Quick Facts from the Metlife Mature Market October 2010
If you have not checked out the Meflife information in the past, do yourself a favor and click on the link below, lots of good information here.
http://www.metlife.com/assets/cao/mmi/publications/quick-facts/2010/mmi-quickfacts-october-2010.pdf
Polls Show Many Older Americans Are Unprepared for Costs of Long-Term Care
Perhaps you've been reading the many articles in newspapers and magazines that discuss the graying of America. One can hardly pick up a publication anymore without seeing an article yet the majority of Americans are unprepared for aging and unaware of how the costs and how they will pay for the services they will need as they age should they become disabled.
Most Americans,regardless of party affiliation or income level, feel worried and unprepared to deal with the cost of long term care. In California alone, the over-60 population is predicted to increase to nearly eight million older adults in the next 25 years. Not only are most Americans unaware of the cost, they are unprepared to pay for services if they can no longer care for themselves and remain independent.
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Flu Shot May Help Prevent Heart Attacks - CNN
(CNN) -- A flu shot can do more than just fight against influenza, a new study suggests. It may also fight against heart attacks.
Adults who take the flu vaccine may be less likely to get their first heart attack the next year, researchers say.
The study, published Monday in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, was conducted to add to other studies that suggested that there is a link between respiratory infections and heart attacks.
"By the nature of the study, it does not prove cause and effect. So it does not prove that the flu vaccine prevents heart attacks. But it does show that the flu vaccine is associated with the reduction," said Niro Siriwardena, one of the authors of the study and a professor at the University of Lincoln in England.
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Easy Chocolate Biscotti
It's easy to make ......if you're feeling creative, dip one of the cooled biscotti in melted chocolate!
Recipehttp://foodiefarmgirl.blogspot.com/2005/12/biscotti-for-beginners-and-baking-with.html
Toll-Free National Help Lines
AARP (American Association of Retired Persons)
800/424-3410
American Society on Aging (ASA)
800/537-9728
Eldercare Locator (U. S. Administration on Aging Helpline)
800/677-1116
Elder Helpline (Florida - links to local helplines)
800-96ELDER
800/963-5337
National Council on Aging
800/424-9046
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
800/222-2225
AIDS
AIDS Clinical Trials Information Service
800/874-2572
National AIDS Hotline
1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-National AIDS Clearinghouse (Information and publication orders):
800/458-5231
TTY: 800/243-1098
International: 1-404-679-3860
International TTY: 1-301-588-1586
ALCOHOL
Al-Anon, Alateen Family Group Hotline
800/344-2666
National Clearinghouse for Alcohol and Drug Information
800/729-6686
National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence
800/622-2255
ALLERGY
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
800/822-2762
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
800/727-8462
ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
National Center for Complementary & Alternative Medicine (NCCAM) Clearinghouse
888/644-6226
ALZHEIMER'S
Alzheimer's Association (National)
800/272-3900
Alzheimer's Association of Florida - Gulf Coast Chapter (Safe Return)
800/772-8672
Alzheimer's Disease Education and Referral Center (ADEAR)
800/438-4380
American Health Assistance Foundation
(Alzheimers Family Relief Program)
800/437-2423
French Foundation for Alzheimer's Research
800/477-2243
National Caregiving Foundation (Caregivers Support Kit)
800/930-1357
Suncoast Alzheimer's Information Line (SAIL)
800/633-4563
AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association
800/782-4747
ARTHRITIS
Arthritis Consulting Services
800/327-3027
Arthritis Foundation
800/283-7800
ASSISTIVE DEVICES
ABLE DATA (U. S. Dept. of Education)
800/227-0216
BLIND/VISION IMPAIRED
American Council of the Blind
800/424-8666
Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind
800/548-4337
Lighthouse International
800/334-5497
National Library Services for the Blind and Physically Handicapped - Library of Congress
800/424-8567
Vision Council of America
800/424-8422
BRAIN TUMOR
American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA)
800/886-2282
CANCER
The American Cancer Society (ACS)
800/227-2345
The American Institute for Cancer Research
800/843-8114
Asbetos.com for information on Mesothelioma
1-800-ASBESTOS
1-800-272-3786)
Cancer Information Center for the National Cancer Institute
800-4-CANCER
800/422-6237
Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation
800/366-2223
Mesothelioma & Asbestos Awareness Center
866/981-6660
866/981-6660Y-Me National Breast Cancer Organization
800/221-2141
CAREGIVING
Children of Aging Parents (CAPS)
800/227-7294
National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA)
800/896-3650
Well Spouse Foundation (WSF)
800/838-0879
CEREBRAL PALSY
United Cerebral Palsy Association, Inc.
