Stroke Awareness – Content by Judy
Yes, it is a true emergency!! If anyone, any age has sudden numbness in their face, arm, leg, especially on one side of the body. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking, or difficulty understanding speech. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance, lack of coordination. Sudden severe headache with no known cause. Call 911 right away!! This is a real emergency. If left unattended the consequences can be life altering if not fatal.
If you think someone might be having a stroke, act F.A.S.T.
F—Face: Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop?
A—Arms: Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?
S—Speech: Ask the person to repeat a simple phrase. Is the speech slurred or strange?
T—Time: If you see any of these signs, call 9-1-1 right away.
The sooner someone is treated the better the outcome. Strokes can be potentially reversed or at least stopped if a stroke is treated within the first 3 hours. Call an ambulance. Do not drive them!! The crew on the ambulance can start treatment sooner and the outcome will be better. You want life-saving treatment as soon as possible!!
If you think you are having a stroke call 911 right away. You might not be able to make that call even a few minutes later.
Every year over 800,000 people have a stoke. Nearly 150,000 die each year. Strokes are the leading cause of serious long-term disability. BUT 80% of strokes are PREVENTABLE!!
Most strokes are caused by clots blocking blood flow in the brain and strokes are a leading cause of disability. Some ways to prevent or lower your risk of having a stroke is to stop smoking, limit alcohol, maintain a healthy weight, eat plenty of veggies and fruit, and exercise. Also be sure you are managing your diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart disease. Stress and depression can also contribute to the risk of a stroke.
By looking at your own risk factors of having a stroke and living a healthier lifestyle you can help reduce the odds of having a stroke. Be sure to review all of this with your health care professionals. Check with them before taking or changing supplements to see if they are right for you. Get regular checkups. Reach out to other professionals for help to improve your lifestyle.
And it is never too late to change! Talk to your doctor and modify some things in your life!!
Falls Talk Personalized Fall Prevention
A Health Promotion Program for Adults 60+
What is Fall Talk?
It is one-on-one program conducted in a no contact COVID-19 safe way to help you become aware of best practices and practical interventions to prevents falls. This program meets the Administration of Community Living’s highest level criteria for evidence-based health promotion programs.
A personalized approach that helps you discover your own “fall threats”. This increased awareness translates into successful fall prevention in real life situations and MOST IMPORTANTLY has successfully prevented falls!
This program is supported by the Senior Resources-Agency on Aging with Title III funds made available under the Older Americans Act.
Program is at NO COST
Stay Independent and Active
Contact us Today
Connie Capacchione, Program Coordinator, Uncas Health District, 860-823-1189 Ext: 122, c-capacchione@uncashd.org
Visit us on the web: www.uncashd.org
Top Scams Targeting Older Americans in 2021
Here’s how to recognize and protect yourself from these costly cons
Frauds aimed at older adults are becoming more creative.
Scammers stay on top of whatever is new, such as the
popularity of Zoom, COVID-19 vaccines and online
shopping, and then move fast to create ploys that best fit
the moment.
COVID-19 vaccination card scams
Many who got a COVID vaccine posted selfies on social
media showing off their vaccination card. Scammers
immediately pounced.
The scheme: With your full name, birth date and
information about where you received your shot, scammers
have valuable data for identity theft, breaking into your bank
accounts, getting credit cards in your name and more.
How to avoid: If you want to inform friends and family that
you got your shots, a selfie with a generic vaccine sticker
will suffice. “Or use a Got My Vaccine profile picture frame
on social media,” Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody
suggests. And review your social media security settings to
choose who can see your posts.
Phony online shopping websites
Phony retail websites aren’t new, but they look more real
today than ever before. Fake sites are using photos from
real online retailers and mimicking their look and feel.
The scheme: You click on an ad online or on social media,
see stuff you like at a great price, enter your credit card info
… and never receive a product. Or you receive a lower quality item shipped directly from an overseas seller.
How to avoid: Never click on an ad to go to a retailer’s
website. Instead, bookmark the URLs of trusted shopping
websites you visit frequently and use those, suggests Tyler
Moore, professor of cybersecurity at the University of Tulsa.
Don’t bother with trying to figure out whether the web
address is real. Attackers adapt and change them
frequently.
If you’re considering buying from a new site, first check
online reviews as well as the company’s track record via the
Better Business Bureau’s online directory (bbb.org).
Medicare card scams
Scammers are emailing, calling and even knocking on
doors, claiming to be from Medicare and offering all sorts of
pandemic-related services if you “verify” your Medicare ID
number.
The scheme: The offers include new cards they claim
contain microchips. Some posers are asking for payment to
move beneficiaries up in line for the COVID-19 vaccine.
How to avoid: Hang up the phone, shut the door, and
delete the email. According to the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services, Medicare will never contact you without
permission for your Medicare number or other personal
information. And it will never call to sell you anything. Guard
your Medicare number and never pay for a COVID vaccine.
It’s free.
Social Security scam calls
Scammers are using “spoofed” phone numbers that look
like they’re coming from Washington, D.C., to appear
credible.
The scheme: You get a scary phone call saying your Social
Security number was used in a crime — and you’ll be
arrested soon if you don’t send money to fix it. They may
say your number was used to rent a car where drugs were
found and that the Drug Enforcement Agency is on their
way to your house. The caller may refer you to a local law enforcement website where you can see the person’s
picture. You think you’ve checked it out, call them back and
send money.
How to avoid: Don’t pick up the phone unless you
absolutely know who’s calling. If it’s important, they’ll leave
a voicemail.
Account takeover scam texts
Scammers are sending fake text messages alleging
there’s big trouble with your internet account, a credit
card, and bank account or shopping order on Amazon.
They want you to click on links and provide personal
info.
The scheme: The urgent-sounding text message may
have a real-looking logo. People don’t expect
scammers to use text messages, so they’re more
likely to click.
How to avoid: Remember, don’t click on links in
emails and texts that you haven’t asked for. Call your
bank or credit card company to check for a problem.
Installing security software on your computer and
keeping it updated is also crucial, says cybersecurity
expert Brian Payne, of Old Dominion University in
Norfolk, Virginia.
AARP’s Fraud Watch Network can help you spot
and avoid scams. Sign up for free Watchdog
Alerts, review our scam-tracking map, or call our
toll-free fraud helpline at 877-908-3360 if you or a
loved one suspect you’ve been a victim
Lunch at 11:30am Daily
We are here for you for curbside sandwich pickup,
Please call in your order no later than 11:00 for 11:30 pickup.
Call 860-376-2329 to place your order.
RENTER’S REBATES
Senior or disabled low-income renters may be eligible for a partial rebate of rent and utility bills, excluding telephone and cable. The filing period is April 1 through October 1. Applications are available at the Assessor’s Office.
For more information and to apply contact our Assessor’s office at 860-376-5115