A&FS Newsletter Feb 2020

Aging in Action Jan – Mar, 2020
Newsletter Volume 45, Issue 2

Aging & Family Service * 875 S Mineral St * Keyser WV 26726
wvaging.com * 304-788-5467 * [email protected]

Protecting the Elderly Inside This Issue 1
from Financial Abuse 4
Elderly Financial Abuse 6
You, or someone you know, could become the victim of a Fun and Activities for Seniors 7
growing crime in America — financial abuse of older Ameri- Being Social 8
cans. Seniors are increasingly becoming targets for financial Increased Funding for Senior 9
abuse. As people over 50 years old control over 70 percent AARP Drivers Safety Course 10
of the nation's wealth, fraudsters are using new tactics to Alzheimer's Support Group 11
take advantage of retiring baby boomers and the growing Future Tours 12
number of older Americans. Senior financial abuse is estimat- 2021 Trips 13
ed to have cost victims at least $2.9 billion last year alone. Conquer the Dam 5K 14
Gift of a Meal 15
What Is Elder Financial Abuse? Services
It’s a crime that deprives older adults of their resources and Staff
ultimately their independence. Anyone who sees signs of
theft, fraud, misuse of a person’s assets or credit, or use of un-
due influence to gain control of an older person’s money or
property should be on the alert. Those are signs of possible
exploitation. Older Americans that may have disabilities or
rely on others for help can be susceptible to scams and other
fraud. Advances in technology can also make it difficult for
seniors to know who to trust and what's safe.

Despite these threats, taking simple steps to safeguard per-
sonal information and being aware of warning signs can pro-
tect aging men and women from financial abuse.

Aging in Action Page 2

Tips for Seniors:

What should you do to protect yourself?

 Plan ahead to protect your assets and to ensure your wishes are followed. Talk to someone at your
financial institution, an attorney, or financial advisor about the best options for you.

 Shred receipts, bank statements and unused credit card offers before throwing them away.
 Carefully choose a trustworthy person to act as your agent in all estate-planning matters.
 Lock up your checkbook, account statements and other sensitive information when others will be in

your home.
 Order copies of your credit report once a year to ensure accuracy.
 Never give personal information, including Social Security Number, account number or other finan-

cial information to anyone over the phone unless you initiated the call and the other party is trusted.
 Never pay a fee or taxes to collect sweepstakes or lottery “winnings.”
 Never rush into a financial decision. Ask for details in writing and get a second opinion.
 Consult with a financial advisor or attorney before signing any document you don’t understand.
 Get to know your banker and build a relationship with the people who handle your finances. They

can look out for any suspicious activity related to your account.
 Check references and credentials before hiring anyone. Don’t allow workers to have access to in-

formation about your finances.
 Pay with checks and credit cards instead of cash to keep a paper trail.
 Feel free to say “no.” After all, it’s your money.
 You have the right not to be threatened or intimi-

dated. If you think someone close to you is trying to
take control of your finances, call your local Adult
Protective Services or tell someone at your bank.
 Trust your instincts. Exploiters and abusers often are
very skilled. They can be charming and forceful in
their effort to convince you to give up control of
your finances. Don’t be fooled—if something
doesn’t feel right, it may not be right. If it sounds too
good to be true, it probably is.

Aging in Action Page 3

Common Ways Family Members, Agencies, and Trusted Others Exploit Vulnerable Adults

 Using a Power of Attorney, given by the victim to allow another person to handle his/her finances,
as a license to steal the victim’s monies for the perpetrator’s own use

 Taking advantage of joint bank accounts in the same way
 Using ATM cards and stealing checks to withdraw monies from the victim’s accounts
 Threatening to abandon, hit or otherwise harm the victim unless he or she gives the perpetrator

what he/she wants
 Refusing to obtain needed care and medical services for the victim in order to keep the person’s

assets available for the abuser

In-home care providers charging for services; keeping change from errands, paying bills which don’t
belong to the vulnerable adult, asking the vulnerable adult to sign falsified time sheets, spending their
work time on the phone and not doing what they are paid to do.

