Fall Has Arrived. Time To Prevent Falls


Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020

According to the American Council on Aging, falls are the number one cause of injuries to seniors. But, there are lots of things you can do to make your home safe.

MA4 has created a kit that includes an easy to read brochure, posters for your workplace, senior center or even home bulletin board, and an infographic that gives you a few statistics relating to injuries related to falls in the United States.

Want to download a few materials? Here are some of the great resources we have used as part of the Steady As You Go campaign that you can use at no charge.

Click each link to download valuable information and materials for your 2020 Falls Prevention Month activities.

STEADY AS YOU GO POSTERS

CHECKING IT TWICE     EXERCISE     GOOD LIGHTING     SAFE MEDICATION     GOOD VISION

HOME SAFETY CHECKLIST

STEADY AS YOU GO LOGO

FALLS PREVENTION INFOGRAPHIC

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Make Sure You Are Counted In The National Census


Tuesday, September 15th, 2020

n4a – The 2020 Census is well underway and more and more households across America are responding every day. Even in these trying times, it is important to help ensure that older adults in your community are counted. Data collection now ends on September 30—a month earlier than previously reported due to a Trump Administration decision. It’s not too late to encourage older adults in your community to complete the census—online, by phone or by mail.

Responses to the 2020 Census are factored into a tremendous number of policy actions and funding formulas (including Older Americans Act), at the federal, state and local levels, so it’s important that everyone living in the U.S. is counted. Census response also shapes decisions about how public funds are spent on schools, fire and emergency services and health care for your community. We encourage all Missourians to take action to ensure that the older adults and caregivers you serve will be counted.

For more information visit: 2020census.gov.

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Voting By Mail: A New Option For 2020


Tuesday, September 15th, 2020

Governor Parson signed Senate Bill 631 into law on June 4, 2020, which authorizes mail-in ballots for the August 4, 2020 primary election and the November 3, 2020 general election to avoid the risk of contracting or transmitting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (COVID-19).

Registered Missouri voters can request mail-in ballots from their local election authority in person or by mail. Relatives within the second degree (spouse, parents and children) may complete a mail-in ballot application, in person, on behalf of the voter who wishes to vote using a mail-in ballot. DO NOT SEND MAIL-IN BALLOT APPLICATIONS TO THE SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE. MAIL-IN BALLOT APPLICATIONS MUST BE SENT TO THE APPROPRIATE LOCAL ELECTION AUTHORITY BY THE DEADLINE IN ORDER TO BE VALID. Contact information for local election authorities and a mail-in ballot application form may be found at the links below.

Mail-in ballot requests that are sent by mail must be received by the election authority no later than 5:00 p.m. on the second Wednesday prior to any election. Voters requesting a mail-in ballot by mail who have registered by mail and have not voted in person are required to submit a copy of their personal identification unless they provided a copy with their registration application. Examples of acceptable identification are:

  1. Identification issued by the state of Missouri, an agency of the state, or a local election authority of the state;
  2. Identification issued by the United States government or agency thereof;
  3. Identification issued by an institution of higher education, including a university, college, vocational and technical school, located within the state of Missouri;
  4. A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that contains the name and address of the voter; or
  5. Other identification approved by the secretary of state under rules promulgated pursuant to Missouri law.

Mail-in ballots must be returned by mail in the provided envelope, with the statement on the envelope signed and witnessed by a notary. In order to be counted, mail-in ballots must be received by the election authority at or before the time fixed by law for the closing of the polls on Election Day (7:00 p.m.).

Military and overseas voters should consult the section entitled Military and Overseas Voters for information on obtaining and submitting their ballots.

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Information On The COVID-19 Virus Is Available From DHSS


Friday, September 11th, 2020

As the coronavirus pandemic continues into its sixth month, the information available to citizens and consumers seems to change on a frequent basis.

In an effort to put the most useful information to the most people in one place, the Department of Health and Senior Services has established a web page with a wide variety of resources from testing to breaking news to statistics for your area.

The site is easy to use and is completely free. It is also updated on a a daily and weekly basis, depending on the information being posted. Tocheck on the latest information for Missourians related to the COVID-19 outbreak, follow this link:

COVID-19 INFORMATION PAGE – DHSS

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Parson Calls Special Session


Monday, July 27th, 2020

Earlier this month, Governor Mike Parson announced that he would call a special session of the Missouri Legislature, dedicated only to legislation dealing with violent crime in Missouri.

That special session was called to order on July 27, and after introducing 25 separate bills for possible consideration, the Missouri House adjourned and will reconvene on August 7 for a technical session and to begin debate on the various proposals.

Because this is a special session, no legislation unrelated to violent crime and public safety may be introduced or modified at this time.

For a list of current bills filed, please follow this link:

LINK TO MISSOURI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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Governor Changes State Standards For COVID-19 Pandemic


Saturday, June 20th, 2020

Republican Gov. Mike Parson lifted statewide restrictions related to COVID-19 as of June 16, even as the number of cases in the state continued to increase. However, Parson also extended his executive order declaring a statewide “state of emergency” through the end of year. The order was slated to end on June 16. The extension is primarily to allow the state to continue receiving federal disaster aid. It also allows Parson to continue to have the power to waive certain state laws and regulations.

