Romance scams are on the rise, the elderly are particularly more vulnerable

Photo: Asad Photo Maldives/PEXELS

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StatePoint - They say, “you can’t buy love,” but scammers have figured out a way to exploit it for profit.

Romance scams are at an all-time high and, while victims cross all demographics, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) reports that elders are increasingly targeted. Why? Because they often have retirement savings at their disposal and may be more be isolated and less tech savvy.

Jonathan Hammond /Pixabay

“Romance scammers often manipulate emotions to gain trust,” says Mark Kwapiszeski, head of enterprise fraud for PNC. “Those who fall victim end up putting feelings above logic. This can create embarrassment and, as a result, these crimes are less likely to be reported.”

Scammers will create convincing profiles on dating and social media apps, reaching out to their target feigning familiarity or attraction. Things move quickly, but there is always a reason they can’t meet on video or in person. They may claim to have a reason that requires them to be overseas or out of reach. They tell their target everything they want to hear, and the hook is set.

Suddenly, a crisis arises that they insist they need help financial help with to mitigate. Or maybe they need finances to set up a new life together. They ask for the money, but would prefer it be sent in a form like cryptocurrency or gift card where there is little chance of the victim ever recovering it.

Such scams are highly effective. In 2022 alone, romance scams resulted in $1.3 billion lost, more than double the money lost in the previous year, according to the FTC.

To add insult to injury, scammers may convince their target to send them revealing photos they will later use to extort them. They may even play the long game and build trust over time, then convince their target to invest with them, without the victim ever getting any return.

“A romance scammer can invest a long time in cultivating trust, which makes these scams particularly nefarious,” Kwapiszeski says.

To protect against potential romance scams, follow these tips:

• Before sending money or sharing financial information, consult a friend or family member. Simply talking to someone not involved in the situation is often enough to identify red flags.

• Trust your gut. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is.

• Beware of “love bombing,” when a person lavishes you with excessive flattery, affection and praise early in the relationship to manipulate your emotions.

• Be wary of strangers reaching out on social media.

• If you like someone, ask for a quick video chat. If they refuse or make up outlandish excuses, that’s a red flag.

• Stay alert to photos or biographical details that don’t match up with what someone’s told you.

• Use image and name-reverse searches to validate the identity of people you meet online.

• Never send intimate photos to strangers or invest without doing your due diligence.

• Confide in family and friends if you grow suspicious.

Elders have lost homes, emptied out retirement accounts and risked lifetime savings for a love interest that never truly existed. Once the shock abates and the money is gone, the shame sets in and some have even resorted to self-harm instead of admitting to being defrauded in this way. If a loved one falls victim to a romance scam, it’s important to respond with empathy.

If you believe you or someone you love has been a victim of fraud, PNC Bank’s web resources, as part of its Security and Privacy Center (pnc.com), can help. After taking immediate measures to protect yourself, block the scammer on all accounts, change your passwords, and report the incident to the FTC and FBI.

The best line of defense against romance scams is awareness. Understanding common tactics can help you stay protected.

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Spartans and Rockets dance squads advance to state finals

MASCOUTAH - The SJO Dance Team and Unity Rockettes placed in top six at the Mascoutah Sectional, advancing to the Illinois High School Association's Competitive Dance State Finals this Friday and Saturday at Grossinger Motors Arena in Bloomington.

A member of the SJO Dance Team performs during the halftime show at the Toyota of Danville Basketball Tournament last month. The 11 talented dancers advance to Friday's IHSA state finals in Bloomington on Friday.

The Spartans finished third in Saturday's subsectional competition against 14 other schools, earning a score of 81.87. Unity, in the same subsectional finished ahead of Mattoon with a 78.83 in fifth place.

The sectional championship title went to Jacksonville (90.07), with Clinton (87.57) finishing in the runnerup spot.

The state final competition will at 101 South Madison Street. Tickets can be purchased online at here or by calling the box office at the area at 309-434-2777.

The IHSA will annouce the performance order later this week.

