Standard policy or discrimination?

His argument: As a man in his 50s, he felt more comfortable in longer swimwear, not a suit designed with this guy in mind.  Also, no one over 50 should be allowed to wear Speedo bikinis. Ever. Period. He’s serious.

“I wore a Speedo when I was in my 20s, but come on. There should be a law prohibiting anyone over the age of 50 from wearing a Speedo. … There’s a thing called aging and there’s a thing called aging gracefully.”

What do you think?

… Laid off workers, aging baby boomers push Social Security disability to verge of insolvency. From AP: Applications are up nearly 50 percent over a decade ago as people with disabilities lose their jobs and can’t find new ones in an economy that has shed nearly 7 million jobs. The stampede for benefits is adding to a growing backlog of applicants – many wait two years or more before their cases are resolved – and worsening the financial problems of a program that’s been running in the red for years.

…Monday QuickTakes:  Hospice care lobbyists fight to prevent Medicare payment cuts … Seniors eat better with a companion … Obama administration works to rekindle excitement among Hispanic voters … New rules for airlines kick in this week to protect fliers

See “In the News” for more on current events, entertainment and how it all relates to you.

(Photo: Mecky/Getty Images)

Aging is for the birds.

What you may have missed this week

Four days after Viola Drath was found unresponsive in her Washington, D.C., home, her husband, Albrecht Gero Muth, was arrested and charged with her murder. The story reads, unfortunately, like many other homicide cases across the country — except this one has an interesting angle: Drath was 91 and Muth is 47. As in many other cases of elder abuse, Drath was a person of means who allegedly was taken advantage of by a loved one. Was Viola Drath the victim of elder abuse?

On medication and traveling this summer? From Candy Sagon: Tips for traveling with your medications.

Still worried about the market and your retirement? Seven things to do when the stock market slumps. Hint: Stay positive. … Builders Cite Rise in ‘Mother-in-Law Suites’ … Warren Buffett’s op-ed piece in the New York Times sparked a fury on the Internet yesterday. If you missed it, here’s the takeaway in his own words: “My friends and I have been coddled long enough by a billionaire-friendly Congress. It’s time for our government to get serious about shared sacrifice.” What do you think?

… Seniors in the City. For many Manhattanites, if they can’t do it on the island, it’s not happening. And that’s even more true for a certain segment of New York’s population: Seniors. People over 75 make up about 6.2 percent of Manhattan’s population and it’s going to grow.  The reasons are myriad, but whatever the appeal, New York does it well.

See “In the News” for more on current events, entertainment and how it all relates to you.

(Photo: Adrianna Williams/Corbis)

… Back to school.  An interesting report highlights how the economy and the growing number of retirees has spurred a growing number of boomers to go back to college. “The reasons for the increase in boomers headed back to college vary: some are looking to advance or have encore careers while others simply want to learn a new subject or are going for the first time. ” And there’s no better time than now: According to the July unemployment report, the jobless rate for men 55-plus fell to 7.4 percent from 7.9 percent the previous month. For women, the rate rose to 7.3 percent from 6.3 percent. … Seniors in the City. For many Manhattanites, if they can’t do it on the island, it’s not happening. And that’s even more true for a certain segment of New York’s population: Seniors. People over 75 make up about 6.2 percent of Manhattan’s population and it’s going to grow.  The reasons are myriad, but whatever the appeal, New York does it well.

Growing numbers of older New Yorkers live in housing specifically tailored for their needs, or are helped by programs like Dorot that provide everything from home-delivered meals to volunteers who escort people to doctor visits. An increasingly age-friendly mass transit system, along with discounts for items ranging from subway rides to movies, can help older New Yorkers get around, manage on fixed incomes and fill their days pleasurably. The wealth of hospitals and social service agencies provide support in times of need. Even at a time of widespread budget cuts, Manhattan does relatively well in this respect.”

New York isn’t for everyone, so here are 10 great cities for retirement.

… Health notes: CT scans for lung cancer trigger debate: “Hospitals and radiology practices around the United States have increasingly begun using high-tech CT scans to screen people for lung cancer despite intense disagreement about whether the testing should be done widely.” … Home health aides are in demand as hospitals, nursing homes try to trim rolls.

