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The New York State Office for Aging has designated Washington County Office for Aging and Disabilities Resource Center as the official area agency on aging under the Federal Older Americans Act. Funding for services is made possible through federal and state grants, as well as, the Washington County Board of Supervisors.
February is heart health month, which makes it a perfect time to increase awareness about heart disease, and what you can do to prevent it. Five tips for better heart health are:
We have become aware of reports of fraudulent telephone calls from individuals claiming to represent the Social Security Administration (SSA). In them, unknown callers are using threatening language to warn unknowing victims that they will be arrested or face other legal action if they fail to call a provided phone number or press the number indicated in the message to address the issue. In some instances, these unknown callers switch tactics and communicate that they want to help an individual with activating a suspended Social Security number. Such calls are a scam, and are not coming from official SSA representatives.
We encourage you to inform your members and extended networks not to engage with such callers, and to report any suspicious calls to Social Security’s Office of the Inspector General by calling 1-800-269-0271 or submitting a report on the OIG website. We also urge you to read and share our Social Security Matters blog, which provides more information on the nature of these fraudulent calls, as well as instructions on how to report such activity.
Social Security is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the people we serve. We appreciate your help in spreading the word about this important topic.
Sincerely,
Elizabeth Pivonka
Albany, New York
Social Security Administration
Through Washington County NY Connects, the Washington CountyOffice for Aging’s Adult Services Unit received a referral about suspectedfinancial exploitation of an elderly woman by her caregivers. It wasalleged that the caregivers were stealing the elderly woman’s Social Securitybenefit, $17,000 cash, and had opened several credit cards in her name. Inaddition it was alleged that the caregivers were neglecting her basic needs,isolating her from others, and being emotionally abusive towards her.
The investigation required a team of professionals toget this woman justice, but it was Case Worker Heather Jett’s determination anddrive that made sure everyone received the right information needed to hold theperpetrators accountable, and to assist the woman in receiving $17,000 invictim compensation from the NYS Office of Victim Services.
With Barbara’s consent, we are able to share her story withyou: