“Outfoxing the Senior Scam Sham,” Sanitasole, Senior Services Marco Island, Florida Observes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2009

In anticipation of his presentation “Outfoxing the Senior Scam Sham,” to be presented Mon.15 June, at 7 pm, Keith Dameron, VP/Manager at Orion Bank, pays a surprise visit to the clients at Sanitasole, Marco Island’s Premier Place for Senior Health. Seen here (L to R) are Betty Iannello and Gloria Saul (seated) with David Kocourek and Jean Reed (standing). The presentation observes World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

When Islander Keith Dameron entered “Scams Senior Citizens” on a Google search recently, he received 454,000 listings within one second. “There seems to be no end to the crafty creativity of scammers when it comes to employing scams for their most vulnerable targets…seniors,” Dameron said. “It’s today’s reality but awareness can make all the difference in thwarting it.”

Thankfully, protecting oneself is possible through a number of simple actions as Dameron will assure when he presents, Outfoxing the Senior Scam Sham, at Sanitasole, Marco Island’s Premier Place for Senior Health, at 7:00 pm on Monday evening, 15 June, 2009. The event is free and open to the public, though reservations are recommended due to space limitations.

“On Monday, June 15, we’re observing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day at Sanitasole because advocacy and education is what we’re all about,” said Paula Camposano-Robinson RN, Vice President of Clinical Services. “Everyone is encouraged to wear the color purple as a sign of solidarity with our elders. Keith is so attuned to issues that could threaten their safety –especially economically- and we are thrilled to have him as our guest to do this important presentation.”

As Vice President & Bank Manager at the Marco Island branch of Orion Bank, Dameron’s affable, statesmanlike presence throughout the community has become his trademark. His presentation will focus on the types of scams that have been and ARE being perpetrated in our area: Sweepstakes’ telephone scams, jury duty scams, lottery scams, ATM devices capturing card information, check fraud, credit card “swiping” devices, work-at-home scams including “mystery shoppers,” pyramid schemes and identity theft.

“While there certainly are other important topics that can be covered, I don’t want to create too much confusion-or fear,” Dameron explained. “By creating greater awareness, the vulnerability factor is reduced considerably.”

What: “Outfoxing the Senior Scam Sham”
Where: Sanitasole, Marco Island’s Premier Place of Senior Health
218 South Barfield Drive, Marco Island, Florida 34145
Why: to raise awareness of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
When: Mon. 15 June (6:30 – 7 pm Meet & Greet /light refreshments)
Presentation begins promptly at 7 pm
RSVP recommended: 239.389.6100 or email probinson@sanitasole.net

To learn more about the many programs for seniors at Sanitasole, visit www.sanitasole.net.

Background
The International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) was founded in 1997 and is dedicated to global dissemination of information as part of its commitment to world-wide prevention of abuse and neglect of older adults.

The United Nations International Plan of Action adopted by all countries in Madrid, April 2002, clearly recognizes the importance of addressing and preventing abuse and neglect of older adults and puts it in the framework of the Universal Human Rights.

INPEA is dedicated to supporting the plan of action. As part of INPEA’s research agenda, they launched a World Elder Abuse Awareness Day to be held on June 15, 2006.  This project was in partnership and collaboration with interested individuals, agencies, organizations, NGO’s, governments and corporations.

Baby Boomer Generation Fears Dementia, Alzheimer’s and Memory Loss-Sanitasole Senior Services, Marco Island Florida

“The words dementia, Alzheimer’s and memory loss instills fear of aging in the retiring baby boomer generation. Scientific research now shows that the causes of memory loss can be prevented or delayed. The studies also confirm that memory loss is not a normal process of aging.”

Follow this link for the complete article:  http://www.aginghomehealthcare.com/baby-boomer-generation.html

Visit us at http://sanitasole.net with any questions, or if you need help for an aging loved one in the Marco Island Florida area.

A tribute to Mom- stroke, part three. Sanitasole Senior Services, Marco Island Florida

We have been discussing the signs, symptoms and testing that you may expect to undergo if a physician is ruling out, or trying to locate the area in the brain that has been affected by a stroke.

Women especially, have unique warning signs, and research shows stroke risk doubles for a woman if a relative in her immediate family has suffered a stroke.

