PVE-CARES  (Palos Verdes Estates Community Assistance and Resources for the Elderly and Seniors)

PVE- CARES is a unique program created by our PVE Police Department to assist in “Caring for Those Who Cared for Us.”  PVE-CARES offers many resources to help senior residents prepare to stay safe and independent  in their own homes.
 
Any PVE resident age 65 and older or any “dependent adult” age 18 to 64 may register for PVE-CARES.  A dependent adult is defined as anyone with physical or mental limitations that restrict one’s ability to carry on normal activities or to protect rights. 

You can register by calling the PVE-CARES Coordinator, at (310)378-4211 ext. 2131.  After you have submitted your name, address and telephone number, a PVE-CARES Volunteer will schedule a time to meet with you and register you for the program and explain the benefits offered.

FILE OF LIFE

If you have registered with PVE-CARES, but have not received the “File of Life”, please call the Program Coordinator at the above listed number.  The “File of Life” is a tool that speaks for you when you are unable to do so yourself and allows First Responders (Police and Paramedics) to have access to your pertinent medical information.  Remember, in an emergency every second counts.  This tool can save you or the life of a loved one.

CONTACT NUMBERS

PVE Cares and Palos Verdes Police Department: (310) 378-4211 ext. 2131
PVE CARES Coordinator:   Sergeant John Eberhard

Peninsula Seniors (310) 377-3003
Social Activities

Alzheimer’s Association (323) 938-3379
Memory Loss/Dementia

H.E.L.P. (310) 533-1996
Aging-Related Legal and Care Challenges

Palos Verdes Transit (310) 544-1708
Transportation Issues

UPCOMING EVENTS

PVE-CARES is pleased to announce the following schedule of events for the remainder of 2008. Individuals that are registered with the program will also receive a postcard approximately three to four weeks in advance of each event.  As always, lunch or refreshments will be served.

Tuesday, June 17   10:30-11:30 a.m.     St. Francis Episcopal Church
Identity Theft and Internet Crimes presented by the Department of Consumer Affairs

Thursday, July 17  4:30-6:00 p.m.    Lunada Bay Park
Music from the 40’s and 50’s performed by “Chaussee’s Big Band”

Tuesday, September 9  10:30-11:30 a.m.   Palos Verdes Golf Club
“Taking Care of You”   Panel of Doctors from Little Co. Mary Hospital

Friday, November 7  10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.   Neighborhood Church
3rd Annual Senior Health Fair - Featuring free flu shots, local resources available to seniors, free lunch, music and a drawing for prizes

PVE-CARES also sponsors “Senior Work Day” offered on the third Saturday of each month.  Volunteers from “New Life Christian Church” will provide workers to perform those small jobs around the home that you are unable to do yourself.  All requests should be submitted to the PVE-CARES Coordinator at least two days prior to the work day by calling (310)378-4211 ext. 2131.

TIPS ON PROTECTING YOURSELF OR YOUR LOVED ONES
“PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FINANCIAL ABUSE”  

Financial abuse or exploitation is the illegal or improper use of another individuals resources for personal profit or gain.  Also referred to as fiduciary abuse, economic abuse or financial mistreatment, it encompasses a broad range of conduct, and may include: 

1.      scams
2.      theft of money, property or identity
3.      failure to provide agreed upon services
4.      refusal to return borrowed money or property
5.      exercise of undue influence   

It is estimated that approximately 65,000 reported incidents of financial exploitation occur each year in California.  There are also that many additional cases that go un-reported because the victim is embarrassed, fearful of reprisal or still dependent on the abuser.

Seniors and elders in our community are subjected to telemarketing scams, investment fraud, con artists and other forms of financial abuse that strip them of their assets and financial security.  They can be victimized by family members, caregivers, friends and strangers.  By following a few simple Do’s and Don’ts, you can protect yourself from becoming a victim of financial abuse.

DO

1.      Use direct deposit for your checks
2.      Shred all documents containing personal information
3.      Check your credit report annually
4.      Check your bank statement for unauthorized withdrawals or unusual activity
5.      Cancel unused or seldom used credit cards
6.      Document all financial arrangements
7.      Keep money and valuables secured
8.      Keep PIN numbers and passwords secure
9.      Stay abreast of the latest scams so you are forewarned
10. Check references and call the Better Business Bureau to verify authenticity before
contracting for any services.

