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 for Community Living has announced
the theme for this year - "Safe Today. Healthy Tomorrow."
Falls are the leading cause of injury related deaths in older adults age 65 and older. Since about half of all falls occur at home, performing a home safety check can really help to prevent falls. You can decrease the possibility of falls by removing throw rugs, improving lighting, and removing clutter. For more home safety tips, click on this brochure: "Check for Safety" by the CDC. Other safety recommendations can be found here.
Gulfside Hospice and Pasco Palliative Care will be sponsoring a senior fair called "Spotlight on Pasco" at the Gulfside Square Mall in Port Richey on Thursday, May 29th. This fair will have many presentations and performers, including:
a veteran pinning ceremony
a fraud protection presentation
a senior self defense demonstration
a silver sneakers presentation
an Elvis impersonator
The fair will be held:
Thursday, May 29th from 10:00am - 2:00pm Gulf View Square Mall 9409 US Highway 19, Port Richey , FL, 34668
There will be a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery on Monday, May 26, 2014. Steve Jerve of WFLA TV News Channel 8 (Tampa) will be the Master of Ceremonies. Joseph Harrin will lead the Hernando High School Band and there will be performances by Linda Burnette, The Double Trouble Quartet, Naomi McClain, and Isaac Bobonis. There will be a rifle salute by the Marine Corps League 708 Detachment from Spring Hill, FL and Central High School NJROTC Color Guard will post colors. Ye Mystic Air Krewe will provide a flyover. Seating is limited, so please bring a lawn chair or blanket.
Memorial Day Ceremony - A Time to Honor America's Heroes
Speaker: Major General Michael T. Plehn Principle Director for Middle East Policy When: May 26, 2014 at 11:00am Where: Florida National Cemetery Flag Assembly Area 6502 SW 102nd Avenue Bushnell, Fl 33513
Would you like to play chess, play board games, or attend an Alzheimer's Support group?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:
Tues, May 20th at 12:00pm Libary Knitters Hugh Embry Library People who enjoy working with yarn, here's your place to meet, share and
enhance your knowledge! Bring a brown bag lunch, if you wish. Hugh Embry Library14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523 (352) 567-3576
Wed, May 21st and Wed May 28th at 6:30pm Hugh Embry Chess Club Hugh Embry Library Enjoy chess out on the main floor from 7-8 pm! We have chess sets, or bring your own. Hugh Embry Library 14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523 (352) 567-3576
Thurs, May 22nd at 10:00am Senior Games Land O'Lakes Library Join us for fun and games at the library. Meet new people while playing cards, board games, or challenging video games. Land O'Lakes Library 2818 Collier Parkway
Land O'Lakes, FL 34639
(813) 929-1214
Thurs, May 22nd 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, May 23rd at 2:00pm Senior Cinema and Popcorn Hugh Embry Library Seniors and adults, enjoy recently released movies with popcorn! Free thanks to Friends of Hugh Embry Library. CALL 352-567-3576 for the movie title! Hugh Embry Library 14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523 (352) 567-3576
Sat, May 24nd at 2:00pm Chess Club Land O'Lakes Library "The Game of Kings"...Chess! Join us to play chess and learn the basics from our volunteer teacher. All ages and skill levels welcome. Bring your favorite chess set or use a library chess set. Land O'Lakes Library 2818 Collier Parkway
Land O'Lakes, FL 34639
(813) 929-1214
Wed, Jun 4th at 11:00am Alzheimer's Association/Caregiver Support Land O'Lakes Library This program will explain the services and support available for patients with dementia. Land O'Lakes Library 2818 Collier Parkway
Land O'Lakes, FL 34639
(813) 929-1214
Also, many branches offer book discussions and technology programs (such as an introduction to windows 8, an introduction to ipad, and a tablet Q & A).
The University of Wisconsin's Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation have gathered health statistics on nearly every county in the United States.They use these statistics to rank the counties within states, so that you can
compare your county to other counties in your state. The rankings are
based on how healthy people are and how long they live in each county.
The rankings also take into account key factors that effect health, such
as: air pollution levels, rates of violent crime, smoking, obesity,
binge drinking, access to primary care providers, and the number of
children living in poverty. These County Health Rankings are online and
can be searched here.
Pasco County is ranked 42nd out of 67 counties in Florida in Health Outcomes and 26th out of 67 counties in Health Factors. The Pasco County Summary for 2014 provided the following statistics:
8,716 premature deaths (the overall Florida average is 7,310)
19% of people reported poor or fair health
the average number of poor physical health days reported by people in the last 30 days: 4.6 days
the adult obesity rate is 29%
the motor vehicle crash death rate per 100,000 population: 20
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. In addition, they have published a pamphlet called "A Guide For Seniors: Protect Yourself Against Investment Fraud". They have also created a brochure called "Early Retirement Seminars 101: Smart Tips for Spotting Retirement Scams", This pamphlet can help you to recognize fraudulent retirement pitches, that promise much more than they can deliver. For example, here are some common tactics used by scammers:
the "scarcity tactic" - claiming there is only a limited supply left for an investment.
the "reciprocity tactic" - offering to give you a discount on commission if you buy now.
the "source credibility tactic" - the broker claims to be a reputable expert.
the "social consensus tactic" - other savvy people have invested in this product.
Another useful resource is the investor bulletin, "Social Media and Investing - Tips for Seniors". This bulletin can help you avoid online investment fraud. Finally, be very wary of "free lunch" investment seminars. These lunch seminars are advertised as "educational", but they are really geared to sell you investments. You can read more about these "free lunch" sales seminars in a previous post here.
The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas offers a free helpline, which provides assistance and referral information on government funded programs, non-profit agencies, and for-profit businesses that serve seniors in our county.