Mascoutah Dance Sectional Standings

1  Jacksonville 90.07
2  Clinton 87.57
3  St. Joseph-Ogden 81.87
4  Quincy Notre Dame 79.90
5  Unity 78.83
6  Mattoon 77.23

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SJO girls stay undefeated in conference race, Martinie scores 22 in rout over Sages

ST. JOSEPH - The St. Joseph-Ogden girls basketball team held visiting Monticello to just seven points in the first half on the way to a 46-33 win on Thursday. The victory moves SJO to 12-8 on the season and remains undefeated in conference play with a 5-0 record.

Addisyn Martinie drained three treys in the first half and added a fourth in the third quarter to lead all scorers with 22 points.

Fellow senior Addison Frick went 3-for-3 from the free-throw line, finishing with ten points and seven rebounds.

Kayla Osterbur and Timera Blackburn-Kelley came off the bench, contributing four points each to the Spartan cause. Meanwhile, Addison Brooks finished the night with one three-pointer, Sara Kearney scored a field goal in the fourth quarter, and Katie Ericksen rounded out SJO's effort with a solo free throw and a team-high six assists.

The Spartans have the weekend off and travel to Matton on Monday to take on the 17-5 Green Wave.

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Early lead propels SJO past IVC for another Illini Prairie Conference win

ST. JOSEPH - Tanner Jacob was 5-for-9 from three-point range, leading St. Joseph-Ogden to a third consecutive win on Friday. The Spartans jumped out to an early 16-point lead on visiting Illinois Valley Central at the start of the second quarter and poured on the points on the way to a 79-56 win Friday night.

Jacob, the squad's go-to scorer, finished the Illini Praire Conference game with 19 points and four assists. Shooting 54% overall, the senior started the game on fire with 14 points in the first half.

The win improved the Spartans' record to 16-4 on the season, and they remain undefeated in league play at 3-0.

SJO led the fast-paced action by as many as 27 points with a little under six minutes to play in the fourth quarter after Coy Taylor buried a three-pointer from near the top of the key. Taylor made four other shots inside the arc to finish with nine points, five boards, and four assists.

Using his long wingspan and height, Tanner Siems led St. Joseph-Ogden's rebound effort, hauling in eight boards. The junior finished with 13 points, all made under the rim.

Luke Landrus and Logan Smith finished with ll points each for the Spartans. Smith led the team's defensive effort with four steals, and dished eight assists. Shooting 50% from the field, Landrus made five of his ten shots and sunk one of his three free-throw attempts.

Next up, the boys' squad takes on St. Anthony's in Effingham today for a 2:30 p.m. contest. SJO then plays at home, hosting St. Thomas More on Tuesday and playing at Monticello on Friday to remain at the top of the IPC standings.

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Napping, how much sleep should infants and small children get

by Tim Ditman
OSF Healthcare

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DANVILLE - Decades ago, a day at school for a kindergartener would usually involve an afternoon nap. Today, some schools have phased that out, leaving parents to wonder what’s right.

Luis Garcia, MD, an OSF HealthCare pediatrician, says daytime sleep plays an important role in a child’s development. He says parents should look at it in terms of daytime sleep and nighttime sleep added up to total sleep. He stresses that each child has unique needs, and you should get to know your child’s sleep habits. But there are guidelines. For young kids, Dr. Garcia says nighttime sleep stays mostly consistent at 10 hours. Daytime sleep varies by age.

“Usually, the need for naptime decreases when kids reach 4 to 6 years old,” Dr. Garcia says. “At that point, they only need to sleep the 10 hours at night.”

When and how long

Dr. Garcia says naps for kids should be 30 minutes to two hours. So, you can do some math. For example: your 2-year-old needs four hours of daytime sleep with naps no greater than two hours. So, aim for some two-hour slumbering mid to late morning and early afternoon.

“It’s not recommended to nap after 3 or 4 p.m. to avoid causing disruptions at bedtime,” Dr. Garcia warns. “We want to allow at least four hours between last nap and bedtime to avoid the kids being too tired at bedtime.”

Bad nighttime sleep leads to irritability and poor concentration the next day, he adds.

No more naps

Dr. Garcia suggests parents look for signs that their child is ready to stop napping.

“Is the kid refusing or having a hard time taking a nap? If they do take a nap, do they have a problem falling asleep at night?” Dr. Garcia asks.

