Upcoming Library Programs for Older Adults

Would you like to learn how to use Facebook, learn how to borrow library books on an e-book reader, learn needlepoint, or create a living will? These are just a few of the upcoming Pasco library programs. The Friends of the Library sponsors our programs.  Here is a list of the upcoming library programs for Older Adults in Pasco County:

                  Wed, Jan 4th at 2:00pm 
         Senior Social at New River Library 
Wii bowling, card games, and refreshments.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375


      Thursday, Jan 5th, 12th, and 19th at 2:30pm 
Memoir Writing at Centennial Park Library
 Put your memories to paper! Whether you are interested in writing  a formal memoir, or an informal family history to share with your children and grandchildren, this workshop can help you get started.
Centennial Park Library
5740 Moog Road, Holiday, FL 34690 
(727) 834-3204


Friday, Jan 6th at 11:00am
E-Reader Basics at Hugh Embry Library
Please call to register
Hugh Embry Library
14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523 
(352) 567-3576

Friday, Jan 6th at 2:00pm
E-book Basics at Regency Park Library
Please call to register. Regency Park Library
9701 Little Road New Port Richey, FL 34654
(727) 861-3049

 Friday, Jan 6th at 2:00pm
Introduction to Facebook at South Holiday Library
South Holiday Library
4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday, FL 34690 
(727) 834-3331


 Friday Jan 6th at 2:00pm
Five Wishes: Living Will Program at New River Library 
Five wishes is a program that helps you create a 12 page Living Will. This program is free and you can bring this legal document home. This program is provided by the Gulfside Regional Hospice.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375


 Wednesday, Jan 11th at 2:00pm
Introduction to Facebook at New River Library
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375

Thursday, Jan 12th at 6:00
Stitching Series at Regency Park Library
A special course taught by members of the Gulfview Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America, Inc. Please call 727-861-3049 to preregister.
Regency Park Library
9701 Little Road New Port Richey, FL 34654
(727) 861-3049


Friday, Jan 20th at 2:00pm
Senior Movie Social and Cards at Hugh Embry Library
Seniors, enjoy recent-release hit movies, then play your favorite card games. January's film based on the best-seller by Kathryn Stockett. Bring your friends!
Hugh Embry Library
14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523 
(352) 567-3576

Also, many branches offer book clubs, language classes, and gardening programs. You can contact your local branch to find out about these programs.

Social Security Quick Facts

The AARP has published a one page overview of Social Security Facts for each of the 50 states. Here are some highlights from the "Social Security: 2011 Florida Quick Facts":

• Florida ranks 24th in income level among the states.
• One in five Florida residents receive Social Security.
• Florida's 65+ population will reach 19% of the state population in 2015.
• Social Security is responsible for lifting over 35% of retirees from poverty in Florida.

You can access the full report here.  If you are interested in the facts about other states, you can find a list of the fact sheets here.

Upcoming Library Programs for Older Adults

Would you like to try a new craft, meet new people, join a sing-a-long, or learn how to write your memoirs? These are just a few of the upcoming Pasco library programs. The Friends of the Library sponsors our programs.  Here is a list of the upcoming library programs for Older Adults in Pasco County:

                  Wed, Dec 14th at 2:00pm 
         Senior Social at New River Library 
Wii bowling, card games, and refreshments.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375


      Thursday, Dec 15th at 2:30pm 
Memoir Writing at Centennial Park Library
 Put your memories to paper! Whether you are interested in writing  a formal memoir, or an informal family history to share with your children and grandchildren, this workshop can help you get started.
Centennial Park Library
5740 Moog Road, Holiday, FL 34690 
(727) 834-3204


Friday, Dec 16th at 2:00pm
Senior Holiday Carols and Cards 
             at Hugh Embry Library
Hugh Embry Library
14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523 
(352) 567-3576


Saturday, Dec 17th at 11:00am
Sit-n-Knit at South Holiday Library
 South Holiday Library
4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday, FL 34690 
(727) 834-3331


Tuesday, Dec 20th at 5:45pm
Ruby's Tuesdays (knitting club) at Hudson Regional Library
Hudson Regional Library
8012 Library Road, Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 861-3040


Also, many branches offer computer classes and classes that teach you how to use e-book readers. You can contact your local branch to register for these classes.

