Sleep is Important for Good Health

The Administration on Aging  has a webpage about how getting enough sleep is important for good health. Older adults need 7-9 hours of sleep, which is the same amount which younger adults require. As people age, they have more trouble falling asleep and sleep less deeply. It is very important to get enough sleep, because insufficient sleep can increase the chance of accidents and falls. Here are some suggestions from the Administration on Aging about how to get a good night's sleep:

• Go to sleep and get up at the same time each day, even on weekends. 
• Develop a bedtime routine. About 30–45 minutes before bedtime each night, do the same things so your body will know that it’s time to sleep.  
• Avoid caffeine late in the day.

You can find more information about sleep from the National Institutes of Health Senior Health website.

Social Networking Websites Increase in Popularity

Older adults have dramatically increased their use of social networking websites, such as Facebook. A PEW Research Center social networking report has found that 57% of internet users age 50-64 use social networking websites, while 38% of those age 65+ use these sites. Facebook is the most popular social network for older adults, with 56% of internet users age 50-64 using this website and 40% of those age 65+ using this website ("Photos and Videos as Social Currency Online" by Lee Rainie et al.). People use Facebook to stay in contact with friends and family and to share their pictures. Older adults are also using LinkedIn for career networking and Pinterest to share images.  
Why are social networks so popular? A PEW Research Center study investigated the social impact of social networking and found that:

• The average user of a social networking site has more close ties and is half as likely to be socially isolated as the average American.
• Facebook revives “dormant” relationships.
• Internet users get more support from their social ties and Facebook users get the most support.
• Facebook users have more close relationships.

You can access the full report here.

Upcoming Pasco County Library Programs

Would you like to join a knitting group, attend a Senior Social, or see a great movie? These are just a few of the upcoming Pasco library programs. The Friends of the Library sponsors our programs.  Here are some of the upcoming library programs for Older Adults in Pasco County:
          
           Every Tuesday at 5:45pm
     Ruby's Tuesdays
     Hudson Regional Library
 A fun group that likes to knit! From the beginner to the advanced, this group is for everyone. Bring your yarn and needles and join the fun.
Hudson Regional Library
8012 Library Road, Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 861-3040

Wed, Dec 19th at 2:00pm
     Senior Social
     New River Library
Card games and Wii bowling for age 50+. Refreshments provided by the Friends of the Library.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, FL 33543
(813) 788-6375


           Fri, Dec 21st and 28th at 11:00am
     Knitters for Charity
     Hudson Regional Library
 Come join this fun group as they knit different items for different charities. .
Hudson Regional Library
8012 Library Road, Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 861-3040

Thurs, Dec 27th at 6:00pm
     Knitting Club
     New River Library
 Learn basic knitting techniques. Please bring a pair of size 8 knitting needles and a ball of #4 yarn. This club is sponsored by the Friends of the Library.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, FL 33543
(813) 788-6375

           Fri, Dec 28th at 2:00pm
    Senior Movie Feature!
    Hugh Embry Library
Seniors, enjoy the latest releases of great films, along with light refreshments, thanks to our generous Friends of Hugh Embry Library!
 Hugh Embry Library
14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523 
(352) 567-3576

Also, many branches offer other computer classes and book discussions. You can contact your local branch to register for these classes.

Protect Yourself from Scams

The Elder Consumer Protection Program of the Stetson University College of Law provides educational materials and videos to help older adults avoid scams and fraud. They also provide consumer news and alerts. Here are links to several of their brochures:

• Financial Fraud Awareness
• Identity Theft Awareness
• Family-in-Need Scam
• Tax Season Scam Awareness

Below is their video about Financial Fraud:


You can find more videos here.

New Grandparent Survey

Humana, Inc. recently published the results of a survey of 1,0001 grandparents aged 65 and over. This survey found that young adult grandchildren motivate their grandparents to stay healthy. Here are some highlights of the study:

•  The majority of grandparents believe that their grandchildren have the same work ethic as their generation.
• 54 percent of grandparents believe their adult grandchildren are more career-focused.
• Nearly 50 percent of grandparents agree technology has brought them closer with their adult grandchildren.
• 20 percent of grandparents use Facebook to keep up with the profiles of their grandchildren.

