Healthy Living Together August 19 Event Helps Seniors Stay Safe Online with "Digital Safety for Seniors – Avoiding Scams"

Kelly Gerstenberger, Market President; Holly Bonesteel, Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager;

and Tabitha Ellul, Business Development Specialist with Thumb Bank & Trust.

McKenzie Health System will continue its 2026 Healthy Living Together series with an important session focused on helping older adults recognize and avoid today's most common scams. The next event, titled "Digital Safety for Seniors – Avoiding Scams," will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. at Liberty Lanes, 100 Kristian Drive, Sandusky, MI 48471. A virtual option will also be available for those who wish to participate remotely.

The presentation will be led by Kelly Gerstenberger, Market President; Holly Bonesteel, Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager; and Tabitha Ellul, Business Development Specialist with Thumb Bank & Trust. Together, they will share practical strategies for recognizing scams targeting seniors, protecting personal and financial information, and responding confidently to suspicious phone calls, emails, text messages, and online activity.

As scams continue to evolve and become increasingly sophisticated, this session will provide valuable information to help participants identify warning signs, avoid common fraud tactics, and learn where to turn for help if they suspect fraudulent activity.

"Scammers are becoming more creative every day, making it increasingly important for all of us—especially older adults—to stay informed," said Nina Barnett, McKenzie Public Relations and Foundation Coordinator and Healthy Living Committee Chair. "We're grateful to the team at Thumb Bank & Trust for sharing their expertise and helping our community feel more confident navigating today's digital world."

The Healthy Living Together series provides free, monthly educational opportunities designed to support the health and wellness of individuals and families in Sanilac County and beyond. Each session is offered in person from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m., with a virtual option available.

Below is the updated remaining 2026 Healthy Living Together schedule:

• September 16: Stop the Bleed, Hands Only CPR, & Home Firearm Safety Morgan Fraley, BSN, RN, Stop the Bleed Specialist; Melissa Govea, American Heart Association CPR Instructor; Steve McKenney, Sandusky Chief of Police Location: Liberty Lanes, 100 Kristian Drive, Sandusky, MI 48471

• October 21: Aging Well Through Nutrition and Lifestyle Olivia Mantei, StoryPoint Group at Stonegate Assisted Living Location: Liberty Lanes, 100 Kristian Drive, Sandusky, MI 48471

• November 18: Estate Planning Basics – Wills, Power of Attorney, Trusts, Ladybird Deed, and More Michael Rolando, Attorney, Biddinger, Schrot & Rolando, PC Location: McKenzie Dining Room, 120 Delaware Street, Sandusky, MI 48471

All sessions are open to the public and free to attend; however, registration is required. For more information or to register, please visit www.McKenzieHealth.org/Healthy-Living or call 810-648-6127.

Register to attend in person - https://secure.qgiv.com/for/mckenziehealthsystem/event/digitalsafety/

Register to attend online via zoom - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rUXGuJL1Qre0lZSjASQUQQ

Healthy Living Together is a collaborative project developed by McKenzie Health System in partnership with the Sanilac County Health Department, MSU Extension, Great Start Collaborative Sanilac, and Sanilac County Community Mental Health. The series is designed to offer helpful tools, knowledge, and resources that support the health and wellness of individuals and families throughout Sanilac County.