Vaccines and Alzheimer’s

RESEARCHERS EXPLORE WHETHER VACCINES HAVE AN EFFECT

A fascinating study from UTHealth Houston explored whether older adults, age 65 plus, who receive routine vaccines may experience a reduced risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. The study concluded that certain adult vaccinations are associated with a significant reduction in dementia risk and may even be an effective strategy for prevention. Specifically, vaccinations against tetanus, diphtheria, shingles, and pneumococcus proved to lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s, according to the findings. The researchers “…hypothesized that the immune system is responsible for causing brain cell dysfunction in Alzheimer’s… and that vaccination is having a more general effect on the immune system that is reducing the risk for developing Alzheimer’s.” More information on the study can be found online in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease.

GOVERNMENT / LEGISLATIVE  UPDATE

SOCIAL SECURITY OFFERS ADVANCE DESIGNATION OF REP PAYEE

As we all know, challenges associated with aging are inevitable. Cognitive issues related to financial decision-making are among them. Scientists have concluded that the “peak age” for managing finances is around age 53. At EverSafe, our mission is to help families plan in advance for challenges that may arise with age – especially as they affect their ability to protect their money. Toward that end, trusted advocates can be designated to receive alerts along with members. And in a relatively new law, the Social Security Administration (SSA) now enables individuals the option to designate a representative payee in advance – in case the need ever arises. Their program permits capable adults who apply for or receive Social Security to choose up to three people who can serve as a representative payee in the event a recipient becomes unable to manage their affairs. The “advance designee” will only be contacted if there is a need to contact the rep payee to assist in managing benefits – and they will also “fully evaluate them to determine their suitability at that time.” This is an option and not a requirement and the assignment of the designee can be updated or withdrawn at any time. For more information, individuals can sign into their my Social Security account, or call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or their local office.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

FTC’S OLDER ADULT SCAM PREVENTION INITIATIVE

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released a report to Congress earlier this month detailing their efforts to address elder fraud. The report noted that in 2022, older adults reported significantly higher losses to investment scams, business impersonation scams and government impersonation scams than they did in 2021. The Scams Against Older Adults Advisory Group, referenced in the report (pages 42 – 45), was initiated several months ago under the Stop Senior Scams Act. It consists of members from federal agencies, consumer advocates, and selected industry representatives committed to implementing new initiatives to reduce the impact of fraud on older people. The sub-committee on industry training has discussed ways its members have identified, responded to, and reported fraud targeting vulnerable customers. One of the initiatives highlighted was BankSafe, an award-winning AARP educational tool for financial services professionals. In the last meeting, the group learned about the HelpVul reporting portal, now accessible to thousands of financial services professionals to meet their reporting.

SCAM ALERT

PHANTOM HACKER

October is Cybersecurity Awareness month. First recognized in 2004, the month is dedicated to joint programs involving government and industry that provide individuals with resources that help keep them safe online. Recently, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has seen a notable increase in what they refer to as Phantom Hacker scams. These schemes usually involve several players, such as phony “tech support,” “financial services,” and/or “government representatives” who invoke fear, and then gain reliance, from unwitting victims online. In the typical Phantom Hacker scam, an individual who is online is warned that their computer has been attacked and their financial data has been exposed or used in a crime. Next, the purported “financial institution” and “law enforcement” players contact the victim to confirm the feigned problem and give directions on what to do next. The fearful user is directed to transfer funds to a separate account, often a crypto exchange, to help shut down the phony fraud scheme and perhaps avoid arrest. In reality, once the funds are transferred, it’s unlikely they will ever be recovered. EverSafe has seen a significant increase in Phantom Hacker scams in the last few months. Please call us if you think your client or loved one has been targeted. You can get more information on how to report these scams to the FBI here.

Centenarian Attempts to Become Oldest Skydiver

104-YEAR OLD DIES DAYS AFTER COMPLETING JUMP

Have you heard of Dorothy Hoffner? The adventurous 104-year-old gained international attention when she potentially broke the record for the world’s oldest skydiver earlier this month. The Guiness certification is still pending. A Chicago native, she leapt out of an airplane with a parachute and landed her 13,500-foot tandem jump at Skydive Chicago Airport. And this was not her first time jumping from a plane – which happened when she was 100 years of age. According to a piece in the New York Times, “she liked the feeling up there…of falling yet remaining momentarily afloat…” After the jump, she told reporters: “Age is just a number.” Dorothy passed away in her sleep about a week after the jump and doctors have not yet released her cause of death.