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Top Senior Scams and How to Avoid Them

Dear Savvy Senior, My adult kids keep warning me about scams, but it’s hard to know which calls and messages are dangerous. What scams are most commonly aimed at seniors right now? – Almost 80 Dear Almost, Your kids’ concerns are well founded. Financial fraud is a massive – and rapidly growing – problem for older Americans. In 2024 alone, scams cost older adults an estimated $81.5 billion, according to the Federal Trade Commission. That staggering figure includes both reported losses and the many crimes that likely go unreported. While many scams today target people of all ...

The Pitfalls of Potholes

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for March to head on down the road. Enough of these open windows one day, turn on the furnace by nightfall the next day. Speaking of roads, I need you to understand something. If you happen to be driving behind me as I am traveling on just about any road in Ohio County, please know that I am completely sober. I do not drink and drive. However, I am weaving in and around potholes to avoid losing a tire or two, not to mention an expensive wheel alignment. Yes, I even go on the opposite side of the road on certain less-traveled lanes to avoid ...

What Happens if You Die Without a Will?

Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve put off making a will for years. What actually happens to my money and property if I die without one? – Getting Old Dear Getting, If you die without a will, your assets will be distributed according to the laws of your state, known as intestacy laws. These laws determine who inherits your property and financial accounts when there’s no will or trust. Since rules vary from state to state, it’s important to check the specifics where you live. A helpful starting point is heirbase.com, which offers Intestacy Evaluators for 37 states. You enter your ...

Wishing Everyone A Happy Holy-days

Perhaps you have one of those bracelets with the letters, “WWJD.” The intended message, of course, is for the wearer to ask herself, “What Would Jesus Do,” so that we might bring morality and ethics into our daily decision-making process. As a Rabbi, I love those bracelets, because WWJD could be interpreted as, “What Would any Jew Do?” It is no accident that our Christian friends borrow extensively from Jewish teachings, since the star figure and moral exemplar of the New Testament seems to practice Judaism throughout his life. He visits the ancient Temple in Jerusalem, he ...

Time With ‘Hunny’

There is a dog in our house. Not just any dog, my 11-year-old granddaughter’s dog named Hunny. Yes, like Winnie the Pooh “hunny.” This 12-pound ball of tan fur has managed to melt our hearts with her gentle nature and tenacity for catching a small tennis ball in mid-air. While we don’t own a pet, having a dog around the house reminds us of the many years we did enjoy our basset hounds. Now, we simply have the pleasure of this dog’s affection while we dog-sit on various occasions to help out her busy family. Hunny seems to enjoy our company as we do hers. Our son said she gets ...

Top Senior Scams and How to Avoid Them

Dear Savvy Senior, My adult kids keep warning me about scams, but it’s hard to know which calls and messages are dangerous. What scams are most commonly aimed at seniors right now? --Almost 80 Dear Almost, Your kids’ concerns are well founded. Financial fraud is a massive – and rapidly growing – problem for older Americans. In 2024 alone, scams cost older adults an estimated $81.5 billion, according to the Federal Trade Commission. That staggering figure includes both reported losses and the many crimes that likely go unreported. While many scams today target people of ...