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They cannot wear face masks. They do not understand social distancing. They would not be able to remember to take their temperature if they tried. Even the names of their spouses and their children sometimes escape them. They are the silent victims of COVID-19 and in California, there are 690,000 of them – men and women over the age of 65 with Alzheimer's and dementia. Those who take care of them say the pandemic, specifically shelter-in-place orders, have caused physical a...
If Valley Adult Day Services can stay afloat in Porterville, the goal is to downsize the facility and put funding into a second center in Visalia, where there is a need to provide stimulating day services for dementia patients while giving caretakers a much-needed break. Kimberly Jensen, community liaison at Quail Park Senior Living in Visalia, has been building the dream ever since she began working at Quail Park 10 years ago. She envisions a facility that's like a little...
The COVID-19 pandemic has more people than ever ordering from Amazon. And, of course, scammers are finding ways to cash in on the trend. Con artists are posing as Amazon employees, calling people, and claiming to need information about their account. And if that wasn't tricky enough, scammers are using the Better Business Bureau's (BBB's) phone number to do it! How the Scam Works You answer the phone, and it is a recorded message claiming to be from Amazon stating there is a...
The Tulare County Health & Human Services Agency announced that five human cases of West Nile Virus have been reported in Tulare County. Public health officials urge residents to take precautions against mosquito bites, as mosquito samples positive for West Nile Virus have been detected in multiple locations within the county. In addition, samples indicate that St. Louis Encephalitis Virus (SLEV) may also be present, posing a risk to the public. "Due to this increased...
More than 130 area residents raised over $20,000 in this year's Tulare & Kings Walk to End Alzheimer's on October 3rd. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, participants walked as individuals or in small groups on sidewalks, tracks and trails across the area. "Even during these uncertain times, the community members in Tulare and Kings Counties stepped up to raise over $20,000 to support the mission of the Alzheimer's Association through the Walk to End Alzheimer's," said Sherrie...
During the week of June 15th, the Kings County District Victim Witness Program hosted a Caring & Compassionate Card Drive. Cards were purchased and handed out to Kings County District Attorney staff and the Kings County Probation Department. Individuals from each of the departments wrote caring and encouraging comments on every card. One-hundred-sixteen "Caring & Compassionate Cards" were collected and taken to Kings Nursing in Rehabilitation Center in Hanford and distributed...
The Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's will be held on Saturday, October 3. The Tulare and Kings Counties Walk to End Alzheimer's, which attracts hundreds each year to raise awareness and funds to fight Alzheimer's disease, will look different this year. Instead of hosting a large gathering, the Alzheimer's Association is encouraging participants to walk as individuals or in small groups on sidewalks, tracks and trails across Tulare and Kings Counties. On walk...
As of August 20, Tulare County has 12,907 reported cases of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus. The virus has killed 208 people in the county. Kings County has had 5,347 cases, with 68 deaths. People continue to receive mixed messages about how safe it is to resume a normal life. Some events are now on the fall calendar (see "mini" Calendar on page 4), but most others have been canceled. Visalia Senior Games The City of Visalia Recreation Department decided earlier this...
Numerous new and creative frauds and scams have emerged amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Fraudsters feed off the of the concern and uneasiness of the disease due to the current absence of a cure or vaccine. Unfortunately, it is all too common for scammers to take advantage of the anxiety associated with emergency situations, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic. Let’s take a look at just some of the scams that have been hitting close to home in recent months. Central Valley COVID-19 Scams Recently, across the Central Valley a...
As of June 22, Tulare County has 3,172 reported cases of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus. The virus has killed 111 people in the county. Kings County has had 1,331 cases, with 12 deaths. Despite the current increase in cases, there is apparently some confusion about how safe it is to resume a normal life. "We are now in early Stage 2, where retail, related logistics and manufacturing, office workplaces, limited personal services, outdoor museums, child care and essential businesses can open with modifications," according...
The Visalia Gleaning Seniors want local seniors to know they are still delivering food to their members, even though their office is closed. They are also still accepting donations Monday through Thursday from 8-10 a.m. for their next large yard sale at their yard. These donations help Visalia Gleaning Seniors raise money to pay their operating expenses. For more information, call (559) 901-7079....
Scammers are taking advantage of fears surrounding the coronavirus. They're setting up websites to sell bogus products, and using fake emails, texts and social media posts as a ruse to take your money and get your personal information. The emails and posts may be promoting awareness and prevention tips – and fake information about cases in your neighborhood. They also may be asking you to donate to victims, offering advice on unproven treatments, or contain malicious email a...
While some of you are home, practicing social distancing and frequent hand washing to avoid the coronavirus, remember that scammers are still busy trying to take advantage of people. Some scammers are pretending to be from the Social Security Administration (SSA) and trying to get your Social Security number or your money. Here's what to know: • Do not trust caller ID. Scam calls may show up on caller ID as the Social Security Administration and look like the agency’s real number, but it’s not the SSA calling. • Your Social...
