December 2024

Flu Prevention starts with you!

Take your flu from wild to mild

National Influenza Vaccination Week (NIVW) is a critical opportunity to remind everyone 6 months and older that there's still time to protect themselves and their loved ones from flu this flu season by getting their annual flu vaccine if they have not already.

CDC data shows that flu vaccination coverage was lower last season, especially among certain higher risk groups, like children and the elderly. When you get a flu vaccine, you reduce your risk of illness, and flu-related hospitalization if you do get sick.

This week is meant to remind people that there is still time to benefit from the first and most important action in preventing flu illness and potentially serious flu complications: get a flu vaccine today. Check out CDC's NIVW toolkit for more shareable resources and content.

Flu, COVID-19, and RSV Vaccines:

Reasons to Get Vaccinated This Season

Respiratory viruses like flu, COVID-19, and RSV can spread quickly in your community, especially during the fall and winter seasons. Some people are at higher risk of getting seriously sick or ending up in the hospital if they get infected with one of these viruses.

The good news is that flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines boost your protection against severe illness and hospitalization.

Who’s at high risk for a severe case of flu or COVID-19? People 65 years and older, people with certain medical conditions, and people with weakened immune systems.

Who’s at high risk for a severe case of RSV? People 75 years and older, people 60 and older who live in nursing homes, and people 60 and older with certain medical conditions.

What if I’m pregnant? Vaccinating against flu and COVID-19 during your pregnancy can help keep you from getting very sick and can even help protect your baby. A doctor may also recommend that you get an RSV vaccine while pregnant to help protect your baby from serious RSV disease.

One way to protect yourself from severe flu, COVID-19, or RSV illness is to get vaccinated. Don’t wait! Talk to a doctor about what vaccines are right for you, so you can make a vaccine appointment today!

PROTECT YOUR WALLET:

A Guide to Avoiding Financial Scams

While financial scams and fraud happen throughout the year, the holidays are a predictable time to see an increase. More online shopping and phone or email donation appeals means more opportunities for fraud. It is also an emotional time of year for many people, especially those who may feel lonely or isolated, which scammers can exploit. The Eldercare Locator can help older adults, caregivers and families to stay safe and worry free by protecting themselves and loved ones from financial fraud and scams during the holiday season. Common Scams Targeting Older Adults Scams targeting people age 60 and older resulted in over $3.4 billion in losses in 2023 alone, according to the FBI.

Here are some of the most common types of scams and fraud, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Read the complete CFPB list here.

• Charity: Scammer pretends to represent a real or made-up organization and asks for donations.
• Non-Delivery: A person buys something online but never receives the item.
• Grandparent: Scammer pretends to be a grandchild or relative in trouble and asks for money or gift cards.
• Tech Support: Scammer pretends to be a computer expert offering technical support to trick people into giving access to their computers and personal information.
• Romance: Scammer pretends to be romantically interested in someone, develops trust and then asks for money or a loan.
• Blackmail: Scammer threatens to release personal information unless the victim sends money using wire transfer or gift cards.
• Investment: Scammer pretends to be a financial professional with urgent investment opportunities that are fake, including offers to teach you how to invest in cryptocurrency.

10 Tips to Avoid Scams

Here are some of the things you can do to prevent getting scammed or becoming a victim of financial fraud. Learn more from the FBI and CFPB.

1. Be wary of someone offering you a “great deal” that seems too good to be true or pressuring you to act quickly.
2. Do not be afraid to say “no” or hang up if you feel uncomfortable or suspicious about a phone call solicitation or to ignore suspicious emails or text solicitations.
3. Never send money using a gift card or wire transfer directly to a seller or unknown person.
4. Do not click on suspicious links or attachments in text messages, emails, websites or social media.
5. Be suspicious of a company asking you by phone or email to update your password or account information. Look up the company’s phone number on your own and call the company to find out if the request is real.
6. Keep personal information in a safe and secure location that unauthorized individuals cannot access.
7. Do not share numbers or passwords for accounts, credit cards or Social Security.
8. 8. Monitor your financial accounts by setting up alerts for unusual activity and reviewing statements more frequently during the holidays.
9. 9. Build a strong support network and keep in touch with others to prevent social isolation. This can decrease the chances that you will experience financial exploitation and the likelihood that it goes unnoticed.
10. Stay informed about current scams and keep older family members up to date on official warnings about current scams or fraud.

Suspected Scams— What You Can Do

Reporting financial scams or fraud can feel intimidating. Here are resources you can turn to for help.

• Eldercare Locator: Trained staff can connect you with local fraud reporting organizations in your community.
• Emergency 911: If you or someone you know is in immediate danger due to suspected financial fraud or abuse, then contact the police right away.
• National Elder Fraud Hotline: People age 60 and older who are victims of financial fraud can contact 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372- 8311). A case manager will assist with the reporting process at the federal, state and local levels.
• Better Business Bureau Scam Tracker: A free tool to report or look up suspected scams which helps others avoid similar cons.
• National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA): Contact your state’s NAPSA office about suspected cases of elder abuse, including financial exploitation.
• Pass It On: A Federal Trade Commission (FTC) program with tools to share experiences of fraud and help prevent others from being victims.
• Identity Theft: An FTC platform allowing victims to report identity theft, develop a personal plan to recover.
• Long-Term Care Ombudsman: People who live in licensed nursing homes or assisted living facilities and suspect they are victims of elder or financial abuse can contact a state or local Long-Term Care Ombudsman to act as advocate and provide information about licensing, monitoring and regulatory agencies to help residents stay safe.

Capital Coalition on Aging

Now accepting breakfast hosts for 2025!

As the new year approaches, we are opening up the 2025 Coalition on Aging Calendar for breakfast hosts! Currently, 2025 presentations have been filled, but you can still sign up to be a back-up presenter.

Just a few friendly reminders:

Presentations: Presentations should be between 30-40 minutes and related to the well-being, education and interests of our seniors. If you would like to use the big screen TVs at the senior center, please bring in a flash drive or your laptop. Set up should only take a few minutes. Please arrive a few minutes early for your presentation and let us know how you would like to be introduced. 

Breakfast hosts: If providing breakfast, please bring a light breakfast of your choice. Breakfast should be for approximately 30 people. The breakfast host must provide plates, napkins, and plasticware (the senior center does not provide these items). If you need any assistance carrying any items into the senior center or setting up, please let us know the day before and we will be more than happy to come early to assist. 

NEW for 2025: If you do provide breakfast, you will get about 5-10 minutes to talk about your organization. (Basically, a commercial spot to plug your organization!)

If interested in presenting, please email your topic and length of presentation to Carley Bouwens at carleybaaanf@gmail.com.

Please also provide your preferred month and a backup month, just in case that date is taken. We will have a waitlist/backup for those who didn’t get a chance to sign up. 

Advantage Aging Solutions wants to wish everyone a very Happy Holidays. May you have a joyful and healthy holiday season!