In January 2020 I went in for a routine physical. The doctor, after listening to my heart, asked whether I knew that I had a heart murmur. It was news to me. Within a week I had an echocardiogram—a heart ultrasound—which revealed that I had moderate aortic valve stenosis without symptoms. The valve was narrowed by calcium leached from my bones in a process known as arteriosclerosis. In January 2023, I had a second ultrasound. This revealed that I now had severe aortic stenosis. Still no symptoms.

The chief UCSF cardiothoracic surgeon contacted me to set up a zoom conference call. In that call I heard the grim-faced surgeon tell me I had to have an aortic valve replacement because I was at risk for sudden death. While the risk of dying was about three percent, I was still frightened.

During the workup for the valve replacement, it was discovered that the artery that supplies over half of the blood to my heart muscle was eighty percent clogged. A stent fished through the artery remedied that additional problem. The aortic valve was removed and replaced by minimally invasive surgery.

Now one-year post valve replacement I am doing well. I now have much more energy. My blood pressure is greatly reduced. I walk two miles each day and watch my diet by avoiding sugar, red meat, dairy or salt. I eat a lot of broccoli, oatmeal and salmon and drink green tea.

My advice is this: Get a physical once a year; Exercise regularly; and eat lots of fruits and vegetables.

Business Impersonator Scams

Here’s how Business Impersonator Scams work:

You get a call, email, text, or message on social media that looks like it’s from a business you know. It says there’s a problem with your account, or you won a prize. It tells you to call a number or click a link.

But the message isn’t really from a familiar business, it’s from a scammer. If you call, they’ll tell you to send payment or give personal information. They’ll say you must pay with gift cards, cryptocurrency, or by wiring money, which no honest business will do. Or they’ll ask for your Social Security number or access to your computer.

But it was never really that business contacting you, there wasn’t a problem, and there was never a prize.

Here’s what to do in the event of a Business Impersonator Scam:

Stop. If you get an unexpected call, email, text, or message on social media — even if it looks like it’s from a business you know — don’t click any links. And don’t call phone numbers they give you. These are often scams.

Romance Scams:

Here’s how Romance Scams work:

Someone contacts you on social media — and they’re interested in getting to know you. Or maybe you meet someone special on a dating website or mobile app. Soon the person wants to write to you directly or start talking on the phone. They say it’s true love, but they live far away — maybe because of work, or because they’re in the military.

Then they start asking for money. Maybe it’s for a plane ticket to visit you. Or emergency surgery. Or something else urgent.

Scammers of all ages, genders, and sexual orientations make fake profiles, sometimes using photos of other people — even stolen pictures of real military personnel. They build relationships — some even pretend to plan weddings — before they disappear with your money.

Here’s what to do in the event of a Romance Scam:

Stop. Don’t send money. Never send anyone cash or pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cryptocurrency to an online love interest. You won’t get it back.

Grandkid Scams:

Here’s how Grandkid Scams work:

You get a call: “Grandma, I need money for bail.” Or money for a medical bill. Or some other kind of trouble. The caller says it’s urgent — and tells you to keep it a secret.

But is the caller who you think it is? Scammers are good at pretending to be someone they’re not. They can be convincing: sometimes using information from social networking sites, or hacking into your loved one’s email account, to make it seem more real. And they’ll pressure you to send money before you have time to think.

Here’s what you can do in the event of a Grandkid Scam:

Stop. Check it out. Look up your grandkid’s phone number yourself or call another family member. (more…)

According to a recent AARP study, an estimated $28.3 billion is lost to elder fraud scams each year. The study found that 72% — or more than $20 billion — is taken by individuals who are known to the victims, like family members, friends, or advisers.

This blog post will examine 10 of the most common elder fraud scams. Namely, how they work, and what to do if you find yourself or a loved one falling for a scam. Before we get into specific types of scams, there are some general hallmarks of the Scam Industry that you should be aware of.

• Pressure to act immediately.
• Pressure to keep information secret.
• Use of scare tactics.
• Requests for sensitive or personal information.
• Demands for money, typically in a form that is difficult to recover, such as cash, wire transfer, gift card, pay app or cryptocurrency.
• Specific instructions on how to make the financial transaction. These may include a demand to stay on the phone line with the caller while making payment arrangements.
• An offer that sounds too good to be true.

Job and Money-Making Scams

How Job and Money-Making Scams Work:

You see an ad saying you can earn big money, even working from home. Another ad offers help starting an online business — with a proven system to make money. Maybe you uploaded your resume to a job search website, and someone contacts you for an interview — but first, they want your driver’s license and bank account numbers.

If you respond to these opportunities to work from home, you’ll get requests for money — for training or special access — but you’ll never get the job. If you buy the proven system, you’ll get pressure to pay more for extra services. But you won’t get anything that really helps you start a business or make money. And if you give the caller your driver’s license and bank account numbers, they might steal your identity or your money.

What to do in the event of a Job and Money-Making Scam:

Stop. Check it out. Never pay money to earn money. And don’t share personal information until you’ve done your research. Search online for the company name and the words “review,” “scam,” or “complaint.” (more…)

Contra Costa Consortium is seeking input on their upcoming plan for 2025 – 2030. This plan will determine which services are provided to older adults across the county.

