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Protect Yourself From Telemarketing Fraud

February 14, 2012 by

Telemarketers want you to pick up the phone. That’s why they target 60-80% of their calls at seniors, who are more likely to be at home during the day and give their sales pitches a respectful hearing. Although you were always taught to be nice to salesmen, the National Crime Prevention Council recommends that you hang up on telemarketers—if you answer the phone at all.

Older people are prime targets for telemarketing fraud, which attempts to cheat you out of your valuables through deception. Seniors suffering from dementia or memory loss are prime targets for schemes like this, but we all need to watch out.

Some helpful hints:

*Sign up for the national Do Not Call Registry at (888) 382-1222 or www.donotcall.gov. This will help decrease calls from telemarketers.

*If a caller asks for personal information such as a credit card number or Social Security number, politely refuse and hang up.

*If a caller offers a free item and then wants you to pay for shipping or taxes, politely refuse and hang up.

*If a caller demands a decision on a limited-time offer, politely refuse and hang up.

*If you don't understand the offer, ask to receive information by mail. If the telemarketer refuses to do that, end the call.

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Over 50? Take a Look at These Vitamins

February 7, 2012 by

As we age, we eat less, cook less, and our metabolism slows. On average, seniors eat 1,200 calories a day. Meals are less likely to be balanced and drug regimens—such as corticosteroids, anticonvulsants, thyroid hormone, antibiotics, laxatives, or diuretics—may interfere with how some vitamins are absorbed by your body. Depending on your health and lifestyle, a multivitamin could be an essential addition to your daily routine.

Older people can easily become deficient in vitamins D, B6, and B12, and minerals like folic acid, iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium. This is especially true if you lack exposure to sunlight or can’t eat certain foods. Lack of vitamin B12 can occasionally mimic more serious problems like confusion and memory loss, so if you’re experiencing these symptoms, make sure you’re checked for vitamin deficiency as well.

Some studies show that seniors’ immune systems may benefit from vitamin E in levels higher than the recommended daily dosage. But remember, your metabolism has slowed down; vitamin doses that are easily tolerated by younger people may make you sick. Ask your doctor to help you create a personalized vitamin plan. An extra pill or two first thing in the morning can make a huge difference in how you feel.

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Betty White: Senior Superstar

January 31, 2012 by

Lots of people say that life's third act is the best. Want proof? Just look at 89 year-old entertainment legend Betty White. She's spent seven decades in show business–she even helped demonstrate television at the 1939 World's Fair!–and her career is more vital than ever. The Emmy-Award winning actress, best known for her starring roles on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Golden Girls, is blazing new ground for senior citizens and shows no sign of stopping. Here are some of Betty’s recent career highlights:

– In 2010, Betty became the oldest person ever to host Saturday Night Live. She was such a hit on the show that she earned a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series.

– She's now starring in the popular TV Land sitcom Hot In Cleveland, and she has recently held guest spots on a number of top TV shows, including Boston Legal, 30 Rock, That 70s Show and My Name is Earl.

– She appeared in 2009’s The Proposal alongside Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds. Hollywood watchers credited Betty with the movie's massive success.

– She appeared in a now-iconic Snickers commercial with Abe Vigoda during Super Bowl XLIV, which won the top spot on the USA Today Super Bowl Ad Meter.

– In 2011, she appeared in the Hallmark Hall of Fame movie The Lost Valentine, which received the highest rating for a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie in the past four years and won first place in the prime-time slot for that date.

And those are just her ventures on screen! Betty is also America's foremost animal health advocate, and she has authored multiple books. Her latest book, If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won’t), was published in early 2011. Betty White’s life is a source of inspiration for seniors everywhere – her positive energy, her commitment to pursuing her passions, and her dauntless sense of humor. If you want to age with grace and style, there’s no better model than Betty White.

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Senior Citizen Rockers: Still Going Strong

January 24, 2012 by

What do senior citizen music superstars like Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, and Mick Jagger have in common? Sure, they share fame, fortune, and talent, but one of their most exciting mutual traits is their commitment to growing older with creativity and stamina. Still bringing down the house in their senior years and loved by fans of all ages, these legends prove that age truly is just a number.

