Category: FYI

Anne Sullivan - Helen Keller memorial - Tewksbury, Massachusetts
FYI, History

Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week

by Nicholas Goodman, Intake Clerk When you hear the term Deaf-Blind, what comes to mind? For most people, Helen Keller is the initial response. In 1984, President Ronald Reagan declared June 24-30, “Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week”. There are approximately 40,000 people who are Deaf-Blind in the United States, although exact numbers are hard to pinpoint because degrees of hearing and vision loss vary from person … Continue reading Helen Keller Deaf-Blind Awareness Week

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Rainbow Flag
FYI, History, senior independence, seniors

Aging and the LGBT Community

by Alexis Ringman, Project Administrator June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Month. LGBT Pride Month celebrates diversity, acknowledges the LGBT community, and commemorates the history of the LGBT social justice movement.  According to the Administration On Aging, experts estimate between 1.75 and 4 million LGBT Americans ages 60 and over live in the U.S. and anticipate that number will increase. June is a … Continue reading Aging and the LGBT Community

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Hands with Heart
Elder Law of Michigan, FYI, Staff and Volunteers, Staff Spotlight

Welcome to the Fraternity of Fatherhood: An Open Letter to My Colleague, Chris

by Ron Tatro, Vice President, Administration and Center for Elder Rights Advocacy Chris, You recently appeared at the door to my office. You had a grin on your face which lit up the room. You shared the information that you and your wife were expecting your first child later this year. You asked what it was like to be a father. As Father’s Day approaches, I … Continue reading Welcome to the Fraternity of Fatherhood: An Open Letter to My Colleague, Chris

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A will with a pen.
FYI, Legal, Legal Hotline, Planning for the Future

Wills vs.Trusts- Part 3

by Christine Steinmetz, J.D., Hotline Attorney This post is the third in a series regarding wills and trusts, part one can be found here and part two can be found here.  In our previous post, we defined a will as a document that contains your instructions about how you want your assets (also known as your estate) distributed upon your death. A will allows you to determine who … Continue reading Wills vs.Trusts- Part 3

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Money Bag with Dollar symbol, isolated on white
Elder Abuse, fraud, FYI, Money and Finances

Banks and Lender Scams and Complaints

by Miles Morley, Legal Assistant This is part five of a recurring series on the most common types of fraud reported in the Consumer Sentinel Network’s 2014 Data Book for the State of Michigan. Banks and Lender Scams accounted for five percent of all complaints from Michigan Residents and a total of 3,566 complaints in the Consumer Sentinel Network’s 2014 Data Book. These types of scams … Continue reading Banks and Lender Scams and Complaints

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National Consumer Law Center
Elder Abuse, FYI

FCC Proposed Ruling Protects Older Adults and other Consumers from Unwanted Telemarketing, Robocalls and Texts to Cell Phones

Via the National Consumer Law Center: Unwanted calls and texts are the number one consumer complaint to the FCC. Home-bound elders are particularly vulnerable to aggressive telemarking scams and incessant robocalls. Despite intense pressure from industry, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is poised to take action to maintain and advance consumer protections against unwanted robocalls, text messages and telemarketing calls to consumers’ cell phones. In its … Continue reading FCC Proposed Ruling Protects Older Adults and other Consumers from Unwanted Telemarketing, Robocalls and Texts to Cell Phones

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Senior with caregiver family member.
FYI, senior independence, seniors

Senior Independence – Support for Caregivers

by Kathryn Larlee, J.D., Hotline Attorney This post is part four of a series of blog posts discussing the importance of senior independence in our communities. Part one can be found here, part two can be found here, and part three can be found here.  The first three parts of this series focused on the seniors and the benefits of maintaining independent living and being able to … Continue reading Senior Independence – Support for Caregivers

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Pen laying on top of a Will for estate planning
FYI, Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors, Money and Finances, seniors

Wills vs. Trusts – Part 2

by Christine Steinmetz, J.D., Hotline Attorney This post is the second in a series regarding wills and trusts, part one can be found here. In our previous post, we defined a will as a document that contains your instructions about how you want your assets (also known as your estate) distributed upon your passing. A will allows you to determine who receives what share of your … Continue reading Wills vs. Trusts – Part 2

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Army Reserve Rifle Team honors fallen comrades-in-arms
FYI, Planning for the Future

Remembering Veterans and their Families this Memorial Day

Memorial Day was established as a day to remember those who have given their lives serving our country. We are very grateful for their service and sacrifices to preserve our freedoms. As part of honoring their sacrifices, it is important to remember their families and fellow veterans. According to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans, nearly 50,000 veterans are homeless, of which more than half … Continue reading Remembering Veterans and their Families this Memorial Day

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Elder Abuse, FYI

Imposter Scams and How to Protect Yourself

This is part four of a recurring series on the most common types of fraud reported in the Consumer Sentinel Network’s 2014 Data Book for the State of Michigan. Impostor Scams are broadly defined as: “complaints about scammers claiming to be friends, family, a romantic interest, companies or government agencies to induce people to send money or divulge personal information. Complaints include the following: scammers posing … Continue reading Imposter Scams and How to Protect Yourself

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