Protect your Money Avoid Scams: Don’t be Afraid to Ask Questions By Victoria Stewart For The Chronicle
When it comes to making sure our dollars are safe, age is not a protector for a financial crime. Young and old alike can fall victim to a scam artist or a thief. Detective Rick Hughes of the Centralia Police Department Fraud Investigation unit says there is no lack of financial crimes in Lewis County. “I’m looking at my desk and I have 85 cases right now,” he recently told a group of seniors. “I average two or three a day that I can investigate.” Some cases can’t be investigated due to insufficient evidence and information. The elderly most often fall victim because of their trust, Hughes explained. “The elderly are victimized not from lack of knowledge, but from being comfortable. They think they don’t have to be as cautious (because they are in familiar, comfortable patterns of living) and instead, they need to be more cautious.”
Watch your Purse
One of the common ways an elderly person will feel comfortable and use less caution is in their shopping patterns. Some common ways to have money or financial information stolen include, for women, not keeping an eye on their purse. “Most often, the elderly (female) will be out shopping for groceries where they have shopped for years, and leave their purse in the shopping basket and it is stolen, with checks and credit cards. From then on, it’s just a mess,” he said.
Don’t use Outgoing Rural Mail
Another common mistake is to use a rural mailbox to mail checks and other important documents. “They put their mail in the mail box and put up the flag. ... If you think about it, what does that tell people? You might have checks for paying bills in the box.” Once the checks are stolen, Hughes said, it can be a situation of being victimized for the next “six months to a year” as your account is drained and your bills and other checks bounce.
Chris Geier / cgeier@chronline.com
Centralia Police Detective Rick Hughes speaks with senior citizens at Cooks Hill Manor about the risks of online frauds and scams. “Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” he said, “or to ask for help. Senior citizens are often embarrassed to ask questions.”
speaking venues in Lewis County. One common word of advice he shares has to do with using a credit card instead of a debit card. “When I give a presentation, I tell them to use the credit card instead of the debit card,” he said. “A debit card is the easiest way to give the suspect complete access to all of your money immediately.” While most credit cards have a withdrawal limit, the credit cards also usually have a limit on the amount for which you Leave the Debit are responsible if your card is Card at Home stolen, such as fifty dollars, or in Hughes shares his information some cases, nothing. Debit cards on preventing financial theft and banks are under no such at retirement homes and other obligation.
Check with your bank or credit union to determine what happens if your debit card is stolen. If your debit card is stolen, you must cancel it immediately for the best protection, Hughes said. With a credit card you should also report it stolen, but the extreme urgency to do so is less, due to the protections the credit card offers. “We had one lady who had her purse stolen and within 20 minutes, the (perpetrator) had taken all $700 out of her account,” Hughes said. Some financial theft is not as easy to spot. “Some (perpetrators) will take just $5 or $10 dollars at a time,” Hughes said. “Five or ten
dollars over months adds up.”
The IRS Doesn’t Call You
Another common scam is to have the “IRS” (Internal Revenue Service) either call the victim or send the victim an email notice. “The IRS only contacts you through the mail,” Hughes said. “Don’t give financial information or personal information to anyone who calls you over the phone.” Hughes related the story of one elderly gentleman who was duped over the phone. “He got a call from a ‘long-lost Continued on pg. 2
SWW Seniors • November 2011
Seniors Southwest Washington
2 • SWW Seniors • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 Continued from pg. 1
grandson’ who said he was in jail and needed $500 dollars,” Hughes said. “So he sent him the $500 right away, even though he had some misgivings.” Those misgivings, Hughes said, caused the gentleman to feel foolish about asking questions.
For anyone with fraud prevention questions or who may worry about a situation in their life, Hughes noted you can always call and ask your local police department, including the Centralia Police Department. • For more information, call the Centralia Police Department at 330-7680 or email rhughes@ Don’t Be Afraid to cityofcentralia.com Ask Questions • For additional tips on fraud This brings us to one of the prevention, visit the Federal best pieces of advice Hughes had to offer to avoid becoming Trade Commission website at ftc.gov SWWS a victim.
