DeLand Senior Stuff October 2010

National Residents’ Rights Week October 3-9

Residents’ Rights

When individuals enter a long-term care facility, they gain a special set of rights in addition to those they maintain as citizens. This special set of rights is called “Residents’ Rights.”
Below are a few highlights of the rights of people in assisted living facilities and nursing homes.

In assisted living facilities, they have the right to:
—Live in a safe and decent living environment, free from abuse and neglect
—Retain and use his/her own clothes and other personal property
—Share a room with a spouse if both are residents of facility
—Reasonable opportunities to exercise and go outdoors at regular and frequent intervals
—45-day notice prior to relocation or termination of residence

In nursing homes, people have the right to:
—Civil and religious liberties
—Private and uncensored communication
—Manage his/her own financial affairs -Refuse medication and treatment and know the consequences
—Be treated courteously, fairly and with fullest measure of dignity

To see the full list of Residents Rights, please visit
http://ombudsman.myflorida.com/ResidentsRights.php

One-Week Celebration October 3 – 9
For the second year in a row, the United States, Florida, and the City of DeLand will celebrate the observance of Residents’ Rights Week, October 3-9.

The week is designated each year to highlight all residents living in long-term-care settings. It is time to reflect on the importance of the Nursing Home Reform Law of 1987 that promises quality of life and care rights for each resident.

Residents’ Rights Week provides us the opportunity to pay tribute to residents as well as support ombudsmen, citizen advocates, facility staff and family members who work to promote and support residents’ rights. 

Your city of DeLand Senior Council has as its primary objective, the improvement of the quality of life for the seniors in our community. As a result, we have urged our Mayor to offer a formal “Proclamation” recognizing Residents’ Rights Week. Mayor Apgar will, we believe, issue that proclamation Tuesday night.

Defining Dining…It’s About Me

The theme for National Residents’ Rights Week this year — Defining Dining…It’s About Me— reminds us that long-term care residents deserve the same high quality dining experience to which the rest of us have access. Residents should be given choices as to what foods they eat. It should be tasty, well prepared, varied, and visually appealing. Moreover, they should have flexible meal times. If a resident has been sleeping during the day and wants a meal at night, she should have it delivered. Snacks should be readily available.

Dining is an integral, systemic function of our lives. It is a resident right. It is just one of many rights that a resident has that must be honored. To the extent we can, we must insist these rights be granted.

Senior Journal News You Can Use

Some articles in http://seniorjournal.com of significance to seniors appear below:

• National Broadcast of U.S. Elder Abuse Film Set for International Day of Older Persons 9/28/2010
   
• Friends, Family Detect Early Alzheimer’s Disease Signs Better Than Traditional Tests 9/27/2010
   
• Affordable Care Act Grants to Help Seniors, Caregivers Meet Health, Long-Term Care Needs 9/27/2010
   
• Medicare Patients Falling Into Donut Hole in 2011 Will Get 50 Percent Off Brand Name Drugs 9/23/2010
   
• Medicare Advantage Rates to Dip 1% in 2011 9/22/2010
   
• Flu Shot Lowers Risk of Heart Attack 9/20/2010

Long Term Care Housing?
Making a long term care housing decision? Go to: www.snapforseniors.com. Outstanding!

Need Help Selecting a Nursing Home?
 We offer two suggestions when selecting a nursing home. Outstanding.!

First — go to www.medicare.gov/NHCompare You will find a listing of several nursing homes in the DeLand area, each rated and compared on a variety of factors. Very helpful.

Second — check out Ombudsman Outlook, the official newsletter of the Florida Long-term-Care Ombudsman Program. Every quarter, they publish a list of facilities that have the highest number of complaints being investigated. The Fall issue lists 15 facilities having between 12 and 24 complaints (including rough details). 

No facility in DeLand made the list during this quarter. http://ombudsman.myflorida.com

Each year, about 90% of nursing homes were cited for violations for federal health and safety standards. Moreover, 15% of the homes had deficiencies that caused “actual harm and immediate jeopardy” to residents. Clearly, checking these places out before checking in is a no brainer.

