Ways for Seniors to Save Money - Drug plans, Food, Energy, Supplemental Medicare Plan,

Free Senior Emergency Kit

New research shows families are not prepared for a crisis in their loved ones' lives - they lack knowledge about senior's medications and finances when an emergency hits.

A survey was conducted of more than 600 adults, ages 45 to 65, who indicated they will most likely be filling a caregiver roler for their parents within the next 10 years.  Less than half said they are aware of their medication their parent(s) take and are familar with the important financial information they will need in case of an emergency.

Among other findings, the study showed:

• Approximately half (49 percent) are unable to name any of the medications taken by their parents each day.

• Three in 10 (31 percent) don’t know how many medications their parents take.

• About one-third (34 percent) doesn’t know if their parents have a safety deposit box or where the key is located.

• An estimated 36 percent don’t know where their seniors’ financial information is located.

Humana Points of Caregiving^®  developed a variety of resources including the Senior Emergency Kit^SM and website at www.SeniorEmergencyKit.com that can help family caregivers keep important information at their fingertips.

The toolkit is designed so that family caregivers have ready access to such information as a senior’s doctors’, pharmacy and insurance company, medications and dosage details, as well as allergies and important documents.

The kit is free, click on the above link.

USDA Revises Recommended Cooking Temperature for All Whole Cuts of Meat, Including Pork, to 145 °F

Just in time for GRILLING SEASON, the USDA Revises Recommended Cooking Temperature for All Whole Cuts of Meat, Including Pork, to 145 °F

Cooking Temperature for Ground Pork, Beef, Veal, Lamb remains at 160 °F

WASHINGTON, May 24, 2011 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is updating its recommendation for safely cooking pork, steaks, roasts, and chops. USDA recommends cooking all whole cuts of meat to 145 °F as measured with a food thermometer placed in the thickest part of the meat, then allowing the meat to rest for three minutes before carving or consuming.

This change does not apply to ground meats, including ground beef, veal, lamb, and pork, which should be cooked to 160 °F and do not require a rest time. The safe cooking temperature for all poultry products, including ground chicken and turkey, remains at 165 °F.

"With a single temperature for all whole cuts of meat and uniform 3 minute stand time, we believe it will be much easier for consumers to remember and result in safer food preparation," said Under Secretary Elisabeth Hagen. "Now there will only be 3 numbers to remember: 145 for whole meats, 160 for ground meats and 165 for all poultry."

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Top Foods You Should Have on Hand In Case of An Emergency

Most of us rarely think about having a supply of emergency food on hand until the weather becomes threatening, such as an approaching blizzard or heavy rains with possible flooding. But emergencies can and do happen when we least expect them. If you plan ahead, you can havee a variety of foods

on hand - many of them have lengthy expiration dates, so you can stash them away for long periods of time.

Remember to keep a list of everything in your stockpile and check expiration dates every 6  months to keep things fresh - a good time to do that is when you change the smoke detector battery. And don’t forget to keep things like zip lock bags to keep food fresh and have a can opener on hand at all times. Gas grills can be your best friend when your freezer is getting warm. Keep an extra canister of gas on hand too.

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