Southeast Messenger - March 24th, 2019

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PAGE ActiveLifestyles 4 - SOUTHEAST MESSENGER - March 24, 2019 www.columbusmessenger.com By Rick Palsgrove Southeast Editor A bi-monthly feature celebrating our community’s senior citizens Dancing and memories at the seniors prom Dance the night away while sharing memories of the old days at the “Through the Years Senior Prom.” Groveport Madison Schools and Groveport Town Hall will present the “Through the Years Senior Prom” for Groveport Madison School district residents who are ages 60 and up on April 6 from 4-6 p.m. at Groveport Madison Middle School Central, 751 Main St., Groveport. The dance will be held in the gym. Register by March 29. Call 614-836-3333 to register. Admission is free. “People visit Town Hall for events, parties, and to look at the building and the Groveport Heritage Museum,” said Groveport Town Hall Program Coordinator Cristy Duckworth. “Many share past memories of special times they have experienced. One common experience is memories of dances from the ‘old high school.’ We decided to join together with the schools to provide a senior prom.” Groveport Madison Schools Communications Director Jeff Warner used to work in the nursing home industry and one of his facilities had a senior prom for its residents. “It was a remarkable event and it always stuck with me as such a positive experience for all involved,” said Warner. “I thought the senior prom idea would be great to do as a community outreach effort. It’s another positive partnership between the city of Groveport and the school district.” Duckworth said the Groveport Heritage Museum will provide historic photos that • Planning Ahead Guide • Designing Your Funeral • Funeral & Burial Services • “Cremation With Confidence Guarantee” www.spencefuneralhome.com 614-837-7126 650 West Waterloo St. Canal Winchester, OH 43110 614-837-7126 550 Hill Road N.. Pickerington, OH 43147 will be displayed at the event. “Not only were pictures provided, but the museum is providing yearbooks and news articles that will be on display,” said Duckworth. “For fun and a conservation piece, we are asking everyone to please bring a copy of photos of themselves from the past. The photos will be on display during the prom. We are hoping people will come and create new memories while sharing old memories.” You cannot have a dance without music. “So Groveport Community Affairs Director Patty Storts and Program Coordinator Cristy Duckworth have found a DJ who will play music from the 1940s through the 1970s,” said Warner. “We will have panels located throughout the gym where the guests can post pictures to share memories of fun times. Some of our high school students who will be helping us decorate the Middle School Central gymnasium, and they will be serving refreshments.” Fraud and older adults Fraud is a massive problem for older Americans. A report recently released by the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging estimates they lose an incredible $2.9 billion a year to financial exploitation schemes and scams. Seniors are targeted by foreign and domestic criminals who want to rob them of their hard-earned retirement savings. They are being exploited by strangers over the phone, through the mail, and online. Unfortunately, the committee notes, far too many seniors are targeted by family members or by other people they trust. Older adults are most vulnerable to fraud within three years of suffering a life altering event such as loss of a loved one, illness or while facing an imminent foreclosure. Scammers scour various sources gathering this information and approach the victim offering comfort and solutions to their problems. Beware of phishing emails used to collect usernames, passwords, Social Security numbers, and other personal information. No legitimate organization will ever ask for your password or other personal information. If you receive such a message, delete it without replying, opening any attachments, or clicking on any links within the email. Warner said an event like this is important for the community. “When we think about some of the most memorable times of our lives, our schoolage years stand out as some of the most fun,” said Warner. “Many people have built life-long friendships that began when they were in school. The Groveport Madison community is unique in that many of its residents have lived here for generations. I’ve seen seniors greet one another in the grocery store or while waiting at the bank and their conversations almost inevitably end with, ‘It’s so good to see you again.’ This senior prom is a great opportunity to help reconnect our senior members of the community with one another and give them a venue and event where they could reminisce about their time in Groveport Madison Schools. It’s also a way for us to give back to so many who have supported our students and our schools for many years.” Informed Aging Based on calls to the Senate Aging Michelle Committee’s Fraud Hotline, these are the Missler 10 most reported scams of 2018: 1. IRS Impersonation Scam 2. Robocalls/Unsolicited Phone Calls 3. Sweepstakes Scam/Jamaican Lottery Scam 4. Computer Tech Support Scams 5. Elder Financial Abuse 6. Grandparent Scams 7. Romance Scams 8. Social Security Impersonation Scam 9. Impending Lawsuit Scams 10. Identity Theft If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and call the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging’s Fraud Hotline at 1- 855-303-9470. Victims of financial exploitation, over age 60 and residents of Franklin County, can call the Franklin County Adult Protective Services program at 614-525-4348. Michelle Missler is the director of the Franklin County Office on Aging.