Below is a list of Meetings and Surveys open to the public to participate and let your voice be heard!

Meetings:

You are invited to join one of their several public meetings.

West County
Monday March 18, 2024                                Passed
City of Richmond – City Council Chambers
440 Civic Center Plaza, Richmond
For more information, please call Jaclyn Tummings at (925) 655-2886

East County
Thursday, April 04, 2024                                6:00pm
City of Brentwood – Community Center
35 Oak St. Brentwood, CA 94513; Room A/B For more information, please contact Daniel Davis at (925) 655- 2884

Central County
Thursday, March 21, 2024                             Passed
City of Concord – City Council Chamber Room
1950 Parkside Drive, Concord
For more information, please call Leng Power at (925) 603-5838

South County
Monday, April 22, 2024
City of San  Ramon – San Ramon Community Center
12501 Alcosta Blvd., San Ramon, CA 94583; Fountain Room For more information, please call Daniel Davis at (925) 655-2884

Surveys:

You can also participate by taking their 10-minute surveys and let them know how these funds should be spent in Contra Costa County.

*The surveys linked are also translated into Spanish. When the survey opens, please go to the top of the survey where it says “English (United States)” and click on the drop down arrow and click on “Espanol (Mexico)”.

Non-Housing Survey*: https://forms.office.com/g/9ZPTFkEhJN?origin=lprLink <https://forms.office.com/g/9ZPTFkEhJN?origin=lprLink>

Housing Survey*: https://forms.office.com/g/5pGzCXf14K?origin=lprLink <https://forms.office.com/g/5pGzCXf14K?origin=lprLink>

If you would like to see the surveys in Tagalog or Simplified Chinese please click the link to the County’s 2025 -2030 Consolidated Plan webpage http://www.ccconplan.org/ <https://urldefense.com/v3/__http:/www.ccconplan.org/__;!!NK88flgoXFMu!38Du44of1w6XmLeoO7qx1bSpdoD2CVr9FnuxTnuDtVfTPvf_TPd6f5s_EXQAZw0W-YN1FwGvZ8lL9VGFaTo9Iya3U-rbE7fjXYuxL17Xafk$>

Wellderly Week is upon us! Starting on the third Monday of March each year, Wellderly Week seeks to underscore the importance of wellness and health in the lives of people older than 60.  For seniors, incorporating fun activities and staying socially engaged are key components of a holistic approach to well-being. Engaging in enjoyable activities not only provides mental stimulation but also contributes to physical health by promoting movement and reducing stress. Whether it’s dancing, gardening, or pursuing creative hobbies, finding activities that bring joy can have profound effects on seniors’ overall health and happiness.

Equally vital is the emphasis on staying socially connected through participation in various clubs, events, or group outings. Seniors can explore a myriad of options, such as joining a local book club, taking part in a gardening or cooking class, or attending organized walking groups. These activities not only provide opportunities for socialization but also offer avenues for learning and personal growth. Additionally, community events like art fairs, concerts in the park, or volunteer initiatives allow seniors to connect with others while contributing to the vibrancy of their surroundings.

Joining clubs related to hobbies or interests can be particularly rewarding, fostering a sense of camaraderie among members who share common passions. Whether it’s a knitting circle, a chess club, or a bird-watching group, these gatherings provide valuable opportunities for seniors to bond over shared interests while expanding their social networks. Furthermore, group outings to museums, theaters, or local attractions offer enriching experiences that stimulate the mind and promote social interaction. By actively participating in these activities, seniors not only combat feelings of loneliness but also cultivate meaningful connections that enhance their overall well-being.

Incorporating fun activities and staying socially engaged shouldn’t be seen as optional add-ons but as integral components of a senior’s wellness regimen. These elements not only enhance physical health and cognitive function but also contribute to a sense of purpose and vitality. By prioritizing joy, connection, and meaningful engagement, seniors can cultivate a fulfilling and vibrant lifestyle that enriches their later years and fosters a strong foundation of well-being for the journey ahead.

Advance health care directive (AHCD)

An advance health care directive (AHCD) is a legal document that outlines your preferences for medical decisions when you are unable to make those decisions yourself. It serves as a guide for your health care team and loved ones, helping them understand your wishes regarding treatment options and interventions.

• AHCD gives you control over medical decisions

An AHCD gives you a voice in your medical treatment even when you are unable to communicate for yourself, and ensures that you have some level of control over your own medical decisions in the case of an accident or emergency, or at the end of life.

With an advance health care directive, you can designate someone to make medical decisions for you in the event that you become unable to do so for yourself. (Prob. §§ 4605, 4629, 4682). You can also name an alternate agent as a backup.

Creating an AHCD is a gift to your family and loved ones. In the event of an emergency they won’t have to guess or worry about making a wrong decision. An AHCD empowers your loved ones to confidently make care decisions on your behalf that they know you would make for yourself.

