The Senior Zone
The Senior Zone is the DMV’s #1 weekly radio program dedicated to empowering adults 50+ to live fuller, healthier, and more informed lives — now available on demand as a podcast.
Hosted by Shawn Perry since 2012, The Senior Zone features thoughtful conversations with trusted experts, community leaders, advocates, and everyday people doing extraordinary work in aging, health, finance, caregiving, and purposeful living. From timely resources and consumer protections to inspiration, wisdom, and real talk — this is where experience meets opportunity.
Whether you’re planning your next chapter, supporting a loved one, or simply committed to thriving beyond expectations, The Senior Zone delivers insight, clarity, and encouragement — one meaningful conversation at a time.
🎙️ New episodes weekly
📍 Originally broadcast on WYCB 1340AM (Washington, DC)
The Senior Zone
Ep. 700 | 700 Strong — Protecting Your Future in a Digital World
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
🎯 Hook
700 episodes strong—and still moving with purpose. This milestone edition of The Senior Zone is all about protecting what you’ve built and preparing for what’s ahead.
🧭 Overview
Host Shawn Perry celebrates the 700th broadcast with a powerful, forward-looking conversation centered on financial protection, digital safety, and staying informed in today’s evolving world.
🔑 Segment Highlights
• Margaret Foster (The Beacon Newspapers) — April 2026 insights for older adults
• Tony Salazar (Maryland Dept. of Labor) — Protecting your finances & avoiding scams
• Noah O’Ryan (AARP / OATS) — Staying safe and confident in today’s digital world
✨ Signature Features
• Weekly Vitamin: “You are not behind… you are seasoned.”
• Birthdays of the Week
• Dear Grave Woman (Joel Simone)
• Later Life Lowdown (DC, MD, VA resources)
🎧 Listen & Stay Connected
Catch The Senior Zone every Monday from 10–11am EST on WYCB 1340AM or stream live at www.MySpiritDC.com.
Podcast available after 11am on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music & more.
Thank you for listening and until we meet again…keep your head high, your heart full, and always — be someone who makes someone else look forward to their tomorrow.
Show Open + 700th Celebration
SPEAKER_13Welcome to the Senior Zone, where we connect older adults with the organizations and resources that serve them.
SPEAKER_09The Senior Zone's goal aims to educate, empower, enlighten, entertain, and engage older adults with the tools and information to stay healthy, happy, and secure.
SPEAKER_13Great guests helped to note upcoming events and useful information.
SPEAKER_09So get ready to take notes and have subscribe.
SPEAKER_13It's now time for the senior zone.
Weekly Vitamin
Beacon Newspapers (Margaret Foster)
SPEAKER_03Alright now, good morning, good morning, my good people, and welcome to a very special edition of the Senior Zone. I am your host, Sean Perry, and wherever you're tuned in from this morning, whether it's your kitchen table, your car, or somewhere in between, I want you to know this. I don't take your time, your trust, or your presence lightly because today we hit a milestone. This is our 700th broadcast, 700 weeks of showing up, 700 weeks of conversations, connections, and community, 700 weeks of reminding folks across the DMV and beyond that life after 50 is not about slowing down, it's about stepping into something deeper, wiser, and more intentional. And I've got to say, this isn't just my milestone, this is our milestone. So to every listener, every guest, every partner who's walked this journey with us, you have my heartfelt gratitude. Truly, truly, truly. Now, as we step into this moment, into this new week, I want to ground us with something real. Here is your weekly vitamin. Last week, I was sitting in my car, not going anywhere, just sitting there for a minute before heading inside. And I caught myself thinking about time, not in a heavy way, but in a real way. How fast it moves, how much we've already lived, and how easy it is to think the best parts are behind us. But here's the truth that settled in my spirit. You are not behind in life, Sean. You are seasoned in life, and that applies to you. Everything you've been through, every win, every loss, every lesson, it didn't take anything away from you, it added something to you. So don't shrink now, y'all. Don't second guess your value now. Don't start playing small now. Because the truth is, there is still purpose in you, still impact in you, still life in you. And this next chapter, it deserves your full presence. Folks, that was or is your weekly vitamin. Carry that with you through this upcoming week. Now, listen, if you've ever missed a live broadcast, don't worry about it. The Scene Zone Podcast is now available on demand anytime, anywhere. You can catch every episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, and much, much more. So whether you're walking, driving, or just taking a moment for yourself, you can stay connected to the conversations that matter. And since this is the first Monday of the month, we'll also be checking in with my friend Margaret Foster, editor of the Beacon Newspapers, as we take a look at what's shaping the conversations for older adults across our community this month, this April, and joining us in our first segment as we prepare for Protect Week 2026 and to talk about protecting your finances and staying ahead of scams is my friend Tony Salazar, Commissioner of Financial Regulation with the Maryland Department of Labor. Then in our second segment, we're talking about staying safe online and navigating today's digital world with confidence. My guest will be Noah Orion, Regional Program Manager with Older Adults Technology Services, also known as Oates from AARP. And folks, as always, I want to take a moment to send some love and gratitude to our sponsors and partners. Thank you, LCE, Legal Counsel for the Elderly, AARP of the District of Columbia, AARP of the State of Maryland, Compassion and Choices, Jewish Council for the Aging, and the DC Department of Aging and Community Living. We appreciate you. We thank you for standing with us in service to our 50 Plus community. Folks, we'll be wrapping up today's show as we always do with Birthdays of the Week, followed by the new Dear Grave Woman featuring Joelle Simone. Then we'll close things out with your later life lowdown, bringing you real resources, real news, and real opportunities across DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia. All right, family, let's keep it moving. You already know if you want to stay informed, inspired, and just a step ahead of the curve after 50, this next conversation is always right on time. I'm joined now by a trusted voice and a friend of the show, Margaret Foster, editor of the Beacon Newspapers. And today we're diving into their April issue. Margaret, welcome back to the Senior Zone.
