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Senior
Citizen Alerts from
Senior Journal.com
Today's Warnings for Senior Citizens
on medical warnings, scams, frauds, warnings, abuse and missing senior
citizens.
More Senior Citizen News and
Information Than Any Other Source -
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Senior Citizen Alerts
Combating the Rise of ‘Polypharmacy’ – Tips for Seniors on Risk of Many Medications
Each year, about one-third of seniors experience serious adverse effects as a result of drug interactions, says CVS
executive pharmacist - see video
By Papatya Tankut, vice president, CVS/Pharmacy
 May 9, 2012 - If you’re over the age of 60, chances are you’re taking multiple medications. In the last 10 years, the
percentage of people over 60 who take five or more medications has jumped from 22 percent to 37 percent. Right now, there are more than 30
million Americans taking five or more prescription drugs regularly, often called “polypharmacy.”
Read more, see video...
Features for Senior Citizens
Benefits.gov Has Helped 50 Million in U.S. Since Launch 10-Years Ago
Benefit Finder allows citizens to quickly find benefits they may be eligible to receive out of over 1,000 Federally-funded benefit and
assistance programs
 April 18, 2012 - Over 50 million U.S. citizens – many of them senior citizens - have turned to Benefits.gov for
life-altering government assistance information since its launch in 2002, according to a statement in the monthly eNewsletter, Compass,
of the government website on its 10th anniversary. Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Aspirin’s Ability to Prevent Cancer Gets Attention of American Cancer Society
‘Exciting opportunity to reconsider the potential role of aspirin in cancer prevention’
 April 12, 2012—A new report by American Cancer Society scientists says new data showing aspirin's potential role in
reducing the risk of cancer death bring us considerably closer to the time when cancer prevention can be included in clinical guidelines for
the use of aspirin in preventative care. Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Sam’s Club Offers Free Memory, Brain Health Screening Saturday, April 14
Screenings targeting older people available to members and guests from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
 April 10, 2012 – Everyone sometimes forgets. A certain degree of memory problems are a common part of aging. There is a
difference, however, between changes in memory and memory loss from Alzheimer's disease. One in eight adults over the age of 65 is diagnosed
with Alzheimer’s, and 20 percent of the elderly population suffers from some form of dementia.
Read more...
Heart Patients Warned of Using Drugs to Block ‘Flush’ from Popular Niacin Pills
Questions blocking DP1 in patients prone to cardiovascular disease, especially those taking niacin to treat cholesterol
 April 9, 2012 - Niacin, or vitamin B3, is the one approved drug that increases "good" cholesterol (high density
lipoprotein, HDL) while depressing "bad" cholesterol (low density lipoprotein, LDL), and has thereby attracted much attention from patients –
seniors in particular - and physicians. Niacin keeps fat from breaking down, and so obstructs the availability of LDL building blocks.
Read more...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Senior Citizen Thyroid Surgery Patients at Greater Risk of Postoperative Problems
Large study challenges assumption that thyroidectomy is a low-risk operation for elderly patients
 March
29, 2012 - Elderly patients who undergo thyroid surgery are at a much higher risk than their younger counterparts for serious cardiac,
pulmonary and infectious complications, according to a recent study. Compared to younger patients, senior citizens (age 65-79) are twice as
likely and the super-elderly (age 80 and above) are five times as likely to have a postoperative complication.
Read more...
sHealth & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Pre-Cancerous Polyps Missed in Third of Colonoscopies Due to Poor Patient Prep
Most seniors dread their colonoscopy exam and a big part of this consternation is due to the required preparation - about a
quarter do poor job
By Jim Dryden
See video below news report |
March 27, 2012 - What happens on the day before a colonoscopy may be just as important as the colon-screening test
itself. Gastroenterologists at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis have found that when patients don’t adequately prep for
the test by cleansing their colons, doctors often can’t see potentially dangerous pre-cancerous lesions.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Statin Link to Cognitive Problems, Memory Loss by FDA Shock to Seniors
New safety warnings also cite liver problems, blood sugar elevation, drug interactions with lovastation
 Feb. 29. 2012 – Statins, the cholesterol-lowering drugs taken by millions of senior citizens for better cardiovascular
health, have enjoyed a long ride of positive feedback on their benefits. Yesterday, however, the Food and Drug Administration sent shock waves
through the elderly community with a caution that statins may be associated with cognitive problems and memory loss, a major fear for many
seniors. Read more...
Features for Senior Citizens
Ten Tips for Seniors on Avoiding Auto Battery Failure in Winter Weather
Cold weather puts extra stress on vehicle battery; failure puts extra stress on driver
 Feb. 27, 2012 – A dangerous situation can quickly develop for senior citizens when the car battery dies on a freezing
winter day. Cold weather can influence a vehicle engine to put twice as much stress on the battery, according to Interstate Batteries, which
also offers ten tips to help seniors avoid this crisis. Read more...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Diabetes Drug TAX-875 Improves Glucose Control Without Increasing Hypoglycemia
Researchers say it is as effective as glimepiride with lower risk of drop in blood sugar - good news for about 11 million
seniors with type 2 diabetes
 Feb. 27, 2012 - Only about half of those with type 2 diabetes – most of them senior citizens - have their blood sugar levels on target,
but a new drug, studied by the University of Michigan shows promise in managing glucose levels. TAK-875 works by boosting the release of
insulin from pancreatic B cells, but only when diabetics need it most – such as when glucose and fatty acids rise in the blood after a meal.
Read more...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Adding Plavix to Aspirin for Preventing Small Strokes May Increase Death Risk
Study stopped early due to
increased bleeding compared to aspirin alone
Feb. 6, 2012 - The anti-blood clot regimen that adds the drug Plavix (clopidogrel) to aspirin treatment is unlikely to
prevent recurrent strokes and may increase the risk of bleeding and death in patients with subcortical stroke according to late-breaking
research presented Friday at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference 2012.
Read more...
Medicare News
Medicare is Trying to Save Your Life; Needs You to Help by Using Preventive Services
Download this free, handy sheet for keeping track of your free Medicare preventive services
 Jan. 22, 2012 - Senior citizens have a better chance at a longer, healthier life this year, thanks to the many new
preventive services now offered by Medicare. Many have been added by the health care reform law, called “Obamacare” by its critics, but
officially named the Affordable Care Act. SeniorJournal.com is offering a free checklist to help you keep up with all the preventive services
you are due. Read more, download your free checklist...
Aging News & Information
Nursing Home Dementia Patients Three Times as Likely to Fall if on Antidepressants
 Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) appear to cause risk to rise with higher doses
Jan. 19, 2012 - Nursing home residents with dementia who use average doses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
are three times more likely to have an injurious fall than similar people who don’t use these drugs.
Read more...
Social Security News
Social Security Suspends Online Services for a Day of Maintenance
System maintenance begins Saturday night, ends Monday morning
 Dec. 15, 2011 – Online services provided by the Social Security Administration, including such
services as applying for benefits online, will not be available from 11 p.m. Saturday until 5 a.m. Monday. The temporary shutdown is due to
regular system maintenance. Read more...
Medicare Offers More Open Enrollment Time for Seniors Who Call Today
Only for seniors who contact any of several sources of assistance before close
of business Wednesday and leave messages
By Susan Jaffe, KHN
Dec. 7, 2011 - Federal officials are extending the Dec. 7 deadline for three days for some people who have had trouble
enrolling in a Medicare prescription drug or private health plan because of the crush of last-minute sign-ups.
Read more...
Medicare News
That Other Shopping Spree: Medicare Deadline Looms
Senior citizens have until Dec. 7 to choose a Medicare Advantage or new Medicare prescription drug plan - see video, story
for helpful ideas
By Christian Torres, KHN Blog
Capsules
 Nov. 25, 2011 - Black Friday is nearly upon us, and along with holiday gift shopping, there’s plenty of Medicare shopping
to do over Thanksgiving weekend. Seniors have only two weeks left to choose a new Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan, if they want
to change from their current ones. Medicare’s open enrollment deadline was pushed up this year, from Dec. 31 to Dec. 7, as part of the 2010
federal health law. Read more, see video...
Social Security News
Social Security Launches New Spanish Online Services
Matching English Version
TV superstar Don Francisco helps announce retirement and medicare extra help applications
at www.segurosocial.gov
 Nov.
18, 2011 – Social Security’s most popular online services – the applications for retirement and Medicare and for Extra Help with
Medicare prescription drug costs - are now available in Spanish. The new online services are available at
www.segurosocial.gov, which is the Spanish version of Social Security’s award winning website,
www.socialsecurity.gov. Read more...
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Senior Alert
New Caretaker Quickly Marries
87-Year-Old, Changes Will in Her Favor
 11/9/11 – Jewell
Hall, 87, hired Marjorie Messer as his caretaker and she quickly became his wife, and changed his will. Hall’s guardian, Carol Bertsche,
is now in Probate Court in San Antonio, Texas, seeking to have the marriage annulled. Hall has been diagnosed with “serious dementia.”
Messer has also been charged with “theft from elderly by deception.”
San Antonio Express-News, Photo: Jerry Lara |
Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health
Free Memory Screening at 2,500 Places on November 15; All Kmart Pharmacies
9th annual memory day by Alzheimer’s Foundation of America has 30 professional organizations joining in
 Nov.
7, 2011 - As federal officials and other experts work toward developing the first-ever national plan that will
address the growing crisis of Alzheimer's disease, the Alzheimer's Foundation of America (AFA) is encouraging Americans to take their own
steps to be proactive about memory health by taking advantage of free memory screenings during its National Memory Screening Day (NMSD) on
November 15. Read more...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Prescription Painkiller Overdoses at Epidemic Levels Says
CDC; Seniors Sometimes Source
Kills more Americans than heroin and cocaine combined; senior citizens are not big abusers but may be source for others
 Nov.
1, 2011 - The death toll from overdoses of prescription painkillers has more than tripled in the past decade, according to an analysis in the
CDC Vital Signs report released today from the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention. Senior citizens are not among those most often in this abuse but are increasingly seen as a source, due to their
heavy use of prescription painkillers. Read more...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Clinical Trial Seeking Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Treatment for Older People Halted
Deadly disease usually affects middle-aged and older adults; 3-drug regimen more harmful than placebo
 Oct. 22, 2011 – One
part of a clinical trial studying treatments for the lung-scarring and deadly disease idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has been halted by
the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute for safety concerns. IPF is a serious disease that usually affects middle-aged and older adults.
IPF has no cure and many people live only about 3 to 5 years after diagnosis. Read
more...
Features for Senior Citizens
New Tool Kit Available to Help Senior Citizens Avoid Financial Scams
Caregivers, seniors can learn tips to protect most vulnerable seniors
 Oct. 21, 2011 – Senior citizens are 12 percent of the U.S. population but a staggering 35 percent of all fraud is
inflicted on seniors. A new effort to educate seniors on how to protect them themselves from financial abuse and scams has been published by
the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Seniors Warned of Deadly Listeriosis Outbreak Linked to Colorado Cantaloupes
13 confirmed deaths, dozens infected by listeria in 18 states; video on produce safety
 Sept. 28, 2011 – An outbreak of deadly listeria infection has killed 13 people and infected 72 in 18 states, according to
a report yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Senior citizens,
especially with weakened immune systems, are considered to be at high risk. Read more,
watch video...
Medicare News
Medicare Enrollment for Drug Plans, Medicare Advantage Earlier This Year
Open enrollment begins October 15 rather than November 15
|
Medicare
Enrollment Opens Oct. 15 - Ends Dec. 7, 2011 |
Sept. 12, 2011 – Senior citizens are already receiving information on the 2012 drug plans from their Medicare Part D
insurance companies. Registration for next year is coming earlier this year – it has been changed to open October 15 and end on December 7 in 2011.
Read more...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Brain Stenting Appears to Increase Strokes in Highest Risk Cases; Study Stopped
NIH clinical trial sees more deaths among those given stents than those using just medical management to ward off second
stroke
 Sept. 8, 2011 – A study seeking life-saving help for patients at the highest risk of a second stroke was halted in April
because these patients treated with a brain stent were having more strokes and deaths than those in the other half of the study that received
just medical management. Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
SIR Again Sponsoring ‘Legs for Life’ to Find PAD that Hits Up to 20% of
Seniors
September is PAD Awareness Month; promoting screenings for peripheral arterial disease is more common with aging - some
free
 Sept.
7, 2011 - Peripheral arterial disease, or PAD, is a common condition affecting 12-20 percent of America’s senior citizens – people age 65 and
older - that may not know it can be a signal of future heart attack and stroke. And, many with the disease may be unaware they have it,
according to the Society of Interventional Radiology. Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
For Some Surgeries It Makes Difference if Hospital Has Performed Them Many Times
Hospitals doing most aortic aneurysm repairs, heart bypass surgeries or gastric bypass surgeries have less adverse events
 Sept. 2, 2011 - Seniors scheduled for heart bypass surgery or weight loss surgery may want to find out just how frequently
different hospitals in their area are performing those procedures before deciding where to go. A new study finds that hospitals with higher
surgical volumes for certain procedures are less likely to cause unintentional serious injuries...
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Pap and HPV Tests for Cervical Cancer Screening Given Too Often; Conflict with Guidelines
Centers of Disease Control & Prevention investigators find physicians not close to national recommendations
 Aug. 18, 2011 – Investigators from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have determined that the majority
of primary care providers continue to recommend annual cervical cancer screening, and less than 15% would extend the screening interval when
using the Papanicolaou test and human papillomavirus (HPV) test together, as some guidelines suggest.
Read more...
Features for Senior Citizens
Vote for My Friend, Jenny Sakellariou, as Top Volunteer in Meals on Wheels
(Update: Jenny won 3rd in nation, thanks for your help)
Watch the video and you will vote for Jenny in this national contest ending August 26
By Tucker Sutherland, Editor & Publisher
 Aug. 16, 2011 – “It was a long time ago…” That’s a phrase familiar to every senior citizen, and I am
talking about a long time ago. That’s when I had the privilege of being the publisher of the San Angelo (Tx) Standard-Times and the honor of
working with some mighty fine Texans. Now, one of the best, Jenny Sakellariou, 84, has been nominated as the Meals on Wheels national volunteer of the
year and I hope you will vote for her. Read more...
Medicare News
Over Two Million Low-Income Seniors May Be Missing Big Savings on Drugs
Medicare’s Low-Income Subsidy is easy to check for eligibility, says CMS
 Aug.
9, 2011 - Some senior citizens and others in Medicare could qualify for assistance with their prescription drug costs, and be
eligible this year to pay no more than $2.50 for generic drugs and $6.30 for each brand name drug. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services estimates more than 2 million people may be eligible for the subsidy, but are not currently enrolled.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Urgent Advice for Senior Citizens on Resisting Heat-Related Illnesses
National Institutes of Health says risk of problems from high summer temperature increases with age
 Aug. 4, 2011 – As most of the United States suffers with record-breaking heat, the National Institutes of Health points
out that senior citizens are at greater risk than most, but adds some advice especially for seniors on how to protect their health.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
CDC Releases New Outpatient Safety Checklist to Reduce Infections
Senior citizens most at risk of infections because they are most frequent patients
By Bara Vaida, Kaiser Health News
|
CDC Press Release below news report |
|
CDC Safety Checklist below press release |
July 14, 2011 - Just as airline pilots are required to use safety checklists before taking off, so should medical
facilities who are treating people on an outpatient basis, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
FDA OKs Boostrix for Senior Citizens to Prevent Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis
Whooping cough (Pertussis), increasing since 2007, is highly contagious; outbreaks among elderly in nursing homes and
hospitals
 July 11, 2011 – Senior citizens – people age 65 and older – no longer have to get separate vaccinations to prevent
tetanus and diphtheria. The Food and Drug Administration on Friday approved the Boostrix vaccine, which will prevent both of these diseases,
plus pertussis (whooping cough), which is increasing among the elderly. Read more...
Summer Great for Cookouts But Senior Citizens Need
to Be Aware of Food Dangers
CDC advises senior citizens they are among those
most at risk of deadly listeriosis - offers specific safe-guards
 June
16, 2011 - Summer is a great time for cook-outs and picnics,
however, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises senior
citizens it’s important to know that ready-to-eat hot dogs, lunch meats,
and cold cuts may not be safe for them or other high risk groups.
Read more...
