PCLS Senior Services Blog

Hurricane Season is nearly here!

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Thu, 24 May 2012 20:19:00 +0000

National Hurricane Preparedness week runs from May 27th - June 2nd and hurricane season officially starts on June 1st. It is important to prepare ahead of time - especially if you have special needs or own a pet. The Florida Department of Elder Affairs has published a "Disaster Preparedness Guide for Elders". This guide covers many types of disasters including:

hurricanes
fires
floods
tornadoes

This is an excellent guide with practical advice - such as how to assemble a disaster supplies kit and create a plan for yourself and your pets. You can read this guide online here or pick up a print copy at your library. You can find more information, including videos from the National Hurricane Center.

Here are local Pasco County resources to prepare for hurricane season:

Pasco County's Hurricane Guide (English version)
Pasco County Hurricane Guide (Spanish version)
2012 Evacuation Map (English)
2012 Evacuation Map (Spanish)
If you have special needs - you will need to pre-register for SNAPS services, like transportation and care. You can learn more about this service and get the application here.
If you have a pet and need to have a place for him/her during an evacuation, there is one shelter that accepts pets. This shelter operates on a first-come, first-served basis and proof of vaccinations is required. In addition, the pet owners must stay with their pet. More information can be found here.

The Tampa Bay Times has also published an online "Hurricane Guide 2012" here.

New Healthy Eating and Exercise Resource

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Tue, 15 May 2012 20:58:00 +0000

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases has published a guide called "Young at Heart: Tips for Older Adults". This guide gives useful information about healthy eating and exercise. This nutrition information can help you to lower your risk for obesity, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, cancer, and other chronic diseases. In addition, exercise may also help to ward off depression. You can access the full report here.

Young at Heart: Tips for Older Adults

You can find even more in-depth dietary guidelines in "Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010", from the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Older Americans Month Census Facts

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Tue, 08 May 2012 19:55:00 +0000

President Obama proclaimed May, 2012 as "Older Americans Month". This year's theme of "Older Americans Month" is "Never Too Old to Play". Every Year the U.S. Census Bureau provides a fact sheet to celebrate this month.

Here are some highlights from this fact sheet:

40.3 million people in the U.S.were 65 or older in 2010
$31,408 is the median income of householders 65 and older
9% is the poverty rate for people 65 and older
6.7 million people 65 or older were in the workforce in 2010 and this is projected to increase to 11.1 million by 2018
81% of householders age 65 or older owned their own homes in 2010.
74.1 was the median age of the 65 and older population in 2010.
9.1 million veterans of the armed services are age 65 or older

The full census report can be found here.

May is Older Americans Month

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:18:00 +0000

May is the month to celebrate older adults. This observance was originally called "Senior Citizen's Month" when it was created in 1963, but it was renamed "Older Americans Month" by President Carter in 1980. The Administration on Aging has announced the theme for this year- "Never Too Old to Play". The Administration on Aging states that this theme "encourages older Americans to stay engaged, active and involved in their own lives and in their communities".

You can play at your library this month at our Senior Social at New River Library. There will be Wii bowling, card games, board games, and refreshments. This free program is sponsored by the Friends of the Library:

Senior Social

May 9th at 2:00pm

New River Library

34043 State Road 54

Zephyrhills, Fl 33543

In addition, you can celebrate Older Americans Month by contacting the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco - Pinellas and finding out about volunteer opportunities with programs which help Older Adults in our community.

Upcoming Free Caregiver Seminars

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 18:02:00 +0000

The Elder Law Office of Emma Hemness is sponsoring six free seminars for Seniors and family caregivers in May. The first program is presented by a Florida ombudsman. For people not familiar with the Florida Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, an ombudsman "is an advocate for people who live in nursing homes, assisted living facilities and adult family care homes. All services are confidential and free of charge." There are also programs about caregiving, veteran's benefits, avoiding fraud, and Medicaid Managed Care. Registration is required (the registration webpage is here).

Here is a partial list of these programs:

Your Buddy the Ombudsman: What you didn't know or didn't know to ask
Don Hering, Director of Field Operations, State LTC Ombudsman

May 1st from 10:30am - noon
Jimmie B. Keel Library
2902 W. Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL

How to Expect the Unexpected:
Preparing caregivers for transitions in care, advocating for their loved one, and securing benefits in plain English
Ann Cholowski, M.D., J.D., Life-Path Hospice

May 5th 9:00am - noon
Embassy Suites USF
3705 Spectrum Blvd
Tampa, FL

So You're a Caregiver, but Who is Taking Care of You?
Allan W Redash, M.D.; Teri Redash, R.N.

