Enrollment: Five Things You Need to Do............. Open Enrollment ENDS DECEMBER 7th......

 

 

Posted on November 30, 2015 by Dr. Patrick Conway, CMS Principal Deputy Administrator and Chief Medical Officer

Routines help keep us focused, organized, and even healthy. However, if your health routine doesn’t include preparing for Medicare’s Open Enrollment, now’s the time to kick-start a new healthy habit.
If you have a Medicare health or prescription drug plan, you should review and compare coverage options. The Open Enrollment runs through December 7 and is the time you can make changes to your plan. Even if you’re happy with your current coverage, you might find a better fit for your budget or your health needs. If you miss an Open Enrollment deadline, you’ll most likely have to wait a full year before you can change your plan.
Here are five things every Medicare beneficiary can do to get in the Medicare Open Enrollment routine.

1. Review your plan notice. Be sure to read any notices from your Medicare plan about changes for next year, especially your “Annual Notice of Change” letter. Look at your plan’s information to make sure your drugs are still covered and your doctors are still in network.

2. Think about what matters most to you. Medicare health and drug plans change each year and so can your health needs. Do you need a new primary care doctor? Does your network include the specialist you want for an upcoming surgery? Does your current plan cover your new medications? Does another plan offer the same value at a lower cost? Take stock of your health status and determine if you need to make a change.

3. Find out if you qualify for help paying for your Medicare. Learn about programs in your state to help with the costs of Medicare premiums, your Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Medicare Part B (medical insurance) deductibles, coinsurance and co-payments, and Medicare prescription drug coverage costs. Visit Medicare.gov or make an appointment with a local State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) counselor if you need help.

4. Shop for plans that meet your needs and fit your budget. You can use the Medicare Plan Finder tool to see what other plans are offered in your area. A new plan may:

• Cost less;
• Cover your drugs costs; or
• Let you use the providers you want, like your doctor or pharmacy.

If you find that your current coverage still meets your needs, then you don’t need to make any changes. Remember, during Medicare Open Enrollment, you can decide to stay in Original Medicare or join a Medicare Advantage Plan. If you’re already in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can switch back to Original Medicare.

5. Check your plan’s star rating before you enroll. The Medicare Plan Finder includes Star Ratings for the 2016 Medicare health and prescription drug plans. Plans are rated for quality on a one- to five-star scale: one star represents poor performance and five stars represent excellent performance. Be sure to use the ratings to compare the quality of any health and drug plans you are considering.

These are a few easy ways to get a jump-start on your Medicare Open Enrollment. For more information, call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) and say “Agent.” TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048. Help is available 24 hours a day, including weekends. If you need help in a language other than English or Spanish, let the customer service representative know the language. You can also visit a local SHIP counselor. SHIP counselors provide free, one-on-one, non-biased Medicare assistance. Get free personalized health insurance counseling by calling your SHIP at the number listed on the Medicare contacts page or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

York County Sherriff King Alerts Residents to "IRS SCAM"

Please see the message below from York County Sheriff William L. King:

Kittery Detective Ray Hazen received a report of an "IRS" scam call from 202-864-1377. The strange thing about this scam call is that the intended target's caller ID showed the call came from the “York County Sheriffs”.
The accented caller told the resident that he owed a significant amount of money to the IRS that need to be paid today or a York County Deputy would be sent to arrest him within an hour.
The scammer told the intended target to call the number and ask for Officer Shawn Woods of the IRS. The target was a bit thrown off by the caller ID.  
Detective Hazen called the number and they answered on the first ring, "IRS."  
Please spread the word about this latest scam, using the sheriff's office as a ruse.  

State Officials Advise Consumers of New Maine File Freeze Law

 

 

 

10/16/2015 01:45 PM EDT

Effective October 15, 2015 Maine consumers have the right to place a file freeze on their credit report with each of the three major reporting agencies - Equifax, Experian and TransUnion - at no cost.

A file freeze is a means to restrict access to credit reports in order to safeguard the information. It does not affect one's credit score, nor prevent the individual from obtaining a free annual credit report (www.annualcreditreport.com).

A freeze also doesn't prevent the individual from opening new credit accounts or taking other actions, such as applying for a job, that may require a credit check. However, the freeze may need to be lifted temporarily or for a particular individual or company, in order for the report to be reviewed.

