Final Report and Recommendations

Aging Summit 2014 Final Report and Recommendations

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Aging Summit 2014

Aging Summit 2014: Creating a Safe and Caring Community, co-hosted by County

Chairwoman Dianne Jacob, Supervisor Greg Cox and District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, and

organized by Aging & Independence Services (AIS), brought together some 2,300 participants

to learn, share ideas, and connect around the issues of safety and the needs of family

caregivers, particularly those coping with Alzheimer’s disease.

This year’s Summit took place at two locations—the primary event location in Mission Valley

and a satellite location at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido in North County.

Keynote speakers presented at the Mission Valley site and attendees in North County viewed

a simulcast video broadcast. The simulcast allowed more attendees to participate in the

Summit and provided North County residents with a venue closer to home.

This report presents a discussion of the issues, recommendations and preliminary action

plans resulting from a five-month planning process which culminated in the County of San

Diego’s ninth biennial Aging Summit on June 12, 2014. The Summit focused on:

Safety, including such topics as elder abuse prevention, disaster preparedness, fall

prevention, self-defense, cyber security, home safeguards and suicide prevention.

Family caregivers who are on the front lines of helping and protecting their loved

ones.

Alzheimer’s disease: What we know about the disease, the impact on families and

the community, and the search for a cure.

Financial and life planning and preparedness

Aging Summit 2014 Final Report and Recommendations

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Financial scams against older adults like Michael Ortiz are rising

dramatically. Scams are now considered the “crime of the 21st

Century,” according to the National Council on Aging. “Financial

scams also often go unreported or can be difficult to prosecute, so

they’re considered a ‘low-risk’ crime. However, they're devastating

to many older adults and can leave them in a vulnerable position

with little time to recoup their losses.”

These crimes can strike anyone, but they are particularly prevalent

among adults with early cognitive decline and/or early

Alzheimer’s disease or other dementia. Family members and

friends are often unaware of financial losses until too late. There’s

frequently difficulty even convincing victims that they have been

scammed.

Are there ways to intervene before older adults lose their life savings?

Crimes such as scams and identity theft are one important aspect of the Summit’s focus on safety. Safety

is one of the three elements of the County’s Live Well San Diego initiative - along with health and

thriving. How do we protect our most vulnerable citizens from scams, fraud and other crimes?

But “safety” also involves physical safety and more: How can older adults protect themselves from

physical harm? How about disaster planning for those with special needs? And fall prevention? How

can we reduce isolation and depression that can lead to older adult suicides?

The Aging Summit offered break-out sessions to explore these concerns and provided attendees with

resources to continue educating themselves about physical and financial self-protection.

The Issues-Scams

Michael Ortiz, 85, a retired San Diego priest, received a letter he thought was from Publisher’s

Clearing House informing him that he had won $1.6 million. The letter went on to say that all

Michael had to do to collect the winnings was pay the taxes of $40,000 upfront. The letter, which

included a legitimate-looking sample check, said Michael should respond within 72 hours to an

“agent” whose name and phone number were printed on the letter.

After Michael contacted the agent listed on the letter, he received a second letter from someone

claiming to be his private attorney from Publisher’s Clearing House. Also included was a fake

release from the IRS in which Michael was agreeing to pay $40,000 upfront rather than have his

winnings taxed at the rate of 40 percent. The phony sweepstakes letter went on to say that upon

paying the $40,000, Michael would receive an activation code to cash his $1.6 million check.

Michael was given a Wells Fargo account number and was told to wire the money from his credit

union to that account. By the time Michael called his contact to ask for the code, the phone number

had been disconnected.

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Jaimelyn Sapienza, 22, was only 16 when her dad was officially diagnosed with Alzheimer’s

disease, but she and her family had been noticing the signs for six years prior. Her dad was 59 at

the time of his diagnosis and died on June 19, 2013. Jaimelyn said that even three years before his

death, her father no longer knew basic things about her family, their house or himself. He didn’t

know when to eat, shower or go to sleep without instruction – Jaimelyn says it was similar to

taking care of a toddler. Jaimelyn’s mother was his primary caregiver.

“Learning to adjust our family’s life to my dad’s diagnosis was difficult for me because I didn’t have a friend

who could relate,” says Jaimelyn. “A lot of my friends have divorced parents or married parents or single

parents, but I had never met anyone with a parent with Alzheimer's. My dad’s decline had been so rapid

since his diagnosis; I would have never thought this could have happened to someone who was so young and

full of life.”

