Robert T DeMarco (Bob DeMarco)

Understanding the Difference Between Alzheimers and Dementia

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Thu, 15 Oct 2015 18:31:00 +0000

This is one of the most frequently asked questions I receive.

What is the Difference Between Alzheimer's and Dementia

For a simple explanation read this article.

How to Understand the Difference Between Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease

For a more detailed explanation check out this article.

What's the Difference Between Alzheimer's and Dementia

Unmarried and Single Americans Week Sept. 15-21, 2013

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Mon, 09 Sep 2013 15:48:00 +0000

+Bob DeMarco

U.S. Census Bureau Profile America Facts for Features

Unmarried and Single Americans Week Sept. 15-21, 2013

The Buckeye Singles Council started “National Singles Week” in Ohio in the 1980s to celebrate single life and recognize singles and their contributions to society.

The week is now widely observed during the third full week of September (Sept. 15-21 in 2013) as “Unmarried and Single Americans Week,” an acknowledgment that many unmarried Americans do not identify with the word “single” because they are parents, have partners or are widowed.

In this edition of Facts for Features, unmarried people include those who were never married, widowed or divorced, unless otherwise noted.

Explore and share the Census Bureau’s new interactive population clock (http://go.usa.gov/TrdJ), now with real-time population projections and interactive data tools.

Single Life

103 million
Number of unmarried people in America 18 and older in 2012. This group made up 44.1 percent of all U.S. residents 18 and older. Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012 Table A1

53.6%
Percentage of unmarried U.S. residents 18 and older who were women in 2012; 46.4 percent were men. Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012 Table A1

62%
Percentage of unmarried U.S. residents 18 and older in 2012 who had never been married. Another 24 percent were divorced, and 14 percent were widowed. Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012 Table A1

17 million
Number of unmarried U.S. residents 65 and older in 2012. These seniors made up 16 percent of all unmarried people 18 and older.Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012 Table A1

87
Number of unmarried men 18 and older for every 100 unmarried women in the United States in 2012. Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012 Table A1

56 million
Number of households maintained by unmarried men and women in 2012. These households comprised 46 percent of households nationwide. Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012 Table A2

33 million
Number of people who lived alone in 2012. They comprised 27 percent of all households, up from 17 percent in 1970. Source: America’s Families and Living Arrangements: 2012 Table H1 and HH-4

Parenting

36%
Percentage of women age 15 to 50 with a birth in the last 12 months, as of 2011, who were widowed, divorced or never married. Source: 2011 American Community Survey Table DP02

40%
Percentage of opposite-sex, unmarried-partner couples in 2012 that lived with at least one biological child of either partner. Source: Source: America's Families and Living Arrangements: 2012 Table UC3

804,000
Number of unmarried grandparents who were responsible for most of the basic care of a co-resident grandchild in 2011. Twenty-nine percent of co-resident grandparents responsible for their grandchildren were unmarried. Source: 2011 American Community Survey Table B10057

Unmarried Couples

6.7 million
Number of unmarried-partner households in 2011. Of this number, 605,000 were same-sex households. Source: 2011 American Community Survey Table B11009

Voters

39%
Single VotersPercentage of voters in the 2012 presidential election, who were unmarried, compared to 24 percent of voters in the 1972 presidential election. Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of 2012 Table 9

35%
Percentage of voters in the 2010 November election who were unmarried. Source: Voting and Registration in the Election of 2010 Table 9

Education

32.1%
Percentage of unmarried people 25 and older in 2012 who had a high school diploma or equivalent as their highest level of attainment.Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2012

26%
Percentage of unmarried people 25 and older in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree or more education. Source: Educational Attainment in the United States: 2012

Does Green Tea Prevent Alzheimer's? Fact or Hype?

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 15:21:00 +0000

One of the hottest topics in the Alzheimer's community this week is about Green Tea and its effectiveness in preventing Alzheimer's.

Recent articles and research reports are extolling the virtue of green tea as a potential Alzheimer's Disease prevention . Fact or hype? Read on to learn more about the current hubba bubba around green tea extract.

Interesting medical science and opinion

Previously on the Alzheimer's Reading Room

Alzheimer's Disease Explained To Children

Alzheimer's and Skin Cancer

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Sat, 18 May 2013 16:12:00 +0000

People with skin cancer were nearly 80 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease

+Alzheimer's Reading Room

The researchers looked at participants enrolled the Einstein Aging Study, which focuses on the aging brain and examines both normal aging and the special challenges of Alzheimer's disease and other dementing disorders.

People with skin cancer were nearly 80 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's Care Like Walking Backwards with a Blindfold On

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Sun, 31 Mar 2013 15:28:00 +0000

Alzheimers Care Like Walking Backwards with a Blindfold On

Urinary Tract Infections Can Hasten Memory Loss in Alzheimer's Patients

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:00:00 +0000

Researchers have found a link between common infections, such as a cold, stomach bug or urine infection and an increase in inflammation like reactions in the brain which lead to an increased rate of cognitive decline. Study results show that people who got an infection had twice the rate of memory loss as people without infections.

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

Bob DeMarco

My name is Bob DeMarco, I am an Alzheimer's caregiver. My mother Dorothy lived with Alzheimer's disease.

This week my mother had her second urinary tract infection of the year. Urinary Tract infections are a problem faced by many Alzheimer's caregivers.

Urinary tract infections are particularly worrisome to me and they should be to most Alzheimer's caregivers.

There is research evidence indicating that infections can hasten memory loss in persons suffering from Alzheimer's.

Jump to the Alzheimer's Reading Room to continue reading - Urinary Tract Infections Can Hasten Memory Loss in Alzheimer's Patients

Consumer Price Index - December 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Wed, 16 Jan 2013 14:10:00 +0000

The Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) was unchanged in December on a seasonally adjusted basis, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Over the last 12 months, the all items index increased 1.7 percent before seasonal adjustment.

The gasoline index declined again in December, but other indexes, notably food and shelter, increased, resulting in the seasonally adjusted all items index being unchanged. Gasoline was the only major energy index to decline; the indexes for natural gas and electricity both increased. Within the food category, five of the six major grocery store food groups increased as the food at home index rose for the third consecutive month.

The index for all items less food and energy increased 0.1 percent in December, the same increase as in November.

Besides shelter, the indexes for airline fares, tobacco, and medical care also increased. The indexes for recreation, household furnishings and operations, and used cars and trucks all declined in December.

The all items index increased 1.7 percent over the last 12 months, compared to a 1.8 percent figure in November.

The index for all items less food and energy rose 1.9 percent over the last 12 months, the same figure as last month. The food index has risen 1.8 percent over the last 12 months, and the energy index has risen 0.5 percent.

Jump to the full report.

PRODUCER PRICE INDEXES - DECEMBER 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 14:51:00 +0000

The Producer Price Index for finished goods declined 0.2 percent in December, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Prices for finished goods fell 0.8 percent in November and 0.2 percent in October.

At the earlier stages of processing, prices received by manufacturers of intermediate goods moved up 0.3 percent, and the crude goods index increased 2.5 percent.

On an unadjusted basis, the finished goods index rose 1.3 percent in 2012, compared with a 4.7-percent advance in 2011. (See table A.)

Jump to the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the full report.

Nutritional Supplement Chiro Inositol May Help Prevent Dementia

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 18:07:00 +0000

“Chiro (Chiro-inositols) is a nutraceutical that we believe sensitizes your brain to the effects of insulin ... This would presumably enhance insulin action and protect the brain from Alzheimer’s.” ~ David Brautigan

Alzheimer's Reading Room

We have quite a bit of information available on insulin, the connection between diabetes and Alzheimer's, and ongoing clinical trials into the use of insulin as a treatment for Alzheimer's disease. You can find all of this information by searching the Alzheimer's Reading Room Knowledge Base.

The study described below was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of chiro-inositol (Chiro) and whether or not it would enhance insulin action as a result protect the brain against Alzheimer's disease.

Chiro-inositol can be found in some foods but it is not usually abundant in most diets. However, Chiro is available as a nutritional supplement.

Is anyone on our list taking Chiro? Would you consider trying this nutritional supplement?

Continued on the Next Page

How To Use the Alzheimer's Reading Room Knowledge Base

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 21:23:00 +0000

The Alzheimer's Reading Room Knowledge Base contains more than 4,000 articles. In the Alzheimer's Reading Room (ARR), we offer "real life" solutions to problems that Alzheimer's caregivers and their families encounter each day.

By Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room

The goal of the Alzheimer's Reading Roomis to Educate, Empower, and sometimes Entertain Alzheimer's caregivers, their families, and the entire Alzheimer's community.At its core the Alzheimer's Reading Room is about helping members of the Alzheimer'sand Dementia Community understand, cope, and communicate with persons living with Alzheimer's and Dementia.
The Alzheimer's Reading Room is currently the number one source of information for Alzheimer's, dementia, memory loss, and related health and life news on the Internet.

Jump to the Alzheimer's Reading Room to Learn More

METROPOLITAN AREA EMPLOYMENT AND UNEMPLOYMENT -- NOVEMBER 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 15:31:00 +0000

Unemployment rates were lower in November than a year earlier in 322 of the 372 metropolitan areas, higher in 36 areas, and unchanged in 14 areas, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Four areas recorded jobless rates of at least15.0 percent, while 52 areas registered rates of less than 5.0 percent. Two hundred eighty-eight metropolitan areas reported over-the-year increases in nonfarm payroll employment, 77 reported decreases, and 7 had no change. The national unemployment rate in November was 7.4 percent, not seasonally adjusted, down from 8.2 percent a year earlier.

Metropolitan Area Unemployment (Not Seasonally Adjusted)

In November, 29 metropolitan areas reported jobless rates of at least 10.0 percent, down from 68 areas a year earlier, while 192 areas posted rates below 7.0 percent, up from 129 areas in November 2011. Yuma, Ariz., and El Centro, Calif., recorded the highest unemployment rates in November 2012, at 27.5 and 26.6 percent, respectively.

Bismarck, N.D., registered the lowest unemployment rate, 2.6 percent. A total of 217 areas recorded November unemployment rates below the U.S. figure of 7.4 percent, 146 areas reported rates above it, and 9 areas had rates equal to that of the nation.
(See table 1.)

Jump to the Bureau of Labor Statistics to Read the Full Report

Dementia, Delirium, and Urinary Tract Infection

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 04:09:00 +0000

Delirium is a sudden alteration in mental status -- brain failure in a vulnerable individual, often an older adult with multiple health issues, caused by something else such as medications, urinary tract infection, lack of sleep, excessive light or noise or pain.

Delirium, which occurs suddenly, is not the same as dementia, although individuals with dementia are more susceptible to developing delirium during hospitalization than individuals without dementia.

Alzheimer's caregivers take note.

The dreaded urinary tract infection. Yikes.

One of the most frequently discussed topics by Alzheimer's caregivers in support groups is the urinary tract infection. This happens because most persons living with dementia cannot tell you they are sick; and as a result, they often suffer from urinary tract infections that result in a trip to the hospital emergency room.

I can't tell you how many "hair raising" emails I have received from caregivers describing hallucinations and delirium as a result of an infection, almost always a urinary tract infection.

One big issue with infection is memory loss on the part of the person living with Alzheimer's. In most cases I know of, the patients memory declines when they suffer from an infection that goes undetected for a while. The question? Will their memory come back to where it was prior to the infection?

Jump to the Alzheimer's Reading Room to continue reading

THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION -- DECEMBER 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Fri, 04 Jan 2013 13:56:00 +0000

Nonfarm payroll employment rose by 155,000 in December, and the unemployment rate was unchanged at 7.8 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Employment increased in health care, food services and drinking places, construction, and manufacturing.

Household Survey Data

The number of unemployed persons, at 12.2 million, was little changed
in December. The unemployment rate held at 7.8 percent and has been at
or near that level since September. (See table A-1.)

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rates for adult women
(7.3 percent) and blacks (14.0 percent) edged up in December, while
the rates for adult men (7.2 percent), teenagers (23.5 percent),
whites (6.9 percent), and Hispanics (9.6 percent) showed little or no
change. The jobless rate for Asians was 6.6 percent (not seasonally
adjusted), little changed from a year earlier. (See tables A-1, A-2,
and A-3.)

In December, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27
weeks or more) was essentially unchanged at 4.8 million and accounted
for 39.1 percent of the unemployed. (See table A-12.)

The civilian labor force participation rate held at 63.6 percent in
December. The employment-population ratio, at 58.6 percent, was
essentially unchanged over the month. (See table A-1.)

The number of persons employed part time for economic reasons
(sometimes referred to as involuntary part-time workers), at 7.9
million, changed little in December. These individuals were working
part time because their hours had been cut back or because they were
unable to find a full-time job. (See table A-8.)

