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