9 Powerful Foods That Fight Aging

Ponce de Leon never found the Fountain of Youth, but scientists around the world still pursue the magic elixir. Until they find the miraculous substance that will stop the aging process, however, the safest, most effective way is to seek the many common foods, including tea and nuts, that fight inflammation. Scientists believe that chronic inflammation, which is caused by many factors including a lousy diet and smoking, triggers symptoms of aging.   

 

Add the following nine foods to your diet . They have special nutrients to help fight inflammation to help you turn back the clock:

 

• Green tea. People who drink more than three cups of green tea each day live longer, according to a Japanese study. Green and white teas contain generous amounts of EGCG, a powerful antioxidant linked to a lower risk of heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, and numerous types of cancer. Catechins, which are antioxidant compounds found in green tea, may also protect aging eyes from glaucoma.
 

• Fish. Fatty fish, like salmon, tuna, and mackerel, contain large amounts of omega-3 fatty acids that fight many of the diseases of aging, including cardiovascular disease. The American Heart Association recommends two servings a week.
 

• Nuts. A handful of nuts any kind of nuts daily — one to two ounces — contains liberal amounts of inflammation-fighting omega-3 fatty acids. One study found that those who ate nuts every day had 60 percent fewer heart attacks than those who ate nuts less than once a month. Nuts also help the production of elastin and collagen, compounds that keep skin looking young. Read More
 

How tight jeans almost ruined America’s money

Fashion comes at a price. But who knew that it would claim our entire system of money?
Since American money was consolidated into a single system of currency in the late 1800s, U.S. dollars have been printed on a unique cotton blend paper. That paper has been supplied by a single company, Crane, for more than a century. And Crane relied on scraps of denim sold in bulk by the garment industry for its cotton.

The company bleached and processed the unwanted fabric, then rewove the fibers into the George
Washingtons and Benjamins that graced our wallets. About 30 percent of Crane's cotton came from leftover denim, making it one of the largest single source of the fibers, according to Jerry Rudd, managing director of global sourcing. The rest of the cotton came from a hodgepodge of other textile wastes.
But something strange began to happen in the 1990s: Denim became tainted.

The stretchy fabric commonly known as spandex (and trademarked as Lycra) had been invented in the 1960s for use in women's lingerie. By the 1990s, the fashion world had discovered that blending it with denim created a curve-hugging -- and yet still forgiving -- fit. It never looked back.

"Everybody's into it. Denim and Lycra are all over," Rudd said. "It's just incredible what's happened to the industry."

The trend was bad news for Crane. Even a single fiber of spandex can ruin a batch of currency paper, degrading the strength of the material. But separating the spandex from the cotton would be a Herculean task, Rudd said. By the early 2000s, almost every pair of jeans contained at least a hint of stretch -- rendering them useless to Crane.

"There's no denim products out there that we can find that's basically not contaminated," Rudd said.
Crane had to adapt. Instead of using cotton from denim, the company now looks "beyond the waste stream," Rudd said, to "the natural fiber itself." In other words, they buy cotton straight from the source and leave the world of fashion to its own devices.

"It's a sign of the times," Rudd said.

Posted by Ylan Q. Mui on December 16, 2013
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/12/16/how-tight-jeans-almost-ruined-americas-money/

80 is the new 60 when it comes to retirement

American business has become a gray area. As in hair color.

Call it the new American nightmare: Running out of money in retirement is scaring the hell out of record numbers of older workers, forcing them to stay in the workforce.

Now 80 is the new 60 when it comes to retirement. Many older workers who finally clock out have sharply underestimated their financial needs in retirement, raising the specter of personal financial disaster.
“Most clients are about to turn 60 or right after it, preparing for retirement, and their concern [is]: Are they going to have enough money to live through retirement?” said Jeff Speight, a financial planner and manager at Tanglewood Wealth Management. “Their main problem is, they don’t understand what to do.”

By putting off retirement the Baby Boomers are a large reason for the high levels of unemployment for those looking to enter the workforce. According to the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics the rate of joblessness in people 20- to 25-years old is 12.5 percent, twice the rate of people 25 and older.

These Boomers have plenty of company. The American Dream of retirement at 65 is looking more like a pipe dream to many. Read More.

IKEA's Path to Selling 150 Million Meatballs

When IKEA decided to sell food, it chose to do it in much the same way it sells furniture: a few standardized staples, sold in large quantities. The result: 150 million meatballs.

Meatballs are on the menu at an IKEA in Stockholm, shown—and around the world. Ellen Emmerentze Jervell for The Wall Street Journal

 

That is the number IKEA estimates will be dished out in store cafeterias this year. Though the Swedish company is better known for its inexpensive, assembly-required furniture, its IKEA Food division is a behemoth, rivaling Panera Bread and Arby's, with nearly $2 billion in annual revenue. The company estimates about 700 million people this year will eat in one of the cafeterias that are located in 300 IKEA stores world-wide.

Enlarge Image

Sören Hullberg a former IKEA manager who was tasked with creating a menu, is part-owner of the Story Hotel brand. Story Hotels

 

The food push started nearly 30 years ago, when then-store manager Sören Hullberg drew the assignment to create a food department. IKEA's frugal founder, Ingvar Kamprad, was worried that too many shoppers were browsing the company's shelves on empty stomachs. IKEAs are huge, and visitors can get fatigued after walking the floor for hours at a time. Mr. Hullberg said he was told to come up with a plan that would be thoroughly Swedish and in line with the company's penny-pinching ways.

 
The solution? Salmon, roast beef, smoked reindeer steak and Sweden's beloved meatballs. Stores in each country were also allowed to choose one type of local fare to spice up the menu. (Swedes like their native söndagsteak or shrimp.) These basics were designed to be the bedrock ingredient of any dish IKEA served, whether a salad, a sandwich or a starter. The menu has evolved over the years, and individual stores can make some decisions, but generally, the offerings are tightly limited. Read More.

 

Year-end tax considerations, 2013 edition

by James B. Gust, Esq., Senior Tax and Trust Editor

Merrill Anderson Co. Inc.

In contrast to recent years, when clouds of uncertain and various expiration dates hung over the tax code, this year taxpayers know what the rules are.  For those with higher incomes, taxes will be higher. Period.  Top tax rates are higher; itemized deductions are phased out for some taxpayers; new Medicare taxes apply.

            Even so, there are steps to consider, as we approach the end of the year, that could make a difference next April 15.

AMT

Upper-income taxpayers have to calculate their income tax liability, in two ways. The regular way has a top marginal rate in 2013 of 39.6% and lots of allowable deductions.  The Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) has two brackets, 26% and 28%, and it provides for far fewer deductions.  Taxpayers pay the higher of the two tax figures.

            Just as taxpayers’ circumstances vary from year to year, so does their exposure to the AMT.  Their deductions and exemptions may trigger the AMT one year, but not in another.  This fact can lead to some counterintuitive tax strategies.

            If a tax review projects that you will be paying the AMT in 2013, but there is a chance you won’t in 2014, then you might want to accelerate ordinary income into 2013 to take advantage of the 28% top tax rate, instead of having that income taxed at 39.6% next year.  For example, if you own nonqualified stock options, they could be candidates for a 2013 exercise. However, take care not to exercise so many options that the AMT no longer applies.

