Employment links for disabled workers

A new Web site wants to be the online gathering spot for disabled job seekers.
AccessibleEmployment.org is a national job board that matches disabled workers with employers looking to diversify their staffs. "The disabled community represents the largest minority group in the country," said AccessibleEmployment President Dana Egreczky. "This is a great place for employers to tap into a large pool of talented and qualified workers." For more information visit:

http://www.nydailynews.com/money/2008/03/31/2008-03-31_web_site_links_disabled_with_employment.html

Behaviors and Longevity

Preventive medicine can go a long way in helping seniors live longer and healthier lives. Working on just a few habits can make a real difference.

• Stop smoking
• Exercise to keep body strong
• Nourish yourself with proper nutrition
• Involve yourself and family members in your health care
• Do follow doctors orders and practice preventive maintenance
• Stimulate your brain
• Sleep to rejuvenate
• Lose weight (if you need to)
• Ensure good vision and hearing with regular exams

Adapted from Tedd Mitchell M.D.

Vision Health

Prevent Blindness America has been the nation's leading volunteer eye health and safety organization with the sole mission of preventing blindness and preserving sight. Through its toll- free line and web site this organization provides information on eye diseases and referrals to support groups.

Elderhostel-Travel and Education

Discover more than 8,000 learning adventures in all 50 states and more than 90 countries abroad. Elderhostel offers in-depth and behind-the-scenes learning experiences for almost every interest and ability. History, culture, nature, music, outdoor activities such as walking and biking, individual skills, crafts, study cruises: Enjoy these and many more with the not-for-profit leader in educational travel.

SPOP-Service Program for Older People

SPOP is a leading provider of mental health and related services for older adults. Services include counseling, substance abuse, adult day center, services for the seriously and persistently mentally ill, bereavement support, government entitlements, insurance benefits, education, and training. To find out more about SPOP programs and services contact 212-787-7120.

Medicare Rights Center

Medicare Rights Center (MRC) is the largest independent source of health care information and assistance in the United States for people with Medicare. Founded in 1989, MRC helps older adults and people with disabilities get good, affordable health care. They can be reached by phone at 212-869-3850.

Tools for healthier lives

Mayo Clinic tools for healthier lives sponsors this website packed with useful information about conditions, treatments, drugs, healthy living, and much much more.

Journal Keepers

Journal keepers describes materials available to help elders create memory journals, written and artistic accounts of favorite memories form their lives. Constructing a memory journal can be an important asset in helping elders who are experiencing memory problems to improve memory or retain memories in the face of Alzeheimer's disease. This site has links to other useful sites.

The Alzheimer's Association

The Alzheimer's Association has about 220 local charpters and 2000 support groups throughout the country. This website is aimed at families who need information about the disease, and at professionals who work with elders. This website includes exceptional educational materials that describe Alzheimer's disease in detail, discuss current treatment options, and identify resources in different areas of the country. It is also possible to download a free booklet.

Elderweb

Elderweb is an online sourcebook that offers links to resources for specific topics, such as physical health, living arrangements, legal concerns, and financial resources. The strenght of this site is its ability to provice links to specific state resources for both elders and professionals serving this population.

Join Senior Corps and make a difference

Senior Corps is a network of programs that tap the experience, skills, and talents of senior citizens to meet community challenges. Through its three programs-Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions, and RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program). For more information visit: www.seniorcorps.org

Being web savvy just go easier! SeniorNet

SeniorNet is the nation's leading and most respected provider of access to and education on computer technologies and Internet for adults age 50+. Since 1986, we've opened up new worlds of information to more than a million people through our Learning Centers and robust online community. Older adults across the country and around the world have learned how computers and the Internet can enhance their lives and enable them to share their knowledge and wisdom with the world. Please note there are membership fees. For more information go to: http://www.seniornet.org

Women's Health Information

The National Women's Health Information Center is dedicated to women's health. It offers information for aging women and makes referrals to specialists. For information on women's health visit http://www.4women.gov.