In December, 2.6 million persons were marginally attached to the labor
force, essentially unchanged from a year earlier. (These data are not
seasonally adjusted.) These individuals were not in the labor force,
wanted and were available for work, and had looked for a job sometime
in the prior 12 months. They were not counted as unemployed because
they had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey.
(See table A-16.)

Among the marginally attached, there were 1.1 million discouraged
workers in December, little changed from a year earlier. (These data
are not seasonally adjusted.) Discouraged workers are persons not
currently looking for work because they believe no jobs are available
for them. The remaining 1.5 million persons marginally attached to the
labor force in December had not searched for work in the 4 weeks
preceding the survey for reasons such as school attendance or family
responsibilities. (See table A-16.)

Continue reading THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION -- DECEMBER 2012

Accepting Alzheimers, Coping in Alzheimers World

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 18:49:00 +0000

Did you ever wonder why most Alzheimer's patients stick like glue to their caregiver? Call out their name when they can't see them? Want to know where you are when they can't see you?

When a person has Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia they are often difficult to understand. The behaviors they express are often difficult to accept.

It be be very hard to deal with a person suffering from Alzheimer's disease.

It is hard to understand that a person can't remember.

Harder to accept that when they can't remember, they will do things that are completely foreign to your frame of reference.

Each of us has emotions and feelings. Alzheimer's has a way of bringing out the worst of these feelings and emotions.

The challenge -- learning to deal with a person living with Alzheimer's on their own terms. Learning to deal with Alzheimer's disease.

Jump to the Alzheimer's Reading Room to read this article and search the ARR Knowledge Base

Reserve Bank Credit 1228

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Sat, 29 Dec 2012 13:02:00 +0000

Notes:

Reserve Bank credit is the sum of securities held outright, repurchase agreements, term auction credit, other loans, net portfolio holdings of Commercial Paper Funding Facility LLC, net portfolio holdings of LLCs funded through the Money Market Investor Funding Facility, net portfolio holdings of Maiden Lane LLC, net portfolio holdings of Maiden Lane II LLC, net portfolio holdings of Maiden Lane III LLC, float, central bank liquidity swaps, and other Federal Reserve assets.

Merry Christmas 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Tue, 25 Dec 2012 13:40:00 +0000

Bob

Why everybody wants a slice of Raspberry Pi

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 13:14:00 +0000

In a world where computers are increasingly powerful and are concealed within ever more glossy slabs of aluminum, the Raspberry Pi (RPi) offers surprising proof for the virtue of moderation.

When the RPi launched in February of this year, demand far outran supply, and all 10,000 sold out immediately -- crashing the distributing websites in the process.

Now, far exceeding it's inventor's original estimates, the RPi is set to sell as a million units within its first year of availability.

Watch the video here.

All American Investor

That Terrible Trillion

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:48:00 +0000

As you might imagine, I find myself in a lot of discussions about U.S. fiscal policy, and the budget deficit in particular. And there’s one thing I can count on in these discussions: At some point someone will announce, in dire tones, that we have a ONE TRILLION DOLLAR deficit.

No, I don’t think the people making this pronouncement realize that they sound just like Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers movies.

Anyway, we do indeed have a ONE TRILLION DOLLAR deficit, or at least we did; in fiscal 2012, which ended in September, the deficit was actually $1.089 trillion. (It will be lower this year.) The question is what lesson we should take from that figure.

Source That Terrible Trillion - NYTimes.com http://nyti.ms/UMbYZV

PRODUCER PRICE INDEXES - NOVEMBER 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 15:04:00 +0000

The Producer Price Index for finished goods fell 0.8 percent in November, seasonally adjusted, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Prices for finished goods decreased 0.2 percent in October and rose 1.1 percent in September.

At the earlier stages of processing, prices received by manufacturers of intermediate goods declined 1.2 percent in November, and the crude goods index edged up 0.1 percent.

On an unadjusted basis, the finished goods index advanced 1.5 percent for the 12 months ended November 2012, the smallest increase since a 0.5- percent rise for the 12 months ended July 2012. (See table A.)

Read the full blown report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

Bernanke Critics Can’t Fight Bonds Showing No Inflation

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:03:00 +0000

As Ben S. Bernanke considers whether to worry about inflation before adding to his record monetary stimulus today, he has the bond market on his side.