Active Lifestyles www.columbusmessenger.com March 24, 2019 - SOUTHEAST MESSENGER - PAGE 5 Franklin County Board of Commissioners: Marilyn Bown • John O’Grady • Kevin L. Boyce The Franklin County Board of Commissioners and The Franklin County Office on Aging join with the Messenger Newspaper in providing this update on aging issues in Franklin County. Are You Considering Moving To A Smaller Home? Are you considering moving to a smaller home or maybe one that is more “senior friendly”? Have the hardships of Ohio winters made you vow to never shovel another snowy sidewalk? Studies have shown that more than 85% of adults over 65 would like to stay in their home as they age. What you have to examine carefully is whether the decision to stay put is practical and feasible. To Move or Not to Move Deciding to stay at home or move to a more supportive environment can be a difficult and emotional decision. Older adults who relocate usually do so as a result of retirement, the loss of a spouse or health changes. If you are a homeowner and are considering moving, here are some points to consider: • Does your house need major work in the next few years (a new roof, windows or doors, furnace, exterior updating)? • Will the layout accommodate you as you get older? Are there too many stairs and no main-floor bathroom? • Does the community lack the resources you need, such as adequate health care, shopping and public transit? Accessible public transportation is vital to independent living. Could you stay in your current home if you or your spouse could no longer drive? • Is there smaller, less expensive but suitable housing in your neighborhood, so you can remain near friends and relatives? “Ask yourself many questions about the physical practicality of the house and of your plans to stay in it,” says Toronto author P.J. Wade in Have Your Home and Money Too (John Wiley & Sons, 1999). “As you age, so does the house. Will it age well? What do you really love about living there? Make a list of your needs and desires. Could you satisfy those needs and desires and perhaps others as well with other housing?” Assess the cost of major repairs and modernizations that may become necessary over the next 10 years. These upgrades – and any resulting increases in property taxes – must be factored into your budget when you’re deciding whether to stay or move. “As we age, services become more important,” Wade goes on to say. “Assess your chosen community and the variety of services it has to offer when you are analyzing whether to age in place.” Making Due with Less It isn’t always feasible to move a lifetime of memories with you. With proper planning, you can be sure to select the most meaningful items and eliminate the rest. If you haven't used something in a year or two decide if you really need it. It may be more difficult to part with collectibles, so concentrate on paperwork. Consult your tax adviser to see how long you must keep tax records and receipts and toss everything else. If you continue to store your children’s belongings years after they have moved out, ask them to help you pare these down to a few precious items. Tips for purging the excess: • Hold a garage sale to get rid of extra belongs and earn cash to help may finance your move. • Consider working with a consignment shop to sell gently used items. • Donate items to family, friends and charity --- particularly nontraditional charities that service fire victims, immigrants or the homeless. • Consider holding an auction to sell furniture or large items of value. Explore all Your Options Many options are available if the escalating cost of homeownership is a primary reason for your move. • Inquire about government programs that may help relieve the financial burden. In Franklin County property tax payment plans allow older and low-income homeowners to establish payment arrangements that fit their budgets and possibly leave more income for daily living. Call the Franklin County Treasurer’s office at (614) 525-3438 for more information. • You may qualify for home renovation grants or loans to help with needed repairs. For more information call the City of Columbus at (614) 645-8526 or your city’s development department. • Using the equity in your home to make needed repairs or modifications might also be an option. Check with you current mortgage lender or the Better Business Bureau for tips on selecting these services. Moving a houseful of memories can be overwhelming, but careful planning can offset much of the stress. Seek advice from other seniors who have recently moved. View this as another adventure to add to your impressive list of lifetime achievements.
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Southeast Messenger - March 24th, 2019

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