   

DON’T

1.      Allow yourself to become socially isolated.  Social isolation increases your risk ofbecoming a victim, so make sure you have regular outside contact with friends andfamily.    
2.      Respond to internet, telemarketing or door-to-door solicitations.  Offers of prizesand special deals are often scams.  If it seems too good to be true, it probably is.
3.      Hire household help without performing a background check.  Make sure the agency you use checks their employees.  If you are hiring directly, be sure to investigate thoroughly.
4.      Sign documents without understanding them.  Make sure you always understandthe fine print. 

Be Aware of Scams

While anyone can fall prey to the many scams that are out there, seniors/elderly are particularly vulnerable.  We would once again like to emphasize some key points to keep in mind:  (1) Never give your personal information (especially your Social Security Number) to anyone; (2) Don’t fall prey to telemarketers – ask for a supervisor’s name and/or call back number to verify if the organization is legitimate.  Many times, after asking for this information, the caller will hang up – this should indicate that the  call was probably an attempt to scam you; (3) Never let anyone into your house or onto your property to perform some work or service unless you have previously arranged for it. 

Recently, there were several burglaries in Rancho Palos Verdes related to a tree-trimming scam where the suspects usually targeted elderly victims.  In each incident, the suspect pretended to work for a tree-trimming service and informed the victim that they needed to go to the backyard of the residence to show him/her trees that needed to be trimmed.  During this time, a second suspect entered the residence and stole the victim’s money and jewelry.  The good news is that the Sheriff’s Department arrested five individuals related to this recent scam.  As always, anytime you are having work done, get at least three bids before hiring someone to perform the work.  By obtaining as many bids as possible, you will have an idea as to what the job will cost and if one of the bids is considerably higher or lower than the others, this should raise your suspicion. 

FAQ

WHAT IS PVE-CARES?

PVE- CARES (Palos Verdes Estates Community Assistance and Resources for the Elderly and Seniors) is a unique program created by our PVE Police Department to assist in “Caring for Those Who Cared for Us.”  PVE-CARES offers many resources to help senior residents prepare to stay safe, independent, and self-sufficient in their own homes. 

HOW DOES PVE-CARES WORK?

Interested seniors, and/or family members, should contact Police Sergeant John Eberhard, PVE-CARES Coordinator at (310) 378-4211.  He will arrange an interview with you and a PVE-CARES Volunteer, who will fully explain the program,.  The Volunteer will then assess your concerns and/or needs and offer information on available resources.

WHY SHOULD I JOIN PVE-CARES?

If your name and address are part of our Reference File, we can periodically touch base with you to offer assistance.  Also, all participants are notified of upcoming PVE-CARES events.  It can also be a resource for emergency personnel.

WHAT IS DONE WITH MY INFORMATION?

Your information will always remain confidential.  It is retained by the Program Coordinator for use by him, your assigned volunteer, and if needed, emergency responders.

WHO ARE THE PVE-CARES VOLUNTEERS?

All volunteers are caring PVE residents with a passion to help seniors.  Volunteers have completed a thorough background check and have passed the PVE Police Department sponsored training.

HEALTH TIPS

For many people, it happens in their 40’s or 50’s.  They wake up and realize they’re aging.  Luckily, it’s never too late to combat the effects of time.  Studies show that preventative measures help ward off disease and disability and keep you feeling good well past your 60’s and 70’s.  Some good age-defying ideas:

You are what you eat.  Healthy bodies need high-quality nutrition.  Eat small, frequent meals with protein (thick nuts, bean spreads and low-fat cheese), whole grains, healthy fats (olive oil, fish) and at least five daily servings of fruits and vegetables.

Use it or lose it.  Exercise does wonders for cholesterol levels, bone strength, flexibility and mood.  Aim for moderate to vigorous-intensity exercise and physical activity most days of the week.  Exercise is also crucial to reaching or maintaining a healthy weight – another key health factor.

Avoid “the vices.”  Quitting smoking is hard, but the sooner you break the habit, the sooner your lungs heal from the damage that smoking causes.  Limit alcohol if you drink at all.