You should also talk to your child’s school or day care. If they have daily nap time, let that continue until the child ages out of the facility. If the facility is flexible, inform them of your child’s sleep habits and come up with a plan.

When the time comes to stop naps, Dr. Garcia recommends a clean break. There will likely be some fussiness, but it will subside. Moving bedtime up by 20 to 30 minutes can help.

Sleep tips Some general good sleep tips:

Make your home’s lighting natural: bright during the day, darker as night approaches and dark at night.

Make the bed the place to sleep. Do other activities like looking at screens in another room, and don’t look at screens right before bedtime.

Get into a routine by going to sleep and waking up at around the same time each day. And make the sleep and wake times normal. Waking up mid-morning each day, while a routine, isn’t the best idea.

Avoid large meals and caffeine before bed.

If you are a light sleeper, use an artificial noise machine.

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Commentary | Bridging Gaps in Healthcare: An Urgent Call for Avoiding Medication Errors and Improved Medication Reconciliation

by Angela Buxton

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Why can I speak about this issue? I worked as a pharmacy technician before working as a Registered Nurse (RN) and ultimately becoming a Nurse Practitioner (NP) in 2000. I have been employed in health care for 33 years, including over 20 of those years as a NP. At present, I work in a specialized emergency service, and am attending the University of Washington for a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. I am writing in hopes to affect change on this ubiquitous delivery of health care problem.

A personal story exemplifies this issue. My 90-year-old grandfather was discharged from an ER and resumed taking a long discontinued antihypertensive (blood pressure) medication from an old pill bottle. He took this in addition to his newly prescribed antihypertensive medication, both medications listed as active in his discharge instructions.

Fortunately, my grandfather was okay, and my mother caught this error and understandably had something to say about it. She drove back to the hospital to give them a piece of her mind, before recommending they come up with a better system. They agreed.

One recurring and nationwide theme are health care providers, and patients, becoming confused with the list of medications in their medical records in all phases of care, including at hospital admission and discharge. This medication list often includes medications that are listed as active and those they haven't taken at times since many years ago.

Sadly, this is not an exaggeration, and often leads to harmful medication errors which are a big problem during all phases of health care. Affected phases include outpatient ambulatory care clinics, during hospital admissions, during hospital stays and hospital discharge. Because of these gaps, medication errors are not surprisingly a leading cause of injury or death.

This is a serious issue that I believe can be solved with a concerted effort by an interdisciplinary team approach along with a streamlined electronic health record system. This is in addition to an emphasis on patient education throughout all stages of treatment which includes outpatient care, an urgent hospital visit or inpatient stay. Providers and ancillary services should always be involved in this process.

Better practice solutions:

1. For health care providers, at all phases of treatment, if it remains unclear if a patient is taking a medication, ask questions, and if medication reconciliation is not possible then list it as such. Increasing awareness of this problem in the advent of increasing use of Electronic Health Records (EHR) is key.

2. Incorporation of admission and discharge medication reconciliation as a continuous process by admitting and discharging RNs, the pharmacist and nurse practitioner and physicians.

As noted by J AM Med inform Association (2016) working towards a solution would include incorporating reconciliation modules that are interoperable with other Electronic Health Record components. This includes medication history, the computerized order set and discharge documentation. Some EHRs have some interoperability with external sources (hospitals, clinics, pharmacy) to import medication history and share updated medication list at discharge, although this is not fail safe and should not be relied on itself alone.

3. As health care consumers, don't be afraid to ask questions or clarification. Most health care providers want you to be involved in your own care. You reserve this right 100 percent and it is okay to ask questions and include your loved ones to advocate for you in your treatment plan.

In summary, medication confusion and errors are fear reaching. It is up to us as health care providers to be conscientious and provide essential emphasis on patient education and collaboration. Encouraging patients and their loved ones to actively participate in their care is vital. This includes asking questions and seeking clarification about medications along with interdisciplinary providers to help prevent confusion and potential medication errors. Involving patient's loved ones can contribute to healthy outcomes. Refining EHR is of the utmost importance.

I thank all health care providers for dedication to this important cause, and I wish success in your continued efforts to make a positive impact on health care practices while encouraging health consumers to be proactive in their care.

