OIB-TAC November Webinar: Protecting Eyes from Strain and Injury

Join OIB-TAC on Friday, November 17, at 2:00 PM Central for our next webinar titled Protecting Eyes From Strain and Injury!

Did you know eye strain can occur after only two hours at a computer and injuries to eyes can occur at any age? Join us to gain awareness about habits and direct factors that contribute to eye strain and injury in both clients and providers alike on a day-to-day basis. Learn techniques and strategies that can be utilized to adapt to the environment to protect your eyes and optimize visual functioning.

Presenter: Lindsey Angst, MS, OTR/L, CLVT

Fraud Alert: Administration for Community Living Warns of Scams Targeting Older Adults

ACL’s Eldercare Locator and Disability Information & Access Line (DIAL) are trusted resources that help connect older adults and people with disabilities with resources in their community. Recently, there has been an increase in scam calls claiming to be from Eldercare Locator. This includes reports of:

• Callers claiming to be from “Eldercare,” “Eldercare Locator,” “Social Security,” or “Medicare.”
• Callers asking for personal information such as someone's Social Security number, banking information, or Medicare number — or demanding payment, threatening jail time, or fines.
• Harassment, including repeat calls from the same number.

We hope you will help us get the word out about government imposter scams. Here are some important reminders to share:

1. The government will never call out of the blue and ask for a Social Security number.
2. The government will never ask for payment by gift card or wire transfer.
3. Social Security numbers cannot be suspended.

These general tips can also help everyone protect themselves:

• The Social Security Administration offers a short video on signs that someone is impersonating the Social Security Administration.
• The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau offers resources on common scams that are specifically for consumers, caregivers, and service providers.
• FTC has short videos on Social Security and IRS impostor scams.
• FTC’s “Pass It On” page has resources on many other types of scams and you can sign up for FTC scam alerts to stay up to date on new threats.
• The ACL-funded Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program can help you learn about Medicare fraud, errors, and abuse; detect potential fraud, errors, and abuse; and report concerns. Find your local SMP at smpresource.org or call 1-877-808-2468.
• ACL’s National Center on Elder Abuse has many resources on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, including a handy one-page “The Phone Scam: What You Need to Know” flyer.

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