Upcoming Library Programs for Adults

Here are some highlights of upcoming Pasco County Library Adult Programs:

• September 1st at 2:00pm - Explore the Amazon - a travelogue by Janice Onuska - at Centennial Park Library
• September 2nd at 2:00pm - An Introduction to Library E-books - at  South Holiday Library
• September 3rd at 12:00pm - Beginning Spanish - at New River Library
• September 6th at 6:30pm - Growing Bamboo - at Hudson Library
• September 16th at 2:00pm - Facebook Basics at Regency Park Library
• September 23rd at 2:00pm - Seniors Wii Yoga and Games - at Hugh Embry Library
• September 24th at 11:00am - Sit -N-Knit - at South Holiday Library

Do you have a friend or family member who would like to learn how to use computers? New River Library provides beginning computer classes and one-on-one tutoring for Seniors in computer basics. You can call for more information at 813-788-6375.

The full calendar of adult events in September can be accessed here.  Click here for library branch addresses and phone numbers.

New Generic Drugs in 2011 and 2012

Generic drugs can save you money. What are considered generic drugs? According to the FDA:

"A generic drug is identical--or bioequivalent--to a brand name drug in dosage form, safety, strength, route of administration, quality, performance characteristics and intended use. Although generic drugs are chemically identical to their branded counterparts, they are typically sold at substantial discounts from the branded price."

Below are two lists* for drugs which are soon to become "generic" for the years 2011 and 2012.

2011

Brand Name----Generic Name----Availability

Uroxatral------- alfuzosin--------------July
Zyprexa---------olanzapine------------October
Lipitor-----------atorvastatin----------November
Caduet----------amlodipine------------November
Tazorac---------tazarotene cream-----November

2012

Brand Name----Generic Name----Availability

Lexapro-----------escitalopram----------February
Entocort EC------budesonide------------February
Avandia-----------rosiglitazone-----------March
Avandaryl--------glimepiride-------------March
Avandamet-------metformin--------------March
Boniva------------ibandronate-------------March
Seroquel----------quetiapine--------------March
Avapro------------irbesartan---------------March
Avalide-----------hydrochlorothiazide----March
Provigil-----------modafinil------------------April
Plavix-------------clopidogrel----------------May
Viramune---------nevirapine---------------May
Lescol-------------fluvastatin----------------June
Tricor-------------fenofibrate---------------July
Clarinex----------desloratadine------------July
Singulair----------montelukast-------------August
Actos-------------pioglitazone--------------August
Exforge------amlodipine-valsartan------September
Diovan-------valsartan--------------------September
Diovan HCT----hydrochlorothiazide----September
Geodon---------ziprasidone---------------September
Combivir------lamivudine-zidovudine---November
Atacand------candesartan-----------------December
Maxalt-------rizatriptan--------------------December


*these lists are provided by Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, a nonprofit Independent Licensee of the BlueCross BlueShield Association.

Facts and Myths about Generic Drugs

Fact: 7 in 10 prescriptions in the United States are filled by generic drugs.


Myth: Brand name drugs are safer than generic drugs. Fact: FDA receives very few reports of adverse events about specific generic drugs. Most reports of adverse events are related to side effects of the drug ingredient itself.

To learn more facts and myths concerning generic drugs, please visit the FDA site.

New Report on American Grandparents

The MetLife Mature Market  Institute recently published a study about grandparents: "The MetLife Report on American Grandparents: New Insights for a New Generation of Grandparents".  The data for this study was gathered from the 2010 Census Bureau reports, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Expenditure Surveys, and the Center for Disease Control.  

Highlights of this study include:

•  Approximately one in ten households are headed by a grandparent, who has at least one grandchild living with them.
• A majority of grandparents, (54%), are baby boomers, ages 45 to 64.
• There were an estimated 65 million grandparents in the United States in 2010 and it is estimated that this number will climb to 80 million in 2020.
• Grandparent spending on child-specific items (like infant formula and children's clothing) has increased 71% since 1999.

The full report can be downloaded here.

National Immunization Awareness Month

August is National Immunization Awareness Month.  The Administration on Aging has listed the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommended immunizations for Older Adults age 65 and older:

• Seasonal Influenza
• Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (whooping cough) (for adults up to 64 years, one lifetime dose)
• Shingles (for adults 60 years and older)
• Pneumococcal disease (for adults 65 years and older and adults with specific health conditions)

The complete 2011 CDC recommended adult vaccination schedule can be found here.

Public Hearing on Federal and State Funding for Senior Services

The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco – Pinellas, Inc. (AAAPP)  has announced  a Public Hearing for persons residing in Pasco County.  Attendees will learn how Federal and State funds allocated for Senior Services will be used in Pasco County and gain knowledge of available resources for Seniors and/or family caregivers. Interested persons will be invited to comment on how these local services will be funded in 2012 and to comment about what they believe that Seniors need now and in the future.  The hearing will be held:

Thursday, August 4, 2011 

9:30 AM to 11:00 AM 

CARES Rao Musunuru, M.D. 

Enrichment Center 

12417 Clock Tower Parkway, 

Hudson, FL 

 

GUEST SPEAKER: 

Representative John Legg  

July/August Elder Update

 The Florida Department of Elder Affairs publishes a bi-monthly publication called the "Elder Update". The July/August issue has articles about the Emergency Home Energy Assistance Program for the Elderly (EHEAP), Florida's Aging Road User Strategic Plan, maintaining oral health, a tai chi exercise program in New Port Richey, 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.

Caregiving Costs to Working Caregivers

Almost 10 million people age 50 and above care for their aging parents in the United States.  The MetLife Mature Market Institute has published a report based on data from the the 2008 panel of the National Health and Retirement Study (HRS).  This report is called "The MetLife Study of Caregiving Costs to Working Caregivers: Double Jeopardy for Baby Boomers Caring for Their Parents".  Here are some highlights from this study:

• the percentage of adults providing financial assistance or personal care to an aging parent has tripled in the last 15 years.
• approximately a quarter of all adult children (mainly baby boomers) provide care for a parent.
• The overall cost in lost wages, pensions, and social security benefits for all of these caregivers is nearly 3 trillion dollars.
• the average female caregiver loses $324,044.
• male caregivers average a loss of $283,716.
• caregivers age 50 and above are more likely to have fair or poor health than people who are not caregivers.

The full report can be read here.