February 2010 | Coming of Age

Volunteers boosted their brain performance after working with children in the Experience Corps program, according to a study featured in today’s New York Times. Click Continue Reading to view the full article.

Smart Strategies for Retirees

Topics: 50+, Boomers, Retirement

Dwindling savings are forcing some older individuals to reenter the workforce.
By Kathryn A. Walson, Staff Writer, Kiplinger's Retirement Report

Bob Long retired from his job as a math teacher in Bethesda, Md., in December 2007 and moved to Ocean Pines, Md., near the beach. He spent most of the next year settling into his new community and playing golf. He taught a few times as a substitute teacher. Click Continue Reading to view the full article.

Volunteering can be powerful 'medicine'

Topics: 50+, Boomers, Health, Inspiration, Volunteering

(ARA) - Some research suggests volunteering can have a positive effect on overall health and well-being - and may help improve your disease. Many Americans who suffer from chronic conditions can get involved with volunteering to stay active.

And, for the more than 1 million Americans with the chronic condition rheumatoid arthritis (RA), volunteering may help them better manage the disease. RA is an autoimmune disease that affects the joints and can cause pain, disability and leave people feeling limited or isolated by their disease. Women are two to three times more likely to have RA than men, and the disease is most commonly diagnosed between the ages of 30 and 50.

A new nationwide initiative - Hand in Hand for RA - aims to change that by demonstrating to people living with RA that they can do more. In fact, results of a recent survey showed that a majority of people with RA want to be more active and not feel limited by their condition. Moreover, four in 10 want to give back through volunteering or public service to prove they are not limited by their RA.

"It's the first time that we are bringing together people living with a form of arthritis like RA who would otherwise be held back a little bit by their condition, and give them an opportunity to help out in their community," says Seth Ginsberg, co-founder and president of CreakyJoints, a grassroots arthritis group and a supporter of the Hand in Hand for RA campaign. "We want people to go to the handinhandforRA.com Web site where they can find resources or share their stories of things they've done in the past, and help out a little bit." Click Continue Reading to view the full article. Continue Reading

The Other Health Care Crisis -- America's Elderly

Topics: Elderly, Healthcare

by Martha Stewart

As the health care bill winds its way through Congress, sparking passions, heated debate and countless news stories, I have been struck by the dearth of discussion about a looming health care crisis: In 2011, the first of 78 million baby boomers will start turning 65. We, as a nation, are utterly unprepared for this rapidly approaching "silver tsunami." We do not have enough doctors skilled in the care of the very demographic group with the greatest overall health care needs. Click Continue Reading to view the full article.

Info4Orgs

A Conversation with Dan Pink

Topics: 50+, Boomers, Nonprofits, Organizations

by Marci Alboher

Dan Pink’s latest book, Drive, turns traditional thinking about how organizations motivate people (and how we try to motivate ourselves) on its head. After studying the scientific research on motivation, Pink came to the conclusion that what science knows about how to motivate people is entirely different than what organizations do. Click Continue Reading to view the full article.

Have We Got an Opportunity for You!

Bi-Lingual Sexual Assault Intervention Specialist/Therapist

Type: Paid

Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault (MOCSA) is a non-profit social service agency in Kansas City which exists to lessen the ill effects of sexual assault and abuse through prevention, education, intervention, treatment and advocacy. The Sexual Assault Intervention Specialist/Therapist position provides assessment, treatment, case management and related clinical services to victims and families of sexual assault and abuse. Educate and collaborate with others about sexual assault and abuse issues to improve systemic and societal response. Click Continue Reading for more information. Continue Reading

Medicare Counselor

Type: Unpaid

Looking for a good few men and women. Do you want to help others and feel good about what you do? Become a volunteer Medicare counselor with the Shepherd's Center. It takes about 2 hours a week to counsel seniors and disabled on Medicare issues. Call David for more information: 816.444.1121

Dictionary Presenter to an Exciting Classroom of Third Graders

Type: Unpaid

The excitement of language still runs strong in our community, and we at Dictionary Project Kansas City see that excitement 25,000 times every year in the faces of the third graders that receive their very own personal dictionary. Click Continue Reading to view the full description.

This Week's Medicare Tip

Medicare Advantage Plans Offer Maze of Choices

by THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

A dizzying array of choices awaits those searching for a Medicare Advantage plan.

The average Medicare beneficiary has about 33 Advantage plans to chose from this year.

Medicare Advantage plans are privately run versions of the government's Medicare program, which provides health insurance for the elderly and disabled. Click Continue Reading to view the full article.

Doctors warn about impending medicare cuts

Topics: 50+, Boomers, Healthcare, Medicare

By Mannix Porterfield
The Register-Herald

CHARLESTON — Time is growing short and pressure is mounting on America’s doctors to persuade Congress to repair what they perceive as a “flawed” Medicare payment system that threatens health care delivery to the nation’s seniors, military personnel and Baby Boomers.

That was the thrust of a news briefing Tuesday at the Capitol, designed to call attention to a planned March 1 cut of 21 percent in the program. Click Continue Reading to view the full article.

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Coming of Age: Kansas City