            In this situation you also may want to defer actions that generate ordinary tax deductions until 2014, when the deductions will be worth more. For example, you might defer payment of state taxes into the new year or delay some charitable gifts.

            On the other hand, if you know that you will not pay the AMT this year, but you might in 2014, you would reverse these strategies.

Portfolio moves

Tax consequences shouldn’t drive portfolio management decisions, but they do need to be taken into account.  Tax efficiency matters.

            Capital gains and losses for the entire tax year are netted against each other, according to these rules:

            1. Short-term losses are netted against short-term gains.

            2. Long-term losses are netted against long-term gains.

            3. If one of these is a gain and the other is a loss, they are netted.

            4. Any resulting short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income. Any resulting long-term gains from securities sales are taxed at 15%.  At some income levels, the rate is boosted to 20%, and at still higher levels a 3.8% surtax applies, for a maximum capital gains tax rate of 23.8%.

            5. Up to $3,000 of net capital losses may be deducted from ordinary income.  Short-term losses are used up first, then long-term losses.

            6. Unused capital losses may be carried to future years until death.

            The conventional wisdom resulting from these rules is that long-term gains are better than short-term, because they have a lower tax rate. Short-term losses are better than long-term losses, because they shelter income at a higher tax rate.  However true this may be in general, it shouldn’t be applied to the next transaction until the full range of gains and losses for the year is understood.

            Example.  Wes needs to sell $100,000 of securities to raise cash.  He can choose lot A, which will generate a $20,000 long-term gain, or lot B, which brings with it a $20,000 short-term gain.

            In the absence of any other trading, Wes would prefer lot A, because the long-term gain brings less taxation. But if we add one fact the picture changes. Wes already has incurred $20,000 in capital losses this year, and they will offset his $20,000 gain fully. In that case he may prefer to realize the short-term gain, and save the long-term gain for another day.

            Wash sales. When harvesting capital losses, beware of the “wash sale” rule.  If you sell a stock at a loss and reacquire substantially identical securities within 30 days of the sale (either before or after the sale), the loss will be disallowed.  Instead, the loss will be added to your basis.  Note that the rule applies even if the loss is incurred in a taxable account and the securities are reacquired in your IRA (traditional or Roth).

            No one ever suggested that tax planning is easy.  If you find these ideas of interest see your tax advisors soon to learn more.

© 2013 M.A. Co.  All rights reserved.

Fido's tail wags may reveal more than you think

NEW YORK (AP) — The way Fido wags his tail might reveal more about him than you know. Just ask another dog.
A few years ago, researchers discovered a subtle difference in how dogs wag their tails. When a dog sees something positive, such as its owner, it tends to wags its tail more to its right. The wagging tends to go left when it sees something negative, like an unfamiliar dominant dog.

Now, the same Italian researchers report that other dogs pick up on that difference, and it's reflected in their behavior and even their heart rates. Experts say the tail-wagging difference appears to be one way that dogs gauge how other dogs will respond to them.

"It's just fascinating that dogs pick up on it," said Evan MacLean, co-director of Duke University's Canine Cognition Center. For humans, he said, "it's a difficult thing to see."

MacLean was not involved with the study, reported Thursday in the journal Current Biology.
Giorgio Vallortigara of the University of Trento in Italy, an author of the study, said Fido is not deliberately sending a message. Instead, the tail-wagging behavior stems from how different emotional cues activate different parts of the brain, he said in an email. Read More.

Cancer patient Cecelia Carty hula-hoops her way into Harlemites

She's keeping hoops high.

A Harlem cancer patient has become a hula hooping heroine to the Uptown granny crowd, using a therapeutic form of exercise and inspiring graying ladies to shake up their routines.

Cecelia Carty, 50, marches up and down Lenox Ave. with her best friend Robin Green, 49, twirling a three-foot-wide, hot-pink ring and strutting to the R & B tunes that blare from their iPods.

The sweatsuit-clad pair conduct regular afternoon showcases, dancing from Carty’s home on W. 142 St. south to W. 135th St.

“I am blind; there’s not a lot of things that I can do,” Carty said during a recent performance in front of the Key Food supermarket on W. 140th St.

Carty became blind as a result of the chemo treatments, she says, and doctors removed two tumors from her brain during the summer. She’s also battling rectal cancer.

Green taught her how to hoop last year, in between chemotherapy sessions at Roosevelt Hospital on 10th Ave.
“It’s something for us to stay fit,” Green said. “It gets us out the house.”

Carty and Green hoop as often as Carty is able — she has been limited to about once a week since her brain surgery — and they’ve built a fan base of shoppers, store workers and straphangers who never fail to greet Carty with hollers and hoots.

Susan Watts/New York Daily News

Cecelia Carty (r.) is blind and suffering from a brain tumor and rectal cancer. It doesn't stop her from hula hooping around Lenox Ave. with pal Robin Green.

“You go, girl!” said Lucy Calderon, 64, a great grandmother who watched Carty do her signature backwards shuffle dance in front of Keane Pharmacy, near W. 139th St.

“People our age need to start working out,” Calderon said. “I think it’s wonderful what’s she’s doing. More power to her.”

Carty’s hoop is bigger than those used by children, and it’s filled with water so she burns more calories.

Read More

Alzheimer's caregivers: Tips to take care of yourself, too

(BPT) - Taking care of an ill loved one is never easy, but for the 15 million Americans who provide care for someone with Alzheimer's disease (AD), the emotional and financial toll of caregiving can be overwhelming. Last year, caregivers provided more than 17 billion hours of unpaid care for AD patients, amounting to $216 billion of care, according to the Alzheimer's Association. They often experience emotional stress, depression, health problems of their own and a loss of wages, the Association reports


"It's important for caregivers to take care of themselves as well, and to help those they care for find treatment options that can make it easier for both patient and caretaker to better manage Alzheimer's symptoms," says Dr. Richard S. Isaacson*, associate professor of neurology and director of the Alzheimer's Prevention & Treatment Program at Weill Cornell Medical College and a respected AD researcher who has several family members with the disease. "Just as there is no one solution for managing Alzheimer's symptoms, caregivers need to employ a suite of tactics in coping with their responsibilities - from stress-relieving habits and regular medical care for themselves, as well education about nutritional therapy and medication for patients."
Caregivers should keep in mind that helping themselves stay well is also helping the people for whom they're caring. If you're taking care of a loved one with AD, here are some ways you can help both yourself and the person in your care:

* Therapy to mitigate AD symptoms - Coping with common symptoms of AD such as disorientation, forgetfulness and emotional imbalances are among the most stressful aspects of caregiving. Helping patients mitigate those symptoms can improve the quality of life for both the patient and caregiver. Some medications show promise in helping reduce symptoms, and a new medical food, Axona(R) by Accera, Inc. can further help some mild to moderate patients mitigate symptoms, especially when used in tandem with drug therapies.
Axona helps by providing the brain of mild to moderate AD patients with an alternative to glucose - the "food" which fuels brain function. A brain affected by AD doesn't process glucose into energy as efficiently as a healthy brain, creating a condition known as diminished cerebral glucose metabolism (DCGM)) which most often occurs in the areas of the brain involved in memory and thoughts. The easy-to-mix, once-daily prescription medical food Axona helps provide brain cells with an alternative energy source, which may help ease the effects of DCGM and enhance memory and cognitive function in AD patients. Doctors and caregivers of AD patients who use Axona report patients appear more alert and engaged in daily activities and interactions with others.