• AHCD involves communicating with family and loved ones

The first step to create an AHCD involves having conversations with your family members or loved ones where you share your wishes for medical care during a medical emergency. You will also identify the person or family member that you trust and who is willing to assume the role of carrying out your wishes in the event of a medical emergency. After that you would complete the legal forms to document your wishes. To be effective, the AHCD must be notarized or witnessed by two qualified individuals.

Give copies of your AHCD to your health care agent, alternate agent, doctor, health plan representatives and family. If you are admitted to a hospital or nursing home, take a copy with you. Consider registering your directive with California’s Secretary of State as well. By doing so, health care providers and other authorized individuals may be able to obtain information from your directive in an emergency if your agents or family members cannot be reached. (Prob. §§ 4800-4806).

• AHCD should be reviewed and updated periodically

After age 60 you should take a close look at your AHCD annually or when there is a life changing event such as a divorce, death of a spouse, or decline and adjust it to reflect any changes in your wishes or in your health. You can revoke the AHCD at any time, as long as you are still competent. Revocation can be verbally but it is best to put it in writing. Anytime you change or revoke the AHCD you must provide the individuals and hospitals who have your AHCD with an updated copy of the AHCD or notification that it has been revoked. Until you do so the revisions or revocation will not be effective.

Physician orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST)

You may also consider completing a Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) form if you are terminally ill or in frail health. Once completed and signed by your physician, this form allows you to give specific orders during a health emergency, for example, your pain management, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, feeding procedures and other medical interventions. It has the force of a physician’s medical order and remains with the patient wherever he or she receives care. It does not, however, replace the traditional advance directive, which includes other instructions. (Prob. §§ 4780-4785) For more information, talk to your doctor or go to www.coalitionccc.org.

• Key differences between a POLST and AHCD

POLST forms and AHCD are both parts of advance care planning but they are not the same. While an AHCD gives directions from the patient, a POLST form consists of a set of medical orders. POLST is for people who are seriously ill or have advanced frailty. POLST forms must be filled out and signed by health care provider. POLST is a more specific document that translates your wishes into actional instructions for healthcare providers, while AHCD provide a general outline of your healthcare preferences and identifies your trusted agent who will carry out those wishes.

Other Resources:

• The California Medical Association at 800-882-1262 (www.cmanet.org).
• The State Office of the Attorney General’s website (oag.ca.gov).

Today we highlight some relatively new California Legislation that was passed in the fall to combat Predatory Real Estate Agreements. This law “protects consumers from unfair real estate agreements, in which brokers trade a small upfront cash payment for the future right to sell a person’s home.”

To read the California Legislation click here.

To learn more about the background and evolution of this fight against Predatory Real Estate Agreements, we refer you to this Guest Blog from AARP. Click here.

Eviction Disclosure

 

Nursing home abuse is a reality for many nursing home residents. Evictions, especially if improper, can cause residents to suffer physical, mental, and emotional harm. Often residents don’t even know why they are being forcibly discharged. Evictions are one of the most common complaints reported to California’s Long Term Care Ombudsman programs, according to CalMatters. Citations for improper evictions have risen to more than 1,800 over the past five years.

ASSEMBLY BILL NO. 1309

On January 1, 2024, Assembly Bill No. 1309, went into effect which provides additional protection to residents of nursing homes who are facing eviction. Under AB 1309, eviction notices issued by nursing homes seeking to evict a resident must now provide the reason for the transfer or discharge of a patient and specific facts such as the date, place, witnesses, and circumstances concerning the reason for the transfer or discharge. The notice must also inform residents of their right to appeal. By requiring this additional information residents of nursing homes will have the ability to understand the reasons for their discharge and their right to an appeal. Very few residents know about their appeal rights or feel confident to exercise them. Armed with this information, residents can have the confidence to exercise their right to appeal an eviction.

TIPS ON HOW TO FIGHT A NURSING HOME EVICTION

• Call the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) and California Department of Public Health (DPH) immediately if you are about to be transferred or discharged without the required written notice. Ask them to intervene immediately to stop the imminent eviction.
• Contact the nursing home administrator. Explain the reasons the eviction is improper. Put it in writing.
• Contact the ombudsman. The long-term ombudsman program helps residents resolve conflicts with nursing homes. An ombudsman can sometimes help an improper eviction or participate in an appeal hearing on behalf of a resident.
• Review the notice. If it does not include all the information required, raise the defects at the appeal hearing.
• Review the resident’s records. Since the resident’s health condition is often at issue, this review is essential. Do this before the hearing.
• Review the transfer or discharge plan. Challenge the plan at the hearing if the facility did not have an adequate discharge plan or is transferring the resident to a facility that won’t meet the resident’s care needs or developed the plan without consulting the resident.

Other Resources:

Bill Text – AB-1309 Long-term health care facilities: admission contracts.

Transfer and Discharge Rights – CANHR

Mandated Reporter | State of California – Department of Justice – Office of the Attorney General

DHCS Homepage (ca.gov)

AFL 21-26 (ca.gov) (Reporting elder abuse in long-term nursing facility)

Please contact Contra Costa Senior Legal Services at (925) 609-7900 if you have questions or are being evicted from a long-term care facility.

Please click on this link to check out our February e-newsletter.

Enjoy!