Senior Citizens News

Does a Senior Citizen in your life need computer training?

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 02:22:00 +0000

Could a senior in your life use someone ot hold their hand while figuring out all that computer techy stuff?
Would a senior in your ife like to keep in better contact with family and friends?

Well, I am the “The Computer Lady”, and I am a former computer programmer and trainer who taught in a corporate setting for 6 years.

I have designed a class for beginners who are new to computers.

WHAT THEY WILL LEARN IN CLASS

Introduction to Computers
Learn how to start and turn off a computer. Learn to open and close programs, move the mouse, use a printer and experience the Internet.

Word Processing
Learn how to create a document, save a document, and print a document using Microsoft Word, a word processing program.

Internet
Learn how to use the Internet for fun and to find information.

Check your local library today!

Senior Citizen Discounts

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 03:17:00 +0000

We all know seniors receive a lot of discounts, but many seniors are finding it harder and harder to find these discounts advertised.

We got a tip that a handful of service companies are offering senior discounts of the popular classified site called Craigslist. To find if people are listing senior discounts simply pull up the section you are interested in and type in "senior", "senior citizen" or even "senior discount".

Good luck!

Senior Citizen Passport

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 14:52:00 +0000

Question: Passport for senior citizen?
How do I get a passport for a senior citizen who is 70 years old and does not have a birth certificate nor ration card nor voters card or any form of ID which depicts. Senior citizen is not literally qualified to show the same in mark list or school certificate.

Answer:
If you do NOT have a previous U.S. passport or a certified birth certificate, you will need: Letter of No Record Issued by the State with your name, date of birth, which years were searched for a birth record and that there is no birth certificate on file for you. AND as many of the following as possible: Baptismal certificate Hospital birth certificate Census record Early school record Family bible record Doctor's record of post-natal care NOTES: These documents must be early public records showing the date and place of birth, preferably created within the first five years of your life. You may also submit an Affidavit of Birth, form DS-10, from an older blood relative, i.e., a parent, aunt, uncle, sibling, who has personal knowledge of your birth. It must be notarized or have the seal and signature of the acceptance agent.

Please remember that the passport office is extremely backed up. Consider an extra 4-8 weeks for processing!

Being senior citizen is not easy to accept

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 12:29:00 +0000

by Ann Lowry
Herald Democrat

I had a new adventure. This week I went to a senior citizen’s social.

A new group is being formed in my community. I had turned down several invitations to join, but finally gave in out of curiousity. I try not to think of myself as a senior citizen, unless I am getting a discount at the movies or a restaurant. Then I am glad to be one.

So I made a big move and went. I really didn’t know what to expect, and was really surprised to find a lot of older people there. Right away, I decided that they were all too old for me. After all, what could I possibly have in common with these people?

They were all really nice. I found myself enjoying everything, and the refreshments were really good. We discussed a name for the group, but couldn’t decide on any of them because it made us sound too old — Knollwood Over the Hill Bunch, Knollwood Roundtable, Knollwood Nifties, ect. We decided to think about it for a week before we made a decision. Being seniors, we were in no hurry to make a big decision like that.

We then made Valentines to give to the people in the nursing home and played games.

I once had a friend that always said that even though her body was old, her mind was young. I was too young then to understand, but I now think I know what she meant.

When I got home, I passed the mirror. What do you think I saw? A senior citizen was looking back at me.

Officials caution seniors on Medicare Advantage plan

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 16:09:00 +0000

Wayne County Medicare beneficiaries, especially senior citizens, should exercise caution if they receive a call asking them to purchase a Medicare Advantage plan, local officials say.

Wayne County Services on Aging Director Yvonne McLamb said she received several calls recently from local residents receiving high-pressured sales calls concerning the purchase of Medicare Advantage, which includes health care plans, savings accounts and other medical services.

The sales calls are coming from about a dozen insurance companies that have announced their intention to sell these type of plans. The companies use aggressive marketing tactics that could mislead consumers, Mrs. McLamb said. North Carolina Department of Insurance Commissioner Jim Long has issued warnings across the state through the Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program that many Medicare beneficiaries are receiving bad financial advice from these salespeople, which causes some senior citizens to make a decision that is not in their best interest.

Mrs. McLamb said local residents have told her that a salesperson will make the offer sound so good that they will buy the plan. Once that person receives the Medicare Advantage plan paperwork, he or she might want to cancel, but the providers don't make that a simple option. Some individuals have also complained that they have been disenrolled from their Medicare Part A, Medicare Part B or employer retiree plans when they purchased a Medicare Advantage plan.

Medicare Advantage plans include Health Maintenance Organization (HMO), Participating Provider Option (PPO), Medicare Medical Savings Accounts and Private-Fee-for-Service products, but consumers should be warned that doctors and hospitals do not accept all Medicare Advantage plans. Also, Medigap or Medicare supplement policies do not coordinate with any Medicare Advantage plan, according to state Seniors' Health Insurance Information Pro-gram officials.

If a salesperson calls concerning the purchase of a Medicare Advantage plan, state officials and Mrs. McLamb said a senior citizen of any other Medicare beneficiary should not agree to an appointment without getting the salesperson's name, the name of his or her company, a phone number at which the person can be reached and the exact name of the plan the salesperson is trying to sell.

With that information, Mrs. McLamb said a person can call the local Seniors' Health Insurance Information Program office at 731-1591 and ask for either Mrs. McLamb or Anne Burnette to verify if that salesperson is a licensed agent.

If a senior citizen does choose to set up an appointment with a Medicare Advantage plan salesperson, Mrs. McLamb said she suggests taking a trusted friend or family member to help ask questions and take notes.

Source: Goldsboro News

Senior Financial Tips

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 16:06:00 +0000

Many people look forward to the “golden years” when they will be able to slow down, relax and enjoy what they have worked hard and long for. Unfortunately there is a problem that is growing in direct proportion to the growth of America's population of seniors. The problem is financial exploitation of senior citizens. Financial exploitation occurs when someone advises a senior citizen to make a financial decision based on threatsŠ pressureŠ or incomplete or misleading information. This results in decisions with their assets that are NOT in their best interest.

Seniors can be exploited by lots of people for lots of reasonsŠ not only in a criminal way, but by family and friends, too. Senior exploitation occurs due to a lack of information, because of isolation, because of their generosity, and because they want to remain independent. The AARP reports that seniors are the target of 40% of all financial scams. It is important to note that most financial abuse goes unreported.

Why are senior citizens the targets for financial scams? A few of the reasons are:

Unscrupulous people know that persons over the age of 50 control over 70 percent of the nation's wealth.

Many seniors live alone. They have limited contact with family, friends and members of social or religious organizations and that makes them particularly vulnerable to scams.

Isolation increases the potential for seniors to be exploited and lessens the possibility that no one will detect or report it.

Most seniors have not taken the time or expended the energy to do a good job of financial planning. A concern for many seniors also, is whether they will outlive their financial resources and that can make them susceptible to those who promise easy solutions and big returns.

Some tips seniors can use to protect themselves are:

Take your time - Don't be pressured into making a decision quickly. I recommend taking 24 to 48 hours to review your consideration before acting.

Be suspicious of anyone who promises you inflated returns on an investment.

Be sure to ask your advisor to be specific about any inherent risks in an investment.

Involve others (spouse, family, friend) - have the advisor explain to others what has been discussed with you.

Check out financial professionals to verify they have the licenses and designations they are listing and confirm that they are a member in good standing with those organizations.

Understand the nature of the investment - Ask questions, a lot of questions until you are comfortable with the investment and the advisor.

Monitor your account statements closely - if you do not understand your statement ask your advisor to go over it with you.

The most important tip is to have a plan. It is never too late to put together a financial plan. Proper Planning Produces Peaceful Prosperity.

Source: Valley Free Press

Cigarette Starts Fire At Senior Citizen Apartment Building

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 21:00:00 +0000

FREDERICK, Md. -- A smoldering cigarette is being blamed for a fire at a senior citizen apartment building in Frederick.

The state Fire Marshal's Office said hot embers from a 74-year-old woman's cigarette fell and lit paper on fire.

Some people had to be rescued from the Taney Village Apartments. Five people were hospitalized, and dozens were displaced.

Longevity Gene Also Protects Memory, Cognitive Function

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Tue, 26 Dec 2006 20:58:00 +0000

Those with gene variant twice as likely to have good brain function

December 26, 2006 - A gene variation that helps people live into their 90s and beyond also protects their memories and ability to think and learn new information, according to a study published in the December 26, 2006, issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

The gene variant alters the cholesterol particles in the blood, making them bigger than normal. Researchers believe that smaller particles can more easily lodge themselves in blood vessel linings, leading to the fatty buildup that can cause heart attacks and strokes.

The study examined 158 people of Ashkenazi, or Eastern European, Jewish descent, who were 95 years old or older. Those who had the gene variant were twice as likely to have good brain function compared to those who did not have the gene variant. The researchers also validated these findings in a group of 124 Ashkenazi Jews who were between age 75 and 85 and found similar results.

“It’s possible that this gene variant also protects against the development of Alzheimer’s disease,” said study author Nir Barzilai, MD, the director of the Institute for Aging Research at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY.

Barzilai noted that many studies have identified risk factors associated with developing age-related diseases. “But little effort has been made to identify the reasons for longevity in exceptionally old people, and why they don’t develop disease. In studying these centenarians, we hope to learn what factors lessen their risk for diseases that affect the general population at a much younger age. Our results bring us a step closer to understanding the role that genes play in longevity.”

Work is being done to develop drugs that can mimic the effect of this gene variation, Barzilai said.

Approximately one in 10,000 people in the general population lives to the age of 100.

The study was supported by grants from the Einstein Aging Study, the Paul Beeson Physician Faculty Scholar in Aging Award, the Ellison Medical Foundation Senior Scholar Award, the National Institutes of Health, the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and the Baltimore VA Geriatric Research and Education Clinical Center.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 20,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving patient care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, epilepsy, Parkinson disease, and multiple sclerosis.

For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit http://www.aan.com.

Senior Citizen Dating Joke

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Mon, 25 Dec 2006 21:03:00 +0000

Senior Citizen Dating

Dorothy and Edna, two "senior" widows, get together for their regular weekly tea date.

Dorothy is always asked Edna advice. "That nice George Johnson asked me out for a date," she says. "I know you went out with him a few times, and I wanted to talk with you about him before I give him my answer."

"Well, I'll tell you the honest truth," Edna answers. "He shows up at my apartment punctually at 7 P.M., dressed like such a gentleman in a fine suit, and he brings me such beautiful flowers! Then he takes me downstairs, and what's there but a luxury car... a limousine, uniformed chauffeur and all. Then he takes me out for dinner... a marvelous dinner... lobster, champagne, dessert, and after-dinner drinks. Then we go see a show. Let me tell you, Dorothy, I enjoyed it so much I could have just died from pleasure! So then we are coming back to my apartment and he turns into an ANIMAL! Completely crazy, he tears off my expensive new dress and has his way with me -- two times!"

"Goodness gracious!" Dorothy says. "So you are telling me I shouldn't go out with him?"

"No, no, no," Edna replies. "I'm just saying, wear an old dress!"

Merry Christmas from RTG Consultants!

CMH rehab services promoting healthier senior lifestyles

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 21:01:00 +0000

Exercise. It's something we all need but don't do enough, especially when we graduate to senior citizen status or have health conditions that make physical activity more challenging.

CMH Regional Health System's Rehabilitation Services staff understands and works with residents in the CMH service area in a variety of ways to promote healthy activity.

"Our exercise classes provide benefits even beyond better physical health," says CMH physical therapist Brent Robinson. "People find a source of social support, a place to share experiences with others who have the same goals, the same problems."

Rehabilitation Services manager Carolyn Koynock is finishing the second phase of a program aimed at healthier senior citizens.

"A member of our Wilmington Senior Citizens Center first approached us," Koynock says. "She asked our help in applying for a grant through a federal program called the National Blueprint. The objective was to promote activity for people 50 years and older. Our plan had to address ways to increase strength, flexibility, endurance (cardiovascular exercise), and balance - all essential to staying healthy and active."