"In light of recent large-scale data breaches, Maine consumers should be aware of this new law," said David Leach, principal examiner with the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection. "Unlike previous data breaches in which only credit card information was stolen, recent incidents involved loss of personal information - including Social Security numbers, dates of birth and street addresses - that could easily permit identity thieves to apply for credit, government benefits or housing in our names. Credit cards can easily be canceled and replaced, but much of our personal information remains unchanged for our entire lives."

To activate a file freeze, Maine consumers can contact the three major national credit reporting agencies by phone, on-line or by mail. All three credit reporting agencies have been contacted by the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection and are aware of Maine's new file freeze law. Contact information is as follows:

Equifax: 1-800-349-9960 www.freeze.equifax.com Equifax PO Box 105069 Atlanta, GA 30348

Experian: 1-888-397-3742 www.experian.com/freeze/center.html Experian PO Box 4500 Allen, TX 75013

TransUnion: 1-888-909-8872 www.transunion.com/securityfreeze Trans Union PO Box 2000 Chester, PA 19022

Leach indicated that for most consumers the easiest way to place a security freeze is likely by telephone. It may take less than 15 minutes to place freezes with all three credit reporting agencies. The calls are received by automated centers, and consumers use touch-tone pads to provide their Social Security number, date of birth, zip code, and partial address.

Within two weeks, consumers should receive a file freeze confirmation letter complete with a personal identification number, or PIN, for their use to unlock their credit file when they are applying for credit.

Parents wishing to apply a freeze in the case of children under the age of 16 who do not already have a credit file, may be required to pay $10 per freeze. Equifax, however, has told state regulators it is waiving that fee.

More information is available by contacting the Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection at 1-800-332-8529.

No Cost-of-Living Adjustment in Social Security Checks for 2016

 

Posted on October 15, 2015 by Jim Borland, Assistant Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Social Security’s annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is an increase in the benefit amount people receive each month. By law, the monthly Social Security and SSI federal benefit rate increases when there is a rise in the cost of living. The government measures changes in the cost of living through the Department of Labor’s Consumer Price Index (CPI-W).

The CPI has not risen since the last cost-of-living adjustment in 2015. As a result, your SSI benefit rate and, for most people, your Social Security benefit amount will stay the same in 2016.
This news isn’t necessarily bad. When inflation stays at the same rate, your cost of living also stays the same. Prices for goods and services, on average, haven’t increased enough to affect the COLA.
Other changes that would normally take effect based on changes in the national average wage index also won’t begin in January 2016. Since there is no COLA, the statute also prohibits a change in the maximum amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax, as well as the retirement earnings test exempt amounts. These amounts will remain unchanged in 2016. The new fact sheet provides more information on 2016 Social Security and SSI changes.
For additional information about the 2016 COLA, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/cola.
For additional information about changes in the national average wage index, go to www.socialsecurity.gov/OACT/COLA/AWI.html.

LEBANON VOTE, NOVEMBER 3, 2015, SIGNATURES NEEDED FOR CITIZENS PETITION to CREATE A BOARD OF 5 SELECTMEN.

 

We, as a Town, a Community, are preparing for the

November 3, 2015 Vote,

Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers

would like to encourage all town residents to

GET OUT and VOTE!!

 

There will be many different IMPORTANT items on the November 3 Ballot, and you should all attend the Public Hearing to discuss all ballot question, scheduled for October 20, 2015 at the Lebanon Elementary School, on Upper Guinea Road.

Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers is circulating a Citizen's Petition that is in need of signatures.

 

This petition would ask that the Voters of the Town of Lebanon approve adding 2 positions to our Board of Selectmen, creating a Board of 5 members rather than a Board of 3 members.

 

There are a few reasons why this is being asked of voters.

1. The addition of 2 more Select Board Members would decrease the work load on Selectmen when Town Assessing, Accounts Payable, Permit Approval and other "hands on" jobs are required of them.

2. The addition of 2 more Select Board Members would then make 2 Board Members together for an evening out or a project NOT a quorum of the Board as outlined in Maine State Law, and allow a quorum to then be a minimum of THREE Board Members together, thus lessening the chances of an "illegal meeting" or a "surprise motion".