800/872-5827
CLEFT PALATE
Cleft Palate Foundation
800/242-5338
COCAINE
Cocaine Anonymous National Referral Line
800/347-8998
COMMUNICATION HANDICAPS
American Speech Language Hearing Association
800/638-8255
Better Hearing Institute
800-EAR-WELL
800/327-9355
International Hearing Society
800/521-5247
National Association of the Deaf (NAD)
Captioned Media Program
800/237-6213
National Institute on Deafness & Other Communication Disorders
800/241-1044
CONSUMER
Federal Citizen Information Center for Federal Consumer Information (FCIC)
800/688-9889
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
877-FTC-HELP
877/382-4357
FTC Identity Theft Hotline
877-ID-THEFT
877/438-4338
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
English: 800-HELPFLA 800/435-7352
Espanol: 800/352-9832
CROHN'S/COLITIS
Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America
800/343-3637
CYSTIC FIBROSIS
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
800/344-4823
DEPRESSION
The International Foundation for Research and Education on Depression (iFred)
800/422-HOPE
DIABETES
American Diabetes Association
800/232-3472
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation
800/223-1138
DIGESTIVE DISEASE
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
800/891-5389
DISABILITIES
National Rehabilitation Information Center
800/346-2742
National Spinal Cord Injury Association
800/962-9629
DISEASES
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
800/232-4636
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
800/999-6673
DOWN SYNDROME
National Down Syndrome Society
800/221-4602
National Down Syndrome Congress
800/232-6372
DRUG ABUSE
National Drug Information and Referral Line
800/662-4357
ELDER ABUSE
Elder Abuse Reporting Line (Florida)
800-96ABUSE
800/962-2873
TDD (for Deaf): 800/955-8770
Florida Domestic Violence Hotline
800/500-1119
ELDER TRAVEL
Elderhostel
877/426-8056
EPILEPSY
Epilepsy Foundation of America
800/332-1000
Epilepsy Information Service
800/642-0500
HEAD INJURY
Brain Injury Association Family Helpline
800/444-6443
HEADACHE
National Headache Foundation
800/843-2256
HEART
American Heart Association
800-AHA-USA1 800/242-8721
HEPATITIS
American Liver Foundation Hepatitis Liver Disease Helpline
800/223-0179
HOSPICE
National Hospice & Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO)
800/658-8898
HUNTINGTON'S DISEASE
Huntington's Disease Society of America
800/345-4372
IMPOTENCE
Impotence Information Center
800/843-4315
INCONTINENCE
National Association for Continence (NAFC)
800/252-3337
Simon Foundation for Continence
800/237-4666
KIDNEY DISEASE
National Kidney & Urological Disease Information
800/891-5390
LEUKEMIA
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)
800/955-4572
LUNG
American Lung Association
800-LUNGUSA
800/586-4872
LUPUS
Lupus Foundation of America
800/558-0121
MEDICARE
Medicare Hotline
800/MEDICARE
800/633-4227
MENTAL ILLNESS
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
800-950-NAMI
800/950-6264
National Institute of Mental Health
Publication Ordering Line
800/421-4211
Mental Health America
800/969-6642
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS
National Multiple Sclerosis Society
800/344-4867
MYASTHENIA GRAVIS
Myasthenia Gravis Foundation
800/541-5454
NURSING HOME
Agency for Healthcare Administration (Nursing Home Guide)
888/419-3456
PARALYSIS
Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation
800/225-0292
PARKINSON'S DISEASE
The best Parkinson web site is:
www.parkinsonresearchfoundation.org
It focuses on patient education
American Parkinson Disease Association
800/223-2732
Parkinson Disease Foundation
800/457-6676
SCLERODERMA
Scleroderma Foundation
800/722-4673
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES
National STD and AIDS Hotline
800/227-8922
SICKLE CELL
Sickle Cell Disease Association of America
800/421-8453
SOCIAL SECURITY
National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare (NCPSSM)
800/966-1935
Social Security Administration
800/772-1213
SPINA BIFIDA
Spina Bifida Association of America
800/621-3141
STROKE
American Stroke Association
888-4STROKE 888/478-7653
National Stroke Association
800/787-6537
VETERANS
Department of Veteran's Affairs
800/827-1000
WOMEN'S ISSUES
Older Women's League (OWL)
800-TAKE OWL
800/825-3695
National Women's Health Information Center (NWHIC)
800-994-WOMAN
800/994-9662
Updated 8/2009
Cute, Hip, Cool Designer Reading Glasses for Women
Ok, I admit it - I am a BIG fan of fun reading glasses - and I have, at last count, in excess of 35 pairs!