For more information, click here.

National Family Caregiver's 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 2012 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 they offer the following 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. In addition, you can find a large list of online caregiving resources from the federal government here. 

HPH Hospice hosts caregiving support groups in Pasco County for people who are taking care of a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia. You can click here for meeting information.

Upcoming Pasco County Library Programs

Would you like to learn how to use Facebook to connect with your family, learn to download library ebooks, or learn how to make wire and bead jewelry? These are just a few of the upcoming Pasco library programs. The Friends of the Library sponsors our programs.  Here are some of the upcoming library programs for Older Adults in Pasco County:
          
           Every Tuesday at 5:45pm
     Ruby's Tuesdays
     Hudson Regional Library
 A fun group that likes to knit! From the beginner to the advanced, this group is for everyone. Bring your yarn and needles and join the fun.
Hudson Regional Library
8012 Library Road, Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 861-3040
       
           Sat, Nov 24th  at 11:00am
    Sit-n-Knit
    South Holiday Library
South Holiday Library
4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday, FL 34690 
(727) 834-3331

          Tues, Nov 27th  at 3:00pm
    Downloading ebooks, the basics
    Regency Park Library
 Learn the basics of downloading an ebook the frugal way- through your Pasco County Library System. Registration required, please call 727-861-3049. Bring your device and laptop, if possible. Don't forget your power supply. Please have your amazon.com login and password for Kindle users. Nook users need Adobe Digital Editions sign in completed.
Regency Park Library
9701 Little Road New Port Richey, FL 34654 
(727) 861-3049 

           Wed, Nov 28th at 2:00pm 
     Introduction to Facebook
     New River Library 
Learn how to use Facebook to keep in touch with family and friends.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375
 
            Thurs, Nov 29th at 6:00pm 
     Introduction to Jewelry Making
     New River Library
Learn some basic techniques for making wire jewelry and beading. This program is for adults and registration is required. Please call 813-788-6375 to register. This program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library. 
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375

           Fri, Nov 30th at 11:00am
     Knitters for Charity
     Hudson Regional Library
 Come join this fun group as they knit different items for different charities. .
Hudson Regional Library
8012 Library Road, Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 861-3040

           Thurs, Nov 30th at 2:00pm
    Senior Movie Feature!
    Hugh Embry Library
Seniors, enjoy the latest releases of great films, along with light refreshments, thanks to our generous Friends of Hugh Embry Library!
 Hugh Embry Library
14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523 
(352) 567-3576

Also, many branches offer other computer classes. You can contact your local branch to register for these classes.

The Nov/Dec Issue of the 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:

• all retirement benefits switching to direct deposit
• healthy sleep
• how fixing cataracts can improve your health
• avoiding lottery scams
• the newly redesigned veteran's website- www.FloridaVets.org
• connecting generations through Facebook.

You can download the current issue here. Alternatively, you can sign up for a print subscription here.

Upcoming Pasco County Library Programs

Would you like to try a new craft, meet new people, learn to Skype, or learn more about Medicare? These are just a few of the upcoming Pasco library programs. The Friends of the Library sponsors our programs.  Here are some of the upcoming library programs for Older Adults in Pasco County:

                  Thurs, Nov 8th at 2:00pm 
              Medicare 101 at Regency Park
Mike Lewis from the Area Agency for Aging and SHINE will be presenting an informative program on Medicare, Medicaid and issues surrounding the open enrollment and supplemental insurance. Registration required, 727-861-3049.
Regency Park Library
9701 Little Road 
New Port Richey, FL 34654 
(727) 861-3049

            Friday, Nov 9th at 12:00pm
     AARP Driver Safety Course at 
     Hudson Regional Library
Hudson Regional Library
8012 Library Road, Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 861-3040
       