* Seek support - Caregivers provide a tremendous amount of support for both patients and those who love them, but they can use support too. If you are a caregiver, join a support group where you can connect with people whose experiences and emotions parallel your own. You can find a support group through the Alzheimer Association's website, www.alz.org. Don't be afraid to ask for help from family and friends, too. Something as simple as picking up laundry or groceries, or sitting with a patient for an hour while you run errands doesn't take much time away from someone else's schedule, but it could give you a much-needed break.
* Keep an organized schedule - Routine can be very comforting for AD patients, and a schedule can help caregivers stay on track and feel less stressed by day-to-day demands. Online calendars or apps for your mobile device can help you keep a schedule and stay organized. Be sure to schedule in some time to give yourself a break, along with doctor's appointments and medication timings.

* Avoid isolation - Withdrawal from society is common among dementia patients and can take a toll on those caring for them. Caregivers can feel isolated, too. It's important to connect with others. Seek social interaction that will benefit you and your loved one with AD, whether it's attending a weekly prayer meeting or a regularly scheduled dinner with family members.

* Keep things in perspective - The Alzheimer's Association outlines five key things to remember: Don't take behaviors personally; stay calm and patient; realize pain can be a trigger for behavior; don't argue; and accept upsetting behaviors as part of the disease. Remember, your loved one can't control his or her disease, but you can control your reaction to disease-related behaviors.

To learn more about Axona, visit www.about-axona.com/. For more information on AD, including tips for caregivers, visit www.alz.org.

*Dr. Richard Isaacson is a paid scientific advisor/consultant for Accera, Inc.

If you think this years Social Security increase is too small read what some of our members of Congress want to do to make future increases even smaller

Chained-CPI Supporters Believe This Year's Tiny Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) Is Too Generous 

To ensure that Social Security benefits do not erode over time, they are adjusted every January. Notwithstanding the annual adjustments, those benefits do not keep pace with inflation. Shockingly, rather than make those adjustments more accurate, some politicians support making them more miserly, through a change, known as the "chained CPI" -- a cruel and deceptive benefit cut, hitting hardest the oldest of the old, the poorest, and those disabled at young ages, including our brave wounded warriors.
The 2014 Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is scheduled to be released soon by the Department of Labor, though the exact announcement date is uncertain because of the government shutdown. Although the precise COLA adjustment will depend on September's inflation numbers, it will reportedly only be about 1.5 percent. This adjustment will be received by 57 million seniors, workers with disabilities, children who have lost parents and others. This adjustment will also apply to Supplemental Security Income benefits, which provide income for the very poorest elderly and disabled, as well as to a variety of other benefits.
The 2014 COLA, the fourth smallest inflation adjustment since automatic COLAs began in 1975, will be of little help to seniors, people with disabilities, and survivors. Most are already struggling to make ends meet. Medicare premiums, out-of-pocket health and long-term care expenses, housing, food, and other costs keep rising. Those fortunate to have savings have seen those savings shrink, and sometimes disappear. The Great Recession, stagnating wages, job loss, unindexed employee pensions, declines in the value of homes and diminished returns from investments have taken a heavy toll on the old and are contributing to the retirement income crisis facing working Americans. Having their Social Security benefits gradually but inexorably lose value because they do not keep pace with inflation makes it even harder for those on fixed incomes to make ends meet.
Today's Social Security COLA understates inflation experienced by the elderly and people with disabilities. The Bureau of Labor Statistics produces another measure geared to specifically measure the living costs of seniors, called the CPI-E, or experimental Consumer Price Index for the Elderly. It tracks the cost of the basket of goods seniors actually consume, taking into account, among other things, the higher health care costs for seniors. It rises about 0.2 percentage points more per year on average than the current CPI, thereby better protecting beneficiaries against inflation. The higher rate is largely because seniors -- and people with disabilities -- have, on average, higher medical costs, and those costs have been rising more rapidly than other goods and services.
No one is getting rich from Social Security. Benefits are extremely modest, by virtually any standard. But they are vitally important. About two-thirds of seniors rely on Social Security for half or more of their income. As a group, disabled beneficiaries rely on Social Security for a majority of their family income. In short, Social Security beneficiaries have little flexibility in their household budgets. They paid into Social Security throughout their working lives, and have earned a COLA that should keep their benefits at pace with inflation.
Many in Congress seem to think that the Social Security benefits that our seniors and people with disabilities receive today -- under $15,000/year on average -- are too high, and have made cutting them one of their primary goals in Washington's serial budget crises. But as a recent survey from the National Academy of Social Insurance shows, the American people strongly disagree. Seventy-one percent would prefer a package of changes that includes changing to the CPI-E to more accurately reflect the level of inflation experienced by seniors. We wholeheartedly agree, and with the 2014 elections only a year away, Congress would do well to heed their will.
Although many in Congress talk about the need to cut "entitlements" -- an insulting reference to Social Security and Medicare, both earned benefits -- they do not seem to have the courage of their convictions. They propose cutting the COLA through the so-called chained CPI, a technical, hard-to-understand change, rather than say straight-out that they want to pull $127 billion dollars out of the pockets of their constituents over the next 10 years. And even though most politicians have promised not to cut the benefits of persons aged 55 or older, many are fully prepared to break their word. Read More

 

Seniors to get small Social Security increase in 2014

The cost-of-living adjustment in Social Security for 2014 is likely to be very small, marking the fourth year in the last five that recipients receive little or no increase in benefits.

Social Security benefits are expected to rise between 1.4% and 1.6% next year, according to the American Institute for Economic Research. That follows a 1.7% increase in 2013 and no increases in 2010 and 2011. A 3.6% adjustment in 2012 has been the only significant rise in benefits in recent years.

The increases have been small because inflation has been tame. But it's not clear that these adjustments really cover the increasing costs faced by retirees, who have different spending habits than the overall population.
For example, seniors spend more on health care than the younger population, and government figures show the cost of medical care rose 2.5% over the past year. Read More.

Will Obamacare Affect Medicare? Myths and Facts

When pollsters ask Americans what they know about the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the typical response is a quizzical shrug. The ACA, also known as Obamacare, remains a great mystery to many people, even though it was signed into law in 2010.

 When AARP holds town hall meetings, officials have found that the public is equally unclear about Medicare, the government health insurance program for Americans with certain disabilities or who are more than 65 years old, and whether it will change under the ACA.

Until now, the country's 49.5 million Medicare beneficiaries have mostly felt the impact of health care reform in their doctors' offices, where preventative services such as annual wellness checkups, immunizations and tests for cancer, cholesterol and diabetes are now covered without co-payments. But with full implementation of the law on the horizon, questions about how one will affect the other abound.

 "There always has been confusion about Medicare," says Dr. Gail Wilensky, a policy analyst who directed Medicare and Medicaid from 1990 to 1992 and served as a senior health and welfare adviser to President George H.W. Bush. "Now there's more confusion than usual because of the focus on the Affordable Care Act and how it does or does not relate."
Here are five myths and facts surrounding Medicare and the ACA.

Medicare is ending. False. Obamacare is not replacing Medicare. In fact, AARP representatives say that Medicare will become stronger once the ACA is fully in effect. "Medicare's guaranteed benefits are protected in ways they hadn't been protected in the past," says Nicole Duritz, AARP's vice president for Health Education and Outreach. Read More.

