by Carol Leish

There are many resources to deal with senior fraud. You can contact various websites for information. You can also call various phone numbers for assistance. Thus, by using various tools, you’ll be better able to protect yourselves.

According to Carey Aldava, Manager of Ventura County Adult Protective Services Program, “Unfortunately, according to AARP, a MetLife study determined that 55% of financial abuse in the United States is committed by family members, caregivers, and friends. Often, undue influence is used as a means of exploiting the elder or dependent adult financially. In a brief issued by the National Center on Law and Elder Rights in June 2017, undue influence is defined as: ‘Someone using their role and power to exploit the trust, dependency, and fear of others. They use the power to deceptively gain control over the decision-making of the other person.’”

Aldava emphasized by saying, “If you suspect elder or dependent adult abuse, call the Adult Protective Services 24-Hour Abuse Reporting Hotline at: 805-654-3200. To request information, visit vchsa.org/aps or call Adult Protective Services at: 805-658-4453.”

Debbie Deem, a retired victim’s specialist for the FBI, discussed where to report fraud and how to seek help. “If you are a victim of a computer, phone or other fraud crime, please report it to: www.ic3.gov if it is a computer/cyber related fraud; or, to: www.reportfraud.ftc.gov if it is a fraud involving the phone or mail.

“In Ventura County, it should also be reported to your local law enforcement and Adult Protective Services (if older or dependent adults) are involved.

“For those age 60 and over, the US Dept. Justice has a helpline-at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-372-8311 that can help provide referrals, support and even help in filing the above reports. Services are available for those in almost every language.”

“There are some common ways to avoid being defrauded,” according to Deem. She elaborated upon this by saying: “1) Learn to screen your calls from unknown numbers and use voice mail to decide before calling anyone back that you do not know. This provides you with time to further investigate if the person calling you is real. 2) Keep your computer updated with proper antivirus and other applications updated. 3) Don’t use the same password for email and other websites. 4) Use a password manager to help to remember a different password for each computer application. 5) Use privacy setting on social media accounts like Facebook. 6) Keep your settings to private, and don’t ‘friend’ strangers, even if they appear to be friends with someone who you know. 7) Use multifactor authentication protecting your accounts on line with something you know (password) and something you have (such as your cell phone). The website: https://stopthinkconnect.org/ has additional computer help.”

By becoming aware of what steps of avoidance to take; who to contact if necessary; and, various websites to gain knowledge, you’ll be able to better able to cope with/avoid the possibilities of senior fraud.

“There are some common ways to avoid being defrauded,” according to, Deem. “These include: 1) Learn to screen your calls from unknown numbers and use voice mail to decide before calling anyone back that you do not know.; 2) Keep your computer updated with proper antivirus and other applications updated.; 3) Don’t use the same password for email and other websites.; 4) Use a password manager to help remember a different password for each computer application.; 5) Use privacy settings on social media account life Facebook.; 6) Keep your settings to private.; 7) Don’t ‘friend’ strangers, even if they appear to be friends with someone that you know.; and, 8) Use multifactor authentication protecting your accounts on line with something you know (password) and something you have (such as your cell phone). https://stopthinkconnect.org/has additional computer help.”

The music tradition of Cuba; understanding Russia today; how oceans shape our planet; and California in American popular culture are all part of CSU Channel Islands Osher LifeLong Learning Program (OLLI). Our fall semester consists of 10 Zoom and 5 in-person courses that will enable adults aged 50 or over to sample OLLI’s university level courses taught by faculty and experts from many different walks of life. Classes, which last for either four weeks or 8 weeks.  Registration starts mid August.  Classes start on September 13^th. See the list of courses and register by visiting go.csuci.edu/OLLI.

As you get older, your doctor may recommend more vaccinations, also known as shots or immunizations, to help prevent certain illnesses. Talk with your doctor about which of the following vaccines you need. Make sure to protect yourself as much as possible by keeping your vaccinations up to date.

COVID-19 vaccines

Studies show that COVID-19 vaccines are effective at keeping people from getting COVID-19. Getting a COVID-19 vaccine will also help keep you from getting seriously ill even if you do get COVID-19. We are still learning how effective COVID-19 vaccines are against new variants of the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone age 12 and older get vaccinated.

Flu vaccines for older adults

Flu(short for influenza)is a virus that can cause fever, chills, sore throat, stuffy nose, headache, and muscle aches. Flu is very serious when it gets in your lungs. Older adults are at a higher risk for developing serious complications from the flu, such as pneumonia.

The flu is easy to pass from person to person. The virus also changes over time, which means you can get it again. To ensure flu vaccines remain effective, the vaccine is updated every year.

Everyone age 6 months and older should get an annual flu vaccine, but the protection from a flu vaccine can lessen with time, especially in older adults. Still, you are less likely to become seriously ill or hospitalized because of the flu if you get the vaccine. A flu vaccine is especially important if you have a chronic health condition such as heart disease or diabetes.

There are flu vaccines designed specifically for people age 65 and older. Medicare will pay for the vaccine, and so will private health insurance plans. You can get a flu vaccine at your doctor’s office or local health department, as well as at some grocery and drug stores.

Vaccines to help prevent pneumonia

Pneumococcal disease is a serious infection that spreads from person to person by air. It often causes pneumonia in the lungs and it can affect other parts of the body.

There are two pneumococcal vaccines: PPSV23 and PCV13. According to the CDC, adults who are age 65 and older should get the PPSV23 vaccine. Some older adults may also need the PCV13 vaccine. Talk with your health care professional to find out if you need both pneumococcal vaccines.

Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (whooping cough) vaccines

Tetanus (sometimes called lockjaw) is caused by bacteria found in soil, dust, and manure. It enters the body through cuts in the skin.

Diphtheria, also caused by bacteria, is a serious illness that can affect the tonsils, throat, nose, or skin. It can spread from person to person.

Pertussis, also known as whooping cough, is caused by bacteria. It is a serious illness that causes uncontrollable, violent coughing fits that make it hard to breathe. It can spread from person to person.

The CDC recommends that adults get a Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis) or Td (tetanus, diphtheria) booster shot every 10 years. Ask your doctor when you need your booster shot.

Shingles vaccine for older adults

Shingles is caused by the same virus as chickenpox. If you had chickenpox, the virus is still in your body. The virus could become active again and cause shingles.

Shingles affects the nerves. Common symptoms include burning, shooting pain, tingling, and/or itching, as well as a rash with fluid-filled blisters. Even when the rash disappears, the pain can remain. This is called post-herpetic neuralgia, or PHN.

The shingles vaccine is safe and it may keep you from getting shingles and PHN. Healthy adults age 50 and older should get vaccinated with the shingles vaccine, which is given in two doses. (Zostavax, an earlier shingles vaccine, is no longer available in the United States.)