These simple suggestions are surprisingly powerful.  Follow them and significantly cut your risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer.  Start with a few changes:  Walk briskly ten minutes a day or add an apple or salad to a daily meal.  Even modest changes help.  While no one has found an elixir of youth, this formula may be the next best thing to extending your youth and longevity.  

Strong Bones For Life

Get Plenty of Calcium.  It’s a bone builder.  Sources:  low fat milk and yogurt, cheese, broccoli, and a calcium supplement.

Don’t forget Vitamin D.  This vitamin helps your body absorb calcium.  Sources:  salmon and some varieties of milk.

Stand up for Strength.  Do weight bearing exercises such as water aerobics or brisk walking, and strength training with weights or elastic bands.

Ask about a bone scan.  Talk to your health care provider about scheduling a bone density test.

PVE-CARES VOLUNTEERS

PVE- CARES (Palos Verdes Estates Community Assistance and Resources for the Elderly and Seniors) is a unique program created by our PVE Police Department to assist in “Caring for Those Who Cared for Us.”  PVE-CARES offers many resources to help senior residents prepare to stay safe and independent  in their own homes.
 
Any PVE resident age 65 and older or any “dependent adult” age 18 to 64 may register for PVE-CARES.  A dependent adult is defined as anyone with physical or mental limitations that restrict one’s ability to carry on normal activities or to protect rights. 

You can register by calling the PVE-CARES Coordinator, at (310)378-4211 ext. 2131.  After you have submitted your name, address and telephone number, a PVE-CARES Volunteer will schedule a time to meet with you and register you for the program and explain the benefits offered.

PVE-CARES
Senior Health Fair

PVE-CARES sponsors a Senior Awareness/Health Fair Day annually in the Fall.   The fair offers free flu shots for seniors, other medical screenings, a sampling of local resources available for seniors, and drawings for prizes. 

 

Neighborhood Watch

From left to right- Dick Seaberg- Sharon Ryan-Julie Paterson-Ruth Gralow-Ginny Mcglothlin-Barbara Culver-Ed von Breyman-CRO – Domonique Franklin.

The Palos Verdes Estates Police Department values its community partnership with Neighborhood Watch to protect lives, property, and the quality of life within our neighborhoods. The Palos Verdes Estates Neighborhood Watch program represents a key part of these cooperative and highly positive connections.

Neighborhood Watch is a community participation program of crime prevention and disaster preparedness. The Neighborhood Watch Program operates in close cooperation with the Palos Verdes Estates Police Department. 

Our Neighborhood Watch organization is broken down into four areas:  Lunada Bay, Montemalaga, Malaga Cove and Valmonte.  Each of these areas is represented at bi-monthly Board meetings by an Area Coordinator who is responsible for organizing their area and making sure each block has a block captain.  Information is passed down to block captains who then share it with the residents in their neighborhood.

The objectives of Neighborhood Watch are:
 

• To prevent crime by improving security, increasing vigilance, and creating and maintaining a caring community in an effort to reduce the opportunities for crime.
   
• To assist the police in detecting crime by promoting effective two-way communication  and the prompt reporting of suspicious and criminal activity.
   
• To enhance police/community partnership by providing effective communications through systems such as the Neighborhood Watch Block Captain Program.  The Palos Verdes Police Department Neighborhood Watch Liaison communicates with Block Captains via e-mail to report crime alerts and crime logs which they may then disseminate to their Neighborhood Watch members.  Block Captains and NW members keep the lines of communication open by apprising the police of incidents or quality of life concerns as they occur.
   
• To encourage every block to hold an emergency preparedness meeting to inform residents on how to survive in a disaster.  Contact the Police Department’s Community Relations Officer at 310 378-4211 for assistance in organizing a meeting.

If you are interested in joining Neighborhood Watch, drop by the Police Department and obtain an application available in the foyer.  The annual membership fee is $5.00 and entitles members to receive crime alerts and crime logs via e-mail.

For questions or to request an application by mail, please contact Laurie Slawson, PVEPD Neighborhood Watch Liaison at 310 378-4211 Ext. 2118 or e-mail her at lslawson@pvestates.org.

• Neighborhood Watch Membership