Chris Geier / cgeier@chronline.com
Centralia Police Detective Rick Hughes speaks with senior citizens at Cooks Hill Manor about the risks of online frauds and scams. "The elderly are victimized not from lack of knowledge, but from being comfortable," Hughes said. "They think they don’t have to be as cautious."
Ask Dr. Marion
Q.
How important is it to have a will?
- Jeremy in Georgia, 67
“Don’t be afraid to ask questions,” he said, “or to ask for help. Senior citizens are often embarrassed to ask questions.”
••• Victoria Stewart is a freelance journalist and photographer living in Lewis County. You may reach her at creative01writer@yahoo.com.
• For more information, call the Centralia Police Department at 3307680 or email rhughes@cityofcentralia. com • For additional tips on fraud prevention, visit the Federal Trade Commission website at ftc.gov
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A will is a crucial document that family friend, or a lawyer. responsibility to pay all of must be taken care of well in advance Someone must be named as the the bills and taxes before the of the end of your elder’s life. Do beneficiary to your elder’s estate heirs can be paid. What most don’t not allow your elder to die intestate or it will be left to the state. Sadly, understand, even many executors, is (without a will). When your elder I’ve seen this happen many times, that the law allows only nine months doesn’t have a will, the state may take and family members can do little to pay the taxes for the estate that is over. It can become very complicated, except deal with their shock. being probated. After nine months and you’re sure to lose a hefty Don’t draft your elder’s will yourself of non-payment, additional fines and percentage of the true value of the or allow him/her to do it either. If a penalties are imposed on the estate. estate. By making a will and assigning will is not prepared in accordance So make sure this is handled well power of attorney, an elder will feel with state laws, it could easily be ahead of time to lessen any loss to comforted that his/her wishes will be challenged by other heirs and family your elder’s estate. SWWS We provide complete and carried out. members who are unhappy with its comprehensive legal services and long Wills are often changed, so be ready contents. This leaves the estate open Over the last 40 years, Dr. Marion term care coordination. (Marion Somers, Ph.D.) has worked with to execute more than one document to hefty legal fees and prolonged, thousands of seniors and their caregivers • Life Care Planning • Guardianship • Estate Planning over time. And remember, anytime maneuvers that could have easily as a geriatric care manager and elder care • Probate • Special Needs Trusts someone signs a will, there must be been avoided. expert. It is now her goal to help caregivers Who is this? everywhere through her book and more. a witness. The original should be kept A word about taxes. When a For more information, visit (360) 786-5035 · 501 Tyee Drive SW • Tumwater, WA 98512 with the lawyer, and a copy should be will is executed after someone has www.DrMarion.com included with your elder’s other legal passed away, the executor has the documents. Complications also arise when a second family or step-family is involved. All variables should be well thought out, such as who is included and not included in the will. One way to leave someone out of a will is to give them $1 exactly. This way, they can’t say they were overlooked or that your elder was incompetent. A plan was put in place to include them. I’ve seen this happen far too frequently. Anyone who contests a will can hold up the process for years, even if they have limited legal grounds to stand on. It’s very important to appoint the right person as executor or executrix of the will. Your elder must have confidence that he or she will Barbara Goldberg worked hard to earn her Medicare and Social Security benefits. Her retirement isn’t some political game. carry out the full It’s her life. But instead of cutting waste and loopholes, some in Washington, D.C. want to cut the benefits she counts on. instructions of the will. Often, That’s wrong. the executor of a will has retired Join the members of AARP. Tell Washington, D.C. to stop cuts to Medicare and Social Security benefits. or died or moved Call 1-888-422-4555 or visit aarp.org/protectseniors. or is otherwise unreachable. This is one reason why the executor is usually a family member, a trusted
SWW Seniors • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 • 3
