SENIOR CONNECTIONS

FARMINGDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY

March/April 2018 Newsletter

TOPIC OF THE MONTH

4 BASIC STEPS TO FOOD SAFETY AT HOME

The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has provided info on website FoodSafety.gov to learn how to keep food safe and prevent health issues. Per FDA, one in six Americans could get sick from food poisoning annually. Food poisoning not only sends more than 100,000 Americans to the hospital each year---it can also have "long-term health consequences". Following four simple steps can help keep your family safe from food poisoning at home. Visit CLEAN, SEPARATE, COOK and CHILL pages of the website to see the most effective ways to help keep your family safe from food poisoning. Or visit Senior Connections at library Outreach Services room for above info.

SENIOR CONNECTIONS

FARMINGDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY

 

January/February Newsletter

Topic of the Month

 

Keep Informed About Equifax Data Breach Updates

 

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, an official website of U.S. Government (cfpb.gov) provides useful updates about Equifax data breach. At this website, you can visit a collection of the latest releases, tips, updates and known scams.

Below is a list of resources and public releases from the bureau to help people understand what they currently know, and what steps or actions they can take to protect their personal information.

Resources:  *Credit reports and scores         *Current scams

Latest releases:  *Top 10 ways to protect yourself in wake of Equifax data breach, e.g. free credit reporting     *Service members should secure their identity after Equifax data breach

*Identity theft protection following Equifax breach

If you wish to obtain above info from us (Senior Connections), visit us at library Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 10am to 12 noon.

 

SENIOR CONNECTIONS

FARMINGDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY

November/December 2017 Newsletter

 

Topic of the Month

"PROTECTING OLDER PERSONS FROM FRAUD"

 

National Council on Aging offers tips on avoiding fraud at: EconomicCheck.org. Click on "Protect Yourself from Scams". Summary of info provided at website:

 

• Top 10 Scams Targeting Seniors
• Top 8 Ways to Protect Yourself from Scams
• 33 Tips for Avoiding Scams and Swindles

In addition, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in collaboration with FDIC offers a website at: cfpb.gov.  Go to "Practitioner Resources", then click on "Older Adults and Their Families".

 

If you would like to discuss above valuable information with us, feel free to visit us at the library (Outreach Services room) on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 10am to 12 noon. We will assist in "prevention awareness" and "actions to be taken if scammed.

 

Senior Connections

Farmingdale Public Library

September/October 2017 Newsletter

Topic of the Month

NEW YORK STATE PAID FAMILY LEAVE:

A NEW LAW FOR ELDER CAREGIVERS

New York State is one of the first states in the nation to enact a "paid" family leave benefit law and to expand the definition of family caregiving to include elder care. The Paid Family Leave Benefits Law applies to all businesses, regardless of size, and will be phased in over the next four years beginning in January 2018.

This is a groundbreaking benefit for family and elder caregivers. With the aging population, many elder caregivers are faced with reducing their hours on the job or quitting work altogether to care for an aging loved one. With paid leave, family caregivers will have an opportunity to arrange an elderly loved one's legal, financial and healthcare needs without risking their own financial security. 

To learn about details of the law, google: "New York State Paid Family Leave" then scroll to "Paid Family Leave - How It Works" and other pertinent information.

If you would like to discuss the law with us, feel free to visit us at the library during our normal hours.

Senior Connections

Farmingdale Public Library

Newsletter Topic of the Month

July/August 2017

Reducing Income Tax Liability from IRA Distributions by Charitable Donations

With IRS Publication 590 (Individual Retirement Arrangements) as its source, American Institute of CPAs has illuminated the Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD) provision enacted in 2006.

If you are an IRA owner and must take a required minimum distribution (RMD), you can reduce income tax liability by donating a portion of it to a qualified charity. A QCD can not only save you income taxes, it can also help minimize your taxable estate and fulfill your philanthropic desires.

For details about QCD, visit us at the library during our normal hours and obtain information covering:

*Background 

*Who might consider this strategy

*Certain limitations and requirements that apply

*Income tax implications

SENIOR CONNECTIONS

FARMINGDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Newsletter Topic of the Month

May/June 2017

DRIVING TIPS FOR OLDER ADULTS & THEIR CAREGIVERS

Have you noticed an older friend or family member's driving skills are beginning to slip? Health changes, due to aging, can impact a person's driving skills. Find tips to help them stay safe behind the wheel and to help them decide when it's time to give up driving. If you're a caregiver, find more resources to help you as you take care of an older family member or friend.

We have a government publication issued by "National Institute on Aging", which provides helpful driving tips for older adults and their caregivers.Following is the table of contents:

0 Stiff Joints and Muscles

0 Trouble Seeing

0 Trouble Hearing

0 Dementia and Driving

0 Slower Reaction Time and Reflexes

0 Medications Can Affect Driving

0 Be a Safe Driver

0 Do You Have Concerns About an Older Driver

0 Having "The Talk" About Driving

0 Is It Time to Give Up Driving

0 How Will You Get Around

0 More Safe Driving Tips

0 For More Information About Driving

To obtain a copy of this publication, visit Senior Connections at Outreach Services room behind Computer Center Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10am - 12noon.

Senior Connections

Farmingdale Public Library

Newsletter Topic of the Month

March/April 2017

 SENIORS: Ask us to Help You -- Visit our Blog and Office

WHAT IS “SENIOR CONNECTIONS”?

We are a team of knowledgeable, experienced and trustworthy volunteers who can address your issues/concerns by providing FREE and CONFIDENTIAL information and referral services.

In 2016 we handled 49 different types of issues and satisfied 107 seniors with:

0                   Completed Property Tax Exemption Program applications

0                   Provided and discussed general information associated with,

Last Will and Testament, Durable Power of Attorney and Health Care Proxy in preparation for engaging an attorney.

0                    After analyzing situation, recommended re-engaging attorney to                settle disputed bill and quality of nursing home care.

0                   Completed Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) application

0                   Discussed Medicare enrollment criteria and provided New York State booklet “Senior Citizens Guide to Health Care”

0             Discussed procedure for an inherited IRA

0          Provided information on subsidized housing (Senior Advocate Guide) and on private condo developments.

0                   And much more

We are confident we can satisfy your needs.  Visit us at OUTREACH SERVICES room from 10:00 AM to Noon, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

You will be glad you did.