Paul McCartney. Now 69 years old, the former Beatle and founder of Wings recently received the Gershwin Award in Music, which was presented to him at the White House by President Obama. The award is given to a composer for a lifetime of achievement in the music. He is still playing to packed concerts all over the world.

Bruce Springsteen. He's as much “The Boss” as ever. In 2009, he performed at the halftime show of Super Bowl XLII, wowing kids and longtime fans. That same year, he was named one of eight “Artists of the Decade” by Rolling Stone Magazine. In the past 10 years, Springsteen and his E Street Band have enjoyed a creative and commercial renaissance.

Mick Jagger. At the age of 68, he's still sexy, still dangerous. In 2007, The Rolling Stones made the Guinness Book of World Records for the success of their “A Bigger Bang” tour. Jagger recently started a new band, SuperHeavy, featuring acclaimed younger musicians Damian Marley, Joss Stone and others.

These senior rockers have defined what it means to age with style, providing inspiration to older adults all over the world. They don’t plan to slow down anytime soon, and neither should you. Rock on!

 

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Five Debut Novelists To Put On Your Reading List

January 18, 2012 by
The publishing industry may be in turmoil right now, but that hasn’t stopped the latest crop of intrepid emerging fiction writers from making their mark. Here are five bright new voices, each with a debut novel published in 2011, to look out for in the coming years:
 
Justin Torres, author of We the Animals
This debut novel, which tells a gripping coming-of-age story centered around three brothers, announces the arrival of a skilled and innovative new writer. Torres has already garnered a number of literary honors, including a Stegner Fellowship in Fiction at Stanford, and the rave reviews of We the Animals mark him as a novelist to watch.
 
Kevin Wilson, author of The Family Fang
Wilson’s The Family Fang, which chronicles the adventures of a theatrical family, has already been optioned by Nicole Kidman for a feature film. This fast-paced, funny novel tells the story of eccentric performance artists Caleb and Camille Fang and their two children. Wilson combines black comedy with human pathos in an unforgettable way. 
 
Tea Obreht, author of The Tiger’s Wife
Not only did Obreht’s The Tiger’s Wife earn her a spot on The New Yorker’s best American fiction writers under forty list, the book was also a National Book Award Finalist in 2011. The Tiger’s Wife, tells the story of Natalia, a young doctor working in a Balkan orphanage by the sea. Obreht weaves a narrative dense with unforgettable images, characters, and connections across time. 
 
Chad Harbach, author of The Art of Fielding
Harbach’s The Art of Fielding has generated a significant amount of buzz and critical praise. The novel centers on college baseball star Henry Skrimshander as he strives toward his dream of achieving Big League stardom. Harbache’s refined prose and vivid characters distinguish him as an up-and-coming writer to put your must-read list. 
 
Eleanor Henderson, author of Ten Thousand Saints
Henderson’s Ten Thousand Saints landed on a lot of high-ranking lists this past year, including the New York Times Book Review’s Top 10 Books of 2011 list and O Magazine’s Top 5 Fiction list. The novel, set in the 1980’s, explores the life of a young man who moves from Vermont to New York after his best friend dies of a drug over-dose. After reading Ten Thousand Saints, you’ll eagerly anticipate more from this exciting new writer.
 
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Feed Your Eyes With a Healthy Diet

January 10, 2012 by

To protect your vision, get your eyes checked once a year. But you can do more than that: simply eating a healthy, balanced diet will help ensure that your trip to the eye doctor is quick, painless and worry-free.

Start with orange juice and green vegetables. They are packed with vitamin C, which helps fight glaucoma, and the heavy dose of antioxidants will guard against macular degeneration.

While you’re at it, remember the color orange; carrots, sweet potatoes, and other orange fruits/vegetables are high in beta carotene, which is a building block for vitamin A. Vitamin A strengthens your corneas and helps prevent night blindness.

Salmon, flax seeds, walnuts, and avocado are good sources of Omega 3 fatty acids. Besides preventing dry eye syndrome, this beneficial fat helps heart and brain health!