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With waggly tails and rumbly The Leaf green adjustable hemp collar purrs, they relentlessly show their love has quick-release hardware ($18 to every day. What better time of year $20, specialty stores). Dog and cat than the holidays to delight a four- beds made of soy-based material and legged family member with a special recycled content are widely available. gift? Many suppliers offer organic catnip. "Pets get so much joy out of The Purr Highness cat scratcher Trust the care of your loved toys," says Lorrie Shaw, a Chelsea, from Worldwise is made of recycled ones to those who care! Mich., pet owner and pet blogger for corrugated cardboard and doubles annarbor.com. "They get to use all of as a lounger ($20, specialty stores). Serving Lewis County in their senses and identify something as Doggles Plush Bottle Toys come in Assisted Living since 1998 theirs." the shape of animals and have two Pet ownership is at an all-time high. squeakers. Stuff a used plastic water Sixty-two percent of U.S. households bottle inside and the toy provides Call Us Today For More Information own a pet - some 72.9 million homes, instant crinkly chewing fun. ($13 Join Us For A Tour And Lunch according to the 2011-2012 annual and up, specialty stores). survey by the American Pet Products 1509 Harrison Ave., Centralia (360) 736-0112 Association. And we're loving - and Continued on pg. 4 giving - to our animals like never before. In 2010, dog owners increased spending on their pooches more than 30 percent, and dogs and cats Get smarty: are among Dog Twister, a treat maze for dogs the small pets that are most likely to get gifts at Christmas time, according to the APPA survey. Nine percent of dog Heart disease takes the lives owners say they've held a holiday or of more Americans than any birthday party for their dog, and 4 percent say they've done so for their other single cause. That’s cat. why Providence created a Pet owners' emotional ties with dogs and cats run deep. "A lot of comprehensive cardiac care baby boomers become empty nesters center with more experience and still have that nurturing need," and a broader range of says Kristen Levine, founder of Tarpon Springs, Fla.-based Fetching services than anywhere else Communications, a marketer serving in the region. the pet industry. "A lot of millennials get pets before starting a family to | St. Peter Hospital | Centralia Hospital | Medical Group fulfill that same need."
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While most pet owners won't hesitate to purchase a little something special for their pets this holiday season, the boom in products at retail means there's more to choose from. Think before you shop, says Shaw. "Pay attention to what your pet likes to do. Does he run and play, or is he more cognitive?"
First comes a diagnosis. Then come the questions, the worries, the fear. But you’re not alone. You’ve got a team focused on your needs — more than caregivers, you’ve got allies. And we’re here to help you beat this.
Curiouser and curiouser: Seek’aboo paw puzzle for cats
4 • SWW Seniors • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011
Rough and tumble play: Bumi tug for dogs West Paw Design
Continued from pg. 3
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bacon-flavored DuraChew comes Products that appeal to an animal's in the shape of a hollow stick ($12, intuitive side, engaging them and specialty stores). encouraging natural activity, also are trendy. "Foraging toys are hot," says Life on the road Levine. They give owners a chance "More people travel with their to do other things while their pet pets nowadays," says Levine. She is occupied, she says. Shaw suggests stresses the importance of pet the treat-dispensing Busy Buddy restraint while driving. "Just like Kibble Nibble by Premier Pet (two texting and driving, a loose pet in sizes, $10 to $20, specialty stores). the vehicle can be dangerous," she This activity ball stimulates pups says. Kurgo makes a variety of petmentally and physically by making carrying products. A Skybox Booster them work for their food. Levine is a seat for puppies and small dogs up to fan of the Physipet, a line of exercise 30 pounds lifts them up to provide and entertainment products for cats them with a window view ($60, and dogs. The toys react to the pet, pulling back when the For hot dogs on the go: portable pet pulls, incorporating bowl with screw top exercise with play and reducing boredom and separation anxiety, says company founder and inventor Jude Waddy ($70 and up, physipet. com). Interactive games from the Swedish company Nina Ottosson are designed specialty stores); the Kurgo Auto to stimulate a dog's brain and Zip-Line tethers a dog safely, with reinforce people-friendly behavior. a harness attached to a zip-line that "Puzzle toys provide the mental runs between any two fixed points in stimulation many dogs lack in their the vehicle