Please be aware that there are agencies and providers in Mineral County that are asking seniors to
create a joint bank account and charging their fees
through automatic withdrawal from a seniors bank
account. Please contact Adult Protective Services
of another trusting agency if you believe yourself or a
loved one is in danger of financial exploitation.

Interventions to address financial abuse include clos-
ing joint bank accounts, having the victim revoke the
power of attorney; putting in place a responsible
person or agency to assist with managing the vic-
tim’s funds; and restarting utilities if they’ve been shut
off.

APS often works to reduce the isolation of the victim, Contact 304-788-5467 for more info
through putting in services, etc., which reduces his/
her risk of continued abuse. In many situations, APS
refers cases to law enforcement for investigation and
prosecution.

Aging in Action Page 4

Fun & Activities for
Seniors

Why Play Is Important and How to Do More of It

Do your ideas about activities for seniors need an inspiring lift? You wouldn't be the first person to say yes.
After all, it's sometimes easy to forget how much fun life can really be—regardless of your age. Joyful pur-
suits are what make us feel truly alive, engaged, and connected. The world becomes more vibrant and
inviting when we give ourselves permission to play.

That's why it's such a good idea to explore all kinds of different options for having fun. Every senior de-
serves to pursue enjoyable pastimes that make him or her laugh, lose track of time, or feel like a goofy kid
at heart. Plus, many of the best activities for senior citizens cost little or no money. (For example, being sil-
ly—just for the sake of it—doesn't have to cost a single penny.)

So discover why it's important to have more fun and explore ideas for how to go about doing exactly that.
This article will show you why it's perfectly normal—and necessary—to love playing and having fun as an
older adult.

What Is Fun Anyway?

That may seem like an odd or very basic question, but it's worth taking seriously. Besides, fun might be a
little harder to define than you think. We all have own ideas about what is fun or pleasurable. The kinds of
experiences that create the feelings we think of as fun are extremely diverse and wide-ranging. No two
people share exactly the same responses to every type of experience.

Even so, it's important to maintain a helpful awareness of the general concept, especially if you're a sen-
ior. Fun shouldn't be ignored by anybody. You're never too old to benefit from it.

So, what's the best way to define fun? Maybe we should think of it this way: Fun is the intense enjoyment
you feel when doing a voluntary activity that offers a consuming sense of positive engagement. Some-
times, it's the result of being free to play without expectations or the pressure of potential consequences,
much like children do. And, of course, fun is the complete opposite of boring. Fun lightens your heart.

Why Is Play Important for Seniors?

Here's where the subject of fun and play gets really interesting. The importance of play can't be overstat-
ed. That's true for everybody, but it might be particularly true for seniors. After all, in our later years, many
of us become more prone to issues that can affect our health and happiness. So any activities that can
help us restore or prolong our vitality are essential. Having fun is a lot more powerful in that regard than
most people probably realize.

Aging in Action Page 5

In fact, scientific studies continue to show that play and fun activities—for older adults or people of any
age—can have several major benefits. For example, play has the power to help:

 Improve how your brain works. Do you want to maintain your memory and optimize your ability to
learn new things? Playing and having fun—on a regular basis—can help you avoid memory problems
and enhance your creativity and mental sharpness.

 Heal, establish, or maintain relationships. Our social lives are incredibly important for our overall well-
being. However, a lot of seniors are lonely. In fact, on average, seniors without spouses or partners
spend about 10 hours alone each day. But fun and play
can enable seniors to make new friends or improve ex-
isting relationships. After all, things like laughter and
friendly competition are known to increase harmony,
trust, empathy, and intimacy among people who expe-
rience them together.

 Improve your mental and emotional well-being. Do you
like the way you feel when you have a brighter outlook
on life and your sense of time recedes into the back-
ground? Engaging in fun and playful activities can ex-
pand your optimism, multiply your moments of joy, and
reduce your stress. It can even help you prevent depres-
sion.

