Tag results for: safety

Safe Driving Mindset

Category: Season 5

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Matthew Frampton

South Central PA Highway Safety

Matt Frampton is a former Pennsylvania State Police Trooper. He retired from the Pennsylvania State Police in 2016, having completed 22 years of service. Matt is now with South Central PA Highway Safety (SCPAHS). SCPAHS is PennDOT’s Community Traffic Safety Program for Cumberland, Dauphin, Franklin, and Perry Counties. SCPAHS’s mission is to prevent injury and/or death on Pennsylvania’s highways through traffic safety education to the public.

Are you a Safe Driver? Are you sure? Be prepared to learn a few techniques to help you be both a safer driver and a safer passenger. This presentation covers several strategies to develop a proper driving mindset, limit distractions and increase focus on driving. The presentation also provides information on two PennDOT programs for providing vital identifying information in emergency situations and provides guidelines for assessing a mature driver’s ability to safely operate a vehicle.

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Home Safety and Falls Prevention

Category: Season 5

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Kelsey Mayberry

Educational Program and Events Coordinator for American Trauma Society, PA Division

Kelsey Mayberry is the Educational Program and Events Coordinator at the American Trauma Society, Pennsylvania Division. Kelsey is a licensed Master Trainer in Matter of Balance, an evidence based senior falls prevention program and actively provides educational presentations throughout the Commonwealth on trauma prevention initiatives. The American Trauma Society, PA Division is a non-profit trauma prevention education organization dedicated to reducing the suffering, disability and death caused by trauma.

Do you know someone who fears falling? Falls are the leading cause of fatal and non-fatal injuries for older Americans. This presentation gives seniors, families, and caregivers practical lifestyle adjustment ideas on how to create a safer home and how to help prevent falls. It also covers evidence-based programs and online resources that have important information regarding falls and falls prevention.

Additional Resources:

  • ATSPA 6 Steps to Prevent a Fall / Fall Proof Your Home
  • ATSPA Home Safety Checklist
  • Prevent Falls Home Safety Checklist
  • 6 Easy Ways to Prevent Falls
  • Falls Prevention Online Resources

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    Home Fire Prevention

    Category: Season 5

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    Bruce Trego

    Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner

    Bruce Trego has worked in multiple roles at the Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC) since 2002 — the most recent being Administrator of the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy in Lewistown. His affiliation with the Pennsylvania State Fire Academy began in 1980 when he became a Local Level Instructor and an Adjunct Instructor in 1993. He has been involved in the fire service for more than 40 years and has served as Firefighter, Lieutenant, Captain and Assistant Chief in the Lewistown Fire Department.

    More people die every year in home fires than in any other location. Each year senior citizens account for over 50% of the total fire deaths in Pennsylvania. The place where you should feel most secure — your own home — is often the most dangerous place as it relates to the ravages of fire. The Office of the State Fire Commissioner (OSFC) works to reduce home fire deaths by creating awareness about home fire dangers and sharing important fire prevention tips.  These few simple safety tips and precautions can prevent most fires from happening!

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    Identity Theft & Imposter Scams

    Category: Season 6

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    Mary Bach

    AARP Pennsylvania Consumer Issues Task Force

    Mary Bach is a nationally recognized, independent Consumer Advocate. She is also Chair of the AARP Pennsylvania Consumer Issues Task Force. She has taken her knowledge to many television outlets including the Today Show, Good Morning America, Donahue, and Dateline. She has also been featured in the pages of Good Housekeeping, Business Week, Money Magazine, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal. Her work is centered around preventing fraud against older consumers.

    Is your relative really in trouble and calling you for money? Is the person on the phone asking for bank information really from the IRS? Phone scams are on the rise. But if you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. Learn about techniques criminals use to steal your personal information and get no-nonsense advice on how to avoid identity theft and imposter scams.

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    Aging in Place: Live Longer & Stronger at Home

    Category: Season 6

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    Matthew J. Gallardo

    Messiah Lifeways

    Matt is the Director of Community Engagement and Coaching at Messiah Lifeways.His diverse background of working in hospital and rehabilitation settings, community services, and senior housing gives him the breadth and depth of knowledge to provide unique solutions, opportunities, and help individuals proactively plan for the future.

