Senior Citizens Website Information

Senior Medical

Through modern technology, a medical alert system is now made available to seniors. This system entails a device that is plugged into your phone line and wall power outlet. It calls a monitoring agency, such as HOMEMED Systems, when you need assistance by pressing the transmitter on the device. The device is simple to use and designed to be non-intrusive in your environment. The waterproof transmitter is small and can be worn as a necklace or as a wristband. Once the transmitter is pressed a signal is sent to a monitoring system where trained operators are on hand to assist the person with help that is needed. This medical service is available 24 hrs a day, 356 days a year. For more information contact HOMEMED Systems at www.homemedsystems.com or at (850) 225-3659. They are located at 4352 Avalon Blvd. , Milton , FL 32583 .

Medicare Prescription Drug Discount Card Program

This program is an interim prescription assistance program created through the Medicare Prescription Dug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA). The discount card is a means of providing prescription drug savings to persons on Medicare. Persons with disabilities and seniors can receive a 10-25 percent savings on their prescription drugs. Some low income beneficiaries may also be eligible for an additional $600 transitional credit. Discount card sponsors are contracted by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

This is a voluntary program for persons 65 and older or who have a disability. It is endorsed by Governor Jeb Bush and Elder Affairs of the State of Florida . For more information call (800) 633-4227 or email at www.medicare.gov .

Elder Services

The Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging, Inc. focuses on improving the quality of life for the elderly. Their purpose is to plan, coordinate and monitor services for the 60+ population in Florida's Planning and Service Area 1; to administer allocated federal and state funds for delivery of services to the target population; to serve as the focal point for information and for services assisting elders, their families, caregivers and the community; and to advocate on behalf of an aging society. This area agencies are federally mandated by the U.S. Older Americans Act of 1965 to plan, fund, coordinate, implement, monitor and evaluate programs addressing the needs of elders 60 years of age and older. The agency staff works in conjunction with the Florida Dept. of Elder Affairs as well as local, state, and national service providers to facilitate the service needs of hundreds of consumers so that they can age safely with dignity and purpose in their own homes and elder-friendly communities.

Some of the services offered are Abuse Education, Adult Day Care, Alzheimer's Disease Initiative, Case Management, Companionship, Congregate Meals, Counseling, Emergency Alert Response, Health Screenings, Home Delivered Meals, Legal Services, Personal Care, Respite, Shopping Assistance, Transportation, and Disease Information. If you or someone you know needs information or assistance with accessing elder services please call the Elder Helpline at (866) 531-8011 for Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties.

Vacation Safety Tips for Seniors  

Prepare Your Home Before Leaving on Vacation:

1. Create the illusion that someone is home

2. Set your lights, TV and radios on timers.

3. Have trusted neighbors maintain the yard and pick up the newspaper.

4. Have front outside lights on photo cells that activate in the evening and shut off at daybreak.

5. Tell trusted neighbors of your absence and encourage them to contact local law enforcement about any suspicious activity.

6. Make sure all entry points in the home are secure.

7. Turn down the ringer on your phone so a perpetrator won't hear it ringing repeatedly and know that no one is at home.

8. Activate your alarm system if you have one.

9. Stop your mail or have a neighbor/friend pick it up for you.

10. Disconnect the garage door opener and lock the garage door.

11. Turn off the water to the house to prevent rupturing of a hose or waterline.

12. Have trusted neighbors periodically check your house. This will create the illusion of occupancy. Also, your neighbors can identify potential problems and act immediately.

13. Leave a vehicle parked in the driveway. If you can't do this then ask one of the neighbors to park there.

14. Mow the lawn and trim any landscape so that the house looks as though people are living there.

Getting Ready for Your Vacation:

1. Bring sufficient money (preferably money orders and credit cards) for gas, food and lodging.

2. Acquire all road and trail maps prior to the trip.

3. Confirm all reservations before leaving home.

4. Have your vehicle/vessel serviced by a certified mechanic.

5. Contact persons who may be overseeing your home or pets while you are gone.

6. Engrave or mark your valuables before you leave and do an inventory of the contents of your home.

7. Before you leave, contact the Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office at 983-1100 and request a House Watch. This means that a patrol car will periodically check your house while you are gone, when an officer is available to do so.

8. Stop any deliveries of packages, etc. You don't want these left on your doorstep signaling the perpetrator that no one is home.

While on Vacation:

1. Never open your hotel/motel door to strangers.

2. Park in well lit areas of the lodging parking lot.

3. If you are issued a credit card type hotel/motel room key be sure you destroy it when you leave the lodging facility. Do not return it to the facility or leave it in the room when you check out. This card has much of your personal information embedded on it that can be used by someone else for identity theft. If you return it to the front desk it is available to employees to access. They can simply scan it in the hotel scanner and have all your personal information. An employee can also take a hand full of cards home and using a scanning device, access the information onto a laptop computer and go shopping at your expense. (As a norm, hotels do not erase your information on the card until an employee issues the card to the next hotel guest.) Hotels will not charge you a fee for not turning in the card.

4. Do not carry large sums of currency while you travel.

5. Listen to your instincts. Act immediately if you think something is dangerous or suspicious.

6. Plan ahead for any problems you might encounter.

7. Be sure an area is safe before exploring.

8. Don't drink and drive. If you choose to drink, monitor your consumption and participate in a designated driving program.