Be a Santa to a Senior

There are many programs to brighten the holiday season for needy children and families. However, did you know that there is a program to help isolated and needy Seniors? Home Instead Senior Care started the "Be a Santa to a Senior" program in 2006 and it is now nationwide. Home Instead Senior Care partners with local non-profit and community organizations to identify seniors who might not otherwise receive gifts this holiday season. The company then works with local businesses and retail stores to help facilitate the purchase and distribution of gifts by placing trees and ornaments with the Seniors' requests. Since the program started, they have provided 1.2 million gifts to 700,000 Seniors. You can do a zip code search to find organizations in your community that participate in this program. Here is a video describing this program:

The Nov/Dec Elder Update is available

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs publishes a bimonthly newsletter, the "Elder Update", for Florida Seniors. The current issue includes articles about Senior Driving, fraud prevention, and the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). You can download the current issue here. Alternatively, you can sign up for a print subscription here.

Report on Financial Abuse of Older Americans

The Metlife Mature Market Institute has published a report called “The MetLife Study of Elder Financial Abuse: Crimes of Occasion, Desperation, and Predation Against America’s Elders.” This study found that financial abuse of older Americans has increased 12% since 2008. The key findings of this study include:

• 51% of the reported fraud perpetrators were strangers
• 34% of the reported fraud perpetrators were family, friends, and neighbors of the victim
• 12% were businesses which exploited the elderly
• women were nearly twice as likely as men to be victims of elder financial abuse
• most victims were between the ages of 80- 89
• an estimated $2.9 billion dollars were lost by victims of financial abuse in 2010

The full study can be accessed here.

How can you avoid financial abuse and scams?  
The National Council on Aging has published an online handbook outlining how to avoid scams. This handbook is called "Savvy Saving Seniors: Steps to Avoiding Scams."  It lists the top ten scams targeting Seniors (on p. 10) and gives tips for avoiding scams (on p. 14).

November is National Family Caregivers Month

Over 65 million people in America care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend.  On average they spend 20 hours per week caring for their loved one.  President Obama has proclaimed November 2011 as National Family Caregivers Month. You can read this proclamation here.  The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) is a non profit organization, which was founded in 1993. Its mission is "to empower family caregivers to act on behalf of themselves and their loved ones, and to remove barriers to health and well being." The NFCA coordinates National Family Caregivers Month and the theme for this year is "Identifying Family Caregivers". The NFCA offered some recommendations for celebrating National Family Caregivers Month, including:

• Offer a few hours of respite time to allow a caregiver to rest.
• Send a card of appreciation or a bouquet of flowers to brighten up a family caregiver’s day.
• Help a family caregiver decorate their home for the holidays or offer to address envelopes for their holiday cards.
• Help a family caregiver find information and resources on the internet or to locate a local support group.

 Remember, you can contact the Area Agency on Aging's Senior Helpline (1-800-963-5337) to find local resources for respite care. This helpline is available for residents of Florida.

Veterans Day Information

The U.S. Census Bureau has published the following Veterans Day Facts:

•  There were 21.8 million veterans in 2010.
•  There were 1.6 million female veterans.
• 9 million veterans are age 65+
• $35,367 is the annual median income of veterans
• 3.4 million veterans have a service-connected disability rating.

You can access more U. S. Census Veterans Facts here.  Here are Florida veterans statistics from the November Elder Update of the Florida Department of Elder Affairs:

• More than 1.6 million veterans live in Florida
• The State of Florida has the largest number of World War II veterans.
• Approximately 12% of all Floridians age 18+ are veterans.

The State of Florida may be the most veteran friendly state! Florida provides additional benefits to veterans, which other states do not provide. A summary of these benefits can be found on page 3 of the November Elder Update. For more information, you can contact the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs.

President Obama has published a 2011 veterans day proclamation, which can be accessed here.
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs created this video commemorating Veterans Day:

Senior Social at New River Library

Want to meet new people and have fun? We will have card games, board games, Wii bowling, and refreshments for Seniors (age 50+). This program is sponsored by the New River Friends of the Library.

