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 Is This The End of Robocalls?
Consumer advocates are breathing easier as new federal legislation against robocalls is on the brink of being signed into law after moving swiftly through the House and the Senate.
In a near-unanimous vote of 417-3, the House passed a bipartisan bill that will create new technologies aimed at identifying robocalls before they reach your phone.
“It’s a good step to tackle one of the problems with robocalls, and that is the problem of calling ID spoofing,” said Susan Grant, director of consumer protection and privacy at The Consumer Federation of America.
“This bipartisan bill unquestionably moves the ball forward to protect consumers from unwanted robocalls, especially by requiring that all telephone systems in the U.S. implement a coordinated authentication methodology to improve the accuracy of caller-ID displayed on our phones,” said Margot Saunders of the National Consumer Law Center, in a statement released last week.
The Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence, or TRACED Act, will help the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to create new systems of call authentication technologies that phone service providers can use to block robocalls.
The bill will require that phone service providers like AT&T create a caller-ID program for unauthenticated phone calls. The bill’s call-authentication framework targets unauthenticated phone numbers, so it won’t entirely block subscribers from receiving calls from unfamiliar numbers like a distant relative or a new date.
“I would expect to see a reduction in the number of unwanted robocalls people get,” Grant said.
There will be a grace period before all carriers have to implement the new authentication system. Even though the bill prohibits a separate line charge for implementing the technology, Grant cautioned consumers against expecting the anti-robocall system to come without a cost.
“If it costs the carrier money to do this, people may see it reflected in their rates, but there’s not going to be a separate charge for doing this caller-ID authentication.”
The bi-partisan bill is sponsored by Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Sen. John Thune (R-SD), who reached a compromise measure after the House passed Pallone’s Stopping Bad Robocalls Act in July by a vote of 429-3. Thune’s initial version of the TRACED Act passed the Senate 97-1 in May.
YouMail, a free robocall blocking app, reported that Americans received 5.7 billion robocalls in October 2019, a 25% increase from September.
“This is not going to be the end of unwanted robocalls,” Grant said. “It’s one of many steps that needs to be taken and it has to do with caller-ID identifications.”
-New York Post, Dec. 10, 2019
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Local Organizations Ramp Up Response to Opioid-Related Issues Among Older Adults
Arlington, VA (December 2, 2019) – A new survey by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) reveals an untold story about the nation’s opioid epidemic—how the crisis is eroding the quality of life of older adults and the ability of local organizations to serve them.
“Older Americans are being harmed by the opioid crisis on all sides,” said Anna Maria Chávez, NCOA Executive Vice President and Chief Growth Officer. “Some older adults are struggling with the personal tragedy of opioid addiction, while others are having to financially support their opioid-addicted children and even become caregivers for their grandchildren. This is hurting their health, draining their life savings, and destroying their financial security,” Chávez added.
NCOA surveyed more than 200 community-based organizations in the aging network from 40 states and Puerto Rico. Among respondents, 70% reported an increased effort spent addressing issues related to the opioid epidemic affecting their older adult clients or their caregivers compared to two years ago. Despite this increase, only 28% of respondents said they routinely screen for substance misuse and abuse among the older adults they serve.
“More than 80% of the organizations responding to our survey reported that their older clients have little knowledge of safe and affordable alternatives to opioids, nor the best way to store and dispose of them. Now is the time to invest resources in educating older adults and the professionals who serve them on these critical issues,” said Chávez.
Community-based organizations serving older adults reported a spike in issues related to opioids among their older clients.
- 70% said that compared to two years ago, they are spending more effort addressing opioid-related issues affecting their older clients and their caregivers.
- 20% said they have had to increase their opioid-related efforts by at least 25% and some reported increasing their efforts by over 50%.
The opioid epidemic is affecting older adults both physically and financially, according to survey respondents.
- 84% said their older clients have become more reliant on federal benefits.
- 81% said older adults do not understand safe, effective, and affordable alternatives to reducing pain without prescription opioid medications.
- 80% reported older adults facing challenges obtaining needed prescriptions or refills for opioid pain medication because of increased scrutiny and/or changing prescribing patterns.
- 80% said their older clients reported theft of pain medication by family members or others who use if for themselves to sell.
“The aging network, social services, and health care providers—as well as behavioral health care systems—all need to join forces now to advocate for a coordinated approach to solve the range of opioid issues affecting older adults and their families,” Chávez said. “This survey is the first step in identifying the issue—and a path forward.”In response to the findings, NCOA proposes several recommendations, including:
- Improving the health literacy of older adults and their caregivers regarding appropriate opioid use.
- Offering older adults alternative approaches to opioid medication to manage chronic pain.
- Incorporating the older adult perspective in opioid efforts at the national, state, and local levels.
- Raising awareness of the risk factors for financial fraud and abuse.
- Educating older adults about public benefits and legal options.
- Mobilizing multiple service providers.
In the coming weeks, NCOA will host a webinar for stakeholders across the aging network to learn more about the report and recommendations. The webinar will feature the National Association of County and City Health Officials as a co-presenter to explain how local health departments approach opioid use prevention and response, and how local aging services providers can work with them in their community.
Download the full report.
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 AARP Kentucky hosts:
Sex @ 50+!
Sexual Health and Well-Being
Your body has changed; the conversation has changed, but has sex and dating really changed?
Whether you’re a man, woman, married or single, this event is for you! AARP Kentucky is proud to host this fun and interactive event that will explore how the 50+ approach life, love and even dating. Together, we will delve into questions on matters of heart, health and sexual wellness.
There will be two panel discussions. The panelists on the sexual health panel include a gynecologist, an urologist, a geriatrician and a plastic surgeon.
The panelists on the sexual well-being panel include a sex therapist, a life coach/relationship coach, a marriage counselor and a LMPD police sergeant who will discuss romance scams.
No matter your status, take this opportunity to find out everything you've wanted to know - but were afraid to ask! Come prepared to enjoy lively conversation, music, food, facts and fun.
The event will be held at the University of Louisville Shelby Campus, Founders Union Building located at 450 N Whittington Parkway on February 8, 2020. Check-in begins at 6 where attendees will be able to visit exhibitors and enjoy refreshments. The program begins at 6:45pm.
You must register to attend.
To register, call 877-926-8300 or visit online at https://aarp.cvent.com/KYSexAt50Plus
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  LifeSpan Resources, Inc. the designated Area Agency on Aging for Clark, Floyd, Scott and Harrison Counties, Indiana is looking for a Development Manager to pursue community funding opportunities which will support and enhance the mission of the agency. This position will include responsibility for managing donor and public relations, fundraising events, grants, membership programs and marketing activities.
If interested, please contact Lucy Koesters at lkoesters@lsr14.org for a complete job description.
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