 Extend your life and improve your physical vitality. Who
doesn't want to feel younger or more energetic? Creat-
ing plenty of fun moments in your life can be a good
way to boost your immune system, reduce your risk of
illness, and minimize your perception of any existing pain
you might already have.

As you can see, play should be a major part of life for eve-
ryone. We can all probably use many more experiences of
pure child-like joy. It's who we are, no matter our age.

Aging in Action Page 6

Being Social keeps
you Healthy

How Being Social Keeps Older Adults Healthy

Building and maintaining social relationships can have a huge impact on seniors' overall wellness. Social
activities are important for the elderly because they help ward off loneliness and prevent feelings of iso-
lation. Organized social pursuits also provide a sense of purpose and give older adults something to look
forward to regularly.

Here are a few of the benefits that come from staying socially engaged as an older adult:

 Improved cognitive function—Social activities can help you stay mentally sharp. Research has re-
vealed that people who maintain supportive relationships with family, friends, and neighbors have
better overall mental health. One study found that elderly women who enjoyed daily social contact
with a large network of people had a significantly lower risk of developing cognitive impairments
or dementia.

 Reduced stress—Seniors who feel stronger connections to other people have lower levels of stress,
anxiety, and depression. The way you keep in touch matters, too: Face-to-face socializing has been
shown to be more effective at staving off
depression than communicating only by
phone or email.

 Better physical health—Research has
demonstrated that socially integrated adults
are less likely to be obese, experience in-
flammation, or develop high blood pressure.
In fact, being socially isolated elevates older
adults' risk of developing high blood pressure
even more than having diabetes.

 Increased longevity—People who maintain
good social ties tend to live longer than
those who don't. One study noted that the
risk of death among people with the fewest
social connections was over twice as high
as the risk among men and women with the
greatest number of social connections.

Page 7

Increase Funding
for Senior Programs

The State of West Virginia’s investment in our network of aging services has enabled older adults to live
safely within our communities for well over 40 years. Mineral County Aging & Family Services has been
providing support services for older adults since 1974. Reimbursement rates for many services have not
improved over the past decade with little improvement. We continue to serve our neighbors throughout
Mineral County with community-based and in-home care. Demand for service has increased significantly
due to more people living longer with increased dependencies and fewer familial support. We are proud
of our dedicated employees and our community of volunteers. However, the costs of labor, insurances,
utilities, fuel, food, and vehicle repair continues to increase. Additionally, service performance objectives
intensified, unfunded mandates layered, and data validation more detailed and time-consuming. Unlike
other businesses, we are at the government’s mercy when setting our rates for reimbursement. Further-
more, bordering Maryland, whose minimum wage is $11 at this time with an expected increase to $15,
presents a difficult challenge in filling and retaining employment vacancies.

Aging & Family Services of Mineral County, Inc. respectfully requests our legislative delegation to actively
support and advocate for the following improvements in the budget for the fiscal year 2021:

• $1,927,970 to INCREASE THE CONGREGATE MEAL RATE—This will increase the current meal reimburse-
ment rate from $5.25 to $8.00 for each nutritious meal served at our Senior Centers. The current rate has
remained the same since 2010.
• $3,033,101 to INCREASE HOME DELIVERED MEAL RATE—This will increase the current meal reimburse-
ment rate from $5.75 to $8.00 for each nutritious meal delivered to the senior's residence. The rate has
been unchanged since 2010.
• $967,928 to INCREASE FAMILY ALZHEIMER'S IN-HOME RESPITE (FAIR) SERVICE RATE—This will increase the
hourly rate for in-home services from $14 to $18. The reimbursement rate has not increased since 2006.
• $1,233,458 to INCREASE LIGHTHOUSE SERVICE RATES—This will increase the current rate from $16 to $18
per hour of service. The reimbursement rate has been unchanged since 2007.