More October Stuff

It’s Autumn: Fill Your Cup
by Inez Bracy

Autumn is the perfect season to fill your cup by reflecting on your relationship with yourself.
There is no season more suitable to cozy up and give thanks and show your appreciation than this golden season. Before this season ends, be sure to take a day or a few moments to add spice to your life.

• Take a walk in the woods.
• Drink champagne or wine under a tree in a secluded area. Reminisce about the past and resolve to live in the moment and create the future you desire.
• Sit on your porch, with a good book and a glass of wine you’ve been saving for this perfect time.
• Take a bike trip along the mountains and watch the overlooking view of the beautiful colors of autumn.
• Take the time to enjoy the colors of the sunset and the autumn because they blend well together.
• Go to your porch, turn on some slow ballads and dance as if no one is watching.
• Go to county fairs and festivals. Drink some cinnamon apple cider as you wander from booth to booth.

The more you take time for yourself, the more you will enjoy the season. Preparing now empowers you and gives you the strength to get past little annoyances and enjoy the upcoming season fully.

Taking care of yourself fills your cup so that when you are in the holiday season, you’re giving from a full cup. Giving from a full cup helps you give joyfully and fully. Having a full cup supports you in staying connected with yourself and your intentions.

Inez Bracy, BS, MS, CNLP, CGC
Lifestyle Transitions Coach, Speaker, Author www.InezBracy.com Living Smart & Well Radio Show, Tuesdays, 7 pm http://livingsmartandwell.com

Volunteer!
 

Volunteering is the surest thing in this issue that extends life. Call Pat: 736-5016. Or e-mail her at: volunteers@deland.org Today!

Meetings
(Have a meeting? Email us the details.)
Alzheimer Support Group meets October
4th at 2 pm and October 19th at 6:30 pm at Woodland Towers. 738-2700.

The regular meeting of the Rotary Club of DeLand will be held each Thursday at 12 noon at the DeLand Conference Center 310 E. International Bl vd. DeLand, FL To attend or join phone president, Al Bouie at 386-717-5590

Children's Cancer Foundation, Inc. annual fundraiser, Red White and Blue Gala will be held Oct. 2 at the Daytona 500 Experience in the Winner's Circle at Daytona Speedway. You may donate all year. If you missed the Gala, please go to their web site. www.childrenscancerfoundationinc.org 

The super monthly book sale at the Library will be held October 8  and 9. Buy ‘em buy the sack. Honest!

Regular Events at the Sanborn
M—
Shuffleboard 1:30 PM
Monday Dance 2 PM
Square Dance 6 PM
T—
Chorus Practice 2:30 PM
Pinochle 6:30 PM
Ballroom Dance Lessons 6:30 PM
W—
Tai-Chi 8:30 AM
It’s All About Art 9:45 PM
Bridge-12 noon
Chess Club 12 noon
Scrabble 12 noon
Mexican Train 12:45 PM
T— Quilters-8:30
Canasta 11 AM
Ballroom Dance Lessons 2:30 PM
F— West Volusia Artists 9 AM
Shuffleboard Open Play 1:30 PM

Almost Enough Stuff!

October Calendar

13—Nora’s Will (sometimes the best love stories are hidden in the strangest places— like under the bed)
23—Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child (award-winning documentary of the great artist)
30—Phantom of the Opera, (Theater Organist, Ron Carter Joins Lon Chaney (spiritually) in a performance of this film classic)

Opera
10 & 28—L’Orfeo (Monteverdi)
17 & 31—Tosca (Puccini) (war, rape, and murder may be too vulgar for the Romans, but we love it)
Call the box office at 736-1500, W-F noon-4, or night of performance, or go online at: www.athenstheatre.org  

At Stetson

Music
6—Jazz Ensemble
8—University Opera (at The Athens)
12—Organ Musicale,
19—Chamber Music
22—University Symphonic Band
24—Wind Ensembles
26—Guitar Ensembles
29-31—Schumann Festival (Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Music, Faculty and Guest Recitals