May 19th 9:00am - noon
The Galleria at USF
3720 Spectrum Blvd
Tampa FL

What Medicaid Managed Care Means to Sick Seniors and Their Families
Rebecca Bell, Esquire, BCS, LLM in Elder Law

May 22 10:30am - noon
Jimmie B. Keel Library
2902 W. Bearss Ave, Tampa, FL

You can get more details by downloading the event flier here.

Inspirational Athletes

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:00:00 +0000

Sports are not just for the young. Older Adults can enjoy recreational sports and compete in the Florida International Senior Games & State Championships. There are also Older Adults who are leading competitors in the sport of show jumping, such as John Whitaker MBE. He was rated 4th in Britain in 2009, at the age of 54. Here is a video of John Whitacker winning the BP Cup in 2007:

There are many examples of inspirational Senior athletes. Johanna Quaas is an 86 year old German gymnast who has done exhibitions showing her prowess at parallel beams and floor exercises. Here is a video of her from the "Turnier Der Meister" Cottbus 2012 exhibition:

Fauja Singh is 101 years old and is famous as the world's oldest marathoner. Last year, at age 100, he completed the Toronto Waterfront Marathon. In addition he has set records for 8 different distances (from 100m to 5,000m) for his age group. Here is a video about this amazing runner:

Free Memory Screenings This Month

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 12:00:00 +0000

If you’re age 50 or older and feeling forgetful, there’s probably no reason to worry. However, you can put your mind at ease by making an appointment for a free, 20-minute memory screening. HPH Hospice is sponsoring memory screenings this month for people age 50 and older. Participants will meet privately with a representative from the Alzheimer’s Association Florida Gulf Coast Chapter. Space is limited, so you will need to register for an appointment. To register, call Jan Double at 727-705-0107.

In West Pasco:
Friday, April 13th

10:00am to 4:00pm
HPH Hospice South Pasco Team Office

6807 Rowan Road
New Port Richey, FL

In East Pasco:

On Tuesday and Wednesday - April 24th & 25th

9:00am to 3:00pm

HPH Hospice East Pasco Team Office
37445 Clinton Avenue
Dade City, FL

Note: Screenings are not intended for individuals who have been diagnosed with Dementia.

For more information, click here for HPH Hospice Events.

The Mar/Apr Issue of the Elder Update is available

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:00:00 +0000

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs publishes a bimonthly newsletter, the "Elder Update", for Florida Seniors. The current issue includes articles about:

COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
Fraud Protection
Senior Fitness
Aging-in-place
Senior Volunteers

You can download the current issue here. Alternatively, you can sign up for a print subscription here.

Medicare Part B Deadline is March 31st

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 16:00:00 +0000

Medicare Part B medical insurance "helps cover medically-necessary services like doctors' services, outpatient care, durable medical equipment, home health services, and other medical services"(Medicare.gov). When you become eligible for Medicare Part A, you will have seven months to sign up for Part B. If you do not sign up in this period, then you will have to wait until the next open enrollment period -January 1st through March 31st.
It is important to sign up for Part B on time, because if you are uninsured for 12 months or more, your Medicare monthly premiums will be higher. You can learn more about Medicare in the "Medicare & You" online handbook here.

Senior Fun Fest

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 10:00:00 +0000

The Senior Connections and Mature Lifestyles magazines will be presenting a Senior Fun Fest on Tuesday, March 27th at the St. Petersburg Coliseum from 10am - 3:00pm. Admission and parking are free. The event will feature:

Free Health Screenings
Live Music
Grandkids are the Greatest Photo Contest (call 1-888-670-0040 for details).
Senior-Friendly Sports Center
free bingo and giveaways

   St. Petersburg Coliseum
             535 Fourth Avenue North
           St. Petersburg, FL 33701
             1-888-670-0040

New Alzheimer's Report

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Fri, 16 Mar 2012 10:00:00 +0000

The Alzheimer's Association has recently published "2012 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures", a report with the latest statistics about Alzheimer's Disease in the United States. Alzheimer's disease is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. Here are some quick facts from this report:

1 in 8 older Americans has Alzheimer's Disease
5.4 million Americans have Alzheimer's Disease
$200 Billion - is the predicted cost for caring for people with Alzheimer's in 2012
It is predicted that 16 million people will have this disease by 2050.