Why Do Our Best Ideas Come to Us in the Shower?

You’re in the shower, mindlessly scrubbing your toes when—bam!—a prophetic thought pops into your head. Maybe you finally solve that glitch bugging you at work. Or maybe you learn something terribly more important. The meaning of life, perhaps. Or what the 23 flavors in Dr. Pepper are.
Those aha! moments aren’t locked inside a bottle of Irish-scented shampoo. Soaking yourself in suds, though, does have a lot to do with it. The shower creates the perfect conditions for a creative flash, coaxing out your inner genius. Oh, and it makes you clean, too.

Mind Your Mindless Tasks

Research shows you’re more likely to have a creative epiphany when you’re doing something monotonous, like fishing, exercising, or showering. Since these routines don’t require much thought, you flip to autopilot. This frees up your unconscious to work on something else. Your mind goes wandering, leaving your brain to quietly play a no-holds-barred game of free association.
This kind of daydreaming relaxes the prefrontal cortex—the brain’s command center for decisions, goals, and behavior. It also switches on the rest of your brain’s “default mode network” (DMN) clearing the pathways that connect different regions of your noggin. With your cortex loosened up and your DMN switched on, you can make new, creative connections that your conscious mind would have dismissed.

Read More.

Ask the Senior Advisor

DEAR SENIOR ADVISOR:  I turned 70 ½ this year, so I have to start taking required minimum distributions (RMDs) from my IRAs.  I don’t want or need these distributions, and I’m concerned that they might push me into a higher tax bracket, or even affect the taxes on my Social Security.  Is there anything I can do to avoid an RMD?  —AFFLUENT RETIREE

DEAR AFFLUENT: You can’t duck RMDs, but you can give them away, within limits.  Those who are 70 ½ and older are permitted to transfer up to $100,000 from their IRAs to the charity of their choice each year. You can transfer less, of course—for example, you can arrange for your RMD to be paid directly to a charity instead of to you.

You don’t get a tax deduction for doing this, you get something better—the amount transferred is not included in your income at all, even though the RMD rule has been satisfied. Thus, the RMD won’t interact with your tax return in any way.

This popular tax strategy is slated to expire at the end of this year.  Although it’s been renewed with regularity, it remains something of a political football.

See your tax advisor before making any final decisions.

Busted: The top 4 most common pet myths

(BPT) - It's no secret that Americans love their pets. When it comes to U.S. pet ownership, 39 percent of households own at least one dog, and 33 percent own at least one cat, according to the Humane Society of the United States. Furry family members bring joy and excitement to a household, and providing the best care possible helps ensure pets have a long, healthy life.

Unfortunately, with so much information available, it's easy to become confused about what's really best for them. To cut through the clutter, Dr. Ashley Gallagher, veterinarian at Friendship Hospital For Animals and petMD contributor, sheds some light on some of the most common pet myths.

Myth 1: If cats have nine lives, what do dogs have?
Cats' curious nature and quick reaction times are likely the basis of the nine lives reputation, but in reality owners need to remember that both cats and dogs only have one life. That is why it's important to schedule regular veterinary visits to ensure your pet has a long, healthy and happy one. Going to the veterinarian shouldn't only be reserved for times when your pet is sick. Your pet needs annual wellness check-ups, vaccines, dental exams and nutritional consultations, just like humans do.

Myth 2: Table scraps are OK.
Did you know that one ounce of cheddar cheese for a 20-pound dog is like a human eating more than one and a half chocolate bars? That same piece of cheese for a 10-pound cat is like eating almost three full chocolate bars! Table scraps are basically empty calories for cats and dogs. They need precisely balanced nutrition for their specific life stage and special needs to remain healthy. A food like Hill's Science Diet is great because it gives them exactly what they need without any excess nutrients that might be harmful.

Myth 3: Dogs wag their tail when they are happy.
Dogs wag their tail for many reasons; the most common is that they are either happy or nervous. Cats will also wag or flick their tail when they are upset or thinking. Pets communicate via complex body language rather than vocal expression like humans. Learning to read what your pet is telling you will go a long way in helping to build a fulfilling relationship. Ask your veterinarian for advice if you feel stuck learning your pet's body language cues.

Myth 4: Letting my dog out in the yard is enough exercise.
Dogs and cats both need plenty of physical activity and mental stimulation to stay healthy. If you just leave your dog out in the yard alone they might not get much of either. It's important to take them for walks, play fetch or simply run around together. Not only will it make for a happier, healthier dog, but it will also help to strengthen your relationship. Cats should be kept indoors for their safety, but there are plenty of toys that work their brains and their bodies at the same time. Visit your local pet store to find some toys that fit the bill.
Each pet is unique, so ongoing care, including precisely balanced nutrition, regular wellness visits to the vet and daily play periods are all good things that keep your pet healthy and living well for many years to come.

Life Expectancy Calculator

The Living to 100 Life Expectancy Calculator uses the most current and carefully researched medical and scientific data in order to estimate how old you will live to be. Most people score in their late eighties... how about you?

The calculator asks you 40 quick questions related to your health and family history, and takes about 10 minutes to complete. At the end, you will be asked to create an account store your answers. Read more and take the calculator

Greenwich Granny Thwarts Phone Scammers. And some tips from the Greenwich PD

Greenwich Police are warning local senior citizens, especially grandparents, to be wary of phone scammers who purport to be a grandchild in trouble and in need of money.

According to police, a Greenwich resident and a grandmother, was contacted by a man claiming to be her 16-year-old grandson on Aug. 6. "This male who alleged to be her grandson told her a story of how he had been out of state and that after a motor vehicle accident he had been arrested. That he now needed bail money," according to police.Read More.

Warning: Elderly woman duped by phone scams

MONROE -- A longtime resident told police that she fears her credit may have been compromised by a phone call from a stranger informing her that she was delinquent paying for her magazine subscriptions.
The 83-year-old woman told police that someone claiming to be from a magazine's payment center called her to say she owed the magazine $388. Believing her credit score might dip, the victim provided her credit card number to the caller. Read More.

How To Stay Hydrated This Summer: Tips To Survive A Heat Wave

In the face of brutal temperatures and heat waves this summer, follow these tips to stay hydrated.

A heat wave is a prolonged period of excessive heat often combined with excessive humidity. Officially, a heat wave is defined as three days of temperatures of 90°F or more, and that is exactly what has been transpiring at the end of June in the West coast, particularly in California, Arizona, and Nevada. In fact, six half-marathon runners in Southern California were hospitalized for heat-related illnesses on the final day of the month. A day earlier, paramedics responding to a Nevada home without air conditioning found an elderly man dead.

During a heat wave, the most important thing is staying hydrated. And, people who have a heart condition, are older than 50, or are overweight may have to take extra precautions. Our bodies are about 75 percent water and blood is nearly 80 percent water, so it is necessary to replenish what is lost every day. When water is not replaced, blood thickens, forcing the heart to work harder and raising the risk of a heart attack. Staying hydrated, then, is essential for heart function, but it also helps with alertness, controlling appetite, and generally improving all activity.

According to the American Heart Association, when the temperature and humidity are both above 70°F, we have entered the dehydration danger zone and it becomes necessary to sip water frequently and drink before, during, and after vigorous activity. To maintain a healthy fluid balance while in the dehydration zone, the following suggestions may help: Read More.