3. The addition of 2 more Select Board Members would make it a more difficult process for one person, or one group of people to gain outside control of a majority of Board Members.

 

We currently still need over 100 signatures, (total needed is 217 registered Lebanon voters), and we would like to pass this petition in to the Town Clerk on or before the Thursday, September 10, 2015 Board of Selectmen's Meeting for their approval of our petition to be added to the November 3, Election Ballot.

 

Please message us via Facebook and we will get to you,

OR you may e mail Lebanon Maine Truth Seekers at: lebanontruthseekers@Hotmail.com 

Thank you for your consideration.

 

 

 

It's Time Again For the Acton Fair!!!!

Time again for the Acton Fair

ACTON -The Acton Fair starts today, Thursday, Aug. 27, and will run through Sunday, Aug. 30.

The fairgrounds are located at 550 Route 109 in Acton. The price for admission is $8 for adults, and children under age 12 can get in for free.

Celebrating its 150th anniversary, the fair will have many highlights in the coming days. The fairʼs program of scheduled events can be accessed online at www.actonfair.net, and the itinerary promises a variety of activities for all ages.

According to Donna Goodrich, the treasurer for the York County Agricultural Association, The Legends, Sanford's radio station at 1220 AM or 102.3 FM on the dial, will broadcast live from tonight's Cruiseʼn Car show while highlighting music from the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.

The Acton Fair features traditional agricultural events, such as a woodsmenʼs day, an antique tractor pull, ox and horse pulling, sheep dog demonstrations, crafts and plenty of vendors selling food and crafts. The Lions Club will be there, as always, catering to a long line of regular customers. Sanford-Springvale Rotarians will be on hand to sell their famous chicken livers. There will be amusement rides too.

In honor of the fairʼs 150th year, special awards will be presented to winners in the pulling ring and in the craft and cooking competitions. Bigger monetary prizes, ribbons, and a year's worth of bragging rights will go home with each eventʼs lucky winners.

Goodrich said that kids are encouraged to get involved with the hands-on Farmerʼs Lilʼ Helper program, which allows children the opportunity to milk a cow, collect eggs and learn important facts about where their food comes from. 4-H competitions, a pig scramble, and a pedal-tractor pull will grant kids of all ages an opportunity to compete and to become a part of Acton Fairʼs longstanding history.

"Weʼre trying to have lots of things going on for people to watch and do at the fair," Goodrich told Sanford News Contributor Penny Mills in last week's issue of the Sanford News.

fosters.com

Writer

Posted Aug. 26, 2015 at 12:33 PM    

 

 

Replacing Your Medicare Card – Know Before You Go (Online)

From the Social Security Administration Office:

Posted on August 27, 2015 by Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

Keeping your important personal documents safe can be challenging. We understand that, occasionally these important pieces of information can get lost.
Your Medicare card is one of the most important pieces of identification you own as a Medicare beneficiary. This card proves that you have health insurance, so medical professionals can provide you with needed care, and insurance companies can pay for all or part of this care accurately.
If you damage or lose your card, and you’re currently entitled to Medicare, you can order a replacement card easily using your personal my Social Security account. All you need is a computer or tablet with Internet access. Your card will arrive in the mail in about 30 days.
To make an online request, you’ll need

• Your last (exact) payment amount, or the month and year you last received a payment, if you’ve received benefits in the last 12 months.
• Your name as it appears on your most recent Social Security card
• Your Social Security number
• Your date of birth
• Your phone number in case we need to contact you about your request
• Your email address (optional)

You may also need

• Your place of birth
• Your mother’s maiden name (to help identify you)

If you can’t use the online request to get a replacement Medicare card, or if you prefer, call Social Security’s toll-free number, 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778). Our representatives will be glad to help you. You can also visit one of our local Social Security offices. For the office closest to you, try our online field office locator.

DHHS to Fund Waitlists, Meals on Wheels with Welfare Reform Savings

08/24/2015 10:17 AM EDT

$3.24 million in TANF savings due to 60-month cap being repurposed to help elderly Mainers

AUGUSTA - Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Commissioner Mary Mayhew announced on Monday that the Department has increased funding to home care services for the elderly and the Meals on Wheels program using savings from the state's Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant-savings realized by the LePage Administration's 60-month cap on TANF benefits and other reforms.

