Taking Time by Rebecca Escott Old Dogs Can Learn New Tricks The ’9os might be classified as a decade of information over load, and for older adults this can be frustrating! Just when you think you’ve adjusted to the “latest innovation,” it’s gone and another more complicated one has taken it’s place. But I’ve been reminded in recent months that older adults can learn new skills and make important adjustments in when necessary. I guess I’ve known them for a long time. My grandmother at age 87 set out to learn computer skills (since all her grandchil dren and great grandchildren were well-versed in it, she thought she should be too). This past week, I spent time talking with a senior citizens’ group about consumer scams. Although seniors make up only 15 percent of the population in *v,o United States, they are 30 percent of the identified con- FREE $lO phone card. SIX MONTHS FREE Long Distance Phone Service No purchase necessary to get a FREE card. Just send us your name and address to get the FREE card. DO NOT call the 800 number to ask for a free card. A 4 year old company offers 8,9 cents a mm. with ONE FREE WEEK every month for 2 years (equals 6 month) which reduces the effective rate to 6.7 cents a minute for alt toll calls including, m-lata, m-state and nationwide. Unique service works from home, business, fax, cellular and from pay phones at same low rates. Enhanced features include voicemail, fax reception, conference calling, pager notification and speed dialing, all included for a low monthly fee. No roaming fee with cellular. Dealers wanted. For more information call, write or call Tel- Com Phone Service, 539 Hilltop Rd., Myerstown, Pa. Phone 717-866-6520 or 800-779-7729 sumer fraud victims. To protect themselves, they must learn “new tricks,” sometimes uncom fortable tricks. Here are a few of the "tricks” that I suggest. Don’t be afraid to be abrupt with a telemarketer. Hang up the phone. Interrupt the caller during the first sen tence and say, “I’m not interest ed. Please take me off your call ing list.” Several participants have decided not to pick up the phone until the fourth or sixth ring. This usually eliminates the nuisance calls. A second trick I encourage is to double and triple check all bills before paying them. Do you remember placing the order and receiving the product or service described? Are you sure you have not paid the bill previously. It is important NOT to trust that the notice you receive in the mail is accurate and legitimate. Widows and widowers need to be particularly skeptical. “Obituary ghouls” sometimes read death notices in the paper and send widows bills for non-existent debts Don’t ever pay a bill until you have checked it carefully. In 1998, Pennsylvania senior citizens who receive food stamps from the government needed to make another difficult adjust ment. Their benefits are now sent to them electronically. They must make purchases using a card similar to a MAC card. It’s important to know two things about the system. If you are house-bound or uncomfortable using the system, you may name someone else as your authorized representative. That person can use the card to make food pur chases for you. The second thing to be aware of with this new system is that a person needs to access the account at least once every 45 days (even in the dead of winter) in order to keep the account active. If you are a recipient, or if you have a family member who is, be sure to follow these rules, so that you don’t lose that important benefit. Technology is not only chang ing for us, it’s changing for crim inals, too, I learned from a recent insurance newsletter that thieves have devices that can decipher the code on a garage door opener which allows them to open your door electronically and slip into your house unno ticed. To protect yourself, unplug Senator Noah Wenger Last year Senator Wenger sponsored a bill to encourage small business " growth by improving regulatory process efficiency which was signed into law. He also offered an amendment which became the major component of the 1996 Worker's Compensation Reform Law. Senator Wenger also has supported legislation to reform Pennsylvania’s welfare system, crack down on crime, and protect against elder abuse. Senator Wenger has been consistently at the forefront of efforts to * ™ • Improve major roadways in the 36th District. • Increase funding for our libraries. • Increase education funding for our children. Since 1994, Senator Wenger has played a key role in increasing state allocations for basic education funding by 11.07 percent an increase of $356 million. Looking ahead, Senator Wenger’s top priorities include local tax reform, a continued emphasis on small business development, road and bridge improvements, and strengthening the state farmland preservation program Reelect Senator Noah Wenger Republican 36th District your garage door opener before going on vacation or before going away for the winter, lock your garage door manually. Some of these changes can be complicated. The good news is in an information age, you do have a lot more resources at your fin gertips too—places that you can go to for help. Here are just a sampling of resources that may be of interest: • American Institute for Cancer Research has a new resource guide. Specialized edi tions cover topics on breast, prostate, colon and lung cancers. Call 1-800-843-8144, extension 37, to request your copy. • The Attorney General’s Office has an excellent booklet giving more advice about avoid- Lycoming County Posts Breed Show Results WILLIAMSPORT (Lycoming Co.) The Lycoming Colored Breed Dairy Show was conduct ed in July at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds in Hughesville. Type judge was Eric Stine, Penna Furnace. Seventy-nine animals were shown. Ayrshire grand champion and senior champion was shown by Fogleman Farm, Muncy, with their aged cow. Reserve grand champion and reserve senior champion was shown by Fogleman Farm. Junior champi on was shown by Van Kuren Farm, Montrose, with their summer yearling. Reserve junior champion was shown by Van Kuren Farm Brown Swiss grand champion and senior champion was shown by Alicia Wolfe, Northumberland, with her 4- year-old. Reserve grand champi on and junior champion was shown by Van Kuren Farm. Respected. Experienced. Effective. My first lesponsibihty is to my constituents, the people of the 36th District to be available to you. to listen to your concerns and to actively lepresent your interests in the state legislature Seeking re-election to a fifth term as State j/ Senator, lifelong Lancaster County resident Noah Wenger serves as Majority Caucus Chairman He is a member of the influential Senate Appropriations Committee and the Labor and Industry, Banking and Insurance and State Government committees He is also Acting Chairman of the Agriculture Committee Paid for bv Wengei for Senate Committee Reid E Wissler Treasurer Lancaster Farming, Saturday, October 24, 1998-813 ing consumer scams. They also have a hotline - 1-800-441-2555. Your state representative’s office may have copies of this booklet on hand. • AARP has a wealth of infor mation available to its members on managed care, social security, crime prevention, and retire ment planning. Call 1-800-424- 3410. Call for more information on this organization. And don’t forget the wonder ful local resources at your com munity public library and coun ty Area Agency on Aging Office. There is a lot to absorb. Don’t bo intimidated by the volume of information. Pick the things that apply to you and challenge yourself to learn a few new tricks to improve your life and security. Montrose, with their winter calf. Reserve junior champion was shown by Alicia Wolfe, Northumberland, with her spring calf Guernsey grand champion and junior champion was shown by Van Kuren Farm, Montrose, with their fall yearling. Reserve £rand champion and reserve junior champion was shown by Dayton Berger, Orangeville, with his summer yearling Jersey grand champion and senior champion was shown by EDN-RU Jerseys, Boalsburg, with their 5-year-oid Reserve grand champion and reserve senior champion was shown by EDN-RU Jerseys with their 5- year-old. Junior champion went to EDN-RU Jerseys with their spring yearling. Reserve junior champion went to Julie Groff, Williamsport, with her fall calf Premier breeder and premier exhibitor went to EDN-RU Jerseys, Boalsburg
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