           Friday, Nov 9th  at 2:00pm
     Online Shopping Class at 
     South Holiday Library
Just in time for the holidays, learn how to maximize your savings and have your purchases delivered right to your door!
South Holiday Library
4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday, FL 34690 
(727) 834-3331

           Wed, Nov 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
           
            Thurs, Nov 15th at 11:00am
    Learn to Skype at Hugh Embry Library
Call 352-567-3576 to register to learn Skype. Talk to your relatives and friends free (they can get free Skype accounts, too)! We'll show you how. Bring your laptop!
 Hugh Embry Library
14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523 
(352) 567-3576


          Thurs, Nov 15th at 5:00pm     
    Make a Wreath at Regency Park Library
Learn to make a wreath.
Regency Park Library
9701 Little Road 
New Port Richey, FL 34654 
(727) 861-3049

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

Safe Investing For Seniors

The Securities and Exchange Commission provides a webpage with a lot of information to help Seniors invest their money wisely.  This web page has links to information about what questions to ask when considering investments and how to avoid internet scams and affinity fraud. There is also information about investment products such as variable annuities, equity-linked CDs, promissory notes, callable CDs, ultra-short bond funds, and viatical settlements. In addition, they have published a pamphlet called "A Guide For Seniors: Protect Yourself Against Investment Fraud". You can access this pamphlet online here or pick up a print copy at your local Pasco County Library branch.

Want information about a particular investment opportunity?
You can investigate the investment and the investment firm with these resources:

• You can find out whether the investment is registered by using the EDGAR database.
• You can find information about an investment firm or a broker by using the FINRA BrokerCheck.
• You can investigate investment adviser firms on the SEC website here.

For information about "free lunch investment seminars", click here for a previous blog post.

Medicare Open Enrollment Period Has Begun

 The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is October 15th through December 7, 2012. 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. 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 call the elder hotline at 1-800-963-5337.

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:

Long Term Care Information

The National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care Information defines long term care as "a range of services and supports you may need to meet your health or personal needs over a long period of time. Most long-term care is not medical care, but rather assistance with the basic personal tasks of everyday life ...." These tasks may include help with: bathing, dressing, eating, housework, or shopping. Nearly 70% of people age 65 and above need long term care. 
 
Medicare does not pay for long term care. As a result, it is important to plan ahead, because paying for long term care can be very expensive.The National Clearinghouse for Long Term Care provides a lot of information to help you plan for long term care. It also has links to organizations that can provide assistance to caregivers. Click here for more information.

The "United States of Aging" Survey

The National Council on Aging, UnitedHealthcare, and USA Today funded a survey which asked older adults questions about their outlook and their preparation for aging. This "United States of Aging" survey of 2,250 adults aged 60+ was conducted in May through June of 2012. Here are some of the key findings of the survey:

•  64% of adults aged 60+ report that it is very or somewhat easy to pay their monthly living expenses now
• 23% of seniors are either not confident in, or do not have, a financial plan for their retirement years.
• 20% are still employed either full or part time.
• 28% of Seniors say they serve as a caregiver for someone else.
• 50% of Seniors have someone who is a caregiver for them.
•  90% of Seniors intend to continue living in their current homes over the next five to 10 years.

You can access the full report here. 

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 1st-12th.  The locations for the events  can be found here (on page 3).  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. 1st -9th 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 1st, 2013. For more information on the National Senior Games Association, please click here.

The Sep/Oct Issue of the 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:

• the 2012 Florida Senior Games
• After an injury: What seniors need to know to regain their health and happiness
• lower your Medicare bills
• disabled parking permit requirements change
• 2012 Department of Elder Affairs Needs Assessment Report
• the importance of volunteering

You can download the current issue here. Alternatively, you can sign up for a print subscription here.