Wed Nov 9th at 2:00pm

at New River Library

34043 State Road 54

Zephyrhills, FL

813-788-6375

Tampa Bay Senior Expo

The St. Petersburg Times and the Senior Living Guide will be sponsoring the Tampa Bay Senior Expo on Thursday, November 3rd. This free expo for ages 50+ will provide:

• free health screenings
• travel news
• educational seminars
• recreational opportunities
• retirement choices

Thursday, Nov 3rd from 10:00am - 3:00pm

Gulf View Square Mall

9409 US Hwy 19 #215

Port Richey, FL

World Stroke Day

World Stroke Day is Saturday, October 29th. One in six people worldwide will have a stroke sometime in their lives. By learning about this condition, you can limit your risk of having a stroke. This campaign promotes six stroke challenges:

• Know your personal risk factors: high blood pressure, diabetes, and high blood cholesterol
• exercise regularly 
• Avoid obesity by keeping to a healthy diet 
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Avoid cigarette smoke
• Learn to recognize the warning signs of a stroke and how to take action

  You can take a quiz to find out your stroke risk by clicking here.  The American Stroke Association has published the warning signs for stroke here.  For more information about stroke and about how to control high blood pressure, see this article from the American Stroke Association.

Senior Wii Yoga and Games at Hugh Embry Library

Seniors, we'll have a great time doing some deep-breathing exercises, then some (simple) yoga stretches. It's fun and healthy. (We won't be doing anything too difficult, we promise.)  Bring your friends!  Afterwards, play your favorite card and board games! All supplies courtesy Friends of Hugh Embry Library.

 

Wii Fit Yoga Stretching and Cards

Friday, October 21, 2011

2:00 p.m.

Hugh Embry Branch Library 

14215 4th St. Dade City, FL

Questions? Call 352-567-3576

Medicare Annual Enrollment Period Begins

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is October 15th through December 7, 2011.  If you review your health care plan and prescription drug coverage, you can check to see if another plan could lower your costs. To find out if another plan would be better for you, you will need to gather some information. You will need a list of your medications and a list of your health care providers. For more information about how to review your Medicare coverage, see page 16 of the Elder Update newsletter for Sept/Oct.  If you would like one-on-one help with Medicare enrollment questions, you can get help from a SHINE volunteer.



The SHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) program provides free counseling to Seniors about Medicare, Medicaid, long-term care planning, and prescription assistance. The program is administered at the county level through the local "Area Agency on Aging" (other states also have this program - either in their Department of Aging or in their Department of Insurance).

This program trains volunteers to help older adults to get the information that they need to make informed decisions on health insurance issues. They provide information to elders, their caregivers, and their families.

To receive Medicare counseling in Pasco County, you can call 1-800-963-5337.  If you are interested in becoming a SHINE volunteer in Pasco County, please contact Sue Samson at 727-570-9696, ext 234.

The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco - Pinellas also provides many other services for seniors and caregivers. You can click on the picture below to access their website:

Social Networking Report

The Pew Research Center recently published a report about the growth of social networking sites, such as Facebook, MySpace, and Linked In.  In 2005, less than 4% of  internet users age 50-64 used social networking websites and less than 1% of internet users age 65+ used social networking sites.  Now, 51% of  internet users age 50-64 use social networking websites and less than 33% of internet users age 65+ use social networking sites.  Just in the last two years, social networking for age 65+ has grown 150%.  You can read the complete report here.
Many Older Adults are using Facebook to connect with their children, grandchildren, and friends who live far away.  You can read their updates and see recent pictures.  Also, every library branch in Pasco County has a Facebook page (*see below).  If you would like to learn about Facebook, New River Library has a beginning Facebook class this month:
                   Introduction to Facebook
                         Wednesday, Oct 19th 
                                   2:00pm
  
Location:    New River Library
                      34043 State Road 54
                      Zephyrhills, FL
No registration is required. For more information, please call 813-788-6375.

*Pasco County Library Branch Facebook Pages:

• Centennial Park
• Hudson
• Hugh Embry
• Land O'Lakes
• New River
• Regency Park
• South Holiday

Free Caregiving Training Seminars

HPH Hospice and the Alzheimer's Association are providing "The Caregiver Training Series" in Dade City on Tuesday afternoons from Oct 11th to November 1st. These seminars  will cover an overview of Alzheimer’s, how the disease changes communication, dealing with difficult behaviors, caregiver stress and community resources.  There will also be information on research and treatment. The seminars are free, but advanced registration is required.  To register or for more information, call Jan Double at 727-705-0107.