"We are committed to reprioritizing Maine's welfare system to best serve our neediest elderly and disabled neighbors," said Commissioner Mayhew. "The hard and often-criticized work of reforming Maine's welfare system is paying off with this new initiative to care for the elderly in their homes."

The Department is directing $3.24 million in surplus funds from the state's TANF block grant to cover allowable expenses for other programs in the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG), which in turn will make that funding available to support four distinct programs to help elderly Mainers: Meals on Wheels, Consumer-Directed Home Based Care, Homemaker Services/Independent Support Services, and the Home Based Care wait list.

Providers have already been notified of the enhanced funding they will receive and are showing support for the move.

"This is a very proactive and innovative move from DHHS to get funding where it is needed most," said Betsy Sawyer-Manter of Seniors Plus. "Seniors Plus is a nonprofit organization that relies on donations and grants, and finding the funding required to meet the needs of Maine's seniors is a consistent challenge. With this new funding, we can begin to take care of many of those who have been on waitlists."

"For too long before this Administration, able-bodied young adults were given priority in Maine's welfare system," added Commissioner Mayhew. "The federal government has put up consistent roadblocks to Governor Paul LePage's mission to prioritize the elderly and disabled. However, we are pleased to be able to announce that we are moving forward with this repurposing of federal and state funds to continue our important mission of reforming Maine's welfare system."

BACKGROUND: Distribution of Funding

1. Meals on Wheels
    a. Is a meals program with home delivery for the homebound.
    b. Has a wait list of 69 people.
    c. Has five contracts through the five Area Agencies on Aging. We are increasing the current allocation by adding $131, 539.
       i. Southern Maine Area Agency on Aging: $35,897 for 18 people
       ii. Seniors Plus: $22,480 for 12 people
       iii. Central Maine Area Agency on Aging: $33,950 for 17 people
       iv. Eastern Area Agency on Aging: $28,189 for 15 people
       v. Aroostook Area Agency on Aging: $11,023 for 6 people
2. Consumer Directed Home Based Care
    a. Personal Assistance Services, Skills Training for adults at least 18 years old with physical disabilities who need help with daily activities and are able to direct own care.    Copays are for 4% of monthly income; 3% of assets over $30,000
    b. Has a wait list of 55 people.
    c. We are adding $1,039,500 to the Alpha One Contract: ADS-16-9702
3. Home Based Care
    a. Five levels of service based on degree of functional impairment. Includes: Personal Care, Respite, Homemaking, Nursing, Nonmedical Transport, Adult Day Care
    b. Has a wait list of 64 people.
    c. We are adding $894,456 to the contract with Seniors Plus: ADS-16-3351
4. Homemaker Services/Independent Support Services (ISS)
    a. Homemaking, routine cleaning, main meal preparation, grocery shopping, laundry, transportation, some personal care for individuals who need assistance; eight hours per month
    b. Has a wait list of 908 people.
    c. We are adding $1,296,624 to the existing contract with Catholic Charities: ADS-16-9151.

Social Security Administration Celebrates 80th Year in Service.

Social Security is turning 80 years old in 2015, beginning it's services in 1935.  While we all hear that Social Security is failing, Program Deputy Commissioner Doug Walker, posts this positive and reassuring message for the 80th year in service.....

 

Social Security is Turning 80 and Has Never Been Better!

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Doug Walker, Deputy Commissioner, Communications

 

 

The Social Security program is turning 80 years old this year, but age has only made us stronger, wiser, and more agile! We are pleased that, through the years, we continue to provide our best customer service to you, the American public, by innovating with the latest technology.
In August of 1935, our mission started by offering retirement programs to assist the most vulnerable members of the public. Everything was done by hand — paper forms were filed and calculated for every person in the United States. Other agencies donated employees to help with our new mission. Today, we have about 60,000 dedicated and compassionate employees, and our services are digital, mobile, and secure through our many online applications. In fact, July 19-25 is National my Social Security week. We will host numerous events and activities across the country to raise awareness about the benefits of opening a secure my Social Security account.
With a secure my Social Security account, you can verify your earnings history, see your future benefit estimates, and much more from the comfort of your home or office. The convenience and safety of doing business online is another way we’re meeting the changing needs and lifestyles of our customers. As we said, turning 80 has only made us quicker on our feet.
As we work to expand online services for those who prefer that flexibility, we continue our commitment to providing you with top-notch, face-to-face assistance in field offices across the nation or through our nationwide toll-free telephone service. Our frontline employees offer world-class service to millions each day.
We’ve come a long way and are proud of our strong history of service to you. We look forward to making the next 80 years just as great with continued professionalism and innovation!