With West Virginia ranking third in the nation for adults age 65 years and older the state should be a lead-
er in senior care and service provision. At Mineral County Aging & Family Services, our well-established
network of multi-purpose senior centers serves as the community focal point for information, advocacy,
and services. An investment of $7,162,457 beginning this fiscal year will enable senior centers to retain
staff, combat ever-increasing costs of providing senior care, and help our frail elders to live safely in their
homes. Moreover, the requested funds are only an increase of $4,162,457 over the $3,000,000 addition
added in the Governor’s proposed budget. Please, contact your representatives in the West Virginia Leg-
islature and urge them to support this budget request to care for those who cared for us adequately.
Thank you.

Aging in Action Page 8

AARP Driver
Safety Program

AARP Driver Safety Program

Keyser Senior Center
June 25th and 26th from 1:00 PM—5:00 PM

AARP Members—$20 and non-members $25
For more information, contact Dawn Mallow at 304-788-5467 x108

The NEW Alphabet for Seniors

A's for arthritis; P is for prescriptions, I have quite a few,
B's the bad back, just give me a pill and I'll be good as new!
C's the chest pains, Q is for queasy, is it fatal or flu?
perhaps car-d-iac? R is for reflux, one meal turns to two.

D is for dental decay and decline, S is for sleepless nights, counting my fears,
E is for eyesight, can't read that top line! T is for Tinnitus; there's bells in my ears!
F is for fissures and fluid retention, U is for urinary; big troubles with flow;
G is for gas which I'd rather not mention. V is for vertigo, that's "dizzy," you know.

H is high blood pressure--I'd rather it low; W is for worry, NOW what's going 'round?
I is for incisions with scars you can show. X is for X ray, and what might be found.
J is for joints, out of socket, won't mend, Y is another year I'm left here behind,
K is for knees that crack when they bend. Z is for zest that I still have-- in my mind.

L is for libido, what happened to sex? I've survived all the symptoms,
M is for memory, I forget what comes next. my body's deployed,
N is neuralgia, in nerves way down low; And I am keeping twenty-six doctors
O is for osteo, the bones that don't grow! fully employed!!!

Aging in Action Page 9

Aging in Action Page 10

A&FS
Superior Tours

2020 Extended Tours

Aging & Family Services’ Superior Tours has confirmed another great trip for 2020. The busses are filling
quickly so contact us now to reserve a spot. $75 Deposit to reserve your spot and allowing you to choose
your seat location on the bus. Deposit can be taken off first payment. Reservations after payment dates
begin must include all payments to that date. For more information or to make reservations please con-
tact Scott Mallery at 304-788-5467 or e-mail [email protected].

Cape Cod/Martha’s Vineyard—$649 (PP/DO) Smoky Mountain Christmas—$579 (PP/DO)
September 14-19, 2020 Nov 30—Dec 4, 2020

 5 nights lodging including 3 consecutive nights  4 nights lodging including 4 consecutive
in the quaint Cape Cod area nights in the Smokies

 8 meals: 5 breakfasts and 3 dinners  8 meals: 4 breakfasts and 4 dinners
 Guided Tour of Hyannis  Admission to Titanic Museum Attraction
 Admission to the JFK Museum  Two dinner shows: Soul of Motown and
 Visit to lovely, artistic Martha’s Vineyard
 A guided tour of the “Outer Cape,” including America’s Hit Parade
 Two evening shows: Wonder of Magic and
Provincetown and Chatham
 Visit to the famous “Plymouth Rock” Country Tonite
 Two Morning Shows: The Smith Morning Vari-

ety Show and “Tis The Season” Show
 Free time in Historic Gatlinburg

Aging in Action Page 11

A&FS
Superior Tours

Aging & Family Services offers a selection of multi-night tours each
year. We have the experience, resources, and commitment to offer
each individual a comfortable and reliable trip. Over the miles, rela-
tionships have been built. Not only between our chaperones and our
travelers, but also amongst our patrons who have had the opportuni-
ty to meet one another and share wonderful travel experiences. Our
motorcoach bus tours have literally carried friendships down the
road.

Our philosophy is simple: Offer a number of tour packages annually
to locations just about anywhere but never lose sight of the original
goal – Outstanding Group Tours at fantastic pricing, while delivering a highest possible level of customer
service.