•  Tuesday, October 1 -"The Basics of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias"
• Tuesday, October 18 - "Communication and Managing Behaviors"
• Tuesday, October 25 - "Caregiver Stress and How to Manage It"
• Tuesday, October 18 - "Community Resources and Advocacy"

                 Time:           1:30pm - 3:00pm
          Location:           HPH Hospice Team Office
                                        37445 Clinton Ave.
                                        Dade City, FL 33525

Florida Senior Games 2011

The first Florida Senior Games championships were held in 1992.  These games are for people age 50 and above.  Currently, the Florida Sports Foundation sanctions local games, which serve as qualifiers for the state championships.  The Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Department will be hosting the Tampa Bay local qualifier games this year from October 3rd-14th.  The locations of the events, registration form, and rule book can be found here.  The sports offered include: 

• 3-on-3 Basketball
• Basketball 
• Shooting, Billiards
• Bowling
• Golf
• Horseshoes
• Pickleball
• Powerlifting
• Race Walk
• Swimming
• Table Tennis
• Tennis
• Track and Field

The State Championships will be held Dec. 3rd -11th in various locations in Polk County. These state championships are the qualifiers for the 2013 National Senior Games in Cleveland, Ohio from July 21st - August 6th, 2013. For more information on the National Senior Games Association, please click here.

How to Find Reliable Health Information Online

There are thousands of websites that provide health information online.  A lot of these sites are just trying to sell health products to you and they may not provide correct information.  You can start to evaluate a website by looking at who sponsors it. If the web site is a ".gov" (government website) or a ".edu" (college or university web site), the information will be more reliable and unbiased than a ".com" (commercial web site). You can find out more information to help you evaluate health websites on the National Institute on Aging website: "Online Health Information: Can You Trust It?".
               
     Here are some excellent health websites:

• NIH Senior Health - good basic information on many health topics; very user-friendly; also includes videos on topics such as Macular Degeneration.
• MedlinePlus Senior's Health (from the U.S. National Library of Medicine) - good directory of Senior health resources.
• MedlinePlus - search by health topic or search drugs and supplements- brings together information from many sources – such as the Mayo Clinic, the CDC, and the American Medical Association.
• NIDCD - information about dealing with deafness.
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute- Managing Heart Disease

Looking for a health provider? Here is a list of directories:

• Healthfinder - find a dentist, a doctor, hospital, hospice care, etc.
• Florida Health Finder - find and compare hospitals, prescription drug prices, nursing homes, etc.

Want to compare Medicare providers? Medicare.gov has the following tools:

• Physician Compare
• Hospital Compare
• Nursing Home Compare
• Home Health Compare
• Dialysis Facility Compare

Free Memory Screenings in September

If you’re age 50 or older and feeling forgetful, there’s probably no reason to worry.  However, you can put your mind at ease by making an appointment for a free, 20-minute memory screening.  HPH Hospice and the Alzheimer's Association are sponsoring memory screenings this month for people age 50 and older in the Alzheimer's Association Memory Mobile bus. Space is limited, so you will need to register for an appointment. To register, call Jan Double at 727-705-0107.  This bus will be parked at two locations in Pasco County:

 In West Pasco:

On Monday and Tuesday -  September 19th & 20th

10:00am to 4:00pm

HPH Hospice SP Team Office  
6807 Rowan Road
New Port Richey, FL

In East Pasco:

On Thursday and Friday - September 29th & 30th

10:00am to 4:00pm

HPH Hospice East Pasco Team Office 
37445 Clinton Avenue
Dade City, FL

Note: Screenings are not intended for individuals who have been diagnosed with Dementia.

For more information, click here for the HPH Hospice homepage.

Florida Memory Project

The Division of Library and Information Services of the Florida Department of State has expanded their online Florida Memory website. This website originally hosted only photographs and scanned documents from Florida history (see previous blog post).  Now this archive has expanded to include historical Florida videos, music, and folklore interviews.  Here are two pictures from this online archive:

                                  Engine 507 and crew 

        Dottie Schroeder of the All-American Girls 
                    Professional Baseball  League

                Here are two video excepts:




The full version of the 1917 inauguration for Sidney J. Catts can be seen here.