Upcoming Library Programs

Would you like to learn more about Medicare, learn how to use your tablet, exercise with tai chi, or enjoy a great film? 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:

Fridays, Sep 14th, Sep 21st, and Sep 28th
11:00am 
Beginning Tai Chi at Hudson Library
The Taoist Tai Chi Society returns to teach the basics of Tai Chi, a gentle and therapeutic practice. Please consult with your physician before starting any exercise program. 
Hudson Library.
8012 Library Road
Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 861-3040

Fridays, Sep 14th, Sep 21st, and Sep 28th
3:30pm- 4:30pm
Tablet Help for Seniors at New River Library
Do you need help learning to navigate your new Android tablet or Ipad? We can help. This program is for ages 50+.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375


Wednesday, Sep 19th at 2:00pm

Medicare and You at New River Library
SHINE will present a program on the Medicare and You handbook, and they will also answer general Medicare questions.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375

Thursday, Sep 27th at 1:00pm

Medicare and You at Land O'Lakes Library
SHINE will present a program on the Medicare and You handbook, and they will also answer general Medicare questions.
Land O'Lakes Library
2818 Collier Parkway
Land O'Lakes, FL 34639
(813) 929-1214


Friday, Sep 28th at 2:00pm
Senior Movie Feature at Hugh Embry Library

Seniors, enjoy the latest releases of great films, along with light refreshments, thanks to our generous Friends of Hugh Embry Library!

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.

National Grandparent's Day 2012

National Grandparents Day is the first Sunday after Labor Day, which is September 9th this year. Marion H. McQuade first championed the idea for this celebration and her descendants created a nonprofit organization, the National Grandparents Day Council. The organization website states:

"Our goals are to honor grandparents and to strengthen
the bond between grandparents and grandchildren.
Additionally, we strive to draw compassionate attention
to the eldest of society's elderly--those in nursing homes."

President Jimmy Carter approved the first National Grandparent's Day in 1978. Every year, the U.S. Census Bureau provides statistics about grandparents and their role in society. Here are some highlights of the 2012 statistics (these statistics are from the 2010 American Community Survey):

• 7 million grandparents had grandchildren under the age of 18 living with them.
•  10% of children in the U.S. live with a grandparent.
•  2.7 million grandparents are responsible for the basic needs of at least one grandchild.

You can read the whole article here.

New Study of Older Adult Internet Use

 The Pew Internet and American Life Project has published a new report called "Older Adults and Internet Use". This report was based on a telephone survey of 2,254 adults in April 2012, which asked about American's use of the internet. Here are some of the highlights of the report which concern older adults:

• 53% of Americans age 65+ use the internet or email 
• Of those Seniors who go online, 70% use the internet on a typical day.
• Only 34% of adults age 75+ use the internet 
• 69% of adults age 65+ own a cell phone
• 34% of internet users age 65+ use Facebook or other social networking sites (this is quite an increase - since only 13% used these sites in 2009).
• 11% own an e-book reader
• 8% own a tablet

You can read the full report here.

Medicare Website Redesigned

The Medicare website has been redesigned to be easier to navigate. There are now links on the home page to help you:

• replace a lost Medicare card
• find a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan
• get help with health care costs
• find out if a test, item, or service is covered
• see the official mail you get from Medicare
• read the "Medicare & You" handbook online

A Medicare press release states that users can also access this information using mobile devices, such as tablets and smart phones. Click here to see the new design.

National Immunization Awareness Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month. The Administration on Aging reported that  influenza and pneumonia were the seventh leading causes of death among people age 65 and older in 2010. According to CDC data, 63.6% of individuals aged 65 and above received an influenza vaccination in 2010, but only 41% of adults aged 50-64 years received this vaccination. You can find out about recommended vaccines by clicking here for a CDC chart with recommendations based on age.

The July/Aug Issue of the 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:

• daily deal websites
• cyber self-defense - secureflorida.org
• Florida Hardest-Hit Program
• hearing loss
• Florida practitioner (physician) information 
• boating safety

You can download the current issue here. Alternatively, you can sign up for a print subscription here.

