The new Consumer Reports magazine is out! One of their feature stories is about computer safety. I know we have all heard about seniors being the easiest folks to scam. Personally I have been hacked several times and I still do not really understand how it happens… but my family assures me I am doing something wrong or it would not be happening! Consumer Reports offers me a few suggestions as to how to prevent this in the future:
1. Do not accept friend requests from strangers.
2. Be careful purchasing items from Facebook Marketplace (agree on a price first, meet in a public place and bring a friend).
3. Set up a unique, strong password for every online account, including email accounts. (Personally I hate passwords. I can never remember them or if I do I never remember the case of the letters.)
4. Know the difference between public and private groups when sharing personal information. Want more specific help in avoiding being hacked go to https://cyberseniors.org/free-tech-help/.
Recently, 17 members of the UH Portage Medical Centers Auxiliary took a day off from fundraising to take a ride on the Cuyahoga Valley Railroad. They all car pooled into Akron, where they got on the train and took it to Peninsula where they had lunch and toured the area prior to getting back on the train and returning to Akron.
If you have been following my columns you know I do not profess to be an expert, just an 80-year-old woman who has lived in Portage County for the last 30 years and has become personally and professionally aware of programs for senior citizens.
To further confirm this, I recently went for an annual physical and was complaining to my doctor that I did not have as much energy as I used to and his response was “well do you see many 1944 Fords on the road anymore?” I took this to mean that I am a CLASSIC, and should quit driving. But it is the walking I am getting slower at… not the driving!!
I recently received an email from Dr. Lisbeth Justice, asking me to share with you information about Lovelight, Inc.’s new program. For 28 years Lovelight has been providing summer meals for area school children in Kent and Ravenna. This is a nonprofit organization which has made a huge investment over the years in our county’s children. Now Dr. Justice and her organization would like to take their commitment one step further by establishing the STARCHILD program, which Dr. Justice describes as ”a lifelong learning center.” The group has located a building for their program and are now in the process of securing donations to help with the purchase price. If you are able to help them financially, donations may be sent to Lovelight, Inc. P.O. Box 123 Kent, Ohio 44244, Attn. Lisbeth K. Justice, executive director.
If you are a senior citizen who would like to invest your time and energy in this program it would be even more appreciated. They want to involve senior citizens into the program making them play an integral part in their commitment to the children from infancy and on up. STARCHILD will involve senior citizens in reading to and rocking infants and toddlers, singing and talking to children, sharing experiences and projects such as gardening and hiking. In return STARCHILD will offer senior citizens support for mental, emotional and physical health. If this program interests you, you can go online to lovelightcares.org for additional information. Though their services have primarily focused on the Ravenna and Kent area, there can be a way that you can help even if you live in the northern part of our county. Go online for a direct way to contact Dr. Justice.
