Protect Your Money and Identity With Direct Deposit

Do you still get your Social Security or other federal benefit by check? You should know there’s a safer, easier option - direct deposit.

Each month millions of Americans get their Social Security payment sent to their homes. What you may not realize is that criminals know when these benefit checks arrive in mailboxes, and can target them for theft and forgery. Last year alone, about 57,000 U.S. Treasury-issued checks were forged - nearly $54 million in estimated value.

You can protect yourself by signing up to have your federal benefit payment direct deposited into your checking or savings account. It’s a small but important step that will help eliminate the risk of stolen checks and help protect you from identity theft. You can go to the Social Security web site for instructions: http://www.ssa.gov/deposit/howtosign.htm. You can also call Social Security toll-free at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778).

Direct deposit is not only safer than checks, but it’s also easier and more convenient because your money goes straight to your account on payment day. You gain more control over your money - and your time. If you or those close to you are still receiving Social Security or other federal benefits by check, please consider switching to the safest, easiest option - direct deposit - today!

ElderFair Health & Wellness Event Slated for Wednesday, June 27th

The 8th Annual ElderFair Health and Wellness Expo will be held on Wednesday, June 27th, from 9:00 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Somerville High School, 81 Highland Avenue, Somerville, MA. The event will feature an exciting array of health and wellness activities.

Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services holds ElderFair each year to honor of Older American. The daylong event features a free lunch, entertainment, door prizes from local businesses, and a raffle to benefit Meals-On-Wheels.

To reserve a lunch, call SCES at 617-628-2601 extension 618.

Take Steps to Prevent Falls

Falls are the top cause of accidents in people over the age of 65, and the main cause of serious injuries and accidental deaths for seniors. One in three people over the age of 65 fall each year. More than 15,000 elders die each year from falls, and 2 million end up in emergency rooms. The most common injury from falls is a hip fracture. One in four people who have a hip fracture die within a year.

Poor eyesight or poor hearing can lead to falls, as can a basic illness, which affects your strength and balance. The side effects of some medicines can cause dizziness. Medicines for depression, sleep problems and high blood pressure often cause falls. Some medicines for diabetes and heart conditions can affect your balance. Have your doctor check all your drugs for correct dosage and possible interactions. Get your eyes checked every year, and see your doctor right away if you feel dizzy, weak or unsteady on your feet; if you feel confused; or if you fall.

To reduce the risk of falls, experts say older people should focus on strength training exercises to keep muscles strong. Exercise programs like yoga and tai chi improve balance.
Because your home can also be a fall-hazard, due to poor lighting, scatter rugs, cluttered furniture-here are some tips to lower your risks:

• Wear shoes with nonskid soles (put away your house slippers).
• Be sure your home is well lit in every room used.
• Place night lights in your bedroom, bathroom, hallways and stairways.
• Remove throw rugs or use carpet tape to fasten them.
• Don’t place electric cords across pathways.
• Put grab bars put in your bathtub, shower and toilet area.
• Install handrails on both sides of stairways.
• Don't use stools and stepladders. Get help for jobs with climbing.
• Wax your floors with a non-skid wax, or not at all. Put non-skid treads on your stair, nail down well any stair rugs.
• Repair your sidewalks and walkways so they are smooth and even.
• Anytime you get up from bed, sit on the side of the bed before you stand up, to give your blood pressure time to adjust.
• Have a commode by your bed to avoid a trip to the bathroom at night.

Fall-related medical expenses cost Americans more than $20 billion annually. Congress has been considering a number of falls prevention bills, but no major education effort has passed. Meanwhile, each week, another 30,000 people over the age of 65 are seriously injured in a fall.

For more information on living safely and independently, contact the SCES Aging Information Center at: 617-628-2601 ext. 3151