You can read the entire report here.

The Alzheimer's Association also provides information for each state. The Florida statistics include:

450,000 Floridians had Alzheimer's Disease in 2010
There were over one billion hours of unpaid care by caregivers for Alzheimer's patients in Florida in 2011
There were 4,743 deaths due to Alzheimer's in Florida in 2008

You can click here for more Florida statistics.

The AARP Foundation Women's Scholarship Program

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 13:00:00 +0000

The AARP Foundation Women's Scholarship Program is helping win back opportunity for low-income, 50+ women by funding education, training, and skills upgrades that can lead to better employment and increased financial security for women and their families. Since 2007, The AARP Foundation Women's Scholarship Program has awarded scholarships to more than 800 eligible women — helping them to enter programs they could otherwise not afford.

The scholarship program is made possible by AARP Foundation with generous support from Walmart Foundation and AARP.

The scholarship application period for the 2012-2013 academic year will last from Wednesday, February 1, 2012, at 9 a.m. CST until Friday March 30, 2012, at 5 p.m. CDT.

For more information and to apply, click here.

Florida Strawberry Festival

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 14:26:00 +0000

Our Central Florida fair season continues with the 2012 Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City! The Strawberry Festival offers midway rides, live entertainment, and, of course, strawberries for sale in bulk and as tasty treats. Gate admission prices are $10 for adults. Discounted tickets are available at area Sweetbay Supermarkets - adult tickets are $8.

Florida Strawberry Festival

March 1-11

Open 10:00am - 10:00pm

303 North Lemon St.

Plant City, FL 33563-4706

Telephone: (813) 752-9194

For more information, including a complete concert schedule, directions to the festival grounds, and to purchase concert tickets, visit the Strawberry Festival's website at http://www.flstrawberryfestival.com.

New Census Report about the 90+ Population

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

The U. S. Census Bureau has released a study called "90+ in the United States: 2006-2008", which was based on information from the American Community Survey. This report stated that the proportion of the population aged 90 and over has been increasing and that the oldest segments of the older population are growing the fastest. This increase in the ninety plus population is due to increased life expectancy. In 1931, life expectancy at age 65 was 12.2 years, but by 2006, it had increased to 18.5 years. Some of the highlights of the study include:

California is the state with the highest population of 90+, with Florida coming in second.
Most 90+ are high school graduates or beyond.
Social Security represents almost half of total personal income for the 90+.
The poverty rate for this age group is 14.5%.
37.3% live alone

You can access the full report here.

The Jan/Feb Issue of the Elder Update is available

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

The Florida Department of Elder Affairs publishes a bimonthly newsletter, the "Elder Update", for Florida Seniors. The current issue includes articles about:

Ambassadors for Aging Day
diseases related to Agent Orange exposure (Veterans' Affairs)
2012 Florida Veterans' Benefit Guide
Diabetes
Florida's Intergenerational Week
information about how to find available benefits

You can download the current issue here. Alternatively, you can sign up for a print subscription here.

"How to Keep a Healthy Brain" Workshops

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

HPH Hospice will be providing two free workshops in Pasco County about how to maintain a healthy brain. TaWanna Noel, a program specialist for the Alzheimer’s Association will facilitate these workshops for Baby Boomers and Seniors. The program will be presented on February 22nd in New Port Richey and on February 28th in Dade City (see below). Registration is required. Please contact Jan Double, HPH Hospice community relations coordinator, at (727) 705-0107 to register.

                  Wednesday, February 22nd
                  1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m
                  South Pasco HPH Hospice Team Office
                  6807 Rowan Road, New Port Richey, FL

                  Tuesday, February 28th
                  1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
                  East Pasco HPH Hospice team office
                  37445 Clinton Avenue, Dade City, FL

Florida State Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:00:00 +0000

The theme for this year's Florida State Fair is "The Best Time of the Year" and the fair runs from February 9th through February 20th. The old favorites are back - learn about Florida history in "Cracker Country", watch the livestock shows and horse shows, and get new craft ideas at the Arts and Crafts Showcase. In addition, there are many free special attractions and daily shows, including:

lawnmower races
Yesterdaze Show
Elvis Extravaganza
Blues Brothers
racing pigs
Welde Bear show
Paul Bunyon Lumberjack show

You can click here for a link to their advance brochure. The admission cost is lower for Seniors on "Senior Days" (see below).