SPEAKER_01Hi, Sean. Great to be here.
SPEAKER_03It's always an absolute pleasure and honor to have you here. Margaret, let's start with the cover story, citizen scientists. Talk to us about what this movement looks like and how our listeners can get involved.
SPEAKER_01Yes, this is a great way to be out in nature when it starts to um, you know, have good weather out again. Um there are several um organizations that welcome older people, older volunteers to help um them collect data. So we interview someone who has actually been out on the Potomac River collecting water samples, very important right now they're going through. But she does that from um from a kayak and and sometimes just on on foot. Um and these water samples are delivered to scientists who can um tell them, tell everyone how safe or not safe the water is right now. And uh there's other all kinds of these sorts of projects that need volunteers. Um the Audubon Society has a very famous one on Christmas Day where you do a Christmas bird count. Um but there's a Northern Virginia chapter of the Audubon Society that that needs you to count birds in your backyard. And there's uh another project um having to do with native plants. And anyway, whatever your interests, there's probably um a project going on right now that needs you.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, sounds like that's a call to motion. Uh so folks, you gotta get your hands on the April issue of the Beacon newspaper. Uh I'm looking in your health section uh right now, uh uh Margaret, uh, about brain health, right? Uh talking about, you know, memory as they pe as we age. What is that article article all about?
SPEAKER_01Well, this was a little surprising. There was a study done that said um that we can sort of fight the natural decline of our, you know, our aging brains if we stretch them, if we exercise them. So you've always heard to do crossword puzzles and that sorts sort of thing, but there really is something to it. So um I don't know. It it it lists a couple of suggestions um in the study, um, but they actually did the science and it's worked. You know, we don't have old brains. We can you can teach an old dog new tricks, you know. So don't give up.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, yeah. I've learned through many conversations here on the show that just keeping the mind active doesn't have to be complicated. It just has to be intentional, as you uh were alluding to. I see an article around back pain. This one applies to me. Uh, what should we uh uh learn from reading this article?
SPEAKER_01Well, back pain is so common. I mean, so many people suffer from it. And then a lot of your friends will say, Oh, well, that's because this, and you know, you get all kinds of advice. Well, the Mayo Clinic kind of looks at the the biggest myths about back pain and debunks them all. You know, one of them is, oh, it's because of your firm mattress. No, that's not true. Uh oh, you should get some rest. Actually, no, you might want to try to exercise or work through it because otherwise your muscles are gonna tighten and it's gonna get a little worse. Um so and then you know, they do talk to, you know, I'm sure you've seen a doctor and all that, but they have some other kinds of solutions. Um it's an interesting article for and I love the Mayo Clinic's content. I just think they're the smartest in town.
SPEAKER_03So great source. Uh absolutely. You know, sometimes what we think is helping is actually holding us back. That's why you got to read this article and get informed. Uh, folks, let's switch over to your money section. Like to talk about health and then uh wealth, uh, because you highlight as I'm looking uh free or low-cost online classes, right? You know, that it's that old adage, you know, we're never too old to learn something new, as you just mentioned uh earlier. What is this article about?
SPEAKER_01These are free classes that you can take, usually from your computer. Um it's everything from you know this this the old standby of YouTube. You know, my my dad is more and more turning to YouTube just to learn things about uh fixing his car and on and on. But they, you know, there's there's things on YouTube that you know can be actual courses by professors too. Um there's other places that you might have heard of, like um Senior Planet from AARP. They have a a bunch of exercise classes, tech classes, and they're all free. Um there's something else called edX and Coursera. And I've tried both of those things. They are top quality, I mean, these these are like legit professors from MIT, Harvard. I mean, it's it's amazing. And it's all free. Um if you want to earn a certificate, it'll charge you money for it. But if you want to just audit the class, you know, it's free. Um and I I don't know, it's it's kind of thrilling to take a course from like an Oxford professor.
SPEAKER_03So Yeah, yeah. Uh speaking of YouTube, Margaret, I have become a better cook, a better chef by way of YouTube, right? Following those recipes, and I've tried it at home. So, folks, it's a lot to learn out there. With the time that we have left, one last article I'm looking at, Margaret, it talks about protecting your digital data and avoiding IRS penalties.
SPEAKER_01So this is a great, I always like to throw in a little reminder of how to keep safe online. Um one thing you can do is go into your settings, like on Facebook, um, and make sure that they are cranked up to the highest level. You know, don't share things with people who aren't your friends, et cetera, et cetera. That goes for Facebook, LinkedIn, um, Instagram, those sorts of things. So adjust your settings. And there there's also you can if you if you've given up a social media account, go back and make sure it's really deleted because now there are these like AI scrapers. I don't really understand what it is, but they'll you know, they'll take all your old data. So try to remember, like, oh, maybe I had that old account that I should really close. Um, and then there's uh this article mentions a couple of companies that can do all this for you called, you know, incogni and delete me and that sort of thing. I don't know if I'm gonna um pull the trigger on that. I don't know how expensive it is, but it is something to think about. Just make sure your settings are cranked up to the highest level.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, always great information from the Beacon newspaper. So much that we can't cover it all here in this uh monthly uh interview, Margaret. But you know, for someone picking up the beacon for the first time, Margaret, or maybe rediscovering it, you know, where can they find it? Uh is it in uh local establishments? Is it online? Share with those uh you know new listeners where they can find the beacon newspaper this month.
SPEAKER_01Yes, it's absolutely free in libraries, senior centers. Um you'll see the racks close to the exits in Giant and CBS. Um and if you can't find it, just give us a call or go to our website, which is thebeacon newspapers.com.
SPEAKER_03Thebeacon newspapers.com. Margaret, always a pleasure. Thank you for continuing to bring uh useful information that truly empowers our community to live better, live smarter, as well as fuller lives. And to our listeners, if you haven't already, make sure you grab the April issue of the Beacon Newspapers or check them out online. Margaret, thank you, my friend.
SPEAKER_01Thank you so much, Sean.
SPEAKER_03All right, all right, family. We are going to take a quick pause. Stay with us. This first break is brought to you by Legal Counsel for the Elderly, providing free legal and social work services for D.C. residents most in need. Don't change that dial. Sean Perry in the CNAZone. I promise we'll be right back.
SPEAKER_00Legal Counsel for the Elderly champions the dignity and rights of D.C. elders by providing free legal and social work services to those in need. Worried about eviction or foreclosure? Need help obtaining social security or veterans' benefits? Call Legal Counsel for the Elderly at 202-434-2120. Income eligibility applies. LCE is an affiliate of AARP 202-434-2120.
SPEAKER_08Attention, listeners, criminals are consistently developing new ways to steal your hard-earned money and personal information. But the AARP Fraud Watch Network is here to help you protect yourself and your loved ones. See or report scams in your area with our scam tracking map. Get guidance from our trained fraud specialists, and sign up to receive information on the latest scams. Knowledge is power. If you can spot a scam, you can stop a scam. Get more tips and resources at AARP.org slash fraudwatch network.
SPEAKER_03All right now we are continuing our special Protect Week 2026 coverage in partnership with AARP Maryland. And this conversation right here is foundational because if there's one thing we've learned over the years on the senior zone, it's this. You can't enjoy retirement if you're constantly looking over your shoulder. So joining me today is Tony Salazar, Commissioner of Financial Regulation with the Maryland Department of Labor. Commissioner Salazar plays a critical role in protecting Maryland consumers, especially our older adults, from financial scams, fraud, and exploitation. Commissioner Salazar, welcome back to the CNZone, my friend. Thank you, Sean. Appreciate it. Enjoy being here with you. It's an honor to have you here. So, Commissioner Salazar, as we near the kickoff of Protect Week 2026 that runs from April 20th through the 24th, help us understand the current landscape. Are scams evolving in new ways this year? And what are you seeing across Maryland?
SPEAKER_04Sean, what we're seeing is uh continuing losses, sadly. Uh total reported losses from fraud in Maryland have recently been in the tens of millions of dollars. Financial exploitation, uh as you're aware, is the most common form of elder abuse. And what I would say is that the current environment is one that calls for a high level of caution. You know, elder fraud and financial exploitation is a major concern because as you pointed out, the scams are evolving in new ways, such as through the use of AI or other electronic means.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, yeah. You know, every year feels like, you know, the tactics get more and more uh sophisticated, uh, Commissioner, and frankly, more personal. We know that older adults are often targeted, but from your vantage point, why are scammers still zeroing in on the 50 plus community?
SPEAKER_04Well, you know what? Scammers follow the money. And uh if you read the press reports, the 50 plus community has been pictured as having substantial assets. Every week we read stories about the coming great generational wealth transfer. So those types of reports put a bullseye on that 50 plus community. And you know, that environment, coupled with the fact that elderly residents are often less tech savvy, makes them especially attractive to fraudsters.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, yeah. You know, we're hearing um uh Commissioner Salazar a lot about artificial intelligence, AI, uh right, voice cloning, fake videos, even fake grandchild phone calls. Are you seeing uh more AI-driven scams show up in Maryland uh yet?
SPEAKER_04Yes. Uh we have so in our office, I don't think we have seen that directly, but I have uh, you know, anecdotally heard about that from other agencies that that is on the rise.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, yeah. I know for me, someone I think that I'm fairly savvy enough to keep myself protected, but it's frightening, you know, for families and what I see and hear from folks uh like you. You can't even trust what you hear or see anymore on your own computer or smart um uh device there. If you had to narrow it down, Commissioner Salazar, what are the top three scams currently impacting our uh Maryland seniors?
SPEAKER_04So I would say for Maryland seniors, number one is government impersonation scams. You know, right now we are just a the top-of-the-mind example. We are in tax season, and the tax scams are out there. Uh people are impersonating the Maryland controller's office through emails, letters, and phone calls. So that's a that's a large uh large percentage of these scams. Number two, you may have heard about the toll scams. That seems to have taken off in 2026, where people are sending again emails and calls asking for money uh for unpaid tolls. The other two uh that I would highlight are what I call QR code or fake codes. So uh QR codes are out there and they have malicious software embedded in them. And then lastly, uh these are you know things that we've seen for a while. Investment and crypto scams, and you know, I would include in that uh romance scams that often uh use either cryptocurrencies or some kind of payment card. So those are the three ones government impersonation, investment in crypto, and QR codes.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. So let's break those down slowly so folks you know who are driving or who are listening at home can really absorb it a little bit more. What are you seeing as some just universal red flags that should immediately cause someone to say, stop, say pause?
SPEAKER_04Sure. I guess you know, the first one is just the the old adage that if an offer sounds too good to be true, it's likely a scam. If you're offered a job and you're told you need to make an investment in order to get that job, well, that has two red flags in it, right? That sounds too good to be true, and number two, they're asking for upfront payment of money. Those are two big red flags. Uh the other, the other red flag on that actually ticks three boxes. It's an unsolicited or it's an unexpected request, right? So uh those are a couple, and then the last one is uh that I'd throw out there is if there's pressure to act quickly. So this is an offer that's gonna go away, and it's an offer that sounds real good, and somebody's asking you for money, but it must be sent right away. Those are all uh those are all big red flags, and those are universal regardless of what uh invol what means you get call, text, or email.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. This next question, uh Commissioner Salazar, uh is a little personal because it's it came close to my doorstep, and I'm talking about guaranteed investment returns. I've recently received something like that, and I wondered myself. The word guaranteed was a trigger for me. Are older Maryland is being pulled into, you know, as you mentioned, crypto related or online investment fraud?