Koynock saw this as a great opportunity to work with the community outside the walls of Clinton Memorial Hospital, base for CMH Inpatient Rehabilitation, and the CMH Rombach Health Center, base for CMH Outpatient Rehabilitation. The program required collaboration among different organizations and across county lines. "And it had to be a program that could continue beyond the life of the grant," Koynock says.

As a member of the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), Koynock called on a network of professionals for help and used an APTA program as the basis for the grant proposal. CMH Rehabilitation Services is doing or has done programs at senior citizen centers in Wilmington, New Vienna, Sabina and Lebanon.

A series of four weekly one-hour classes are held, led by CMH physical therapists Donna Snyder and Jennifer Jensen, and athletic trainers Mindy Smith and Kelli Veidt. To ensure continuation of the program, the CMH team videotaped the exercises, created a manual with color photos and details of the program, and established a point person at each center to keep the classes going.

"Each series begins with participants establishing fitness goals for themselves," Koynock says. "It might just be walk down the driveway to get the newspaper without feeling tired or winded. We feel it's important that seniors determine why they need to exercise and how it will help their lives."

Each participant must have approval from his or her physician.

They call the program "Maximize Your Exercise, Maximize Your Life." The program has been a measurable success. "We had a great turnout for our January-February classes in Clinton County - 30 to start our first class and 47 when we offered the class again," Koynock says.

CMH's expertise in physical therapy helped overcome physical barriers that might have excluded some participants, such as developing activities for wheelchair bound seniors. The result was that everyone who wanted to participate could benefit from the exercise program.

"It's amazing how increasing someone's stamina, strength or balance can change their lives," Koynock says. "It can prevent falls that break hips or allow someone to continue to live alone. The program is a great way to share our expertise with community."

Stock Broker Defrauded Senior Citizens

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Sat, 11 Nov 2006 21:02:00 +0000

MANHATTAN--Former stock broker Kevin O. Kelley has been sentenced in Manhattan federal court to 170 months in prison for defrauding his senior citizen clients of approximately $4.2 million over the period 1999 through 2004.

In imposing sentence, U.S. District Chief Judge Kimba M. Wood called Kelley's crimes "egregious" and said that Kelley's conduct required a "substantial sentence" and that he "targeted weak people who had money he could use to feed a luxurious lifestyle."

The judge said that Kelley had "spent years brazenly conning clients whom he knew were vulnerable. Even to this day, he appears callous and lacking in remorse." Kelley had "misappropriated" funds that his clients had intended to use for their "old age and medical care."

On June 7, Kelley was convicted by a jury on all counts with which he was charged, four counts of securities fraud and three counts of wire fraud. According to the evidence presented at trial, Kelley defrauded investors in four separate investments.

In two of the schemes, Kelley claimed to sell investors stock in two private companies, E-Tel, Inc. and AusAm Biotech, Inc. but instead stole the investors' funds and used them for his personal benefit, including to help support his lavish lifestyle in Greenwich, Conn. In a third scheme, Kelley sold securities in a partnership called First Venture Leasing in which he owned a controlling interest, without disclosing his personal ownership and involvement in that company.

In the fourth scheme, Kelley bought investors stock in a publicly traded company, Coyote Network Systems, without authorization from the clients, and without disclosing that his consulting firm had entered into an agreement to provide consulting services in return for significant quantities of stock if the stock price increased to certain designated levels.

The evidence showed that Kelley perpetrated these schemes by providing investors with false account statements that misled them about the true value of their investments in E-Tel, AusAm and FVL. For example, despite the fact that E-Tel had ceased to function, in 2004 Kelley sent to his clients bogus account statements representing that their investments were worth tens of thousands of dollars. Kelley also distributed account statements which reflected his clients' investments in AusAm to be worth tens of thousands of dollars when, in fact, he had not invested any of their funds into the company.

The evidence at trial also showed that Kelley targeted his senior citizen clients in his schemes. Kelley, 50, has been detained without bail since his conviction, based, in part, on Judge Wood's determination that Kelley had committed perjury at trial by denying his criminal conduct and had shown a propensity to defraud others for his own pecuniary gain. 11-11-06

Medicare Open Enrollment

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 15:14:00 +0000

By Jennifer Fullerton

It's almost time once again for open enrollment in the Medicare prescription drug plan. Even those already enrolled have some new information to think about. Prices for the various prescription drug plans are going up. If you're changing your drug plan or enrolling for the first time you need to do so between November 15th and December 31st.

The longer an eligible person waits to enroll the more expensive every plan becomes. "It's one percent per month for every month that you didn't enroll when you were first eligible." says Lisa Hietala from Senior Insurance Assistance.

The new prices for various plans is taking place on January first and for some plans will be quite significant. "We've see the lower plan in our area which was Humana offered the least expensive plan go from $8.62 to $16.60 a month." says Hietala.

The drugs covered under various plans may change as well. Reading the information sent to you from your specific plan will tell you what changes will kick in. While the plans and process may seem a bit confusing, they are helping most. "People that have high ticket drugs or that have a lot of drug expenses each month they're seeing a huge difference in their costs." says Hietalt.

So remember if you don't enroll or change your plan between November 15th and December 31st you'll have to wait an entire year before there's another chance. To find information on which plan is best for you and how plans are changing visit the Medicare web site or call 1-800-medicare which has people there to help you 24 hours a day... seven days a week.

Source: KRDO

The gene variant alters the cholesterol particles in the blood, making them bigger than normal. Researchers believe that smaller particles can more ea

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Wed, 11 Oct 2006 19:59:00 +0000

High BMI, low physical-activity equals estrogen 50% to 100% higher

October 9, 2006 - Postmenopausal women who want to significantly decrease their breast-cancer risk would be wise to exercise regularly and keep their weight within a normal range for their height, according to new findings from the Women's Health Initiative to be published in the journal Obesity.

The multicenter team of researchers, led by Anne McTiernan, M.D., Ph.D., of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, found that women who had the lowest body-mass index, or BMI, and the highest physical-activity levels had the lowest levels of circulating estrogens, sex hormones that can fuel breast-cancer growth.