Grandparent News
Grandparents May Be Supplying Drugs to Children This
Summer Without Even Knowing It
70% of teens who abuse Rx drugs get them from family
and friends - see video
 June 15, 2011 - Studies show that more teens start
using drugs during the summer months - while unsupervised and with more
free time. Some of them may even be finding their grandparents’ home a
treasure trove of easy to reach temptations.
Read more...see video
Senior Citizen Alerts
Treasury Retiring Paper Check for Social Security,
Other Benefits; Saves $1 Billion
|
 U.S.
Treasurer Rosie Rios holds $1 billion check as symbol of savings
from going to electronic pay methods |
Seniors, others currently receiving federal benefits
by paper check must switch to direct deposit by March 1, 2013.
April 27, 2011 – Starting on May 1, the U.S.
Treasury will switch to an electronic payment method for Baby Boomers
and others signing on for Social Security, veterans’ affairs payments or
other benefits. Senior citizens and others currently receiving their
federal benefits by paper check must switch to direct deposit by March
1, 2013. The move is projected to save taxpayers $1 billion over ten
years.
Read
more...
Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health
 New Guidelines for Alzheimer’s Diagnosis Starts with
Pre-Alzheimer’s, Marks Advances
Some older people have abnormal levels of amyloid
plaques, yet never show signs of dementia… amyloid deposits begin early
in the disease process but tangle formation, loss of neurons occur
later; new report for boomers, see below news story
|
Alzheimer's Association has also
released a new book for baby boomers about AD, read more below
news story. |
April 19, 2011 - For the first
time in 27 years, clinical diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer’s disease
dementia have been revised, and research guidelines for earlier stages
of the disease have been characterized to reflect a deeper understanding
of the disorder. The guidelines released today cover the disease from
pre-Alzheimer’s and across its many gradually changes over many years.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Senior Citizens Should Cheer Today’s Initiative to
Combat Deadly Infectious ‘Super Bugs’
Antibiotic-resistant infections kill nearly 100,000
U.S. hospital patients; but while 16 new antibiotics were approved
between 1983 - 1987, only two since 2008
 April 7, 2011 – Senior citizens should be cheering
on this World Health Day. The Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA)
is rolling out a multi-pronged plan today to combat deadly
antibiotic-resistant “super bugs.” The elderly, generally, are the most
likely to be attacked by these lethal “super bugs,” because they are the
most likely to visit hospitals and clinics where infections are most
often found. Older people also have less resistance to fight the infections.
Read
more...
FDA Warns of Fake
Potassium Iodide in Wake of Japan’s Nuclear Incident
Says no need for
those is U.S. to buy KI for radiation, also says food supply safe, too
 March
18, 2011 - There is no public health event requiring anyone in the U.S. to
take potassium iodide (KI) because of the ongoing nuclear incident in
Japan, says the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA acknowledges the public concern and says there has been
an increase in demand for KI, the only FDA-approved drug used to prevent
and treat the harmful effects of radiation.
Read more...
Senior Citizens May
Have Been Smart to Delay on Cell Phones: Use May Effect Brain
Study finds mobile
phones
do effect brain activity but consequences unknown - see video
 Feb. 22, 2011 –
Senior citizens, the age group that has been the slowest to adapt to
cell phone use, may have been right in exercising caution, suggests a
new study. The report in the February 23 issue of the Journal of the
American Medical Association says 50 minutes of cell phone use increased
brain activity in the region closest to the phone antenna.
Read
more, watch video...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Study Finds
Treatment of Senior Citizens with Rheumatoid Arthritis is Unacceptable
Wide variations
found in Medicare Managed Care patients receipt of recommended drug
therapy: see video
 Feb. 1, 2011 - An
analysis of data from more than 90,000 Medicare managed care enrollees
who received care for rheumatoid arthritis finds that more than
one-third did not receive the recommended treatment with a
disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug, and that receipt varied by
demographic factors, socio-economic status, geographic location and
health plan, according to a study in the February 2 issue of the Journal
of the American Medical Association (JAMA).
Read more,
watch video...
Senior Citizen Alerts
HHS Frees $3.9
Billion to Help Provide Heating for Low-Income Seniors, Families
Funds will go to
states, tribes and territories under the Low Income Home Energy
Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
 Jan. 13, 2011 –
Many senior citizens stressed about paying their energy bills during the
cold winter got the word yesterday that help is on the way. The Health
and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced the
availability of additional funding to help eligible low-income families
or all ages
meet their home energy needs, bringing the total made available since
October 1 to $3.9 billion.
Read more...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
First CPR Step to
Saving Sudden Cardiac Arrest Victims is Fast, Hard Chest-Compression
American Heart
Association changes ABCs of CPR to CAB (Compressions-Airway-Breathing)
(See video below story)
See Mayo
Clinic video below news story. |
Oct. 18, 2010 –
Following the results of several years of studies showing compression-only
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as the best way for untrained people
to save those suffering from sudden cardiac arrest, the American Heart
Association is now - for the record book - recommending it as the first
step. The association first made this the preferred method for lay
people in a scientific statement published online in 2008.
Read more...watch video
Senior Citizen Alert
FDA Warns of Possible Increased Risk of Thigh Bone
Fracture Using Bisphosphonates
 Bisphosphonates for osteoporosis, include (oral)
Fosamax, Fosamax Plus D, Actonel, Actonel with Calcium, Boniva, Atelvia,
and their generics, as well as (injectable) Reclast and Boniva
Oct. 14, 2010 –
Senior citizens – the predominant age group battling osteoporosis – are
being alerted to a warning by the Food and Drug Administration of a
possible risk of atypical thigh bone (femoral) fracture in patients who
take bisphospoonates, a class of drugs used for preventing and treating
osteoporosis.
Read more...
Chest
Compression-Only CPR by Laypersons Saves More Cardiac Arrest Victims
Compression-only CPR
(COCPR) associated with about 60% improved survival compared with no
bystander CPR or conventional CPR
 Oct. 5, 2010 –
The evidence is becoming overwhelming that CPR administered only by
chest compression – no mouth-to-mouth breathing help – is effective in
savings lives. And, maybe its best - a new study finds cardiac arrest victims were more likely
to survive when given compression-only CPR rather than conventional CPR
or no CPR by laypersons.
Read more..watch
video.
Caregiver & Elder Care News
National Broadcast of U.S. Elder Abuse Film Set for
International Day of Older Persons
|
View video that tells more about
this documentary film to air Oct. 1, 2010, second video on page
gives back ground on elder abuse in the U.S. |
National Center on Elder Abuse says as many as two
million U.S. senior citizens aged 65 or older may have suffered abuse of
some sort
Sept. 28, 2010 –
Link TV will broadcast a documentary film featuring stories of elder
abuse recorded by video advocates across the U.S. in coordination with
the United Nation’s International Day of Older People. An Age for
Justice: Confronting Elder Abuse in America will air on October 1 on
DIRECTV, the DISH Network, and select cable networks, as well as on the
Link TV website.
Read
more...watch video
Medicare News
Premiums for the
Top 10 Medicare Prescription Drug Plans to Jump an Average of 10% in
2011
CMS earlier said
average increase would be only $1; Avalere Health analysis finds
significant changes
 Sept. 24, 2010 -
The weighted average monthly premiums for the top 10 prescription drug
plans (PDPs) will increase by 10 percent in 2011, according to analysis
by Avalere Health. These plans cover approximately 70 percent of
Medicare participants in a prescription drug plan. The Centers for
Medicare and Medicaid Services announced last month that the average
cost of all PDPs would increase by only $1.
Read more...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Call for Changes after Bisphosphonate Drugs Linked
to Fractures in Osteoporosis Patients
Bisphosphonates include the drugs Aclasta, Actonel,
Aredia, Bondronat, Boniva, Didronel, Fosamax, Fosavance, Reclast, Skelid,
and Zometa
 Sept. 14, 2010 - A widely prescribed class of drugs
is highly effective in reducing common bone fractures in people with
osteoporosis, but an expert panel announced today that these same drugs
– when used long term – may be related to unusual but serious fractures
of the thigh bone. Ten million people in U.S. have osteoporosis, mostly
senior women. One out of two women and one in four men over 50 will
break a bone due to osteoporosis.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Chest Compression First in Cardiac Arrest Just as
Effective as Immediate Defibrillation
In cases of long emergency response time, chest
compressions first may be best approach
 by Shantell M. Kirkendoll, University of Michigan
Sept.
10, 2010 – Chest compressions before defibrillation in patients with
sudden cardiac arrest is equally successful as immediate treatment with
an electrical defibrillator, according to a new study by the University
of Michigan Health System. Read more...
Senior Citizens Threatened by Hurricane Earl
Receiving Social Security Checks Early
About 737,000 residents in 10 states and D.C.
should get checks today
 Sept. 2, 2010 – Senior citizens living on the upper
Atlantic coast, who normally expect their Social Security check on the
third day of the month, should be receiving their checks today. The
agency is sending the checks a day early to 737,000 beneficiaries living
in states expected to be impacted by Hurricane Earl.
Read
more...
Free Online Workshop for People with Chronic
Conditions Offered by Council on Aging
Those with arthritis, diabetes, heart disease,
cancer, other chronic conditions urged to sign up quickly for limited
spaces
 Aug. 24, 2010 – The National Council on Aging (NCOA)
today announced the debut of Better Choices, Better Health, an online
version of the internationally recognized Chronic Disease Self
Management Program (CDSMP), which will be available free for people with
chronic health conditions in seven states - California, Hawaii, Iowa,
Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Oregon. Spaces, however, are
limited, and availability is on a first-come, first-served basis.
Read more...
Consumer Reports Finds 'Dirty Dozen'
Supplements; Lack of Government Oversight
FDA says hidden drugs or steroids found in more
than 170 products marketed as supplements since 2008
 Aug. 3, 2010 - A new investigation reported in the
September issue of Consumer Reports describes a striking lack of
government oversight for the bustling $26.7 billion dietary supplement
market and identifies a "dirty dozen" list of supplement ingredients
that have been linked by clinical research or case reports to serious
adverse events, such as cancer, coma, heart problems, kidney damage,
liver damage, or death.
Read
more...
Many Search Results Include Dangerous, Malicious
Links: Free Protection Available
New, free Website rating tool, Norton Safe Web Lite,
protects seniors from risky search results
 July 29, 2010 - Senior citizens, most just becoming
comfortable with using the internet, may be among those in the most
danger from well-disguised malicious links that are presented by search engines.
According to a new Norton study, more than one in three of the
top-trending search terms returned at least 10 percent malicious
results, putting people's computers and personal information at risk
from cybercrime.
Read more...
No Evidence Linking Cell Phone Use to Risk of Brain
Tumors: FDA Consumer Report
Do the radio waves that cell phones
emit pose a threat to health?
July
15, 2010 - Although research is ongoing, the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA) says that available scientific
evidence—including World Health Organization (WHO)
findings released May 17, 2010—shows no increased health
risk due to radiofrequency (RF) energy, a form of
electromagnetic radiation that is emitted by cell
phones.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Aging Brains Experience Long Term Cognitive
Impairment from Common Drugs in Study
Taking one anticholinergic (Tylenol PM, Benadryl,
etc.) significantly increases
risk of developing mild cognitive impairment and taking two doubles this
risk
 July
14, 2010 – In a study of elderly African-Americans it was found that
drugs consumed often for a variety of common medical conditions
including insomnia, allergies, or incontinence negatively affect the
brain causing long term cognitive impairment. The researchers are
confident future studies will find that the results will also apply to
senior citizens of other races.
Read more...
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Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Senior Citizens Increase Risk of Death Taking
Avandia (Rosiglitazone) for Type 2 Diabetes
Compared to Actos (pioglitazone), rosiglitazone increases
risk of stroke and heart failure for seniors
 June 28, 2010 - A new study published online today
by the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) shows
that among senior patients age 65 years and older,
Avandia (rosiglitazone), a
medication for treating Type 2 diabetes, is associated with an increased
risk of stroke, heart failure, and all-cause mortality (death) when
compared with
Actos
(pioglitazone), another medication for diabetes. The
research included Medicare records on more than one-quarter million
elderly.
Read
more...
New Study of Clinical Trials Links Diabetes Drug
Avandia with Heart Attack Risk
JAMA publications release two reports on dangers of
Avandia (rosiglitazone) prior to FDA review
June
28, 2010 - Eleven years after the introduction of the diabetes
drug Avandia (rosiglitazone), data from available clinical trials show
an increased risk for heart attack associated with its use and suggest
an unfavorable benefit-to-risk ratio, according to a report posted
online today that will appear in the July 26 print issue of Archives
of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Read
more...
|
Medicare News
Medicare Has Made Major Changes in Medigap
Supplemental Insurance Program This Year
The easiest part of Medicare insurance to understand
has just become more complicated: two new plans introduced, four plans
no longer for sale, many changes in others
 June
30, 2010 – Since the prescription drug program was added to Medicare,
the program seems to many senior citizens to be in a constant state of
change and increasingly complicated. Now, what has always been the most
stable and least complicated part of Medicare – Medigap insurance – has
undergone major changes. Effective June 1, new standard policies were
introduced (M and N) and several old policies will no longer be sold (E,
H, I, and J) and other policies were changed.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
New
Scam Targets Elderly Homeowners with Reverse Mortgages
Clearly targeting senior citizens with scheme to sell
Deed of Reconveyance
By Michael Branson, CEO,
All Reverse Mortgage
Company
 June
20, 2010 - Just in the last two months we have received calls from two
former borrowers who had been targeted for a new scam. It seems that
there is a new way to try to separate borrowers from their money and at
this time we don't know if it is aimed specifically at Reverse Mortgage
borrowers or all borrowers, but since the borrowers calling us are all
homeowners 62 and over, we know they are targeting senior borrowers for
certain. Read more...
FDA Warns About Fraudulent Tamiflu Being Sold on
Internet
Fraudulent product is dangerous
to patients allergic to penicillin
June
18, 2010 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration
yesterday warned consumers about a potentially harmful
product represented as “Generic Tamiflu” sold over the
Internet. FDA tests revealed that the fraudulent product
does not contain Tamiflu’s active ingredient,
oseltamivir, but cloxacillin, an ingredient in the same
class of antibiotics as penicillin.
Read more...
Donut Hole Drug Rebates are in Mail to Senior
Citizens; Scammers Making Run at Them, Too
 Seniors don't need to give personal info to anyone,
checks being mailed automatically to eligible Medicare recipients
June 11, 2010 - The Obama administration began
mailing $250 checks Thursday to seniors who hit the Medicare
prescription drug doughnut hole - a notorious gap in coverage - as part
of the health reform program. But, already, scammers are trying to use the
rebates as a way to get personal information from senior citizens.
Read more...
Senior Citizens May Be Endangered by Increase in
Deadly Foodborne Disease: Listeriosis
|
“This is not a large outbreak. What made it bad is that it has
infected people who are fragile, elderly people” |
Two die in Texas, several recalls this
month due to fear of listeria monocytogens bacteria, one of few
foodborne diseases on the rise
By Tucker Sutherland, editor, SeniorJournal.com
May 13, 2010 – There seems to be mounting evidence
that older senior citizens should be on the alert for a possible
foodborne illiness, Listeriosis, which can develop from the consumption
of food containing the bacteria Listeria monocytogenes. It is among the
deadliest of the foodborne diseases, especially for the elderly. There
have been several food recalls in two months and at least two deaths
reported in Texas due to this bacteria.
Read more,
watch video...
 Senior Citizen Alerts
Senior Citizen Alerts
Senior Citizens Increasingly Scammed in Reverse
Mortgage Deals, Even by Neighbors
FBI offers advice to senior citizens on avoiding
mortgage scams; latest charges against next door neighbor
 April 16, 2010 – The reverse mortgage program,
designed by HUD to allow senior citizens to get cash for their home
equity and then live payment free in their homes, has been popular with
cash-strapped seniors. But, history teaches us that where senior
citizens and cash are involved, scammers are not far behind. Two major
fraud cases in recent weeks may be a signal that senior should be on
guard.
Read more...
If Doctor
Recommends Surgery, Has Interest in Surgery Center, You May Want Second
Opinion
Study finds physicians with ownership in surgery
center do twice as many operations
 April
7, 2010 – If your doctor is recommending surgery, you may want to see if
he or she owns an interest in the surgery center where the operation is
to be performed. When doctors become invested in an outpatient surgery
center, they perform on average twice as many surgeries as doctors with
no such financial stake, according to a new study from the University of
Michigan Health System.