SPEAKER_04Yes. Um, you know, there's there's no guarantee on these things um on virtually any investment, right? So these scams often promise high guaranteed returns. Um it's it's the guarantee that's a problem, but it's also the level. You know, they're they're typically higher than what you could get in another uh form of investment. So the victims are led to fake investment platforms, or they're convinced to use cryptocurrency for payment, and then they're led to a crypto uh ATM or kiosk to transfer funds. And once that happens, those funds are very difficult to trace and recover. So, yeah, we are seeing a lot of that, and I know uh you know, those investment scams also fall under the bailiwick of the attorney general's office.
SPEAKER_03So I know when I'm I'm I'm hearing the word guaranteed uh these days, I I translate that or redefine that into uh meaning it's guaranteed trouble, right? It's not gonna be a guaranteed benefit, it's gonna be a guaranteed trouble. So, like you said, I just walk away uh when I hear those things, and folks should do uh just the same. So let's talk about something that's sensitive, right? We've been hearing about romance scams now for several years. They're not just about money, they're about emotional trust, as you already know. What are you seeing in this area?
SPEAKER_04Well, we are seeing um a major rise in those types of scams. And you know, I mean, it's got a name, it's not a very nice name, but it what they what they call these types of scams is pig butchering scams, where the scammer establishes a loving relationship and then introduces a seemingly guaranteed or lucrative investment opportunity, usually involving crypto. Currency, but it can involve green dot cards or other type of cards. And so the victim is lured into trusting the uh the other party, the scammer. And then they're allowed sometimes to actually see some small return. At least they're given maybe statements or things like that, or they might actually see small amounts of money come back to them. And then that builds their confidence. They're convinced to invest larger sums that are then stolen. And what we're seeing is uh actually the use of AI and digital impersonations to make that person more appealing and convincing to the scammer. So, you know, for example, they may have a Facebook persona or some other platform that looks very appealing to the victim, but they don't look anything like that. That's just artificial intelligence manipulating the system. And there's some clues of manipulation that I I suggest families look for uh that you know they can help uh their seniors or even themselves for that matter, if they're lonely or you know, just looking through the internet. So uh some of those things involve changes in behavior, right? So there's some of those that are red flags relating to new relationships because it's so easy to connect with random people on the internet. And um what these what these scammers try to do is induce uh isolation or they try to you know have the victim operate in secrecy. Uh they they request they as we said, they talk about financial requests or ask for unusual payments uh in different forms that are not normal. Um the relationship moves very fast, you know. We were talking about not wanting to miss time, but you know, online acquaintances sometimes they express intense feelings of commitment and love. There's a word for that, it's called or a couple of words called love bombing before you know the other victim even gets a chance to see them on a video or a phone call. Um sometimes if your partner is unavailable or your family is unavailable, you know, that it makes you vulnerable. And then I would say, you know, one big red flag is defensiveness. So if a family member expresses questions or skepticism, you know, a big red flag is that the victim might become hostile or defensive, they might repeat the narrative that they're being told, you don't understand our relationship, things like that. So, you know, families and caregivers and friends are important uh to give people a good social network of trusted individuals.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, and that's where these these romance scams, you know, really, you know, just tick me off, you know, Commissioner Salazar, because they hurt twice, right? They hurt the wallet, but they also hurt the heart, you know, and for our older adult community, it's just it's just shameful, in my uh opinion. You know, one of the biggest hurdles, um, Commissioner Salazar, as you already know, is embarrassment. Why is it so important that seniors uh report fraud, even if they feel ashamed or think it's too late?
SPEAKER_04Well, uh, you know, I think one of the most important reasons reasons is that law enforcement and regulatory offices, such as um our office, the Office of Financial Regulation, we rely on consumer reports because we have a limited staff, and uh if we don't hear about it, we we might not know about it, right? So even if we can't assist the one person who um you know was victim of the scam, we can publicize the scam, we can look for patterns, and all of that helps uh you know the law enforcement and regulatory agencies improve their effectiveness. Plus, I think it's important that even if people feel ashamed that they talk about it, I think that would really help their mental state because we all make mistakes. You know, we all we all run into this uh in different different degrees throughout our lives, and uh there's nothing to be ashamed of. These are professionals, they're using AI tools, you know, they are preying on people who you know have means, but you know, for whatever reason, they get caught up in the moment. And there's no really there's no reason to be ashamed, but that's a natural inclination.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, here's what I've learned from subject matter experts on this topic like yourself, and that is silence, you know, empowers the scammers, right? They they they do not want you to report it. So if someone listening right now believes that they've been targeted, Commissioner Salazar, or they've already sent money out, what is the first call they should make?
SPEAKER_04Um sure. So I think the first call they should make is uh to law enforcement. Um uh well, let me let me step, let me step back. The first call they should make is to their financial institution, right? So if they've moved, if they've moved money out of a bank or from their investment accounts, they ought to call them and immediately try to stop that transfer because that that is very effective. That's where you stop the money from moving. Um if they've used an ATM or a crypto ATM, those machines should have you know customer service numbers listed on them. The next call I would make is to those numbers. Um and then you know, the kind of external call would be to contact local law enforcement or a state regulatory agency or the attorney general's office for your listeners' benefit. Our phone number here at the Office of Commissioner of Financial Regulation is toll-free. It's one eight eight seven eight four zero one three six. And I'll repeat that. It's one eight eight seven euros. Or of course they can go on the web and look for the OFR's uh web page and look for a tab entitled Submit a Consumer Complaint. But the most effective things to do are contact your financial institution, stop, try to stop the transfer, contact local law enforcement. Uh we have been, you know, working with all the state's attorney's offices, reaching out, talking to them about crypto fraud, uh, particularly through these kiosks. So there's a good awareness among that uh you know law enforcement group, and they can also be very effective.
