Aging AmericA Newsletter

November 2000 - MATURE MARKET RESOURCES - PAGE 4

13 - Social Security Resources are available from the National Academy of Social Insurance (NASI). Issue 3, volume 11 of "Social Insurance Update", NASI's newsletter, offers a run-down on resources for understanding social security, medicare and other social insurance programs. Readers will find answers to the following Social Security questions at the NASI web site located at: www.nasi.org. Who is eligible to receive social security? How much do typical social security beneficiaries receive? What will it take to balance social security in the long run? Can we afford social security when baby boomers retire? What are the options for social security reform? Why is privatization a source of debate?

14 - Mind Alert is a new project underway at the American Society on Aging (ASA) directed at aging and mental fitness issues. "Mind Alert" will disseminate information on current research and innovative programs that help older adults maintain and improve their cognitive and mental function in later years. "Mind Alert" is based on the premise that the brain, like the rest of the body, can benefit from exercise and a healthy lifestyle. This new project is made possible through the cooperative efforts of ASA and the Metropolitan Life Foundation that recently contributed $150,000 to the "Mind Alert" project. The grant will also include the development of a mental and cognitive health promotion curriculum intended to prevent and delay the onset of memory loss, dementia, and other cognitive declines in later. For more information on the Metropolitan Life Foundation, log on to their web site at: www.metlife.org

15 - ABCs of ZZZs is a new consumer guide from the National Sleep Foundation (NSF). Readers will learn how to address their sleep concerns. Topics covered in the free brochure include: Why do you need sleep, how much sleep is enough, is all sleep the same, and who is at risk for poor sleep. Another section explains common "sleep stealers" organized under the topics of psychological factors, lifestyle stressors, shift work, jet lag, environmental interferences, physical factors, and medications. Readers will also find suggestions for discovering the secrets to a good sleep. The brochure concludes with an explanation of a "sleep diary" as a tool for deciding whether or not you need to seek professional help. Contact: National Sleep Foundation, 1522 K Street, NW, Department HY, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20005. Or, log on to the NSF web site at: www.sleepfoundation.org

16 - The Family Organizer 2001 is a calendar organizer designed to help busy family caregivers to balance responsibilities of elder caregiving, child care, spousal relationships, meal preparation, career, and leisure time activities. The "Family Organizer 2001" is a 16-month calendar that displays a week at a time so that all of the week's appointments and activities can be seen at one time. The calendar also includes a perforated grocery list and color-coded reminder stickers. Amy Knapp, the calendar's creator hopes this resource will help busy stay-at-home moms to keep track of doctor's appointments, golf games, tennis lessons, and anything else necessary to keep a well-run home running smoothly. $14.95 spiral bound. Calendar Systems USA. Available in bookstores, amazon.com, or www.thefamilyorganizer.com

 

Go back to the newsletter Table of Contents