On Guard for Seniors Website

 The state of Florida has launched a new website to educate older adults about a variety of consumer-related topics including how to avoid scams and fraud.  This website is called "On Guard for Seniors". This website has information about annuities, reverse mortgages, long-term care, and how to avoid identity theft. There is also a section on consumer alerts, which lists common scams which target older adults.  In addition, there are example stories about how the Florida Division of Consumer Services was able to help resolve consumer problems. For more information, click here.

Area Agency on Aging Public Hearing

The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas is seeking input about how to allocate federal and state funds for Senior Services. This agency is preparing their 2013-2015 Area Plan of services for Seniors age 60 and above. The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas will be holding the following free public hearing in Pasco County:

          Friday, August 3rd
          9:30am - 11:00am
          Galen Wilson Dining Center
          (Pasco County Elderly Nutrition)
          8600 Galen Wilson Blvd
          Port Richey, FL

Representative Richard Corcoran will be the guest speaker. To request more information, please contact Marilyn Rupp, no later than July 27th, at 727-570-9696, ext 230.

Caregiver Video Contest

The Health and Human Services (HHS) has started the "Million Hearts" Initiative. This initiative "seeks to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years by empowering Americans to make heart-healthy lifestyle choices, and improve care for those needing treatment." The "Million Hearts" initiative wants to recognize caregivers and encourage them to tell their stories, so they have created a caregiver video challenge. This contest is for caregivers and must be less than 2 minutes long. The video must explain the role a caregiver plays in contributing to a loved one’s heart health, include an additional topic from the list below, and must direct viewers to http://millionhearts.hhs.gov for more information. Here are the additional topics:

• Give tips on how a caregiver can help to ensure that a loved one takes blood pressure medication(s) as prescribed.  
• Explain how to measure and monitor blood pressure and why this is important.   
• Share how a caregiver can encourage lifestyle changes that benefit blood pressure control, such as increase physical activity or reduce sodium in the diet.

The competition began July 16th and will end on August 31st at 5pm. You can get the full details on this video challenge here.

Free Computer Tutoring Available

Do you have a family member or friend who is 50+ and would like to learn how to use computers? Most Pasco County Libraries offer free beginning computer classes in the fall and winter. However, if they would like to start right away, the New River Library Branch has a program which can help them. We have trained teen volunteers to teach beginning computer skills - like mousercise, email, and Facebook. This one-on-one tutoring provides a fun, stress-free learning experience.  These tutoring sessions are free and you can call to schedule an appointment at (813)788-6375.

New River Library
34043 State Road 54
Zephyrhills, Fl
813-788-6375.

Take Precautions in 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
• if you need help getting to a cool place, ask a friend or relative for help or call the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas (1-800-963-5337) - they may be able to help.
• if you have air conditioner, but cannot afford the electric bill, you may be able to get help from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
• 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.

Area Agency on Aging Survey

 The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas provides many services to older adults. They provide a telephone helpline which connects Seniors with local agencies and non-profits (1-800-963-5337). In addition, they administer the following programs:

• SHINE (volunteers to help you choose a medicare program) 
• SMP Program (Senior Medicare Patrol)     
• Senior Victim Advocate Program    
• The National Family Caregiver Support Program
• Grandparent Caregiver Program     
• Senior Safety Phones Project     
• Food Assistance - SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

However, the Area Agency on Aging needs your help! They are preparing their Area Plan for 2013-2015 and they need information from local seniors to provide an accurate reflection of their needs in Pasco and Pinellas counties.  If you are age 60 or older, please  fill out this survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SeniorSurveyAAAPP. 
Thank you for your assistance.