What comforts her is recalling her father’s “strength, charm and perseverance. He truly did fight

his fight until his final breath.”

Jaimelyn’s story is not uncommon. In fact, there are more than 60,000 San Diegans living with

Alzheimer’s disease and that number is expected to double by 2030. Alzheimer’s is the region’s third

leading cause of death. No one survives this devastating disease and there is currently no cure. In

addition to ravaging the lives of patients, Alzheimer’s disease puts a significant toll on family and

friends. Eighty percent of Alzheimer’s patients are being cared for at home.

Family caregivers are the backbone of our healthcare system. Without their time, energy and sacrifice,

many homebound seniors would be institutionalized. But who cares for the caregivers? Our Live Well

San Diego community supports its caregivers with resources, respite and support through many

different agencies, programs and individuals. What more can we do? What else is needed to keep family

caregivers from burnout and give them hope?

The Summit helped to open up the discussion on what more we as a Live Well San Diego community can

do to protect our most vulnerable citizens and embrace our hard-working caregivers.

The Issues-Alzheimer’s and Caregiving

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In her 2014 State of the County address, Chairwoman Dianne Jacob turned the spotlight on

the emotional and physical toll of Alzheimer’s disease and, with the support of Supervisor

Dave Roberts and the entire Board of Supervisors, plus the inspiration of philanthropist and

former caregiver Darlene Shiley, established The Alzheimer’s Project. This initiative brings

together experts to oversee the creation of a regional strategy to inventory and improve

caregiver resources and support efforts to find a cure for the disease. Project participants set

goals in six major focus areas:

Care—Develop a countywide plan, along with an inventory of current resources, to improve the

network of services for those with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.

Clinical—Improve medical care for patients with the disease and related dementias, with an initial

emphasis on establishing screening, diagnostic, and disease management standards for primary care

physicians.

Cure—Boost funding and partnerships for research, along with community participation in clinical

trials.

Education/Awareness—Create a multi-faceted education and public awareness campaign, including

an understanding of the warning signs and importance of early diagnosis, and presentations and

training for public safety and social service personnel.

Legislation—Expand the County’s Legislative Program to support legislation that increases funding

for research and provides resources for caregivers, family members, and those with the disease.

Funding—Identify and pursue opportunities for additional resources to support the regional strategy.

Detailed recommendations were developed for each of the

six focus areas and can be found in the report, The Alzheimer’s

Project: A Call to Arms, available online:

http://www.sandiego.networkofcare.org/content/client/4/The

-Alzheimers-Project-A-Call-to-Arms.pdf

The Summit served as an important venue to disseminate

information about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias,

increase awareness about The Alzheimer’s Project, and

involve the broader community in discussions concerning

the needs of patients and caregivers.

The Alzheimer’s Project

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Since 1998, Aging & Independence Services has hosted a biennial Summit to bring

professionals, older adults, and service providers together for a day of education and

discussion on timely issues in the field of aging. Past summits have focused on topics such as

intergenerational health/wellness, technology, lifelong learning, older adult obesity, and the

maturing workforce. Many important new initiatives and accomplishments have grown out of

past Summit events. Recommendations from older adults and professionals helped to pave the

way for the creation of the AIS Call Center, which provides a one-stop, no-wrong-door phone

number for older adult resource information and referrals. In addition, feedback helped

spawn the creation of an intergenerational programming coordinator staff position, a

technology coalition for older adults, events and materials to help mature workers reenter the

workforce, and a variety of other initiatives and partnerships aimed at improving the health

and wellness of older adults in our community.

The Aging Summit 2014 lineup of keynote speakers included philanthropist Darlene Shiley,

who discussed her journey as a caregiver; Deputy District Attorney and elder abuse expert,

Paul Greenwood, who presented his top-10 tips for avoiding elder abuse; and “Passages”

author, Gail Sheehy, who spoke about strategies for creative caregiving. In addition, attendees

had the opportunity to attend a variety of workshops on topics such as:

Consumer financial protection

Financial planning

Identify theft

Internet safety

Alzheimer’s Disease basics

Alzheimer’s Disease research

Self-defense

Disaster preparedness

Getting help with elder care problems

Residential care

Aging well

Community resources for caregivers

Suicide awareness/prevention

More than 80 senior service providers and community organizations discussed their programs

and services in the exhibit hall. Many groups shared useful information pertinent to this year’s

themes including resources for Alzheimer’s patients and families, disaster preparedness tips,

services for homebound individuals, and information concerning identify theft and elder

abuse.