SPEAKER_03I love it. Very practical steps. Uh uh, and you just gave our listeners some form of empowerment. So thank you. Commissioner Salazar, we are just about out of time, my friend. But if you could look directly into the eyes of every older adult in Maryland right now, what message would you want them to hear during Protect Week 2026 and beyond?
SPEAKER_04I would say that as I started out with, it's a time for caution with all these new tech tools. So be wary. I would suggest, number one, that you put a freeze on your credit report. I I I recommend that everybody do that. So that will reduce the chances of credit being opened in your name. Secondly, I would strengthen your digital defenses. Make sure you use strong passwords and if you can, use two-factor authentication to be on the guard against fraudulent websites. And then last but not least, in the rule of threes, maintain a high degree of suspicion. It sounds terrible, but that's what you need to do towards any unrexpected or unrequested calls, messages, or emails. Right? Just uh you mentioned it before. Just hang up, uh, you know, don't respond, just let it roll off. If it's too good to be true, it is. And then if you get caught, do not feel ashamed, contact uh regulators or law enforcement and your financial institutions.
SPEAKER_03Great, great information. You got to come back here more often, uh, Commissioner uh Salazar. But thank you, thank you, thank you. Not just for being here today, but for the work that you as well as the Maryland Department of Labor do every single day to keep us Maryland, as our older adults in Maryland uh safe. And to our listeners, knowledge is protection, conversation is protection, community is protection. If you suspect fraud, don't wait. Don't be embarrassed, speak up, make the call. Protect Week 2026 begins and runs throughout the week of April 20th through the 24th in partnership with AARP Maryland, bringing you trusted voices and real tools to safeguard what you've worked a lifetime to build. Commissioner Salazar, thank you, my friend. Thank you so much, Sean. Always appreciate it.
SPEAKER_04Glad to help out in this worthy cause.
SPEAKER_03Thank you, thank you, thank you once again. Folks, stay with us. This is the Senior Zone, the DMV's number one weekly radio program, and we are just getting started. This next break is brought to you by Compassion and Choices, empowering everyone to chart their own end of life journey. We'll be right back.
SPEAKER_11And life choices matter. Compassion and choices is here to support you on your journey. Our organization provides a wealth of resources to help you navigate difficult decisions with compassion and understanding. Need guidance on End of Life Choices? Visit our website at compassionatechoices.org for a range of informative articles, toolkits, and personal stories. Our compassionate team is just a call away, ready to assist you. Because, let's face it, talking about death is not gonna kill you. Compassionate choices, empowering you to make choices that reflect your values.
SPEAKER_02Hi, neighbor. I'm inviting you and your wife to my husband's 65th birthday party next week.
SPEAKER_07Great! Has he applied for Medicare yet?
SPEAKER_02Not yet. It's very confusing.
SPEAKER_07Call Montgomery County Ship. They help me with questions about my Medicare coverage.
SPEAKER_02What's Montgomery County Ship?
SPEAKER_07It's Ship, like a boat. Montgomery County State Health Insurance Assistance Program. They help seniors like us, or people with disabilities, or caregivers and families with Medicare insurance questions.
SPEAKER_02Can anyone call them?
SPEAKER_07Sure. As long as you live in Montgomery County. You can call them at 301-255-4250. Or check out their website at www.medicareabcd.org.
SPEAKER_02What's that number again?
SPEAKER_07Montgomery County Ship. 301-255-4250. Made possible with a grant from the U.S. Administration for Community Living through the state of Maryland and Montgomery County.
SPEAKER_11Did you know Maryland doesn't lose millions each year to scam?
SPEAKER_10From fake grand keys to imposter calls to investment schedule. Scammers are getting smarter.
SPEAKER_11That's why AARP Maryland is launching Protect Week 2026.
SPEAKER_10April 20th through the 24th. All week long, give expert advice, remote stories, improvement tips to help you protect your money and your peace of mind. Learn the red flag. Stop from early.org forward slash MD to learn more. Protect Week 2026.
Segment 2: Digital Safety (Noah O’Ryan)
SPEAKER_03Stay informed, stay empowered. Welcome back to the Senior Zone. I am your host, Sean Perry. We continue our special coverage of Protect Week 2026, a powerful initiative led by AARP to help people, especially older adults like myself, protect themselves from fraud, scams, and financial exploitation. Now, earlier in the program, we spoke with Tony Salazar about some of the broader efforts happening during Protect Week 2026. But as we all know, a lot of today's scams are happening online through emails, social media, text messages, and even fake websites. So the question becomes: how do we stay safe in a digital world that's constantly evolving? To help us answer that, I'm joined now by Noah Orion, Regional Program Manager for the Mid-Central Region with Older Adults Technology Services, also known as Oates from AARP. Their work focuses on helping older adults build confidence with technology while also staying protected online. Noah, welcome to the CNZone, my new friend. Thanks for having me. It's a pleasure to have you with us. So, Noah, let's start or begin with the big picture. For many older adults, technology has opened many doors, whether it's staying connected with family, managing finances, or accessing health care online, but it has also created new opportunities for scammers. From your perspective, why have older adults become such frequent targets for online fraud?
SPEAKER_05Yeah, there's a couple reasons. I mean, I think one of the primary ones is, you know, as you might imagine, many older adults are retired. They have some sort of, you know, access to resources, whether that's a retirement fund or uh something like that. And so it becomes appealing for a scammer. You know, there's essentially potentially a pot of money that they have uh access to that they might not get with, say, uh, you know, an 18-year-old who's joining uh their first year of college, right? Um, so there's uh an element in that way, and then there's the perception that older adults are less protective of their online presence, whether that's through just uh general, you know, uh tech illiteracy, maybe reusing the same password, um, that kind of thing. So it it's this, you know, thing for the scammer where they they think that the older adult might have resources and might be slightly easier to get to than um someone else might be.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, and that's such an important point because awareness really is the first line of defense, hence why we are having these discussions uh today. So now let's talk about what people are actually seeing on their screens uh these days, and Noah. Many scams uh today arrive, as I mentioned earlier, through emails, text messages, or pop-up alerts that look really, really uh convincing. What are some of the most common online scams targeting older adults right now that our listeners should be watching out for?