The full version of this video about the Everglades can be found here.

You can explore the complete Florida Memory Project here.

Upcoming Library Programs for Adults

Here are some highlights of upcoming Pasco County Library Adult Programs:

• September 1st at 2:00pm - Explore the Amazon - a travelogue by Janice Onuska - at Centennial Park Library
• September 2nd at 2:00pm - An Introduction to Library E-books - at  South Holiday Library
• September 3rd at 12:00pm - Beginning Spanish - at New River Library
• September 6th at 6:30pm - Growing Bamboo - at Hudson Library
• September 16th at 2:00pm - Facebook Basics at Regency Park Library
• September 23rd at 2:00pm - Seniors Wii Yoga and Games - at Hugh Embry Library
• September 24th at 11:00am - Sit -N-Knit - at South Holiday Library

Do you have a friend or family member who would like to learn how to use computers? New River Library provides beginning computer classes and one-on-one tutoring for Seniors in computer basics. You can call for more information at 813-788-6375.

The full calendar of adult events in September can be accessed here.  Click here for library branch addresses and phone numbers.

New Generic Drugs in 2011 and 2012

Generic drugs can save you money. What are considered generic drugs? According to the FDA:

"A generic drug is identical--or bioequivalent--to a brand name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics and intended use. Although generic drugs are chemically identical to their branded counterparts, they are typically sold at substantial discounts from the branded price."

Below are two lists* for drugs which are soon to become "generic" for the years 2011 and 2012.

2011

Brand Name----Generic Name----Availability

Uroxatral------- alfuzosin--------------July
Zyprexa---------olanzapine------------October
Lipitor-----------atorvastatin----------November
Caduet----------amlodipine------------November
Tazorac---------tazarotene cream-----November

2012

Brand Name----Generic Name----Availability

Lexapro-----------escitalopram----------February
Entocort EC------budesonide------------February
Avandia-----------rosiglitazone-----------March
Avandaryl--------glimepiride-------------March
Avandamet-------metformin--------------March
Boniva------------ibandronate-------------March
Seroquel----------quetiapine--------------March
Avapro------------irbesartan---------------March
Avalide-----------hydrochlorothiazide----March
Provigil-----------modafinil------------------April
Plavix-------------clopidogrel----------------May
Viramune---------nevirapine---------------May
Lescol-------------fluvastatin----------------June
Tricor-------------fenofibrate---------------July
Clarinex----------desloratadine------------July
Singulair----------montelukast-------------August
Actos-------------pioglitazone--------------August
Exforge------amlodipine-valsartan------September
Diovan-------valsartan--------------------September
Diovan HCT----hydrochlorothiazide----September
Geodon---------ziprasidone---------------September
Combivir------lamivudine-zidovudine---November
Atacand------candesartan-----------------December
Maxalt-------rizatriptan--------------------December


*these lists are provided by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, a nonprofit Independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association.

Facts and Myths about Generic Drugs

Fact: 7 in 10 prescriptions in the United States are filled by generic drugs.


Myth: Brand name drugs are safer than generic drugs. Fact: FDA receives very few reports of adverse events about specific generic drugs. Most reports of adverse events are related to side effects of the drug ingredient itself.

To learn more facts and myths concerning generic drugs, please visit the FDA site.

New Report on American Grandparents

The MetLife Mature Market  Institute recently published a study about grandparents: "The MetLife Report on American Grandparents: New Insights for a New Generation of Grandparents".  The data for this study was gathered from the 2010 Census Bureau reports, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Surveys, and the Center for Disease Control.  

Highlights of this study include:

•  Approximately one in ten households are headed by a grandparent, who has at least one grandchild living with them.
• A majority of grandparents, (54%), are baby boomers, ages 45 to 64.
• There were an estimated 65 million grandparents in the United States in 2010 and it is estimated that this number will climb to 80 million in 2020.
• Grandparent spending on child-specific items (like infant formula and children's clothing) has increased 71% since 1999.

The full report can be downloaded here.