Read more...
Grandparents Victims of Latest Phone Scam: Pose As
Grandchildren Needing Money
They ask grandparents to write a check or wire
money to get them out of a bind - read tips to avoid this scam
By Robert Siciliano, Security Consultant to
Intelius
 April
6, 2010 - What grandparent isn’t excited to hear the sound of
their grandchild’s voice on the other end of the telephone line? But
what if the next time the phone rings it’s really from a con artist
pretending to be a grandchild in need.
Read more...
Heart Association Still Wants You to Take Statins,
But Acknowledges Side Effects
Says persons having myopathy with a statin should
discuss other alternatives with their physician
March 24, 2010 – The American Heart Association,
while sticking to its guns in recommending the use of statin drugs to
prevent coronary heart disease, acknowledged this week that myopathy -
muscle pain or weakness - a side effect sometimes experienced by those
taking these drugs, “can be a reason to discontinue or reduce the dose.”
Read
more...
Fox Insurance
Ordered by CMS to Stop Sales, Enrollment for Its Medicare Drug Plan
Many senior
citizens in 21 states using the plan qualify for low-income subsidy
under Part D
March 1, 2010 – On
Friday the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) directed Fox
Insurance Company of New York to immediately suspend marketing and
enrollment of new members in the organization’s Medicare Part D
prescription drug plans. CMS imposed this immediate sanction because the
Fox drug plan has not been able to meet the prescription drug needs of
some of its newest members, actions which could pose serious threats to
their health and safety.
Read more...
FDA Taking Action to Reduce Cancer-Causing Radiation
from CT, Other Medical Imaging
CT, nuclear medicine, and fluoroscopic imaging save
lives but also pose risks from ionizing radiation that can cause caner
Feb. 9, 2010 – In response to growing concern about
cancer risks being increased by radiation exposure from medical imaging
procedures, the Food and Drug Administration today announced an
initiative to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure from three types of
these procedures: computed tomography (CT), nuclear medicine studies,
and fluoroscopy.
Read more...
FDA Announces Class I Recall of Over Two Million
Huber Infusion Set Needles
Huber needles used in implanted ports to withdraw
blood, inject medications, and other solutions
Jan. 27, 2010 - The Food and Drug Administration
yesterday announced a Class I recall of Exel/Exelint Huber needles, Exel/Exelint
Huber Infusion Sets and Exel/Exelint “Securetouch+” Safety Huber
Infusion Sets, manufactured by Nipro Medical Corporation for Exelint
International Corporation.
Read more...
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Victoza (liraglutide) Gets FDA Approval as New
Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes
Seniors aged 60 with type 2 diabetes are about
one-third of all adults with this chronic disease
 Jan. 27, 2010 - Victoza (liraglutide), a drug
intended to help lower blood sugar levels along with diet, exercise, and
selected other diabetes medicines, was approved on January 25 for a
once-daily injection to treat type 2 diabetes in some adults.. It is not
recommended as initial therapy in patients who have not achieved
adequate diabetes control on diet and exercise alone, according to the
Food and Drug Administration.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Latest Statistics on Fires are Devastating for Older
Americans: Seniors Most Likely to Die
Fire
safety tips for senior citizens offered by ADT;
US Fire Administrations releases data
Jan. 13, 2010 – The statistics concerning senior
citizens and fire are staggering. The U.S. Fire Administration says
people over the age of 65 have a home fire death rate nearly twice the
national average. For those over 75, that risk nearly triples.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
FDA Approves New Drug for Moderate to Severe
Rheumatoid Arthritis
Actemra’s recommended use is limited to patients who
have failed other approved therapies because of serious safety concerns
| |
 Read
more about Rheumatoid Arthritis below news report. |
|
Jan. 12, 2010 - The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration has approved Actemra (tocilizumab) to treat adults with
moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis who have not adequately
responded to or cannot tolerate other approved drug classes for
rheumatoid arthritis. The majority of America’s 1.3 million RA patients
are senior citizens with the average age for all RA victims being 66.8
years. Read
more...
FDA Approves Generic Aricept to Treat Dementia
Related to Alzheimer’s Disease
7 in 10 prescriptions in U.S. are for generic drugs;.
FDA requires generic drugs to have same quality and performance as the
brand name drugs
Dec. 16, 2009 - The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration announced yesterday it has approved the first generic
versions of Aricept (donepezil hydrochloride) orally disintegrating
tablets on Dec. 11. Donepezil hydrochloride is prescribed for the
treatment of dementia related to Alzheimer’s disease.
Read more...
Features for Senior Citizens
Hospital Patients Can Have Impact on Infections by
Encouraging Staff to Wash Hands
New hand hygiene video empowers patients to remind
hospital caregivers to clean their hands, a strategy that is critical in
the fight to prevent infections
Dec. 14, 2009 – New research shows that a video by
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can be an effective
tool for encouraging patients to remind healthcare staff to wash their
hands, which helps prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
These infections reportedly kill 100,000 hospitalized people a year.
Read more,
watch video
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Value of Mammography for Senior Women Questioned by
U.S. Task Force; Wants Research
Recommendation for breast exams from age 50
- 74, not enough known to make firm decision on women 75 up;
American Cancer Society sticks with test as long as you are healthy
Nov. 17, 2009 – New government guidelines on
mammography screening for breast cancer grabbed headlines by going
against the recommendations of the American Cancer Society for annual
screening of women as young as age 40, but, not getting as much
attention is their recommendation older women, which also is counter to
the ACS recommendations issued just last month.
Read more -
watch video
Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens
Surgical Errors Remain a Challenge In and Out of the
Operating Room
Communication problems often occur early and
interventions before incision often occur too late
Nov. 16, 2009 – Surgical errors – a significant
worry for the millions of senior citizens that must visit the operating
rooms of America each year – continue to occur despite a national focus
on reducing them, says a an analysis of events at Veterans Health
Administration Medical Centers published in the November issue of
Archives of Surgery, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.
Read
more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Senior Citizens Should Avoid Common Pain Relievers
When Getting Their Flu Shot
A variety of pain relievers seem to dilute the
production of necessary antibodies to protect against illness
Nov. 3, 2009 - With flu vaccination season in full
swing and senior citizens lining up for shots, research from the
University of Rochester Medical Center cautions that the use of many
common pain killers – Advil, Tylenol, aspirin – at the time of injection
may blunt the effect of the shot and have a negative effect on the
immune system.
Read more...
Flu News for Senior Citizens
Seniors Need Pneumonia, Seasonal Flu Shots; CDC
Finds Pneumonia Bacteria in H1N1 Fatalities
CDC Advisory Committee recommends single dose of
PPSV23 (23–valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine) for all senior
citizens
 Oct. 1, 2009 - Senior citizens may have relaxed
about the H1N1 flu shot, convinced it seems more likely to attack
younger people, but they do have vaccinations they should worry about.
They should not only be getting their vaccination for the seasonal flu
but need to get their pneumonia vaccination, too, according to an alert
from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many people who
have died from H1H1 this year were also infected with pneumonia
bacteria, warns the CDC.
Read
more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Rumor Circulating on Internet that H1N1 Shots Are
Mandatory is False
Flu.gov says vaccination program for H1N1 is
voluntary, like regular flu shot
Sept. 29, 2009 - There is currently a petition
circulating on a few internet sites protesting the federal government’s
“mandatory” H1N1 vaccination program, reports Flu.gov. The Health and
Human Services Website says, “Here’s a flu fact for you: the federal
vaccination program for H1N1 flu is Voluntary, just like the seasonal
flu vaccination program.”
Read more...
Federal Trade Commission Ban of Commercial 'Robocalls'
Begins
Telemarketers must obtain prior written approval from
consumers who want to receive such calls
Sept. 1, 2009 - It’s a great day for many older
Americans – beginning today those prerecorded telemarketing calls that
harass so many consumers will be prohibited, unless the telemarketer has
obtained permission in writing from consumers who want to receive such
calls, the Federal Trade Commission.
Read
more...
Consumer Reports More Alarmed by Dangers of Weight
Loss Drugs Alli, Xenical Than FDA
CR warning based on several thousand
adverse events linked with orlistat, the active ingredient in Alli
and Xenical; FDA reviews reports of liver injury
 Aug. 28, 2009 – The Food and Drug Administration
said Monday it is reviewing “adverse event reports of liver injury” in
patients taking the weight loss drug orlistat, marketed as the
prescription drug Xenical and the over-the-counter medication Alli, but
said those taking the drug should continue to use it as directed.
Consumer Reports, however, has jumped into the fray saying, “Skip this
drug.” Read
more...
FDA Issues Rules to Help
Desperate Patients Gain Access to Investigational Drugs
FDA has allowed expanded access to experimental
drugs and biologics since the 1970s for tens of thousands of patients
with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other
Aug. 12, 2009 - The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration published two rules today that seek to clarify the
methods available to seriously ill patients interested in gaining access
to investigational drugs and biologics when they are not eligible to
participate in a clinical trial and don’t have other satisfactory
treatment options. The agency also launched a new support Website.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Opinions & Analysis
Senior Citizens Must Stand Up to Lies that Health
Reform Bill Will Allow Government to Kill Them
| |
Unbelievable
Rep. Foxx Suggests Health Care
Reform Will Cause Seniors To Be "Put To Death By Their
Government" ..link to video in story |
|
| |
Equally
Unbelievable
Woman of many faces says health care
bill will "pressure the elderly to end their lives prematurely"
Link in news story. |
|
Right-wing stoops to new low in attacks on health
reform to protect profits of insurance companies
By Tucker Sutherland, editor & publisher,
SeniorJournal.com
Aug. 1, 2009 – The political right wing is sinking
to new lows in a desperate attempt to protect insurance companies from
losing any profits due to health care reform advocated by President
Obama. And, they are targeting senior citizens as the voter group most
likely to swallow their lie, which is that the legislation will
“pressure the elderly to end their lives prematurely.” That is a lie and
seniors must not fall for it.
Read more,
link to video....
Senior Citizen Alerts
Texas Newspaper Urges Communities to Get More
Aggressive Pursuing Elder-Fraud
San
Antonio court fines company that charged elderly woman
$62,000 to provide drapes for five windows
July 24, 2009 – After an elderly woman was charged
$62,000 for drapes for five windows, and the company – Arrow Upholstery
– was fined $102,000, the San Antonio (Tx.) Express-News is urging all
communities to become more aggressive about the prosecution of
elder-fraud. Read
more...
Institute on Aging Sounds Alarm for Danger to Senior
Citizens from Summer Heat
Risk of serious heat-related problems increases with
age; tips seniors should know
 July
21, 2009 - As we age, our ability to adequately respond to
summer heat can become a serious problem. The National Institute on
Aging (NIA) has some advice
to help older people avoid heat-related illnesses, known
collectively as hyperthermia, during the summer months.
Read
more...
Senior Citizen Nursing and Residential Care
Facilities Offered Free Digital Converter Boxes
SolidSignal.com has launched community relations
program help seniors stay tuned to TV
April 21, 2009 – Nursing homes, assisted living
facilities and similar institutions can obtain free digital TV converter
boxes for residents by obtaining a government discount coupon and
ordering through SolidSignal.com. The company will also provide free
shipping and free support by telephone as part of their community
relations program.
Read
more...
Feds, State Agencies Crack Down on Mortgage
Modification, Foreclosure Rescue Scams
Seniors and other consumers need to know how to
identify these scams; FTC gives examples
April 6, 2009 – The hammer came down hard
today on fraud
and deception by mortgage modification and home foreclosure rescue
companies at a joint news conference of federal officials, including
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, Attorney General Eric Holder and
Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan.
Federal Trade Commission Chairman Jon Leibowitz joined Illinois Attorney
General Lisa Madigan to announce enforcement actions and initiatives.
Read
more...
FDA’s Salmonella Fight Moves from Peanuts to
Pistachios With Latest Recall
California joins FDA and Setton Pistacio to protect
public from Salmonella in pistachio products
March
31, 2009 - The FDA and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH)
are investigating Salmonella contamination in pistachio products sold by
Setton Pistachio of Terra Bella Inc, Calif. The company has stopped all
distribution of processed pistachios and issued a voluntary recall.
Read more...
Battle to Clear Shelves of Contaminated Peanut
Products Continues
FDA warns consumers of Westco Fruit and Nuts; company
not recalling products
March 25, 2009 – Clearing the grocery shelves of
contaminated peanuts and peanut-derived products is not over, yet. The
Food and Drug Administration on Monday warned consumers to avoid these
products sold by Westco Fruit and Nuts Inc. (Westco/Westcott) due to
possible Salmonella contamination. Westco had reportedly refused to
recall these products and the FDA has now “officially” asked for a
“voluntarily recall” of their products containing peanuts from Peanut
Corporation of American (PCA).
Read more...
Digital TV Converter Coupon Program Replacing
Expired Coupons, Clears Wait List
Recovery Act funds latest push to help senior
citizens and others make switch to digital TV by June 12 deadline
March 25, 2009 – As the June 12 deadline for the
nationwide conversion to digital TV approaches, the TV Converter Box
Coupon Program, which provided discount coupons to millions of senior
citizens and other Americans, has begun to accept replacement requests
from eligible households whose coupons expired without being redeemed.
The waiting list has also been cleared for those applying for the
discount coupons to purchase converter boxes.
Read more...
American Senior Alliance Shut Down from Sending
Deceptive Mailers to Senior Citizens
Texas Attorney General says Prospect Pros agree to
halt mailings designed to get seniors’ personal information
March 23, 2000 – There is nothing that has prompted
as much email to SeniorJournal.com in the last ten years as the
“American Senior Alliance,” which has been busted by the Texas
Attorney General, more than once. Well, actually more than one company
using that name to scam senior citizens.
Read
more...
Senior Citizens Losing Thousands of Dollars to
Grandparent Scam on Telephone
| |
 San
Antonio woman thought it was her grandson that needed money |
|
Con artists claiming to be relatives using bogus
stories to target seniors
March 19, 2009 – A new warning from the Texas
attorney general is the latest to alert senior citizens of a telephone
fraud now known as the “Grandparent Scam” or “Emergency Scam.” Usually,
the caller pretends to be a grandchild in need of emergency money.
Read
more....
Senior Citizen Politics
Silver Alert
Bill to Help Find Lost Dementia Victims Reintroduced in U.S. Senate
House passed Silver Alert last month, many state and
local governments setting up programs
March
17, 2009 – Legislation was reintroduced in the U.S. Senate last week to
create a nationwide network for locating missing senior citizens and
other adults. The Silver Alert Act, first introduced last Congress,
would create a program modeled after the Amber Alert and provide federal
coordination and assistance to local and state law enforcement agencies.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Texas Seizes Assets of Life Settlement Company
Charged with Defrauding Seniors
National Life Settlements’ Howard G. Judah Jr.,
Gregory F. Jablonski falsely guaranteed lucrative investment returns
 Feb. 27, 2009 - A receiver appointed by a Texas
judge has seized the assets of National Life Settlements of Houston. The
Texas State Securities Board announced the seizure, charging that the
company sold more than $20 million in fraudulent life insurance
settlement contracts to mostly senior citizens that included retired
state employees, retired teachers and other Texas investors.
Read more...
Switch to Digital TV by June 12 Mostly a Problem for
Nation’s Senior Citizens
Over a third of stations have made switch with less
furor that expected
Feb. 26, 2009 – The nation’s switch from
broadcasting television in analog to the all-digital format is
progressing better than many expected, but only 421 of the nearly 1,800
full-power televisions stations made the switch on February 17, the
original target date, and the remaining two-thirds of the nation’s
stations are expected to go all-digital between April 16 and June 12.
Read more...
Millions of Senior Citizens May Find Themselves
Without TV Signal on February 17
Congress trying to delay mandated change to digital
broadcast, fund more help with converters
Feb. 9, 2009 – Some U.S. television stations may
switch their broadcast signal to digital on February 17, although the
Congress has passed legislation to delay the mandated change-over to
June 12. Current estimates are this will leave millions of senior
citizens with out a television signal. President Obama is expected to
sign the bill soon and the stimulus legislation is expected to fund more
coupons for buying discounted converters.
Read more...
