December 2014

@aoa . . . e-news from Alliance on Aging

Dear Friends,

I would like to extend a special holiday message to the volunteers, staff and supporters of the Alliance on Aging. At a time when there is unrest and distrust among many in our country and in other parts of the world, I am blessed every day to see the faces of grateful seniors whose lives are better as a result of your commitment, compassion and support. May your holidays be peaceful and joyful with the knowledge that the world is a better place because of you.

Thank you all for all that you do.

Teresa Sullivan

Executive Director

December 7th is Fast Approaching

Time is running out to evaluate your Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage for next year. We can help and there is no charge for this service! Drop by our office in Monterey this Friday and meet with a Registered Medicare Counselor.

Click here for details

Spirals Monthly Markdown Sale:

Friday - Sunday, December 5 - 7

Spirals is once again moving items off the floor to make space for its new arrivals. From Friday - Sunday, December 5 - 7, we will be offering these clearance items at very low prices. Included are men and women's clothing, accessories, shoes, jewelry, artwork, furniture and household items.

Markdown sales are scheduled for the first Friday - Sunday of each month until further notice. Items that go not sell during the sale are donated to low income and homeless individuals on our service area.

Calling All Tax Preparers

The Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program is seeking Monterey County residents to volunteer for the 2015 tax season. Tax experience is required, however additional training will be provided. Work sites and schedules vary throughout Monterey County between the hours of 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

For information contact Sarah Guzman, TCE Program Coordinator or click the button below.

In Need of a Medical Assistance Device?

Episcopal Senior Communities can help! They have an array of supportive devices available to loan at no charge. They also accept gently used donations. Please call Laura Medina at 831.424.0911 for additional information in English or Spanish.

Holiday Dinner at Hartnell College

The Salinas Senior Center is again this year hosting a Holiday Dinner to be served at Hartnell College on Wednesday, December 17. Dinner is served at 6 p.m. in the Student Center (Building C). Reservations are encouraged, however not required.

For information call the Salinas Senior Center at 831.757.6030.

Seniors Beware!

Scams abound. Beware of anyone you have not called and invited to your home. The following story illustrates a recent scam:

A local elderly woman answered her door to a man who said he was there to inspect her security system. As there recently had been two robberies in her neighborhood and since she assumed the man represented her current security system, the woman allowed this man inside her home. Once he gained access, the man proceeded to hard sell the woman into buying his system. This "salesman" didn't care that the woman was going to have to buy out her previous contract and pay penalties for discontinuing service. The salesman never asked the woman if she would like to contact a relative to join them in the decision making.

The salesman told the woman his installer was available and could install the system that night. She consented and the system was installed. When the men left her home that night, she had absolutely no idea how it worked. In point of fact, the system was turned off, disabling her life alert necklace. The company proceeded to ask for automatic payments to be deducted from her checking account . The woman consented and provided the salesman with her checking account and bank routing number. Access to this information would enable the "company" to drain her checking account of funds.

Beware of anyone entering your home that you have not invited or called to visit you. Seniors continue to be prey for scammers whether it be on the telephone, in person or through the mail. Be alert and if something seems too good to be true it probably is. If you think you've been the victim of a scam, call your local police.

2014 Holiday Campaign

Watch for the holiday letter from AoA, which should be arriving any day. Thanks to the support of generous donors like you, you will read about some of the seniors whose lives we have been able to impact with our services.

Looking for the perfect gift for someone who has everything? Please consider donating "in honor of" or "in memory of" someone special. We will mail a beautiful card to the recipient letting them know of your generous gift in recognition of older adults in our community.

This year embrace the spirit of the holiday season by helping our frail and vulnerable seniors.

Should you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact

Christine Lawson

at 831.655.7559.

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**ALLIANCE ON AGING OFFICE CLOSURES FOR DECEMBER**

The Monterey and Salinas offices will be closed on the following days:

Wednesday, December 24: Christmas Eve
Thursday, December 25: Christmas Day
Thursday, January 1: New Year's Day