Lectures
8—The Literate Brain
18—Death Penalty in America
19—Sexual Exploitation of Women and Girls
20—A Media Ecologist’s Perspective on the News-sphere, 28—TheLucifer Effect: How Good People Turn Evil (Check local papers for details)

At The Athens
Live entertainment:
3—Amazing Illusions, magic show
8—Stetson Opera Theater Opera Gala
15 & 16—Tony Stevens, Slow Ride: Foghat Classics and Wailing Blues
16—The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (Hey, it’s a legend! See it with a kid!)
23—Fab Follies: Sentimental Journey (A dancing, high kicking, smiling, singing group of seniors perform like you won’t believe) 29, 30, & 31

Sweeney Todd, the Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Sondheim’s musical thriller (A Sands Theater Production)
A Bloody good show, for sure!

Film
1 & 22—Monty Python-Life of Brian (the operational definition of a “hoot”)
2 & 27—I Am Love (Saw this one last month; it’s a gem!)
2 & 14—Orlando (Queen Elizabeth I commands Orlando to stay young forever; he does—through the end of the 20th century!)

The City of DeLand Senior Council is responsible for producing this phenomenal document on a monthly basis. Council members include:
Deborah Tolan, Chair
Virginia Comella
Vivien Powis, Vice Chair
George Sherman
Jack Allen
Nan Smith
Ron Burgher
Jennifer Wilder
ex officio members:
Maria Becker
Michael Pleus
Pat Caccavale

Enuff Stuff! If you have questions call Ron.

CREDIT CARD AND ID THEFT PREVENTION

 CRIME UPDATE  DeLand Police Department Monday 09/27/10 10:26 AM On Friday, 09/24, a resident in the 600 Block of W. May called the Police Dept to a report a suspicious incident Involving a male subject. The resident reported that that unknown white male, no other physical description, attempted to open the front door of her residence. When confronted by the resident and her husband the subject made an excuse that he was there to see about cutting the grass. The subject ran to a 80’s white sedan and fled from the scene with a white male driving.

Please be alert to such a ploy in your area. Typical Burglary operation is for the suspect to knock on the door to see if anyone is home. If no answer the front door will be forced open or entry is made by a rear sliding glass door or master bedroom window. If you are home and a situation like this occurs, do not open your door, but tell them that you are not interested and then call the Police Department at (386) 734-1711. By communicating to the subjects at your door it alerts them that someone is home and they are being watched.

DeLand Police Department Monday 09/27/10 10:26 AM

13.3 IDENTITIES ARE STOLEN EVERY MINUTE 

No one is safe from credit card theft but seniors are especially vulnerable because of the trust they place in established traditions and procedures. Seniors are also less likely to report crimes because they are either embarrassed, coerced or bullied into submission by criminal elements. They are targets for roofers, handymen, insurance sales, home care providers and anyone who can get close to them to steal their retirement. (Read the police report above.)

My personal advice to seniors (and I am one) is to keep close to your relatives and friends. Ask advice at the slightest suspicion of an irregularity in dealing with service providers. Make sure several trusted friends have your back and will check on you frequently if you live alone. Most senior living is safe and happy, but criminal elements can be very disruptive if allowed to get into your home or your personal information.  Be Smart! Stay active and alert, participate in group activities and phone-a-friend once a day.

In a recent appearance at the Rotary Club of DeLand (noon) Randell Brown, CPM, Consumer Outreach Coordinator for the Central Florida Region, Division of Consumer Services revealed the seriousness of Identity/Credit Card Theft. Here are some of the important steps you can take to protect yourself.

You may feel secure with the use of credit and debit cards because of the convenience and ease of use. Like, me you are relaxed about using your cards and you are feeling confident that credit card theft won’t happen to you.

Watch your wallet!

Thirty-three percent of credit card and identity information is stolen from a lost wallet. Keep vital information out of your wallet. Another 30% is harvested from careless use of your cards at ATMs and gas stations. Mr. Brown recommends using your credit cards for payments and not your debit cards. If thieves get your debit card information they have access to your bank accounts.

