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The Eldercare Locator and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have partnered to provide some economical tips to stay warm and safe at home. They have published a guide called "Winter Warmth and Safety: Home Energy Tips for Older Adults".
First, there are programs that can assist you with heating costs. The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas can provide information about state, county, and city programs to help older adults with winter heating costs. In addition, the federal LIHEAP program helps eligible low income home owners and renters to afford home heating. Each county in Florida has a different agency that administers LIHEAP. Applications are only available by contacting your local agency. For Pasco County, this agency is Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. - if you are in East Pasco, the number is (352) 567-0533 and for West Pasco, the number is (727) 845-7350.
Next, there are programs to help you save money by making your home better insulated and more energy efficient. The Florida program is the "Weatherization Assistance Program".
The Winter Warmth Guide also gives additional tips such as:
- Do not use your stove or oven to heat your home.
- Insulate water pipes to avoid freezing and bursting.
- Have a back-up plan for extreme weather conditions.
Click here for more information.
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. The Glaucoma Research Foundation states that Glaucoma is "the sneak thief of sight" since there are no symptoms and once vision is lost, it's permanent. Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Moreover, among African American and Latino populations, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness..." People over 60 are another high risk group. Medication and surgery can prevent or slow vision loss, but the key is to catch it early. Regular eye exams can detect Glaucoma early on. You can read more about Glaucoma here.
The Senior Connections and Mature Lifestyles magazines will be presenting the 7th annual Senior Fun Fest on Thursday, January 19th at the Florida State Fairgrounds from 10am - 3:00pm. Admission is free, but there is a $3 parking fee. The event will feature:
- Free Health Screenings
- Live Music
- Senior Fun Walk at 9:15am
- Grand kids are the Greatest Photo Contest (call 1-888-670-0040 for details).
- Senior-Friendly Sports Center
- free bingo and giveaways
Florida State Fairgrounds
Special Events Building
4800 Hwy 301 N. , Tampa, FL 33610
(Martin Luther King entrance)
You can live a healthier life by eating more nutritious food, by making sure that you have enough Calcium, B12, and Vitamin D, and by starting an exercise program. If you need information to help you get started, the National Institutes of Health have a webpage called "Eating Well as You Get Older". This website has recommendations for healthy food, eating well on a budget, and it also has videos on nutrition. You can access this information here.
The National Institute on Aging has created a new website to help older adults to begin and continue an exercise program. This website, Go4Life, explains the benefits of exercise, recommends exercises, and helps you to set your goals. They recommend that you pick activities that you enjoy and that you make exercise a social activity, by having a friend or family member as an exercise buddy. You can access this information here.
Would you like to learn how to use Facebook, learn how to borrow library books on an e-book reader, learn needlepoint, or create a living will? 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:
Wed, Jan 4th at 2:00pm
Senior Social at New River Library
Wii bowling, card games, and refreshments.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375
Thursday, Jan 5th, 12th, and 19th at 2:30pm
Memoir Writing at Centennial Park Library
Put your memories to paper! Whether you are interested in writing a formal memoir, or an informal family history to share with your children and grandchildren, this workshop can help you get started.
Centennial Park Library
5740 Moog Road, Holiday, FL 34690
(727) 834-3204
Friday, Jan 6th at 11:00am
E-Reader Basics at Hugh Embry Library
Please call to register
Hugh Embry Library
14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523
(352) 567-3576
Friday, Jan 6th at 2:00pm
E-book Basics at Regency Park Library
Please call to register. Regency Park Library
9701 Little Road New Port Richey, FL 34654
(727) 861-3049
Friday, Jan 6th at 2:00pm
Introduction to Facebook at South Holiday Library
South Holiday Library
4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday, FL 34690
(727) 834-3331
Friday Jan 6th at 2:00pm
Five Wishes: Living Will Program at New River Library
Five wishes is a program that helps you create a 12 page Living Will. This program is free and you can bring this legal document home. This program is provided by the Gulfside Regional Hospice.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375
Wednesday, Jan 11th at 2:00pm
Introduction to Facebook at New River Library
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375
Thursday, Jan 12th at 6:00
Stitching Series at Regency Park Library
A special course taught by members of the Gulfview Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America, Inc. Please call 727-861-3049 to preregister.
Regency Park Library
9701 Little Road New Port Richey, FL 34654
(727) 861-3049
Friday, Jan 20th at 2:00pm
Senior Movie Social and Cards at Hugh Embry Library
Seniors, enjoy recent-release hit movies, then play your favorite card games. January's film based on the best-seller by Kathryn Stockett. Bring your friends!
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.
The AARP has published a one page overview of Social Security Facts for each of the 50 states. Here are some highlights from the "Social Security: 2011 Florida Quick Facts":
- Florida ranks 24th in income level among the states.
- One in five Florida residents receive Social Security.
- Florida's 65+ population will reach 19% of the state population in 2015.
- Social Security is responsible for lifting over 35% of retirees from poverty in Florida.
You can access the full report here. If you are interested in the facts about other states, you can find a list of the fact sheets here.
Would you like to try a new craft, meet new people, join a sing-a-long, or learn how to write your memoirs? 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:
Wed, Dec 14th at 2:00pm
Senior Social at New River Library
Wii bowling, card games, and refreshments.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375
Thursday, Dec 15th at 2:30pm
Memoir Writing at Centennial Park Library
Put your memories to paper! Whether you are interested in writing a formal memoir, or an informal family history to share with your children and grandchildren, this workshop can help you get started.
Centennial Park Library
5740 Moog Road, Holiday, FL 34690
(727) 834-3204
Friday, Dec 16th at 2:00pm
Senior Holiday Carols and Cards
at Hugh Embry Library
Hugh Embry Library
14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523
(352) 567-3576
Saturday, Dec 17th at 11:00am
Sit-n-Knit at South Holiday Library
South Holiday Library
4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday, FL 34690
(727) 834-3331
Tuesday, Dec 20th at 5:45pm
Ruby's Tuesdays (knitting club) at Hudson Regional Library
Hudson Regional Library
8012 Library Road, Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 861-3040
Also, many branches offer computer classes and classes that teach you how to use e-book readers. You can contact your local branch to register for these classes.