Specifically, they found a significant decrease in the two most common, biologically active forms of estrogen, estrone and estradiol, among the most active, lean women studied. The researchers found that women with high BMI and low physical-activity had mean estrogen concentrations that were 50 percent to 100 percent higher than that of women with low BMI and high activity levels.

"Women with high levels of estrogens have a two-to-four-times-higher risk of breast cancer than women with very low levels," said McTiernan, a member of the Hutchinson Center's Public Health Sciences Division and co-investigator of the Women's Health Initiative Clinical Coordinating Center, which is based at the Center. "If a woman can keep her own natural estrogens lower after menopause, it is probably going to be beneficial in terms of reducing her risk of breast cancer."

The study, based on a random sample of 267 postmenopausal women nationwide selected from the WHI Dietary Modification Trial, is the first of its kind to examine the dual impact of body weight and physical activity on levels of various circulating sex hormones thought to impact cancer risk.

"Other studies have looked at the impact of body weight by itself or physical activity by itself but this is the first to look at both together regarding their influence on hormone levels," McTiernan said. "This gives us a new understanding that combining weight control with high levels of physical activity is necessary for keeping estrogens at a healthy level in postmenopausal women." Exercising vigorously for 30 to 60 minutes a day, five days a week would achieve this benefit, McTiernan said.

Editor's Notes:

BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight. The World Health Organization divides BMI into the following categories for both men and women: underweight (18.5 or lower), normal (18.5 to 24.9), overweight (25 to 29.9) and obese (30 or greater). A BMI calculator is available - click here.

The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, funded the study, which also involved investigators from Harbor-UCLA Research and Education Institute, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, University of Florida, University of Southern California and Northwestern University.

At Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, our interdisciplinary teams of world-renowned scientists and humanitarians work together to prevent, diagnose and treat cancer, HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Our researchers, including three Nobel laureates, bring a relentless pursuit and passion for health, knowledge and hope to their work and to the world. For more information, please visit fhcrc.org.

Senior Insurance Scam

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Fri, 06 Oct 2006 15:07:00 +0000

Ohio Former Agent Pleads Guilty to $70,000 Senior Insurance Scam

October 6, 2006

The Ohio Department of Insurance announced that its investigation has led to the guilty plea of former insurance agent James Moneypenny of Seville, Ohio.

Moneypenny, who pleaded guilty to insurance fraud, money laundering and securing writings by deception, defrauded an elderly couple of more than $70,000 in an annuities scam. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 10 in the Medina County Court of Common Pleas. The Department revoked Moneypenny's insurance agent license on November 2, 2005.

After Moneypenny sold annuities to the couple, he told them the annuities had become profitable and convinced them to invest more money. Moneypenny presented the couple with a check, which they thought represented investment profits, but which was instead their investment principal. Moneypenny obtained the money by partially surrendering the policies without the couple's knowledge. In addition, the couple wrote an investment check to put more money into annuities that Moneypenny instead used for his personal gain. A full reimbursement of more than $70,000 has been made to the couple

Source: Ohio Department of Insurance

Like a brand new knee

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 13:41:00 +0000

Osteoarthritis of knees affects predominantly the senior citizen age group. Total knee replacement is a permanent solution to the aged suffering to provide permanent pain relief. The elderly become pain free and the quality of life improves. However, there has been a universal complaint that the majority of implants available in India, including in Chennai, do not allow more than 100 degrees of knee bending even when used with navigational aid as the implant is not designed to provide this extra bend. They may have difficulty in climbing stairs, using Indian-style toilets and squatting on the floor. This is a great disadvantage to a majority of south Indians who prefer to squat on the floor for prayer, social activities and meals. Therefore, many persons refrained from undergoing the surgery and suffer in silence.

Now, with the advent of a new type of prosthesis, this need not deter people from having a knee replacement. A new prosthesis allows knee bending up to 155 degrees, points out Dr A K Venkatachalam, consultant orthopaedic surgeon. The patient has to be motivated to regain high knee flexion and participate in early and aggressive physiotherapy. They should not be obese and the pre-operative knee bend should be above 90 degrees. This prosthesis is implanted by special instrumentation which is minimally invasive and does not damage the tissues. Hence, post-operative pain is less and rehabilitation is faster.

High flexion knee prosthesis - Special knee implants are now available which provide more flexion or bending at the knee to suit Indian, and South Asian habits of kneeling for prayer, or sitting cross-legged on the ground for meals or social purposes. Muslims in particular need this to offer prayers. Japanese customs also require high knee flexion. Even Westerners have begun to appreciate the benefits of high flexion knee prosthesis as they can pursue hobbies like gardening and are also gratified for the ability to take up recreational activities.

Dr Venkatachalam recently performed the operation on a 65-year-old Muslim doctor from Lucknow, at Venkateswara Hospital, Nandanam, in Chennai. This is the first time in Chennai and Tamil Nadu that the high flexion knee prosthesis has been implanted with new advanced instrumentation.

Source: PR/AP

Getting rolling on river plans (Senior Citizen Apartment Complex)

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 13:39:00 +0000

By ANDREW NELSON, Telegraph Staff
nelsona@telegraph-nh.com

NASHUA – The future of the Nashua River and its role in downtown life is on the menu for a two-day workshop later this week.

Folks who live and play downtown can brainstorm about possibilities from riverfront parks and a boathouse to neighborhood connections to the river.

“All of that should be part of the discussion,” said Community Development Director Kathy Hersh.

Urban planners are hosting two days of brainstorming, called a charrette, Friday and Saturday, concluding with a presentation to spotlight the ideas. The sessions are Friday from 3-4:30 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., and Saturday from 3-5 p.m., all at the Hunt Memorial Building.

The community development division and Plan NH are doing the work that will end up being a guidebook for future development of the area.

Participants may come and go as their schedules allow, adding their contributions at any time, Hersh said.

In 2003, the city-adopted downtown master plan noted that parks along the Nashua River would become the city’s most valuable investments. The master plan envisioned a playfield, an outdoor amphitheater and other amenities near the Front Street riverbank, with the proposed Nashua Heritage and Innovation Center on the south side of the river.