    For most us as we age, we aspire to live in our homes for as long as possible. However, if we become frail and more dependent, aging in place can be a challenge. But if done with careful planning and consideration, “staying put” can be a safe and viable option. Get tips and examine ways to successfully and safely age in place. Learn about the many resources and options available, their costs, and how to access these services within the community.

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    Weather Wise: Prepare and Be Safe

    Category: Season 6

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    Jeff Jumper

    State Meteorologist, Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency

    Jeff Jumper is the state meteorologist for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency. Since 2015, Jeff has worked to better prepare the agency and its stakeholders for weather hazards through forecasts, outreach, partnerships, and training. Previously, Jeff spent nearly a decade as a broadcast meteorologist in Pennsylvania, Alabama, and Louisiana.

    Winter weather provides challenges for all Pennsylvanians, but as we age it can get tougher to deal with what Mother Nature has to offer during the cold season. This MindMatters will cover some of Pennsylvania’s winter weather hazards and provide some preparedness and safety tips to help you through the winter.

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    Lottery Frauds & Sweepstakes Scams

    Category: Season 7

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    Mary Bach

    Independent Consumer Advocate and Chair, AARP Pennsylvania Consumer Issues Task Force

    Mary Bach is a nationally recognized, independent Consumer Advocate. She is also Chair of the AARP Pennsylvania Consumer Issues Task Force. She has taken her knowledge to many television outlets including the Today Show, Good Morning America, Donahue, and Dateline. She has also been featured in the pages of Good Housekeeping, Business Week, Money Magazine, USA Today, and the Wall Street Journal. Her work is centered around preventing fraud against older consumers.

    That free, all-inclusive vacation —is it too good to be true? Did you really win a lottery you don’t remember entering? Are free contests really free? Pennsylvanians report more than 50,000 cases of fraud to the Federal Trade Commission each year. Don’t fall for these classic phone and mail scams. Get common sense advice and learn to spot “Red Flags” that will help protect you from consumer fraud.

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    Safety Sense During the Pandemic and Beyond

    Category: Season 7

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    Juliet Altenburg RN, MSN

    Juliet is the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Trauma Systems Foundation (PTSF). PTSF oversees hospitals that are trauma centers in Pennsylvania. She regularly works with hospital staffers confronting the stress of caring for patients while trying to protect themselves and their families from COVID-19.

    As a nurse, Juliet will share the latest status of the COVID-19 pandemic locally and nationally and offer important considerations groups should keep in mind as they plan to resume in-person activities together.

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    Service Dogs: Helping to Change Lives

    Category: Season 7

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    Deb Tack, Susquehanna Service Dogs, Executive Director

    Deb ensures that SSD’s mission to increase the independence of those in our community and surrounding area by training and placing highly skilled service dogs is met with the highest of standards. With SSD’s staff of 12 and over 325 volunteers by her side, she loves being a part of helping dogs change lives.

    Kelsey Parsons, Susquehanna Service Dogs, Service Dog Training Director

    Among many other responsibilities, Kelsey oversees SSD’s advanced training program – training advanced tasks, assisting in matching dogs with partners on our waiting list, and ensuring SSD’s service dogs meet the standards set by Assistance Dogs International. Kelsey graduated from the Karen Pryor Academy (KPA) and is a KPA Certified Training Partner. Kelsey is also an SSD volunteer puppy raiser.

    Assistance dogs give people the confidence to live more independently and do things they didn’t think were possible. Susquehanna Service Dogs raises, trains, and places service dogs and hearing dogs, as well as facility dogs to assist children and adults with disability to become more independent. Learn about what goes into training dogs to assist their partners to live full, rich, meaningful lives.

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    Enhancing Senior Safety

    Category: Season 8

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    Trooper Jessica L. Tobin, Community Affairs Officer, Pennsylvania State Police

    Trooper Tobin engages with community members and organizations to collaboratively identify and problem-solve local challenges to increase the safety of residents, visitors, and law enforcement. Community Affairs Officers strive to develop relationships within underserved communities across the commonwealth.

    What are the best ways to protect yourself against theft and fraud? How can you identify scams that come to your home as innocent looking emails or friendly phone calls? Trooper Jessica Tobin, a Community Affairs Officer with the Pennsylvania State Police will help you learn to recognize common signs of scams and frauds and shares some good agencies to notify when this issue occurs.