The Aging Summit

Aging Summit 2014 Final Report and Recommendations

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Workgroups

The workgroup process has always been an integral part of the Aging Summit. The goal of

the Aging Summit has been not just to meet and discuss, but to act. Workgroups bring

together professionals, older adults, and those interested in senior issues to identify unmet

needs and develop innovative solutions related to the focus topics.

Aging Summit 2014’s focus on safety, as well as the needs of caregivers, particularly those

caring for persons with Alzheimer’s disease, provided many options for workgroup

interaction. Summit attendees were asked to join in a workgroup that would meet on a date

after the Summit. Names and contact information were collected and meetings were

scheduled.

Additionally, caregivers who attended the Summit were invited to provide input on their

needs as part of The Alzheimer’s Project’s listening sessions.

The issue of safety was narrowed down to two separate workgroups: Elder Abuse

Prevention Workgroup and the Life and Financial Planning Workgroup.

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Recommendations

Aging Summit 2014 Final Report and Recommendations

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The Alzheimer’s Project has brought together dozens of professionals representing medical

providers, local elected officials, public safety personnel, research organizations, health care

systems, social service providers, and Alzheimer’s and caregiver-specific community

organizations. This dedicated group crafted recommendations contained within the detailed

planning document, The Alzheimer’s Project: A Call to Arms.

The report can be accessed at:

http://www.sandiego.networkofcare.org/content/client/4/The-Alzheimers-Project-A-Call-to-

Arms.pdf

Alzheimer’s Project Recommendations

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Several current County initiatives further the goals of The Alzheimer’s Project. Efforts are

underway to implement a rating system of residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFEs)

speared-headed by Supervisors Dianne Jacob and Greg Cox. Caregiver respite services are

offered to military-affiliated families through the volunteer-based Legacy Corps program. In

addition, the Promoting Independence and Choice (PIC) Program provides pro-active case

management services to vulnerable older adults who may be showing signs of memory

impairment but still live independently. New staff positions have been added to the Long-

Term Care Ombudsman program, thus increasing the agency’s capacity to monitor skilled

nursing facilities and RCFEs and respond to allegations of abuse or neglect. To help caregivers

and other older adults access affordable transportation, AIS has worked to increase awareness

of the Facilitating Access to Coordinated Transportation (FACT) program.

In the coming year, AIS will provide educational events for the community concerning end-of-

life issues, hospice, and palliative care. Brain health will be the focus of the June 2015 Vital

Aging event and will serve as a venue to disseminate information to 1,500 local seniors and

professionals. Extensive outreach efforts will continue to educate the public on Alzheimer’s

warning signs, the importance of early detection, safety, caregiving, and brain health. Staff will

also increase the visibility of the PIC case management program and expand referral sources.

Additionally, AIS will collaborate with the Sheriff’s Department to help prevent the wandering

of persons with dementia, as well as facilitate the safe return of those who have wandered by

increasing the use of GPS devices.

Progress and Next Steps

Aging Summit 2014 Final Report and Recommendations

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Elder Abuse Prevention Workgroup Recommendations

1. Continue efforts to educate the public on elder abuse, with a special focus on increasing

connections with the faith community

Make use of the elder abuse videos and the scam toolkit, a collaborative effort

between the District Attorney’s Office and AIS

Share information about the campaign and the toolkit with the media and local

organizations; consider asking organizations to publicize the information in

their newsletters

Use messages/lessons from the previous AIS Elder Abuse campaign and reach

out to existing provider networks (e.g. the Community Action Networks) to

reach the community; also consider a basic ad that could be branded and then

used by partners in a “print and post” fashion

2. Create a List Serve so professionals can quickly learn about new scams and disseminate

that information into the community

3. Revitalize the Project CARE program (see Spotlight on Project Care on page 14 for

additional information on Project CARE)

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Progress and Next Steps

The County is currently working on an elder

and dependent adult abuse prevention

campaign that includes public service

announcements and the development of a

scam prevention toolkit. The toolkit is

expected to be available by May 2015. Elder

abuse mandated reporter trainings will

continue and reach an estimated 4,000

professionals in the coming year. Staff will

also continue to work on implementation of

the Vulnerable Adult Protocol. This

framework guides Adult Protective Services

(APS) staff in providing targeted interventions

to individuals identified as “vulnerable

adults”—persons with significant cognitive or

communication deficits who are highly

dependent upon or have frequent contact with

individuals who are deemed as being high

risk for perpetuating abuse.

