Area Agency on Aging Public Hearing

The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas is seeking input about how to allocate federal and state funds for Senior Services. This agency is preparing their 2013-2015 Area Plan of services for Seniors age 60 and above. The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas will be holding the following free public hearing in Pasco County:

          Friday, August 3rd
          9:30am - 11:00am
          Galen Wilson Dining Center
          (Pasco County Elderly Nutrition)
          8600 Galen Wilson Blvd
          Port Richey, FL

Representative Richard Corcoran will be the guest speaker. To request more information, please contact Marilyn Rupp, no later than July 27th, at 727-570-9696, ext 230.

Caregiver Video Contest

The Health and Human Services (HHS) has started the "Million Hearts" Initiative. This initiative "seeks to prevent one million heart attacks and strokes over the next five years by empowering Americans to make heart-healthy lifestyle choices, and improve care for those needing treatment." The "Million Hearts" initiative wants to recognize caregivers and encourage them to tell their stories, so they have created a caregiver video challenge. This contest is for caregivers and must be less than 2 minutes long. The video must explain the role a caregiver plays in contributing to a loved one’s heart health, include an additional topic from the list below, and must direct viewers to http://millionhearts.hhs.gov for more information. Here are the additional topics:

• Give tips on how a caregiver can help to ensure that a loved one takes blood pressure medication(s) as prescribed.  
• Explain how to measure and monitor blood pressure and why this is important.   
• Share how a caregiver can encourage lifestyle changes that benefit blood pressure control, such as increase physical activity or reduce sodium in the diet.

The competition began July 16th and will end on August 31st at 5pm. You can get the full details on this video challenge here.

Free Computer Tutoring Available

Do you have a family member or friend who is 50+ and would like to learn how to use computers? Most Pasco County Libraries offer free beginning computer classes in the fall and winter. However, if they would like to start right away, the New River Library Branch has a program which can help them. We have trained teen volunteers to teach beginning computer skills - like mousercise, email, and Facebook. This one-on-one tutoring provides a fun, stress-free learning experience.  These tutoring sessions are free and you can call to schedule an appointment at (813)788-6375.

New River Library
34043 State Road 54
Zephyrhills, Fl
813-788-6375.

Take Precautions in the Summer Heat!

We are entering the hot summer months in Florida and it is important to prevent heat stroke and heat exhaustion.  Older Adults (aged 65 and older) are more susceptible to heat stress than younger people and older adults may also be taking medications that decrease their ability to regulate their body temperature.  Here are some tips from the Administration on Aging to stay safe in the heat:

• drink more fluids (but avoid drinks with lots of sugar or alcohol)
• stay indoors as much as possible
• electric fans help some, but are not helpful if the temperature is in the high nineties
• take a cool shower or bath
• if you do not have air conditioning, consider visiting a public library or mall
• if you need help getting to a cool place, ask a friend or relative for help or call the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas (1-800-963-5337) - they may be able to help.
• if you have air conditioner, but cannot afford the electric bill, you may be able to get help from the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.
• never leave anyone in a closed and parked vehicle

If you become very overheated, you may get heat stroke.  This serious illness occurs when the body can not regulate its temperature anymore and the body stops sweating.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists these symptoms for heat stroke:

• high body temperature - above 103 degrees
• hot dry skin
• rapid pulse
• dizziness
• nausea
• throbbing headache

For more information, on heat stress in Older Adults, you can click here.

Area Agency on Aging Survey

 The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas provides many services to older adults. They provide a telephone helpline which connects Seniors with local agencies and non-profits (1-800-963-5337). In addition, they administer the following programs:

• SHINE (volunteers to help you choose a medicare program) 
• SMP Program (Senior Medicare Patrol)     
• Senior Victim Advocate Program    
• The National Family Caregiver Support Program
• Grandparent Caregiver Program     
• Senior Safety Phones Project     
• Food Assistance - SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

However, the Area Agency on Aging needs your help! They are preparing their Area Plan for 2013-2015 and they need information from local seniors to provide an accurate reflection of their needs in Pasco and Pinellas counties.  If you are age 60 or older, please  fill out this survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SeniorSurveyAAAPP. 
Thank you for your assistance.

Senior Fun Fest

The Senior Connections and Mature Lifestyles magazines will be presenting a Senior Fun Fest on Thursday, June 28th at the Strawberry Festival Expo Hall in Plant City from 9am - 2:00pm. Admission and parking are free. The event will feature:

• Free Health Screenings
• Live Music
• Senior-Friendly Sports Center
• free coffee and goodies

             Strawberry Festival Expo Hall
             2202 W. Reynolds St.
             Plant City, FL
             813-653-1988

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Flash Mob

A previous post described the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2012. The purpose of this day is to educate people about elder abuse and how to prevent it from happening. Ethos, a non profit organization in Massachusetts, recently used a whole new way to raise awareness of elder abuse. They organized a flash mob at a Roche Brothers grocery store. A flash mob is is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual act for a short time, then disperse. In this case, it is more like a "smart mob", since this group was organized and planned ahead of time. More than twenty five seniors and staff members from the Ethos Age Well West Roxbury program sang and performed a choreographed dance to the Beatles "When I'm 64" at a grocery store. Here is the video:

   
 You can find out more about elder abuse by clicking here.