The Lee-Russell Aging Foundation is a 501C3 entity. Its intent is to raise awareness for aging related issues while raising funds to supplement the programs that are administered through the Area Agency on Aging at the Lee-Russell Council of Governments. Our feature events include:

• The Area Agency on Aging will be having 2013 Medicare Open Enrollment Events October 15-December 7. If you have any questions, pleae contact Daphane Farley at daphane.farley@adss.alabama.gov or call her at 1-800-243-5463 ext. 208. Please remember to bring a list of medication and all insurance cards with you. Below is a list of the dates, times and locations of the upcoming enrollment events. Please click here for more information.

October 15 8:30AM-11:30AM CST - Greater Peach Baptist Church (650 Jeter Avenue Opelika, AL)

October 18 8:00AM-11:00AM CST - Auburn United Methodist Church (137 S Gay Street Auburn, AL)

October 24 10:00AM-1:00PM EST - Regional Rehabilitation Hospital (3715 Highway 280/431 N Phenix City, AL)

October 25 8:00AM-11:00AM CST - Auburn United Methodist Church (137 S Gay Street Auburn, AL)

October 29 8:30AM-11:30AM CST - Greater Peach Baptist Church (650 Jeter Avenue Opelika, AL)

November 1 8:00AM-11:00AM CST - Auburn United Methodist Church (137 S Gay Street Auburn, AL)

November 12 8:30AM-11:30AM CST - Greater Peach Baptist Church (650 Jeter Avenue Opelika, AL)

November 14 12:00PM-3:00PM EST - Regional Rehabilitation Hospital (3715 Highway 280/431 N Phenix City, AL)

November 21 10:00AM-1:00PM EST - Regional Rehabilitation Hospital (3715 Highway 280/431 N Phenix City, AL)

December 3 10:00AM-2:00PM CST - Greater Peach Baptist Church (650 Jeter Avenue Opelika, AL)

December 5 1:00PM-3:00PM CST - Lee-Russell Council of Governments (2207 Gateway Drive Opelika, AL)

• Every last Monday of each month, LRCOG Area Agency on Aging will host the Care-N-Share Support Group meeting at the Opelika Sportsplex. The meetings are held at 12:30 p.m. CST -for more information please contact Leisa.Askew@adss.alabama.gov.

• Exercise Programs are being offered at Beulah Senior Center. This is an Arthritis Exercise program that is a low-impact physical program proven to reduce pain and decrease stiffness. Please contact Carolyn Brewer at carolyn.brewer@adss.alabama.gov or Daphane Farley at daphane.farley@adss.alabama.gov or call 1-800-AGE-LINE. For more information please click here.

• This is a sad world we live in when senior citizens are targeted and preyed upon by scam artists. Many seniors have been cheated out of money by someone using trickery. Many times, this happens without the elderly person even realizing that a theft has occurred until it is too late.  A good rule of thought is if it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.   Here are a few guidelines to help you and your love ones from becoming a victim of a scam.

Never give your personal information to anyone who calls you.  Medicare and the Social Security Administration has access to your personal information, they will not call you to get your social security number.

Check Identification.  If someone comes to the door claiming to be from the telephone company or a utility company ask to see their photo identification card before you let them in your home. You may also want to call the business for further verification.

Get a detailed estimate.  If you hire someone to make repairs, be sure to get a list of what they are going to do and the cost in writing.  You may also want to check with the Better Business Bureau before the work begins.

Shred all bills and other personal mail. It is not beneath a thief to rummage through your trash. Tear your mail up before throwing it away. Or even better invest in a paper shredder.

These are just a few tips on how protect yourself.  If you feel that you are a victim of a scam, please call your local law enforcement agency.

• Lee-Russell Area Agency on Aging would like to thank the following for helping make the 2012 Long Term Care Conference a success:

Gold Sponsor - Oxford Health Care

Silver Sponsor - Hospice Advantage of EAMC

Silver Sponsor - EAMC Senior Communities

Silver Sponsor - Monarch Estates

Give Away Sponsor - Vista Care Hospice

The Lee-Russell Aging Foundation

Non-profit 501C3 foundation that accepts donations that are used to supplement available resources and services for the elderly. 100% of all donations are used for client services. Donations may be routed via check to the Lee-Russell Aging Foundation, 2207 Gateway Drive, Opelika, AL 36801.