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. 

 

March/April Elder Update

 The Florida Department of Elder Affairs publishes a bi-monthly publication called the "Elder Update". The March/April issue has articles about aging in place initiatives, Alzheimer's caregiving, varicose vein treatment, grandparent scams, 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.