A master plan acts as a blueprint for a community’s future. City administrators, businesses and real estate developers use it to make development decisions.

In stages, some of the projects are under way. A new 43-unit senior citizen apartment complex and a new Senior Activities Center are scheduled to be finished by next fall. A $1.3 million walkway along the north bank of the Nashua River is being constructed.

Hersh said the goal is to put details behind the general concepts outlined in the master plan, from the type of material best used for a walking path to whether the amenities along the river walk should reflect the neighborhood’s history.

Source: Nashua Telegraph

State Medicare changes explained for seniors at Lincoln Square Mall

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Mon, 19 Sep 2005 13:38:00 +0000

By Teresa A. Sewell
Published: Monday, September 19, 2005

The "Illinois Cares Rx Caravan" came to Urbana Saturday to talk to senior citizens about changes in Medicare policies.

The informational fair is a part of a statewide effort to introduce and explain the improvements Gov. Rod Blagojevich made to prescription drug coverage. Administrators set up information tables Saturday morning at Lincoln Square Mall, where senior citizens could ask questions about the changes that will start Oct. 1.

Bryan Padget, the outreach coordinator of the Illinois Senior Health Insurance Program, said the program is attempting to educate the crowd on Blagojevich's new medical policy where "no senior citizen or person with disabilities gets left behind."

The new plan is available for all people with Medicare. It now covers both brand name and generic prescription drugs and offers extra help for those who have low income, Padget said.

Padget said the Caravan is going to hit every major Illinois area, so senior citizens can better understand the changes and its benefits.

The more information given the better because health insurance is very complex and always changing, said Martha Paap, a senior program coordinator of the Senior Health Insurance Program at Provena Covenant Medical Center.

Paap said there are some senior citizens who are too sick to comprehend the details of health care and have no one to explain it to them.

In addition to this informational fair, Provena has trained advocates who can assist in such matters, as well as provide one-on-one counseling, make house visits and help in billing issues, said Paap.

"They need (the assistance) desperately," she said.

Christie Huth, of Champaign, said she came to the forum to get information for her mother, who was concerned that the changes would limit the number of pharmacies where she could get her medication.

Huth said although she has learned that the pharmacies will not be affected, she is disappointed that the new system operates under individual companies, instead of just Medicare.

She said her mother now has to choose a plan, which may involve paperwork that could be too overwhelming and confusing for an 80-year-old woman.

At the fair, there was also the discussion of being penalized monetarily if not enrolling in the program as soon as a person is eligible to do so.

Byron Miller, of Urbana, said he is glad to be warned about the penalty, but still does not completely understand the new plan after watching the presentation.

"It was somewhat a lot of information in a short time," Miller said.

Colleen Berman, of Urbana, said the whole change is creating anxiety for her parents because there is so much pressure to make a decision, but the process to choose different plans, costs and procedures is so complicated.

"Options are good, but it almost seems like there's too many," Berman said.

The Illinois Office of Attorney General also had a table at the fair to inform the citizens about potential insurance fraud.

Micah Roderick, program specialist of the Attorney General's office, told the crowd to pay attention to charges on their bills and to not give any personal information to marketing companies.

Roderick said some marketing companies have begun selling new insurance plans before the Oct. 1 start date, as well as accepting payments before the Nov. 15 date set by the government.

"When new plans come out, the criminals come out as well," Roderick said.

Illinois Cares is a unique program that no other state is doing, said Padget. He said there would be more local town hall meetings to answer all concerns.

"I hope that everyone here leaves with better understanding and knowing there are people in this community to help in this process," Padget said. "They are not alone."

Source: Daily Illini

Listen to elders

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 18:37:00 +0000

By Ivan Arceneaux
Correspondent

Published September 19, 2005
Today, I challenge all Galveston County residents, young and old, to restore Older Texans to the respected place in America’s social structure that senior citizens deserve.

In many other cultures, those living longer than others are held in higher esteem for their age and wisdom.

As “the elders,” they are honored at the table of the counselors of the community. Their counsel is so well sought after that history reveres it as the “wisdom of the ages.”

Regretfully, modern American culture sometimes treats mature adults as senile old fogies afflicted with “senior moments” and susceptible to “old timers” disease. Or worse, as greedy geezers. Elders are treated worse than children — to be neither seen nor heard.

As a proud part of the Greatest Generation, I strongly and sincerely urge restoring our rightful place in today’s society. For example, when FEMA decided that a cruise ship could provide the best shelter for elderly evacuees, the seniors nixed the idea.

A society respectful of its elders would counsel and consult beforehand with those affected by such decisions. I call for every city and elected political entity to appoint immediately an advisory committee of older citizens whose objective is to bring the advice and wisdom of the ages to bear on all matters that affect senior citizens.

For example, the city of Galveston’s Mayor’s Committee on Elderly and Handicapped must be reactivated immediately. It died within the past year from lack of interest caused by a failure to listen to its advice.

When advice is not heard, it stops being offered. Every other city must create a similar committee to advise its city council.

The Texas Silver-Haired Legislature already has a model for county governments. TSHL Resolution 43 calls for allowing the Galveston County Commissioners Court to establish a County Senior Citizens Adviser’s Office.

The TSHL envisions this adviser as being a combination of the role of the local congressman’s office facilitating seniors through the maze of important business at the county courthouse and that of an ombudsman.

Personally, I envision a more active advocacy role similar to the city’s advisory committee such as an ad hoc committee that currently serves the County’s Park and Senior Services Department.

This challenge must open up the discussion for seniors throughout the county to dialog with their elected officials for a more active participation in city and county affairs.

Furthermore, TSHL Resolution 23 proposed a review and comment on the EMS plans, procedures and emergency shelter provisions for the elderly and disabled to be performed by a senior citizens approved organization.

The purpose is to ensure the health and welfare of these vulnerable populations in the event of any and all natural and manmade disasters.

Although Resolution 23 failed to pass in the biennial session of the Texas Legislature, hurricane safety must be addressed immediately to protect the life and wellbeing of older and all Texans.

Ivan Arceneaux is a Galveston County senior citizen activist and writes a weekly column. He can be reached at ivancat(at)sbcglobal.net.

