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News The positive aging movement is quickly gaining momentum, as well as recognition, in all areas of society. Keep up with the newest trends and stories; there will be plenty to consider as you read the latest news for boomers and beyond.
Who Are You Calling Elderly?
What should we call people age 65 and older? Are they “seniors,” "older adults," "the elderly?" The author of this article "unscientifically" interviewed professionals in the "aging" field to help clarify the word(s) to describe people of a certain age. Among those queried are Harry (Rick) Moody, 67, director of academic affairs for AARP, Jane Glen Haas, 74, nationally-syndicated newspaper columnist, and Dr. John Rowe, 67, chairman of the MacArthur Foundation Research Network on an Aging Society. To weigh in on this touchy topic, check out the Philadelphia-based blog, Elder Chicks.
Win the "Best Exotic Marigold" Contest!
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – starring Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkerson and Dev Patel (star of Slumdog Millionaire) – is about adventure, love and purpose in the encore years. If you love to laugh and travel – and are wondering what’s next in your life – you’re in for a treat. And you could be in for a prize, too… if you enter the Marigold Ideas for Good Contest. The contest is for people over 50 who have great ideas for doing something to improve the quality of life in their communities.Thirty people will win $5,000 each and six will win the trip of a lifetime. Find out more and enter here.
Win the "Best Exotic Marigold" Contest!
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – starring Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Tom Wilkerson and Dev Patel (star of Slumdog Millionaire) – is about adventure, love and purpose in the encore years. If you love to laugh and travel – and are wondering what’s next in your life – you’re in for a treat. And you could be in for a prize, too… if you enter the Marigold Ideas for Good Contest. The contest is for people over 50 who have great ideas for doing something to improve the quality of life in their communities.Thirty people will win $5,000 each and six will win the trip of a lifetime. Find out more and enter here.
Social Security to Pay for Student Loans?
Somehow the idea of paying student loans with your Social Security check doesn't seem right. But, new research from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York shows that Americans 60 and older have school debts in the range of $36 billion. So it is not uncommon for Social Security checks to be garnished or for debt collectors to harass borrowers in their 80s. Some of the debt is decades old from their college days; others are paying off more recent courses taken to learn new skills. To learn more, click here.
Take Advantage of Government Benefits
The National Council on Aging and the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging are kicking off a campaign to encourage older people to take advantage of programs for which they are entitled, but were not aware existed. This includes reduced-cost drugs, food stamps, home care aides, transportation programs, help with heating bills, and subsidies that will lower Medicare premiums. A sample of those who have gone to the BenefitsCheckUp website since 2010 shows that more than 70% were eligible for at least one benefit that they were not receiving.
Aging Prisoners: A Growing Problem
The number of Americans in prison older than 55 is growing faster than the group’s share of the population at large, and older prisoners are nine times more expensive to care for than younger inmates according to Human Rights Watch. Prison officials are scrambling to respond to the needs and vulnerabilities of older prisoners. They are constrained, however, by tightened budgets, prison architecture that is not designed for common age-related disabilities, and limited medical facilities and staff. This article makes the case for restructuring the prison system for older inmates.
World Class Philadelphia
You may remember that the The Economy League of Greater Philadelphia asked area citizens to submit videos of their vision of the region's future based on their 2026: Future Histories of Greater Philadelphia report. Four winners have been chosen and the ideas presented will play a role in the ongoing discussions of how to make Greater Philadelphia a world class place to live, work, and play by 2026. The Best of Show is a short film called "The Journey" that tells the story of two people meeting in a Global Village future with iconic images of this region woven into the story. To see this and the other winning entries, click here.
Brave Old World
And if you are ready to move... this New York Times post highlights ElderSpirit, one of four existing examples in the country of a senior (not multi-generational) "co-housing" or intentional community built exclusively for this use. An eclectic group of 44 older adults, hailing from 15 states, moved to Appalachia. The majority of residents are over 70. They see the community as a low-cost alternative where they can remain independent, share weekly meals with neighbors, and help each other. Most are thriving, but have been relatively free of critical health issues and dementia. Check out the fascinating videos by fellows at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism focused on the issues of aging.
Living Large in Jacksonville
So where are boomers settling as they enter their golden years? Are they moving to the bustling, arts and culture rich cities? Not according to this Forbes article that cites 2010 Census data about the whereabouts of those 55 to 64 year. If people are moving, it is to the low-density Sunbelt metros on this top ten list. But, by far the biggest trend among boomers at this age is not to move at all. Maybe they are staying at home because many are still working full-time, the economy is unstable, and/or grown children are returning. Read the next article for what some in the older set are considering...
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