Senior Days

February 14th-16th

55+ Gate Admission $8.00

Advance Tickets $6.00

Free Tax Help

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:24:00 +0000

The IRS has partnered with many nonprofit and community organizations to provide tax preparation services for low- to moderate-income and elderly taxpayers. Certified AARP Tax-Aide volunteer counselors can help you to prepare your tax return. In Pasco County, you can call dial 211 on your phone to find the nearest location and schedule an appointment to get help with preparing your taxes. If you do not live in Pasco County, you can search for your nearest tax help location by searching on the AARP webpage, here.

If you need to contact the Internal Revenue Service directly, here is their contact information:

IRS Phone Assistance for Individuals:
Toll-Free, 1-800-829-1040 Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. your local time

Local Tampa IRS Office:
If you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit or your Income is $50,000.00 or less, they can help you to prepare your Federal Tax Return, However, this service is only available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.

3848 W. Columbus Dr.
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 348-1831
Monday-Friday - 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Home Energy Tips for Older Adults

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

The Eldercare Locator and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have partnered to provide some economical tips to stay warm and safe at home. They have published a guide called "Winter Warmth and Safety: Home Energy Tips for Older Adults".
First, there are programs that can assist you with heating costs. The Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas can provide information about state, county, and city programs to help older adults with winter heating costs. In addition, the federal LIHEAP program helps eligible low income home owners and renters to afford home heating. Each county in Florida has a different agency that administers LIHEAP. Applications are only available by contacting your local agency. For Pasco County, this agency is Mid Florida Community Services, Inc. - if you are in East Pasco, the number is (352) 567-0533 and for West Pasco, the number is (727) 845-7350.

Next, there are programs to help you save money by making your home better insulated and more energy efficient. The Florida program is the "Weatherization Assistance Program".

The Winter Warmth Guide also gives additional tips such as:

Do not use your stove or oven to heat your home.
Insulate water pipes to avoid freezing and bursting.
Have a back-up plan for extreme weather conditions.

Click here for more information.

Glaucoma Awareness Month

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 13:00:00 +0000

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. The Glaucoma Research Foundation states that Glaucoma is "the sneak thief of sight" since there are no symptoms and once vision is lost, it's permanent. Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness. Moreover, among African American and Latino populations, glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness..." People over 60 are another high risk group. Medication and surgery can prevent or slow vision loss, but the key is to catch it early. Regular eye exams can detect Glaucoma early on. You can read more about Glaucoma here.

Senior Fun Fest

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 15:44:00 +0000

The Senior Connections and Mature Lifestyles magazines will be presenting the 7th annual Senior Fun Fest on Thursday, January 19th at the Florida State Fairgrounds from 10am - 3:00pm. Admission is free, but there is a $3 parking fee. The event will feature:

Free Health Screenings
Live Music
Senior Fun Walk at 9:15am
Grand kids are the Greatest Photo Contest (call 1-888-670-0040 for details).
Senior-Friendly Sports Center
free bingo and giveaways

   Florida State Fairgrounds
             Special Events Building
           4800 Hwy 301 N. , Tampa, FL 33610
             (Martin Luther King entrance)

Decide to Live a Healthier Life in 2012!

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:00:00 +0000

You can live a healthier life by eating more nutritious food, by making sure that you have enough Calcium, B12, and Vitamin D, and by starting an exercise program. If you need information to help you get started, the National Institutes of Health have a webpage called "Eating Well as You Get Older". This website has recommendations for healthy food, eating well on a budget, and it also has videos on nutrition. You can access this information here.

The National Institute on Aging has created a new website to help older adults to begin and continue an exercise program. This website, Go4Life, explains the benefits of exercise, recommends exercises, and helps you to set your goals. They recommend that you pick activities that you enjoy and that you make exercise a social activity, by having a friend or family member as an exercise buddy. You can access this information here.

Upcoming Library Programs for Older Adults

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Would you like to learn how to use Facebook, learn how to borrow library books on an e-book reader, learn needlepoint, or create a living will? These are just a few of the upcoming Pasco library programs. The Friends of the Library sponsors our programs. Here is a list of the upcoming library programs for Older Adults in Pasco County:

                  Wed, Jan 4th at 2:00pm
         Senior Social at New River Library
Wii bowling, card games, and refreshments.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375

      Thursday, Jan 5th, 12th, and 19th at 2:30pm
Memoir Writing at Centennial Park Library
Put your memories to paper! Whether you are interested in writing a formal memoir, or an informal family history to share with your children and grandchildren, this workshop can help you get started.
Centennial Park Library
5740 Moog Road, Holiday, FL 34690
(727) 834-3204

Friday, Jan 6th at 11:00am
E-Reader Basics at Hugh Embry Library
Please call to register
Hugh Embry Library
14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523
(352) 567-3576

Friday, Jan 6th at 2:00pm
E-book Basics at Regency Park Library
Please call to register. Regency Park Library
9701 Little Road New Port Richey, FL 34654
(727) 861-3049

Friday, Jan 6th at 2:00pm
Introduction to Facebook at South Holiday Library
South Holiday Library
4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday, FL 34690
(727) 834-3331

Friday Jan 6th at 2:00pm
Five Wishes: Living Will Program at New River Library
Five wishes is a program that helps you create a 12 page Living Will. This program is free and you can bring this legal document home. This program is provided by the Gulfside Regional Hospice.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375

Wednesday, Jan 11th at 2:00pm
Introduction to Facebook at New River Library
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375

Thursday, Jan 12th at 6:00
Stitching Series at Regency Park Library
A special course taught by members of the Gulfview Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America, Inc. Please call 727-861-3049 to preregister.
Regency Park Library
9701 Little Road New Port Richey, FL 34654
(727) 861-3049

Friday, Jan 20th at 2:00pm
Senior Movie Social and Cards at Hugh Embry Library
Seniors, enjoy recent-release hit movies, then play your favorite card games. January's film based on the best-seller by Kathryn Stockett. Bring your friends!
Hugh Embry Library
14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523
(352) 567-3576

Also, many branches offer book clubs, language classes, and gardening programs. You can contact your local branch to find out about these programs.

Social Security Quick Facts

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:43:00 +0000

The AARP has published a one page overview of Social Security Facts for each of the 50 states. Here are some highlights from the "Social Security: 2011 Florida Quick Facts":

Florida ranks 24th in income level among the states.
One in five Florida residents receive Social Security.
Florida's 65+ population will reach 19% of the state population in 2015.
Social Security is responsible for lifting over 35% of retirees from poverty in Florida.

You can access the full report here. If you are interested in the facts about other states, you can find a list of the fact sheets here.

Upcoming Library Programs for Older Adults

noreply@blogger.com (Pasco County Library System) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 21:32:00 +0000

Would you like to try a new craft, meet new people, join a sing-a-long, or learn how to write your memoirs? These are just a few of the upcoming Pasco library programs. The Friends of the Library sponsors our programs. Here is a list of the upcoming library programs for Older Adults in Pasco County:

                  Wed, Dec 14th at 2:00pm
         Senior Social at New River Library
Wii bowling, card games, and refreshments.
New River Library
34043 State Road 54, Zephyrhills, Fl 33543
(813) 788-6375

      Thursday, Dec 15th at 2:30pm
Memoir Writing at Centennial Park Library
Put your memories to paper! Whether you are interested in writing a formal memoir, or an informal family history to share with your children and grandchildren, this workshop can help you get started.
Centennial Park Library
5740 Moog Road, Holiday, FL 34690
(727) 834-3204

Friday, Dec 16th at 2:00pm
Senior Holiday Carols and Cards
             at Hugh Embry Library
Hugh Embry Library
14215 Fourth Street, Dade City, FL 33523
(352) 567-3576

Saturday, Dec 17th at 11:00am
Sit-n-Knit at South Holiday Library
South Holiday Library
4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday, FL 34690
(727) 834-3331

Tuesday, Dec 20th at 5:45pm
Ruby's Tuesdays (knitting club) at Hudson Regional Library
Hudson Regional Library
8012 Library Road, Hudson, FL 34667
(727) 861-3040

Also, many branches offer computer classes and classes that teach you how to use e-book readers. You can contact your local branch to register for these classes.