Senior Citizen Drug Abuse Rising

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 18:34:00 +0000

Admissions for substance abuse treatment increased by 32 percent among older adults over the eight-year period 1995-2002, concludes a new study released today by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).

The report, "Older Adults in Substance Abuse Treatment: Update," found that the percent of older adults with opiates as their primary substance of abuse increased from 6.8 percent to 12 percent in this time period. Opiates include prescription pain medications and heroin. Opiates are the second most frequent reason for treatment admissions among older adults, after alcohol.

To counter the upward trend in the abuse of opiates, SAMHSA and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are sponsoring new advertisements to encourage older adults to "Do The Right Dose" when using prescription pain relievers.

"We are only beginning to realize the pervasiveness of substance abuse among older adults," SAMHSA Administrator Charles Curie said. "We have made older adults a priority at SAMHSA and we are working to advance understanding of the relationship between aging and substance abuse, and to provide practical information for incorporating our understanding into treatment services. Through the materials we are releasing today, we are reaching out now to older adults to warn them that prescription pain relievers are safe and effective when used correctly, but could lead to abuse and addiction if misused."

"FDA collaborated with SAMHSA to develop these public education materials because our agencies have a shared goal to communicate accurate health information on the proper use of prescription pain medications," said FDA Deputy Commissioner for Operations Dr. Janet Woodcock. "While SAMHSA's data indicate significant growth in opiate abuse, we are just as concerned about those cases of addiction to pain medications that go underdiagnosed. We want to send a clear message to older adults that emphasizes the need to take pain relievers as directed."

The "Do The Right Dose" campaign includes two print ads, one television public service announcement, 2 radio public service announcements, two posters, and an update of SAMHSA's brochure "As You Age." The campaign will strive to educate older adults that prescription pain medications are safe and effective when used correctly, but if misused, could lead to addiction or other problems.

Alcohol is still the primary substance of abuse among older adults, but the proportion of older admissions reporting alcohol as their primary substance declined from 86.5 percent in 1995 to 77.5 percent in 2002. Drug admissions among those ages 55 and older increased by 106 percent for men and 119 percent for women between
1995 and 2002.

The "Do The Right Dose" campaign also has the support of the Administration on Aging, which works to warn older adults that medicine must be taken appropriately and dosages cannot be altered by patients without consequences.

"The Administration on Aging (aoa) is proud of its collaboration with other federal agencies such as SAMHSA and FDA to help in providing older Americans with key
information that will help them in their fight against substance abuse," said Assistant Secretary Josefina G. Carbonell. "Educating older Americans about management of prescription drugs is a critical component in lowering substance abuse among our elders."

SAMHSA, a public health agency within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the lead federal agency for improving the quality and availability of substance abuse prevention, addiction treatment and mental health services in the United States.

Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police. He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. He writes for many police and crime magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer, Campus Law Enforcement Journal, and others. He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, mclaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com, Booksamillion.com, and can be ordered at local bookstores.

Police charge woman, son with theft involving charity

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 17:33:00 +0000

By the Associated Press

BATAVIA | A woman and her son have been charged with theft after a 14-month investigation into their business that sold instant lottery and bingo tickets and was supposed to provide money to help senior citizens, authorities said.

Betty Lemberg Gaddie, 63, of Milford, and Robert Lemberg, 40, of Miami Township, spent $750,000 that was supposed to go to their nonprofit organization, Seniors Helping Seniors, Miami Township police said Friday. The money was used instead to open a strip club, buy jewelry and dinners and pay for Florida trips, police said.

The mother and son each were charged with aggravated theft and engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity. Lemberg remained in the Clermont County jail Saturday. Gaddie was out on bond.

"There is no record of any of the money going to help a senior citizen," township Detective Bill Paul said. "All the checks were written for their own benefit."

The charity was set up by Gaddie and her late husband in the 1980s. The missing money was misspent from the mid-1980s through 2004, police said.

The $750,000 came from the sale of instant lottery tickets and bingo cards at the family's store, police said.

Gaddie has denied the allegations. The charity lent medical equipment and beds to seniors in need and provided transportation to the Senior Olympics, among other things, she said.

"They are coming back on me with these types of charges when never anything come up in all these years," she said. "We never had any questions of anything."

There was no answer Saturday to calls to Gaddie's home seeking further comment.

Surprise! Corn cobs, coffee, and Corzine

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 13:31:00 +0000

Gubernatorial candidate is unexpected guest at annual senior picnic

Last week's 11th annual senior citizen picnic drew an all-time high turnout of over 1,000 attendees. It was a fun day for all, especially with the arrival of unexpected victor - Sen. Jon Corzine, who is on the campaign trail to become New Jersey's next governor.

"I didn't know he was coming today," said Mayor and State Sen. Nicholas Sacco, who started the tradition back during his first term. "I thought he would be too busy to make an appearance here, but Senator Corzine went out of his way to come here. I was very honored to have him. I think the seniors are happy he's here, too."

Corzine spoke briefly to the seniors and made political promises.

"Every time I come to North Bergen, it's always a happy place," Corzine said. "The place is always packed and everyone is having a good time. You [seniors] built this society. You're the ones who helped us all to have a wonderful life. I'm going to work so that you can have an affordable prescription drug plan, to have health insurance that isn't making you crazy with HMOs. I'm going to serve you."

Sacco echoed the sentiments of the gubernatorial candidate, who will face Republican Doug Forrester in November's election.

"You're the ones who fought in wars, struggled through the Great Depression," Sacco said. "This country is good because of you. This day is our way of saying 'thank you' to you."

When Sacco finished speaking, the music blared loudly again. Seniors hit the dance floor and munched on lunch. They sipped wine, beer and soda and laughed. Some of them hadn't seen each other since last year's picnic.

"I get to see familiar faces from North Bergen that I hadn't seen in a long while," said lifelong North Bergen resident Eleanor Cernek, proud to tell everyone she's 82 years old. "It's a wonderful day. I'm 82 and like to keep going. It's a fun day and everything is for free. It's marvelous. You can't beat it."