Dog lovers don't miss this article. Food trucks feeding the needs of gourmands' hungry canines

Source: Frosty Pooch, LLC

 

Frosty Pooch offers tasty treats for your "best friend."

In hindsight, the collision of the food truck craze with the tendency to spoil our four-legged friends was inevitable.

Food trucks for dogs are rolling through a growing number of cities, selling canine versions of cookies, ice cream and other treats. Paying $3 for doggie ice cream (dogs can have trouble digesting the real thing) might seem like a silly indulgence, but owners of these food trucks say they're hardly begging for business.

"This year is turning out to be really good because a lot of people are hearing about me," said Angela Meyers of Elizabeth, N.J., who launched The Frosty Pooch last July. Meyers, who brings her truck to parks, farmers' markets and dog parks in the New York City area, makes small-batch, dog-friendly ice cream in six flavors that sell for $2 a cup and "pupsicles" for $2.50. Her four-legged customers' favorite flavor is the bacon peanut butter, she said. "I'm getting a lot of return customers," she said. Read More.

At Sit 'N Stay Pet Cafe in Orlando, Fla., treats range from $2 to $7. Owner Lauren Hicks, who launched the business in 2011, said she started turning a profit after about a year. "We've got awesome feedback from our customers," she said via email.


Some owners of doggie food trucks are seeing business grow so fast they plan to franchise. In Chicago, Donna Santucci opened Fido To Go to complement her existing pet-grooming business in 2011. "I have over 40 applicants" who want to license the brand, she said.

Right now, Santucci makes all the cookies and frozen yogurt cups she sells from scratch in a commercial kitchen in downtown Chicago. "I'm looking for a bigger facility now as we speak."

List of area Farmers Markets

Fairfield County

*WIC CERTIFIED MARKETS 

Bridgeport Farmers’ Market
United Congregational Church
877 Park Avenue
Thursdays, 1pm-6pm
July 2 thru October 29

Bethel Farmers’ Market
Rte. 6, Fairfield County Extension Service Building
67 Stony Hill Rd.
Opposite Stony HIll Inn
Saturdays, 9am-1pm
July thru October

Darien Farmers’ Market
Mechanic Street
Behind Fire Station
Wednesdays, 11am-6pm
May 13 thru December 16

*Greenwich Farmers' Market
Arch Horse Neck Parking Lot
Commuter Parking Lot
Saturdays, 9:30am-1pm
May 16 thru December 19 

Norwalk Farmers’ Market
Fodor Farm, Flax Hill Rd
South Norwalk
Fridays, 12pm-5pm
July 10 thru October 30

*Stratford Farmers' Market
Deluca Field, Main St.
Mondays, 1pm-6pm
June 29 thru October 26 

*Westport Farmers' Market
Saugatuck Congregational Church
245 Post Road
Sundays, 11:30am-2:30pm
May 31 thru November 22 

New Haven County

*Meriden Farmers’ Market
Butler Street Parking Lot
Corner of W Main & Grove Streets
Saturdays, 8am - 12 noon
July 18 thru October 31

*Milford Farmers' Market
58 River St., Corner of Darina
Place and River St.
Saturdays, 9am-1pm
June 20 thru October 10

*Seymour Farmers’ Market
Community/Senior Center
Front Parking Lot, Pine Street
Tuesdays, 12 noon - 6pm
May 12 thru October 27

*Madison Farmers’ Market
26 Meeting House Rd., Madison Historic Town Green
Fridays, 3pm - 6pm
May 1 thru October 23

Simple ways older drivers can save money on auto insurance

(BPT) - Are your auto insurance premiums too high? Maybe they are, but not for reasons you might think. Insurance companies aren't charging you higher premiums because you're in an over-50 age group. You may be paying too much because you haven't done anything to lower the cost of your premiums. Check out these money-saving tips - they could be right up your alley.
* Comparison shop. You don't need to stay with the same insurance company forever. Prices vary from company to company. Just be sure you discuss the identical coverage with each company representative. Also, don't go by price alone. Consider the company's reputation, customer service and available discounts. Look online at customer reviews to get a better picture.
* Combine policies with one carrier. You may save money if you insure all your vehicles on a single policy. Your premium may also go down if you have life or homeowners' insurance with that company, too.
* Consider asking about higher deductibles. In some cases, if you increase your deductible, you could lower your premiums. Of course, that means you'll have to pay more money out-of-pocket if you're in an accident.
* Take an AARP Driver Safety course. Available both online and in the classroom - in English and Spanish - this course teaches valuable defensive driving techniques and provides a refresher about the rules of the road. When you complete the course, you could qualify for a multi-year discount from your auto insurance company (check with your insurance agent for more details). Visit www.aarp.org/drive to find a course in your area.
* Consider dropping collision and/or comprehensive coverage. It may not make financial sense to pay premiums over many years to maintain collision and comprehensive coverage. If your car is worth less than 10 times the premium, purchasing the coverage may not be cost effective, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). But don't drop your liability coverage, which can help cover expenses for property or bodily damage you cause while driving your car.
* Take advantage of low-mileage discounts. Some carriers offer discounts to drivers who put less than a predetermined number of miles on their vehicles each year. If you're only using your car to drive to your kids' houses, the grocery store, the mall and the gym, this could be a money-saving opportunity.
* Ask about car-safety discounts. Some insurers give discounts for having certain safety devices in your car, such as air bags, automatic safety belts, anti-lock brakes, daytime running lights, or even an approved alarm system. In addition to lowering your premium, these features will help keep you safe on the road.
* If you're in the market for a new car, consider purchasing a low-profile vehicle. It's more expensive to insure a vehicle that's expensive to repair, popular with thieves or known for not having a good safety record. To find out vehicles' risk levels, visit the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety website.
Everyone's trying to save money these days. By following these tips, you'll be in the driver's seat when it comes to auto insurance premiums.

Fraud alert: Grandparent scam continues to trick people out of money

(BPT) - Imagine being woken by a phone call in the middle of the night. It's your crying grandchild, who is asking for money because of an accident. Of course you want to help your loved one, so you do whatever you can in this emergency situation. You open your wallet without hesitation.Unfortunately you've just become a victim of a scam that is happening across the country. Known as the "grandparent scam," this type of fraud involves bogus calls from people claiming to be relatives in trouble. The personal nature and urgency of these calls causes people to let their guard down, and act quickly without verifying the validity of the call.
"Criminals often target older people, but in reality anyone of any age can be a target of a scam," says Phil Hopkins, vice president of global security with Western Union. "With more people sharing personal information online, such as through social media websites, it's easier for criminals to learn details of personal relationships so they can imitate loved ones by name. Newspapers and obituaries are also good sources of personal information, providing detailed relationship information."
Con artists may also impersonate attorneys, police officers or bail bondsmen to create a sense of urgency and legitimacy. Add in loud background noises, muffled voices or fuzzy phone lines, and it's easy to believe someone is calling from jail or a remote location, where he or she may be in trouble.
In addition to calling victims, hackers use similar strategies to target victims through email. Tapping into a person's address book, scammers send emails or instant messages directly from the person's email account alerting friends and others of the "emergency" and requesting funds. Do not respond to the email and confirm the situation by contacting the person by phone or other means.-
"Awareness is the best defense against emergency scams," says Hopkins. "These scams can be convincing, but it's important to keep a few things in mind before you rush to help."
Hopkins recommends you follow these tips to avoid becoming a victim of the emergency scam or other types of fraud:
1. If you receive a phone call or email claiming a friend or family member needs cash, take a moment to review the situation. Does it make sense? Can you verify the emergency?
2. Call the person at a known telephone number, not a number given to you by the caller. Or, call a mutual friend or another relative and find out if he or she is aware of the situation.
3. Let your friend or family member know that you have received a call or email from the person requesting help. If the request turns out to be fake, contact the police immediately.
4. Regardless of whether you are contacted by phone, email or some other means, be suspicious of requests to send money to "help a friend or family member out" unless you can verify the information you've been given with 100 percent confidence.
5. If you did send a money transfer through Western Union, and then realize that it was for a scam, contact the Western Union Fraud Hotline at 1-800-448-1492. If the transaction has not been picked up, it will be refunded to you.
6. Never send money to someone you have not met in person.
7. For more information on scams or for more tips on how to help protect yourself from scams, visit www.WesternUnion.com/stopfraud.