Debt traders are anticipating prices will accelerate at the Federal Reserve’s target rate of about 2 percent during the next five years.

The break-even rate for five-year Treasury Inflation Protected Securities -- a yield differential between the inflation-linked debt and Treasuries -- was 2.07 percentage points on Dec. 11.

That’s a measure of the outlook for consumer prices over the life of the securities.

Source: bloomberg.com via Bob on Pinterest

THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION -- NOVEMBER 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Fri, 07 Dec 2012 13:58:00 +0000

Total nonfarm payroll employment rose by 146,000 in November, and the unemployment rate edged down to 7.7 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Employment increased in retail trade, professional and business services, and health care.

Read the full blown report in the Bureau of Labor Statistics --

THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION

Affordable Care Act Saves Consumers $1.5 Billion

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 16:19:00 +0000

Consumers saw nearly $1.5 billion in insurer rebates and overhead cost savings in 2011, due to the Affordable Care Act’s medical loss ratio provision requiring health insurers to spend at least 80 percent of premium dollars on health care or quality improvement activities or pay a rebate to their customers, according to a new Commonwealth Fund report.

Consumers with individual policies saw substantially reduced premiums when insurers reduced both administrative costs and profits to meet the new standards. While insurers in the small- and large-group markets achieved lower administrative costs, not all of these savings were passed on to employers and consumers, as many insurers increased profits in these markets.

“The medical loss ratio requirements are intended to give insurers an incentive to be more efficient and use most of their premium dollars for patient care,” said Sara Collins, Commonwealth Fund Vice President for Affordable Health Insurance. “This report is encouraging, as it demonstrates that these new rules are improving value for people buying health insurance on their own, which has traditionally been very challenging. However, it will be crucial to monitor insurers’ responses to this regulation over time to ensure that all purchasers and consumers benefit from the savings the law is designed to encourage.”

The new report, Insurers’ Responses to Regulation of Medical Loss Ratios, by Michael McCue of Virginia Commonwealth University and Mark Hall of Wake Forest University, looks at how insurers selling policies for individuals, small-employer groups (up to 100 workers), and large-employer groups (more than 50 or 100 workers, depending on the state) in every state reacted to the Affordable Care Act’s medical loss ratio requirement between 2010, the year just before the new rule took effect, and 2011, the first year the rule was in place.

The authors find that in the individual insurance market, improvements were widespread: 39 states saw administrative costs drop, 37 states saw medical loss ratios improve, and 34 states saw reductions in operating profits. Some states stood out for significant improvements. In New Mexico, Missouri, West Virginia, Texas, and South Carolina, medical loss ratios improved 10 percentage points or more, while administrative costs dropped $99 or more per member in Delaware, Ohio, Louisiana, South Carolina, and New York.

However, the report finds that in small- and large-group markets, medical loss ratios were largely unchanged, and while spending on administrative costs dropped, profits increased. For example, in the small-group market, administrative costs were reduced by $190 million, profits increased by $226 million, and the medical loss ratio remained at 83 percent, unchanged from 2010. In the large-group market, insurers reduced administrative costs by $785 million, increased profits by $959 million, and kept their medical loss ratio at 89 percent, also unchanged from 2010.

The authors note that while insurers in the individual market have a less stringent medical loss ratio requirement—80 percent, as opposed to 85 percent in the large-group market—their traditionally higher overhead costs and lower medical loss ratios mean they have to work harder to reach the new standard. As a result, these insurers lowered both administrative costs and profit margins, therefore reducing growth in premiums.

Conversely, insurers in the small- and large-group markets generally already have medical loss ratios in the range of the required 85 percent, so while they reduced administrative costs, they had the option of turning those cost savings into profits instead of passing them along to consumers.

In light of rising profits and falling administrative costs, the authors suggest it is possible insurers took profit increases in the small- and large-group markets to offset the reduced profits in the individual market. And because many insurers sell policies in all three markets, any reduction in administrative costs could have been spread across all of a given insurer’s lines of business

The Affordable Care Act aims to expand health insurance coverage to almost all Americans while improving health care quality and reducing costs.

According to the new Commonwealth Fund report, the law’s medical loss ratio provision is directed specifically at controlling costs by attempting to restrain insurers’ spending on profits and administrative expenses, with the hope that lower overhead will result in lower premiums.