Working to revitalize Project CARE is another

priority. County staff are in discussion with

community partners to better understand the

forces that resulted in the diminishment of the

Project CARE program. Workgroup members

are exploring the feasibility of adopting a new,

automated phone system that could be used to

provide daily phone calls to homebound

individuals. Volunteers from the Legacy

Corps program will assist with making daily

phone reassurance “Are You OK?” calls. A

procurement to identify formal community

partners to operate Project CARE is also

planned.

Aging Summit 2014 Final Report and Recommendations

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Project CARE was created to be a community safety net that

enabled older persons or persons with disabilities who live

alone to remain in their homes and not feel isolated. When

Project CARE was originally created, each community

developed its own program, utilizing some basic

components and adding others, depending upon the needs

of the individual and the resources available in the

community.

Originally, most Project CARE sites offered the following seven core services:

1. Are You OK? A daily telephone call was made to individuals who signed up for

this service. A computer automatically made the calls at a regularly scheduled time

selected by the participant. If the call went unanswered, volunteers checked to see

if the individual was OK.

2. Gatekeeper: Utility and refuse collection companies provided training for their

meter readers and refuse collectors to recognize the warning signs that their

customers may be in trouble. These signs included newspapers piling up by the

door or garbage not being set out for collection. If a problem was noted, it would

be reported to the appropriate authority for follow up.

3. Minor Home Repair: Volunteers and local business groups were recruited to assist

in making minor home repairs for seniors and the disabled. Many of these repairs

were related to basic health and safety, such as obtaining grab bars, ramps,

handrails, and security lighting.

4. Postal Alert: Letter carriers were trained to keep a watchful eye on mailboxes

belonging to older and disabled residents. If mail had not been picked up for two

days, the letter carrier would check to see if the individual was OK.

5. Safe Return: A nationwide identification system of the Alzheimer’s Association

that helped authorities locate, identify, and safely return persons with dementia

(and other cognitive impairments) who wandered and become lost.

6. Vial of Life: Seniors and adults with disabilities who signed up for this no-cost

program would be given a plastic box or a magnetic plastic container that held

Spotlight on Project CARE

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specific information on the individual’s medical history. Should the paramedics be

called in an emergency situation, they would use the information in the box to save

precious time in providing medical assistance.

7. You Are Not Alone (YANA): A personalized phone call or home visit by the Senior

Volunteer Patrol associated with law enforcement agencies in various communities.

Today, there are fewer Project CARE sites throughout the county, currently only 14, and some

of the core services have been disbanded or changed. Some of the change is a result of

technology and fewer “eyes” going door to door in the community.

The workgroup felt the need to explore revitalizing

Project CARE because of the growing numbers of elders

and the increased potential for isolation, particularly for

those who live alone. Below are some of the suggestions

from the workgroup to re-build Project CARE:

Bring a workgroup together with existing

partners and potentially interested partners

to discuss how best to rebuild the program

Increase the number of ZIP codes served

Encourage more individuals to sign up

(consider going through home care agencies)

Increase outreach regarding the program

once additional sites have been secured

Rekindle the collaborations with the major

utility/service providers: SDG&E, Cox, Post

Office, Social Security Office, Veterans

Affairs—all of these reach seniors who may

need help. Perhaps a notification can be put

in statements/checks

Increase the use of volunteers to supplement

paid staff at existing sites

Utilize nursing students

In North County, tap into the “Just Serve”

volunteer network

Project Care was

created to be a

community safety

net...

Aging Summit 2014 Final Report and Recommendations

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1. Add an advance directive form to Vial of Life sleeves

Work with a team to develop a form that meets

the needs of most older adults

2. Increase knowledge and availability of resources and

workshops pertaining to advance care planning by

increasing publicity through County and community

networks

3. Reach out to major health plans as well as County HR

to explore opportunities to encourage individuals to

fill out advance planning documents during open

enrollment periods

4. Leverage existing materials and distribute these to the

community (e.g., SDIC Consumer Protection

materials)

5. Offer more classes on financial issues to older adults

Encourage OASIS and the San Diego

Community College District to offer more

classes addressing financial planning

Perhaps create a feature on County TV (similar

to Feeling Fit every month or quarter)

6. Create a list of trusted advisors that can be called

upon to host classes and/or be part of a referral source

for low-cost help for older adults

7. Develop an intergenerational program where older

adults volunteer to go into schools to discuss financial

planning

8. Consider exploring political/advocacy efforts to

address the disincentives for low-income seniors to

save for retirement due to SSI/MediCal program

requirements

Life and Financial Planning Workgroup Recommendations

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A subgroup of individuals interested in creating a user-friendly advance directive appropriate

for distribution along with the Vial of Life sleeves has met to review existing documents that

are available. The group discussed strategies for helping individuals better understand what

the implications are for the various decision points on an advance directive, where the

document can and should be kept so it can be used at the proper time and how outreach on

this topic could be best achieved in the community at large.