Home Energy Assistance Program

The mission of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is to assist low income households, particularly those with the lowest incomes that pay a high proportion of household income for home energy, primarily in meeting their immediate home energy needs. For the brochure visit http://www.acf.hhs.gov/programs/ocs/liheap/brochure/brochure.html

Housing Assistance-HUD

This site provides information related to housing options for seniors including information on HUD housing programs. Web Site: www.hud/gov/groups/seniors.cfm

Heart Health-American Heart Association

http://www.americanheart.org/ offers information on blood pressure, cholesterol, stroke, heart disease, diet, nutrition, exercise, and other topics.

Wii therapy

Social workers say the Nintendo game that enthralls millions of teens has proved remarkably effective in improving the lives of some seniors as well.
Unlike regular video games, the Wii requires players to swing a wand and move their whole bodies to compete. That makes it a much more effective physical therapy tool for seniors.
"These clients have complex medical issues," said Susan Holmdek-Robertshaw, program director at the facility. "But they forget them when they play. It's amazing."
"This gets them moving," said Antonette Mentor, a therapist at the facility. More at http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2008/02/04/2008-02-04_wii_therapy_a_hit_with_city_seniors.html

Let us embrace innovation and creativity. As surprising a wii therapy sounds it may actually be fun and engaging.

American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging

This association http://www.aahsa.org/ offers information about nursing homes, continuing care retirement communities, assited living, senior housing, and community service organizations for consumers and their and families.

Hearing Assistance

Hearing loss affects 1 in 10 people in the U.S. That is approximately 31.5 million Americans. With hearing impairment affecting 1 in 12 30-year-olds and 1 in 8 50-year-olds, there is room for great accomplishment. This organization assists Americans and foreigners with the gift of hearing. This private nonprofit group supplies hearing aids without charge, to low income people. For more information visit http://sotheworldmayhear.org

Healthy Hearing

http://healthyhearing.com has vast information on hearing loss, hearing aids, implants, and providers.

Everyone's Closet

Everyone's Closet houses durable medical equipment that is loaned/given to members of the New York City community. Everyone's closet connects donors and recipients by giving them each other's contact information. Please note that Everyone's Closet does not offer drop off or pick up service. Curious about this unique organization? Learn more at http://everyonescloset.org

Curious if you qualify?

Try http://govbenefits.gov to search for eligibility for government services. The site provides contact information for programs.

Need more assistance?

BenefitsCheckUp quickly finds federal, state and private benefit programs available to help you save money on prescription drugs, health care, utilities, taxes, and more. You need to supply some basic information and view a personal report on the benefits you may qualify for. For a benefit check up go to http://benefitscheckup.org

Health Finder

This Web site, www.healthfinder.gov, was created by the Department of Health and Human Services, and provides all sorts of general information about desease prevention and health promotion. You can view topics by condition and subscribe to their newsletter. Information is also available in Spanish.

Nutrition Information

This web site provides access to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's onlilne National Nutrient Database. There, nutritional information is offered specifically for seniors at www.nutrition.gov click on life stages at the left and then look for seniors and click more.

Food Change

The mission of FoodChange is to improve lives through nutrition, education and financial empowerment.
Founded in 1980, FoodChange provides emergency meals to New York City’s hungry children and adults. Through education and direct service, we increase low-income people’s knowledge of nutrition and healthy foods and try to make wholesome eating a daily reality for all New Yorkers . And, to enhance people’s ability to afford healthy foods, we help them identify, capture and maximize all the government benefits to which they are entitled. FoodChange has a variety of programs and services geared to the general population, we will in this post focus on FoodChange for seniors.
The Senior Food Programs-the only meal programs held in public school cafeterias-serve on average 225 early dinners each weekday to senior citizens in the dining facilities of two public schools, P.S. 154 in Harlem and P.S. 134 on the Lower East Side. In addition, the programs provide educational, cultural and recreational activities, such as exercise classes, nutrition workshops, dance lessons, site visits, trips and movies, as well as information sessions on social and financial benefits for seniors. Approximately 2,000 seniors are registered; one must be at least 60 years old to qualify. The Senior Food Programs are offered between 3:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. each weekday that the two public schools are in session, as well as during the summer.
The Harlem program includes interaction with young people, bringing seniors together with about 50 youngsters. Seniors have an opportunity to mentor and advise the younger generation while the teenagers get to assist aging people and gain hands-on social work experience. Joint activities include tutoring children between the ages of 5 and 13 and participating in exercise, music, arts and crafts, other cultural activities and homework assistance.
CookShop® for Seniors is FoodChange’s innovative nutrition education program for seniors who participate in senior congregate meal programs in East and Central Harlem and the Lower Eastside. Through this program, seniors increase their self efficacy to purchase, prepare and consume fresh/frozen vegetables as well as to prevent/manage specific nutrition related diseases by participating in nutrition education workshops, hands-on cooking workshops and field trips. For more information about FoodChange innovative programs go to www.foodchange.org