and allows a dog to walk everyday life," says owner Nina back and forth, sit and stand ($38, Ottosson. Fill the new treat Maze specialty stores). Car carriers are and a pet will happily work away to especially important for cats, who "solve" the puzzle and get the treat. often are not fond of travel. Levine There are versions for cats and dogs suggests that animal lovers bring (starting at $15, specialty stores.) water for their pets during trips. Self-grooming products that keep Pawgua makes a portable, BPA-free cats happy and entertained are on plastic dog bowl for thirsty, out-andthe rise. The Worldwise Smartykat about pups ($15, specialty stores). Brushup self-grooming post was The bowl keeps water cool and the voted one of the Top 10 products top twists off. at the 2011 Global Pet Expo by The best gift for a pet is simple veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker of and free: Stop, drop and play. "The TV's "Good Morning America" best thing is for you to interact with fame. Hundreds of flexible silicone your pets," says Shaw. “It helps them bristles provide a feel-good massage hang on to their cognitive skills and while pulling away loose fur ($20, reinforces that connection owners specialty stores.) are seeking when they get pets in the first place.” SWWS
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"If you have a chewer, it's integral that you find the type of toy that can withstand that kind of abuse," says Shaw. Don't skimp on cheap toys that can easily tear apart. Instead, buy a heavy-duty toy that can endure tough teeth. California animal trainer and pet expert Diana L. Guerrero recommends the Kong Co.'s superduty hollow rubber toys. The Kong Extreme toy, used by police and drug enforcement and specially made for aggressive chewers, can be filled with treats to help reduce boredom (available in five sizes, $5 and up, specialty stores). Brightly colored twists, flyers, hurleys and hucks from West Paw Design are made of Zogoflex, a durable, pliable material that's easy for a pet to pick up and won't hurt teeth ($9 to $17, specialty stores). Other toys for chew-happy canines: bones and tugs made of tightly twisted cotton threads, which clean teeth while the pup chews and plush toys for dogs who like to "mother" a toy. Nylabone hard nylon dog chews in a range of shapes and flavors last longer than rawhide bones and promote tooth health. A
SWW Seniors • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 • 5
What to look for in an elder care facility As men and women enter their golden years, many decide they can no longer maintain their homes and choose to downgrade to something smaller, be it an apartment or a condominium. For millions of others, health plays a significant role when deciding where to move when it's time to sell their homes. According to the AARP, slightly more than five percent of people 65 years and older reside in nursing homes, congregate care, assisted living, and board-and-care homes. Statistics Canada notes that by 2004-05, the most recent year for which statistics are available, one in 30 Canadians over the age of 65 were living in homes for the aged. Though no one plans to live in a nursing home, seniors and their families should at least know what to look for just in case.
Facility Ratings According to the AARP, recent research has shown that nonprofit nursing homes offer higher-quality care, better staff-resident ratios, and have fewer health violations than facilities managed by forprofit companies. Men and women researching facilities can visit Caring.com, an online resource for men and women caring for aging relatives.The Web site enables adults to compare nursing homes in their areas, including if a home is for profit or nonprofit, and the home's capacity. U.S. residents can even learn each facility's Medicare ratings, which are determined by examining the safety of the facility and its overall quality of care and a host of other factors.
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unpleasant? What is the facility's philosophy regarding staff and resident interaction? What are the facility's hiring practices, including certification requirements, for its personnel? What is the ratio of staff to residents? Each facility should be able to answer these questions promptly and adequately. Those who can't should be checked off the list of residences to consider.
6 • SWW Seniors • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 David Bergeland / The Record/MCT
Fran Carrasco, from left, John Schaefer, Al Lucente and Alan Ballester are all veterans who volunteer with an organization that searches New Jersey for the cremated remains of veterans that have not been claimed by family and then give them a proper military internment.
