The "United States of Aging" Survey

The National Council on Aging, UnitedHealthcare, and USA Today funded a survey which asked older adults questions about their outlook and their preparation for aging. This "United States of Aging" survey of 2,250 adults aged 60+ was conducted in May through June of 2012. Here are some of the key findings of the survey:

•  64% of adults aged 60+ report that it is very or somewhat easy to pay their monthly living expenses now
• 23% of seniors are either not confident in, or do not have, a financial plan for their retirement years.
• 20% are still employed either full or part time.
• 28% of Seniors say they serve as a caregiver for someone else.
• 50% of Seniors have someone who is a caregiver for them.
•  90% of Seniors intend to continue living in their current homes over the next five to 10 years.

You can access the full report here. 

The first Florida Senior Games championships were held in 1992.  These games are for people age 50 and above.  Currently, the Florida Sports Foundation sanctions local games, which serve as qualifiers for the state championships.  The Hillsborough County Parks, Recreation, and Conservation Department will be hosting the Tampa Bay local qualifier games this year from October 1st-12th.  The locations for the events  can be found here (on page 3).  The sports offered include: 

• 3-on-3 Basketball
• Basketball Shooting
• Billiards
• Bowling
• Golf
• Horseshoes
• Pickleball
• Powerlifting
• Race Walk
• Swimming
• Table Tennis
• Tennis
• Track and Field

The State Championships will be held Dec. 1st -9th in various locations in Polk County. These state championships are the qualifiers for the 2013 National Senior Games in Cleveland, Ohio from July 21st - August 1st, 2013. For more information on the National Senior Games Association, please click here.

The Sep/Oct Issue of the Elder Update is Available

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs publishes a bimonthly newsletter, the "Elder Update", for Florida Seniors. The current issue includes articles about:

• the 2012 Florida Senior Games
• After an injury: What seniors need to know to regain their health and happiness
• lower your Medicare bills
• disabled parking permit requirements change
• 2012 Department of Elder Affairs Needs Assessment Report
• the importance of volunteering

You can download the current issue here. Alternatively, you can sign up for a print subscription here.

Upcoming Library Programs

Would you like to learn more about Medicare, learn how to use your tablet, exercise with tai chi, or enjoy a great film? These are just a few of the upcoming Pasco library programs. The Friends of the Library sponsors our programs.  Here is a list of the upcoming library programs for Older Adults in Pasco County:

Fridays, Sep 14th, Sep 21st, and Sep 28th
11:00am 
Beginning Tai Chi at Hudson Library
The Taoist Tai Chi Society returns to teach the basics of Tai Chi, a gentle and therapeutic practice. Please consult with your physician before starting any exercise program. 
Hudson Library.
8012 Library Road
Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 861-3040

Fridays, Sep 14th, Sep 21st, and Sep 28th
3:30pm- 4:30pm
Tablet Help for Seniors at New River Library
Do you need help learning to navigate your new Android tablet or Ipad? We can help. This program is for ages 50+.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375


Wednesday, Sep 19th at 2:00pm

Medicare and You at New River Library
SHINE will present a program on the Medicare and You handbook, and they will also answer general Medicare questions.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375

Thursday, Sep 27th at 1:00pm

Medicare and You at Land O'Lakes Library
SHINE will present a program on the Medicare and You handbook, and they will also answer general Medicare questions.
Land O'Lakes Library
2818 Collier Parkway
Land O'Lakes, FL 34639
(813) 929-1214


Friday, Sep 28th at 2:00pm
Senior Movie Feature at Hugh Embry Library

Seniors, enjoy the latest releases of great films, along with light refreshments, thanks to our generous Friends of Hugh Embry Library!

Hugh Embry Library
14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523 
(352) 567-3576

Also, many branches offer book clubs, language classes, and gardening programs. You can contact your local branch to find out about these programs.

National Grandparent's Day 2012

National Grandparents Day is the first Sunday after Labor Day, which is September 9th this year. Marion H. McQuade first championed the idea for this celebration and her descendants created a nonprofit organization, the National Grandparents Day Council. The organization website states:

"Our goals are to honor grandparents and to strengthen
the bond between grandparents and grandchildren.
Additionally, we strive to draw compassionate attention
to the eldest of society's elderly--those in nursing homes."

President Jimmy Carter approved the first National Grandparent's Day in 1978. Every year, the U.S. Census Bureau provides statistics about grandparents and their role in society. Here are some highlights of the 2012 statistics (these statistics are from the 2010 American Community Survey):

• 7 million grandparents had grandchildren under the age of 18 living with them.
•  10% of children in the U.S. live with a grandparent.
•  2.7 million grandparents are responsible for the basic needs of at least one grandchild.

You can read the whole article here.

New Study of Older Adult Internet Use

 The Pew Internet and American Life Project has published a new report called "Older Adults and Internet Use". This report was based on a telephone survey of 2,254 adults in April 2012, which asked about American's use of the internet. Here are some of the highlights of the report which concern older adults:

• 53% of Americans age 65+ use the internet or email 
• Of those Seniors who go online, 70% use the internet on a typical day.
• Only 34% of adults age 75+ use the internet 
• 69% of adults age 65+ own a cell phone
• 34% of internet users age 65+ use Facebook or other social networking sites (this is quite an increase - since only 13% used these sites in 2009).
• 11% own an e-book reader
• 8% own a tablet

You can read the full report here.

Medicare Website Redesigned

The Medicare website has been redesigned to be easier to navigate. There are now links on the home page to help you:

• replace a lost Medicare card
• find a Medicare Advantage or prescription drug plan
• get help with health care costs
• find out if a test, item, or service is covered
• see the official mail you get from Medicare
• read the "Medicare & You" handbook online

A Medicare press release states that users can also access this information using mobile devices, such as tablets and smart phones. Click here to see the new design.