South Platte Sentinel Wednesday, June 5, 2013 Page 30 BusinessHelp elderly loved ones avoid fi nancial abuse It’s unfortunate, but true: The elderly population may be the most vulnerable group in our society. In fact, in an effort to call attention to the problems of physical, emotional and fi nancial abuse of the elderly, the United Nations has designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. If you have older parents, or even grandparents, can you do to anything to help prevent them from being victimized, especially with regard to their fi nances? Actually, there’s a lot you can do. First and foremost, you need to

Investment Perspective

By Pam Werner

maintain good communications and a trusting relationship with your older family members. As long as these elements are present, you should feel free to make the following suggestions: • Increase awareness - When it comes to fi nancial fraud and scams, many seniors think: “It can’t happen to me.” But the facts suggest otherwise: Some 20% of Americans over the age of 65 admit to having been victimized by fi nancial swindles, according to a survey by the non-profi t Investor Protection Trust. Let

your loved ones know that no one in their age group is immune to fi nancial predators. • Guard private information - Ask your parents or grandparents to not divulge personal information over the phone. In fact, urge them to get caller ID, if they don’t have it already, and tell them that if they don’t recognize the number, don’t answer. Legitimate callers are more likely to leave messages than scammers. • Don’t send money. Exhort your parents or grandparents to never wire money to a random account - no exceptions.

• Ignore “limited-time offers” - Your loved ones should ignore callers, mailers or emails that demand they act immediately. These offers are often overblown at best and may be fraudulent at worst. • Don’t trust “no risk” offers - Financial offers that sound too good to be true are likely just that - untrue. Legitimate investments carry both potential risks and rewards. • Avoid “debt-settlement” claims - If your older loved ones have debt problems, they may be especially susceptible to offers that claim to “clear up” all their debts. But there’s no quick fi x to this problem and any caller who claims otherwise is likely being deceitful. Encourage your parents or grandparents to discuss their debt situation with an honest, professional debt counselor or a fi nancial advisor. Here’s one more thing you can do to help your parents or grandparents avoid fi nancial fraud. If they don’t already work with a trusted, qualifi ed fi nancial

professional, introduce them to one. If your parents have a relationship with such a professional, they will be less likely to listen to any questionable, unsolicited offers than if they were trying to manage their fi nances on their own. You’re in a good position to know how much, or how little, help your elderly loved ones may need in terms of avoiding fi nancial abuse. So be willing to do whatever it takes to help them enjoy their retirement years comfortably. This article was written by Edward Jones for use by your local Edward Jones Financial Advisor. (Pam Werner is a fi nancial advisor for Edward Jones, with her offi ce in Sterling.)

Many seniors who are “aging in place” need assistance grocery shopping. Mobility issues may make it diffi cult, if not impossible, for them to go food shopping alone. Caring home healthcare aides can accompany the seniors to the grocery store. They can provide valuable transportation, help retrieve items from shelves, bag and weigh produce, unload the items at the register, pack them into the car, and carry them into the home. Aides can also help the seniors to put away the food. They will use care not to try to infl uence how their senior clients select their groceries or how they choose to store them. Grocery shopping can be an enjoyable experience when shared by seniors and their home healthcare aides. Home healthcare aides can help seniors locate and cut out coupons for their favorite foods. You can count on STERLING MEDCARE HOME HEALTH, INC. for a full range of home care and home health care to help with the challenges of daily living, including grocery shopping and rides to and from appointments. Our staff is committed to providing the highest level of quality service in all that we do, each and every day. The Art and Heart of Caring. Located at 614 So. 10th Ave., 522-6807, our offi ce is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 - 4:30. Our services are available 24 hours - 7 days a week. We combine the latest in clinical skill and technology to deliver care with compassion and excellence.

Going to Market

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT TO THE RE-1 VALLEY

BOARD OF EDUCATIONThe Board of Education of the RE-1 Valley School District is accept-ing applications from persons interested in serving on the Board of Education as Director of District 1 for an appointment, anticipated to begin on or about June 27, 2013, until November, 2013, when suc-cessor is elected and qualifi ed at the regular biennial election. To be eligible for appointment, candidate must be a registered elector for 12 consecutive months and a resident of Director District 1.Interested persons must fi le a written letter of intent, including a statement of qualifi cations and resume with Kim Krier, Executive Secretary to the Board, 301 Hagen Street, Sterling, Colorado 80751, by 12:00 noon on Wed., June 26, 2013. All letters of intent will be available for public review. Submitting a letter of intent does not guar-antee appointment.Interviews will be conducted by the Board of Education on Thurs. June 27, 2013; anticipated appointment will be Thurs., June 27, 2013.

For further information, contact Kim Krier at 522-0792, ext. 1225 or visit the District website at www.re1valleyschools.org.

NOTICE OF APPOINTMENT TO THE RE-1 VALLEY

BOARD OF EDUCATION

The First Manhattan Consulting Group (FMCG) is pleased to announce that Kristopher Lazzaretti has been elected vice president and partner effective April 1, 2013. Lazzaretti is a member of the fi rms’ Marketing Services and Strategy group in the New York offi ce. Lazzaretti graduated with highest honors from Princeton University in 2006 and from Sterling High School in 2002. He is the son of Kathy Nelms of Sterling. At 29, he is the youngest member ever elected as a fi rm offi cer. His practice focuses on the development and application of fi nancial services analytics and corporate marketing strategy across all lines of business, including small business and consumer banking, insurance, asset management and brokerage. Lazzaretti has extensive exper-ience assisting the largest global fi nancial services organizations in building custom segmentation solutions and predictive models, developing new fi nancial services product offerings and pricing strategies, and implementing pro-grams that generate signifi cant

portfolio and revenue growth. Described by The Economist as “[…] the world’s most successful consulting fi rm,” FMCG is a “Top 40” management consulting company headquartered in New York, NY. Founded in 1980, FMCG serves clients on six continents, including fi rms in all aspects of fi nancial services as well as private equity groups and vendors. Domestically, the fi rm has served 80% of the largest 70 American banks.

Lazzaretti new partner

Kristopher Lazzaretti

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Regular Hours: Mon.-Sat., 4-9 p.m. Closed Sundays

Atwood SteakhouseI-76/Hwy. 63 Interchange 522-7088

Wed., June 5 Thurs., June 6 Mon., June 10 Tues., June 11

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Friday-Saturday Night Specials

The 14th annual High Plains Music Fest/Poker Run is Sat., June 15 at the Cow Creek Ranch in Iliff. Gates open at 3:30 p.m. Admission is a donation of $20 per carload in advance or $25 at the gate. Bands include Tyron Vaughn (right), nephew of Stevie Ray Vaughan, the Motley Crue Tribute band, the Rock N Roll Junkies, Heart Tribute Band Dreamboat Annie, the 30 year reunion of local rock band High Stakes and the funk band Rowdy Shadehouse. Local group Hear Me Out will open the fest.