Senior Fun Fest

The Senior Connections and Mature Lifestyles magazines will be presenting a Senior Fun Fest on Thursday, June 28th at the Strawberry Festival Expo Hall in Plant City from 9am - 2:00pm. Admission and parking are free. The event will feature:

• Free Health Screenings
• Live Music
• Senior-Friendly Sports Center
• free coffee and goodies

             Strawberry Festival Expo Hall
             2202 W. Reynolds St.
             Plant City, FL
             813-653-1988

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Flash Mob

A previous post described the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2012. The purpose of this day is to educate people about elder abuse and how to prevent it from happening. Ethos, a non profit organization in Massachusetts, recently used a whole new way to raise awareness of elder abuse. They organized a flash mob at a Roche Brothers grocery store. A flash mob is is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual act for a short time, then disperse. In this case, it is more like a "smart mob", since this group was organized and planned ahead of time. More than twenty five seniors and staff members from the Ethos Age Well West Roxbury program sang and performed a choreographed dance to the Beatles "When I'm 64" at a grocery store. Here is the video:

   
 You can find out more about elder abuse by clicking here.

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

Tomorrow, June 15th, is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Administration on Aging states that "Millions of older Americans are abused, neglected, or exploited each year, with an estimated 84% of cases going unreported." You can view a live symposium about elder abuse and financial exploitation today at the White House Live website. In addition, the Ohio Office of the State  will be hosting a Facebook chat about elder abuse tomorrow, June 15th at 9:30am. The guest speaker will be Kathy Greenlee, Administrator of the Administration for Community Living and Assistant Secretary for Aging at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Click here to go to this chat.
     
You can help prevent elder abuse by spotting the warning signs, including:

• Signs of neglect: lack of basic hygiene, medical aids (i.e. glasses, medications), left without care if confined to a bed, or untreated bed sores.
• financial abuse: caregiver has control of the senior's finances and does not use the money to take care of the senior's needs or the older adult is giving large amounts of money or gifts to their caregiver.
• pyschological abuse 
• physical abuse

You can learn more about the signs of abuse here and more on what you can do to prevent elder abuse from this National Center on Elder Abuse factsheet. In addition, the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs also has a brochure about preventing elder abuse.
If you suspect that an older adult is being abused, you should call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873. Another great resource is the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas elder helpline: 1-800-963-5337. If the senior lives at a nursing home or assisted living facility, a volunteer from the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman program may be able to help. You can contact them via the elder helpline: 1-800-963-5337.

Florida ID and Drivers License Information

When your current Florida drivers license expires and you have not used the one-time online "convenience" renewal option, you can renew by going online to www.GoRenew.com. It is important to type this address directly into your address bar, because doing a yahoo or google search on "gorenew" will result in a list of scam websites. These websites will charge you money and then redirect you to the real official government website. The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles does not require a surcharge for purchasing a drivers license online.

If you have already used the one-time convenience renewal, then you will have to go to one of the drivers license offices to renew your license. Since the passing of the Real ID Act of 2005, everyone who renews their driver's license or wants to get a government issued ID card must prove who they are.You will need to bring several documents to prove who you are. To find out what documents you need, Florida residents can go to http://www.gathergoget.com/ .Obtaining the documents can be a very involved procedure- since you may need to get a birth certificate or a marriage certificate from another state. Therefore, it is best to start gathering your documents a few months before your renewal date.

Older adults who are Florida residents will need a valid Florida identification card - even if they do not drive. These identification cards are necessary for air travel, they must be shown at the doctor's office, and may be needed to pick up some prescriptions. Some older adults may have problems obtaining the necessary documents and may need legal help. Ellen Cheek has written a great article about this in the March/April 2012 Elder update (p.6). You can read this article here.

Hurricane Expos

The Pasco County Emergency Management Team will be hosting two hurricane information expos - one on the west side of the county on June 2nd and one on the east side of the county on June 9th. These seminars can help you to prepare your family and your home for hurricane season. Admission and parking are free. Here are the specifics:

West Side Expo

with special guest speaker Steve Jerve - 

the Chief Meteorologist from Channel 8 News

 June 2nd 

10am - 2pm

J. Ben Harrill Recreation Complex 

2830 Gulf Trace Blvd.  

Holiday, FL 34691

East Side Expo

with special guest speaker - Leigh Spann -  

News Channel 8 Meteorologist

 June 9th

10am - 2pm

5827 Dean Dairy Rd 

Zephyrhills, FL 33541 

Hurricane Season is nearly here!

