Chapter April 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 Westfall, carpniagara@gmail.com

Vice Chair - Ken Eden, kseden@sympatico.ca

Treasurer - John Gardner, jcg13@cogeco.ca

Secretary - Shirley Cordiner, shirleycordiner@gmail.com

Coordinators

• Communication - John Meguerian, carpniagaracomm@gmail.com

• Membership - Pat Roden, carpniagarambr@gmail.com

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

• Advocacy - Shirley Cordiner, shirleycordiner@gmail.com

• PR/Education - Linda Mooney, linda_mooney_6@hotmail.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.

The March meeting was very informative with Sergeant Monica Harris addressing us on the many aspects of Elder Abuse, some quite blatant and others more subtle and difficult to prove. CARP National is taking a leading role in identifying methods of combating these abuses through education and legislation. Watch for updates on our website as these initiatives progress.

Vickie McFadden was up next to give us a brief overview and show a video clip of an exciting new legacy we can leave for our children and grandchildren - an audio/video story of our lives. This is done through hours of filmed personal interviews which are then edited and condensed down to a 15 minute story (or longer, if you wish) of the history of your life. You may find this much more desirable than just plain photos.

Our next meeting on April 21 will address a common problem as we age - mobility issues. Peter, our first speaker, is a fitness trainer and nutrition expert. He has helped many Seniors improve or even regain their mobility. Watch out for his energy - I understand it’s contagious! Our second speaker is Dr. Stephanie Gray. She will also address mobility issues but from a different angle - lower back pain and sex! Yes it’s true - many of us still participate in this exercise and she’s here to help us continue. Sorry! - no hands on demonstrations are expected.

Our Communications committee, with John Meguerian heading it and Pat Roden assisting, is continually updating and improving our Newsletter and website. Watch for additional information categories to be added to the website over the next few months. We want this to be the go-to site for all Seniors’-oriented information in the Niagara Region.

The Social/Recreational committee under the care of Susan Sutherland continues to make plans for upcoming events. Watch for updates and don’t hesitate to contact Susan with suggestions. Input, including speaker topics, is vital in order to provide rewarding experiences for our Members.

The membership committee of Pat Roden and Peter Richardson have done a great job of bringing our membership list up to date and under control. Believe me when I say that it was a lot of work! Thanks to both of you.

Linda Mooney and Ann-Marie Tywonek, our Public Relations and Education committee members, have been working diligently on a couple of projects including a Brochure that can be given out at events or to friends and family who would like a little more information about CARP and our Niagara Chapter before joining. Unfortunately, Anne-Marie has to take a leave of absence after the present projects are completed and Linda will need some assistance. Please contact her if you can help.

Our Advocacy committee is preparing for their first meeting. We are fortunate to have a person with years of experience, both as a public servant and in dealing with bureaucracy, to coordinate the activities until the committee is up and running - Shirley Cordiner.

Thanks, Shirley, for taking time from your busy schedule to coordinate things.

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.

Lastly, in an effort for all of us to get to know one another better, we will begin introducing new Members and guests at each meeting. We will start off the April meeting by introducing everyone present. We will also be asking for a few volunteers to form a greeters committee on a rotating basis. This will help to ease the way for guests and new Members and help to make them feel welcome.

See you at the meeting!

Sex & Low Back Pain: New findings suggest hope for the afflicted

Dr. Stephanie Gray, a Niagara chiropractor dares to maturely discuss a groundbreaking new study that suggests best positions to spare your spine to minimize physical pain or aggravation of symptoms. It' a delicate subject, but one worth talking about.

More Fitness founder, Peter Karanfilis has over 10 years of experience equipping people to be the healthiest they can be. Peter is an award winning Personal Trainer, Nutritional Advisor and Author. Getting fit can be a struggle sometimes, but it's very important as we become older. Peter will show you quick and efficient exercises that don't require a lot of time or equipment.