9. Do all things in moderation: eating, drinking, driving, sun exposure, etc.

10. Drive responsibly. Immediately report aggressive driving to 911.

Fire Safety for Seniors:

Fire-related injuries number over 100,000 and possibly two or three times that many, when injuries from unreported fires and injuries are taken into account. Burn injuries are particularly tragic because of the tremendous pain and suffering they cause. Serious burns tend to cause both physical and psychological damage and they may involve not only the victims but their family and friends. People over 59 have a much higher fire death rate than the average population. Those 70 and above comprise 21 percent of the fire deaths. Over 1200 Americans over the age of 65 die as a result of a fire each year. Older adults comprise over 25 percent of fire deaths of all ages and 30 percent of fire deaths in the home. Fires and burns are a leading cause of deaths from unintentional injuries among older adults. Fires caused by cooking are the leading cause of fire-related injuries to the elderly. Many older adults take multiple medications, the interaction of which can cause a variety of side effects, including confusion, that may alter the decision-making process and increase the potential for accidents. The impairment caused by the combination of alcohol and prescription drugs in older adults can be significant. Such impairments may lead to an increased likelihood of accidentally starting a fire, not detecting a fire, and not being able to escape a fire.(Courtesy of FEMA/United States Fire Administration)

Fire Safety Tips for Older Adults:

1. Have a fire extinguisher on hand in the home and garage/workshop areas.

2. Be careful when cooking. Be sure to turn off the oven and stove when not in use.

Keep stove surfaces free of clutter and built-up grease. Use oven mitts. If a pan of food catches fire, using a pot holder, carefully slide a lid over it and turn off the burner. Leave the lid in place.

3. Do not smoke in bed or while drinking alcohol or while on medication. Use non-tip ashtrays and empty them often, wetting the contents before dumping them into a trash receptacle.

4. Install smoke alarms throughout the house, garage and workshops.

5. Keep portable heaters and space heaters at least 3 feet from everything including you. Turn heaters off before going to sleep.

6. Plan an escape route out of your home ahead of time. Make sure exits are not blocked by furniture or other items.

7. Know how to unlock doors and windows, even when you can't see if blinded by smoke.

8. If you are trapped during a fire, remain calm. Close all doors between you and the smoke. If there is a phone in the room, call the fire department even if you can see fire trucks through your window. Stuff rags, towels or clothing in the cracks around doors.

9. Test doors before you open them and see it if is hot. Do not open if it is hot. In a fire emergency, use the stairs, not the elevator in a building or home.

10. Leave the structure as soon as possible. Do not go back into the building for any reason.

11. If you catch fire, Stop-Drop-Roll. Cool any burns with water and call for help.

Protect Yourself From Home Repair Fraud*

The best way Florida 's senior citizens can protect themselves from becoming victims of home repair fraud and other crimes is to be careful, informed and prepared.

Before you agree to or sign any contract, including one for financing, have your lawyer review and explain the terms. If you do not have a lawyer, call The Florida Bar or your local legal services organization and ask for a list of those who specialize in construction or contracts. You may also find a good lawyer through a family member or trusted adviser.

After a hurricane or other disaster, home repair fraud, including price gouging against Florida 's elderly, increases significantly.

An occupational license is NOT a construction license. It is a business registration only.

Never fall for phone or door-to-door offers of free estimates, home inspections or "special deals" of any kind. Very few, if any, legitimate contractors do this, especially after a storm.

Never pay cash or pay for unfinished work. Paying by check or money order provides a written record. If a contractor wants money in advance, you should consider paying the material supplier directly.

Protect yourself from liens against your home. If your home repair costs over $2,500, make sure your contract states that the contractor will obtain notarized, written releases of lien from all subcontractors and suppliers BEFORE you will pay each payment.

Some people posing as home repair specialists are simply con artists looking for easy access and easy money. For your safety, do NOT open your door, step outside, or be distracted.

IMPORTANT TIPS

.  Compare estimates carefully; the lowest bid/price is not always the best one.

.  NEVER agree to get your own permits; that will make you directly responsible for everything.

.  NEVER be pressured into making hasty decisions.

.  NEVER accept an offer to take you to the bank to withdraw money for any reason

.  Take photos of the damage.

.  Get emergency repairs done.

.  Keep all receipts for insurance purposes.

.  Make sure that you know what damages are (or are not) covered by your homeowner's policy.

.  An unlicensed "handyman" cannot legally perform any work valued at more than $1,000 for the entire job. Seek the advice of your local government's building department first.

.  If you suspect anything is wrong, report it to the authorities immediately.

IMPORTANT CONTACTS

Local City or County Building Department: (Government section of phone book)

Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation:

1 - (850) - 487-1395

Florida Attorney General's Office - Price Gouging Hotline;

.  (800) - 646-0444

Senior vs. Crime Project: 1- (800) - 203-3099

Insurance Information: 1- (800) - 342-2762

Local Sheriff's Office (983-1100), Police Department or State Attorney (981-5500 to report fraud or a crime)

Florida Department of Elder Affairs, Elder Helpline; 1 - (800) - 963-5337

The Florida Bar: 1 - (800) - 342-8011 or a local legal services organization

Elder Abuse Hotline: 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-(800)-962-2873

*This consumer information is provided by Triad to assist Florida 's senior citizens from becoming victims of home repair fraud and not intended as a substitute for legal advice.