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THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, MARCH 10, 2023 Page 19 S y Senior Donating Your Body to Science Sa a i a Y Dear Savvy Senior, I am interested in possibly donating my body to science when I pass away. What can you tell me about this, and what would I need to do to set it up? Getting Old Dear Getting, If you’re looking to help advance medical research, and in the process, eliminate your funeral and burial costs, donating your body to science is a great option to consider. Here’s what you should know. Body Donations Each year, it’s estimated that approximately 20,000 people donate their whole body, after death, to medical facilities throughout the country to be used in medical research projects, anatomy lessons and surgical practice. After using your body, these facilities will then provide free cremation and will either bury or scatter your ashes in a local cemetery or return them to your family, usually within a year. And, just in case you’re wondering, your family cannot not be paid for the use of your body. Federal and state laws prohibit it. Here are a few other things you need to know and check into, to help you determine whether whole-body donation is right for you: Donation denial: Most body donation programs will not accept bodies that are extremely obese, or those that have infectious diseases like hepatitis, tuberculosis, H.I.V. or MRSA. Bodies that suff ered extensive trauma won’t be accepted either. Organ donation: Most medical school programs require that you donate your whole body in its entirety. So, if you want to be an organ donor (with the exception of your eyes), you probably won’t qualify to be a wholebody donor too. Religious considerations: Most major religions permit individuals to donate both their full body and organs, and many even encourage it. If you are unsure, you should consult with your pastor or spiritual adviser. Special requests: Most programs will not allow you to donate your body for a specific purpose. You give them the body and they decide how to use it. Memorial options: Most programs require almost immediate transport of the by Jim Miller Bd Seni nior Si n r ior body after death, so there’s no funeral. If your family wants a memorial service, they can have one without the body. Or, some programs offer memorial services at their facility at a later date without the remains. Body transporting: Most programs will cover transporting your body to their facility within a certain distance. However, some may charge a fee. How to Proceed If you think you want to donate your body, it’s best to make arrangements in advance with a body donation program in your area. Most programs are off ered through university-affiliated medical schools. To fi nd one near you, the University of Florida maintains a list of U.S. programs and their contact information at Anatbd. acb.med.ufl .edu/usprograms. If you don’t have Internet access, you can get help by calling the whole-body donation referral service during business hours at 800-7270700. In addition to the medical schools, there are also private organizations like Science Care (ScienceCare.com) and Anatomy Gifts Registry (AnatomyGifts.org) that accept whole body donations too. Some of these organizations will even allow organ donation because they deal in body parts as well as whole cadavers. Once you locate a program in your area, call and ask them to mail you an information/registration packet that will explain exactly how their program works. To sign up, you’ll need to fi ll out a couple of forms and return them. But you can always change your mind by contacting the program and removing your name from their registration list. Some programs may ask that you make your withdrawal in writing. After you’ve made arrangements, you’ll need to tell your family members so they will know what to do and who to call after your death. It’s also a good idea to tell your doctors, so they know your fi nal wishes too. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. BBB TIP | FROM PAGE 9 BBB’s basics for safeguarding against scams At the very least, guard yourself with these fundamental consumer protection tips: • When someone you have not met asks you to send them money, especially by wire transfer, prepaid debit card or gift card, don’t do it. • Never click on links or attachments in unsolicited emails or texts. That’s how crooks put malware on your devices. • Don’t trust the legitimacy of something by its looks. Emails and websites are easy to fake with copied logos and graphics. • Don’t trust your Caller ID. It can be faked to read any way a crook wants it to read. • Buy online only from legitimate sources with a website address with the “s” in “https.” Look for the lock icon in the address bar as well. • Look up any company you’re unfamiliar with at BBB.org. • Treat your personal identifi cation information like gold. Don’t give it away to anyone who contacts you out of the blue. Your banking, Social Security and insurance numbers should be closely guarded. • Anyone pressuring you to act quickly could be a scammer who doesn’t want you to have time to consider the “offer seriously.” • Get details in writing and read them thoroughly. • Don’t overshare on social media. Con artists can collect your information from such sources and use it to make you think they know you. • Keep your travel plans to yourself and only share them after the fact. • Shred junk mail, old documents, bills and medical paperwork. • Monitor your accounts and check out any unknown transaction, even for tiny amounts (crooks start with small amounts to see if you pay attention). • Use strong passwords and keep software and virus protections updated constantly. Be sure to check the FTC website for National Consumer Protection Week events (https://consumer.ftc.gov/features/national-consumer-protection-week). Check out BBB’s articles on phishing scams, tech support scams and social Security scams. Scammers never quit, but they can be thwarted by staying on top of the latest tips and news from organi~ Help Wanted ~ zations that monitor them, like the FTC and BBB. Go to BBB.org to look up online marketplace business profiles, file a complaint or write a customer review. Visit BBB Scam Tracker at https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker to research and report scams. Read more about BBB Accreditation Standards at https:// www.bbb.org/bbb-accreditation-standards and BBB Standards for Trust at https://www. bbb.org/standards-for-trust. Learn how to become a BBB Accredited Business at https:// www.bbb.org/get-accredited. ~ Help Wanted ~ Combined Properties, Inc. is a full-service investment and real estate development firm specializing in commercial and multi-family residential properties. We are looking to fill the following positions: Parking Lot Attendant/Monitor The parking lot attendant will be responsible for enforcing the unauthorized use of assigned properties in Malden and ensuring cleanliness and order for desired curb appeal. Schedule is Tuesday - Saturday (preferred) or Monday – Friday or 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Commercial – Residential Painter – Light Maintenance We are seeking an experienced Painter for our apartment communities in Malden and nearby commercial properties. This is a full-time position with benefits (Monday-Friday 8:30-5:00 p.m.). Please submit resume or work history to HR@combinedproperties.com or call 781-388-0338. Combined Properties provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, National Guard or reserve unit obligations, or any other protected status prohibited by applicable law. 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