National Hurricane Preparedness week runs from May 27th - June 2nd and 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

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 (English version)
• Pasco County Hurricane Guide (Spanish version)
• 2012 Evacuation  Map (English)
• 2012 Evacuation Map (Spanish)
• If you have special needs - you will need to pre-register for SNAPS services, like transportation and care.  You can learn more about this service and get the application here. 
• If you have a pet and need to have a place for him/her during an evacuation, there is one shelter that accepts pets. This shelter operates on a first-come, first-served basis and proof of vaccinations is required.  In addition, the pet owners must stay with their pet. More information can be found here.

The Tampa Bay Times has also published an online "Hurricane Guide 2012" here.

New Healthy Eating and Exercise Resource

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has published a guide called "Young at Heart: Tips for Older Adults". This guide gives useful information about healthy eating and exercise.  This nutrition information can help you to lower your risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases. In addition, exercise may also help to ward off depression. You can access the full report here.

              Young at Heart: Tips for Older Adults

You can find even more in-depth dietary guidelines in "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010", from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Older Americans Month Census Facts

President Obama proclaimed May, 2012 as "Older Americans Month". This year's theme of "Older Americans Month" is "Never Too Old to Play".  Every Year the U.S. Census Bureau provides a fact sheet to celebrate this month. 

Here are some highlights from this fact sheet:

• 40.3 million people in the U.S.were 65 or older in 2010
• $31,408 is the median income of householders 65 and older
• 9% is the poverty rate for people 65 and older
• 6.7 million people 65 or older were in the workforce in 2010 and this is projected to increase to 11.1 million by 2018
• 81% of householders age 65 or older owned their own homes in 2010.
• 74.1 was the median age of the 65 and older population in 2010.
• 9.1 million veterans of the armed services are age 65 or older

The full census report can be found here.

May is Older Americans Month

May is the month to celebrate older adults. 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- "Never Too Old to Play". The Administration on Aging states that this theme "encourages older Americans to stay engaged, active and involved in their own lives and in their communities". 

You can play at your library this month at our Senior Social at New River Library. There will be Wii bowling, card games, board games, and refreshments. This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library:

Senior Social

May 9th at 2:00pm

New River Library

34043 State Road 54

Zephyrhills, Fl 33543

In addition, 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.

Upcoming Free Caregiver Seminars

The Elder Law Office of Emma Hemness is sponsoring six free seminars for Seniors and family caregivers in May. The first program is presented by a Florida ombudsman. For people not familiar with the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, an ombudsman "is an advocate for people who live in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family care homes. All services are confidential and free of charge." There are also programs about caregiving, veteran's benefits, avoiding fraud, and Medicaid Managed Care. Registration is required (the registration webpage is here).

Here is a partial list of these programs:

Your Buddy the Ombudsman: What you didn't know or didn't know to ask
Don Hering, Director of Field Operations, State LTC Ombudsman

May 1st from 10:30am - noon
Jimmie B. Keel Library
2902 W. Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL

How to Expect the Unexpected: 
Preparing caregivers for transitions in care, advocating for their loved one, and securing benefits in plain English
Ann Cholowski, M.D., J.D., Life-Path Hospice

May 5th  9:00am - noon
Embassy Suites USF
3705 Spectrum Blvd
Tampa, FL

 So You're a Caregiver, but Who is Taking Care of You?
Allan W Redash, M.D.; Teri Redash, R.N.

May 19th  9:00am - noon
The Galleria at USF
3720 Spectrum Blvd
Tampa FL

What Medicaid Managed Care Means to Sick Seniors and Their Families
Rebecca Bell, Esquire, BCS, LLM in Elder Law

May 22 10:30am - noon
Jimmie B. Keel Library
2902 W. Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL

You can get more details by downloading the event flier here.

