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Welcome to the Senior Resource Connect blog. You can visit the blog each Wednesday at 10am for the latest information about aging, caregiving, COVID, and local resources.

Know Your Scam: The “Pig Butchering” Super Scam

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You may have heard about the new scam on the block with an unfortunate name. Called “Pig Butchering Scams,” these scams are especially dangerous because they don’t unfold like a typical scam. Instead of putting a potential victim on the spot and demanding payment or information immediately, these scams start small and gain the trust of potential victims over time. By the time the victim realizes what’s going on, they could already have lost a large amount of money. Let’s explore this scam, warning signs to look out for, and what to do if you (or someone you know) falls victim to it. 

 

It’s called what?! 

“Pig Butchering” scams have their unfortunate name because scammers “fatten up” a victim to gain their trust before “butchering” them — typically by persuading them to invest large sums of money into a fraudulent investment. 

 

How does it work?  

 

Warning Signs 

 

How to protect yourself 

 

What to do if you’re a victim of a pig butchering scam 

  • The most important thing to do is to report the crime. It can be tempting to just hope this all goes away, or to want to avoid talking out of shame or embarrassment but doing that lets the scammers win. The longer you wait to report, the harder it is to trace your money! 
  • Report to your bank ASAP 
  • Contact the cryptocurrency exchange company you used to send the money ASAP and ask if they can reverse the transaction 
  • Contact the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 
  • Contact the Internet Crime Center 
  • Contact the FBI (Michigan’s main office is in Detroit) or visit www.fbi.gov/cryptoguard 
  • Contact the MI Department of the Attorney General 
  • Contact the US Department of Justice at USAMA.CyberTip@usdoj.gov 
  • Important information to include in your report: 
    • Mention that you’re a victim of the Pig Butchering PSA 
    • Name of the investment platform you used 
    • Cryptocurrency address and transaction hashes 
    • Bank account information 
    • Names/contact information of suspected scammers 

Together we can protect the vulnerable adults in our community.    

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Medication Safety 101

March 26th is Epilepsy Awareness Day. You may have heard of Epilepsy, but did you know that it affects an increasing number of older adults? Today on the blog we’re going to explore Epilepsy- what it is, how it affects older adults, and what resources exist in the community.  

 

What is Epilepsy? 

According to the Cleveland Clinic, Epilepsy is a chronic disease where the cells in the brain produce abnormal electrical signals, causing seizures. Approximately 3.4 million people in the United States live with Epilepsy. Epilepsy can be treated with daily medication.  

 

Epilepsy & Older Adults 

Older adults (age 55+) are the fastest growing group of epilepsy patients. It's estimated that there are nearly 1 million older adults living with Epilepsy in the United States. In older adults, strokes may cause symptoms that resemble other health conditions, such as wandering, confusion, dissociating, or the inability to speak (all of which can resemble Alzheimer’s Disease or Dementia). Unfortunately, many antiseizure medications put older adults at an increased risk of falling due to side effects including dizziness and loss of balance. Talk with your doctor if you have any concerns about your medication (we’ve also covered basic fall prevention tips on the blog in the past). 

 

Managing Epilepsy 

While seizures can be unpredictable, there are some small steps people with Epilepsy can take that may improve their seizure control and overall health. 

Stay on top of medication. 

Missing medication is the leading trigger for seizures. 

How Can You Make Sure You Take Your Medicine As Directed? via Senior Resource Connect 

How to save money on prescription medications via Senior Resource Connect 

Get a good night’s sleep. 

Sleep deprivation can also trigger seizures.  

Stay active. 

Eat a healthy diet and know how certain foods or drinks (e.g., alcohol, caffeine) affect your seizures.  

Reduce stress. 

Keep a record of your seizures- what happened before, during and after the seizure, any triggers you can identify, and any patterns you notice. 

Develop a Seizure Action Plan and share it with loved ones.  

 

What To Do If Someone Is Having a Seizure (Stay-Safe-Side) via Michigan Medicine 

STAY with the person until they are alert and the seizure has passed. 

Make sure to time the seizure. 

Make sure the person having the seizure is in a SAFE place. 

Turn the person on their SIDE to keep their airway clear. 

Also make sure to loosen any clothing/jewelry that may be tight around their neck. 

Make sure there’s something soft under their head.  

When to call 911: 

If the seizure lasts longer than 5 minutes. 

If the person has multiple seizures one after the other. 

If the person has difficulty breathing, chest pain, or does not regain alertness after the seizure. 

If the person became injured during the seizure. 

If the seizure occurs in water.  

 

Local & National Resources 

Epilepsy Foundation’s 24/7 Helpline: 1-800-332-1000 

Spanish hotline: 1-866-748-8008 

Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan’s Here For You Helpline: 1-800-377-6226 

Project UPLIFT via the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan 

Evidence-based depression management program for adults with Epilepsy. This program runs for 8 weeks and is conducted over the phone. 

Seizure Response Dogs via Paws With A Cause ($50 application fee) 

Seizure Smart Mental Health Professional Network- this is a list of therapists that have completed the Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan’s training on seizures and mental health. 

Steve Metz Memorial Grant via The Defeating Epilepsy Foundation 

Offers a one-time grant in the amount of $1,000 towards a seizure alert dog.  

University of Michigan Comprehensive Epilepsy Program (734) 936-9020

Supporting Older Adults with Epilepsy

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Spotlight: Washtenaw Library for the Blind and Print Disabled

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Nutritionist Services: Getting Coverage and Support

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Wishing You A Blessed Ash Wednesday