Earlier this month, thousands of people of all ages and spanning 43 countries, stood up for the rights of older persons. HelpAge International sponsored the event as part of their “Age Demands Action” campaign, and visitors to their website showed their support by signing a petition or uploading a photo to their Flickr gallery.

According to HelpAge International’s website, “Increased life expectancy and declining fertility are changing the global make-up of populations. By 2050, people over 60 will outnumber those under 14 for the first time.”  These are striking statistics and undoubtedly stir the call to action for support of elder’s rights.

HelpAge International is a global organization that tackles such difficult issues as age discrimination (both in roles and society), elder poverty, work, pensions, and access to health/other needed services. It is important work, to be sure. While elders are a rapidly growing population, I believe that we are still very far behind in terms of our respect for elders and our understanding of their place in society. Sure, we might see a few more older faces in advertising campaigns and print media, but that doesn’t mean we know how to treat an older person or know how to approach a complex spectrum of care needs as they age.

Many people are afraid to visit nursing homes for any number of reasons. The excuse I’ve heard from most?  Visitors don’t know what to say or know how to talk to an older person. This is a tragedy, in my opinion, because really it’s not all that different from talking to someone your age or even younger. Besides, imagine living 80, 90, or 100 years — think of all the stories they have to share!  Yes, Alzheimer’s can complicate conversations with an older person, and resulting behaviors can be very frightening. However, the person still deserves the respect and admiration that should naturally come from having walked for decades on this earth.

There is a great need for more dialogue on these issues among cultures across the globe, and I applaud HelpAge International for creating the spark.

I also strongly recommend checking out the photo gallery in the Rights section of the website – you’ll find stunning photos of older persons, and each photo carries with it the story of that elder in their corner of the world.

For more on the “Age Demands Action” campaign or the broader work of HelpAge International, visit http://www.helpage.org/Home.

-Michelle Seitzer

Welcome to the November 10, 2009 edition of Boomers & Seniors: News You Can Use. November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, and this installment is packed with health and wellness posts of interest, including brain fitness tips, what you need to know about Medicare and Medicaid benefits, how to prevent dangerous drug combinations, and more. Join us…

Senior Care & Caregiving

Get a poignant look at Life Inside a Nursing Home in a recent SeniorsforLiving.com latest post, which highlights a geriatric specialty training program that requires students to spend 10 days in a home chronicling their experiences.

According to resident satisfaction surveys conducted by ALFA, residents and families are concerned about who would provide much-needed care services should caregivers that belong to a union that went on strike. Read more at No Place for Union Strikes in Senior Living, posted by Paul Williams at ALFA Re:source.

For senior home care givers who have to be away from aging parents, read Kaye Swain’s post about Electric Solution for Senior Parents posted at SandwichINK.com.

The stresses of caregiving can lead to both unintentional and intentional elder abuse, says Patricia Grace in The growing problem of elder abuse posted at Aging with Grace CareConnection.

At least 10 percent of seniors may be taking dangerous drug combinations, cites a new article at Health Care Today. Seniors who take multiple supplements and/or drugs and those caring for them should take a look at this important piece.

Health and Wellness

November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Learn how you can get involved by reading the post at ALFA Re:source.

Join a walking group and lose weight. Read more at Peter Stockwell’s post Group Walking Helps Weight Loss posted at The Senior Walking Fitness Blog.

And Kathi Casey, a fitness/wellness coach who blends her experience of both eastern and western traditions, suggest we lead with the hip when we walk (no, not the pelvis, Elvis!) As a fellow boomer who feels more fit now then when in her 50’s, she offers tips to get rid of back pain in her post Bye Bye Back Pain posted at Kathi Casey, Your Healthy Boomer Body Expert.

Financial Issues

Find out what you need to know about your Medicare and Medicaid Benefits, including your eligibility and how long Medicare covers nursing home costs. “Many seniors have misconceptions on the differences between Medicare and Medicaid eligibility benefits,” Jeff Rose says.