The truth is that credit card theft is so prevalent that the government has established a clearing house for credit card theft and another for identity theft.

Your best course of action is to begin today to practice defensive credit card use in order to protect yourself. Begin by monitoring your bank statement for unauthorized charges. Fortunately my husband does this on a regular basis and 6 months ago he noticed I had a $20 breakfast in Idaho. Since I live in Florida and have not traveled in ten years, this was a real red flag. Then, when he saw I had visited an outlet mall on the way to Idaho he really went ballistic. He realized instantly that I was the victim of credit card theft.

Do not save your Social Security information in your cell phone. Don’t keep this information in your wallet, and don’t have it printed on your checks. When filling out forms that ask for SS get a clear understanding of who has access to the information.

Buying on the internet is so much fun. When you see a real bargain it is natural to order it by credit card. Check the address of the site with the merchandise and be sure it is a https:// address. The S in this address indicates it is a secure site.

When traveling or on vacation, remember to monitor your credit card reports. Call your bank before you leave on a trip and let them know you will be using your card while you are away. Your personal buying habits are monitored by several different companies and your bank has a good idea of where you make most of your purchases. They use this pattern of information to help protect you from misuse. Last year I made one purchase out of my usual pattern. I ordered a software program from a company in the United Kingdom. My card company called me to confirm that I made the purchase before they processed the payment.

Report theft of your credit card to police immediately. Be smart and call the identity theft clearing house if you have any suspicions. The number is 1-877-IDTHEFT.

Use free credit card reports. Write down this number for the credit card reports and keep it on your refrigerator under a magnet —1-877-322-8228.

Be careful when using an ATM machine. Be aware of what the slider feels like when you use an ATM. If you detect a slight change in the “feel” report it immediately. This is called “card skimming.” Look around to be sure no-one is watching you punch your PIN or spying on your card number. Ooops! Don’t forget to look overhead for a mirror or reflective device. That makes it so easy for thieves to collect your information.

Cross-shred all papers with personal information before discarding. Again, cross-shred all papers with personal information.

Patronize restaurants you are familiar with and don’t allow the server to leave with your card. Clever thieves know how to get your card number while it is out of your sight. This is how I believe my information was stolen.

Retail store registers can be programed with data phishing devices too. Keep your eye on your card. Actually a person in the parking lot or another location can be using an electronic device to collect card information from customers during business hours.

Never raise the flag on your mailbox when you have outgoing mail. Credit card thieves only need to drive up and empty your box. Wait for the mailperson to appear and then run out and hand over your outgoing mail. If you are sending out checks mail them from your post office.

When you receive email from an unknown address delete it immediately. Don’t open it to read no matter what the enticement is. Those emails that say they are from refugees in Uganda, or that you can share the $500 M lotto prize in Morocco are introductions to a world of trouble. Never, never put any real money in an offer to share a lotto. You will always lose!

Popups are annoying on your computer ­— but they are also dangerous. Set your browser to prevent popups and when they occur don’t click on the X to close them. Look for a “close” button and click that, or go to the top of your browser and select the tab and close it or “file — close”.

By now you are a very clever person who know how to protect yourself from larceny, but you’re not done yet!

Emails can be cleverly disguised to mimic your official bank stationary or search engines such as Google or Yahoo. If you have not requested information from, or subscribed to, a newsletter from any familiar company don’t read the email, delete it and place the address on your spam filter if you can.

Randell Brown represents the Florida Department of Financial Services. They have an office at 210 N. Palmetto Avenue Suite 210 Daytona Beach, 3114. You can mail them at 200 E. Gaines Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399. Phone them at 1-386-323-0914, Fax 1-386-226-7883. Email Mr. Brown at randell.brown@myfloridacfo.com or go to the website at www.myfloridacfo.com 

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Here is some supporting information gathered from www.webopedia.com for your enlightenment.

For more information about phishing Google the word on your browser or go to — www.webopedia.com/terms. You may also want to read on that website about “twishing” and additional information on protecting yourself from Identity Theft.