Our tours are preplanned by a tour company that has been in the business for over thirty years. All of the
trips itineraries are planned in advance with the traveler in mind. While this may provide a little less flexi-
bility, it does allow us to provide top quality tours with fantastic prices. And because of the volume of
their business, you will be amazed at the low rates of our tours. No one can even come close to the val-
ue we provide for our low prices.

Aging in Action Page 12

Conquer the Dam 5K

Saturday May 9, 2020

Rotary Club of Aging & Family Services of Mineral County is proud to announce the ninth annual 5K fund-
Keyser, WV raising run/walk at Jennings Randolph Lake. “Conquer the Dam” is one of the most scenic
5K’s in our area. Proceeds from this event will support the Meals on Wheels program of Min-
eral County. Jennings Randolph Lake is a reservoir of 952 acres located on the North
Branch Potomac River in Mineral County, WV and Garrett County, Maryland. The lake was
constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Construction of the lake was completed in 1981.
The highlight of this event is that runners and walk-
ers will travel over the dam and spillway, normally
closed to public travel.

ON-LINE REGISTRATION:

https://www.raceentry.com/conquer-the-dam-5k/race-information

REGISTRATION FORM –PLEASE PRINT

Name ___________________________ Phone _________________ Age on (5/9/20) ______ Sex: M/F

Address

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Street City State Zip Registration Fee Enclosed

Shirt (circle one) S M L XL XXL XXXL — Youth S M L $20 prior to 5/1/20 $25 after 5/1/20
$15—Age 18 and under
E-Mail _____________________ WAIVER OF LIABILTY $50 Immediate Household

By this Waiver, I assume any risk, and take full responsibility and waive any claims of personal injury, death or damage to person-
al property associated with Aging & Family Services and Jennings Randolph Lake activities and events organized by Aging &
Family Services. I understand and confirm that by signing this WAIVER AND RELEASE I have given up considerable future legal
rights. I have signed this Agreement freely, voluntarily, under no duress. My signature is proof of my intention to execute a com-
plete and unconditional WAIVER AND RELEASE of all liability to the full extent of the law.

Athlete signature _______________________________ Parent/Guardian (if under 18) ________________________________

Please Mail or drop off to: Aging & Family Services, 875 South Mineral Street, Keyser, WV 26726

Aging in Action Page 13

Give the Gift of a
Home-Delivered Meal

Help Fight Hunger in our own County!! Help us reach our goal!

Meals on Wheels in Mineral County is a service designed to assist the frail elderly shut-ins by providing
them with one well balanced, nutritious, hot meal, five days per week. The program is for those persons
who cannot cook for themselves, have anyone to cook for them and are unable to leave their homes
for meals. This service allows people to stay in their homes, maintain some independence, and avoid liv-
ing in costly institutions—a financial benefit to the client and the community. A Meals on Wheels delivery
also provides a reassuring “check-in” on those who live alone. Any unanswered delivery is reported and
investigated. Any changes in a recipient’s health or needs are noted, and dietary changes are made,
as needed. If appropriate, referrals to family, physician, or other community services, are also made.

Unfortunately, many of our meal recipients are unable to donate toward the cost of their meals. It is up
to us to raise funds so they do not go hungry. The need is growing, but the funds are shrinking. Your gift
will go far to ensure that no one goes to bed hungry. Last year Aging & Family Services was able to
serve approximately 30,000 meals on wheels. The cost to prepare one meal is over $6.00. Your gift of
$30.00 can provide a meal for a week. $60 would provide meals for two weeks, and a gift of $130 would
provide meals for a month for a homebound elderly client. Aging & Family Services is a 501c3 not for
profit business. Most donations are tax-deductible—please consult your financial advisor for details.