Royal Henley Retirement Community in St Catharines provides the meeting room with coffee and cookies for a two dollar donation to the Alzheimer's Society by those attending.

Please support your Chapter

We look forward to welcoming all members and their friends.

DELIBERATE DECEPTION: THE HEADS-UP ON FRAUD

Identity theft, bogus investment opportunities, stolen credit card information: the list goes on and on. The Competition Bureau of Canada has named March as being Fraud Prevention Month.Examining this topic is a team of Brock University researchers: psychologist Angela Book; criminologist Voula Marinos; and information systems expert Teju Herath along with Paul Spiridi, head of the Niagara Regional Police Service’s Central Fraud Unit.

Helpful Hints on How to Spot Fraud 

1. If someone is presenting you with a short cut to making money, beware - if it’s too good to be true, it’s probably not true.

2. If you are asked for your social insurance number, banking or other personal or sensitive information online do not give it out. Legitimate companies will not ask you for this type of information in an e-mail.

3. If the person won’t take no for an answer be careful; persistence is a common trait of fraudsters.

4. Spam e-mails detailing investment opportunities or tragic events such as family deaths or illness are red flags. Often these are fraud techniques, known as social engineering tactics, designed to play on an individual’s emotion and trusting tendencies.

5. Pay attention to how you feel about interactions. If a situation seems suspicious, listen to your instincts!

How to Prevent Fraud

Be aware of phishing e-mails. Phishing is a common type of fraud that comes to our email where fraudsters seek sensitive information from you such as account numbers, user names and passwords. 

Ensure that your passwords are strong and not obvious, such as 1-2-3-4 or your address, etc. 

Check your credit history at least once a year and review your bank statements each month to look for unfamiliar charges. 

Think before you act: be extra careful when making decisions about sharing your personal information.

Use the resources available to better understand, and be able to recognize, fraud. IF YOU DO BECOME A VICTIM OF FRAUD > Contact your bank and ask them to freeze the related accounts.

> Contact your local police department to begin an investigation.

> Tell those around you what happened to raise awareness and prevent others from becoming victimized.

> Make sure you follow up and ensure any fraudulent entries are removed from your credit history.

> Visit the Competition Bureau of Canada or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center’s websites for support and more information.

“Often you don’t realize you’ve given out the information to the wrong people - that’s how the whole fraud thing works!” – Teju Herath

Video link http://brocku.ca/research-at-brock/consider-this-podcast-series/youtube-version

Click here to reach your CARP Niagara website

National Seniors Day October 1st, learn more about appreciating and celebrating seniors

My Health GPS 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

Spring Gardening Tips

1. Survey the Yard - remove dead limbs, re-mulch garden beds, check steps and fences

2. Order Tools and Plants - tune up tools; order perennials, trees and shrubs

3. Get Ready to Mow - service mower & leaf blower; look for areas that need seeding

4. Prune Trees and Shrubs - thin shrubs such as butterfly bush, hydrangea & roses

5. Take a Soil Test - Check soil pH with a home soil- test kit

6. Prepare New Beds - Spread a 4-inch layer of compost over soil

7. Plant - Plant shrubs and perennials such as hostas and daylilies by early spring

8. Fertilize - Apply balanced fertilizer around trees and shrubs when growth appears

9. Start a Compost Pile - collect plant debris and leaves raked up from the garden

10. Clean Bird Feeders and Baths - scrub with weak bleach solution (1/4 cup bleach: 2 gallons warm water).

FIDA/pcH is having their 8th annual golf tournament which has raised almost $100,000 dollars to help the people of Haiti to establish agricultural cooperatives as they move towards self-sufficiency. Please click on the above for more details about this tournament that will be held at Pen Lakes GC on May 28, 2015.

The Niagara Olympic Club (NOC) has been chosen to host the 2015 Canadian Masters Games in St. Catharines, July 17 - 19. Please click on the NOC logo for more details. If you wish to volunteer please call Sharon Stewart, Meet Director 905-933-2762.