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Angela Buxton, FNP-BC is a national Board-Certified (BC) Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) since 2000 and who is originally from Massachusetts, obtaining her undergraduate and graduate degrees at UMASS, Amherst, and worked as both a Registered Nurse (RN) and FNP throughout her career. She is currently attending the University of Washington to expand her skills as a Doctor of Nursing Practice in Psychiatric Mental Health. She has now been working as a NP at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle, Washington for the last 20 years. She enjoys her role in assessing, diagnosing and developing client centered treatment plans, not limited to prescribing medications. Population includes those who are underserved and across the lifespan. She has membership in Snohomish County, WA Search and Rescue (SSAR), has participated in team endurance events with lessons learned that crossover into daily life. Other outside interests include photography, painting, skiing and hiking the Pacific Northwest.

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Sundowning; What happens when the sun goes down

by Tim Ditman
OSF Healthcare

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Courtney McFarlin, PA

GODFREY - The 2015 horror film “The Visit” gives the Hollywood treatment to sundowning. An impostor grandmother is seen running the halls, scratching the walls and vomiting, terrorizing two children in the home.

A little exaggerated, says Courtney McFarlin, PA, an OSF HealthCare internal medicine provider who specializes in geriatrics. But she says sundowning is an all too real experience for some older adults.

What is sundowning?

McFarlin explains that sundowning is not a medical condition, but rather a way to describe behavior seen at night. It’s triggered by a disruption in your circadian rhythm.

“That’s our body’s natural, 24-hour sleep/wake cycle,” McFarlin says. “It’s regulated by the hypothalamus in the brain. Based on daylight and darkness, it tells our body to be alert during the day. And it helps us settle down in the evening to want to go to sleep.”

Key takeaways:

Sundowning describes nighttime behavior in older adults, especially those with dementia, due to a disruption in the circadian rhythm. The person may be agitated, moody, not want to go to sleep or physically aggressive.

Ways to help include medicine like melatonin, eliminating long naps and practicing general good sleep hygiene. Homes should also be arranged so the elder does not fall or wander outside.

A caregiver may ultimately have to decide whether to move the person to an assisted living facility.

Many things can disrupt your circadian rhythm, like illness, stress, artificial light and genetic factors. But McFarlin says sundowning is most often seen in older adults with dementia and similar disorders like Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s disease. Chronic alcohol use can also bring about sundowning.

What does sundowning look like? McFarlin says the person may be agitated, have mood changes and pace around. They may not want to go to sleep. And the person may even physically lash out at others.

“Reports and research have shown that it’s most common when people are in mild or moderate stages [of dementia],” McFarlin says. “You would think as one progresses with dementia, it would get worse. But it actually improves a little bit.”

How to help

McFarlin says caregivers of older adults often come to her with a plea: help us do something about my loved one’s nighttime behavior. The caregivers are sometimes awake through the night keeping an eye on things, leading to sluggishness, crankiness and other issues during their workday.

First, McFarlin reminds you that support groups exist – if not in-person in your community, then online – for caregivers of older adults. But for medicinal aids, McFarlin says melatonin is a good first option.

“It’s a natural hormone that our body produces that helps aid in sleep,” she says.

McFarlin adds that studies have found decreased levels of melatonin in older adults with or without dementia.

Serotonin-based medications, hypnotics and anti-anxiety medications can also help. Paxil, Prozac, Seroquel, Risperdal and Haldol are common brand names. Talk to your health care provider or a sleep specialist if you have questions about these medicines.

Something to strike from your loved one’s routine: long naps.

“It’s suggested that a less than three-hour naptime schedule is advised,” McFarlin says. “If I find my patients are napping quite a bit, I’ll encourage them to take less naps.”

Other sleep hygiene tips:

Make your home’s lighting natural: bright during the day, darker as night approaches and dark at night.

Make the bed the place to sleep. Do other activities like looking at screens in another room, and don’t look at screens right before bedtime.

Get into a routine by going to sleep and waking up at around the same time each day. And make the sleep and wake times normal, as if the older adult was going to work. Waking up mid-morning each day, while a routine, isn’t the best idea.

Avoid large meals, caffeine and alcohol before bed. McFarlin says lunch should be the biggest meal.

Stay busy during the day so you feel tired at night. Regular exercise can help with this.

