Chapter November 2015 Newsletter

In these newletters, you will find information and updates about things that matter to you, your friends and your family. Below is a Chapter contact list:

Chair - Ken Eden, carpniagara@gmail.com

Vice Chair - John Meguerian, carpniagara@gmail.com

Treasurer - John Gardner, jcg13@cogeco.ca

Secretary - Pat Roden, carpniagarambr@gmail.com

Communication - John Meguerian, carpniagaracomm@gmail.com

Membership - Pat Roden, carpniagarambr@gmail.com

Social/Recreational - Susan Sutherland, carpniagarasocial@gmail.com

Advocacy - TBD

PR/Education - Linda Zoeger Mooney, carpniagaraed@gmail.com

Chapter technical and photography - Denis Grantham, dgrantham@baytech.ca

We are your CARP Niagara Chapter # 31 members and we share your interests, concerns and generation. Everyone is welcome to sign-up to receive our newsletters. Feel free to share this with your friends and family. Send an email to carpniagaracomm@gmail.com to add their email to our mailing list.

This months meeting Tuesday November 17th opened with Ken (Chair) reminding the members that the events, speakers and projects/causes that this chapter plans and provides are driven by the membership.

Therefore any member can bring any ideas they may have for topics for speakers and any trips, events for future meetings, to the executve members (listed above under Chapter Message)

Some of the highlights from this years CARP Annual General Meeting(AGM) were presented by Ken: CARP logo is changed and will be released in the coming months, some benefits are changing, the following are of note partnership with ESSO, Shoppers Drugmart and Sunwing(wireless provider from Rogers).   

The guest speaker was Julie Dyck Pharmacy Manager at Simpsons's Pharmasave.

She spoke about how the pharmacist’s role has changed over the years where they are now paid for professional services like medicine checks with people taking 3 medicines or more. Scope has recently expanded to include administering flu shots, B12 shots, travel vaccines and the shingles vaccine with directive from the doctor. She referred to legislative changes re prescriptions where OHIP covers only a renewal of a prescription up to 5 times a year and funding for test strips for diabetes generally for 200 strips a year, but up to 3000 strips a year (if you take certain medications). She also reviewed the supplements she felt were most important and indicated dosage and when you take them was important. 

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Your chapter needs an Advocacy Coordinator. CARP advocates for seniors with whatever level of government they need, ie need for door to door mail delivery to be retained: seniores outliving their money.

Also we are looking for somenone to share the role of Treasurer.

If you need more information or want to volunteer for these positions, please email carpniagaracomm@gmail.com.

PLEASE NOTE: Denis Grantham, our Chapter Photographer, will be taking photos of our Members over the next few meetings for inclusion on our website along with a brief bio. Please bring along a short write-up about yourself.

See you on the third Tuesday of the month

December 15 2015 from Noon - 2 pm Fire Station 5, 350 Townline road, NOTL.

Pot luck lunch , bring your favorite meal we will supply plates, beverages, napkins and utensils.

Please support your Chapter

We look forward to welcoming all members and their friends.

It happens more often than you think. When a criminal steals your personal information, and use it to identify themselves as you.

This information can be used to make requests or authorize transactions on your financial accounts. Its often a lengthy and difficult process to resolve because imposters usually leave very little trace. 

There are things you can do to prevent identity fraud:

• Put important identification (ID) in a safe place, this includes Social Insurance Number, birth certificate, passport.
• Shred before throwing away all documents that have your personal information on them
• Share information with only companies you know and trust
• Don't leave personal information lying around the house
• Keep wallet or purse out of reach of others - in crowds, shopping mall or public transportation
• When making a credit/debit card purchase keep your card in sight
• Carry a minimum number of cards
• If you don't initiate a phone call, don't give out any personal information or a credit card over the phone.
• When making an online purchase, make sure the website is secure, look for the " s" in the https: prefix in the web address.
• Don't give out any personal information by e-mail, because it's not secure

What todo if it happens:

• Contact Police and file a police report
• Contact the financial institutions, credit companies and other lenders for any account you suspect may have been opened or tampered
• Contact the two credit bureaus in Canada, Equifax and TransUnion, Ask for fraud alert be placed in your credit file and ask for your credit report and get advice.
• Contact the Canadian Anti Fraud Centre (CAFC) toll fre 1-888-495-8501 to report the fraud.

Click here to reach your CARP Niagara website

health services information and referral line, serving Hamilton, Burlington, Niagara, Haldimand and Brant and everywhere in between.

Niagara Region offers non-medical programs to support seniors, their families and caregivers.

Ontario Attractions for CARP Members

Community Support Services of Niagara  is a volunteer based not-for-profit agency providing comprehensive client-driven community support services to help seniors and adults with disabilities live independently in their own homes. 

Health Services for Hamilton Niagara Haldimand Brant healthline to provide the community with resources to navigate the health care services offered to Ontarians.

Thorold Community Theatre a non-profit 100% volunteer organization produces two proffesional quality theatrical shows a year. More details are available by calling the box office 905-682-8779 or visiting http://facebook.com/thoroldtheatre

Bridge Centre of Niagara non profit Bridge club located in St Catharines for more details call 905-688-1317 or email boreilly1@cogeco.ca.

Family Councils Forums are presenting a one day forum " Pathways for Emergency Resident Care " at the Linhaven Home, 403 Ontario st., St Catharines on October 21. More details are available by calling Helga Henson at 289-253-8220.

Chorus Niagara  has performed at various venues but now calls the state of the art Partrdige hall in the FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre as home. December 12, experience favourite carols and holiday songs with Noel. Listen to the Bravura Baritones including St. Catherine's own George Masswohl, the Chorus Niagara Children's Choir and side-by-side High School Chorale and exuberant CN Festival Brass. 

Life Long Learning Niagara is a not-for-profit organization established in 2015 to engage older adults in Niagara in continuous learning. Additional information can reached by emailing lifelonglearningniagara@gmail.com or by calling 905-834-4442. Checkout the fall listing of lectures, click the link.

Holiday Pot Luck Lunch, December 15, this will take place at Fire Station 5, 350 townline road, Niagara-on-the-Lake , from Noon to 2 pm.

The competition is on for the best Christmas tree at Royal Henley Retirement Community and your chapter has entered this magneficent themed tree. The public is welcome to vote for their favorite tree until December 16. Admission is by donation of a non-perishable food item or money donation for Community Care St Catharines and Thorold. There will be cider and shortbreads to share while voting for the winner.

Your Niagara Chapter tree is decorated and located on the first aisle on the left after entering the main entrance. Please support your Chapter and Community by visiting Royal Henley before December 16th to vote for the best tree.

Dec 15 - Holiday Pot Luck - Fire Station 5, 350 Townline rd, Niagra on the Lake  NOTE time for this date is Noon to 2 PM

Jan 19 - Tax Specialist from Ontario Ministry of Finance - Tax tips and pitfalls

Feb 16 - TBA 

Mar 15 - Registered Nurse from Pro Health Navigators Canada - How to make the most of your health care experince

Apr 19 - Financial Planner from TD Wealth Planning - Market update from TD Economics, Estate and Tax planning, Investing Options for Seniors

May 17 - Lawyer from Lawyers Niagara - Legal considerations for Seniors, documents to have in place: wills, power of attorney, joint ownership, end of life wishes.

June 21 - Year end Social event