FDA Says Beware of Venom HYPERDRIVE 3.0, a Potent
Drug with Safety Risks for Many Seniors
Seniors should know ingredient can substantially
increase blood pressure, heart rate (pulse), and may present significant
risk for those with a history of heart disease, heart failure,
irregular heart beats or stroke
 Feb. 2, 2009 – If the name – Venom HYPERDRIVE 3.0 –
doesn’t scare you, it should, says the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. The FDA is warning consumers not to take Venom
HYPERDRIVE 3.0, a product sold as a dietary supplement and containing
sibutramine. Sibutramine, a controlled substance with risks for abuse or
addiction, is a potent drug that poses potential safety risks.
Read more...
Antibiotic Promotions by Pharmacies are Wrong
Prescription for Cold and Flu Season
Infectious Diseases Society of America says
it is unhealthy promotional gimmick - a better option to help people are
free flu shots
Jan.
16, 2009 - With an epidemic of antibiotic-resistant infections
growing, experts are warning grocery-store pharmacies that antibiotics
giveaways are an unhealthy promotional gimmick. If grocery stores want
to help customers and save them money during cold and flu season, the
Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) says, they should offer
free influenza vaccinations instead.
Read
more...
More Recalls, More Sick People as Peanut Butter
Salmonella Outbreak Grows
Senior citizens – big consumers of peanut butter
and the most vulnerable to salmonella – should take caution
Jan. 15, 2009 – Public health concerns about peanut
butter, a popular snack for senior citizens, are growing as more
products are being recalled and over 434 people in 43 states are found
to be infected with the outbreak strain of Salmonella. Early reports
indicated the infected peanut butter may not have made it to grocery
story shelves, but new alarm bells sounded yesterday with the recall of
popular brands of peanut butter cracker sandwiches.
Read more...
Free Generic Antibiotic Prescription Program
Announced by Food Chain
Giant Food pharmacies will continue the program
through March 21
 Jan. 2, 2009 – More good news for senior citizens
burdened with cost of prescription drugs – a supermarket chain, Giant
Food, has announced a program of free generics for prescribed
antibiotics. It covers 36 generic antibiotics in nine basic categories.
The program began today, January 2, and runs through March 21 at all
Giant pharmacies.
Read more...
FDA Approves First Prostate Cancer Drug in Years:
Degarelix for Men with Advanced Cases
Company waiting for a trade name before beginning
marketing in U.S.
Dec. 31, 2008 – An injectable drug, degarelix,
became the first new drug approved in several years by the Food and Drug
Administration for the treatment of prostate cancer. Degarelix, however,
is intended to treat patients with advanced prostate cancer.
Read more...
Senior Citizens Need to Exercise Extreme Caution if
Shoveling Snow
Consumer Reports offers tips on making snow removal
safer
Dec. 22, 2008 - The intense
exertion of shoveling snow, combined with the freezing cold, can make
your heart rate and blood pressure soar – a severe danger for senior
citizens. Yet, every year seniors die giving it a try.
Read
more...
Recorded Telephone Sales Pitches Now Required to
Provide Way to Opt-Out
FTC opt-out must work both for consumers who answer
the call in person and answering machines
Dec. 2, 2008 – There are few calls more irritating
to most senior citizens than the pre-recorded sales pitch. A new
regulation took effect yesterday, however, that should help. Now, any
telemarketing call that delivers a prerecorded message must include a
quick and easy way to opt-out of receiving future calls.
Read more...
Helping Senior Citizen Navigate the Change to
Digital Television Gets $2.7 Million Funding
Chair of senate aging committee cheers action
funding local agencies to help
Nov. 19, 2008 – Concern about senior citizens being
prepared for the nation’s switch to all-digital television transmission
received some relief yesterday when it was announced that the National
Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will award $2.7
million to the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) to
help seniors navigate the change coming next February.
Read
more...
Taking Plavix with Popular GI Medications Increases
Risk for Stroke, Heart Attack by 50%
Medco Health issues warning about second most popular
drug in the world and it’s reaction to proton pump inhibitors
Nov. 11, 2008 – A report issued today warns that
taking the drug clopidogrel (brand name: Plavix), the second most
popular drug in the world, with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can
increase the risk for major cardiovascular problems by 50 percent and of
having a heart attack by 74 percent.. Medco Health Solutions, Inc.
presented the study at the 2008 Scientific Sessions of the American
Heart Association.
Read more...
FDA Tells Bayer to Stop Illegal Marketing of Aspirin
Brands for Pain, Heart, Osteoporosis
Action involves Bayer Aspirin with Heart Advantage
and Bayer Women’s Low Dose Aspirin + Calcium
 Oct. 29, 2008 - The Food and Drug Administration
yesterday sent Warning Letters to Bayer HealthCare concerning two
unlawful, over-the-counter (OTC) aspirin products - Bayer Women's Low
Dose Aspirin + Calcium (Bayer Women's) and Bayer Aspirin with Heart
Advantage (Bayer Heart Advantage). Both are potentially popular with
senior citizens because...
Read more...
Seniors Should Say No to Con Artists Claiming to Be
with FTC, Promising Sweepstakes Prize
Scammers just want you to send money for the
“taxes” and “insurance”
Oct. 17, 2008 – Senior citizens are most often the
target of con artists and the Federal Trade Commission has just issued a
warning that scammers, claiming to work for the Federal Trade Commission
are calling consumers and claiming that they have won a lottery or
sweepstakes. They just need to send money to pay for taxes and
insurance. Do not fall for it.
Read more...
HHS Releases $5 Billion from Low Income Energy
Assistance Program for Winter
LIHEAP funds will help low-income households meet
heating and other energy needs, critical for many seniors
Oct. 17, 2008 – A federal program that has been
critical to low-income senior citizens during the severe winters that
increase their need for heating fuel, has just released $5.1 billion to
assist states, territories, tribal areas and the District of Columbia
with addressing their energy needs.
Read more...
FDA Introduces New Web Page with Links to Key Safety
Information on Prescription Drugs
Senior citizens may find it useful avoid drug errors
and dangerous drugs
Oct. 17, 2008 – Senior citizens, the heaviest users
of prescription drugs, and the most common victims of drug errors, can
find help with making decisions about the drugs they take at a new
Website created by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA says
healthcare professionals, too, will find it a useful page to find a wide
variety of safety information about prescription drugs.
Read
more...
Deadline for Economic Stimulus Payment for Retirees,
Disabled Vets Just Hours Away
As many as 4.3 million Social Security and Veterans
Affairs have not claimed their stimulus payments - must file by Oct. 15
Oct.
13, 2008 - Only hours remain until the Oct. 15 deadline for retirees and
disabled veterans to file an income tax return that will allow them to
receive an economic stimulus payment this year.
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
Dementia Won’t Improve for Older People by Taking
Procaine but Health Might Suffer
A topical anesthetic, normally, procaine has been
touted as anti-aging drug that might prevent or even reverse dementia
Oct.
9, 2008 - Procaine, a medication that is normally used as a topical
anesthetic , has been touted as an anti-aging drug that might prevent or
even reverse dementia. A new Cochrane Review, however, suggests that the
risks of bad side effects outweigh any benefit. Procaine
is also known as novocaine.
Read more...
Seniors Need to Act Now to Get $40 Discount on TV
Converter Box for New Digital Signals
Commerce Department says orders should be made before
end of year as broadcast TV becomes digital-only on February 17
Oct.
1, 2008 – Most senior citizens have paid little attention to the
nation’s switch to digital television due on February 17, although,
seniors will constitute the greatest portion of those affected by the
digital transition - particularly low income, fixed income, disabled,
homebound, minority and rural seniors. Those who want to continue to use
their TV sets with “over-the-air” reception will need to buy a converter
box and the government is offering a discount coupon to help with the
purchase. Read
more...
FTC’s Cyber Security Website Gets an Upgrade with
Help of 22 Organizations
Makeover marks National Cyber Security Awareness
Month starting today
Oct. 1, 2008 - The Federal Trade Commission’s
Website that helps senior citizens and other consumers stay on guard
against Internet fraud is revamping – with the help of 22 other agencies
and groups - to provide extra tools for cyber safety. The FTC’s
announcement of the newly designed and improved site comes on the first
day of October, which is National Cyber Security Awareness Month.
Read more...
FDA Demands Halt to Drug Products Designed to Treat
Common Senior Citizen Problems
Warns companies to stop marketing unapproved
ophthalmic balanced salt solution products and topical drug ointments
containing papain after serious adverse events
Sept.
24, 2008 – Unapproved drug products designed to treat conditions faced
by many seniors citizens – ointments containing papain and ophthalmic
balanced salt solutions – must stop manufacturing and marketing these
products or face enforcement action by the Food and Drug Administration.
Read more...
Medicare News
Senate Bill Would End Practice of Placing Social
Security Numbers on Medicare Cards
Durbin, Bingaman, Kohl introduce bill to protect
Medicare card holders from identity theft
 Sept. 17, 2008 – Congress may demand the government
removed Social Security numbers from Medicare identification cards and
communications to beneficiaries as part of the battle against identity
theft. Three Democrats introduced a bill in the Senate today to mandate
these changes, which have been recommended by the Social Security
Administration but ignored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis Must Warn of Fungal
Infection Risk
FDA invokes new authorities to alert patients and
prescribers to risk of Humira, Cimzia, Enbrel, and Remicade
Sept.
5, 2008 – Millions of senior citizens fight against their own immune
systems. Four of the drugs used by many in this battle against some
autoimmune diseases, primarily rheumatoid arthritis, have been
identified by the Food and Drug Administration as a possible risk factor
in deadly fungal infections.
Read
more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
New Reason Seniors May Need to Avoid Grapefruit,
Other Juices with Medications
|
Consult
with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medications
with grapefruit juice or other fruits and juices |
Life-saving drugs may become ineffective, if patient
consumes grapefruit or even other common fruit juices, including orange
and apple
Aug. 19, 2008 – Drugs often prescribed for senior
citizens fighting life threatening conditions, such as heart disease,
cancer, organ-transplant rejection and infection, may become ineffective
if the patient consumes grapefruit or even other common fruit juices,
including orange and apple.
Read more...
Medicare News
Senior Citizens May Avoid Medicare Marketing Fraud
by Knowing the Rules
Medicare private plans must follow certain rules and
you should know what is allowed
Aug. 13, 2008 – With a huge market to exploit –
abut 36 million senior citizens on Medicare – the hucksters stay busy,
according to congressional reports. The Medicare Rights Center has
produced some tips for older Americans on the rules that must be
followed to market these plans. Sales people who violate these rules
should be suspect.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
New Spam Using CNN Headlines to Lead Victims to
Virus-Laden Sites
University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Spam Data Mine
offers video, Website help
Aug.
6, 2008 - Throughout July and into August, spam messages using fake news
headlines have been luring visitors to virus-laden Web sites that will
infect the unwary Websurfer with a simple clink on any of the links.
Beginning last night a new twist has made it much more likely that
visitors will fall prey, according to the University of Alabama at
Birmingham’s Spam Data Mine, which has quickly released a video (see
link below) to help people understand how to avoid the threat.
Read more...
Effort Grows to
Protect Seniors by Removing Social Security Number from Medicare Card
Social Security frustrated with refusal to change by
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
June
27, 2008 - Social Security says don’t carry your card on you, someone could
get the number and use it to steal your identity. Medicare tells senior
citizen to always carry their Medicare card, even though it has their Social
Security number prominently displayed. Social Security has been trying to
get Medicare to come up with a new card and identification system and,
finally, they are getting some help in this effort to protect older
Americans from identification theft.
Read more...
FDA Tells 23 U.S. Firms to Stop Selling Fake Cancer
Cures
Internet has provided a
mechanism for bogus cancer 'cures' to flourish
June
18, 2008 - Warning Letters were sent yesterday to 23 U.S. companies and
two foreign individuals marketing a wide range of products fraudulently
claiming to prevent and cure cancer, according to the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. The FDA also warns North American consumers against
using or purchasing the products, which include tablets, teas, tonics,
black salves, and creams, and are sold under various names on the
Internet. Read
more...
Older Americans Must be Ready to Stay Connected as
Nation Goes to Digital TV
Senior citizens must vulnerable live alone, in remote
areas, low income, non-English speakers
By Josefina G. Carbonell,
Administration on Aging
May 12, 2008 - Television as we know it is about to change. On
February 17, 2009, full-power television broadcasting will change from
analog to 100% digital, bringing with it a host of benefits. If
you use “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna with an analog television,
your television will not work after this transition date without taking
some action. Read
more...
Senior Citizens Can Expect to be Targets of Tax
Rebate Scammers
Fake emails, phone calls supposedly from IRS will
want your personal financial info.
April
18, 2008 - The Internet thieves are having a field day with the economic
stimulus refunds that will soon be sent to taxpayers in an effort to
bolster the sagging economy. But, they have also started their usual
barrage of fake IRS refund emails, like the one pictured on this page.
Senior citizens, in particular, are targets of a number of scams using
the stimulus payments and IRS refunds as ways to steal personal
financial information. The email pictured on this page was recently
received be the editor of SeniorJournal.com.
Read more...
Shady Sales Tactics Pushing Indexed Annuities on
Seniors Exposed by Dateline
'When those agents go into the seniors' homes, it
is literally the wolf among the lambs'
April 15, 2008 - With an estimated 15 trillion
dollars under their control American senior citizens have become more of
a sales target than ever for insurance agents seeking to sell them
annuities. Last Sunday, April 13, NBC's Dateline went undercover
in "Tricks of the Trade" - a hidden camera investigation revealing what
some insurance agents say, and what they don't say, when they think they
are alone with a senior. In his signature style, Chris Hansen then
confronts agents about their questionable sales pitches.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Health & Medicine
New CPR Recommendation Takes Little Training – Just
Push Hard and Fast
Mouth-to-mouth no longer recommended for bystanders
trying to save lives
March 31, 2008 - Chest compressions alone, or
Hands-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), can save lives and can
be used to help an adult who suddenly collapses, according to a new
American Heart Association scientific statement posted on the Web site
today. Read more...
Older Men Should Not Use Blue Steel or
Hero for Erectile Dysfunction
FDA says products are illegal drugs and pose serious
health risks
March 27, 2008 – Older men, the Americans most
likely to be interested in products marketed for the treatment of
erectile dysfunction (ED) and sexual enhancement, are being warned by
the Food and Drug Administration not to purchase or use "Blue Steel" or
"Hero" products marketed as dietary supplements. The FDA says they are
considered unapproved drugs and have not been proven to be safe or
effective. Read
more....
Free Eye Exams Available to Senior Citizens in March to Fight AMD
National campaign to raise awareness about
Age-related Macular Degeneration
March
3, 2008 – Promoting free eye exams for senior citizens during March, the
Macular Degeneration Partnership is asking, "Do You See What I See?" For
seniors who suffer with an eye disease known as Age-related Macular
Degeneration (AMD) the answer is always, "No."
Read more...
IRS Helps Low-Income Senior Citizens Qualify for
Economic Stimulus Payments
A special version of a Form 1040A highlights the
simple, specific sections to be filled out by low-income seniors,
veterans
Feb. 19, 2008 – For many Americans the few hundreds
bucks they get as an economic stimulus payment from the government in
May is nothing to get excited about. But for millions of lower-income
senior citizens and veterans it is a substantial windfall. The problem
is that it is not going to “just happen” for many of these seniors. They
must file a tax return for 2007 are they will not be
included. Read
more...
Senior Citizens Most Likely to be Targeted by
Foreclosure Rescue Scams
Senate Special Committee on Aging hears testimony
on sub-prime crisis
Feb. 13, 2008 – It should be no surprise that
senior citizens are the target of the latest financial scam –
foreclosure rescue scams. At a hearing yesterday of the Senate Special
Committee on Aging, Chairman Herb Kohl said seniors are three times more
likely to have sub-prime mortgage loans than younger borrowers and these
loans have driven the large increase in foreclosures.
Read more...
Senior Citizens Are Primary Target of U.S.
Information Blitz About Digital TV
TV broadcasters alert Americans all broadcast to be
digital in 2009
Feb. 12, 2008 – An extraordinary effort kicked off
yesterday to alert all Americans – but senior citizens in particular –
that this country will transition all television broadcasting to digital
on February 17, 2009. Those who rely on a broadcast signal will no
longer be able to receive programming with a digital television set.
Read more...
FDA Notifies Public of Adverse Reactions, Deaths
Linked to Botox Use
Ongoing safety review of Botox, Botox Cosmetic
and Myobloc taking place
Feb. 8, 2008 - The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration today said that Botox and Botox Cosmetic (Botulinum toxin
Type A) and Myobloc (Botulinum toxin Type B) have been linked in some
cases to adverse reactions, including respiratory failure and death,
following treatment of a variety of conditions using a wide range of
doses. Read more...