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HACKENSACK, N.J. The four the Mission of Honor has so far middle-aged former soldiers gathered in contacted about a third of them, Frank Carrasco's repair garage in Lodi, Carrasco said. Sitting in the back end of N.J., could be taking it easy, riding off into peaceful retirement. Instead, Carrasco's garage, the sad and they have become a force of specialized sometimes startling stories of the detectives, scouring New Jersey to North Jersey coordinators flow find the remains of men they call their rapid-fire, with one man often completing the other's sentence. brothers. A funeral home in Morris Carrasco, 62, ex-Army and a Vietnam veteran, is chairman of New Jersey's County could hold the Mission of Honor for Cremains of unclaimed cremains of as many American Veterans. The non-profit as 1,500 veterans -volunteers are organization is dedicated to finding still working to gain access there. unclaimed cremated remains -cremains They hope for positive results, -of veterans being stored in funeral like with a Sayreville, N.J., homes across the state and giving them attorney who was supposed to inter the remains of his client the full military interment. Alan Ballester, 57, ex-Air Force, is but left them sitting on a shelf the coordinator for Essex and Passaic instead, until Carrasco and his counties. Al Lucente, 65, ex-Army and friends came knocking. The team thought they had a a Vietnam vet, is the coordinator for Bergen County, and John Schaefer, 65, verified find with Cornelius Van an ex-Marine and Vietnam vet, is the Hoff -until their work revealed him to be the father of a veteran, coordinator for Hudson County. Since its formation was first featured who was cremated in Paterson in The Record two years ago, the in 1947 and left on a shelf at Mission of Honor has grown to include the Lakeview Funeral Home in coordinators in every county in New Clifton. He will now be buried. Jersey but Monmouth and hundreds of Which brings up Charles volunteers. The entire operation runs on Stephan, who died in 1984 and donations, though many of the active wanted his ashes scattered into members dip into their own pockets to the sea but they couldn't be because of state environmental help where they can, Carrasco said. "It's something every veteran like regulations. "It's actually simple how many myself wants to do," said Schaefer. "We want to give back. If you think about it, of us got involved," Carrasco these vets are homeless, with Serving no families to LewiS County claim them. And we can't Prosthetics & Orthotics, llc let that be." Compassionate Consultation • Locally Owned Finding • Knee Braces cremains is a •Artificial Limbs painstaking, • Leg Braces • Arch Supports l a b o r - • Diabetic Shoes intensive • Repairs & Adjustments task that begins with • Home Or Office Visits considerable legwork. There (360) 330-1602 are more than 1720 Cooks Hill Rd. Raymond Frieszell, MS, CPO 2,000 funeral Centralia, Wa Licensed Prosthetist/Orthotist homes in New Office Hours by Appointment Jersey, and MEDICARE • VA • DSHS • L & I • ALL INSURANCES
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SWW Seniors • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011 • 7
said. "They say, 'Are you kidding me? There are veterans lying around on shelves?' The federal government spends millions to find bone fragments of soldiers overseas. But all you gotta do is go across the street to find them. The way we look at it is, a veteran is a veteran, and they all deserve the same proper respect." Schaefer knew Carrasco from the Vietnam Veterans of America, and was quick to volunteer when the Mission of Honor formed. In contrast, Lucente was not the type to frequent his local VFW Hall, and was never involved with organizations like the VVA. But a chance meeting with Carrasco was enough to convince him that he had to get involved. "I felt in my heart that this was something I could do and should so," Lucente said. Ballester is a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, a biker group that started the Missing in America Project, a national effort similar to the Mission of