SPEAKER_05Yeah, and I think the you know, to your point, like they are very convincing. And I mean, I've gotten similar messages and they they look very uh very convincing. Um phishing scams are probably the most common ones. That's the ones that you're gonna get via text or email. Uh, for example, via text, you'll often get something like your UPS uh package has been delayed or or you know USPS, something has gone uh wrong in transit. Uh please click this link to find out more. And you know, it'll be from not those services. And if you click on the link, they will open up uh you know something fraudulent trying to uh get access to any number of things on your device. Um and you know, that sort of phishing link is really just it the structure is always the same. It is a presenting itself as somebody that you trust, Microsoft, Amazon, you know, post office, all that, and then trying to get you to engage with it so that you it can get some information out of you. Often when you click that link, it'll then say, like, oh, you know, please just put your phone and your email in here and all that, and then we'll give you this information that we say um that we have, you know, and then once you do that, obviously you're just in uh sending them their information. So I think that's like probably the most common one. And I think like, you know, uh if you're like me, you probably get a lot of those every week. I mean, whether it's a text or an email. Uh I've gotten even phone calls where it's um, you know, the voicemail of someone trying to figure out something about me. Right.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, they they they can look and they do look very legitimate at first, you know, glance. And I I I received one uh this morning, actually. I c I knew it was something that was foreign, uh something with you know, wanting something had pay in it. I knew I didn't owe anyone anything. I didn't even click on the, I just deleted it and then blocked it, you know, uh afterwards. You know, so I want to help our listeners sharpen their radar uh today, um, Noah. When someone receives an email, a text, or a message that feels suspicious, like I did this morning, what are a few quick red flags that should immediately tell them something just ain't right?
SPEAKER_05Yeah, absolutely. I think the first thing is generally the urgency of the message. Often these messages are, you know, oh, your account has been overdrafted by$2,000 due to a purchase, you know, click this link to uh, you know, to to cancel or, you know, something like that. Or um and it's off they're often money related. Um I think like what you were saying, that you're like, I don't think I have an account with this. Like, I don't, you know, I think like trust that instinct. So it's often that urgency, often financially related. Um, and then the other thing is just to take a look at the message itself. You know, I think the first thing is like if it doesn't feel quite right, it probably isn't. But then as you analyze that message, there's gonna be a few kind of key tells. So for example, uh just using um Microsoft as an example, I know people have often gotten something where they say like their Office 365 account is, you know, uh pass due and they need to uh you know pay. If you look at the email address, it won't be from Microsoft, it'll be from you know MicroSloft with like an an L in it or something, Microsoft.com. And so like as soon as you hover over that, you'll be like, okay, that's not Microsoft's um email address. Uh the message itself uh can often have um typos and other things. You know, these uh messages are sent out at a rapid pace. They are not um you know generally very curated. They just there's kind of a bulk thing and they're just sent out to as many people as possible. So uh as you know, errors can occur that way, which is a good thing for us because we can see um, you know, whether that's maybe slightly uh poor grammar or you know, like a misspelling, that kind of thing. Um logos might not be quite right, uh, that kind of thing. Um so yeah, and I I think that's the biggest thing uh as far as like what to keep an eye out for, um just those little inconsistencies and and often the tone of the message. I think any you know, if you have an issue with like uh you know, uh a real issue with like overdrafting at your bank, you know, often they won't you know send you an email. If anything, they might give you a call or something, and it's um you know, you could always uh verify directly with if if it's an account that you already own, that's the other thing. Is if you have a suspicion about the account you get, um you can give them a call. I mean, this isn't quite the same, but you know, I've gotten bizarre like uh at at home things for BGE, like with something with my bill, and it's like a it comes via the mail, and then it's like this is not BGE, this is bizarre. And you can just give BGE a call and say, like, hey, like I got this message, does this have is this anything? And they'll be like, of course not. This is fine.
SPEAKER_03Some sometimes going the old school route is the safest route to go. Pick up the phone and make that, you know, make that you know, another place where people can unknowingly uh put themselves at risk is social media, as you already know this. A lot of older adults are now using Facebook, they're using Instagram and many other platforms to stay connected with friends and family. Uh, what should those people keep in mind to stay safe when using social media?
SPEAKER_05Yeah, I mean, I think the first thing is to use the um included privacy features that a lot of these platforms have. Uh things like keeping your profile private and only people who uh you follow back can uh see your um posts. Um or you know, like Facebook, it's you know, you can restrict things to only friends or friends of friends. So just kind of really locking that access. I think the less that you can have just open on the internet for anyone to click on your profile and see, uh, the better. Um, because you know, it just keeps you more protected in that way. Um and then there's I think other things you can do as far as when uh engaging with those platforms. Like a great example I always use is like when you're on vacation, it's always great to post fit pictures for your friends and family to see. Um but you know, you can wait until after you come back home to post those pictures just on the off chance that you know someone might be looking that um does not have their best intentions. You know, if you're posting that, oh, I'm in, you know, Greece right now, you know, that means that there might be something like your bank might uh be sort of primed to know that you you are gonna have uh purchases that don't look right. So if someone sees that you're in Greece and they might go, like, oh great, I can do something and you know, swipe this card and do this transaction and it's not gonna flag the fraud system, versus if you're back home and your bank knows that, then you're it's gonna, you know, uh trigger that system.
SPEAKER_03Yeah. Let's shift with the time that we do have um on NOAA and and you know, something that all of us struggle with. I know that I do. I'm talking about passwords right now. We hear all the time about creating quote unquote strong passwords, but many people still use the same password across multiple multiple accounts, I suspect. What are some practical steps older adults can take to better protect their online accounts?
