Senior Life 6/28/23 edition is published monthly by Anton Media Group

Ms. New York Senior America

BY JULIE PRISCO jprisco@antonmediagroup.com

Getting older can be scary. But Senior America, Inc. works to ensure seniors have a better outlook on aging. The New York chapter of Ms. Senior America started in 1972 and works to promote a positive image of aging for seniors in New York.

Senior America is a non-profit organization designed to enrich the lives of seniors and work together to spread positive energy to the lives of others. The organization engages in programs and activities to enhance the lives of senior Americans. Each year, each chapter of Senior America hosts a pageant to select a woman over the age of 60 to represent the chapter in the Ms. Senior America Pageant. The current New York Chapter Cameo Club President, Doloros Hoffman, is Ms. New York Senior from 2016.

The New York chapter encompasses all of New York, with a majority of its members and pageant contestants from Long Island.

“It’s such an inspirational group, and each of us try and do inspire other women of all ages,” said Hoffman.

The organization has members ranging from 60 to just over 100. Hoffman shared that she has close friends who are turning 90 this year.

“One lady was a semi-professional swimmer, she swam every day of her life, and she just turned 102. There’s some good juice in

this organization,” said Hoffman.

Hoffman and other chapter members organize monthly luncheon meetings for Cameo Club members. Hoffman enjoys planning these meetings with a touch of sparkle to add to the fun. The February meeting was Valentine’s Day-themed and this June, the meeting welcomes Summer, so ladies are encouraged to wear fashionable hats. The Cameo Club consists of close to 100 members, with about 30 members that regularly attend meetings.

In addition to club meetings, the organization hosts a fall fashion show, entertainment showcases and the spring pageant.

The New York chapter’s Seasoned Steppers

have been around since the ‘70s to perform dance numbers in glittering costumes at their showcases.

“We have showcases where the girls entertain at various hospitals and nursing homes,” said Hoffman. “The Seasoned Steppers put on shows as well as a lot of the other ladies who have a talent, which all of us have a talent of one way or another.”

Toward the end of May, The Seasoned Steppers and the New York chapter members visited The Village of Great Neck Plaza to perform for Older Americans Month. State Administrator Marleen Schuss

organized the event and received many wonderful compliments.

“The Seasoned Steppers is one of our major attractions,” said Schuss. “But we also have had a combination of comedians, monologues, vocalists, and some belly dancers before at our showcases. Senior America is a true variety of talents.”

The Ms. New York Senior Pageant that takes place every spring is one of the organization’s largest events. Women over 60 can apply to participate in the pageant, which

From the left: Marleen Schuss (NY Senior America State Administrator), Queen Mae Caime (Ms NY Senior America 2023), Village of Great Neck Plaza Mayor Ted Rosen, and Tina Hanley (NY Senior America 1st Runner Up 2022). (Photo by Nancy Rosen)

see MS. SENIOR AMERICA on page 5B

The Seasoned Steppers. (Photo from the Ms. New York Senior America website | newyorksenioramerica.org)

The Seasoned Steppers kickline.

(Photo from the Ms. New York Senior America website | newyorksenioramerica.org)

Elder Fraud Targets Seniors

Elder fraud is where fraudsters target your parents, grandparents and those from the elderly community. Fraudsters often take advantage of those who aren’t tech-savvy, so familiarizing yourself with scams can lead to preventing the fraudsters from being successful. Cybersecurity expert Brandon King from Home Security Heroes has compiled a list of tips to spot and prevent fraud.

What is elder fraud and who are the targets?

Fraudsters target seniors in elder fraud by tricking them into giving sensitive information or offering fake financial benefits. Perpetrators could be strangers or known to the elderly, like family, friends or colleagues, and victims can lose their savings and suffer devastating consequences. For example, American seniors aged 60 and above lost over $1.6 billion to fraudsters in 2021 alone.

Older adults are a prime target for fraudsters. They normally target victims in retirement or close to retirement as they have a steady income, excellent credit history and more savings than younger people.

Here are some of the most common scams to be on the lookout for:

Grandparent scams

Scammers often pose as the victim’s grandchild to dupe seniors into sending

It’s essential to maintain social contact with your parents and grandparents and educate them about how times have changed. (Getty images)

money urgently for emergency expenses like overdue rent or car repairs. They often ask for secrecy, and in one case, an elderly woman in Ohio was scammed of $20,000 by someone posing as law enforcement in 2019.

Romance scams

Romance scams often target women 50 and above, but men can be victims too. Scammers will usually target seniors who

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have lost their spouses and are looking for companionship. An example of would-be perpetrators requesting money transfers or gift card vouchers sent to an email address.

False charity scams

Fraudsters may pose as representatives from a real charity or create fictitious charity organizations. They can make calls, text, or send emails. In some cases, they may even

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visit seniors in person. False charity schemes commonly happen after a significant event, like a health crisis, global socio-political campaigns, or a natural disaster.