National Immunization Awareness Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month.  The Administration on Aging has listed the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended immunizations for Older Adults age 65 and older:

• Seasonal Influenza
• Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) (for adults up to 64 years, one lifetime dose)
• Shingles (for adults 60 years and older)
• Pneumococcal disease (for adults 65 years and older and adults with specific health conditions)

The complete 2011 CDC recommended adult vaccination schedule can be found here.

Public Hearing on Federal and State Funding for Senior Services

The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco – Pinellas, Inc. (AAAPP)  has announced  a Public Hearing for persons residing in Pasco County.  Attendees will learn how Federal and State funds allocated for Senior Services will be used in Pasco County and gain knowledge of available resources for Seniors and/or family caregivers. Interested persons will be invited to comment on how these local services will be funded in 2012 and to comment about what they believe that Seniors need now and in the future.  The hearing will be held:

Thursday, August 4, 2011 

9:30 AM to 11:00 AM 

CARES Rao Musunuru, M.D. 

Enrichment Center 

12417 Clock Tower Parkway, 

Hudson, FL 

 

GUEST SPEAKER: 

Representative John Legg  

July/August Elder Update

 The Florida Department of Elder Affairs publishes a bi-monthly publication called the "Elder Update". The July/August issue has articles about the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program for the Elderly (EHEAP), Florida's Aging Road User Strategic Plan, maintaining oral health, a tai chi exercise program in New Port Richey, and more. You can read this issue online here. You can access back issues of the Elder Update here. In addition, you can receive a free print subscription to this publication by filling out the online form here.

Caregiving Costs to Working Caregivers

Almost 10 million people age 50 and above care for their aging parents in the United States.  The MetLife Mature Market Institute has published a report based on data from the the 2008 panel of the National Health and Retirement Study (HRS).  This report is called "The MetLife Study of Caregiving Costs to Working Caregivers: Double Jeopardy for Baby Boomers Caring for Their Parents".  Here are some highlights from this study:

• the percentage of adults providing financial assistance or personal care to an aging parent has tripled in the last 15 years.
• approximately a quarter of all adult children (mainly baby boomers) provide care for a parent.
• The overall cost in lost wages, pensions, and social security benefits for all of these caregivers is nearly 3 trillion dollars.
• the average female caregiver loses $324,044.
• male caregivers average a loss of $283,716.
• caregivers age 50 and above are more likely to have fair or poor health than people who are not caregivers.

The full report can be read here.

New Computer Books for Older Adults

Here is a list of new computer books for Older Adults, available from the Pasco County Library System:

"Fix Your Own Computer for Seniors for Dummies" by Corey Sandler and Tom Badgett 

"Social Networking for Seniors" by Anne Sparrowhawk

"Buying a Computer for Seniors: for the over 50s" by Karen Holland

"eBay for Seniors for Dummies" by Marsha Collier

New Books for Older Adults

Here is a list of new books for Older Adults available from the Pasco County Library System:

 "Everyday Law for Seniors" by Lawrence A. Frolik

  "Save Your Brain: 5 things you must do to keep your mind young and sharp" by Paul David Nussbaum

"The Retiring Mind: How to Make the Psychological Transition to Retirement" by Robert P. Delamontagne

"The Real Truth About Aging" by Neil Shulman

"Start Your Own Senior Services Business" by Charlene Davis

"AARP Guide to Revitalizing Your Home" by Rosemary Bakker

Senior Fun Fest and Jamboree

The Senior Connections and Mature Lifestyles magazines will be sponsoring a "Senior Fun Fest" on Thursday, June 30th, from 9:00am - 2:00pm in Plant City.  Admission and parking are free and the event will feature:

• Dancing
• Live Entertainment
• Free Health Screenings
• "Senior friendly" sports area
• Games
• Free Coffee and Muffins
• Prizes and Giveaways

Strawberry Festival Grounds

2202 W. Reynolds St.
Plant City, FL

For more information about the Senior Fun Fest, please call 813-653-1988.

Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

The National Center on Elder Abuse of the Administration on Aging has announced that June 15, 2011 is the 6th annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  This agency wants to increase awareness of elder abuse, which can occur in homes or in institutions such as nursing homes. The types of elder abuse include:

• physical abuse
• verbal abuse
• sexual abuse
• theft, fraud, or use of undue influence to gain an older person's money or property
• neglect
• abandonment

You can find the warning signs of elder abuse here.  For more information about elder abuse, you can click here for a tip sheet from the National Center on Elder Abuse.