Senior Citizens Should Be On Alert for Email Scam
Offering IRS Refund
Scammers may try to take advantage of economic
stimulus program
Jan. 29, 2008 – Senior citizens should be on the
alert for an email scam back on the Internet that claims to be from the
Internal Revenue Service and promises a tax refund check, if you will
just submit the tax refund request. Some may confuse this to be a part
of the government’s economic stimulus program, which may be why it has
emerged again. Part of the economic plan's discussion includes checks to senior
citizens on Social Security.
Read
more...
FDA Launches Free E-mail Alert Service Providing
Updated Information
Alerts and warnings from FDA can drop right into your
email box
Dec.
5, 2007 - The Food and Drug Administration has announced a new e-mail
service that alerts subscribers whenever information is updated on
certain FDA Web pages. An example is the MedWatch Saftery Alerts
featuring medical product safety alerts, Class I recalls, market
withdrawals, and public health advisories.
Read more...
Medicare Drug Program News
Senior Citizens Not Reviewing Medicare Drug Plans May
Get Shock in 2008
Medicare has cut 1,500 drugs from last year’s list
eligible for formularies
| |
"Changes are occurring at all levels of the
Medicare drug benefit – from significant movements in monthly premiums,
to the composition and copayment structure of formularies."
|
|
Dec. 5, 2007 – The evidence continues to be exposed
showing senior citizens are facing major changes in the Medicare drug
plans for 2008, including news that the largest stand-alone plans will
reduce the drugs they cover by the hundreds. A major reason, says
consulting company Avalere Health, is that the Centers for Medicare &
Medicaid Services decided to drop more than 1,500 drug codes from last
year’s list of formulary-approvable drugs, including some that lack FDA
approval.
Read more...
Medicare Drug Program News
Senior Citizens Seeking New Medicare Drug Plan
Finding Fewer Drugs Covered
Size of the formulary is becoming more aligned with
utilization patterns, consumer preferences, health outcomes and value
for consumers, says Humana
Dec. 4, 2007 – While shopping around for a new
Medicare drug plan, many senior citizens may be getting a shock to find
many drugs no longer covered. A new analysis finds a gigantic drop in
the number of drugs covered in 2008. What is called the “Open
Enrollment” period, a time when seniors can change drug plans, opened on
Nov. 15 and closes on Dec. 31. Seniors are advised to also check their
existing plan to see if drugs they need have been dropped.
Read
more...
Senior Citizen Health & Medicine
Senior Citizens Must Join Campaign to Require
Hospitals Report Staph Infections
Consumers Union urges Congress to enact HR 1174
(Murphy) to spur hospitals to reduce deadly infections
By Tucker Sutherland, Editor
& Publisher
| |
“Every day, fifty Americans die from MRSA because hospitals
aren’t doing enough to protect patients from these deadly
infections,” - Lisa McGiffert, Director of Consumers Union’s
Stop Hospital Infections campaign |
|
Nov. 8, 2007 – The news that nearly 19,000
Americans died in 2005 from antibiotic-resistant staph infections –
mostly acquired in health care facilities – and that it has increased 10
fold since 1995, should be shocking and extremely alarming to senior
citizens, the most frequent visitors to healthcare settings. What is
even more shocking is that most states allow hospitals to keep
information about these infections secret, which has allowed the
infection to spread rapidly with little public notice or protection.
Seniors need to demand changes.
Read more...
FDA Asks Recall of True Man, Energy Max
'Alternatives' for Erectile Dysfunction
Those with either product should stop using it
immediately
Nov. 5, 2007 – Products that are often billed as
``all natural'' alternatives to approved erectile dysfunction drugs,
could interact with medications and cause dangerously low blood
pressure, says the Food and Drug Administration. The agency has
requested a recall of True Man Sexual Energy Nutrient Capsules
and Energy Max Energy Supplement Men's Formula Capsules, illegal
drug products that contain potentially harmful, undeclared ingredients.
Read more...
FTC Will Not Drop Numbers from Do Not Call Registry
Until Congress Decides if Renewals Necessary
 Original plan called for a five-year
re-registration to clean list, which now has over 145 million phone
numbers
Oct. 23, 2007 – If your telephone number is about
to reach the limit of the five years that it can be on the National Do
Not Call Registry (DNC), don’t worry about it. Federal Trade Commission
Director Lydia Parnes, director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau
of Consumer Protection, said today that no numbers will be dropped from
the list until Congress decides if they want to make registration
permanent, rather than require renewal every five years.
Read more...
FDA Has More Dietary Supplements Seized in Florida:
Charantea Targeted
Products said to violate new drug and misbranding
provisions of Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act
Oct. 13, 2007 - At the request of the U.S. Food and
Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Marshals seized on Tuesday approximately
$71,000 of goods from FulLife Natural Options, Inc., of Boca Raton,
Fla., which marketed and distributed Charantea Ampalaya Capsules and
Charantea Ampalaya Tea. This follows a seizure in August of capsules by Charron Nutrition of Tallahassee, Fla., promoted for use in
treating diabetes, arthritis, and other serious health conditions.
Read more...
FTC Wants All to Know the Truth About Cell Phones
and Do Not Call Registry
You do not need to register cell phone in do not call
registry
Oct.
12, 2007 - The Federal Trade Commission today reiterated that despite
the claims made in e-mails circulating on the Internet, consumers should
not be concerned that their cell phone numbers will be released to
telemarketers in the near future, and that it is not necessary to
register cell phone numbers on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry
to be protected from most telemarketing calls to cell phones.
Read more...
Senior Citizen and Internet
iGuard Drug Safety Alert is Newest Reason Senior
Citizens, Caregivers Must Use Web
Provides patients & physicians with immediate,
personalized, free drug safety information
Oct. 9, 2007 – Almost weekly there is a new and
compelling reason why senior citizens or their caregivers should be
active on the Internet. One significant new tool to launch on the Web,
which promises potentially life-saving help to seniors, is iGuard. This
is a free service to access current information about the risk profile
of their medications and receive personal drug safety alerts.
Read more...
Recall of Topps Ground Beef Due to E Coli Now
Includes 21.7 Million Pounds
Currently 25 people are presumed ill from
contamination
Oct.
1, 2007 – A voluntary recall of ground beef was expanded on Saturday to
include 21.7 million pounds of products from the Topps Meat Company that
may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The original recall by Topps
on Sept. 25 is
being expanded due to additional positive product sample reported by the
New York Health Department, reported illnesses and findings from a food
safety assessment conducted by the
Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and
Inspection Service
at the establishment.
(See complete recall list below.)
Read more...
Fentora Cancer Pain Drug Draws FDA Warning of
Potential Serious Side Effects
Concern due to reports of deaths, other adverse
events from fentanyl buccal
Sept. 26, 2007 - The Food and Drug Administration
is alerting health care professionals and consumers to concerns over the
use of Fentora (fentanyl buccal) tablets after recent reports of deaths
and other adverse events.
Read more...
Senior Citizens May See National Do Not Call List
Drop Their Number Next Year
Seniors need to be aware registrations are just for
five years
Sept.
22, 2007 – Most senior citizens – well, probably most Americans – are
not aware that to stay on the National Do Not Call list you have to
re-register every five years. Those who jumped onboard in the first
months of the Federal Trade Commission program will see their name drop
off next year – unless they sign-up again, or a new bill passes to make
registration permanent.
Read more...
Senior Citizens Scammed by Fake Pain Relief Tape
May Get Money Back
FTC gets settlement of $2.5 million in consumer
refunds
Sept. 20, 2007 – Senior citizens who fell for the
Biotape scam, an adhesive tape sold as a pain relief product, may be
getting their money back. The Federal Trade Commission reached a
settlement with the promoters that will provide up to $2.5 million in
consumer refunds.
Read more...
What Senior Citizens Need to Know About Transition
to Digital TV to be Presented Next Week
Two government agencies will present programs about
this major change in U.S.
Sept. 20, 2007 – A hearing yesterday by the Senate
aging committee focused on the lack of information available to senior
citizens pertaining to the mandatory transition from analog television
broadcast to digital. A highlight of the hearing was the apparent
confusion among federal agencies about who is responsible for educating
the public. A good example is that there will be two major public
meetings in Washington next week to explore all aspects of this major
change in American life, but they are sponsored by different agencies.
Read more...
Money, Insurance & Investments for Seniors
Dubious Credentials May Scam Seniors Out of
Retirement Savings: Aging Committee
Senate aging committee looking at senior financial
advisor titles
Aug. 31, 2007 – There seems to be reasonable doubt
that some of the titles being used by people to show they are qualified
to help senior citizens with their financial decisions are of little
value. The chairman of the Senate’s aging committee will conduct a
hearing on Wednesday, September 5, to examine some of the “questionable
practices used by so-called financial investment specialists.”
Read more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Spammers Hit for Peddling HGH as Anti-Aging, Hoodia
for Weight Loss
FTC says e-mails falsely claim HGH products reverse aging process
Aug.
24, 2007 – Once again the Federal Trade Commission is clamping down on a
company selling human growth hormone (HGH) as an anti-aging product.
This time, they are also halting the same spammers from sending
"unwanted and illegal" e-mails about hoodia weight-loss products. A
district court judge ordered a halt to the e-mails and to the claims
that the FTC says are false and unsubstantiated.
Read more...
Seniors Warned to Avoid Red Yeast Rice Sold Online
to Treat High Cholesterol
FDA says tested products contain unauthorized drug,
lovastatin
Aug. 10, 2007 – The millions of senior citizens
battling against high cholesterol are warned by the Food and Drug
Administration to stay away from three red yeast rice products promoted
and sold on Websites as dietary supplements for treating high
cholesterol. The products may contain an unauthorized drug, lovastatin,
that could be harmful to health.
Read more...
Senior Citizens Should be Wary of Prepaid Credit
Cards Sold Online
FTC gets judge to shut down operation for
unauthorized debiting bank accounts
Aug. 7, 2007 – Senior citizens should by wary of
operations marketing prepaid Visa and MasterCard, primarily on the
Internet. At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal
judge has halted the operations of at least one of these companies that
was making unauthorized debits from consumers’ bank accounts.
Read more...
Tips for Senior Citizens to Make Backyard Grilling
Safer from Cancer
Only meat cooked on grill form cancer-causing
chemicals - other foods pose no risk
Aug. 3, 2007 – It is those in the senior citizen
generation that are probably the most accustomed to grilling hamburgers,
hot dogs and chicken over a gray charcoal fire. No one told us as young
adults fixing these backyard feasts that we were increasing the risk of
cancer for our families. But, we were. There are, however, ways to make
grilling safer.
Read more...
Consumers Endangered by Confusing Food Safety
Regulation, Communications
All recalled Castleberry’s products here from
combining FDA, USDA and company recalls
By Tucker Sutherland, editor & publisher
SeniorJournal.com
July 25, 2007 - SeniorJournal.com has attempted to
keep senior citizens well informed about the serious threat of botulism
from canned food products manufactured by Castleberry’s Food Company,
but the U.S. government’s system of monitoring food safety has made it
difficult. Different recall lists have been issued by the Food and Drug
Administration, Department of Agriculture and the company. It highlights
what many see as a major weakness in the government’s responsibility to
protect consumers from dangerous food products, and to keep them
informed.
Read more...
FDA Expands Castleberry’s Food Warning about
Botulism - Adds Dog Food
Castleberry's Food canned meat recall
grows to 90 products
July 23, 2007 - The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration today revised its warning to consumers about possible
botulism contamination in meat products canned by Castleberry’s Food
Company to include more products in the recall, including dog foods. The
number of products being recalled has reached 90, including some dog
foods. Read more...
More Canned Meat Products Added to Botulism Alert by
Castleberry’s Food
USDA says it’s a CLASS I RECALL - HIGH HEALTH RISK;
CDC joins investigation
July
23, 2007 – Last week a “Senior Alert” in SeniorJournal.com notified
senior citizens of an FDA recall of three chili sauce products
distributed by Castleberry's Food Company, and the company's recall of
seven additional products. The company has now expanding its July 19
recall of canned meat products that may contain Clostridium botulinum
that causes botulism -a rare but serious paralytic illness. The Centers
for Disease Control has also joined the investigation.
Read more...
Senior Citizens, Others Warned of Botulism Risk in
Hot Dog Chili Sauce
Chili sauce, chili with beans, corned beef hash under
several brands recalled after FDA alert
July
19, 2007 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning
yesterday for consumers not to eat 10 ounce cans of hot dog chili sauce
marketed under three brand names and the manufacturer immediately issued
a recall and added cans of corned beef hash and chili with beans to the
list. The FDA says there is possible botulism contamination, which can
be fatal, especially for senior citizens.
Read more...
Fraud of Senior Citizens by Home Health Agencies is
Target for Government Initiative
Initial efforts to focus on Greater Los Angeles and
Houston areas
July 17, 2007 – An alarm about fraud of senior
citizens by home health care providers was raised today by an
announcement that Health and Human Services will begin an initiative
designed to protect Medicare beneficiaries from fraudulent Home Health
Agency (HHA) providers.
Read more...
FDA Says Foreign Drugs Bought on Internet May Be
More Expensive, Risky
Some buying foreign drugs to avoid getting a
prescription from their doctor
July 13, 2007 - The Food and Drug Administration
continues to warn the American public about the dangers of buying
medications over the Internet. New FDA data show that consumers who are
trying to save money on prescription drugs don’t need to take chances by
buying prescription drugs from foreign Internet sites, because low-cost
generic versions are available in the United States, according to an FDA
press release. Read
more...
Senior Citizen
Investors Being Fooled by Titles Easily Obtained: New York Times
Fourth
article in series by New York Times on how companies, people are trying to
profit on wealthy elderly in America
July 9, 2007 – Every senior citizen that has money
invested, or is considering investment, needs to read an article in the New
York Times online. The primary warning in this article is that seniors
should not be fooled by fancy sounding titles, like “Certified Senior
Adviser.” Many are easily obtained by people who want to take advantage of
the elderly in America, who own $15 trillion in assets.
Read more...
Many Senior Citizens May Not Know What Is NOT
Covered by Homeowners Insurance
Survey shows lack of awareness among consumers when
it comes to their homeowners policies
June 13, 2007 - A large percentage of U.S.
homeowners mistakenly believe that standard homeowners insurance
protects them from a wide array of perils, according to new research by
the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). In fact,
typical property and liability policies don’t cover home damage from
floods, earthquakes, water line breaks, termites, mold and several other
perils, large and small.
Read more...
SEC
Chair Uses Parents' Experience to Warn Senior Citizens about Scams
Christopher
Cox says elderly parents barraged with sales ploys
April 23, 2007 - Christopher Cox, Chairman of the
Securities and Exchange Commission, understands firsthand the issues seniors
and their family members face in separating investing opportunities from
investing scams. In this exclusive interview he explains how his elderly
parents were barraged with sales ploys.
Read more...
Anti-Wrinkle Compound Found to Cause Pathological
Reaction in Skin Cells
Researchers call for more study to see if DMAE is
safe
April 11, 2007 – Before you rub that next treatment
of anti-wrinkle cream on your face, you may want to check the label to
see if it contains DMAE. In a report on the study of how this compound
commonly used in many anti-wrinkle products works, researchers have
found a pathological reaction in skin cells and call for “serious
research” to determine if it poses a health risk. Their conclusion about
the mode of action of DMAE appears in the latest edition of the British
Journal of Dermatology.
Read more...
Zelnorm – Popular GI Drug – Stops Marketing, Says
FDA
Company agrees to voluntary suspension due to
heart risks but hopes for comeback
March
30, 2007 – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today it has
requested, and Novartis Pharmaceuticals agreed, that marketing of
Zelnorm (tegaserod) should be discontinued. Novartis said it would
suspend marketing of the drug in the U.S. based on the recently
identified finding of an increased risk of serious cardiovascular
adverse events (heart problems) associated with use of the drug.
Read more...
Parkinson's Treatment Drugs Being Withdrawn, Says
FDA
Permax (pergolide) and two generic versions may
damage heart valves
March 29, 2007 – Pergolide products used to treat
Parkinson's disease is being withdrawn from the market, according to an
announcement today from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA
said that manufacturers of pergolide drug products, which are used to
treat Parkinson’s disease, will voluntarily remove these drugs from the
market because of the risk of serious damage to patients’ heart valves.