Emergency Preparedness Checklist for Seniors, But Good Advice for All.

by Home Instead Senior Care.

With severe weather season upon us in the U.S., older adults may be among the most vulnerable victims when disasters strike.
Home Instead Senior Care, has issued a disaster safety preparation checklist to help prepare seniors for the possibility of natural disasters.
"We know that a disaster can be deadly for some seniors because of physical and other limitations," said Jeff Huber, president of Home Instead, Inc., franchisor of the Home Instead Senior Care® network. "That's why the sooner the better for families to talk with their senior loved ones and begin preparing in advance for any kind of emergency that could threaten their health or safety. Consider this checklist as you help your older adult get ready."
Home Instead Senior Care's Disaster Prep Checklist For Seniors:
Tune in -- Contact the local emergency management office to learn about the most likely natural disasters to strike your area. Stay abreast of what's going on through your local radio or television.
Take stock -- Decide what your senior can or can't do in the event of a natural disaster. Make a list of what would be needed if a disaster occurred. For example, if your loved one is wheelchair-bound, determine an evacuation strategy ahead of time. Prepare for whatever disaster could hit the area.
To go or to stay? -- When deciding to evacuate, older adults should go sooner rather than later. By waiting too long, they may be unable to leave if they require assistance.
Make a plan -- Schedule a family meeting to develop a plan of action. Include in your plan key people – such as neighbors, friends, relatives and professional caregivers – who could help.
More than one way out -- Seniors should develop at least two escape routes: one to evacuate their home and one to evacuate their community. The local emergency management office can tell you escape routes out of the community.
Meet up --- Designate a place to meet relatives or key support network people outside the house, as well as a second location outside the neighborhood, such as a school or church. Practice the plan twice a year.
Get up and "Go Kit."-- Have an easy-to-carry backpack including three days non-perishable food and water with an additional four days of food and water readily accessible at home. Have at least one gallon of bottled water per person per day. Refresh and replace your supplies at least twice a year. And don't forget the blanket and paper products such as toilet paper.
Pack extras and copies -- Have at least a one-month supply of medication on hand at all times. Make ready other important documents in a waterproof protector including copies of prescriptions, car title registration and driver's license, insurance documents and bank account numbers, and spare checkbook. Also take extra eyeglasses and hearing-aid batteries. Label every piece of important equipment or personal item in case they are lost.
Your contact list -- Compile a contact list and include people on a senior's support network as well as doctors and other important health-care professionals.
If you can't be there -- If you're not living close by to help your loved one, enlist the help of family or friends, or contact a professional caregiving company.
For more information about disaster preparedness, contact Home Instead Senior Care at www.homeinstead.com

Sandy shares WCSH6 News Story on WWII Veterans Visit to Washington DC.

 

This morning I watched the following news and video about World War 11 veterans visiting Washington. It was a very touching moment and I wanted to share this with you. My husband was a veteran of two wars and I remember well the impact each of them had on our lives. Least we forget, in our busy lives, there are young men and women we give of themselves selfishly to protect the freedom from oppression that we all share in our country. Many of these now seniors were very young men who went to war . There is another trip to be funded to send another group. I will post the particulars when they are available. In the meantime be thankful.

See the story from WCSH6 News by clicking on the link below:

http://www.wcsh6.com/story/news/local/2015/05/11/honor-flight-veterans-made-mark-in-washington-dc/27143697/

Rochester Recreation Offers Rehab 3 Introduction.

Come over to Rochester Recreation on Thursday, May 14, 2015 and listen as Bill talks about the benefits of fitness, stretching, cardio and weights for Seniors.
Also there will be information on the present programs and pricing for area Seniors at Rehab 3.
12:30 to 1:30 in Conference Room 1A at the Rochester Community Center. Presenter: William Stewart.
For more information or to pre-register, please call Rochester Recreation at (603) 332-4120