Inspirational Athletes

Sports are not just for the young. Older Adults can enjoy recreational sports and compete in the  Florida International Senior Games & State Championships.  There are also Older Adults who are leading competitors in the sport of show jumping, such as John Whitaker MBE. He was rated 4th in Britain in 2009, at the age of 54. Here is a video of John Whitacker winning the BP Cup in 2007:

There are many examples of inspirational Senior athletes.  Johanna Quaas is an 86 year old German gymnast who has done exhibitions showing her prowess at parallel beams and floor exercises. Here is a video of her from the "Turnier Der Meister" Cottbus 2012 exhibition:



Fauja Singh is 101 years old and is famous as the world's oldest marathoner. Last year, at age 100, he completed the Toronto Waterfront Marathon.  In addition he has set records for 8 different distances (from 100m to 5,000m) for his age group. Here is a video about this amazing runner:

Free Memory Screenings This Month

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 is sponsoring memory screenings this month for people age 50 and older. Participants will meet privately with a representative from the Alzheimer’s Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter. Space is limited, so you will need to register for an appointment. To register, call Jan Double at 727-705-0107.  

In West Pasco:
Friday, April 13th

10:00am to 4:00pm
HPH Hospice South Pasco Team Office

6807 Rowan Road
New Port Richey, FL 

In East Pasco:

On Tuesday and Wednesday - April 24th & 25th

9:00am to 3:00pm

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 HPH Hospice Events.

The Mar/Apr Issue of the 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:

•  COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• Fraud Protection
• Senior Fitness
• Aging-in-place
• Senior Volunteers

You can download the current issue here. Alternatively, you can sign up for a print subscription here.

Medicare Part B Deadline is March 31st

Medicare Part B medical insurance "helps cover medically-necessary services like doctors' services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, home health services, and other medical services"(Medicare.gov). When you become eligible for Medicare Part A, you will have seven months to sign up for Part B. If you do not sign up in this period, then you will have to wait until the next open enrollment period -January 1st through March 31st. 
It is important to sign up for Part B on time, because if you are uninsured for 12 months or more, your Medicare monthly premiums will be higher. You can learn more about Medicare in the "Medicare & You" online handbook here.

Senior Fun Fest

The Senior Connections and Mature Lifestyles magazines will be presenting a Senior Fun Fest on Tuesday, March 27th at the St. Petersburg Coliseum from 10am - 3:00pm. Admission and parking are free. The event will feature:

• Free Health Screenings
• Live Music
• Grandkids are the Greatest Photo Contest (call 1-888-670-0040 for details).
• Senior-Friendly Sports Center
• free bingo and giveaways

             St. Petersburg Coliseum
             535 Fourth Avenue North
             St. Petersburg, FL 33701
             1-888-670-0040

New Alzheimer's Report

The Alzheimer's Association has recently published "2012 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures", a report with the latest statistics about Alzheimer's Disease in the United States. Alzheimer's disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Here are some quick facts from this report:

• 1 in 8 older Americans has Alzheimer's Disease
• 5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer's Disease
• $200 Billion - is the predicted cost for caring for people with Alzheimer's in 2012
• It is predicted that 16 million people will have this disease by 2050.

 You can read the entire report here.


The Alzheimer's Association also provides information for each state. The Florida statistics include:

• 450,000 Floridians had Alzheimer's Disease in 2010
• There were over one billion hours of unpaid care by caregivers for Alzheimer's patients in Florida in 2011
• There were 4,743 deaths due to Alzheimer's in Florida in 2008

You can click here for more Florida statistics.

The AARP Foundation Women's Scholarship Program

The AARP Foundation Women's Scholarship Program is helping win back opportunity for low-income, 50+ women by funding education, training, and skills upgrades that can lead to better employment and increased financial security for women and their families. Since 2007, The AARP Foundation Women's Scholarship Program has awarded scholarships to more than 800 eligible women — helping them to enter programs they could otherwise not afford.


The scholarship program is made possible by AARP Foundation with generous support from Walmart Foundation and AARP.


The scholarship application period for the 2012-2013 academic year will last from Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at 9 a.m. CST until Friday March 30, 2012, at 5 p.m. CDT.      
   
For more information and to apply, click here.