To report suspected elder abuse, neglect or exploitation in Florida, here are the contact numbers:

• 1-800-962-2873 (For suspected elder mistreatment in the home)
•  1-800-453-5145 (For suspected elder mistreatment in the home, TDD/TTY access)
•  1-888-831-0404 (For suspected elder mistreatment in long-term care facilities). This is the number for the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman program.

How can you help ?

• contact older friends, neighbors, and relatives often and find out if they are having any problems.
• Contact your local Area Agency on Aging office to find local programs and sources of support for older adults (such as Meals on Wheels). These programs promote the health and independence of older adults. The elder helpline phone number for Pasco County is 1-800-963-5337.
• Volunteer as a Long-Term Care Ombudsman (see video below)

Free Online Computer Classes

Would you like to learn more about computers for free?  The Goodwill Community Foundation, Inc. provides free self-paced computer classes on their website gcflearnfree.org.  This website was designed to "create and provide quality, innovative online learning opportunities to anyone who wants to improve the technology, literacy, and math skills necessary for them to be successful in both work and life".  They have step by step instructions and videos on many topics, including:

• computer basics
• internet basics
• email basics
• Microsoft Word (tutorials for version 2000, 2003, 2007 and 2010)
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft Access
• Microsoft Powerpoint
• Microsoft Outlook
• Google
• Open Office
• Facebook

For more information, please click here.

Coping With the Summer Heat

We are entering the hot summer months in Florida and it is important to prevent heat stroke and heat exhaustion.  Older Adults (aged 65 and older) are more susceptible to heat stress than younger people and older adults may also be taking medications that decrease their ability to regulate their body temperature.  Here are some tips from the Administration on Aging to stay safe in the heat:

• drink more fluids (but avoid drinks with lots of sugar or alcohol)
• stay indoors as much as possible
• electric fans help some, but are not helpful if the temperature is in the high nineties
• take a cool shower or bath
• if you do not have air conditioning, consider visiting a public library or mall
• never leave anyone in a closed and parked vehicle

If you become very overheated, you may get heat stroke.  This serious illness occurs when the body can not regulate its temperature anymore and the body stops sweating.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists these symptoms for heat stroke:

• high body temperature - above 103 degrees
• hot dry skin
• rapid pulse
• dizziness
• nausea
• throbbing headache

For more information, on heat stress in Older Adults, you can click here.

It is Time to Prepare for Hurricane Season!

Hurricane season officially starts on June 1st. It is important to prepare ahead of time - especially if you have special needs or own a pet.  The Florida Department of Elder Affairs has published a "Disaster Preparedness Guide for Elders".  This guide covers many types of disasters including:

• hurricanes
• fires
• floods
• tornadoes
• pandemic flu

This is an excellent guide with practical advice - such as how to assemble a disaster supplies kit and create a plan for yourself and your pets.  You can read this guide online here or pick up a print copy at your library.  You can find more information, including videos from the National Hurricane Center.   

Here are local Pasco County resources to prepare for hurricane season: 

• Pasco County's Hurricane Guide - available on this page in English and Spanish.
• If you have special needs - you will need to pre-register for SNAPS services, like transportation and care.  You can learn more here.  The link to the registration form is here.
• If you have a pet and need to have a place for him/her during an evacuation, you will need to pre-register your pet.  More information can be found here.

Library of Congress Historical Music and Recordings

The Library of Congress has started a project called the "National Jukebox", where they are providing historical sound recordings free to the public.  There are over 10,000 recordings from 1901 to 1925.  These are recordings from their archives and they plan to continue adding to this collection.  Here are some of the categories of recordings available for your listening pleasure:

• opera
• ragtime
• jazz
• country
• classical
• speeches
• skits
• humor

Here are a few songs from the archives:


The Smiler Rag


New River Train - Traditional/Country


Casey at the Bat -Comedy

Click here to find more recordings.