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    Reducing Your Risk of Osteoporosis

    Category: Season 8

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    Katherine French, MS, RD, LDN

    Katherine is a Registered Dietitian and is an Extension Educator for Penn State Extension. Katherine
    conducts educational presentations in the areas of Food, Families and Health on a variety of nutrition and
    health topics.

    Laurie Welch, MPH, MCHES

    Laurie Welch is a certified public health educator and is an Extension Educator for Penn State Extension.
    Laurie also conducts educational presentations in the areas of Food, Families and Health on a variety of
    nutrition and health topics.

    Osteoporosis is a disease that weakens bones and can result in painful fractures. Learn about the disease, risk factors, and ways to reduce your risk through a variety of lifestyle changes. This talk offers tips for preventing, managing, and improving bone health for those at risk or diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis. 

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    Evaluating Dietary Supplements for Seniors

    Category: Season 8

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    Lynn James, MS, RDN, LDN, Senior Extension Educator with Penn State Extension

    Lynn James provides educational programs for organizations and the community on improving nutrition, health, and food safety. Her program focus is community nutrition research and program development in food and culture, family chronic disease prevention, Type 2 Diabetes, and food safety.

    Did you know seniors can be at risk for spending their limited income on supplements they might not even need? Dietary supplements aren’t regulated like foods, and some can be unsafe and/or not do what they promise. We’ll help you determine whether a supplement has been found to be effective and safe and identify sources of credible information for dietary supplements.

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    Protecting Yourself from Tick Bites

    Category: Season 8

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    Dr. Erika Machtinger, Assistant Professor of Entomology Pennsylvania State University

    Dr. Erika Machtinger holds a B.S. from the University of Delaware in Wildlife Conservation and Ecology, and a M.S. and PhD in Entomology from the University of Florida. Her research on ticks and tick-borne diseases started at the USDA in Maryland developing area-wide tools to control ticks. Currently, Dr. Machtinger is focused on improving tick control tools that homeowners can use and understanding more about the behavior of ticks to develop new control tools. Dr. Machtinger is also the team leader for the vector-borne disease team at Penn State Extension. The focus of the team is reducing the risk of tick and tick-borne disease exposure to people and animals throughout the Commonwealth.

    The best offense is a good defense! In this presentation, participants will learn about avoidance, prevention, and reduction–and how each of these steps can help reduce the risk of tick bites and tick-borne disease. We can’t always be in control of our environment, but there are many things that we can do to help prevent tick bites!

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    Active Shooter Preparedness

    Category: Season 8

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    Corporal Brent Miller, Pennsylvania State Police

    Corporal Brent Miller serves in the Communications Office with the Pennsylvania State Police. His responsibilities include organizing, preparing, and speaking at department press conferences, and answering media questions as they relate to department initiatives, major statewide incidents or events garnering national media attention.

    Active shooter threats present unique challenges for those involved. Mental preparation and having a plan are vital to help you manage the situation. In this presentation, the Pennsylvania State Police offer tips that help individuals prepare for an active shooter situation. The discussion focuses on different mental strategies and response tactics, active shooter statistics, trends, and real incidents, and the basics of “Run, Hide, Fight.”

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    Pennsylvania’s Flooding Hazards & How to Prepare for Them

    Category: Season 9

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    Jeff Jumper, PEMA

    Jeff Jumper is the Resiliency Program Manager within the Bureau of Recovery at the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency (PEMA). Prior to moving to this resiliency role, Jeff was the PEMA State Meteorologist from 2015 until 2022. During his PEMA tenure, Jeff has helped to better prepare the agency and its stakeholders for weather hazards through forecasts, outreach, partnerships, and training.

    Tom Hughes, PEMA

    Tom Hughes is the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s State Hazard Mitigation Officer (SHMO) with the PA Emergency Management Agency. As the SHMO, he is responsible for the revision of all 67 FEMA required county Hazard Mitigation Plans and 14 State System of Higher Education (state colleges) Disaster Resistant University Plans.

    “I don’t live in a flood zone. Am I at risk?” The short answer is, yes. Anywhere it can rain, it can also flood. Did you know that 90% of the flooding that was reported to the National Weather Service was outside of the 100-year flood zone? Using an innovative flooding demonstration tool, representatives from the PA Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) will show you why it now floods in areas that might not have flooded before and what you can do to protect yourself and your belongings.

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