In an effort to continue to disseminate information to the public on the importance of life

planning, the popular “Lunch & Learn” caregiver webinar series can offer presentations on

completing financial planning documents. Furthermore, AIS is partnering with the San Diego

County Credit Union (SDCCU) to offer financial planning resources to the community.

Next steps will include finalizing the Vial of Life advance directive document, coordinating the

distribution of financial planning resources provided by SDCCU, and continuing to look for

reputable speakers and trusted advisors to help spread the message about appropriate

financial/life planning.

Progress and Next Steps

Aging Summit 2014 Final Report and Recommendations

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Although the Aging Summit workgroups focused

on Alzheimer’s and caregiver issues, elder abuse

prevention, and financial/life planning, the County

is working hard to increase the safety of older

adults in other arenas. Fall prevention continues to

be a priority since many older adults suffer from

falls. More than 12,000 San Diegans arrive at a

hospital after a fall each year.

AIS hosts fall prevention screenings throughout

the year and sponsors fitness and balance

programs for older adults, including the Feeling Fit

Club—which has recently expanded to new

locations—and Tai Chi. Disaster preparedness

planning has resulted in protocols for assuring the

safety of vulnerable populations, tools for

caregivers, and training videos.

The County also works to protect older adults in

our community by providing information and

programming regarding mental health concerns/

suicide prevention as well as avoiding being the

victim of cybercrime.

Efforts to Increase Safety

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As our county’s senior population continues to

grow, the issues of elder abuse prevention,

safety, caregiver support, and Alzheimer’s

disease research, prevention, and treatment are

becoming even more pressing. The County of

San Diego Board of Supervisors has

demonstrated a strong commitment to tackling

these concerns through its support of the

Aging Summit and the creation of The

Alzheimer’s Project.

The Aging Summit brought the community

together to discuss ways in which we can work

together to prevent elder abuse, encourage

responsible financial and life planning, and

address the multifaceted concerns associated

with Alzheimer’s disease for patients and their

caregivers.

Since the Summit, professionals and older

adults have been working in collaboration with

the County to develop recommendations and

begin the process of implementation.

Momentum is building for many important

and exciting endeavors—a stronger safety net

for frail seniors who live alone through the

Project CARE revitalization efforts, workshops

to promote financial literacy and planning for

seniors, and new efforts to support Alzheimer’s

patients and their caregivers. Be on the lookout

for these new initiatives and more! Please

consider joining us in our mission to improve

the safety, support, and wellness of older

adults in our community.

Momentum is building for

many important and exciting

endeavors—a stronger

safety net for frail seniors

who live alone...

Concluding Thoughts

Aging Summit 2014 Final Report and Recommendations

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Alzheimer’s Association, San Diego/Imperial Chapter

The Alzheimer's Association is the world's leading voluntary health organization in

Alzheimer's care, support and research. The San Diego chapter provides a broad range of free

programs and services specially designed to support the needs of people with Alzheimer’s

disease and related disorders, their families, caregivers and the community.

http://www.alz.org/sandiego/ - 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-272-3900

Alzheimer’s Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR)

A public, U.S. Government-funded resource for comprehensive, unbiased information about

Alzheimer’s disease including the search for causes, treatment, cures, and improved

diagnostic tools.

www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers - Call to talk to an information specialist: 1-800-438-4380

AARP Caregiving Resource Center

Information, tools, and tips for caregivers on topics such as benefits, insurance, legal matters,

caring for the caregiver, end of life care, and more.

www.aarp.org/home-family/caregiving

The Caregiver Coalition of San Diego

The Caregiver Coalition of San Diego is an alliance of agencies that provide services for family

caregivers and is dedicated to supporting caregivers through education and advocacy. Their

Web site offers links to important caregiver tools such as Vial of Life medical information

sleeves, caregiver handbooks, printable advance directive documents, and more.