Calculate a Retirement Income Replacement Ratio with Mr. ToughMoneyLove at Go To Retirement. “When determining how much income you will need in retirement, watch out for ‘rules of dumb.”"

Living Life to the Fullest

Get in the holiday mood by Making Christmas Ornaments With Grandkids. It’s easy as apple pie when you follow Kaye Swain’s directions in her new post at SandwichINK.com. “It’s a fun way to start getting ready for Christmas,” Swain writes.

When it comes to one’s purpose in life, these seniors featured in “The Way We Get By,” which will be airing on PBS on 11/11 at 9 p.m., have a phenomenal goal. Watch and read more about the issues that they deal with as a result of the aging process, and the meaningful work they do in seeing off/welcoming home soldiers from the war…it’s truly a powerful piece, which is why it’s our leading post this week at the SeniorsforLiving.com blog.

It’s Never Too Late to Benefit from Music Lessons, says Cynthia Wunsch at The Unlikely Entrepreneur. “A study about the health and brain boost benefits of learning to play an instrument in your senior years, even if you’ve never played before,” she writes.

Get a dose of “self-help humor.” Madeleine Begun Kane presents Contending With Time posted at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog.

Give your brain a workout — Charles Chua presents All About Living with Life: Baby Boomers – Tips for Brain Fitness posted at All About Living with Life.

Submit your blog article to the next edition of Boomers & Seniors: News You Can Use using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on What Is a Blog Carnival? page.

Technorati tags: boomers and seniors – news you can use, blog carnival.

I’ve mentioned in previous posts how absolutely thrilled I am to see a much-needed increase in the number of mainstream and independent films and documentaries covering our 50+ population. Well, “The Way We Get By” is another phenomenal film covering a phenomenal group of seniors, the issues that they deal with as a result of the aging process, and the meaningful work they do in seeing off/welcoming home soldiers from the war…it’s truly a powerful piece. I needed a handful of tissues just to “get by” the trailer (watch it below), so I recommend a box or two accompanies you to the theater when you get your tickets for the big screen showing.

A few months back, I saw a report on this group, unofficially called “The Maine Greeters” during the Making a Difference segment of the NBC Nightly News. Regardless of my political views and my opinions about the war (which, to be honest, are fluid – I haven’t quite decided where I stand or what to think), I am always deeply moved by any stories that highlight the emotional homecomings of our troops. Throw in a few seniors doing their part to welcome these soldiers back, and I’m guaranteed to lose it.

Meet Bill, Joan and Jerry, the senior greeters who wait patiently in the Bangor International Airport terminal for soldiers returning home from (or departing to) Iraq. Many troops come in to Bangor as it is the first major American airport encountered by planes approaching from the east; the two mile-long runway and uncluttered airspace also makes it quite attractive for a safe and smooth landing. As they wait in the lonely terminal of BIA for the soldiers expected to pass through that day, each greeter is wrestling with heavy stuff in their lives: failing health, mounting debt, depression. But I imagine that they are quickly overwhelmed by a strong sense of purpose and meaning as soon as those soldiers come through the doors.

The award-winning film “seeks out the telling detail rather than offering sweeping generalizations, to build stories of heartbreak and redemption, reminding us how our culture casts our elders, and too often our soldiers, aside” – unquestionably crucial lessons for difficult times such as ours.

This isn’t a political film. This is about a group of seniors who take the time to look past their own troubles encountered in the so-called twilight of life and say a much-needed, much-deserved “THANK YOU, welcome home, or safe travels” to those serving our country in Iraq. Be prepared for emotional moments, to be sure, but know that it’s not just a simple story about an unlikely trio of old folks greeting our American soldiers in their time of need – this is a real-life, intense, sometimes unsettling story about “aging, loneliness, war and mortality.” As I said earlier, grab a box of tissues before you view.