Medical scams

Seniors may feel overwhelmed by Medicaid, Medicare, the Affordable Care Act, and the recurring complexity of the healthcare system. This can make them vulnerable to criminals. Scammers may impersonate Medicare representatives to entice seniors into disclosing personal information like Social Security numbers.

What are some other common types of elder fraud?

Protecting seniors from scams is crucial, as scammers use various methods to steal personal information and money. Elder scams include fake medical schemes, investment scams, and phishing emails, taking advantage of the complexity of the healthcare system and seniors’ fixed income. To avoid falling victim, seniors and their loved ones should research charities, verify emails and phone calls, and be cautious of unsolicited requests for money or personal information. Additionally, seniors should beware of insurance coverage scams, romance scams, government impersonation, sweepstakes and lottery scams, identity theft, and tech support scams. Taking precautions and being aware of these scams can help prevent them.

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Tips to prevent seniors from being scammed

• Stay connected to your loved ones to prevent isolation, which makes them more vulnerable to scams.

• Warn them never to share sensitive information and explain why.

• Help them create strong, unique passwords and avoid reusing them.

• Limit online shopping to trusted retailers and check for secure websites.

• Never click on suspicious links in emails, social media messages, texts, or take calls from fake caller IDs.

• Monitor monthly banking statements for

signs of identity theft or unauthorized accounts. Shred statements before disposing of them.

• Protect social media accounts by only accepting friend requests from people they know, updating privacy settings, and using multi-factor authentication. Delete messages from strangers and avoid odd payment types.

• Encourage your parents to name you as a Trusted Contact Person to speak with their financial advisors if there are concerns.

• Warn other family and friends if one of your loved ones has experienced a scam attempt. Discuss how to prevent fraudulent attempts.

What to do if a senior has been a victim of elder fraud

If an elderly person you know has been scammed, it’s important not to panic and to stay calm. Document everything that has happened, including phone call logs, text messages, and emails, and report the scam to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the person’s bank and credit card providers. File a report with the local police and change all passwords to stronger ones, including social media accounts and investment profiles, setting different passwords for each site and enabling 2-Factor Authentication.

Elders can often be vulnerable and isolated, they may not be as tech-savvy therefore are targeted by fraudsters. —Home Security Heroes (www.homesecurityheroes.com)

consists of an interview, a talent portion and an evening gown display.

“Twenty percent [of the pageant] is based on a five-minute interview with me and usually three to five other judges,” explained Hoffman. “And it’s based on the application that the contestants submit. And it’s not a beauty pageant; it’s about inner beauty.”

Another 20 percent of the pageant is based on the two-and-a-half-minute talent portion. While Hoffman had never been in a pageant before, she created a dance routine for her talent portion that landed her in the top 10 in Atlantic City for the Ms. Senior America pageant in 2016 after winning her Ms. New York Senior title. While many talents brought to the stage consist of dancing or singing, Hoffman explained that there are many other unique talents ladies have presented.

“Some gals will say, I’d really love to enter, but I don’t have a talent,” said Hoffman. “So I tell them about how we have had artists come up and do a quick painting. We’ve had an author come up and act out a portion of her book. My first runner-up did yoga to music because she’s a yoga instructor.”

Another big component the judges look at during the pageant is how the contestant carries themselves in

an evening gown. While presenting themselves in an evening gown, the contestant has 35 seconds to debrief their philosophy of life.

“We look for someone who would be able to speak in public, that can properly represent the organization,” said Hoffman. “So that is really what they’re looking for; it’s not physical beauty.”

This year’s Ms. New York Senior is Mae Caime. Hoffman shared that Queen Caime is 64 years old and her inner beauty is just as great as her outer beauty. According to the New York Senior America website, Queen Caime’s personal statement is, “A smile is the best thing you can wear. It’s a universal language of love, kindness and peace. Never leave home without it.”

Ms. New York Senior and the Senior America organization works to inspire confidence and help friendships blossom.

“I’ve met so many like-minded women and have become close friends with so many of these women,” said Hoffman.

The organization is working on its next big event, the fall fashion show, which will be held in mid-September. To learn more about Ms. New York Senior, visit newyorksenioramerica.org. There may be a crown in your future.

MS. SENIOR AMERICA from page 3B

(Getty images)

Seven Things Empty Nesters Should Think About

For parents whose kids have moved out of the house for good, life can feel very different. They’re embarking on a new phase of life, with different considerations and possibilities. Here are seven things for empty nesters to keep in mind as they navigate this new stage of life.

Budget

Parents often find that their spending habits change after their children move out. With fewer people in the house, they may find that they’re spending less on food and other household items. Additionally, kids’ activities and expenses—from sports to college tuition—are no longer a part of the budget. As a result, empty nesters may have more money available to save or to spend on things they enjoy.

Lifestyle

Without kids at home, parents may find that they have more free time and less structure in their lives. This can be both good and bad. On the one hand, it’s a chance to pursue hobbies and interests that they didn’t have time for before. On the other hand, it can be easy to become isolated without the regular routine of school and extracurricular activities.