Honor. When he heard about the new group formed in New Jersey, he decided to check out a meeting. "I walked in for information and walked out in charge" of two counties, he said with a laugh. Shortly after its formation, the New Jersey State Funeral Directors Association worked with the Mission of Honor to develop a packet to give funeral home directors that explains what the Mission of Honor is looking to do, said association director Adam Guziejewski. It has proven essential in convincing many directors to cooperate, he said. When a funeral home opens its doors, the record-checking process begins. The volunteers in each county check physical death certificates and birth records when they can be found. The North Jersey coordinators each have stories of gaining access to funeral home records that consist of huge ledgers - some as long as desks - crammed with notes written almost a century ago in flowing
calligraphy. From these records, a list of probable veterans is constructed. Next, enter John DeCoste, 68, ex-Air Force. DeCoste has two loves -technology and genealogy. One day more than two years ago, DeCoste was watching a newscast on the Mission of Honor at his home in Cherry Hill, N.J. He turned to his wife and said, "You know, I think I can help these guys." The next thing he knew, DeCoste was not only the Mission's Camden County coordinator, but its indispensible, goto genealogist responsible for combing through databases to determine if the cremains at a particular home do indeed belong to a veteran. DeCoste now lives in The Villages, Fla., but still devotes a tremendous amount of time to helping the Mission of Honor. "It's detective work," he said. "I'm a very analytical person. I can sit for hours and comb through records, and the reward is the find." Once the team determines that
remains belong to a veteran, the funeral home sends a letter to the last known relative. If the letter bounces back, that usually means there is no family, and then the Mission of Honor takes over, Carrasco said. Thus far, the Mission of Honor has actually helped more families find lost loved ones than they have claimed forgotten cremains. According to the New Jersey coordinators, roughly 80 cremains have been given to a family member who otherwise had no idea that their relative's remains were sitting in a small urn on a shelf in a funeral home. About 50 cremains have been given full military interments at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Wrightstown, N.J., said Carrasco. "I'm a Marine," said Schaefer. "I don't give up. And we're not gonna give up until we find everyone we can in New Jersey and give them their proper rest." SWWS
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For your free consultation call 360-736-4310
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Capital Medical Center Presents
New Patient Care Facilities To Serve Our Growing Community
Capital Imaging Center and Outpatient Clinic OUTPATIENT DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING SERVICES
Radiology Scheduling 360-704-4750 • M-F 8am to 5pm
FUTURE CENTER SERVICES
Wound Care Clinic D O PENE Early r Octobe 2011
In early 2012, wound care G O PENIN services will be offered Early with a multidisciplinary 2012 team of physicians and trained healthcare professionals. This service will be a community benefit as the closest wound care clinic is 45 miles to our west in Aberdeen.
X-Ray The latest in digital imaging equipment offers superior image quality resulting in shorter study times.
MRI
CT
The addition of a new wide-bore MRI will produce outstanding images while making patients more comfortable by accommodating larger patients and reducing patient anxiety.
Improved image quality and expanded clinical applications make the 64-Slice CT a welcome addition.
Medical Office Space The front of the building will be home for current and future Capital Medical Center physicians.
Harrison Ave NW
Yauger Way SW Capital Mal
4th Ave SW 5th Ave SW
(Located behind Capital Medical Center) To Black Lake Blvd
l Dr SW
601 McPhee Rd SW Olympia, WA 98502
Capital Medical Center 360-754-5858 or 1-888-677-9757 CapitalMedical.com
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Capital Medical Center
7th Ave SW
Capital Imaging Center and Outpatient Clinic
Bla ck Ln Hills SW
McPhee Rd SW
Capital Medical Center is pleased to present the new Capital Imaging Center and Outpatient Clinic. The center’s state-of-the-art outpatient diagnostic imaging services opened their doors in early October. The wound care clinic and physician medical office space will follow suit in early 2012. The center is conveniently located behind the hospital and neighboring Black Hills Medical Park for easy access by both patients and physicians alike. This significant investment in expanded care is part of Capital Medical Center’s continuing quest to serve our growing community.
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SWW Seniors • November 2011
8 • SWW Seniors • The Chronicle, Centralia/Chehalis, Wash. Thursday, Nov. 17, 2011