Editors Note: You can find additional information on how to avoid being a victim of fraud in the 2013 print edition of the Senior GO TO Guide.--TG

Seniors and Shingles: Myth vs Fact

Shingles is a painful disease caused by the same virus as the chicken pox — the herpes zoster virus– and affects an estimated 1 million people annually. In fact, more than half of all Americans will have experienced shingles by age 80.
Since shingles is very common, you may have heard differing information from friends, fellow caregivers, and healthcare providers. Let’s sort the truth about shingles from myth.

Shingles 101
Shingles is the reactivation of the dormant chicken pox virus that uniquely affects on side of the body. In the event of altered immunity, age, illness or other stressor, the virus re-emerges from its long-time home in the spinal nerves and a painful skin rash breaks out. Shingles may begin with pronounced fatigue and typically develops in three stages: severe pain or tingling along the nerve pathway, itchy rash, and blisters that resemble chickenpox.

Shingles myths and facts
Myth: Only elderly people get shingles. Read More.

Healthy Sleep Tips

The following ten tips can help you achieve sleep and the benefits it provides. These tips are intended for "typical" adults, but not necessarily for children or persons experiencing medical problems.

Finally, if you have trouble falling asleep, maintaining sleep, awaken earlier than you wish, feel unrefreshed after sleep or suffer from excessive sleepiness during the day or when you wish to be alert, you should also consult your physician. Be sure to tell him/her if you have already tried these tips and for how long. To check for possible sleep problems, go to our checklist, "How's Your Sleep?"

1. Maintain a regular bed and wake time schedule including weekends.

Our sleep-wake cycle is regulated by a "circadian clock" in our brain and the body's need to balance both sleep time and wake time. A regular waking time in the morning strengthens the circadian function and can help with sleep onset at night. That is also why it is important to keep a regular bedtime and wake-time, even on the weekends when there is the temptation to sleep-in. Read More.

Toni King: How does Obamacare affects Medicare?

Hello Toni:
I hear so many rumors about how Obamacare is going to affect Medicare. Mainly, doctors are not accepting Medicare and that the Part B premium is going to be over $200 in a few years. Can you please tell me what is true and what is myth or rumor? Thanks, Abbey

Good Day Abbey:
I get this question all the time, especially from those who watch TV and do not know the difference between Obamacare (which is mainly for those under 65) and Medicare. Medicare beneficiaries need not to worry at this time because Medicare is already a national health insurance program. Obamacare rules apply mostly to individual and group health insurance policies for Americans under 65 and who are not yet eligible for Medicare.

One thing Obamacare is affecting is how your Medicare dollars are being spent and they are watching those dollars very closely. Here are some of the facts and myths that are circling around.
Let’s explore some of the common questions and myths that I am receiving:
Doctors will not be accepting Medicare because of healthcare reform? This is a fact and a tricky one. Many of your “smaller” clinics that do not specialize in those that are 65 or older, are not processing Medicare claims and thus not accepting Medicare assignment … but there are plenty of primary care physicians or PCPs that are still accepting Medicare patients. For those turning 65 soon should establish a relationship with a primary care physician as well as a specialist. Do not wait until the last minute to start going to the doctor because it may be hard to find one that is accepting NEW patients. Many doctors are accepting current patients for Medicare with no problems, but have what is called a “closed panel” for new patients. Especially for the primary care physicians or family doctors because they have a hard time with all of the paperwork that Medicare is requiring.

Is the Medicare Part B premium going up to $247/month in 2014? This is a myth that has been emailed for the past 2 years. PPACA (Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) otherwise known as Obamacare does not determine Medicare Part B premiums. CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) uses a formula that has been in place for years to determine the new Part B premium for the coming year. This is determined on claims loss by Medicare in the prior year. You could see an increase in Part B premiums if the Medicare spending is higher from one year to the next. Or your income goes up and you might pay more.
The Part D “Donut Hole” is going away? This is true … but the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act or Obamacare is slowly closing the “Donut Hole” between now and the year 2020. Don’t know why it is taking so long! What is an unknown is if Part D premiums will go up when the “Donut Hole” is eliminated. We will have to wait to see! Click here to read more questions and answers.

Here is an alternative to an iPad for Seniors

iPad for Seniors? - Many people consider the iPad for seniors who want to get started with technology. To some people, the perceived usefulness of the touchscreen and the popular iOS make the iPad a tempting option for their senior loved ones who want to use computers and connect online. 
 
However, when choosing the best device for a senior who has very little experience with technology, there are many factors to consider. An iPad may be a good option for some seniors, but it’s not the best for all, and there are several other kinds of devices out there to consider.

Here at Telikin, we’ve had thousands of conversations with seniors and tech novices learning how to use the computer and the internet, and so we know what questions they ask, what hesitations they have, and what issues they are facing when it comes to starting with technology. One of the best things to keep in mind when choosing a computer for seniors is that the device is not for you – it’s for someone who isn’t familiar with technology and the skills that you may think are second nature.

Here’s a list of questions to think about before getting a computer for a senior who is a tech novice: Read More.