Intrigued? Visit http://www.thewaywegetbymovie.com/ for Facebook/Twitter links, screening times, dates and locations, and much, much more on this amazing motion picture. Check it out on PBS this Wednesday, 11/11, at 9 p.m. Share the word with others too! It may not be the “feel good” movie of the Christmas season, but it’s certainly on my required, “life-changing” viewing list.

Watch the trailer now:

-Michelle Seitzer

If there is anything that really makes my blood boil, stories of elders being mistreated does just that. Physical abuse, sexual abuse, verbal abuse, emotional abuse, financial abuse, neglect – the anecdotes I’ve heard (and the millions of cases that probably remain unreported and unresolved) are deeply disturbing to me. Even talking down to elders (and studies have shown that even those with cognitive impairments are highly averse to “elderspeak”), in my opinion, is completely unacceptable.

Besides these extreme cases, there are a number of perhaps subtle ways that seniors get dismissed by an age-biased society like ours. In fact, Steve Gurney of the ProAging network recently posted a UPI report out of Washington indicating that complaints of age bias have been on the rise, due to the tough economy and our ever-increasing reliance on technology. In Michigan, the Department of Civil Rights received 1,245 complaints of age discrimination, representing a 77% increase over the number received in 2008 (a mere though inexcusable 703). The federally-backed Equal Employment Opportunity Commission saw a 36% increase from 2005 to 2008.

The bottom line?  It’s all about getting the job done quickly, efficiently, and at the lowest cost, says attorney Steve Fishman. Fishman represents companies in age-discrimination cases. Essentially, your years of experience and loyalty to the company just don’t count if it costs the company too much.

I’m sure there are companies out there who still value their savvy senior employees, and wherever you are, I applaud you. But we all know that the market has wreaked havoc on small businesses, large businesses, 401Ks, retirement plans, health care benefits and, unfortunately, the career paths of those expensive FTEs who have given years of blood, sweat and tears to the company.

Desperate times call for desperate measures – some may say in defense – but I believe that today’s business leaders must consider those who have built the companies they represent. Perhaps you need to make difficult decisions given the state of the economy, but consider all the options. Explore ways of keeping that valuable employee engaged, rather than simply striking them out on account of their age (see post on the 100-year-old still practicing physician for evidence that there is no ideal retirement age). A 60th birthday does not equal an expiration date.

Seniors are far too often taken for granted, in the workplace, in our families, in our communities, in our places of worship, in nursing homes and senior living communities – and if you ask me, it’s absolutely a crime! With all that they have to offer in the way of life experience, their stories must be heard, their contributions to society must be celebrated, their value must be affirmed, their courage and fortitude in what were far more difficult times than many of us have known. We cannot afford to neglect this priceless population — not now, not ever.

SFL followers, how do you honor the seniors in your life? Don’t miss out!

-Michelle Seitzer

The health care reform buzz may be front and center in the news these days, but with so many media outlets and so many opinions, it’s not easy to keep up. And yet it is most certainly an issue that many of us are watching with great concern and curiosity.

A number of senior advocacy organizations are offering valuable resources for the general public to stay current on the latest and greatest, specifically in terms of the impact on seniors. I’ve listed a few of them here:

- The Senate Special Committee on Aging held a briefing on “How Health Reform will impact seniors” on September 17, 2009.  To view the archived webcast of the hearing, visit http://aging.senate.gov/.

- If you’re like me, you want to see things on paper (or read it on a computer screen). To see a comprehensive, side-by-side comparison of major health care reform proposals, check out this excellent tool from the policy experts at the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF): http://www.kff.org/healthreform/sidebyside.cfm.

- Another great side-by-side comparison from KFF takes a specific look at key Medicare provisions in the health reform proposals. To view the tool, go to http://www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/7948.pdf.

- AAHSA (American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging) explores a number of topics relating to seniors and health reform on their advocacy page – including an overview of the CLASS Act/Affordable Health Choices Act legislation: http://www.aahsa.org/classact.aspx

- You can also visit AARP’s home page to “Get the Facts on Health Reform” (go to http://www.aarp.org/health/articles/health_reform_get_the_facts.html) or to read a feature article on the impact of changes to Medicare at http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/medicare/articles/medicare_question.html.