The authors conclude that stronger measures—like rate regulation, tighter loss ratio rules, or enhanced competitive pressures—may be needed to ensure that these administrative costs are reduced in all markets and savings are passed along to consumers.

via commonwealthfund.org

Alzheimer's Reading Room

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 20:16:00 +0000

The Alzheimer's Reading Room is the number one source of life news and health information for the entire Alzheimers and Dementia community.The goal of the Alzheimer's Reading Room is to Educate and Empower Alzheimer's caregivers their families, and the entire Alzheimer's community.

About the Alzheimer's Reading Room

EMPLOYMENT SITUATION -- OCTOBER 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 12:55:00 +0000

Total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 171,000 in October, and the unemployment rate was essentially unchanged at 7.9 percent, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today.

Employment rose in professional and business services, health care,and retail trade.

Household Survey Data

Both the unemployment rate (7.9 percent) and the number of unemployed persons (12.3 million) were essentially unchanged in October, following declines in September.(See table A-1.)

Among the major worker groups, the unemployment rate for blacks increased to 14.3 percent in October, while the rates for adult men (7.3 percent), adult women (7.2 percent), teenagers (23.7 percent), whites (7.0 percent), and Hispanics (10.0 percent) showed little or no change. The jobless rate for Asians was 4.9 percent in October (not seasonally adjusted), down from 7.3 percent a year earlier. (See tables A-1, A-2, and A-3.)

In October, the number of long-term unemployed (those jobless for 27 weeks or more) was little changed at 5.0 million. These individuals accounted for 40.6 percent of the unemployed. (See table A-12.)

The civilian labor force rose by 578,000 to 155.6 million in October, and the labor force participation rate edged up to 63.8 percent. Total employment rose by 410,000 over the month. The employment-population ratio was essentially unchanged at 58.8 percent, following an increase of 0.4 percentage point in September. (See table A-1.)

The number of persons employed part time for economic reasons (sometimes referred to as involuntary part-time workers) fell by 269,000 to 8.3 million in October, partially offsetting an increase of 582,000 in September. These individuals were working part time because their hours had been cut back or because they were unable to find a full-time job. (See table A-8.)

In October, 2.4 million persons were marginally attached to the labor force, little different from a year earlier. (These data are not seasonally adjusted.) These individuals were not in the labor force, wanted and were available for work, and had looked for a job sometime in the prior 12 months. They were not counted as unemployed because they had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey. (See table A-16.)

Among the marginally attached, there were 813,000 discouraged workers in October, a decline of 154,000 from a year earlier. (These data are not seasonally adjusted.)
Discouraged workers are persons not currently looking for work because they believe no jobs are available for them. The remaining 1.6 million persons marginally attached to the labor force in October had not searched for work in the 4 weeks preceding the survey for reasons such as school attendance or family responsibilities. (See table A-16.)

Read more details and the breakdown at the Bureau of Labor Statistics

The Island Where People Forget to Die

noreply@blogger.com (Alzheimer's Reading Room) — Sun, 28 Oct 2012 14:55:00 +0000

If you pay careful attention to the way Ikarians have lived their lives, it appears that a dozen subtly powerful, mutually enhancing and pervasive factors are at work. It’s easy to get enough rest if no one else wakes up early and the village goes dead during afternoon naptime.

It helps that the cheapest, most accessible foods are also the most healthful — and that your ancestors have spent centuries developing ways to make them taste good. It’s hard to get through the day in Ikaria without walking up 20 hills. You’re not likely to ever feel the existential pain of not belonging or even the simple stress of arriving late.

Your community makes sure you’ll always have something to eat, but peer pressure will get you to contribute something too. You’re going to grow a garden, because that’s what your parents did, and that’s what your neighbors are doing. You’re less likely to be a victim of crime because everyone at once is a busybody and feels as if he’s being watched.

At day’s end, you’ll share a cup of the seasonal herbal tea with your neighbor because that’s what he’s serving. Several glasses of wine may follow the tea, but you’ll drink them in the company of good friends.

On Sunday, you’ll attend church, and you’ll fast before Orthodox feast days.

Even if you’re antisocial, you’ll never be entirely alone. Your neighbors will cajole you out of your house for the village festival to eat your portion of goat meat.

Continue Reading via nytimes.com