Despite touting Missouri as “fully reopen,” Parson still encouraged Missourians to maintain practices to limit the spread of COVID-19, even though the state no longer requires them to do so.

As of June 17, there had been 16,625 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Missouri and 909 confirmed deaths.

“We must remember COVID-19 is not gone,” Parson said in a June 11 news release announcing the easing of restrictions. “It is still extremely important for everyone to continue social distancing. Be proactive. Avoid large crowds, and if you can’t social distance, take extra precautions to protect yourself and those around you.”

You can read more about the governor’s decisions from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day – June 15


Sunday, June 7th, 2020

Virtually all countries are expected to see substantial growth in the number of older persons between 2015 and 2030, and that growth will be faster in developing regions. Because the numbers of older persons are growing, the amount of elder abuse can be expected to grow with it. While the taboo topic of elder abuse has started to gain visibility across the world, it remains one of the least investigated types of violence in national surveys, and one of the least addressed in national action plans.

Elder abuse is a global social issue which affects the health and human rights of millions of older persons around the world, and an issue which deserves the attention of the international community.

The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution 66/127, designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. It represents the one day in the year when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted to some of our older generations.

Here are some facts you should know:

  • Around 1 in 6 older people experience some form of abuse, a figure higher than previously estimated and predicted to rise as populations age worldwide.
  • Rates of abuse may be higher for older people living in institutions than in the community.
  • Elder abuse can lead to serious physical injuries and long-term psychological consequences.
  • Elder abuse is predicted to increase as many countries are experiencing rapidly ageing populations.
  • The global population of people aged 60 years and older will more than double, from 900 million in 2015 to about 2 billion in 2050.

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Police Warn Of Possible COVID-19 Scams


Tuesday, May 26th, 2020

As we continue to battle this pandemic, COVID-19 scams may come in many forms which can include unsolicited phone calls, phishing emails, door-to-door sales, individuals offering cures, tests, safety equipment or vaccinations. Here are some tips that can help prevent you from falling victim to a COVID-19 scam.
• Do not provide any personal or financial information over the phone, simply hang up. Scammers may call and tell you they need your banking information to deposit stimulus checks, but you should never provide that information over the phone. For information relating directly to the stimulus checks, please visit irs.gov/coronavirus.
• Scammers create fake shops, websites, social media accounts and email addresses claiming to sell medical supplies currently in high demand. These may include items such as surgical masks. When consumers attempt to purchase supplies through these channels, fraudsters pocket the money and never provide the promised supplies.
• Do research before donating contributions to ensure that it is a valid organization or group collecting donations.
• Be wary of phishing emails such as those claiming to have information about the virus. Oftentimes, they direct the reader to click a link, which can be a form of a Trojan virus and would allow the scammer to have full access to the information on your computer.


Be cautious when dealing with any unsolicited offers, and keep in mind if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You can report online and email scams to the Federal Trade Commission at 877.382.4357. For more details related to COVID-19 visit consumer.ftc.gov.

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May Is Older Americans Month


Friday, May 1st, 2020

When Older Americans Month was established in 1963, only 17 million living Americans had reached their 65th birthday. About a third of older Americans lived in poverty and there were few programs to meet their needs. Interest in older Americans and their concerns was growing. A meeting in April 1963 between President John F. Kennedy and members of the National Council of Senior Citizens led to designating May as “Senior Citizens Month,” the prelude to “Older Americans Month.”

Historically, Older Americans Month has been a time to acknowledge the contributions of past and current older persons to our country, in particular those who defended our country. Every President since Kennedy has issued a formal proclamation during or before the month of May asking that the entire nation pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities. Older Americans Month is celebrated across the country through ceremonies, events, fairs, and other such activities.

Whether it is by providing volunteer opportunities, social engagement activities, fitness classes, wellness sessions or by adapting programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, MA4 members support the ability of older adults to make a mark on their communities.
 
For additional information and materials your agency can use to participate in Older Americans Month, visit www.acl.gov/oam.

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Social Security Recipients Eligible For Economic Stimulus Payments


Monday, April 13th, 2020

In response to the COVID-19 virus emergency, the federal government announced that they will send $1,200 Economic Stimulus Payments to all adults in the United States who earn less than $75,000 annually. This includes Social Security recipients.

If you receive Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability beneficiaries and do not have qualifying children under age 17 whom you claim as dependents, you do not need to take any action with the IRS.  You will automatically receive your $1,200 economic impact payment directly from the IRS as long as you received an SSA-1099 for 2019.

If you DO have children under 17 who may qualify for an additional payment, you should visit the IRS’s Non-Filers: Enter Payment Info page at www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payments and provide information about yourself and your qualifying children.

Additionally, any new beneficiaries since January 1, 2020, of either Social Security or SSI benefits, who did not file a tax return for 2018 or 2019, will also need to go to the IRS’s Non-Filers website to enter their information.

Please note that the IRS will NOT consider Economic Impact Payments as income for SSI recipients, and the payments are excluded from resources for 12 months.

The eligibility requirements and other information about the Economic Impact Payments can be found here: www.irs.gov/coronavirus/economic-impact-payment-information-center.  In addition, please continue to visit the IRS at www.irs.gov/coronavirus for the latest information.

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