- Most likely, your Member of Congress or U.S. Senator has a number of links or articles on their home page, outlining their position on and understanding of the reform debate. Many legislators have and continue to host Town Hall meetings to garner input and feedback from their constituents; some have been met with great success while others have encountered some heated opinions that have certainly made the news. Visit http://www.house.gov and http://www.senate.gov/ to find your elected official’s home page. Visit http://www.thomas.gov/ to access the actual legislation (you can do a keyword search, or get the bill numbers from the KFF’s report above).

Proposals are just that – so they are liable to change as the debate goes on. But for now, you can get up to speed by accessing a few of the above resources.

- Michelle Seitzer

Although my husband is only a reservist in the United States Coast Guard, we still take advantage of every perk, discount, or resource that serving in the military has to offer – and we constantly share those opportunities with anyone we know who might also be eligible.

Ted Gumley has created a successful business by sharing one valuable opportunity for senior veterans and their spouses: the Aid & Attendance program. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Mr. Gumley, a World War II veteran who has owned a number of assisted living facilities and now serves as CEO of Senior Care for Veterans.

Senior Care for Veterans is a private company with 15+ years of experience that consults and assists as to the criteria required to qualify for VA pension through Aid & Attendance, a non-service connected disability pension that can help cover the costs of long term care for qualified veterans and surviving spouses. According to Ted, most veterans don’t know anything about this valuable benefit; in fact, while 33% of all senior citizens in the U.S. are entitled to Aid & Attendance, only an estimated 5% of those eligible are actually receiving benefits. Of those enrolled the program serves 7% of surviving spouses and 34% of veterans eligible.

The $3.3 billion pension program is housed at the VA (Veterans Administration), but the VA is legally prohibited from advertising it. In addition, the fractured nature of the VA and cut backs in personnel contribute to the difficulty of processing benefits for program enrollees, so the VA counts on companies in the private sector to help applicants navigate the confusing and inconsistent requirements needed to secure funding.

And just how much funding can be secured? Eligible applicants can receive up to $1,948 per month or $23,376 per year. “People have cried on the phone because they are so happy to receive the help,” says Ted. It’s not hard to see why – in today’s harsh economic climate with funding for seniors being slashed nationwide and the cost of long term care increasing rapidly, this pension program is a lifesaver for countless seniors and the family members struggling to pay for their care.

Senior Care for Veterans has helped more than 15,000 vets and their surviving spouses receive the financial help to which they are entitled, at a 99% success rate. They have worked in 42 states advising assisted living facilities and home health agencies in guiding applicants through the process too.

–Michelle Seitzer

It’s time to fall into autumn with our September 22, 2009 edition of Boomers and Seniors – News You Can Use. The chillier weather makes this season the time of year when you just want to snuggle up and stay inside. But there’s a harvest of opportunities to enjoy, even when it’s brisk out there! Read on for great resources about staying active and informed this fall. And, if it’s inspiration you seek as the days get a bit gloomy, look no further than this recent SeniorsforLiving.com post about Dr. Joseph Kirsner. He just celebrated his 100th birthday in a very unique way. Find out here!

Centenarians may not be quite as unusual these days since people are living longer, but I still think it’s absolutely amazing when I hear of anyone reaching this milestone (or surpassing it). Watching the Willard Scott segment of NBC’s The Today Show is always a thrill!

I’m going to do my own Willard Scott segment here and call attention to an exceptional centenarian, Dr. Joseph B. Kirsner. Dr. Kirsner will celebrate his 100^th birthday on Monday, September 21^st by going to work. Yes, you read correctly. This internationally renowned physician and educator, who has left an indelible mark on the field of gastroenterology, wants to keep to the usual routine that day and practice medicine as he has done for years and years…and years.