Thank you in advance for your support of this program. Please complete and return the bottom section.
Help us meet our $5,000 goal! This is a perfect opportunity for your end-of-year giving!
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, I would like to help the homebound elderly

_____ $ 30.00 (Meal for 1 week) _____ $ 60.00 (Meals for 2 weeks)

_____ $ 130.00 (Meals for 1 month) Other: Amount _______________

Name/Organization ___________________________________________________________

Address _________________________________________ Phone ______________________

City, State Zip ________________________________________________________________

Thank you for your support of the home-bound seniors of Mineral County

Please mail completed form and donation to:
Aging & Family Services
Attn: Meals on Wheels Donation
875 South Mineral Street
Keyser, WV 26726

Aging in Action Page 14

ACTIVITIES AND
SERVICES

Keyser Senior Center Services Offered

Monday 7:00 PM Bridge Nutrition Programs
4 Nutrition Sites
3rd & 4th Monday’s Blood Pressure Clinic Keyser, Short Gap,
Elk Garden and Piedmont
Mon, Wed, Fri 10:30 AM Active for Life Exercise Class
Meals on Wheels
Tuesday 5:00 PM Evening Dinner In-Home Care
Case Management
Thursday 9:00 AM Scrabble Limited Transportation
Housekeeping
Thursday 11:00 AM BINGO Senior Advocacy
Blood Pressure Screenings
Friday 12:30 PM Card Games Instruction and Training
Preventative Health
Also available daily from 8:00 AM—3:00 PM: Computers with Exercise Classes
Internet access, Cards, TV Room, Movies, Boomer’s Café and Ensure Nutritional Supplement
more. Table Games
Special Dinners
Frankfort Senior Center Extended Trips
Annual Senior Olympics
Monday 5:00 PM Evening meal And much more . . . .

Tuesday 10:00 AM Scrabble SUGGESTED DONATION

Tuesday 11:00 AM BINGO

Wednesday 10:30 AM Bible Study

1st Wednesday Blood Pressure Clinic

Thursday 11:00 AM BINGO

Monday—Friday10:30 AM Walking

Also available daily from 8:00 AM—2:00 PM: Billiards, Cards, SERVICE Donation
Puzzles, TV Room, Movies, Exercise Equipment and more.
Come join us for some fun!!! Please check our monthly activi- Transportation in Keyser $ 5.00
ty calendar or Internet site for monthly events and speakers. Transportation to Cumberland $ 10.00
Ensure (Case of 24 cans) $ 25.00
Congregate Meals $ 2.50+
Home Delivered Meals $ 3.00+
Housekeeping $ 5.00/hr

Aging in Action Page 15

STAFF

Executive Director: Scott Mallery

Finance & HR Director: Louie Kitzmiller

Nutrition Director: Betsy Purdy

Registered Nurse: Megan O’Haver

Registered Nurse: Renee Douthitt

Registered Nurse: Angela Metcalf

Social Worker: Katie Robinette

Social Worker: Regina Pancake

Social Worker: Cookie Sisk

In-Home Scheduler: Shay Greco

IIIB Coordinator: Dawn Mallow

Technologies Assistant: Christie Lyons

Office Manager : Susan Copenhaver

Housekeeper: Michelle Wolfe

Housekeeper:

Transportation: Rick Bowman

Maintenance: Dudley Biddison

Nutrition Site Supervisors
Pat Oglesbee — Keyser – 304-788-8155
Cassandra Grimm - Frankfort - 304-726-4610

Cooks & Nutrition Aides

Keyser Cook: Sam Bray

Frankfort Cook: Krystol Parsons

Elk Garden Aide: Marian Droppleman

MOW Delivery: Ronnie Iser

MOW Delivery: James Hoover

MOW Delivery: Gary Thorn

Aging & Family Services NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION
875 South Mineral Street U.S. Postage Paid
Permit #93
Keyser, WV 26726

***ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED***

Please contact us if
your address has

changed for the 911
center/OEM

Aging & Family Services

875 South Mineral Street

Keyser, WV 26726

304-788-5467

[email protected]

All programs and activities offered by Aging &
Family Services are available to all persons
without regard to race, color, national origin, sex,
handicap or religion. This newsletter and other
agency services are funded through the West
Virginia Bureau of Senior Services, Upper
Potomac Area Agency on Aging, and local

contributions.