Giving back to family caregivers: Tips to help those who sacrifice for others

(BPT) - No one knows exactly what life will bring, but we all know that there will be joys and there will be challenges. Sometimes, life gives you a combination-- as millions of average Americans who are family caregivers can attest. Providing dedicated care to a loved one is a generous way to live one's life, but it can also brings difficulties, stress and isolation. That's why giving back to those unsung heroes - caregivers - who give so much can make a world of difference to them, and the people they help.It's not unusual for non-professional caregivers to insist that they don't need a break or a pat on the back. Recognizing their sacrifices, even in small ways, can help them understand the importance of their work. Also giving these caregivers a little time to themselves can help them recharge, ultimately allowing them to take even better care of their loved ones.
If you know a family member, friend or neighbor who is a non-professional family caregiver, consider these ways to give them the recognition and help they deserve.
* Arrange a relaxing day off. Many caregivers are members of the "sandwich generation" which takes care of their children as well as an elderly or disabled family member. Looking after everyone else can easily eat up all of a caregiver's time. So give the caregiver you know a 'free day' that is just about them. Arrange a massage, a trip to a museum, a sporting event, favorite restaurant or park-- whatever they will enjoy most. Then arrange for respite care so they know their loved one is well cared for while they're away.
* Consider making a BRAVE Awards nomination. The Shire BRAVE Awards honor the courage and devotion of non-professional caregivers around the world. These annual awards celebrate the amazing commitment of unsung, everyday heroes - non-professional caregivers. Many BRAVE Award recipients provide care over years and decades, overcoming incredible challenges to ensure that their loved ones have everything they need to live as full and rewarding a life as possible. Nominations for the 2013 BRAVE Awards are open through June 30, 2013 and award recipients selected each receive $10,000. For more information, visit www.shirebraveawards.com.
* Offer to help with the little things. There are countless small tasks we all have to finish every day, but for caregivers, that "to do" list can be extra long and overwhelming. Offer to assist with a regular chore, like making dinner, mowing the lawn, picking up prescriptions or putting out the garbage, and you'll be taking away some of the stress. Even if you can't lend a hand on a regular basis, let the caregiver know to call on you when he or she needs help. Having others to rely on can help make caregivers feel that they're not alone.
* An old-fashioned "thank you." A simple word of encouragement, when unexpected, can have a big effect. A handwritten note only takes a little time, but has a far-reaching impact. Add a small treat, such as a photo or a gift card, and you will surely brighten the caregiver's day.
Caregivers dedicate themselves to helping others without expecting recognition or thanks, but that makes them all the more deserving of both. By lending a hand, nominating them for an award or offering a few kind words, you'll be giving them a bit of well-earned care, too.

Help Your Pet Live Longer

What’s the latest trend in veterinary medicine? Giving older dogs with arthritis stem cell treatments that repair their joints, and make it possible for them to play like puppies again.
Vets have already performed more than 10,000 stem cell procedures – mostly on dogs, but also on horses, donkeys, zebras and lions. The entire procedure can be done at the vet’s office in one day. Stem cell expert Dr. Jeremy Delk said the therapy works because stem cells are the only cells that can transform themselves into other types of specialized cells, like cartilage. Read how it works and what it costs.

5 Tips To Help You Live A Longer Life

It’s keeping our cells young! Every cell contains something called a “telomere,” which is a tiny strip of DNA that gets shorter as we age. Once they get too short to work properly, it leads to age-related problems, like heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, arthritis, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s. But there are ways to protect our telomeres – and even make them longer – which can help us live longer, healthier lives. Here’s how: Read More.

Simplified Smartphones For Boomers And Seniors

Dear Savvy Senior: Are there any smartphones specifically designed for seniors that you know of? I'm interested in getting one, but at age 69, I want to find one that's easy to see and use.
-- Semi-Smart Senior
Dear Semi-Smart: There are actually several manufacturers who are now making simplified smartphones with features designed primarily for older users who have limited experience with modern gadgetry. Here's a rundown of what's currently and soon-to-be available.
Pantech Flex: One of the best and most affordable age-friendly smartphones on the market today is the Pantech Flex, sold through AT&T for only $1 with a two-year contract. Read More.

Baby boomers and driving vision - maintaining safety and independence

 (BPT) - Baby boomers, those born between 1946 and 1964, are aging differently than any generation in U.S. history. Today, older Americans remain more active later in life, working longer and engaging in hobbies and recreational activities.

It is estimated that by 2030, nearly one in five adults will be 65 and older. In 2050, this group is projected to reach 88 million - more than double the 40 million in 2010. This will lead to a significant increase in older adults driving vehicles for both necessity and pleasure. Unfortunately vision, cognitive skills and motor functions decline as we age.
As many as 5,288 people age 65 and older were killed and 187,000 were injured in traffic accidents, according to 2009 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That group accounted for 16 percent of all traffic deaths and 8 percent of the injured, but accounted for only 13-percent of the population. As the 65 and over demographic increases to 20 percent of the population in 2030, the number of accidents and fatalities among this group is expected to increase.
Most states have minimum vision requirements to possess a driver's license. A 2006 Vision Council report indicates that the 10 states with the highest rate of fatal crashes include four that require no vision screening for license renewal and four that only require vision screenings at intervals of eight or more years. The Vision Council also reported that only 20 states require more frequent vision screenings for older drivers.
Importantly, there are proactive measures seniors can take to preserve and enhance their vision. Many clinical research studies have demonstrated that older drivers can improve their vision by eating foods rich in the nutrients zeaxanthin (zee-uh-zan-thin) and lutein or taking eye vitamins containing these nutrients. These nutrients create a protective film in the back of the eye known as, "macular pigment" to protect and improve vision. These nutrients have been scientifically proven to enhance driving vision and driver confidence. -Your eye care professional and the American Optometric Association website are excellent sources of information regarding nutrition and eye health.
Glare is a common complaint among older drivers, particularly at night. When a driver is "blinded" by an oncoming car's lights, they are literally "driving blind" for a period of time until vision recovers.- Imagine driving at 60 mph with your eyes closed for five seconds. You would travel 440 feet during that five second period - the equivalent of one and a half football fields. Studies have demonstrated that recovery time from bright light-induced glare can be reduced by as much as five seconds by increasing macular pigment density through zeaxanthin and lutein supplementation.
Dense or thick MPOD (Macular Pigment Optical Density) can reduce uncomfortable and dangerous glare caused by oncoming headlights, street lights, and traffic lights; enhance contrast sensitivity to help drivers see pedestrians, vehicles, and other objects; and help diminish discomfort or sensitivity to bright sunlight. -
While lutein is commonly available in the average diet from dark green leafy vegetables like spinach and broccoli, dietary zeaxanthin is scarce in the average U.S. daily diet. Corn, orange peppers, brightly colored fruits and vegetables, and eggs contain low quantities of zeaxanthin, which means one would have to eat approximately 20 ears of corn to obtain the daily recommended amount of dietary zeaxanthin associated with healthy macular pigment.
Eye vitamins like EyePromise are doctor recommended, proven and guaranteed to increase macular pigment. The dietary zeaxanthin contained in EyePromise eye vitamin formulas is derived from unique orange paprika peppers, a natural botanical source rich in this important nutrient.
Many Optometrists and Ophthalmologists offer MPOD (Macular Pigment Optical Density) measurement through a simple, fast, and inexpensive exam. Contact your eye care professional about having your macular pigment measured, and increasing your MPOD if needed.
Driving safety is important at any age, but as our population ages at an unprecedented pace, proactively taking care of your vision is vital to safety and independence.

Retirement Hobbies bring JOY to your retired life!

Retirement hobbies are really very good for you -- they keep you active! We need activity, mental and physical, in retirement. We need to socialize and meet new friends -- and hobbies help there too!

What will YOU do all day, every day, 24/7? Read More.
 

Why Seniors Love iPads

These days, tablet computers are skyrocketing in popularity, particularly among the senior set. Although mini-computers and thin laptops like the Macbook Air provide excellent portability and function, something about swiping fingers on a screen has appealed seniors to become one of the largest users of the iPad. Here’s why: Read More.

Simple ways to save energy at home in just minutes

 (BPT) - Home is where the heart is. But it's also a place where families can be more conscious of their energy use. While conserving energy helps save the planet, it also helps homeowners save money.