Dr. Kirsner’s remarkable life and career (thus far) are chronicled in a newly released biography, GI Joe: The Life and Career of Dr. Joseph B. Kirsner. Penned by colleague and friend, Dr. James L. Franklin, the biography starts in the 1900’s in Boston with the immigration of Dr. Kirsner’s parents from Russia to the United States and takes readers through many memorable milestones before concluding in the 21^st century, where Dr. Kirsner continues to write his own story every day.

It’s not just a medical biography either; there is a love story, and it’s quite romantic. In the fall of 1933, Joseph met his wife, Minnie Schneider – an aspiring ballerina from Des Moines, Iowa – when she was admitted for an ear infection to Woodlawn Hospital in Chicago. As a young intern, Dr. Kirsner was assigned to Minnie’s care, and in his own words, Dr. Kirsner “fell totally in love with her.”  They were married in January 1934 in Chicago, where they settled for many years thereafter. The Kirsners were married for 60 years before Minnie passed away in 1998 after struggling with Parkinson’s and suffering a stroke that cost her vision.

Another interesting highlight – Dr. Kirsner voluntarily enlisted in the Army Medical Corps during World War II and considered it “a sacred duty.”  He returned to the University of Chicago in 1946 where he continued to excel in the field of gastroenterology (both as a physician and an educator), writing textbooks and hundreds of articles, winning multiple prestigious awards, serving as the founder and leader of many important societies on gastroenterology, and spearheading research on digestive disease issues. His expertise even brought him as far as Morocco, where he visited King Hassan II in 1976 to treat the King’s symptoms after numerous other physicians had failed to relieve them. A strong relationship ensued between the two; Dr. Kirsner made more than 50 trips to Morocco to provide medical consultation to the King and his family over the years.

Summarizing the book that archives the life of such an impressive and intriguing man of many years in just one blog post is a challenge — and I don’t really want to steal any thunder from the book’s author either. Pick up a copy of GI Joe to read more about Dr. Kirsner, the man who never considered retirement as part of the plan – and prepare to be amazed.

Do you know anyone who is still working past age 90? 100? Would you consider working that long?

Coming soon: A Special Interview with Dr. Kirsner after celebrating his 100^th birthday!

- Michelle Seitzer

Last week we talked about the new movie, Gotta Dance, which chronicles the rhythmic wild ride of the first New Jersey Nets senior hip-hop dance team. So it should come as no surprise that we love this story, too! While the thought of seniors singing rock songs may sound like a fun novelty to some, the Young @ Heart Chorus is no laughing matter. In 1983, a group of seniors in a Northampton, Massachusetts pooled their talents and experience and they are still going strong today, with the current members ranging from ages 70 to some over 90 years old.

They perform songs not typical for the senior set, but their renditions of rock songs take on a new meaning when they perform and the lyrics become about aging, loss, and life. One of the most powerful videos I’ve ever seen is this rendition of Coldplay’s “Fix You” by 82-year-old Fred Knittle who recently passed away in early 2009.

Walker George Films also made a very successful documentary about the Young @ Heart Chorus.

I admire what they have done with the program because it only takes one look to see the meaning of what they are doing here. You can’t help but notice the joy they have performing. It’s truly refreshing to see. Check it out!

Welcome to our August 25, 2009 edition of Boomers and Seniors – News You Can Use. In other words, it’s our say-goodbye-to-summer edition, which is why we’ve packed it with hot topics and sizzlingly useful advice! Enjoy…

Senior Care/Caregiving

For many caregivers and those who have elderly loved ones, keeping seniors happy in their own homes for as long as possible is first and foremost. Find out the moves baby boomers just like you are making to accommodate “Seniors Who Decide to Stay Put.” Aging in place is a popular topic of conversation these days — add your feedback to this recent SeniorsforLiving.com blog post.

If you’re exploring senior housing options and are deliberating between nursing homes, Eric Dowdy’s post, Study Finds Not-for-Profit Nursing Homes Provide Better Care Than For-Profits, may be a help for you. For more on this, and other elder care decisions, add Aging Services of California’s blog to your daily reading list.