John Sanzari, a resident of North Bergen for the last 58 years, agreed.

"It's really a good tribute to the senior citizens," said Sanzari, who raised two sons to become North Bergen police officers. "It's good, because it keeps the seniors informed of what's going on in town and it's good for the town to appreciate what seniors do for the town. The town really does some good things for us all year, but I think this is great. I see people I don't normally see. I come every year and I will for as long as I can make it."

All-weather event

Sacco likes the idea that all the township's seniors come together for this one day.

"You get all the different senior groups from all over together here at one time," Sacco said. "We advertise it, send fliers out and even provide the transportation. It's become a good community event. The seniors deserve it." A few years ago, the picnic was brought indoors to the main ballroom at Schuetzen Park because changing weather every year had caused some problems.

Now, each year, the seniors are treated to a free lunch of hot dogs, corn on the cob, coffee cake and coffee without worrying about the weather.

"It's become very successful ever since," Sacco said.

©The Hudson Reporter 2005

New Medicare drug plan crucial to Big Pharma

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Sun, 18 Sep 2005 13:24:00 +0000

How much profit is involved depends on whom you ask.

By Thomas Ginsberg
Inquirer Staff Writer

With time dwindling before launch of the new federal prescription-drug program, one weighty question looms: How much profit will flow to the drug industry itself?

The answer ranges from $139 billion, according to critics of the industry, to a tiny fraction of that amount, say Wall Street boosters eager to see it succeed. As with other political hot buttons, it depends on whom you ask.

The figure is no mere curiosity. Medicare profit will be crucial to Big Pharma. If many of the 43 million eligible Americans sign up during the coming year, the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit may reshape the whole business of drug development and marketing, buoy sagging stock prices, and affect thousands of local jobs.

But if people do not sign up or if premiums rise sharply, pharmaceutical profit may become a red flag again for patients and politicians looking to control costs. The industry managed to block price controls when the program was designed in 2003.

"As Medicare becomes an increasingly larger part of the budget, I don't see how that doesn't create pressure for greater management of prices," said Marc Benoff, Medicare expert at Cambridge Pharma Consultancy, a unit of IMS Health, an industry-monitoring firm.

The Bush administration's program, also known as Medicare Part D, is meant to make medicines available at a lower cost to more patients, particularly senior citizens and low-income and disabled Americans, starting Jan. 1. It is expected to cost the government $724 billion over the next 10 years.

Hoping for a large chunk of that money, drug companies in the last year have been negotiating with insurers over the price and placement of drugs on the list of reimbursable medications, or formulary, to be finalized this month. The companies are devising sales strategies and conducting media campaigns to get people to sign up.

As many as 13 million low-income and senior-citizen patients may be obligated to enroll by June, paying average annual premiums of $32.20 a month. But success depends on signing up many more premium-paying patients.

"All of Big Pharma has a major incentive in making sure enrollment is large," said Richard Stefanacci, executive director of the Health Policy Institute at Philadelphia's University of the Sciences.

In recent months, industry analysts and consultants have begun issuing reports saying Medicare may raise drug sales next year only modestly, by 1 percent to 4 percent - from $2 billion to $9 billion - or less. Actual industrywide profit hovers around 20 percent of revenue, meaning Medicare could increase profit by just $400 million to $1.8 billion, according to the investment banking firm Friedman Billings Ramsey.

The reason, they say, is that pharmaceutical companies must grant big discounts to insurers to get on the lists of medicines that they will cover. Average discounts off retail price eventually could top 20 percent, compared with 15 percent currently for commercial insurers, one analyst predicted. People also may be slow to sign up.

"It looks like business as usual in 2006," said Jack Rodgers, a health economist at PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P. and co-author of an industry-funded report on the impact of the Medicare changes. "We might see more changes in 2007-08."

Companies most likely to see a windfall, at least initially, are makers of generic drugs and certain branded medications for needy or elderly patients - the beneficiaries covered by Medicaid, the state-run program for low-income patients, who will be automatically switched to Medicare, analysts said.

At least four companies in the Philadelphia area may see such a boost: Merck & Co. Inc., which makes the osteoporosis drug Fosamax; AstraZeneca P.L.C., maker of the antipsychotic drug Seroquel; Wyeth, maker of the antidepressant Effexor; and generic drugmaker Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.

But many companies are gearing up. Germany-based Merck KGaA has expanded its generic business to tap the Medicare market. New York-based Pfizer Inc. is redrawing its national marketing regions to match Medicare's insurance zones. Valley Forge-based distributor AmerisourceBergen Corp. said its 34 distribution centers were prepared for additional inventory.

Friedman Billings Ramsey said it figured Medicare could boost revenue by $20 billion and earnings by $4 billion over the next 10 years for the industry, which last year had about $34 billion in profit on $235.6 billion in sales, according to Fortune magazine.

"Managing the drug benefit properly could stave off future price intervention by the federal government," the report said.

Industry critics, however, said drug companies stood to gain tens of billions of dollars as long as the government was barred from dictating lower prices.

A 2003 Boston University report, updated last year, asserted that drug companies would boost annual profit by roughly 38 percent, or $17 billion, over profit that otherwise would have been $45 billion per year. Over an eight-year period, it said, profit would total an additional $139 billion.

The researchers said most drugmakers would cut prices only modestly, if at all, under pressure from individual insurance plans.

"To rely on consumerism to hold down prices is to put a transparent fig leaf over an invitation to pillage and plunder the American patients," said Alan Sager, a director of Boston University's Health Reform Program and co-author of the study.

Drug companies, until now, have mostly avoided public speculation, acutely aware of the public's already dim view of their motives as measured by opinion polls. Pfizer and Teva declined requests for interviews.

"The impact of the benefit on us will depend on the amount of enrollment and the types of [insurance] formularies used," David Brennan, newly appointed chief executive of AstraZeneca, said in a recent conference call with reporters. "All that said, the potential exists for this to be good for AstraZeneca."

What to Know About Medicare

More than 43 million people will become eligible Nov. 15 for government pharmaceutical insurance who currently have no or limited coverage. Coverage will be offered through a new Medicare drug plan.