SPEAKER_05Yeah, I mean, I think you said it in the question is uh setting different accounts for ever or sorry, different passwords for every account is uh key. You know, it just means that if you have a password that's compromised one place, it's not compromised everywhere, um, which just helps kind of that, you know, general line of security. But as far as what um, you know, folks can do, uh Uh we recommend doing some sort of password management system. Uh if you're someone who really prefers a pen and paper, a small journal, you know, that you can get the kind with the little tabs with uh that are alphabetized. So you slightly you you know flip over to F that as your Facebook account, you put your you know username and password, um and just keep everything uh keep things tracked that way. Um and that book, you know, just keep it at home. There's no reason to carry it with you. Um, you know, if for some reason there's a password that you need to bring somewhere, which is uh not very common, you can always just you know copy it onto a sheet and bring it with you. Um so that's one way. Uh the other thing is it's a similar method, it's just uh digital is using a password management system. If you use an Apple device or an Android, you know, both Google and Apple have uh systems to save your passwords and generate passwords and you know you can just use that kind of built-in tool to generate a new password, keep it saved, and um you know, just make sure you're using something different. Um and then the last thing is also using uh two-factor authentication. I think some most people have had some interaction with it and it it can be a little bit annoying. And for those who don't know, it's when you uh you know log into your bank account and then you get a text from your bank saying, here's your six-digit code to get in. Um and while you know that extra layer can be frustrating, the benefit of it is that it is a second piece of information that a a scammer or someone else would not have access to, especially if it's originating on your phone. You usually have your smartphone on you. Um and if you don't that means that only you can get into those accounts. So uh enabling two-factor authentication when you can is another great uh way to keep yourself uh protected.
SPEAKER_03Yeah, great, great uh advice. Let's talk about uh what to do if something does go wrong, right? If someone believes they may have clicked a suspicious link, uh shared information they shouldn't have shared, or even fallen victim to an online scam, what steps should they take right away?
SPEAKER_05Yeah, I mean I think the first thing to say is that um I think people feel a lot of shame if something like this happens and they feel like um like they did something wrong. And I think it's just to emphasize that you know these scammers are very persistent and that you know it affects everybody, uh not just the older adult. I mean, I've known people who uh you know have clicked on emails and you know they get the whole thing where they uh send out um a bunch of uh messages to their network and that kind of thing. So um it I just to emphasize it, it really does happen to everyone. As far as what to do, um, you know, I think the first thing is to um just protect yourself however you can. If it's something like uh social media thing, you know, and you're worried that they may have gotten access to your account and change your password right away. Uh if it's just something with your um bank um credentials, give your bank a call, go to the branch, explain what happened, have them, you know, reset your PIN, all that, freeze your credit card if need be, that kind of thing. Um you can also give um's uh fraud not watch network a call, and they have uh practical um they have a hotline that uh you can uh call to just get some more information. Um and then also, you know, using your other ways of reaching out to people. So for example, if you click a link on your email and you're worried that it may have hijacked your email and is sending messages to your network, uh give folks a text or a call um and say, like, hey, you know, I clicked on a link, you might be getting a weird email from me. Um that's not for me. Uh please don't click anything that uh it's sending you, and um, you know, try to change your password as soon as you can.
SPEAKER_03Noah, I want to thank you for coming uh onto the senior zone and participating in Protect Week 2026. We are out of time. I had more questions for you, uh, my friend. You're welcome back. We have to extend this conversation. Uh, but Noah O'Rion, Regional Program Manager with Older Adults Technology Services from AARP, thank you once again for joining us today and for the important work you and your team are doing to help older adults navigate today's digital world safely. And to our listeners, remember this technology should empower you, not intimidate you. With the right knowledge and a few smart habits, you can enjoy all the benefits of the digital world while protecting yourself along the way. For more information about digital skills training and online safety resources, visit AARP.org. Noah O'Rion, thank you, my friend. Thank you so much. You are quite welcome and welcome back anytime. Folks, this next break is brought to you by AARP DC, your wise friend and fierce defender in Washington, D.C. When we return, it's birthdays of the week, dear grave woman, and then your later life loadown. We'll be right back.
SPEAKER_11Today is your day to connect with AARP and DC. AARP is here in the District of Columbia working hard to make it an even better place to live, work, and play for people of all ages, and you can help. Put your skills and talents to good use as an AARP volunteer where you can help lead local events or become an advocate for the issues that matter in your community, like funding for programs that help district residents age with dignity and independence. AARP is also helping you get the most out of life. Check out their educational workshops where they can help you grow as a caregiver, find a job, and teach you about the latest technology, or enjoy a night out at any of their exciting local events, like their happy hours and free movie screenings. Today is your day to connect with your community and with AARP. So let's take on today and every day. Learn more at aarp.org slash dc.
SPEAKER_12Happy birthday. Happy birthday.