In recent years, local events have been held to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, including an Elder Abuse Awareness Flag Ceremony featuring local officials and other community leaders, and a display of purple flags. “Prior to the COVID-19 shutdown, the Tulare County District Attorney’s (TCDA) Office was planning on participating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day events that are hosted by Tulare County Adult Protective Services and the Public Guardian’s Office, which are usually held at Government Plaza,” said Nicole...
The 2020 Visalia Senior Games were postponed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. At this time, no new dates have been scheduled. The Visalia Senior Games, the Central Valley's only senior games, were scheduled at various locations in Visalia on March 21-22 and 28-29. More than 200 athletes were registered for the games when the pandemic forced their postponement. In keeping with the most current state and county recommendations, all recreation programs, classes and sports leagues in the city have been cancelled until...
As of April 19, Tulare County has 411 cases of COVID-19, also known as coronavirus. The virus has killed 17 people in the county. Kings County has had 18 cases so far, with one death. In addition to the health of local residents, the virus has impacted the area in other ways. Redwood Springs More than 100 of the COVID-19 cases in Tulare County are residents of the Redwood Springs Healthcare Facility in Visalia, and an additional 50 employees are infected. State and county heal...
The seventh annual Heart of Seniors "Spectacular Resource Event" Luncheon, hosted by the Senior Coalition, was held on February 13th at the Wyndham Hotel in Visalia. The event included a vital resource fair with vendors, a fashion show with the latest in fashion for the mature woman, and a luncheon. The keynote speaker was Jewel Diamond Taylor, a motivational speaker who teaches possibility thinking, emotional wellness, strategies for success, self-worth and resiliency. She...
The Better Business Bureau (BBB) reminds you that tax season is here, and along with it so are the scammers. Con artists are using Social Security numbers of unsuspecting Americans to file phony tax returns and steal their refunds. The BBB urges you to be on the lookout for this and other tax season scams. How the Scam Works You file your taxes as normal and expect a refund from the IRS. Instead, you get a written IRS notice saying that more than one tax return was filed...
The Visalia Senior Center is ready to kick-off spring with its annual Spring Open House event, scheduled for Wednesday, April 15, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will take place at the Senior Center located at 310 N. Locust St. and feature plenty of information, programs, activities and entertainment for active adults. The Spring Open House event is designed to bring local businesses and providers of programs and services for the senior population together in one convenient...
The Tulare County District Attorney's Office has received a one-year grant from the California Office of Emergency Services to fund its Elder Abuse Task Force through the 2020 calendar year. The money will fund two full-time elder abuse advocates – one each in Visalia and Porterville – and continue the outreach and training to fight the crime of elder abuse. "The best approach to this crime is to prevent it from happening in the first place," said Tulare County District Att...
The 2020 Visalia Senior Games, the Central Valley's only senior games, will be held at various locations in Visalia on March 21-22 and 28-29. The inaugural Senior Games, which were held in October 2015, were considered a success, attracting athletes from 50 California cities. A total of 237 athletes participated, including some traveling from as far as Oregon and Texas. The event has continued to grow and the 2019 event saw a total of 550 athletes participate, representing 86...
The seventh annual Heart of Seniors "Spectacular Resource Event" Luncheon, hosted by the Senior Coalition, will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, February 13, at the Wyndham Hotel, 9000 W. Airport Dr., Visalia. The event will include a vital resource fair with vendors, a fashion show and a luncheon. The resource fair opens at 9:30 a.m. with the program at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are available for $10 per person, which includes lunch. Early registration is recommended...
It's the holiday season again, and once again, criminals are gearing up both old and new scams targeting seniors. Holidays and tax time are the peak periods for these scams. According to the Senate Special Committee on Aging, seniors lose an estimated $2.9 billion dollars due to financial exploitation every year. Learn the facts, be alert, and if it sounds fishy, it probably is. Below are just a few of the scams we expect to see this year. Donation Scams Natural disasters and...
Kaweah Delta and Quail Park are sponsoring "The Senior's Toolbox," an informational conference open to the community. Speakers will address important subjects to better prepare seniors for their present and future needs. Now in its second year, The Senior's Toolbox is a free educational forum and informational fair addressing situations often faced by seniors, their families and caregivers, and healthcare professionals. Christ Lutheran Church, 3830 W. Tulare Ave. in Visalia,...
Tulare and Kings County residents are invited to participate in the Alzheimer's Association Walk to End Alzheimer's on Saturday, October 12, at Mooney Grove Park in Visalia. Participants will complete a two-mile walk and learn about Alzheimer's disease, advocacy opportunities, clinical studies enrollment, and support programs and services from the Alzheimer's Association. Participants will also take part in a tribute ceremony to honor those affected by Alzheimer's disease. "I...