Welcome to AREA -

Androscoggin Retired Educators Association - Many thanks to Crystal Ward , Mona Ervin, and Gina Fuller for the contributions this month. 

Newsletter Notes!

Please feel free to contribute to your newsletter.  You can send contributions to me by emailing them to - area@mainenet.org  or  rfuller@mainenet.org

It's great to hear from our membership!! 

Please note - MEA Retired now has a Facebook page - You can follow us there. 

MEA Retired - Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/Maine-Education-Association-Retired-104743981253633/

Here is a great resource for staying healthy, from AARP

Staying Healthy

https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2020/walking-benefits.html

If you want up-to-date information on the pandemic and its impact, consult this link -

Washington Post Update

or directly at -

https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/national/coronavirus-us-cases-death s/?itid=h p_hp-top-table-main_web-gfx-death-tracker%3Ahomepage%2Fstory-ans

This is the best resource for daily updates on both the national and international situation. If you follow the links, you can even get a state by state analysis.

Stay isolated to stay well.  This is a tough and tedious assignment - we can do it!

from Mona Ervin

As we continue to self-quarantine and maintain social distance because of the Coronavirus there is growing concern that some of our most vulnerable seniors may become victims of elder abuse. Abuse can take many forms. Some types of abuse to be aware of are neglect, physical abuse, emotional/psychological abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, and financial exploitations.

There are many red flags to watch for:

Sudden changes in the elder’s appearance, poor hygiene, improperly dressed for the weather, sunken eyes, bedsores, loss of weight
Sudden changes in the elder’s personality, increased or unreasonable levels of anxiety, fearfulness or depression
The elder becomes uncommunicative and unresponsive
A decline in health, particularly if this occurs suddenly, malnourishment or sudden weight loss
Visible injury(s) that has not been cared for or cannot be reasonably explained
A change in routine, no longer attending events or participating in events previously enjoyed
Social isolation that may be forced, no visitors allowed,
Loss of ability to meet financial obligations
Going without things the elder needs or has had in the past
The elder states that they have had conflicts/problems with their caregiver

Many elders who may be victims of elder abuse do not report their abuse to concerned individuals such as family members, trusted friends, or the authorities. There are numerous barriers to elders getting the help needed:
The victim is dependent on the abuser for care and they are threatened with the loss of their independence if they report. When there isno one else to provide the care the elder requires, the threat of having to change their living situation is very real

When the abuse is at the hands of a loved one or family member, the victim might have to overcome emotional responses prior to feeling comfortable enough to tell someone. The elder might fear that the abuser will get into trouble and they might feel guilty or ashamed about reporting the abuse at the hands of a family member.

The victim might be fearful of retaliation; fearful of the system response.

The victim is socially isolated and has no one to turn to for help.

The victim might be in denial that they are experiencing abuse or are unaware that they are experiencing abuse or neglect. This is particularly true if the victim has dementia, mental health issues or substance abuse issues

Generational values can lead a victim to believe that what they are experiencing is normal or a “family problem” not to be shared with community service providers.

If you feel that you are the victim of elder abuse or suspect that you know someone who is a victim help is available. You can dial 211 and ask for information on how to and to whom to report suspected elder abuse; call you local police/sheriff department to file a report; call an attorney as many attorneys specialize in elder law; or call one of the following:

Domestic Violence Resource Centers

1-866-834-4357

Maine Asso. Of Area Agencies on Aging
 1-877-353-3771

Legal Services for the Elderly

1-800-750-5353

Domestic Violence Hotline
1-866-834-4357

Adult Protective Services DHHS -

207-287-3707

Maine ME Long Term Ombudsman Program
1-800-499-0229

POLITICAL UPDATE

from

Crystal Ward

IMPORTANT INFORMATION From MainePers:

We are receiving reports that members and retirees are receiving calls that appear to be from MainePERS but are not. The caller is asking for things like credit card numbers or banking information. Do not share this information with the caller. To verify the call validity, hang up, call MainePERS at 800-451-9800 and ask to speak with someone in our Service Programs area.

Unemployment fraud is one of the fastest growing criminal activities coming out of the coronavirus environment. The Maine Department of Labor is working to combat this fraud. If an unemployment claim has been fraudulently filed on your behalf, you can report it to Maine DOL at https://www.maine.gov/unemployment/idtheft/.

MainePERS takes multiple precautions to protect your personal information and your retirement account. We appreciate our members and retirees patience as we verify your identity, and work to make sure we are sending your information only to you.

We can add a note to your MainePERS file as an extra precaution that you have had a fraudulent unemployment claim filed on your behalf. Please call us at 207-512-3100.

Governor Mills new Order strengthens previous Orders from April and May by mandating businesses require face coverings in retail stores with more than 50,000 square feet of shopping space, restaurants, outdoor bars or tasting rooms, and lodging establishments. It applies to businesses in the coastal counties of Hancock, Waldo, Knox, Lincoln, Sagadahoc, Cumberland, and York, as well as in the cities of Bangor, Brewer, Lewiston, Auburn, and Augusta. The Executive Order focuses on these areas given the congregation of people in Maine’s larger cities as well as the influx of tourists in destinations along Maine’s coast. Under the Order, municipalities may enforce the use of face coverings ( You can report issues to your town/city Code enforce officer) . The Mill’s Administration has established a reporting form for alleged violations. I have used the reporting form and it is very easy !

There has been no action on any retired issues in the Maine Legislature as of July 15.
There has been no action on the Social Security Offset (WEP).

The HEROES Act passed by the US House on May 15 would provide $915 billion in direct relief for state and local governments that can be used to pay vital workers such as educators and $90 billion in additional education funding that could save more than 800,000 education jobs. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has refused to take up HEROES Act, claiming there’s no need for immediate action to address the mounting damage from COVID-19. Please contact Senator Collins asking her to support .

AARP is also working on making sure folks get their stimulus payments, problems with stimulus payment debit cards, getting SSA/SSI beneficiaries with dependent children their $500 payment this year instead of next but that is the extent of “Social Security” related action right now.

We invite you to follow us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Maine-Education-Association-Retired-104743981253633/

Treasurer's Report

Gina Fuller sends along the Treasurer's Report as a downloadable PDF.

Please note - On June 1. 2020 we had 119 active members. This takes into consideration the death of several members and the addition of new members.  This is the summary report for the year ending in July.

Treasurer's Report

Be well. Stay well.