Who is covered. Anybody who is eligible for Medicare or Medicaid. It will be voluntary for most people, but mandatory for roughly 6.4 million current beneficiaries who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare because of age, income or disability. They are obligated to enroll and may be penalized if they do not.

Standard coverage. Average monthly premium will be $32.20; deductible of up to $250; co-pay 25 percent on charges up to $2,250; co-pay 100 percent on charges $2,251 to $5,100; co-pay 5 percent on charges $5,101 and higher.

Dual-eligible coverage. Monthly premium zero for people earning less than 135 percent of federal poverty line; co-pay $1 to $3 per prescription with no co-pays after drug spending reaches $5,100.

Timetable

Late September. Government will announce names of the insurers (managed-care and pharmaceutical-benefit managers) that won bids to sell the Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit by region next year.

Oct. 1. The managed-care and pharmaceutical plans can begin advertising and marketing to beneficiaries by region.

Nov. 15. Six-week period begins for beneficiaries to select an insurer and enroll in a prescription drug plan, or PDP.

Jan 1. Government launches the program and begins assigning unenrolled Medicare beneficiaries to a PDP. Individuals can still sign up or modify their PDP choice.

May 15. Deadline for all current Medicare beneficiaries to be enrolled in a PDP or face a possible penalty.

SOURCES: Medicare, Kaiser Family Foundation

Read more about the Medicare Part D program at: http://go.philly.com/partd

Macomb reaches out to protect the elderly

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Fri, 16 Sep 2005 17:58:00 +0000

With special programs, county agencies and police officers are attuned to the needs of senior citizens.

By Edward L. Cardenas / The Detroit News

CLINTON TOWNSHIP -- The graying of Macomb County has prompted law enforcement and service agencies to adapt to the needs of older residents.

From collecting used cellular phones that will be given to senior citizens for emergency calls to a special training academy sponsored by the sheriff's office, efforts are being made to protect the more than 108,000 county residents 65 and older.

That represents about 14 percent of the county's population, according to the 2000 census.

That number is expected to grow to 232,534, or about 25 percent of the population, by 2030, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments estimates.

"The county is becoming increasingly aware of the needs of seniors," said Karen Bisdorf, interim director of the Macomb County Department of Senior Citizen Services.

The department is offering training to police agencies so officers can interact better with elderly residents who may have dementia, an umbrella term for the loss of mental function of the brain such as language, memory, judgment and personality.

Some forms of dementia are caused by specific diseases, such as Alzheimer's. Others are simply associated with aging.

"(Those with dementia) can't cope in today's environment," said Kathryn Ann Kozlinski of the Macomb County Adult Day Services, which conducts the seminars.

Nearly 1,000 officers have taken part in the training, which gives them an overview of dementia and how some traffic violations or actions by seniors may indicate that individuals are suffering from the disease.

For example, police may spot drivers who are weaving, making improper turns and running red lights -- violations that might at first seem like someone driving under the influence.

Kozlinski said officers might encounter dementia patients who unintentionally walk out of the stores with merchandise and those who report a home invasion when they've unintentionally misplaced something.

After officers learned to identify individuals with dementia, they were taught ways to communicate with them.

Among the tips are to approach the person with respect, maintain eye contact and establish some type of rapport.

Officers further learned about ways they could fill out a report to have a county agency intervene and help families of dementia patients.

St. Clair Shores Police Chief Frank Troester knows firsthand about the challenges.

He has an uncle with dementia who got disoriented while he was out getting coffee. He was gone for nearly 14 hours before he was found.

In a community in which 22 percent of the population is composed of senior citizens -- one of the highest percentages in Macomb County -- the training was needed, Troester said.

"This is quality training tailored to our community," he said.

"We have a lot of seniors and we need to take on the concerns of all the residents."

Country Place awaits gate

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Thu, 15 Sep 2005 18:14:00 +0000

Residents of County Place are awaiting installation of a gate on County Road 106-C, after the action was approved by county commissioners this summer.

Charles Mills, Director of Security for Country Place, said that the gate will allow Country Place to control the traffic coming through the community, hopefully cutting down on crime. He said this will permit a record of every vehicle that enters the neighborhood.

"We have had very little crime," Mills said. "But with the gate, hopefully we will have even less."

County Place is a retirement community for people age 55 or older, with no one under the age of 18 allowed to live permanently in the subdivision. There are 659 homes is Country Place, most of which are one-story homes, garden homes, or villas. The exterior maintenance is provided, and members pay monthly dues to cover the costs.
Federal law allows senior citizen communities to limit access to public roads. Residents of Country Place will be responsible for maintenance on the gate and will be responsible for any damages done by the gate. The county will be responsible for maintaining the road itself.

It is estimated that maintenance on the road will be minimal because it is a concrete road and the city usually has little maintenance on concrete.
Some have voiced concerns about the gate on a county road setting a precedent. There are other gated communities in Pearland, but they all do their own maintenance on the roads and gates. But, none of those are communities for those 55 or older.
In a meeting of the Commissioner's Court, it was decided that since Country Place was a neighborhood that "furnishes housing for older persons," they were exempt from some standards set forth in the Federal Fair Housing Act.
Approval of the gate was granted on July 12.

There are certain requirements that must be met in order for the gate to be placed. The gate must be ten feet wide, not cause any unnecessary delays for emergency personnel who wish to enter the neighborhood, and must be manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week at the expense of the Country Place Neighborhood Association.
The Association must also bear all costs of the gate and its construction. Country Place is currently still take bids to decide who will erect the gate.

©Houston Community Newspapers Online 2005

Forum set to discuss Illinois drug coverage

noreply@blogger.com (Reverse Mortgage Help) — Thu, 15 Sep 2005 18:13:00 +0000

By Joanne Carlson

An open forum to answer questions about Medicare and Illinois CaresRx drug coverage will be 9 a.m. to noon today at the Martin Luther King Center, 630 King Drive, Rock Island.

The Illinois CaresRx Caravan is traveling around the state to explain a new program to help with costs not covered by Medicare Part D. Gov. Rod Blagojevich created the program to ensure that no senior citizen or person with disabilities is left without coverage.

Souce: QC Times