According to Christine Ackerson, sustainability manager at LG Electronics USA, by adopting a green mindset and taking a few simple steps to be more eco-friendly, you'll help preserve our planet's resources and your budget.
Reduce, reuse and e-cycle
Phantom energy waste - the amount of energy plugged-in appliances and other electronics draw even when turned off - can add up. You can reduce phantom energy drain by unplugging appliances you don't frequently use or installing power strips that can easily be turned off. -Remember to unplug your cell phone charger when not in use. And use motion sensing exterior lighting and timers so that electronics such as space heaters and fans don't run longer than intended.
The average consumer household has about 24 electronic products, according to the Consumer Electronics Association, and old or outdated electronics represent one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. Recycling electronic waste, or e-waste, such as cell phones, televisions and computers can save energy and scarce resources by reducing the amount of raw materials extracted from the earth, as well as preventing harmful materials from ending up in the environment. For example, recycling one million laptops saves the energy equivalent of the electricity used by 3,657 homes each year in the U.S., according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.-
Recycling your old electronics is easy, and there are a number of resources to help. Manufacturers and retailers often offer recycling services or take-back programs - LG offers an online search tool at www.lgerecycling program.com to find free drop off locations near you. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency also offers online resources for safe e-waste disposal, or you can ask your local municipality if they offer e-waste collection programs.
The waste, the washer and the wardrobe
Doing laundry is a household necessity. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, the average household does 392 loads of laundry each year; that translates to 7.5 loads per week. Upgrading an old, inefficient washer can not only lead to water and energy savings, it can also mean cleaner clothes.
Energy Star-qualified washers use about 20 percent less energy and 35 percent less water than standard washers. Larger-capacity machines save energy because you can wash more clothes in fewer loads. One new "mega-capacity" washer from LG has the largest capacity in the industry at 5.1 cubic feet. Plus, it features a special turbo wash technology that saves up to 20 minutes per load.
The "mega-capacity" washer also earned the "Energy Star Most Efficient" designation in 2013. This new program recognizes the most efficient products on the market.-Washers that earn this distinction can save consumers the equivalent of at least 68,000 bottles of water a year.
A bright idea: LED bulbs
When available, use natural lighting to light your home. On dark days and after sunset, light your home only in the areas you are using. When it comes to lights, one of the simplest yet most impactful ways to go green is to switch to LED light bulbs. They're the most energy efficient option and last 10 times longer than compact fluorescent bulbs. A cool lighting option, LED bulbs do not use mercury, so you're not putting extra toxins into landfills when the bulb does expire.
When shopping for new bulbs, look for the Energy Star label. If just one light bulb in every American home was replaced with an Energy Star bulb, we would save about $600 million in annual energy costs, plus save enough energy to light 3 million homes for an entire year!
Go autopilot to heat and cool your home
The energy used to heat and cool your home throughout the year can mean big utility bills. Adopt a green mindset and change the temperature just a few degrees and the savings will come naturally. Try adjusting your thermostat three or more degrees - you might not even feel a difference. During periods when you're not in the home, adjust it even more. According to the Department of Energy, you can save as much as 1 percent for each degree by turning your thermostat back if the setback period is eight hours long.
An easy way to control your home's temperature is to get a programmable thermostat. Put your home's heating and cooling on autopilot by programming temperature settings for each day of the week. Depending on whether you're home or away at work, you can set your seasonal preferences so your home maximizes energy conservation while keeping temperatures comfortable. Adopt these ideas and you can make a difference in helping to address climate change and protect the planet, and also save money. Take the "Change the World, Start with Energy Star Pledge" at the Energy Star website, www.energystar.gov, and make a promise to make simple behavioral changes to make your home more energy efficient and preserve resources for future generations.

Listen up: For better hearing, work with an audiologist

(BPT) - When it comes to startling health statistics, here are several you may not have heard: 36 million American have a hearing loss, yet only one out of every four people who could benefit from a hearing aid actually wears one, according to the National Institutes of Health's National Information Center on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Millions of Americans "miss or misunderstand" much of everyday conversation."People who experience hearing loss are often like Joni Mitchell's song 'Big Yellow Taxi,' " says Dr. Kathy Landau Goodman, chair of the Audiology Awareness Campaign. " 'You don't know what you've got till it's gone.' We often take our hearing for granted until we have difficulty hearing and communicating with our family, friends and coworkers. Yet searching for a quality, cost-effective solution can be confusing."
The first step for finding the right hearing aid is to see an audiologist. Audiologists hold doctoral degrees and are uniquely qualified to evaluate hearing loss and communication needs such as hearing in noisy environments like restaurants, in business meetings, church services, lectures, or just listening to the TV or an iPod. An audiologist can prescribe, program, fit and customize a hearing aid's high tech capabilities to improve your listening and communication experiences.
"Today's hearing aids are quite amazing," Goodman says. "They are natural sounding, fashionable and they work. There is no reason you should miss out on what could be the most important conversation of your life. Consumers have numerous options for purchasing hearing aids, and an audiologist can help you find the right solution for your communication challenges."
No best model or brand
Finding the right hearing aid is not about the model or brand - or even price. While it may not be necessary to pay a lot to find the hearing technology that works well for you, keep in mind that rock-bottom-prices often come with poorer quality. It is not just about a product--being fitted with hearing aids is a process.-
Modern hearing aids are sophisticated high-tech digital devices, with capabilities and options that vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Every ear is unique. Every brain deciphers sound differently. There is no "one size fits all." What works for your friend may not work for you. It's important to work with an audiologist that can help you select and optimize the hearing aids to meet your needs.
Finding the right hearing professional
Having a hearing test and getting fitted for hearing aids are the next steps, but it's also important to get counseling on how to use your hearing aids most effectively in different listening situations. You'll need adjustments to get the settings just right, and audiologists can manage this for you. Remember, an audiologist who carries several brands is more likely to help you find the best hearing aids for your communication needs. Your audiologist should have:
* Well-established credentials and all applicable licenses.
* Satisfied clients who are willing to give a recommendation.
* Courteous support staff.
* Convenient office hours.
* A convenient location.
* Multiple brands of hearing aids.
* Hearing assistive technologies such as listening devices for phones or televisions.
* Services beyond the sale of hearing aids, such as communication training and auditory training.
The nonprofit Audiology Awareness Campaign, which provides the public with information on hearing loss, is sponsoring the sixth annual "Listen Up America Week, National Hearing Screening Week" May 13 to 17, 2013. In communities throughout the country, audiologists will offer free hearing screenings. Call (888) 833-EARS (3277) or visit www.audiologyawareness.com to find an audiologist in your area.

Clothes No Longer Make the Man

In 1963 I wouldn't have worn a suit to paint the porch furniture. My father certainly wouldn't have donned one of his Brooks Brothers sack suits before touching up the trim on the barn. So why is the man in this 1963 Chase nest egg ad wearing a suit?

Because a guy wearing an old sweater and stained khakis wouldn't have looked rich.

Half a century later, rich men display a variety of looks: bespoke suit, black tee shirt,  jeans and boots, hoodie . . . . Mark Shaw, the Chase photographer, would have a tough time depicting a generic "rich man."

A decade after this Chase ad ran, Thomas Stanley began studying the affluent. After discovering that many did not look that rich, he became a popular speaker at financial marketing gatherings, gaining national prominence with his 1988 book, "The Millionaire Next Door."

Before that best-seller, Dr. Stanley wrote "Marketing to the Affluent." A generation later, aspiring brokers and investment advisers still might find it worth reading.

Postscript: Strictly speaking, Mark Twain pointed out, clothes do make the man: "Naked people have little or no influence on society."