You’re not limited to meals, either. Think of all the finger foods you can snack on throughout the day—citrus fruits, broccoli, peaches, mangoes, garlic, chickpeas . . . with every bite, your eyes get stronger. So get that annual eye exam, but “feed” your eyes every day. Bon appetit!

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Save Some Green: Safely Skip Organic Versions of These Vegetables

December 28, 2011 by

With all of the hubbub about organic produce, the truth is that you don’t have to buy organic everything to eat healthfully. Organic growing methods make a big difference in some produce and virtually no difference in others. If you’re looking to save a little money, here are five vegetables that are safe and delicious when conventionally grown:

  • Onions are a bulb vegetable and they absorb very little pesticide through the growing process. In addition, growing onions organically is very expensive, as their stalks are vulnerable to a wide variety of insects.
  • Sweet corn is also very acceptable to purchase conventionally-grown. While there's a great deal of concern over genetically-modified corn in the open market, the majority of sweet corn is not GMO and can be consumed with confidence.
  • Avocados are also a food that grows better under conventional techniques. The thick skin of the fruit prevents contamination from airborne pesticides, and considering that the vast majority of avocados are grown abroad it’s difficult to find affordable organic options.
  • Sweet potatoes, unlike standard potatoes, are fine to eat conventionally-grown. The less starchy flesh is less likely to absorb toxins through the soil.
  • Cabbage has thickly-packed leaves don’t hold pesticides and chemicals like lettuces do.

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Managing Your Money During Retirement

December 20, 2011 by

You saved, sacrificed, and planned ahead for retirement. But now that you’re able to kick back and enjoy life, money management poses some unique challenges. Whether you’re newly retired or a long-term retiree who wants to maintain financial stability, consider these tips to get the most from your money.

Budgeting. On a fixed income, budgeting is more important than ever. When making a long-term budget, make sure to factor in fluctuating or tough-to-predict expenses like insurance, medication, and long-term care options.

Debt. Debt can wreak havoc on your savings and your ability to live life to the fullest. When possible, pay down your debt. This will not only create long-term stability, it will help aid your peace of mind.

Health. Staying mentally, physically, and socially active will improve your health and save you money. Take a class, a walk, a day trip, or go for a meal with friends. A little prevention now will pay off down the road.

 

 

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Big Numbers: The Highest Rated TV Shows Of All Time

December 13, 2011 by

When a TV show gets a big rating, you know that America is watching. It’s rare that our fractious populace can unite behind one thing, but in the case of these five top-rated TV shows, they did:

  • M.A.S.H. was one of the most popular TV shows of all time, but that doesn’t explain the incredible turnout for the show’s finale in 1983. 50 million households tuned in for the show, a staggering 60% of homes that had a TV set.
  • Dallas was one of the landmark nighttime soap operas ever aired, and the “Who Shot J.R.” storyline was its peak. The episode that solved the mystery of the Texas oil baron’s assailant aired in 1980 and was watched by 41 million people.
  • Roots, Alex Haley’s epic story of slavery and redemption, was one of the most popular television miniseries of all time. The finale of the story aired in January of 1977 and, buoyed by strong word of mouth from the prior episodes, drew an audience of 36 million.
  • Super Bowl XVI is one of many football games that rank high on this list. The contest between the San Francisco 49ers and the Cincinnati Bengals in 1982 was watched by 40 million people.
  • 1983’s Super Bowl XVII was also seen live by 40 million people.

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Hearing Loss: What You Can Do

December 6, 2011 by

Hearing loss is the third leading health problem for people over 50, surpassed only by arthritis and hypertension. It’s a natural consequence of getting older; even if you worked in a quiet library all your life, your hearing is likely to dull with age.

The problem can sneak up on you. It typically occurs gradually, with extreme frequencies (high or low-pitched sounds) affected more than others. Often this results in temporary difficulty understanding speech, which can easily be blamed on other factors. By the time hearing loss affects your lifestyle, it may be too late to correct.

If you find yourself routinely asking people to repeat themselves or turning up the television volume beyond others’ comfort level, hearing loss may be a problem. Another sign may be buzzing or ringing in the ear, especially after leaving a noisy environment. If you have these symptoms, see your doctor for a hearing test. When caught early, hearing loss can usually be corrected to an almost normal state.

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