http://caregivercoalitionsd.org/

Southern Caregiver Resource Center

A nonprofit organization that provides free support services for family caregivers caring for

adults with chronic and/or disabling conditions including case management, short-term

counseling, respite care, legal/financial consultation, education/training, and support groups.

http://caregivercenter.org/ - 858-268-4432

Resources and Information Alzheimer’s Disease Information and Support

Caregiving

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Ready San Diego

www.ReadySanDiego.org is the official site for extensive resources for emergency

preparedness. Individuals can sign up for AlertSanDiego (cell phone notifications) through

the site. An online disaster preparedness planning guide for older adults, people with

disabilities, and caregivers is also available:

http://www.readysandiego.org/Resources/caregivers-disaster-plan.pdf

San Diego County Emergency Site

www.SDCountyEmergency.com The official source of information from the County of San

Diego during a large-scale emergency.

2-1-1 San Diego

Call 2-1-1 for information on evacuations, shelters, road closures, and other disaster-related

services.

Aging & Independence Services

To report suspected elder abuse (financial, physical, or self-neglect): Call Aging &

Independence Services (AIS): 1-800-510-2020 (Abuse reports accepted 24/7)

Administration of Aging’s National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA)

The National Center on Elder Abuse is a national resource center focused on the prevention of

elder mistreatment. NCEA provides elder abuse information to professionals and the public.

www.ncea.aoa.gov - 1-855-500-3537

San Diego County District Attorney

The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office prosecutes those who abuse elders and

dependent adults, works to prevent crime, and provides victim assistance.

http://www.sdcda.org - 619-531-4040

Visit the District Attorney’s elder abuse Web page for information concerning warning signs

of elder abuse, prosecution, importance of reporting, and tips to reduce the risk of financial

abuse. http://www.sdcda.org/helping/elder-abuse.html

Disaster Preparedness

Elder Abuse

Aging Summit 2014 Final Report and Recommendations

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AARP

Information on living on a budget, managing debt, saving & investing, taxes, consumer

protection, financial services, and retirement planning.

www.aarp.org/money

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s mission is to make markets for consumer

financial products and services work for Americans — whether they are applying for a

mortgage, choosing among credit cards, or using any number of other consumer financial

products. Visit the CFPB Web site for access to a variety of resources such as the Managing

Someone Else’s Money booklets to assist financial caregivers. The CFPB welcomes tips

regarding potential violations of federal consumer financial law.

www.consumerfinance.gov

http://www.consumerfinance.gov/blog/managing-someone-elses-money/ - 1-855-411-2373

National Council on Aging (NCOA)

The National Council on Aging offers a variety of tools to assist older adults to make sound

financial decisions. NCOA offers the free, online service EconomicCheckUp to help older

adults improve their economic security through one-on-one assistance and counseling. In

addition, NCOA’s Reverse Mortgage Counseling Services Network is a federally approved

national counseling intermediary to help homeowners determine if a reverse mortgage is

right for them. Visit their Web site for these tools and others, such as the Savvy Saving

Seniors: Steps to Avoiding Scams handbook.

http://www.ncoa.org/enhance-economic-security/

http://www.ncoa.org/enhance-economic-security/economic-security-Initiative/savvy-saving-

seniors/ - 1-800-677-1116

Financial/Life Planning

Resources and Information continued

NCOA offers a

free, online

service...to

help older

adults improve

their economic

security

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AARP Fraud Watch Network

The Fraud Watch Network provides watchdog alerts, tips and resources on how to protect

oneself from fraud and identity theft. Highly trained AARP volunteer Fraud Fighters offer

peer counseling, support and referral services to fraud victims and their family members

through the Fraud Watch hotline number.

www.aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork - Hotline number: 1-877-908-3360

Identity Theft Resource Center (ITRC)

A national center located in San Diego that provides around the clock, no-cost assistance to

victims of identity theft. ITRC also provides education to consumers, organizations, and

government entities on fraud and identity theft prevention, detection, and mitigation. The

ITRC website has a wealth of information on current scams and how to protect oneself from

fraud and identity theft.

www.idtheftcenter.org - 1-888-400-5530

Scams, Identity Theft , and Financial Abuse

County of San Diego Board of Supervisors

Greg Cox

District 1

Dianne Jacob

District 2

Dave Roberts

District 3

Ron Roberts

District 4

Bill Horn

District 5

Bonnie Dumanis

District Attorney

Helen Robbins-Meyer

Chief Administrative Officer

Nick Macchione

Director, Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA)

Ellen Schmeding

Director, Aging & Independence Services (AIS)