Older Americans Month Census Facts

President Obama proclaimed May, 2011 as "Older Americans Month". This year's theme of "Older Americans Month" is "Older Americans: Connecting the Community".  Every Year the U.S. Census Bureau provides a fact sheet to celebrate this month. 
Here are some highlights from this fact sheet:

• 39.6 million people in the U.S.were 65 or older in 2009
• $31,354 is the median income of householders 65 and older
• 8.9% is the poverty rate for people 65 and older
• 6.5 million people 65 or older were in the workforce in 2009 and this is projected to increase to 11.1 million by 2018
• The state with the highest number of people age 65 or older is California (4.1 million).  Florida is in second place with 3.2 million people age 65+.
• 81% of householders age 65 or older owned their own homes in 2010.
• 56% of people 65 and older were married in 2010
• 9 million veterans of the armed services are age 65 or older

The full census report can be found here.

Free Elder Consumer Law Program

The Stetson University College of Law sponsors the Elder Consumer Protection Program.  This program was designed to provide an educational resource for topics pertaining to elder consumer protection - including financial scams and fraud.  The college sponsors free events as part of this program.  There is an upcoming Elder Consumer Law Day.
This program is:

"Batten Down Against Disaster Frauds and Scams (Price Gouging, Home Repair, Charity Fraud, Insurance)"

Tuesday, May 17th

from 9:00am - 2:00pm

at the Stetson University College of Law 

(Eleazer Courtroom)

1401 61^st Street South

Gulfport, Florida 33707

Although the program is free, they do require that you register, as there is limited space.  Light breakfast and lunch will be provided to registered attendees.  You can call  727-562-7888 to register or to get more information or you can e-mail elderconsumers@law.stetson.ed.

In addition, free consumer services will be available at this event -such as do-not-call/opt-out registration, free credit reports, and secure document shredding.

Older Americans Month 2011

May is Older Americans Month.  This observance was originally called "Senior Citizen's Month" when it was created in 1963, but it was renamed "Older Americans Month" by President Carter in 1980.  The Administration on Aging has announced the theme for this year - "Older Americans: Connecting the Community".  The Administration on Aging states that this theme "... pays homage to the many ways in which older adults bring inspiration and continuity to the fabric of our communities. It also highlights the many ways technology is helping older Americans live longer, healthier and more engaged lives." You can celebrate Older Americans Month by contacting the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco - Pinellas and finding out about volunteer opportunities with programs which help Older Adults in our community.

Housing Trends for the 55+ Market

 MetLife Mature Market Institute has published a report based on data from the most recent American Housing Survey conducted by the Census Bureau.  This report, "Housing Trends Update for the 55+ Market" describes "... where 55+ households live, characteristics of their homes and communities, and level of satisfaction with the homes and communities." In addition, the report includes information about households who moved and why they moved. Here are some key findings:

• The majority of 55+ households are not in age-restricted communities.
• The primary reasons for moving are for family or personal reasons.
• Most 55+ households are happy with the house that they live in, but the households in the age-restricted communities had the highest  measured happiness rating.
•  The choice to move to a home in an active adult community to be closer to work has increased from 2% in 2001 to 12% in 2009.
• About 54,000 housing starts in 55+ communities are projected in 2011.

You can access the full report here.

Senior Social at Hugh Embry Library

Seniors, bring your friends or just come as you are and have fun singing some karaoke!  We've got great songs from the 40's and 50's, including some great ones made famous by singers like Frank Sinatra!  After our karaoke, enjoy your favorite card games and board games.  Light refreshments courtesy of our generous Friends of Hugh Embry Library.

What:    Senior Social & Cards
When:   Friday, April 15, 2011
Time:     1:00 p.m.
Where:  Hugh Embry Library
                14215 Fourth Street
                Dade City, FL 33523

Questions? Call 352-567-3576

The Connecting Generations Video Challenge

The U.S. Administration on Aging is sponsoring a video contest as part of this year's celebration of "Older Americans Month".  This video contest requires a team of two or more participants - with at least one person aged 60 or above and one under the age of 60.  The purpose of this video competition  is to promote " ... intergenerational connections and communicating the role seniors play in connecting communities across America". Full details of this competition can be found here.  

In addition, the Administration on Aging is also sponsoring a Wii bowling competition between teams from senior centers across the country.  The "Community Connection Video Game Tournament" details can be found here.