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Retirement living

Retirement planning often includes a discussion of where couples want to spend their golden years. For empty nesters, this can be a time to downsize, simplify, and start having that conversation. It might also be time to move to a new location or closer to family.

Health

As people age, their health needs change. Empty nesters may want to consider their risk factors for chronic diseases like heart disease, stroke, and cancer, and get up-to-date on screenings.

Empty nesters may need to make a conscious effort to connect with friends and loved ones.

Travel

For many parents, their children’s activities and schedules dictated when and where they could travel. With an empty nest, they suddenly have the freedom to travel when and where they want. This

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Life Insurance

With young dependent children, new parents often get affordable term life insurance policies. With children out of the house, the policies’ terms are likely coming to an end. If the policy and timeframe allow, this can be an opportunity to

Activity

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Empty nesters with more free time may want to find new ways to stay engaged and active, both mentally and physically. There are many ways to keep active, from volunteering to taking up a new hobby. The important thing is to find something enjoyable and sustainable.

The 2nd Annual Celebration Of The Arts At Cedarmere

Harborside residents and local student poets made intergenerational magic happen

Poet reader Maxine Berlin read her poem, Summer Memories, at the Celebration of the Arts event at Cedarmere Estate, Roslyn. Also present were, Harborside residents: Chelly Dorfman, Judy Schmertz, Lisa Miller, Weber Middle School poet, Sofia Leder, teaching artist/actor coach, Karen DeMauro, and Tracy Warzer.

On Sunday, June 4, the 2nd Annual Summer Celebration of the Arts featured contemporary dance, live music, sculpture, and poetry. The event, at Cedarmere Estate in Roslyn, was presented by Friends of Cedarmere and N/N Dance Collaborative and featured over 20 musicians and dancers performing within a sculptural stage set in the rose gardens of Cedarmere. Spoken word poetry was woven throughout the performances, featuring Carl Safina, renowned poet/author, professor and recipient of MacArthur and Guggenheim fellowships, and a poem written and presented by Harborside resident Maxine Berlin. Teaching artist and actor coach Karen DeMauro provided

performance coaching for Maxine who presented her “Summer Memories” poem with confidence and flair to the audience from the porch of William Cullen Bryant’s former home.

This was the second time The Harborside residents were invited to collaborate with the artists for this event, and it was the first time that high school students were also invited to perform

their poems alongside the seniors. Sofia Leder from Weber Middle School and Chloe Lin from Herricks High School read their beautiful poems, which reflected the themes of the event- to honor the legacy of

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The Harborside residents at the 2nd Annual Celebration Of The Arts. Poet reader Maxine Berlin.

residents and a local student poet.

William Cullen Bryant, deriving inspiration from nature.

The crowd appreciated the intergenerational aspect of the poetry readings, which helped convey the importance of all ages sharing the arts together at gatherings in nature. It was indeed a day of celebration of the arts, to connect with others, honor the past, reflect on the present, and imagine what’s to come. Despite the cool temperature of the day, it was a gorgeous setting to reflect and enjoy a great experience!

About The Harborside

The Harborside, located in Port Washington, is a premier retirement community on the north shore of Long Island for active and independent older adults offering gracious resort-like living that feels like home. The Harborside, a New York not-for-profit corporation classified as an Internal Revenue Code § 501(c)(3) exempt organization, is the sole member of Amsterdam House Continuing Care Retirement Community, Inc.

—Submitted by The Harborside

Summer Memories

By Harborside resident Maxine Berlin

The Ocean is a huge coffer

With some amazing things to offer

There are plants, mammals and fish

Coral and pearls if you wish

Specks of garnets in beach sand

Look for the telltale reddish band

We’re even mining the ocean floor

For what’s erupted from our planet’s core

What I collect from the remarkable sea

Are what others might just call “debris” Things washed up by receding tide

Are what I searched for far and wide

Sea glass in colors of myriad hue

Shards of beer, coke and Noxema too

These did no damage to my hand

Smoothed by churning water and sand

All kinds of shells I would take

For the simple jewelry I’d make Driftwood from a discarded tree

Original sculpture it seemed to be I still keep many treasures of the sea

These hold wonderful memories for me

Maxine Berlin reading her poem, Summer Memories. (Contributed photos)

Harborside

Running Club Benefits Senior Center

Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, Councilman Steve Labriola and members of the Town Board recognized the Greater Long Island Running Club for raising $2,500 in charitable funds to benefit the Life Enrichment Center at Oyster Bay, a senior center that provides vital services to help older adults stay active, healthy and engaged. Through the Supervisor’s 5K Run hosted each October in Oyster Bay, proceeds are donated to a selected charity. Life Enrichment Center Executive Director Judy Palumbo accepted the donation from Greater Long Island Running Club Corporate Secretary Tracey Epstein of Plainview. (Courtesy of the Town of Oyster Bay)