In Kaye Swain’s two-part series, Email For Our Aging Parents and Relatives Part 1 and Part 2, she highlights email options that are easy for aging seniors. “While most of us who are Sandwich Generation caregivers would be lost without our email, cell phone, and other hi-tech communications,” she explains, “our aging parents are often quite a different story. Fortunately, there are some new options available for our aging seniors, with a little help from us.”

Geriatric care managers may seem like a luxury in this tough economy, but think about the value they bring in terms of knowledge, experience, and access to resources, says Dale Carter in her post Five Things You Need to Know about Geriatric Care Managers at Transition Aging Parents. Find out what five things you should consider before you begin your search for the right geriatric care manager for your parent.

You’re only as old as you feel, right? Well, to see that mentality set to hip-hop (yes, hip-hop!) music, you just may want to head to the theater to see “Gotta Dance.” Watch and see the first senior dance troupe with the New Jersey Nets take the court – and America – by storm. The trailer, embedded on SeniorsforLiving.com’s Gotta See Gotta Dance, will definitely get you movin’ and groovin’!

For another heartwarming read about aging with class, click into Going Gray — or Purple — Is Easier With Friends posted at All Things Aging. This reflective article about connecting with friends who know you well by Ellen W. Miller, executive director of the University of Indianapolis Center for Aging & Community, underscores the importance of social engagement in our older years.

Did you know about the big AARP backlash going on with regard to the latest health care debate? Nearly 60,000 members have actually left the organization, reports Derrick Grant in his post AARP versus American Seniors Association (ASA) and the Health Care Debate. Learn more about the issues, how they affect you, and check out the ElderGuru.com blog.

Financial Issues

When it comes to paying for elder care, families often have to think outside the box and seek out alternate ways to afford it. Patricia Grace presents a look at the Senior Living Line of Credit option in her post Eldercare Funding Options – Part 1 at the Aging with Grace CareConnection. See if it’s a viable tool for you!

As boomers, even if your house-buying days are over, you should still think about your credit score. The Smarter Wallet blog presents Equifax Credit Report and Score: Review of Equifax Products. “Everyone, including boomers, should keep an eye on their credit,” they say.

Everyone has a vision of their ideal retirement. And if you read Emotional Planning for Retirement to Avoid Family Conflicts, you’ll understand why it’s a good idea to discuss your dreams with your partner and family. Check it out, and learn more at the Planning Your Retirement Smart Way blog.

Health & Wellness

Here’s some food for thought, courtesy of our very own Michelle Seitzer: Drinking and Swearing Might Improve Your Health. Find out what some recent studies are saying, and get the scoop on why moderation is key.

If you ask Jody T. Fransch, it’s totally possible to live and thrive to 100. Follow the advice posted in 7 Health Habits That Will Help You Live To 100, and give yourself a shot at shooting for those triple digits. And, for more on the goal of living to be a centenarian, click into Emma Taylor’s 100 Web Tools to Help You Live to 100.

How we stay healthy – at any age – is intrinsically connected to what we eat (and don’t eat), which is why Nancy Lapid’s Celiac Disease in Elderly People posted at About.com Celiac Disease, fascinated me so much. Find out how eliminating gluten from one’s diet can help counter the affects of Alzheimer’s, age-related illnesses, and more.

Donna Hull presents Staying Healthy on the Road posted at My Itchy Travel Feet, saying, “Tips for taking care of your health while traveling.”

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of Boomers & Seniors: News You Can Use to be held at CareBuzz.com on September 8th using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags: boomers and seniors – news you can use, blog carnival.

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Hope you enjoyed this short but sweet and relevant edition of Boomers and Seniors – News You Can Use. Please let us know your thoughts on the above posts — we can’t wait to hear from you! And, if you’re a blogger who writes about these senior-related issues, you can submit your blog post using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

Enjoy the rest of summer!