SPEAKER_03Let's take a moment now to celebrate some very special people in our senior zone family because every year is a gift, as you already know, and every birthday is a reminder that life is still showing up for you. Here's our birthdays of the week. First up is my longtime friend Jerry Mathis, turning 59 today, Monday, April 6th from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Happy birthday, Jerry. Gloria Hightower, 69 today as well. April 6th from Washington, D.C. Happy birthday, Gloria. Sherry Ellison Dugan is 74 today as well. April 6th from Bowie, Maryland. Happy birthday, Sherry. This next one is special. Monette Turner, 84 today. April 6th from Glendale, Maryland. Happy, happy birthday, Monette. Al Austin is 68. Wednesday, April 8th from Washington, D.C. Happy birthday, Al. Hamil Harris, 65. You made it. Medicare Eligible, 65 on Thursday, April 9th from New Carleton, Maryland. Happy birthday, Hamil. Brenda Owens, she was shy about that age, so I don't have it, but confirmed senior. She turns whatever she turns on Thursday, April 9th from Lothian, Maryland. Happy birthday, Brenda. Evelyn Minor. Girl, you made it 71. Saturday, April 11th from Washington, D.C. Happy birthday, Evelyn. Sharice Stevens, also Medicare eligible, 65 on Saturday, April 11th from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Happy birthday, Sharice. A few more here. We have Dr. Eve Taylor, 79, on Saturday, April 11th from Kingstown, Virginia. Happy birthday, Dr. Eve, my childhood friend here. We go way back. Kurt Keller, 64, on Sunday, April 12th from Queens, New York. Happy birthday, Kurt, and many more. Last but not least, Caroline Pleasant. And she is a pleasant woman. Turn 76 on Sunday, April 12th from Upper Marlboro, Maryland. Happy birthday, Caroline. From all of us here at the Scene Zone, again, we celebrate you, we honor you, and we wish you a happy birthday filled with love, laughter, and everything that brings you joy. And remember, if you'd like to have your birthday announced right here on the scenerzone, just send us an email. Send that email to info at the scene to zone.com. That's INFO at the scene to zone.com. Be sure to include your full name, your birth date, the age that you are turning, and the city that you are from. And we'll do our very best to get you on the air. All right, family. It's now time for that voice that brings wisdom, clarity, and a little straight talk when we need it most. Here's Joelle Simone with Dear Grave Woman. Take it away, Joel.
Dear Grave Woman with Joel Simone
SPEAKER_06Hello, everyone, and welcome back to Dear Grave Woman. I am your host, Joelle Simone, also known as The Grave Woman. And today I want to have a little bit of a different type of conversation. I was watching Fried Green Tomatoes the other day. And if you're familiar with the movie, you know that there was an older lady who was constantly telling stories. And while watching the movie, which I've seen several times throughout my life, it was one of the movies my mom would watch on a Saturday afternoon when the house and life seemed slow. But um, I've I've seen it several times, but I think I saw it with a different perspective this time. As I was listening to the older woman in the movie tell the stories to the younger woman that would come visit her, I began to think about her storytelling as a form of legacy preservation. And it led me to ask you all the question: have you ever considered end of life and funeral planning a part of your legacy and history? Not just legacy in the form of finance or leaving property or having a big estate, but as like your stories, the non-tangibles, your recipes or your secrets that you've never told anyone and that will die with you if you don't share them with those around you. That type of legacy. And as I watched the movie and the story progressed, I couldn't help but wonder what history is happening in the making right now that will never come like it will never be shared because so many people in our community are not documenting, sharing, or even willing to tell and share their stories. Essentially erasing the legacies that should be left behind. One of my favorite things to do ever since I was a young child has been to listen to the stories of my elders. And so if you get nothing else from today's segment, I want to leave you with this. Your stories, your experiences, the things that make you uniquely you, the jobs that you've had, the stories and laughs that you shared with coworkers, the heartbreaks that you've had, the way that you've managed and made it through the grief that you've experienced in your life, your favorite recipes, your stories from childhood about the characters that have made and developed you into the person that you become today, the influence that your children, grandchildren, coworkers, and community have had on your life are all a part of your legacy. Please take the time to share these stories, whether in writing, whether it's pulling out your cell phone and making recordings in your phone to leave for your loved ones to find, or by simply sitting down and sharing over coffee, over dinner, or over just great conversation. Sean, back to you for the later life lowdown.
SPEAKER_03Thank you. Thank you, Joel. As always, we appreciate your insight as well as your heart. Now, family, let's stay informed and connected with what's happening across our community. It's time now for your later life lowdown. Here's what's happening across D.C., Maryland, and Northern Virginia. In Washington, D.C., the DC Department of Aging and Community Living continues to offer free senior wellness classes, including virtual and in-person fitness sessions designed to keep you moving and feeling your best. For more information, call 202-724-5626. That's 202-724-5626. Over in Maryland, the Maryland Department of Aging is offering support through its senior call check program. It's a free daily check-in service for older adults who live alone. It's simple, it's safe, and it provides peace of mind. To enroll, call 866-502-0560. That's 866-502-0560. Additionally, Maryland residents can also take advantage of local area agencies on aging for transportation, caregiver support, as well as nutrition programs. To find services near you, call 800-243-3425. That's 800-243-3425. And in Northern Virginia, Fairfax County continues to provide its golden Gazette and community outreach programs that include meal services, caregiver services and resources, as well as social engagement opportunities. To learn more, call 703-324-7948. That's 703-324-7948. And family, no matter where you are listening from across the country, if you or someone you know needs help navigating benefits like SNAP, Medicare, or utility assistance, don't forget about benefitscheckup.org. It's a website, benefitschecup.org, powered by the National Council on Aging. It is free. It's an easy tool that can connect you to programs you didn't even know you qualified for. And folks, that's a wrap for this week's Later Life Lowdown, where the info is always fresh, the love is always real, and the goal is always to enrich your journey. And one more thing, y'all, the senior zone has always been more about more than a moment. It's about building something that lasts. That's why we are now available as a podcast so these conversations can live on, they can be revisited and shared. Just search the senior zone featuring Sean Perry wherever you listen to podcasts. Alright, family, that's our time today. I thank you, thank you, thank you for spending this hour with us. Never forget, you are seen, you are valued, and your journey still matters. So until we meet again, keep your head high, keep your heart full, and always be someone who makes someone else look forward to their tomorrow. Love you, peace.
SPEAKER_09Be sure to join us on our next broadcast.
SPEAKER_13Until then, live simply, love generously.
SPEAKER_09Cheer deeply, speak kindly, leave the rest to God. Have a wonderful week, and God willing, the Stingers Gold will be here for another informative and entertaining hour next Monday morning at 10 a.m.
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