LONELY? GHSS IS FOR YOU!

Loneliness is a chronic condition, but it can be cured

 Loneliness affects all age, economic and social groups. More than one third of adults are chronically lonely and 65% are seriously lonely some of the time. Maybe the worst age for loneliness and general alienation are our grand children in the 18 - 24 age group (maybe you remember yourself at that age!). One of the most serious outcomes of loneliness is suicide.  And given the ready availability of loaded guns in our society, the most common agent of suicide, most suicide attempts are 'successful.' Sucide rates among middle class white men are the highest in the nation, and on average 20 military veterans kill themselves each day.

Us old folks tend to experience isolation and loneliness as a result of factors such as decreased mobility (are you still driving? Should you continue to drive? Are you hobbling about with a Walker or cane? Or worse: are you stuck in bed?). Hearing loss can be a significant isolating factor. And so on. Stuck at home we can fret and fester - - and become seriously depressed.

What is really important when you or somebody close to you, or even not so close but who you know about, is CONNECTING. Interacting with other people through shopping trips, outings of various sorts, shared meals. And so on.

I suppose that if you are reading this you know that in our area GHSS IS the connector. Each month, all year long, Greater Hillsborough Senior Services organizes arts to bring seniors together, bring seniors out of isolation.

You can see all that GHSS is doing by reading the monthly news letter, SENIORS ALIVE!  which is available here and at various other outlets in the area (e.g. Deering Town Ha..).

GHSS is a very important element in the health of our area!

SENIORS ALIVE! FOR JUNE

Here is your June issue of Seniors Alive!

As we head into the summer months, GHSS has endeavored to line up a variety of activities and outings to get everyone out to enjoy what New England  has to offer.  Mark your calendars and sign up today because the trips sell out quickly!

 Let GHSS take you out to the old ball game. Look for bus trips to Fisher Cats Games in this issue of Seniors Alive!

Two special trips include a gustatorial  extravaganza at The Clambake Restaurant in Scarborough (July 12) and a river excursion on the Sonogo River (July 15). These trips book out pretty fast, so be sure to make your reservations now. Details are in the issue of Seniors Alive!

Also, we are in need of VOLUNREERS to help sell tickets at Shaw’s and the Balloon Fest.  Call Marie Mogavero at 464-4726 or 724-5272 if you can give us a hand!

Easter Seals Caring Companions Program in NH So People Can Stay At Home

Do you or someone you know need an extra pair of hands around the house or in our community?  Caring Companions are dedicated to keeping people safe and independent, providing social interaction and exceptional non medical services so that people can remain in their homes.  Call Caring Companions at 866-553-3939 or caringcompanionsnh.com

Professional Team

Members of a caring team are insured, thoroughly screened, trained and above all else - professional, dependable caregivers.  These providers are:

• Matched to individual preferences
• Available 2 to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
• Available on holidays, weekends, and/or overnights
• Consistently the same person every time

Overview of Services Provided

• Companionship Services  - provides 1 to 1 visitation/company safety supervision
• Home Helper Services - changes linens, launders, vacuums and dusts
• Personal/Hygiene Services - baths and provides other personal care services
• Wellness Services - medication reminders and does meal planning and preparation
• Transportation Services - runs errands, grocery shopping and drives to medical appointments
• Transition home from the hospital - may include providing a ride home from the hospital, prescription pick up, meal prep   

Attention: Roll-out for New Medicare Cards

AARP NH

Medicare has a new site with updated info on the roll-out of the new Medicare cards. Check it out here: http://spr.ly/6189DeGZl





 Your new card will have a new Medicare number that's unique to you, NOT YOUR SS#,  This will help protect your identity.

SENIORS ALIVE! FOR MAY

Here's your May issue of Seniors Alive!

Don't miss the Senior Lunch on May 17. To reserve your table call Marie Merrow (464 3067) before May 14.

Bus trips in May include a  shopping trip to Hookset  (Target, Kohl's, Market Basket, Walmart) and a visit to the Wright Museum of WW II in Wolfboro. To reserve a seat for either of these trips call Linda Kowalski (464 5264). There is a small charge for each.

To get on the twice weekly shopping trip to Warner call Lee Avery (478 3432). There is no charge for this. Pickups are at Hillsboro (Shaw's) and Maple Leaf and the Park-and-Ride on Old Henniker Rd.

SENIORS ALIVE! FOR APRIL

Here is your Greater Hillsborough Senior Services newsletter for April.

Please note on the Events Calendar that the trip to the McAuliffe Planetarium has been changed to Friday, April 13.  All the other particulars are the same.  Cost of transportation $6, entrance fee for seniors $10.50 and leaving Shaw’s parking lot at 1 p.m.

Have fun!

FCC Warnings About One-Ring Cell Phone Scams

"One-ring” cell phone scam can ding your wallet so be forewarned.  Don't call back!

This alert was issued by the Federal Trade Commission, Consumer Information

Who’s calling now? That number doesn’t ring a bell. Hold the phone, says the Federal Trade Commission. You could be a potential victim of the growing "one-ring” cell phone scam.

Here’s how it works: Scammers are using auto-dialers to call cell phone numbers across the country. Scammers let the phone ring once — just enough for a missed call message to pop up.

The scammers hope you’ll call back, either because you believe a legitimate call was cut off, or you will be curious about who called. If you do, chances are you’ll hear something like, “Hello. You’ve reached the operator, please hold.” All the while, you’re getting slammed with some hefty charges — a per-minute charge on top of an international rate. The calls are from phone numbers with three-digit area codes that look like they’re from inside the U.S., but actually are associated with international phone numbers — often in the Caribbean. The area codes include: 268, 284, 473, 664, 649, 767, 809, 829, 849 and 876.

If you get a call like this, don’t pick it up and don’t call the number back. There’s no danger in getting the call: the danger is in calling back and racking up a whopping bill.

If you're tempted to call back, do yourself a favor and check the number through online directories first. They can tell you where the phone number is registered.

If you’ve been a victim of the “one-ring” scam, try to resolve the charges with your cell phone carrier. If that doesn’t work, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission and the Federal Communications Commission.

And as a general rule: Read your phone bill often — line by line. If you don’t recognize or understand a charge, contact your carrier.

February 10, 2014

by Colleen Tressler

Consumer Education Specialist