Read more...
Senior Citizens' Memory Problems May Be Due to Their
Sleeping Pills
FDA wants stronger warnings on drugs for
sleep disorders
March 16, 2007 – Senior citizens with memory
problems may find it is not dementia, but the medicine they are taking
for a sleep disorder that is causing them to forget. "Sleep-driving" -
driving not fully awake after taking a sedative-hypnotic drug and then
having no memory of the trip – is one of problems highlighted by the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration in requesting manufacturers of these
drugs add new warnings to their labels.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Politics
Seniors Citizens Warned of Dangerous Drug Shipped to
Online Buyers
FDA suspects powerful anti-psychotic substituted
for order
Feb. 20, 2007 – Some Americans who ordered Ambien, Xanax,
Lexapro, and Ativan over the Internet have received instead what appears
to be the drug haloperidol, a powerful anti-psychotic drug, according to
a warning for senior citizens and other consumers from the Food and Drug
Administration.
Read more...
Seniors Falling Prey to Aggressive Tactics of
Private Insurers Says Report
Consumer advocates say lack of government oversight
increases risk of losing access, paying more for health care
Feb. 6, 2007 - Insurance agents are pushing people
with Medicare into private health plans that do not meet their health
care or financial needs, according to a new report by consumer groups.
In its study, California Health Advocates and the Medicare Rights Center
detail the "unscrupulous sales practices of insurers" and call for
heightened government oversight of private insurers selling Medicare
health and drug plans.
Read more...
Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors
AARP Pulling Senior Citizen Vitamin Off the Market
After Report on MSNBC
ConsumerLab.com says it finds problems in about
half of vitamins
January 19, 2007 – AARP has pulled its vitamin AARP
Maturity Formula from the market and is offering refunds to purchasers
after an investigation of vitamins was conducted by ConsumerLab.com and
reported on MSNBC and NBC’s Today Show. “If you're banking on a daily
vitamin to make up for any deficiencies in your diet, you may be getting
a whole lot more — or less — than you bargained for,” says the lead on
this story by Jacqueline Stenson.
Read
more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
Growth Hormone is Not the Anti-Aging Bullet for
Healthy Senior Citizens
Promoters
of GH as an anti-aging therapy target the healthy elderly
January 17, 2007 – Almost every senior citizen has
been tempted by advertising for products containing "GH." It stands for
"human growth hormone" and has been promoted as the ultimate in
anti-aging supplements. That's not true, says a new review of published
data on use GH by healthy elderly people. The study found that the
synthetic hormone was associated with small changes in body composition
but not in body weight or other clinically important outcomes.
Read more...
Don’t Swallow All the Research Reports on Beverages
Cautions New Study
Studies funded by industry tend to produce results
favorable to funding source
January 10, 2007 – Because senior citizens tend to
be more skeptical than most, not many readers of SeniorJournal.com will
be surprised by a new study that found beverage studies funded solely by
industry were four to eight times more likely to have conclusions
favorable to sponsors’ financial interest than were studies with no
industry funding.
Read more...
Weight Loss Pills More Likely to Make Your Wallet
Thinner Says FTC
Recovers $25 million from Xenadrine EFX, CortiSlim,
TrimSpa, and One-A-Day WeightSmart
January 5, 2007 – Senior citizens and baby boomers,
the age groups most tempted by claims of easy weight loss products,
should heed the deceptive marketing done by some of the most popular of
these 'magic' pills. Marketers of the four products –Xenadrine EFX,
CortiSlim, TrimSpa, and One-A-Day WeightSmart – have settled with the
FTC, surrendered cash and other assets worth at least $25 million, and
agreed to limit their future advertising claims.
Read more....
Cracking Down on Health Fraud
Editor's Note: Earlier this year the FTC
launched a large effort to seek out fraudulent advertising aimed at
Spanish-speaking consumers. It discovered massive fraudulent advertising
– particularly of health products – that is aimed at Americans speaking
Spanish or English. The FDA Consumer Magazine, Nov.-Dec. 2006 offers
this advice. Read more...
Acetaminophen Caplets for Pain Relief Being
Voluntarily Recalled
Recall of 500mg
caplets that may contain metal fragments
November
10, 2006 – Senior citizens – the age group that most frequently uses
pain relief from medication – should be aware of a voluntary recall of
Acetaminophen 500mg caplets manufactured and distributed under various
store-brands as a result of small metal fragments found in a small
number of these caplets, according to the U.S. Food and Drug
Administration. Read
more...
Fraudulent Diabetes Cures being Chased off Internet
in Three Country Campaign
FTC launches Website to educate on diabetes
frauds and 'cure alls'
October
20, 2006 – A unified effort by U.S. regulators and agencies in Mexico
and Canada is underway to stop deceptive Internet advertisements and
sales of products misrepresented as cures for treatments for diabetes.
Warnings and advisories have been sent to online outlets in all three
countries. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), one of the agencies
involved, also announced today a new consumer education campaign on how
to avoid phony diabetes cures.
Read more...
Money Matters for Seniors
Great Ideas for Senior Citizens on Preventing
Identity Theft
| |
Editor's
Note |
|
| |
This is one of the best list of ideas on preventing identify
theft we have seen. We recommend you email these unique actions
to your friends. Just click here to email. |
|
Limiting exposure of
personal information is the best way to protect yourself from fraud
By Robert Valentine
October 5, 2006 - For the sixth consecutive year,
identity theft surpassed construction, credit card and debt collection
fraud as the most prevalent form of consumer fraud, according to the
Federal Trade Commission, which received 255,000 identity theft
complaints last year.
Read
more...
Senior Citizen Alerts
FDA Offers Safety Tips
for Protecting Food During Power Outages, Flooding
September 5, 2006 – With
hurricanes again threatening, the Food and Drug Administration is
alerting consumers to the food risks that can occur from power outages
and flooding. The agency has also included a list of suggested safety steps,
which are important to senior citizens in particular, since many older
people are among the least able to evacuate their homes.
Read more...
Your Personal Data is Being Sold by Data Brokers and
Often Incorrect
Consumer Reports finds disasters
results, suggests safe-guards
September 1, 2006 - A three-month investigation by
Consumer Reports concluded that current federal laws do not adequately
safeguard American's sensitive information, which is often collected and
sold by data brokers, with the federal government being the biggest
customer. The practices of commercial data brokers can rob consumers of
their privacy, threaten them with identity theft and profile them as
dead beats or security risks, according to a report in CRs October
issue. CR also has some suggestions on how to better protect your
personal information.
Read more...
FDA Warns Consumers Not to Buy Prescription Drugs
from Some Canadian Websites
Investigating reports of counterfeit versions of
drug products
August 31, 2006 - The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) is advising senior citizens and other consumers not to purchase prescription
drugs from websites that have orders filled by Mediplan Prescription
Plus Pharmacy or Mediplan Global Health in Manitoba, Canada following
reports of counterfeit versions of prescription drug products being sold
by these companies to U.S. consumers. FDA is investigating these reports
and is coordinating with international law enforcement authorities on
this matter. Read more...
Their Pills Do Not Cure Alzheimer's or Diabetes and
FTC Stops Claims
Maker of herbal supplements Dia-Cope and Sagee
forfeits gains
August 14, 2006 – An outfit that had already been
busted for selling a fake herbal supplement they claimed would treat
Alzheimer's disease has now been banned by the Federal Trade Commission
from claiming their new pills will cure diabetes and made to forfeit
their earnings. Both claims are obvious bait for senior citizens, who
are the most frequent victims of the two diseases.
Read more...
DNA Tests Marketed Online as 'Nutrigenetic Tests'
Are Misleading
Senate aging committee, FTC, FDA, CDC, GAO sound
warnings
July 31, 2006 – Sounds tempting doesn't it – to buy
online a relatively inexpensive do-it-yourself genetic test to do your
own DNA check. Senior citizens, the most vulnerable and concerned about
genetic diseases are clear targets of these marketers. "…consumers now
can purchase at-home tests that claim to predict propensities for a
myriad of health conditions, including Alzheimer’s, cancer, diabetes and
arthritis," according to Sen. Gordon H. Smith, chairman of the Senate's
committee on aging.
Read more...
Latest E-Mail Scam Appears to Come from FirstGov.gov
GSA issues alert for fakes requesting your personal
information
July 29, 2006 -The U.S. General Services
Administration's Office of Citizens Services & Communications is
warning senior citizens and others to avoid falling victim to a recent
e-mail scheme that targets users by sending unsolicited e-mails
allegedly from FirstGov, the citizen portal operated by GSA.
Read more...
Most Identity Theft Committed by Someone You Know
Home-bound elderly may be among most vulnerable
July 26, 2006 - Fifty-three percent of identity
theft victims last year reported their identity stolen by a friend, a
relative, an employee, or an acquaintance. The home-bound elderly, who
receive assistance from home services and others, may be particularly
vulnerable, due to their frailty and dependence. The National Crime
Prevention Council today began airing public service radio spots to help
senior citizens and others learn more about preventing identity theft.
Read more...
SEC Takes Emergency Action to Halt $15 Million Fraud
Against Senior Citizens
Seeking asset freezes and appointment
of a temporary receiver
July 15, 2006 - The Securities and Exchange
Commission announced yesterday that it filed an emergency enforcement
action to halt a fraudulent real estate investment scheme that bilked
senior citizens and retirees out of millions of dollars since 1996.
Read more...
Senior Citizens Get Scammed in Alarming Numbers
PSAs,
booklet educate seniors on preventing
telemarketing fraud
July 12, 2006 – The majority of fraudulent
telemarketing calls – 56 to 80 percent – are directed at senior
citizens. This problem is becoming worse as more and more Americans move
into the 65 and older age group. The National Crime Prevention Council,
in recognition of National Fraud Awareness Week, has issued a new
booklet - available online, and launched new television public service
announcements to help older Americans avoid telemarketing fraud.
Read more...
States, SEC Work to Protect Elderly Investors
By Elizabeth Wilkerson, Special to Stateline.org
July
12, 2006 - In preparation for the biggest retirement boom in history,
states are joining with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and
the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD) to protect seniors
from predatory sales tactics and investment fraud.
Read more...
Telephone Scammers Raise the Price on Medicare Drug
Pitch
Medicare asks senior citizens to report
fraudulent activity
June 17, 2006 - The “$299 Ring” scheme to defraud
senior citizens and people with disabilities has changed into a higher
priced scam involving in some cases a new Medicare card, instead of a
prescription drug plan, warns the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid
Services. Medicare has already referred nearly 250 cases involving
attempts to steal beneficiaries’ funds to federal law enforcement
officials. Read
more...
Hundreds Arrested in Mass-Marketing Fraud Targeting
Senior Citizens
“Operation Global Con” initiative grabs 565 on
three continents
May 24, 2006 - More than 565 people in North and
South America and Europe have been arrested as part of “Operation Global
Con” – the largest and most far-reaching multinational enforcement
operation ever directed at mass-marketing fraud schemes, but, like most
of the rest, senior citizens were one of their chief targets, the
Department of Justice announced today.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Medical Alert
Older Patients Being Given Urinary Catheters for No
Reason
Women, all over 85,
chronically ill, and frail are especially at risk
May 22, 2006 - A study of 1,586 hospitalized senior
citizens - age 70 and older - at two Ohio hospitals
indicates that 24 percent of these elderly patients were given medically
unnecessary urinary catheters, according to investigators led by a
researcher at the San Francisco VA Medical Center.
Read more...
Senior Citizen Medical Alert
Good News:
Lots of Public Defibrillators, Bad News:
Many Don't Work
New
data finds recalls of automated external defibrillators to be common
May 18, 2006 – The good news for senior citizens is
that the distribution of life-saving automatic external defibrillators (AEDs)
has spread dramatically in public places, with 200,000 in place last
year. The terrible news is that about one in five don't work. Data
presented today at the Heart Rhythm Society's 27th Annual Scientific
Sessions finds that during a 10-year study period more than one in five
automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) were recalled due to potential
malfunction. Read more...
FTC Halts Spyware Attackers, Posts Protection Advice
Seniors Can Use
May 4, 2006 – The Federal Trade Commission today
shut down two operators that deceptively downloaded "spyware" on the
computers of unsuspecting consumers. One of the unwanted downloads
changed settings and hijacked the computers search engines. The other
operator was stealing the personal information of the consumers. The
agency has also posted information about identifying and avoiding
spyware that can be helpful to many senior citizens.
Read more...
Checking Auto Tire Air Pressure Saves Lives and
Gasoline
One in five
drivers
do
not
properly
check
tire
pressure
April 24, 2006 - Better tire maintenance by senior
citizens and other motorists could reduce highway crashes, save gasoline
and keep tires rolling longer according to tire manufacturers,
retailers, auto dealers, safety advocates and state government agencies
that have made this the focus of National Tire Safety Week, which begins
today. A recent survey also found more than 80 percent of drivers do not
know how to properly check their tire pressure. (Also see sidebar on
"Tips for Senior Citizens to Reduce Gasoline Cost")
Read more...
Senior Citizens Lead Nation in Growing Lawn Mowing
Injuries
Injuries from lawn mowing increase nationwide
and by age
April
20, 2006 – How often have we read that the risk of some dreaded problem,
like heart disease or cancer, "increases with age?" Well, now you can
add lawnmower injuries. The author of a new study says, "Lawnmower
injuries increase with age, with peaks in persons older than 59 years."
The study of such accidents in 2004, found senior citizens 60 to 69 had
the most push mover injuries and those 70 and older had the most riding
mower injuries. The author does, however, have some ideas on how to
better your odds.
Read more...
Are "Wired Seniors" Sitting Ducks?
by Susannah Fox
Pew Internet & American Life Project
April 12, 2006 - Currently, the
vast majority of Americans age 65 and older do not go online. But that
will likely change in a big way as the "silver tsunami" of
internet-loving Baby Boomers swamps the off-line senior population in
the next 10 years. That demographic shift, paired with a rising tide of
viruses, spyware, and other online critters, is cause for concern since
there is evidence that older users are less likely than younger ones to
take precautions against software intrusions and fraud.
Read more...
Seniors May Benefit Most from New Red Cross Training
on CPR, Cardiac Help
April 4, 2006 – Senior citizens – who most often
are around other older people, who are the most likely to need CPR, the
aid of a defibrillator or emergency cardiovascular care – should
consider taking advantage of the newly revised training programs and
materials new being implemented by the American Red Cross for these
emergencies. It could save the life of your spouse, your best friend or
your neighbor. Read
more...
How Senior Citizens Avoid Investment Fraud is Topic
for Wednesday Hearing
Senate Special
Committee on Aging hearing will be webcast
March
28, 2006 – A hearing will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 29, with
experts providing their ideas on how senior citizens can stop investment
fraud. The hearing by the Senate Special Committee on Aging will be in
room 106 of the Dirksen Senate Office Building but also available by
webcast. Read
more...
State Laws Protecting Seniors from Identity Theft,
Fraud Repealed Today in House
Consumer groups
critical of action by House Financial Services Committee
March 17, 2006 - The House Financial Services
Committee voted today to repeal strict state notification and credit
freeze laws that have helped to protect senior citizens and other
consumers from identity theft and financial fraud. These laws provide
essential protections that allow consumers to prevent identity thieves
from opening credit accounts in their names and require companies to
inform consumers when their personal data -- such as their Social
Security and credit card numbers -- have become compromised. Consumer
groups issued a news release critical of the action.
Read more..
Bank Account Red Flags for Elder Financial Abuse
Over two million
senior citizens victimized by financial abuse each year
March 16, 2006 – Elder financial abuse plagues over
two million Americans each year and is the number one crime committed
against senior citizens age 65 and older, according to the National
Center on Elder Abuse. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, this
phenomenon will grow into epidemic proportions if it continues to run
unreported. Read
more...
Seniors Alerted to Scam Offering to Help Enroll in
Medicare Part D
CMS warns of new '$299 Ring' using phone to get
bank information
March 7, 2006 – If senior citizens don't have
enough problems sorting out the Medicare prescription drug program, now
they have to be alert to the possibility of being scammed by crooks that
offer to help them enroll in the new Medicare Part D, but are really
after money and checking account information.
Read
more...