Once you have been diagnosed with a stroke, it can be very demoralizing. It can completely take away your abilities to walk, talk, think, remember or even breathe depending on the type of stroke and its location.

Because stroke is the leading cause of adult disability in America, it is also the number one reason for nursing home placement according to the American Heart Association.

I have lived through the 911 call. It was 12:10 a.m. on January 30, 2000 when the call came from my Dad alerting me that he was in the Emergency Room at NCH hospital downtown. I immediately thought something happened to him, but I will never forget his tongue-tied words “it is your mother”; I think she had a stroke”.

I could feel the adrenaline rushing through my body as I headed to the hospital, about 10 minutes away. Dad was in shock; he didn’t comprehend the complex environment and somewhat orderly chaos, which is the norm in an ER in the peak of the season in Naples FL. This was also a setting that I was quite familiar with.

Stroke diagnosis and risk factors-part two. Sanitasole Senior Services, Marco Island Florida

Last week I outlined many of the symptoms that you should look for if you think someone is having a stroke (especially women) and the two major types of stroke.

In review, the most common type, ischemia is caused by a blood clot or narrowing of a blood vessel (artery) leading to the brain.

In the second major kind of stroke; hemorrhagic, a broken blood vessel causes bleeding into the brain. This break in the vessel also stops oxygen and nutrients from reaching brain cells and may spill over into the brain.

In either case you should never ignore the signs of a stroke. Call 911 even if the symptoms do not last that long.

The effects of a stroke vary from person to person based on the location of the stroke, its severity and type.

Because the brain is divided into three main areas, it depends on the region in which the stroke occurred. The effects are very diverse based on the exact location and type of stroke.

Specific impairments, including movement, speech, vision, swallowing, language, regulation of emotions, thinking and reasoning self- care ability sensory impairment and right and or left sided weakness or paralysis. The list is extensive based on the location.

Stroke in Women- would you recognize the symptoms? Sanitasole Senior Services, Marco Island Florida

Recognizing stroke symptoms, and getting a quick diagnosis and treatment could mean the difference between life and death or even permanent disability. But unfortunately, a woman’s stroke symptoms don’t fit the textbook signs often causing them to delay treatment.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death in this country and the leading cause of disability. It kills more than 160,000 people every year.

What is a Stroke?

When you have a stroke, something changes how the blood flows through the brain a very complex, and intricate network; the largest organ in the nervous system that regulates virtually all human activity.

When the brain is temporarily blocked, and part of the brain doesn’t receive the oxygen and the nutrients that it needs to function, cells die within minutes.

You may have heard a stroke referred to as a “brain attack” because when a clogged artery occludes the flow of blood to any part of the brain it can cause a blood vessel to burst in the brain causing someone to have trouble speaking, thinking or walking.

Senior Care Marco Island: Beginning Sunday, May 10, tune into HBO’s “THE ALZHEIMER’S PROJECT”

Beginning Sunday, May 10, tune into HBO’s “THE ALZHEIMER’S PROJECT,” a groundbreaking documentary series that will change the way America thinks about Alzheimer’s disease.

 This four-part film, airing over three nights exclusively on HBO, gives the public a rare inside look at the faces behind the disease and the forces leading us to find a cure.

As always, if you have a loved one who needs senior care services, please visit us online at http://www.sanitasole.net

Senior Care and The Swine Flu- Marco Island: Important Facts

Here is information about the recent outbreak of Swine Flu.  This should help to answer any questions you may have.  Please visit www.sanitasole.net with questions or concerns you may have about an aging loved one on Marco Island, Florida.

What is swine influenza?
Swine influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by a type of influenza virus. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it’s possible for swine flu viruses to spread from one person to another. In the United States there were 12 cases of swine flu in people from 2006 through 2008. In March and April 2009 there have been many more cases of swine flu than usual in both Mexico and the U.S. and the infections have spread from one person to another.

What are the symptoms of swine flu in people?
Swine flu causes symptoms very similar to seasonal (or human) flu. The most common symptoms of swine flu, like seasonal flu, are fever, cough, and sore throat and can include body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people also have diarrhea and vomiting. There have been some people with swine flu who have been sicker and have even died.