If you are a light sleeper, use an artificial noise machine.

Since people with sundowning behaviors can pace and wander, make sure your home is trip-proof and escape-proof. Rugs, chairs and nightstands should be moved or removed. McFarlin says providers can also recommend physical therapy or devices like a walker, wheelchair or bed alarm.

“[People can] actually unlock the door and wander outside in the middle of the night,” McFarlin warns. “So, make sure the door is properly locked. If the adult is someone who wanders at night, make sure they don’t have the ability to leave home.”

Ultimately, you may have to decide whether a different living arrangement is best for your loved one.

“That could be remaining at home and more family coming in. Because that’s our first choice – to leave the person at home as long as they can,” McFarlin says.

“But when it becomes unsafe for the person or exhausting the caregiver, it’s my responsibility to engage other options,” like an assisted living facility, she says.

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The Giving Place seeking donations to help Unit 7 families

TOLONO - In addition food donations, The Giving Place is seeking kids clothing, especially for young boys, this month.

"The Giving Place started as a way for our church and other community churches to minister to the Unit 7 School District and help those in need," said Mike Williams. "All donations of food are most welcome as the need in our community is great. This ministry can’t survive without the support of our community."

Any family in need residing in the Unit 7 school district is encouraged to visit The Giving Place Wednesdays from 4:00 – 6:00. TGP is located at 113 N Bourne in Tolono.

This week, the organization served seven families, which included 18 adults and seven children, with eight boxes of food totalling $400.

Williams said the ministry will continue for as long as they are able to do so and thanked those who donated items throughout the year.

Donated items and food may be dropped off every Wednesday between 4:00 - 6:00 p.m. or every first Saturday between 9:00 a.m. - Noon. TGP asks that donation not be left outside the building during closed hours.

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Farm group wants improved safety measures for pipelines running through Illinois

by Terri Dee
Illinois News Connection

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A pipeline project to transport carbon dioxide captured from ethanol and fertilizer production to a permanent storage site in Illinois is raising concerns about safety and potential damage to surrounding land.

Last month, members of the Illinois Farm Bureau adopted policies supporting a temporary moratorium on the project until the Hazardous Materials Safety Administration can update its safety regulations. They include automatic notifications for pipeline leaks and training for emergency first responders.

Bill Bodine, the Farm Bureau's director of business and regulatory affairs, said his group opposes another condition.

"They expressed concerns about the use of eminent domain for these projects and do not support the use of eminent domain," he said, "and then want to see the developers reaching willing agreements, making some progress in reaching those willing agreements before the pipeline portions of those projects are approved."

Landowners are not willing to give up their land so easily. In 2006, the Illinois General Assembly passed a bill to limit the takeover of private property for private development. However, critics of the legislation have claimed it included exceptions that undermine any benefits to property owners.

Two more pipeline proposals to connect Iowa and Illinois are also being reviewed by the Illinois Commerce Commission, the agency that oversees these projects.

The Hazardous Materials Safety Administration hopes to have its safety revisions completed this year. If this happens, Bodine said, the Farm Bureau would lift its support of a temporary moratorium. But he isn't sure whether these other pipeline projects are on state lawmakers' minds.

"Our legislative session in the state of Illinois begins again in January and usually runs through the end of May," he said. "So, we may see some action during that timeline associated with some of these issues."

Developers say any future pipelines would help farmers by boosting the ethanol industry. The state Agriculture Department has said Illinois uses 274 million bushels of corn to produce more ethanol than any other state.

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CUPHD Justice Coalition to present panel discussion on Black health, wealth & wellness

CHAMPAIGN - The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District will host a panel discussion on Black Health, Wealth & Wellness on February 22 during Black History Month. The main focus of the conversation will be on the advancement and evolution of Black health, wealth, and wellness within the Champaign-Urbana community.

The CUPHD's Justice Coalition will moderate the discussion. The doors at 201 West Kenyon Road in Champaign will open at 5:30 p.m. for light refreshments, with speakers starting at 6 p.m.

The panel's primary goal is to "provide a space for the community to share information and discuss mutual obstacles."

Attendees are encouraged to park in the north entrance lot and enter the building through the main conference room door.

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