Seniors and web surfing

AARP reports that more seniors are surfing the web. The percentage of adults fifty and older who use the internet increased to 54% in 2006 from 19% in 1998. Use of the internet among the fifty to sixty four year olds rose to 68% from 31% during the same time period. The biggest increase was for those aged sixty five to seventy four which increased to 52%. For those aged seventy five and older numbers rose to 24% from 4% in 1998.

The National Council on Aging

National Council on Aging is an agency which works with the elderly to achieve optimum health, independence and financial security. Website offers health insurance counseling, related links, and resource information. NCOA is at www.ncoa.org.

Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC)

EPIC is a New York State sponsored prescription plan for senior citizens who need help paying for their prescriptions. Over 360,000 seniors already belong and are saving, on average, over 80% of the cost of their medicines. Who can join? New York State residents can join EPIC if they are 65 or older, and have an annual income of $35,000 or less if single, or $50,000 or less if married. Seniors who receive full Medicaid benefits are not eligible for EPIC benefits. Seniors with other prescription coverage through Medicare or most other plans can join EPIC to cover drug costs not covered by that other coverage. To find out more about how EPIC works and its eligibility visit http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/epic/index.htm.

Lighthouse International

Lighthouse International is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving vision and to provide rehabilitation services to help people of all ages overcome the challenges of vision loss. Lighthouse can assist you when you need information on macular degeneration, cataracts, or any other eye disorder that causes low vision or loss of vision. Lighthouse International is located at 111 East 59th St. New York, NY 10022. Phone: (212)821-9200. Toll free number (800)829-0500. You can learn more about Lighthouse International by visiting www.lighthouse.org.

Are prescriptions too expensive?

If your prescription drug costs are too high and you don't qualify for Medicare contact the manufacturer of your medicine. Most companies have low cost prescription drugs for individuals who meet their eligibility guidelines. Many states provide assistance as well. You can call your state health department anc check out www.aarp.org/bulletin/prescription and click on "your guide to state run and pharmacy assistance programs". Another resource worth checking is www.needymeds.com and click on "patient assistance programs".

Diabetes education making a difference

Over the past 20 years, Julia Torres has been told time and again how to keep her diabetes under control.
For the first time, the advice has sunk in, thanks to a new, intensive diabetes program at Beth Israel Medical Center that teaches patients how to cook, work out and stick to other self-care strategies that keep them well. For full article go to:

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2007/10/28/2007-10-28_education_in_diabetes_making_the_differe.html

Diabetes Spike in Seniors

New cases of diabetes rose by nearly a quarter among older Americans, contributing to an increased risk of illness and early death among people 65 and older, new research shows.
Prevalence of the disease rose by 23% between 1994 and 1995, and again between 2003 and 2004, according to reviews of records of more than 100,000 Medicare beneficiaries. For full article please go to:
http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/health/2008/01/29/2008-01-29_diabetes_spike_in_seniors.html

Coming in February 2008- Healthy Living for Older Adults

The Heilbrunn Academic Nursing Center at Long Island University invites you to participate in 10 week program of healthy living activities. Groups will meet once a week for: health assessments, stress reduction activities, low intensity exercize and healthy eating-snacks included. Participants will receive a tote bag filled with goodies to promote healthy living. Program is starting February 14th. Session one starts at 9:30-11:00 a.m. and session two starts at 12:00-2:30 p.m. The program is free to participants. Take advantage of a wonderful opportunity to enhance your health and wellbeing and to socialize. For more information please contact the Nursing Center at 718-488-1281.

People with Medicare, family members, and caregivers should visit Medicare.gov , the Official U.S. Government Site for People with Medicare, for the latest information on Medicare enrollment, benefits, and other helpful tools. Medicare toll free hotline (800) Medicare which is (800) 633-4227. Another helpful resource is the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services @ www.cms.hhs.gov.