(Photo: Jupiterimags/Getty Images)

Tuesday I

What do you think? How old is too old for plastic surgery?

More older people and plastic surgery

• Will plastic surgery save your job?
• Women aren’t the only ones getting “some work” done
• More on cosmetic surgery

Alzheimer’s harder to spot in people over 80. From WebMD: Researchers examined standard measures of Alzheimer’s by age, finding that older elderly people may have more subtle symptoms of the disease than the younger elderly. … Breast cancer double standard? About 2,000 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year – a fraction of the number of women who are diagnosed. But the health implications are the same, which is why a South Carolina man’s story has caused such outrage: Raymond Johnson was denied Medicaid coverage through a program for breast cancer patients because he’s a man.

… Americans are fed up with Washington. Could a possible  double-dip recession be part of the problem?

“In the aftermath of the tumultuous debate over raising the debt ceiling, Americans give Washington a strong vote of no confidence, with barely a quarter of those surveyed recently saying the federal government can fix the nation’s economic problems and a large majority agreeing that the policymaking process is unstable and ineffective.”

See “In the News” for more on current events, entertainment and how it all relates to you.

(Photo: Stephanie Diani/The New York Times)

How do you know if you have sleep apnea? Seven signs to watch for. …

Wednesday Quick Takes:

Know when to fold: For many of us, losing a large amount of money in a gambling bout is hard to swallow. But for retirees, it can be downright devastating. From the San Diego Union-Tribune: “Older adults may be particularly vulnerable to some gambling-related problems. Approximately one in 20 adults who participate in gaming have a problem or tendencies toward pathological gambling. Many older adult gamblers with fixed incomes are more vulnerable to financial devastation than younger gamblers.”  How do you know when it’s just plain fun or an addiction? Related: For one woman, gambling and other addictions strike too close to home. 

… From USA Today:  Older Americans of color are being financially squeezed as their earnings and savings drop and costs continue to rise, according to a report released Thursday. … From HuffPost:  A study published in The British Medical Journal this month raises questions about the risks of antidepressant medications for adults 65 and older who have been diagnosed with depression. Also: Nine types of medication older adults should use with caution.

… Now this is a very interesting study. From Chicago Sun-Times:

“Are you an older man unable to have sex with your wife? You may be impacted by her relationship with your close friend, a study coauthored by a University of Chicago sex researcher suggests. For men between 57 and 64 years old, the rate of erectile dysfunction when their wives were closer to a friend than the men were was comparable to those with prostate issues, according to the study published Monday in the American Journal of Sociology.

See “In the News” for more on current events, entertainment and how it all relates to you

(Photo: Vetta/Getty Images)

Is America ready for more “old” men?

… Meet Marie Kolstad. The California widow works fulltime, is socially active and has dozens of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Last month she had an $8,000 breast lift.  She’s 83. Yes. And she’s not the only one. “According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, in 2010 there were 84,685 surgical procedures among patients age 65 and older. ” That’s women and men.

… Market plummets after U.S credit rating is downgraded. The Dow closed down 635 yesterday. But don’t panic. And don’t sell. Here are seven good moves to consider. … Diane Nyad update: The 61-year-old ended her attempt to swim 103 miles from Cuba to Key West, Fla., in open water and without a shark cage. … Some good news: Medicare prescription premiums won’t go up next year. … More good news: Airlines begin rolling back fare hikes.

… Bernadine Healy dies. The first woman to direct the National Institutes of Health and the leader of the American Red Cross during the Sept. 11 terror attacks died at her home in suburban Cleveland on Saturday.

See “In the News” for more on current events, entertainment and how it all relates to you.

(Photo: Charles Pierre/Getty Images)

All about the genes.

But don’t be discouraged and pick up those dumbbells. Genes – and where you live – may play a large part in how long you live, but taking good care of yourself never hurts, experts say. Besides, do you really want to live to be 100? How old is old enough?

… President Obama turns 50 today. On adjusting to his new age: “The worst thing is, I don’t feel I’m as fast as I used to be. And I heal up slower on the basketball court. The wonderful thing is, I’ve been able to maintain my health pretty well.”

.. Salmonella outbreak update: CDC: 1 death, 76 illnesses linked to ground turkey. … Thinking of retiring abroad? Some questions to ask before you make a move.  Also: Best places to retire abroad.

