About Senior Living

Fun Facts About Mistletoe

2009-12-21T23:23:25Z

Everyone knows about the power of mistletoe at Christmas. But there is more to mistletoe than kissing and holiday merriment...

Fun Facts About Mistletoe originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Monday, December 21st, 2009 at 23:23:25.

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Protect Your Credit and Identity During the Holidays

2009-12-18T10:23:57Z

Unfortunately, seniors are often the target of scams, so it's especially important for older adults to be aware of consumer protection information that can help them avoid senior scams.

The FBI offers a comprehensive list of the most common senior scams, including insurance, telemarketing, prescription drugs, "anti-aging" products and reverse mortgage scams.

To highlight the need for consumer protection and education, the U.S. government also offers a free fraud information packet of practical tips on a variety of topics to help you minimize your risk of fraud and identity theft.

One way to guard against identity theft is to order free credit reports and review them regularly to watch for any unauthorized activity that may signal identity theft has occurred.

If you feel you have been the victim of fraud or a senior scam, Consumer Fraud Reporting offers information and resources to report it.

Protect Your Credit and Identity During the Holidays originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Friday, December 18th, 2009 at 10:23:57.

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Medicare In Worse Shape Than Social Security

2009-12-14T23:30:09Z

Every year, the Trustees of the Social Security and Medicare funds provide an update of how the funds are doing.

Unfortunately, Medicare is in worse shape than Social Security.

Medicare In Worse Shape Than Social Security originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Monday, December 14th, 2009 at 23:30:09.

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The Recession is Taking a Toll on Social Security Funds

2009-12-10T09:08:34Z

Every year, the Trustees of the Social Security trust funds report on the current and projected financial status of the two programs.

The economic recession depleted Social Security funds faster than anticipated in 2009, and this is expected to continue in 2010. Here's a quote from the 2009 Social Security Trustees Report:

The Recession is Taking a Toll on Social Security Funds originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Thursday, December 10th, 2009 at 09:08:34.

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Looking for Something to Do? How About Volunteering?

2009-12-02T13:44:17Z

I'm a big believer in volunteering. In fact, my volunteer efforts led me to go back to school and change careers. You just never know where your inspiration will come from.

With the economic downturn we've experienced, many people need to focus their time on earning money, but if you have some spare time and would like to help others, the US government has created a list of worthy organizations you might not know about. Read more...

Looking for Something to Do? How About Volunteering? originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009 at 13:44:17.

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Food Assistance Programs Help Seniors In Need

2009-11-28T23:02:18Z

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates that the number of older adults seeking help from local food pantries increased 81 percent from 2006 to 2008, according to an Associated Press story about how the recession has affected seniors' ability to pay for food.

If you are an older adult who needs help getting food--or you know someone who does--there are federal and state programs that can help you.

Food Assistance Programs Help Seniors In Need originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Saturday, November 28th, 2009 at 23:02:18.

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Remembering JFK

2009-11-20T09:42:51Z

Where were you when Kennedy was shot? People over a certain age can answer that question without missing a beat.

The tragic death of President John F. Kennedy on November 22, 1963--46 years ago this coming Sunday--was a defining moment in the life of every American who was old enough to have even the slightest understanding of what was going on at the time.

JFK was not the first U.S. president to be assassinated, and his violent death was no more tragic than those of his younger brother, Bobby, or Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. just a few years later, yet it shocked and saddened us in a way no other tragedy before or since has ever done.

When Kennedy was inaugurated in January 1961, he was the youngest person ever to hold the office. Brilliant, charismatic and energetic, Kennedy inspired the nation and the world. In his inaugural address, Kennedy spoke the now famous lines:

"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.

"My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.

"Finally, whether you are citizens of America or citizens of the world, ask of us here the same high standards of strength and sacrifice which we ask of you. With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own."

When he died less than three years later on that street in Dallas, the hope and optimism he inspired died with him--at least for awhile. Other leaders would rise up to carry on the work and the vision. But on that sad day in Dallas, a bright light was extinguished, and those of us who witnessed the descending darkness will never forget.

Where were you when you heard Kennedy was shot? Share your memory with Senior Living readers, below.

_{Photo: National Archives/Getty}

Remembering JFK originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Friday, November 20th, 2009 at 09:42:51.

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Jobless News Not So Bad for Boomers

2009-11-17T14:51:38Z

The U.S. jobless rate just seems to get bleaker and bleaker, but dig a little deeper and you may find a few trends that add up to good news for older workers.

In October, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) announced the jobless rate had increased to 10.2 percent, but it turns out joblessness is not equal for all age groups. In fact, workers from the baby boom generation and above are the only age group whose job prospects improved during the past few months. And that's not the only good news.

Jobless News Not So Bad for Boomers originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009 at 14:51:38.

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Will Boomers Age with More Disabilities Than Their Elders?

2009-11-13T12:01:24Z

Widely reported news from UCLA suggests that boomers will enter their 60s with more disabilities than the previous generation.

Researchers looked at results from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) during two different time periods--1988-1994 and 1999-2004, and studied how the levels of disability changed for people who were 60 to 69, 70 to 79, and 80-plus in four areas:

Activities associated with daily living: walking from room to room; getting into and out of bed
Performing household chores or preparing meals
Mobility: walking one-quarter mile; climbing 10 steps without stopping for rest
Functional limitations: stooping, crouching or kneeling

How did they do?

Will Boomers Age with More Disabilities Than Their Elders? originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Friday, November 13th, 2009 at 12:01:24.

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My Search for Safe Cosmetics

2009-11-10T21:52:24Z

After reading news stories about lead in lipstick, phthalates in cosmetics, and trying (almost) in vain to find shampoo without sodium laurel sulphate or sodium laureth sulphate (foaming agents made from sulfuric acid, monododecyl ester, and sodium--no thanks), I decided to look for safe cosmetics that are made without known toxins and carcinogens.

My Search for Safe Cosmetics originally appeared on About.com Senior Living on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 at 21:52:24.

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