Healthy Aging Seminar @ New River Library

A representative from the Visiting Nurse Association of Florida will be presenting a health program at the New River Library on Friday, September 4th, at 1:00pm. The program is called "Healthy Aging through Safety Awareness and Fall Prevention". Falls are not just the result of getting older. Come learn how you can prevent falls, so you can remain safe and independent. Refreshments will be provided.

New River Library
34043 S. R. 54
Zephyrhills, FL 33543
Phone: (813)788-6375

Growing Old in America: Expectations versus Reality

The Pew Research Center recently published the results of a phone survey of 2,969 adults. This survey investigated people's perceptions about aging. Four age groups were studied: 18-29; 30-49; 50-64; and 65+. This study found that older adults experienced fewer of the negative benchmarks of old age (illness, memory loss, depression) than younger adults reported that they expect to happen as they grow old. However, older adults also reported having fewer of the expected benefits of old age, such as having more time for hobbies or traveling more.

Other highlights of the study include:

• 60% of adults 65 and older say they feel younger than their age.
• 45% of adults 75 and older report that their life has turned out better than they expected, while only 5% stated that it turned out worse than they expected.
• 70% of older adults 65 and older say that they have more time with their family.
• 80% of adults aged 65 and older reported reading a book, magazine, or newspaper daily.
• men and women have similar expectations about growing older.
  

The full study can be accessed online here.

There were also regional differences in how older adults view aging. Older adults from the western part of the United States reported feeling younger and healthier than older adults in other parts of the United State. However, 63% of older adults in the northeast and the south reported that they get more respect as they age, compared to only 44% in the west. For more information on regional differences, please see this Pew Research report.

Elderlaw Seminar at Hudson Library

A member of the Florida Bar will be presenting an informational program about wills, trusts, and estates at the Hudson Regional Library this Wednesday, August 19th, at 2:00pm. Please call (727)861-3040 to register for this program.

Hudson Regional Library
8012 Library Road
Hudson, Fl 34677
phone: (727)861-3040

The 2009 Summer National Senior Games

The National Senior Games Association was originally formed in 1985 and was called the National Senior Olympics Organization. Over 12,000 seniors are expected to be competing in the 2009 Summer National Senior Games in Palo Alto California August 1st -15th. This event is held every two years and includes 18 medal sports. Medal sports include archery, badminton, basketball, bowling, race walk, triathlon, softball, swimming, and track and field. The rules and qualifying procedures can be found here. The "All Things Aging" blog from the University of Indianapolis has a nice article about the games here.

Below are two videos about the games:

National Senior Games Association Video



The Face of Senior Games Aug 1 Video

Recent Caregiving Books

Do you care for an elderly relative or friend? Do you need information to help you with your caregiving? Pasco County Public Library System has the following recently published books for caregivers:








(Click on the pictures above to go to the library catalog page for each book.)

TV Converter Box Coupon Application Deadline is July 31st

The deadline for applying for a digital TV converter box coupon is July 31, 2009 at midnight. This is also the deadline for appealing a denied coupon application. Applications can be submitted online here; by mail (P. O. Box 2000, Portland, OR 97208-2000); by phone (1-888-388-2009, available 24 hours); or by fax (1-877-388-4632).

Mail applications can be downloaded here and must be postmarked no later than midnight, July 31st. It takes approximately nine days to process and mail the coupons out. You can check to see the status of your request online here. If you have received a coupon, it is good until its expiration date.

Medicare Information for Older Adults and Caregivers

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for adults 65 and older, and for people under 65, who have disabilities. Medicare helps to pay medical and prescription drug costs. There is now a "Medicare Basics for Caregivers" web page hosted by the National Institutes of Health on its Senior Health website. MedlinePlus also has Medicare resources here.

In addition, Medicare has launched a website specifically for caregiver information called "Ask Medicare". This website has resources not only about how to navigate the Medicare system, but also resources for financial support, local geriatric care, and legal support for caregivers. Medicare.gov also provides a list of search tools for finding a doctor, comparing hospitals, comparing health plans, and finding medical equipment suppliers in your area.

In addition, you can sign up for the "Ask Medicare" email newsletter or you can view the newsletter online on this page.