Finally: Bubba Smith, 66, dies. The former pro football player, Miller Lite pitchman and “Police Academy” star was found dead in his home in Los Angeles.

See “In the News” for more on current events, entertainment and how it all relates to you.

(Photo: David Madison/Getty Images)

Helen Mirren takes the crown again.

Ms. Mirren, in a word, is hot. (This is what 60-something looks like.)  Her male counterpart: David Beckham. … Speaking of aging well: How old is this guy? And how does he stay looking so young?

…Obama signs debt-limit bill into law. What’s in it for you?

… More on health living and longevity: Bad habits now will shrink your brain later, says an interesting new study. The findings are not that groundbreaking – researchers report that people in their 50s who smoked, were overweight, rarely exercised and had other unhealthy habits, were more likely to experience cognitive decline 10 to 20 years later. But it’s the participants who really make this study so fascinating: Researchers in the Framingham Heart Study have been following residents in Framingham, Mass., since 1948. The goal is to identify common factors (environment, genetics, health habits) that may lead to heart disease. The people in this current study, published in Neurology this week, are the children of the original subjects. … How living in one Virginia town can shave about 10 years off a woman’s life:

“Every one of the 13 chairs at the Hair Station is occupied this afternoon by women getting a wash and set or soaking their tired feet. Their chatter is louder than the bubble-top dryers. Miss Janie has decided to eat a slice of mixed berry pie with ice cream and call it lunch; the bridesmaids at Mary Baird’s daughter’s wedding will be wearing short yellow dresses and cowboy boots.

You wouldn’t know it from the cheerful talk, but this little Southern town has lately acquired a sad distinction: Women here are likely to die nearly a decade sooner than their counterparts less than 200 miles away.”

Popular antidepressants not always the best choice for seniors: “New research suggests that hugely popular antidepressants such as Prozac and Effexor might not always be the best choice for seniors, since they seem to have more side effects than older antidepressants do.” Also: Nine medications you should use with caution. One more: Are your meds hazardous to your health?

Quick Takes: Dog lovers with allergies, heads up: Hypoallergenic pets may be a myth. .. Ground turkey linked to Salmonella outbreak. … Boomers watch more TV than teens.

See “In the News” for more on current events, entertainment and how it all relates to you.

(Photo: Orchon/Retna Digital/Corbis)

… UPDATE: Congess passes debt deal. What does this mean for you? … Back to our regularly scheduled programming: NPR’s Carl ’60 Cent’ Kasell kicks the science behind the debt ceiling.

… Are you being sarcastic? A new study suggests instead of getting angry at employees, you may get better results with a little sarcasm.

… Health notes: Unique strategies proposed for older people with diabetes … Trendy colon cleansing is a risky ritual … Race reemerges in debate over ‘personalized medicine’ … Why older athletes should listen to their bodies more often.

… D.B. Cooper update: Wait …  update? Huh?  Yes, almost 40 years later the story still fascinates and the tips are still coming in. “The FBI is looking into a witness’ account that the hijacker who in 1971 bailed out of an airplane over a Pacific Northwest forest with a $200,000 ransom actually died only 10 years ago.”

See “In the News” for more on current events, entertainment and how it all relates to you.

(Photo: Blend Images/Getty Images)

What does your face say about you?

“If it’s true, as George Orwell said, that by 50 people have the faces they deserve, then President Obama — whose birthday is Thursday — has fared well. But what’s in the face at 50? As the tail end of the baby boom reaches that milestone and looks in the mirror, the collective sigh may well be, what happened?”

Debt-limit deal reached. The agreement would increase the debt ceiling by $2.4 trillion in return for budget cuts of at least $2.4 trillion over 10 years. But it’s not over, yet. Congress still has to approve the measure. What it all means for you. … Heat advisories continue as the nation enters the second month of record high temperatures. How to protect yourself from heat-related illness.

… Money, worries about the future are keeping you up at night: “As the nation’s 77 million baby boomers move into their older years, they are deeply worried about the financial pressures of retirement and health-care costs, according to a new Associated Press report.”

See “In the News” for more on current events, entertainment and how it all relates to you.

(Photo: Brendan Smialowski/Getty Images)