RSVP VOLUNTEER COORDINATORS HONORED
Coordinators for the RSVP Volunteer Program in 33 locations were honored at a luncheon at Yolande’s on December 13.  The coordinators are responsible for documenting the hours RSVP volunteers serve and providing monthly information to the RSVP office.

The event was the first time the coordinators have been officially recognized for their contribution to the RSVP program.  Members of the Council Board of Directors and  the RSVP Advisory Council were guests at the event.

DRIVING CLASS SCHEDULED
AARP Driver Safety Program will present a four-hour refresher course for individuals 50 years of age and older.  The class will be held January 12, at the Power Center Shopping Center, next to office Deport. Class will begin at 8:30 am.  Cost for the course is $14 with a $2 discount for AARP Members.  Bring a check or money order payable to AARP to cover the cost of the course. And your AARP Membership Card to verify your membership number and to receive the $2 discount.  Call 448-6970 to preregister.

Additional four-hour refresher courses will be held in 2011 on March 16, July 20, Sept., 21 and November 16.

 ANOTHER OLD WIVES TALE PROVEN TRUE
Among the many cures attributed to vinegar for many years, one by one they are being tested and proven to be factual.  One teaspoon of vinegar was recommended to diabetics many years ago and was recently found to actually lower blood sugar.

Pickle juice was said to be a remedy for muscle spasms since the early 1800s.  Researchers at North Dakota State University in Fargo has reported that pickle juice really does cause the muscle spasms to immediately cease.  It appears that the pickle brine contains electrolytes which hel prevent dehydration, which is a common cause of muscle cramps.

The news has been picked up by a company that bottles Pickle Juice Sport, and it’s packed with more than 10 times the amount of electrolytes than other sports drinks and has zero calories. Everything old is new again..

CURE FOR BREAST CANCER?
A vaccine to prevent breast cancer will be available in about 10 years according to Dr. Vincent Tuohy an immunologist at Cleveland Clinic. Dr. Tuohy is working on a vaccine that causes the immune system to attack a protein often found in breast cells.

 In a study using cancer-prone mice, none of those injected with the vaccine developed tumors after 10 months while all the mice given a placebo developed signs of the disease. Once funding is approved testing will begin on humans.

GUARD YOUR INSURANCE CARD
Everyone is cautioned about protecting credit cards, but little care is given to Medicare insurance cards that can allow someone to assume your identity and bill medical services as well as other charges to you.  Remember, the card has your Social Security number on it.

Medical-related fraud accounts for about 60% of all identity theft in America, and there is little protection in place for the victims.  As a result, damages can be devastating.  If someone racks up hospital bills in your name, you are responsible for paying until you can prove you didn’t receive the services, a process that could take years. What’s worse, their medical history gets mixed up with yours which causes untold problems.

The best defense is to check every Explanation of Benefits Statement you receive.  If you did not have the treatment, report it at once.  Check your credit report to see if there are any unpaid medical bills that are not yours.  Always say no anything free.  Thieves sometimes set up free screenings or other services in order to steal medical data. 

If you take a vision exam or blood pressure test at a health fair or free clinic, never give out your card number or other personal information.