Procrastination Week Good Time to Switch Social
Security to Direct Deposit
Social Security
checks get to you faster, safer deposited to your bank
March 6, 2006 - National Procrastination Week kicks
off today and the government is using the opportunity to urge senior
citizens to act now to get their Social Security and other benefit
checks deposited directly to their bank accounts. It's faster and a
whole lot safer, they say.
Read more...
Investors Warned of 13 Most Likely Scams for 2006
Indiana official calls list the "Unlucky 13,"
warns Baby Boomers beware
March 3, 2006 – Indiana's Secretary of State Todd
Rokita yesterday released a report outlining the 13 most common ways
investors are likely to be trapped in 2006. He identified personal
information scams, oil and gas investment fraud, and prime bank schemes
as the greatest potential threats to investors this year. He noted his
heightened concern for Baby Boomers, who may fall for one of the traps
as they invest for retirement. An equal alert should go out to senior
citizens who are investing their retirement funds.
Read more...
American Senior Alliance Gets Busted with Two
Others
Texas AG cracks down on three companies for taking
advantage of seniors
Feb. 26, 2006 - One of the most notorious mass mailers of
materials to senior citizens that were thinly designed to look as if
they were an official government message has finally been busted.
American Senior Alliance, Inc. and owner George R. Katosic were sued,
along with two other companies and their owners, by Texas Attorney
General Greg Abbott for "bombarding seniors in Texas and across the
country with deceptive, unsolicited mailers.
Read more...
'Inflatable-Pants' Heart Failure Therapy Lacks
Supporting Evidence
By
Taunya English, Science Writer
Feb.
21, 2006 - A new review of studies supports the government’s opinion
that too little evidence exists to support a device that uses
balloon-like pants as a treatment for heart failure. External
counterpulsation (ECP), a noninvasive therapy to improve blood flow to
the heart, is most commonly used to relieve hard-to-treat chest pain for
heart patients who are not candidates for surgery.
Read More...
Seniors
Be Wary of Free Product Offers Asking Them
to Pay Shipping
FTC charges dietary supplement marketers for
continued billing credit cards
Feb. 3, 2006 – There is a warning for senior
citizens in new charges by the Federal Trade Commission against
marketers selling dietary supplements. Seniors should be wary of
advertising that offers any product free, if you just pay the low
shipping cost with your credit card. Some of these offers may be
legitimate, but the FTC has found at least one abuse.
Read more...
Eye Drop Maker Threatens to Sue SeniorJournal.com
Over Senior Alert
By Tucker Sutherland,
editor
Jan. 29, 2006 – Jeff Jensen, vice president of MBI
Distributing, an OTC drug manufacturer of eye drops and other products,
has emailed SeniorJournal.com threatening legal action against our Web
site if it does not remove from its site a "Senior Alert" article from
last November that warned seniors about dangers from certain of their
eye drop products based on information from the Food and Drug
Administration. Read
more...
Senior Alerts
Seniors Should Look Cautiously at Website Promising
Millions for Retirement
Seniors now the target of one of America's
best known promoters
By Tucker Sutherland, editor
Jan. 26, 2006 – We probably would just ignore
Matthew Lesko, although he is a senior citizen, but now the super-sized
promoter is taking dead aim at fellow senior citizens with a new
by-subscription-only Website that is enticing older Americans with a
promise to reveal 10,000 retirement benefits worth $890 million dollars.
Read more...
Watch Drug List if Senior Citizen Being Moved in the
Hospital – Mistakes Kill
Too many medication errors occur as patients change care settings
Jan. 26, 2006 – Senior citizens and their
caregivers should be alert to this warning of a threat to life that is
occurring in hospitals. Medication errors cause more than 7,000 deaths a
year in U.S. hospitals. Many of these can be prevented if more attention
is paid to the accuracy of medications given to patients as they are
moved from one area of a hospital to another, from supervision of one
healthcare worker to another or to any other new care setting. This
caution flag was waved yesterday by the Joint Commission on
Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations.
Read more...
Don't Fall for Email Hoax about Cell Phone Numbers
Being Made Public
There is no need to add cell phone to any Do Not Call
Registry
Jan.
21, 2006 – Once again fake emails are circulating on the Internet
warning that cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketers soon
and that senior citizens and other users should register their cell
phones with the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry to be protected. It
is a hoax, says the Federal Trade Commission – cell phone numbers are
not being released and there is no need to register with any do not call
list. Read
more...
Seniors Should
Report Adverse Medical Reactions to FDA’s MedWatch
FDA also has special online sites just for senior
citizens
Jan.
20, 2006 - The FDA MedWatch program is designed to identify serious
reactions and problems with medical devices and other medical products and
it needs information from the public on adverse medical reactions to provide
proper information. The MedWatch Website is the place to report problems or
to get the latest information on medical product problems identified by FDA.
The agency, however, has other sites that are specifically for senior
citizens. Read more...
Foreign Drugs May Have Same Name as US Product but
Different Ingredients
FDA warns seniors confusion with brand names can be
disaster
Jan. 12, 2006 - An FDA investigation by the U.S.
Food and Drug Administration has found that many foreign medications,
although marketed under the same or similar-sounding brand names as
those in the United States, contain different active ingredients than in
the United States. Taking a different active ingredient may not help,
and may even harm, the user, warns the FDA.
Read more...
Human Growth Hormone Still Hyped for Anti-aging
Benefits – But?
Senior citizens need to know more about HGH – it's
not legal for anti-aging
Jan. 10, 2006 - Can growth hormone reverse the
aging process? As long as that question is out there, hucksters will
keep selling human growth hormone (HGH) to aging Americans, who are
grasping for a youth that has slipped away. NBC's Today Show this
morning featured Dr. Judith Reichman providing medical and legal
information about this hormone, and various formulations and growth
hormone substitutes that are sold by the multi-billion dollar anti-aging
industry. Read
more...
Low-Income Seniors May Get Assistance with Energy Bills
Jan. 9, 2006 – Senior citizens and other low-income
Americans can receive help with paying their winter energy bills. Health
and Human Services is making $733 million available to states,
territories and tribes through the Administration for Children and
Families' Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
Read more...
Huckster Targeting Elderly with False Claims Banned
by FTC
Pushed dietary supplements to cure Alzheimer’s,
diabetes, and emphysema
Jan. 4, 2006 - The mastermind behind a scheme to
sell dietary supplements – primarily to senior citizens - using claims
the Federal Trade Commission alleged were false and unsubstantiated has
been banned from the direct response marketing of foods, unapproved
drugs, and dietary supplements.
Read more...
Hypothermia a Risk for Elderly with Temperature Just
60 Degrees
Dialing down the thermostat for dollars may be high
risk for seniors - caregivers beware
Jan. 3, 2006 - With home heating fuel costs
expected to soar this winter, and the media giving this a lot of
attention, millions of older Americans will be dialing down their heat
to save money. For most people, dialing-down just means a slightly
chilly home, but for the elderly, it could bring serious health
implications, including hypothermia, and could even lead to additional
health risk for otherwise healthy people.
Read more...
Pending Medicaid Asset Transfer Law Encourages
Planning Now
By
ElderLawAnswers.com
Dec. 26, 2005 - When families gather together for
the holidays, it's an ideal time to sit down and discuss important
issues like long-term care planning. This holiday season such
discussions are taking on a special urgency because of the profound
changes to the Medicaid rules that are looming. The bottom line: if you
have been hesitating about seeing an attorney about long-term care
planning, hesitate no longer.
Read more...
Leftover Drugs Are a Prescription for Trouble for
Senior Citizens
Dec. 22, 2005 - Resolving to clean out your
medicine cabinet – or that of a senior citizen you care about - is a
good idea for the new year. Hanging onto unused medications can increase
the chances of taking the wrong one, and old drugs can lose their
potency, reports the Harvard Heart Letter. But have you ever thought
about where the medicine will end up? Scientists are finding everything
from aspirin to Zoloft in our streams, rivers, and lakes.
Read more...
Avian Flu Treatments Found Fraudulent by FDA
Dec. 14, 2004 - The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to nine companies
marketing bogus flu products behind claims that their products could be
effective against preventing the avian flu or other forms of influenza.
FDA is not aware of any scientific evidence that demonstrates the safety
or effectiveness of these products for treating or preventing avian flu
and the agency is concerned that the use of these products could harm
consumers or interfere with conventional treatments.
Read more...
Eye Drop Maker Agrees to FDA Order to Stop
Manufacturing Products
Nov. 29, 2005 - The U.S. Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) yesterday announced that MBI Distributing, Inc. (MBI)
has agreed to cease manufacturing and distributing drugs until it
corrects manufacturing deficiencies. Senior citizens should check to see
if they have any of these eye drops - Oxydrops, Bright Eyes, Bright Eyes
II, Clarity Vision for Life, Visitein or Can-C. MBI also makes OTC pain
relieving drugs, including Biogesic, Bio-Ice and Bio-Heat.
Read more...
FDA Issues Warnings to Marketers of Unapproved
'Alternative Hormone Therapies'
Items promoted to seniors for treatment or prevention
of cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis
Nov. 16, 2005 - The Food and Drug Administration
has announced action against a number of firms marketing unapproved
"Alternative Hormone Therapies," because the products these firms are
selling are unapproved new drugs that have not been found safe and
effective to treat or prevent certain serious or life-threatening
diseases or conditions. The advertising targets older women.
Read
more...
Peoples Benefit is First Charged With Deceiving
Seniors on Medicare Drug Plan
Pennsylvania attorney general hits ads that imply
government endorsement
Nov. 2, 2005 - Attorney General Tom Corbett today
filed a civil lawsuit and a special injunction against
Pennsylvania-based Peoples Benefit Services Inc., accusing the company
of deceiving thousands of mostly older consumers by falsely implying
that its discount drug cards and other products are government-endorsed
insurance plans that offer "members" significant savings on prescription
drugs, family medical and/or dental "coverage."
Read more...
Canadian Charged for Defrauding Elderly with Lottery
Scam
Many seniors citizens also called despite being on
National Do Not Call Registry
Nov. 1, 2005 - The Federal Trade Commission has
charged the operator of a Vancouver, Canada-based telemarketing
operation with targeting elderly U.S. consumers in connection with
offering nonexistent foreign bonds and supposed cash prizes in a lottery
scam. He is also charged with violating the National Do Not Call
Registry. The FTC has also posted a warning on their Website about
foreign lotteries.
Read more...
Doctor Charged for Fake Flu Shots Given
to Senior
Citizens
Oct. 31,205 – A doctor is accused of giving flu
shots of purified water, rather than flu vaccine, to at least 14 senior
citizens that lived in a nursing home near La Porte, Texas, and to more
than 1,000 employees of Exxon Mobile near Baytown. His motive, says the
government, was to defraud Medicare. The news created a scary vision for
many seniors this Halloween day.
Read more...
Guarding Your Wealth for Seniors
Are Your Company Retirement Benefits in Jeopardy?
By Jeffrey D. Voudrie, CFP
Oct. 26, 2005 - In years gone by, when someone
retired from a large company they didn’t have to worry about losing
their retirement benefits. That’s no longer the case. Being faced with
ever increasing competition, many large companies are changing their
benefit programs. If this hasn’t affected you yet, it soon will. Read on
to find out how.
Read more...
Veterans Warned of
Telephone Prescription Scam
Oct. 19, 2005 - The Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) is warning veterans - especially senior citizens - not to give credit card numbers over the phone
to callers claiming to update VA prescription information.
Read more...
FTC Stops False Claims about Fountain of Youth Oral
Sprays
Spays do not contain or cause body to produce human
growth hormone
Oct.
18, 2005 – The Federal Trade Commission has won a temporary restraining
order against marketers of oral sprays that supposedly contain human
growth hormone (HGH) to stop them from making alleged false and
deceptive claims and from sending illegal spam. The FTC charged that the
sprays, marketed on dozens of Web sites and through spam, do not cause
weight loss, reverse the aging process, or prevent or treat diseases as
advertised. Read more...
FTC Sweeps Funeral Homes to Check Compliance with
Consumer Law
Violations suspected in seven of twenty homes checked
in Nassau County, NY
Oct. 12, 2005 – Twenty funeral homes in Nassau
County, New York, received a surprise visit from Federal Trade
Commission staffers who were checking their compliance with the FTC
Funeral Rule. Seven of the homes appeared to be in violation, the agency
said today. Read more...
Fire Prevention Week Focus on Candles, but Seniors
Should Eye Alarms
Time to escape from a home fire is now about three
minutes
Oct. 7, 2005 – Although the theme of National Fire
Prevention Week 2005 is on candle safety, senior citizens – in
particular those with disabilities – should use the week of October 9-15
to focus on broader planning for fire prevention and safety. Home fires
are burning hotter and up to five times faster than they did 30 years
ago, according to federal research, presenting a serious challenge for
many older adults. An effective fire or smoke alarm may be critical to a
safe escape. Read
more...
How to Detect a Medicare Drug Plan Scam
Consumer group sounds warning about criminals posing
as plan representatives
Oct. 6, 2005 - Since legitimate marketing for the
federal program began last week, consumers across the nation are
becoming aware that, starting in January 2006, Medicare will begin to
offer coverage for prescription drugs. As prescription drug plans,
consumer and health advocates, industry, and the government begin to
send information about the new drug benefit out to the public, senior
citizens will need to know how to tell if they are dealing with a
reliable resource.
Read more, also
other information from CMS....
Senior Internet Alert
FTC Targets Company Secretly Installing Spyware that
Can’t Be Uninstalled
Lure of anonymous music file sharing exposed
consumers
Oct. 5, 2005 – A good example of the dangers to
your computer from lack of safe habits on the Internet is highlighted in
a recent case brought by the Federal Trade Commission against Odysseus,
an operation that secretly installed spyware and adware. The software
could not be uninstalled on the computers of those who fell for the lure
of free software to hide peer-to-peer music file sharing.
Read more...
Guarding Your Wealth for Seniors
Seniors Targets of Financial Charlatans
By Jeffrey D. Voudrie, CFP
President, Legacy Planning Group
Sept. 29, 2005 - Seniors in your community may be targets of
financial charlatans. I’ve received a number of disturbing reports
recently from seniors about the abusive tactics of some advisors. Their
actions are not only unethical, but they border on the criminal. You
must be aware of these despicable tactics so you and your nest egg are
protected. Read
more...
FTC Launches Website to Help Seniors, Others Stay
Safe Online
OnGuardOnline.gov covers scams, shopping, viruses,
spam, spyware and more
Sept. 27, 2005 – A new Website was launched today
by The Federal Trade Commission that may become a “first stop” for
senior citizens and others concerned about using the Internet safely.
The comprehensive site -
OnGuardOnline.gov – uses multimedia for this interactive consumer
education campaign that can help seniors stay safe online.
Read more...
Texas Senior Citizens Need to Prepare for Hurricane
Rita
Helpful information on survival safety
Sept. 21, 2005 – With hurricane Rita bearing down
on the Texas coast, the state – well equipped with the lessons of
Katrina – is making advanced preparations. Senior citizens – both
institutionalized and in the community – are at high risk. This page
provides helpful information for surviving as safely as possible,
including a safety, food and communications plan.
Read more...
Emails About Hurricane Katrina Charities, News May
be Scams
FTC Advises Consumers not to Reply, Click the Link,
or Paste the Link Found in Unsolicited Emails
Sept. 16,2005 - In the wake of Hurricane Katrina,
many senior citizens and other Americans are looking for news about the
hurricane or information about charities that are helping victims. The
Federal Trade Commission cautions consumers to be careful of email
messages that make these offers. A new Consumer Alert from the FTC warns
that fraud artists are sending spam trying to rip-off consumers.
Read more...
Seniors Turning to Room Air Cleaners May Waste Their
Money
Consumer Reports says don’t assume any air cleaner
will improve your health
Sept. 7, 2005 –
Senior citizens 65 and older are at increased risk from particle and
ozone air pollution and many turn to the heavily advertised room air
cleaners for relief. But medical experts say even the best air cleaner
can be a frivolous investment, according to Consumer Reports.
Read more..
Senior Citizens Cautioned to Protect Identity in
Medicare Drug Plan Offers
CMS offers tips for identifying companies associated
with Medicare program
Sept. 6, 2005 – Senior citizens, often the targets
of fraud, are being cautioned by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Services to be especially careful in protecting their personal
information in dealing with those who claim to be representing companies
marketing the new Medicare prescription drug plans.
Read more...
