With the holidays on the horizon, advocates are reminding older Marylanders to watch out for scams during the upcoming season.

Federal Trade Commission data through the first nine months of this year show more than 30,000 reported incidents of fraud in Maryland.

The most common type of consumer fraud in the state is the impostor scam, carried out online or on the phone either via voice call or text message, where a person pretends to represent a government agency, bank or credit card company.

Jen Holz, associate state director of outreach for AARP Maryland, said if they are contacting you, do not give out your information.

"Never, ever, ever give any identifiable information to anyone over the phone who has contacted you," Holz advised. "If you're not sure, and you think that this could be legitimate, go and look up the number to your bank or to your credit card company and call them back directly. And then say, 'Hey, did you call me? Is there a problem with my account?'"

The FTC ranks Maryland fourth in the nation for impostor scams. AARP Maryland hosts fraud-education events online in addition to periodic document-shredding events. For more information on both, visit AARP.org/MD.

As artificial intelligence has become more accessible to the masses, fraudsters have kept up. One of the most common impostor scams targeting older adults is the so-called "Grandparents scam" where the caller poses as a loved one in crisis, needing money. Current technology enables scammers to not only sound like a loved one, but with caller ID spoofing, even the phone number appears legitimate.

Holz added scammers often attempt to get paid in ways that are hard to trace, including cryptocurrency or gift cards.

"If they ask you for a gift card or to go buy a gift card to pay off a debt, then you know instantly without a shadow of a doubt, it is a scam," Holz stressed. "Gift cards are for gifts. They are not for payments."

In addition to impostor scams, the FTC tracks numerous types of fraud including online shopping, investments, job opportunities, debt management, sweepstakes, even office supplies. Holz pointed out the fraudsters are professionals and there are scams out there targeting just about anyone.

"Because these professional scammers are so good at what they're doing, it's happening to people of all types," Holz explained. "All levels of education, all ages, and what AARP is really trying to do is implement, this anti-victim shaming culture change if you will, to make sure that we're talking about the scammers as the problem and not the folks who have had this happen to them."

Civic organizations with ideas for improving their communities have a new opportunity to turn their
ideas into reality, thanks to recently awarded grant funding.

Through Community Challenge grants, AARP's Livable Communities initiative has awarded more than $65,000 across four Mississippi nonprofits and government entities.

Kimberly Campbell, state director for AARP Mississippi, said the grants aim to support quick-action projects to improve public spaces, transportation, housing and digital access. She pointed out a local library is using the funds to expand its extensive print book collection to 50+ patrons.

"The Harrison County Library System was awarded $7,628," Campbell explained. "This project will provide wheeled walkers at three librarian branches, enabling older visitors to pursue the shelves independently."

Campbell noted this year, AARP has awarded $3.8 million to 343 organizations nationwide. AARP Community Challenge grants will be implemented nationwide, with a quick turnaround for project completion by Dec. 15.

The Jackson Heart Foundation provides state-of-the-art cardiovascular care to its patients and received an $18,000 Community Challenge grant.

"That project will create hydration stations and rest areas along the walking and biking trail frequented by older adults," Campbell emphasized. "Planned amenities include new water bottle filling stations, benches, bike racks, trash cans and shade trees."

Campbell added a Mississippi educational institution received funding to improve recreational activities.

"Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, they've been awarded $20,000," Campbell stated. "Their project will install outdoor fitness stations along the Walking Track popular with older adults. Several stations feature ADA compliant designs."

A $20,000 grant was awarded to the Laurel-Jones County Library System, to convert a donated trolley into a mobile library serving older adults in rural areas. The mobile library will provide residents with laptops, printers, Wi-Fi access and technology classes.

Correcting hearing loss by using hearing aids is a simple and effective way to reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia during aging, according to a new Global Council on Brain Health report.

Sarah Lock, executive director of the council, said the report should be a wakeup call for everyone, especially older Americans. She urges people not to let the stigma sometimes associated with hearing loss get in the way of prioritizing hearing health.

"Hearing promotes emotional well being, mental well being and your cognitive health. It's just too important not to take care of," she said. "And when you can do something as simple as getting a hearing aid to correct hearing loss, why wouldn't you want to do that?"

Researchers say if left untreated, hearing loss also increases risks associated with social isolation, loneliness, anxiety and depression.

Lock added the report underscores warnings by the U.S. Surgeon General that the nation is experiencing a loneliness and social isolation epidemic, with health impacts equal to smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day.

Age-related hearing decline is not curable, but it can be treated with hearing aids that achieve the crucial goal of helping people hear better. While hearing loss is often associated with aging, Lock says it's important for people of all ages to protect their hearing.

"Pop those little foam plugs in your ears so that you're not having your ears assaulted at work or at noisy concerts. So there are simple things that you can do to protect your hearing, no matter what age you are," she explained.

An AARP survey found that nearly six in ten Americans age 50 and older have not had a hearing test in the past five years, as recommended. And only 38% said their hearing was excellent. But Lock pointed out nearly 8 in 10 say they would address hearing loss if they knew it could impact brain health.

"AARP offers free screenings for members. If you go to AARP.org/hearing, you can find the hearing center, and you can take a free hearing test over the phone," she continued.


get more stories like this via email

AARP Iowa is on a road trip, taking knowledge to family caregivers wherever they are and helping them learn more about the resources that may be available to them. It is part of the association's larger effort to educate people about caregiving in Iowa.

AARP Iowa data show the state's 330,000 unpaid family caregivers provide 310 million hours of care every year in the state, which is valued at more than $5 billion.

Brad Anderson, state director for AARP Iowa, said caregivers are busy and often do not know what to expect or where to get information.

"For example, they need to know, 'How do I get in touch with the Area Agency on Aging?' They need to know, 'How does Medicare work?' They need to know, 'Is my loved one on the right prescription drug program?'" Anderson outlined.

AARP is traveling the state from the Mississippi River to the Missouri River in a big red RV to distribute information. Anderson noted they are making stops at grocery stores, hospitals, clinics and pharmacies; the most likely places to run across people who have just inherited caregiving duties.

There are other, more 'hands-on' things caregivers need to know but Anderson added since most people fall into the role, there is no real formal training and they have to learn their new role on the fly.

"How do I feed my loved one? How do I care for a wound? Maybe how do I even lift this person up and help them into bed?" Anderson explained. "These are all things that sometimes happen, literally, overnight."

The informational tour is scheduled to last into August.