(I match them to outfits) I figure if I can't see well I should at least have fun with the glasses.
There are many resources on the web to purchase these but I prefer to shop local whenever possible.....so either google reading glasses to find them or look for them in stores like:
Target (often only $1 ! - They are not the best, they're known to snap and break for no reason whatsoever but hello, they were only $1.
Dollar Stores - you have to look - the cool ones are hit or miss
Stein Mart - more expensive but they they have some very cool reading glasses.
Younique Boutique - Greenville, OH - lots of nice ones... again, higher priced
Morgan House - Columbus, OH - very trendy, higher priced but cool
Peepers.com - Online
When you move on to the next "higher power" - pass your glasses on to a friend who can use them.
Italian style, along with Parisian style, is so far ahead of the states that a woman, who copies the look of European women's glasses, will have eyewear that is trendy for years.
Betsy Johnson readers - Betsy Johnson is a little too old to be a boomer, but she has always been a mod, hippie inspiration for boomer chicks.
Designer Collection by Moxie --- some very inexpensive, but still chic readers.
A great link with lots of eyewear - including eyeglass necklaces - and "Fit Over" sunglasses that fit over regular eyewear
What's in YOUR Yogurt?
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Pandora.com - Create Your Own Internet Radio Playlist
Pandora.com allows anyone to make their own radio station by creating a cool playlist. Coordinate a great station for every mood.
Pandora music-lovers can edit a playlist by giving a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” as each song is played. Create a station for special occasions, like these:
•Antonio Vivaldi Radio to increase creativity.
•Frank Sinatra Radio for cocktail hour.
Food items to keep on hand
For a senior with limited range of motion, food preparation becomes almost impossible and many seniors with this problem get Meals on Wheels delivered but they still need to have food items in their pantry for a quick fix in cases of emergency, that is, if food is nowhere to be found!
Here are some things you can keep in stock as they are healthy for you and their shelf life is quite longer than others:
• Granola bars or energy bars. Nothing can be quicker than grabbing a pack, tearing it open and munching up anytime you want to! It can even satisfy your sweet tooth as most granola bars are flavored—flavors ranging from peanut butter, to vanilla, to chocolates.
• Crackers. The ever dependable crackers! Salted, sweet, savory, whole wheat, multigrain.. –you name it, your friendly neighborhood supermarket is most likely to have it! Just make sure that you pack them in re-sealable containers so they will maintain their freshness.
• Trail mix. Trail mixes are good for you. They have nuts and they are energy boosting foods. Same as your crackers, they should be stored in vacuum sealed, re-sealable plastic containers to maintain freshness.
• Peanut butter. Unless you are allergic to nuts then peanut butter must be the best quick fix for seniors since it can be paired with just about anything!
• Freeze dried fruits. They are high in fiber and rich in anti-oxidants. In other words, they will help your digestive system to move a little smoother while keeping you younger looking.
• Canned soups. Contrary to popular notion, not all canned soups are bad. Some are made especially for people with health problems. All you have to do is check labels and make sure you are getting exactly what you need and not those you don’t need at all!
• Power beverages. They can be filling, energy boosting as well as nutritious, not to mention great tasting too. They can also be stacked in the fridge for a quick fix whenever you feel like it. Find one that makes miracles with your metabolism.
• Fruit juices. They are great when chilled and you need to satisfy your sweet tooth without having to worry about calories. Also, most fruit juices in the market today are fortified with vitamins which can be beneficial for you.
• Cereal. They can be eaten dry or with milk. Either way, they are so convenient, they deserve a place in your pantry!
Microwave popcorn
Individual size fruit
Walnuts (good for your heart)
Almonds, raw or unsalted
Sunflower seeds,
Raisins, Sweetened dried cranberries,
Figs, dates
Dark chocolate
What's the BEST Way to fix Corn on the Cob?
Some people say the only way to prepare it is boiling it - others only microwave it while another group insists that the only way to cook it is on the grill - and even then the methods differs as much as the type of butter to use!
This article from the Huffington Post discusses corn on the cob techniques and includes recipes.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/craig-goldwyn/grilled-corn-on-the-cob-r_b_654572.html#comment
So, how do YOU prepare sweet corn?
Zucchini Recipes
Layered Zucchini
Zucchini Oven Chips
Zucchini Bread
Fried Zucchini Blossoms