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 - "Unleash The Power of Age".
This is a very special celebration, since it is the the 50th anniversary of Older Americans Month. One in eight Americans is an older adult. This May, celebrate this growing segment of our population. Their achievements have made this nation what it is today.
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. Another way to celebrate Older Adults Month would be to invite an older adult to give a presentation for your organization in their field of expertise.
The Seniors Vs. Crime Project is a non-profit organization that was started in 1989. This organization works with the Florida Attorney General's Office to educate Seniors about crime prevention and to investigate complaints about companies and individuals who have defrauded the elderly. Volunteers called "Senior Sleuths" help with investigations and by reporting suspicious activity. You can learn more about volunteering here. This organization has two outreach programs: the Florida Seniors Against Investment Fraud (FSAIF) and the Senior Medicare & Medicaid Patrol (SMMP). There is also a link to scam alerts here.
One of their most important activities is helping consumers to get money back from companies which have defrauded them. The Seniors Vs. Crime Project reports that they return approximately $1,000,000 per year to Seniors who have been cheated. If you would like to file a consumer complaint, you can request help online. You can learn more about the Seniors Vs. Crime Project here.
Would you like to learn how to to navigate Facebook, learn how to use your new Ipad, or see a great film?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, Mar 20th at 2:00pm Introduction to Facebook Centennial Park Library Learn how to use Facebook to keep up with family and friends. Centennial Park Library 5740 Moog Road Holiday, FL 34690 (727) 834-3204
Thurs, Mar 21th at 11:00am Windows 8 Basics Hugh Embry Library Adults, beginners. Call 352-567-3576 to sign up as space is limited! Learn the basics of Windows 8, email, and searching the Internet. Bring laptop, or follow along. Hugh Embry Library 14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523 (352) 567-3576
Thurs, Mar 21 at 2:00pm Five Wishes Advance Directives Land O'Lakes Library Come learn more about your Five Wishes and prepare for end-of-life issues. This program is presented by Gulfside Regional Hospice. Attendees will receive a complimentary Five Wishes booklet- a legal document. Have you thought about what YOUR Five Wishes are: 1. For the person I want to make care decisions for me when I can't. 2. For the kind of medical treatment I want or don't want. 3. For how comfortable I want to be. 4. For how I want people to treat me. 5. For what I want my loved ones to know. Land O'Lakes Library 2818 Collier Parkway Land O'Lakes, FL 34639 (813) 929-1214 Fri, March 22ndat 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
Fri, Mar 22th 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! Call 352-567-3576 for film titles. Hugh Embry Library 14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523 (352) 567-3576
Wed, Mar 27th at 2:00pm Introduction to Facebook New River Library Learn how to use Facebook to keep up with family and friends. New River Library 34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, FL 33543 (813) 788-6375
Thurs, Mar 28th at 11:00am Ipad Basics Hugh Embry Library Adult beginners, bring your iPads to learn more about how it works. Hugh Embry Library 14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523 (352) 567-3576
Thurs, Mar 28th 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
Also, many branches offer book discussions, gardening, and history programs.
People are living longer and healthier lives nowadays. One of the reasons for this increase in longevity is that people are exercising more. Here are two inspirational videos of women in their nineties who are breaking the stereotypes of aging. In this first video, Mathilda Klein, age 94, does a solo ball room dance performance:
You can read more about Mathilda Klein here. In this second video, May Morabito, also 94 years old, performs a cha-cha dance - complete with splits! She also designs ballroom dresses.
For more information about May Morabito, please click here for a NewsNet5 article.
The Florida Strawberry Festival started yesterday and continues through March 10 in Plant City, Fl. Regular gate admission is $10 for adults. However, Thursday, March 7th is Florida Blue Senior Citizen's Day, when patrons 60 years of age or older get $2.00 off the gate admission. Festival favorites include:
World Champion Lumberjills
Dennis Lee
Kandu Magic Show
Neighborhood Village - handcrafted and homemade items
Jump! The Ultimate Dog Show
Florida Strawberry Festival Open 10:00 am - 10:00 pm through March 10th 303 North Lemon St. Plant City, FL 33563
For more information, you can visit their website or call (813) 752-9194.
Would you like to join a knitting group, learn how to avoid scams, or learn how to download library e-books?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, Feb 26th at 3:00pm Downloading E-books: The basics Regency Park Library Learn how to download library e-books. Regency Park Library 9701 Little Road New Port Richey, FL 34654 (727) 861-3049
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, Feb 27th at 2:00pm Downloading Library Books to Your Nook Centennial Park Library Learn the basics of searching the Overdrive digital titles catalog and find out how to download a library book onto your Nook. Centennial Park Library 5740 Moog Road Holiday, FL 34690 (727) 834-3204
Thurs, Feb 28th at 11:00am Ipad Basics Hugh Embry Library Adult beginners, bring your iPads to learn more about how it works. Hugh Embry Library 14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523 (352) 567-3576
Thurs, Feb 28th 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, March 1stat 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, Mar 6th at 1:00pm Senior Safety Seminar New River Library The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas will be presenting a program for Seniors about how to avoid scams and fraud. Also, free safety phones will be available. New River Library 34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, FL 33543 (813) 788-6375
Also, many branches offer book discussions, gardening, and history programs.
Social Security is switching to electronic payments for benefits. The Social Security Administration states that you must sign up for direct deposit of payments by March 1, 2013. You can do this online or at your bank. In addition, if you are already getting benefits by paper checks, you can contact the U.S. Treasury Electronic Payment Solution Center at 1 (800) 333-1795 (English) or 1 (800) 333-1792 (Spanish).
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.
