50+ Lifestyles

On the Go With Joe Hutter

Seniors And Law
Enforcement Together (SALT)

By Joe Hutter

The Quad-City area is having more and more programs for seniors. On April 4 in Bettendorf, there is the Senior Expo at the Waterfront Convention Center, with much information available for seniors. On April 18, Senior Voice is having a Senior Housing Expo at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds. Salute to Seniors is on May 9 at the Mississippi Valley Fairgrounds, and August 1 is Senior Day at the Mississippi Valley Fair. Mark your calendars!

With Spring here now, and no more snow for awhile, are you looking for something to do for the summer months? The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) is looking for volunteers. They can use volunteers to help with animals to writing. Yes, from A to Z. There are over 50 different types of help needed, and over 100 places at which to volunteer. You decide the day and hours to volunteer. This program is funded by federal and state money, both from Iowa and Illinois. You will be provided with supplemental accident and liability insurance. If you are interested, call (309) 793-4425. Ask to speak to someone in the RSVP Program. The only requirement is being over 55 years of age. RSVP is in the counties of Rock Island, Warren Henry and Mercer in Illinois and in Scott County, Iowa.

Many people have debt. House payments, car payments and upkeep, education and credit card bills go on no matter what your income. If you fall behind, call the companies you owe and try to work out a payment program. If you seek help, be careful who you call to help with debt relief services. Make sure you know the cost of this help. If you want more information about debt relief, call the Iowa Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-388-2227. This is the National Foundation for Credit Counseling, who can give you a non-profit agency to contact in your area.

We have heard many times in the media about being careful to whom we give our social security number. Do NOT give your number to anyone over the telephone. Identity thieves are everywhere and are always looking for ways to scam seniors. They not only try to steal the identity of the living, but also of the dead. In 2011, thieves collected $5.2 billion in refunds from the IRS using identities of the dead. Always be on guard, and if you think something is wrong, call your local law enforcement agency.

Our next Triad meeting is May 22 at 9:30 a.m. at CASI in Davenport. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information, call Pam at the Scott County Sheriff’s Office at (563) 326-8217.

Take care.