New Medicare Drug Program Spawns New Type of Scam
Aug. 31, 2005 – It is no surprise but the crooks
who like to rip off senior citizen are now using the guise of helping
them understand the new prescription drug plan to gain access and
confidence that leads to a theft of money or selling them something they
do not really want. Attorney generals in several states have issued
warnings. Read more...
Court Burns United Seniors Association for
Misleading Senior Citizens
Solicitation letters were in envelopes appearing to
come from Social Security; Group evolved today to USA Next
Aug. 26, 2005 – Bulk mailings by United Seniors
Association, Inc., a conservative advocacy group, have been found to
mislead senior citizens by the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in
Virginia. Now known as
USA Next, USA was founded in 1991 by Richard Viguerie, a Republican pioneer
and mastermind of direct mailings, who raised millions from older
Americans using solicitations that sent alarming messages about Social
Security. Read more...
Tips for Senior Citizens to Reduce Gasoline Cost
Aug. 24, 2005 – Senior citizens, many
strapped for cash, are among those hit the hardest, when costs spiral
out of control. With gasoline prices at record high levels, the Alliance
to Save Energy and the American Automobile Association have issued
suggestions for saving on auto gasoline usage. SeniorJournal.com has
picked those that seem to fit the needs of senior citizens best, and
added a few of our own.
Read more...
Test How
Safe You Are From Identity
Theft
Take this quick test to see if you are in danger of
ID theft
Aug. 18, 2005 - Thieves don't need high-tech access
to computer data to steal identities because too many people make their
personal information readily available, says a Purdue University
cybercrime expert, who uses a simple test to measure identity theft risk
for people. Read more...
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Senior Alert
Marketer of “Free Credit Reports” Settles FTC
Charges
They automatically charged consumers $79.95 per month
Aug. 15, 2005 – One of the companies that
deceptively marketed “free credit reports” has settled charges by the
Federal Trade Commission and agreed to repay consumers and give up
$950,000 in ill-gotten gains. They did not adequately disclose to
consumers they would automatically be signed up for a credit report
monitoring service and charged $79.95 if they didn’t cancel within 30
days - a violation of federal law.
Read more...
Telephone Scammers Preying on Recent Widows
Aug. 10, 2005 – Telephone scammers are calling
recently widowed women and, under the pretense of assistance, gaining
personal information that can be used to steal their assets.
Read more...
Senior Citizens Less Likely Than Others to
Experience Identity Theft
Internet is where most fear personal information will be
stolen
Aug. 3, 2005 – Identity theft is a major concern
for senior citizens, but according to a new survey they are the least
likely to be hit by this personal catastrophe. A new survey finds 18
percent of all adults have been identity theft victims but only 11
percent of those 65 and older. The most likely victims are under 30 (25
percent). For those between 30 and 65, primarily baby boomers, the
percent of victims is 18.
Read more...
Scammers Who Bilked Senior Citizens Banned from
Telemarketing by FTC
Aug. 2, 2005 - Canadian telemarketers who duped
senior citizens into revealing their bank account information and
debited hundreds of dollars from their accounts have been permanently
banned from engaging in telemarketing in the future under a settlement
with the Federal Trade Commission. The settlement also bars the
operators from using or selling the personal or financial information
they have about U.S. consumers.
Read more...
2-1-1 Helpline Serves 100 Million Americans After
Five Year Push
Senior citizens are viewed as major users of this
system to find community services
Aug. 1, 2005 – Efforts to make the 211 help line
available nationwide got a boost last week with Senators Hillary Rodham
Clinton (D-NY) and Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) joining with celebrity George
Clooney and United Way of America to celebrate the fifth anniversary of
the effort. The service, seen by many as a great help to older
Americans, now reaches more than 100 million people nationwide, covering
all or parts of 32 states, plus Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico. The
2-1-1 phone numbers offers one-stop service for vital information and
referrals to services like clothing and emergency shelter, physical and
mental health resources, employment support, as well as, resources for
senior citizens, persons with disabilities, children, youth and
families. Read more...
Travel Tips for Reducing Chances of Identity Theft
June 30, 2005 - With the summer season now in full
swing, many senior citizens, like other Americans, are planning to spend
some of their free time traveling. If you are one of the 328 million
Americans planning to travel this summer it's important to take steps to
ensure financial privacy and minimize your chances of becoming a victim
of identity theft. The Federal Trade Commission reported that at least
10 million Americans were victims of identity theft in a recent 12 month
period. Read more...
Michigan AG Cox Continues War on Senior Identity
Theft
Arrests man for stealing ID of blind nursing home
resident
June 23, 2005 - Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox
is continuing his war on elder fraud. He announced today that he has
charged a Burton, Mich., man with six felonies for stealing the identity
of a blind Flushing nursing home resident and using that information to
open a credit card in the resident's name. The arrest is a result of
Cox's "It's MI Identity" campaign, launched in March 2004 to detect and
root out identity theft of seniors living in adult residential care
facilities around Michigan.
Read more...
Senior Alert Feature
Elder Fraud: Exploiting the Aging Human Brain
June 23, 2005 - One of the most insidious types of non-violent
crime that occurs in American society is “elder fraud,” or deliberately
duping senior citizens out of their hard-earned money by involving them
in a scam, often via a fraudulent telemarketing pitch. According to the
National Fraud Information Center, more than a third (34%) of all
victims of telemarketing fraud who reported these incidents were over 60
years old, and it is believed that the vast majority of victims do not
report these crimes. Read
more...
60 Minutes Report
Canadian Lottery Scam Takes Billions from Unwary
Senior Citizens
June 13, 2005 – The CBS news show “60 Minutes”
yesterday led with “Lottery Scam Targets Elderly,” which reported the
“Canadian lottery scam” is the largest and most successful scam ever.
The telephone scam has swindled Americans – mostly retirees and widows –
out of as much as $5 billion, they report.
Read more...
Treat Dad to “Phish & Tips” for Father’s Day
FTC Offers a Free Father’s Day E-Card
June 11, 2005 - Dad may always be ready to share
his wisdom and advice with you, but this Father’s Day the Federal Trade
Commission has information you can share with him. The new Father’s Day
e-card, available from the FTC in English and Spanish offers dads advice
on keeping their personal information secure.
Read more...
Financial Abuse of Elderly Subject of Radio Series
June 2, 2005 - National Public Radio (NPR) recently
featured a two-part
series on financial abuse of the elderly. Such financial abuse involves
the illegal or improper use of an elder's funds, property or assets. It
can include cashing an elderly person's checks without their permission;
forging their signature; stealing or misusing their money or
possessions; or abusing a power of attorney.
Read more...
Scammers Hit Senior Citizens Claiming to Help with
Medicare Part D
June 1, 2005 – Scammers claiming to be insurance agents
are calling senior citizens and offering assistance with the new Medicare
Part D Prescription Drug Benefit but what they are really after is the money
in your bank account, warns Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan.
Read more...
“Date Lonely Housewives” Spammer Gets Busted
Email that may have targeted senior men broke all the
rules
May 26, 2005 - An operation that spammed millions
of consumers with graphic sexual descriptions to drive traffic to their
Web sites to “date lonely housewives” has been halted by the court at
the request of the Federal Trade Commission. Among other alleged
violations, the FTC says the spam emails included sexual materials in
the viewable area. Older men may have been primary targets.
Read more...
Get everything in writing
Scam Artist Use Misleading Clues to Cause Seniors to
Remember Wrong
Adults over 64 were 10 times more likely to falsely
remember wrong as right when given false clue, say psychologists
May
16, 2005 - Especially if you are a senior citizen, get everything in
writing, from estimates to receipts. Psychologists at Washington
University report that the memory function of people in their mid-60s
and up is easily swayed by the power of suggestion, making them more
vulnerable to memory-related scams.
Read more...
Scam Artist Strikes Senior Citizen With Fake Bank
Check in Mail
Are small towns becoming targets for sophisticated
scam
May 7, 2005 - A check for more than $4,700 made out to an elderly
Poplar Bluff, Missouri, woman may have looked official, but it wasn't,
according to a story by Michelle Friedrich, Associate Editor of the
Poplar Bluff Daily American Republic. The 65-year-old woman, according
to Poplar Bluff Police Capt. Jeff Rolland, was a victim of a scam.
Read how it works...
What You Need to Know About Cell Phone Numbers,
Do-Not-Call and 411
By Tucker Sutherland, editor
April 27, 2005 - Fueled by the prospect of a
national 411 information system that provides cell phone numbers, there
has been a sea of scam emails that have many senior citizens worried and
puzzled. The stories on this confusion published by SeniorJournal.com
have created a swarm of emails by readers who still want more
information. Here are the basic things you need to know with links to
more details.
Read
more...
Seniors Looking for a Business May Be Tempted by
Sundae Station
Website
makes it look like a good retirement business, but check the links
By Tucker Sutherland, editor
April 24, 2005 – Are you a senior citizen looking
for a small business that can bring in some cash for your retirement
years? Maybe the Sundae Station is the opportunity for you. It is “your
no risk, no hassle road to riches,” says the Website at
www.wemarket4u.net/sundaestation. But before you get too excited you
better check on the link that says, “Click
here for the scoop on the sweet life waiting for you…”
Read more...
Free Drugs Scam
No Need to Pay for Information on Free, Discounted
Prescription Drugs
April 24, 2005 - Have you gotten spam email
claiming that free or low-cost prescription drugs “are just a phone call
away”? Have you visited a website or seen a newspaper ad offering to
help you get free prescription drugs — for a fee? If so, you may be
looking at a scam. Senior citizens are the most often targeted in these
scams and many contact SeniorJournal.com with questions about these
offers. Read more...
Texas Suspect Arrested in Unexplained Murders of
Three Elderly Women
April 22, 2005 – A man was arrested today in Port
Arthur, Texas, for the unexplained murders of three women, all in their
80’s, this week and the attack of another 59-year-old woman who
successfully fought off the attack.
Read more...
Seniors and Others Worry About Privacy with New
Wireless 411 Information System
States moving to protect consumer privacy as system
gets close
April 21, 2005 – Senior citizens, maybe more than
others, appreciate having a cell phone with the number only shared with
family and friends. There are no unwanted calls, other than an
occasional wrong number. This may change, however, as the new wireless
411 service comes online this year. If all goes according to plan,
however, your number won't be listed unless you ask to list it.
Read more...
Seniors Need to Check Website Sponsors Before Buying
the Message
Obesityscam.com is sponsored by restaurants, food
companies
By Tucker Sutherland, editor
April 21, 2005 – America’s public relations
industry has learned a quick and easy way to sway public opinion by
setting up quick and easy Websites that at first appear to be an
unbiased presentation of information about a topic. On closer
inspection, and sometimes a little deeper research, senior citizens can
learn the real point of view of the messages.
Read more...
Senior Alert
FTC Warns of Scam to Put Cell Phone in Do Not Call
Registry
FTC has Web page especially for senior citizen
consumers
April 20, 2005 - If you’ve received an e-mail
telling you that your cell phone is about to be assaulted by
telemarketing calls as a result of a new cell phone number database,
rest assured that this is not the case, according to the Federal Trade
Commission. Telemarketing to cell phone numbers has always been illegal
in most cases and will continue to be so.
Read more...
Website Provides Information on Current Scams
April 6, 2005 - Scamming America's senior citizens seems to be the crime of
choice and a new scam pops up almost weekly. The San Antonio (TX) Police
Department has developed an excellent Web page that identifies current
scams, reports on true cases and has photos of suspects. No matter where you
live, this page is helpful.
Read more...
Kalamazoo Gazette reports
Phony Medicare Insurance Agents Targeting Senior
Citizens
March 31, 2005 – The Kalamazoo Gazette reports today
that senior citizens are the target of scam artists claiming to be selling
Medicare supplemental health insurance.
Read more...
Honest Advice on Annuities Available Online for
Senior Citizens
Mass mailing by American Senior Alliance, National
Processing Center create concern; help found at ElderLawAnswers
March
24, 2005 – No stories ever carried by SeniorJournal.com have created
 as
much response as the articles pertaining to the American Senior Alliance
and National Processing Center, names used by mass mailers seeking
annuity clients among senior citizens. The mailings are disguised as
free offers of information on “new” government benefits for seniors and
usually ask for a phone number and signature on a return card.
Read more...
Tips on credit card protection
Credit Card Care Can Save Senior Citizens
Devastating Losses
By Tucker Sutherland, editor,
SeniorJournal.com
March 4, 2005 – One of the most devastating
financial losses many senior citizens fear is loss of their credit
cards. It happens regularly - maybe older people are targeted - but many
of these incidents can be prevented with just a little extra caution.
Here are some interesting stories about credit card losses that may suggest ways you
can be more careful. Read
more...
American Federation of Senior Citizens One of Many
Seniors Should Avoid
By Tucker Sutherland, editor
Jan. 30, 2005 – We received an email from a woman
who complained that her senior citizen mother was receiving numerous
requests for donations from the American Federation of Senior Citizens
and asked if we knew anything about the organization. The mailing asked
for an “Emergency Reply” to ensure that “Social Security and Medicare
are safe from liberal looting.” Unfortunately, we put this group in with
many others who pry on senior citizens for money by arousing their fear.
We suggest no one send them money.
Read more...
American Senior Alliance Says Their Purpose is
“Senior Education”
By Tucker Sutherland, Editor
Jan. 27, 2005 – After months of trying to locate
the American Senior Alliance, we have been contacted by the president of
the organization, which has made mass mailings to senior citizens with a
return card to request information on “2004 Elder Law Updates,” that
seemed to promise great financial advantages.
Read more...
Mystery Solved: American Senior Alliance Pushing
Annuities
By Tucker Sutherland, editor
Jan. 3, 2005 – Those mysterious cards going to
senior citizens from the American Senior Alliance or National Processing
Center that offer information on enticing financial opportunities are
actually disguised mailings seeking prospects that a salesman can
contact to sell annuities, according to an experienced annuities
salesman, who asked to remain anonymous.
More... 1/3/05*
Elderly Alabama Man reported missing
Dec. 15, 2004 – Police and fire departments in
Cleveland, Alabama, are trying to find Larry Ellis, a 60-year-old man with
Alzheimer’s Disease. He was last seen in the Five Points are of Cleveland in
Blount County about 2:30 a.m., Tuesday.
Ellis has white to silver hair, green eyes and a
mustache. He is five-feet-ten inches tall and weights 170 pounds. He was
last seen wearing blue jeans, black dress shoes and a navy windbreaker.
Persons with information should call Blount County
Sheriff's Department at 205-625-4127.
“National Processing Center” Appears to Replace
“American Senior Alliance” in Suspicious Mailing to Seniors
By Tucker Sutherland, editor, SeniorJournal.com
Dec. 14, 2004 – Last month we warned seniors to be
wary of a mailing from the American Senior Alliance that made outlandish
promises of information available about “important Elder Law changes.”
Now, there is a new mailing to seniors with even more promises and the
return address is to the National Processing Center. We are reporting
both to the U.S. Postal Inspectors for investigation.
More...
12/14/04*
Senior Alert
Wichita Police Looking
for Woman Who Scammed Elderly Man
Dec. 14 – Police in
Wichita, Kansas, are looking for a Good Samaritan and a woman they
suspect took $7,340 in cash from an 81-year-old man in a scam that began
around Dec. 6, according to a report in the Wichita Eagle.
More... 12/14/04*
Missing Alert
Retired Couple Disappears After Selling Boat in Newport
Beach
Dec. 12, 2004 - Police in Newport Beach, California,
are searching for a retired couple – Thomas and Jackie Hawks - that have
been missing since Nov. 15.
More... 12/12/04*
American Senior Alliance Should Be Viewed With
Caution
By Tucker Sutherland, editor
Nov. 30, 2004 - SeniorJournal.com has received many
emails concerning a mailing to senior citizens by the American Senior
Alliance, but no one has been able to locate this company, which make
excessively enticing promises in the mailing. We suggest seniors not
respond to the mailing.
More... 11/30/04*
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Helpful
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• Information for seniors on fraud from U.S.
Postal Inspectors -
Click
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• File complaint with U.S. Postal Inspectors -
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Protecting Seniors from Fraud Month
Promoted by Senate Aging Committee Chair
Sen. Craig joins chief postal inspector for satellite
media tour on Monday
Oct.
3, 2004 - A resolution declaring October as “Protecting Older Americans
from Fraud Month” is set to pass the U.S. Senate and U.S. Senator Larry
Craig, is taking to the airwaves to stamp out fraud against seniors.
More... 10/03/04*
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