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MATURE MARKET HEADLINES 11/22/2000
Pension Penchant Rallies Retiree ReadinessIf you want something done right, you have to do it yourself ... and that includes your retirement preparation. It's no secret that too many Americans depend solely on Social Security to carry them through their later years. Even among those whose retirement plan includes multiple sources of income, too many fail to manage those assets wisely. That's why financial planning has now become the pivotal component of any successful retirement preparation strategy.In an effort to ensure that America's workers are well underway with sound retirement preparation, the U.S. Administration on Aging (AoA) has allocated one million dollars to support pension and benefits counseling projects in fiscal year 2000. The funding is for projects that will develop ways to educate and promote pension awareness and protection among older adults as well as to encourage better financial planning. You might say that the federal government is developing a penchant for pensions in order to rally retirement readiness. "Assisting older adults in accessing information about their retirement benefits and negotiating with former employers for due compensation when necessary are key factors in helping older persons maintain financial security and independence," says AoA head, Jeanette C. Takamura. "These projects help older citizens file claims, work through legal loopholes created by divorce and widowhood, and understand the advantages and disadvantages between lump sum payments and annuities." Core services provided by all demonstration projects include:
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives. Older Women, Pensions, and Marital Demise English Last Word In Pension Reform Top Myths on Retirement Plans: IRAs, 401(k)s AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com BACK TO TOP Lighthouse Offers Vision for Better LivingVisual impairment is far more prevalent than previously estimated, according to the Lighthouse National Survey on Vision Loss. The New York City-based Lighthouse International is a pioneer in vision rehabilitation services and research on vision impairment. Lighthouse efforts focus on enabling the visually impaired to lead independent and productive lives.One in six American adults (17%), 45 years of age or older report some form of vision impairment even when wearing glasses or contact lenses, according to Lighthouse. The incidence of vision problems increases with age as evidenced by the following survey findings.
The "Holiday 200 Lighthouse Catalog" offers a variety of imaginative, life-enhancing products for those who want to give a gift that keeps on giving. Here's a sampling of the products featured in the free catalog.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives. Age-Related Sight Loss Higher for Whites These Symptoms Indicate Vision Problems Computer Improves Sight in Stroke Victims AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com BACK TO TOP College? Boomers Say No, Kids Can't GoThree out of four American families believe they can't save enough money to put their children through college, and more than half haven't even started to put money aside, according to a national survey released by Mercury Funds, a leading provider of 529 college savings plans.Nearly three-quarters of those surveyed said that if they put money aside for college, they couldn't lead the lifestyles they enjoy today. The survey randomly selected 1,029 families living in high net-worth zip codes, with most participants earning between $75,000 and $100,000, likely making them ineligible for financial aid. "Since 1980, college costs have been rising at twice and sometimes even three times the rate of the consumer price index," says Mark Cone, managing director for Mercury Funds. "A degree from a four-year state college now costs $32,344 in tuition, room and board. At a private university, the cost is more than double at $85,356." "Parents are concerned in large part because they know how crucial a college degree is to future success," Cone said. "According to The College Board, an American with a bachelor's degree earns 75 percent more on average than someone with a high school diploma. Over a lifetime, that earnings gap could exceed $1 million." The survey also found the following.
More than 40 states offer savings plans, says Mercury Funds. The plans require a minimal initial investment and, over the life of the plan, allow contributions of more than $100,000, depending on the state. There are no earnings limits and the accounts remain in the control of the contributor. If you haven't started saving for your child's education, there's no time like the present to visit your CPA or certified financial planner. See related articles in the AgeVenture archives. Money Tips For GenX, Boomers, And Seniors Colleges Confront Campus Gray Matter Boomer Retirement: hell no, we won't go AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com BACK TO TOP Consumer Surgery Books Cuts Thru Red TapeYou have been booked for surgery and have discussed your forthcoming operation and its risks with your physician and surgeon. How much did you really understand? How much do you remember clearly? Are you satisfied that you know all the risks and those that apply especially to you?Originally published in 1990, Dr. Simon Marinker's "Informed Consent to Surgery" has been reprinted by popular demand. Featuring "everything you wanted to know about your operation but were afraid to ask", the book serves as an invaluable tool for patients and their family. Sixteen chapters each deal with a specific type of surgery, taking patients through all the steps from Anesthesia to Post-operative conditions. Also included are a glossary and a special section on operations for women. Dr. Marinker has had a long and successful career in the medical profession, in three Canadian provinces, Saskatchewan, British Columbia and Ontario. He currently lives in Victoria, British Columbia. "Informed Consent to Surgery, or Everything You Wanted to Know About Your Operation But Were Afraid to Ask" by Dr. Simon Marinker is available in paperback (Trafford Publishing, 114 pages) $10.39 US, $15.99 CD. ISBN 1-55212-464-9 See related articles in the AgeVenture archives. New Anesthetics Foster Surgery Trend Doctors Cure Fear of Hospitalization Hospitalized Elders Dying to be Treated AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com BACK TO TOP Partnership Assists Long-Term Care ChoicesIn order to help consumers make more informed choices about long term care, a partnership has been forged between two senior living enterprises. RetirementLiving.com offers listings of senior housing and long term care facilities for consumers. CareCheck.com offers information and ratings on long term care facilities. Under the new partnership that merges these two resources, consumers will be better equipped to make decisions on elder care for a family member.RetirementLiving.com, based in Redding, Connecticut, contains information on retirement communities and senior housing, companies offering assistive living devices for people with special needs, tax information by state, and an e-mail newsletter to help people stay abreast of senior housing issues and new facilities under construction. CareCheck.com, based in Tulsa, Oklahoma, offers consumers evaluation services, assessment and monitoring tools, and advice on how to make smarter decisions based on the quality of care a facility delivers to its residents. An extensive database of over 45,000 facilities includes evaluations conducted by long term care professionals. The impetus for merging the resources of both enterprises is to help simplify the expensive and time-consuming process of choosing a new living environment. "We are excited to offer RetirementLiving.com visitors the ability to go beyond the listing and make their long term care choices based on quality of care'" says Scott Robinowitz, president of CareCheck.com. See related articles in the AgeVenture archives. Medication Injury Plagues Nursing Homes One-in-Ten Nursing Homes in Bankruptcy Nurseless Nursing Homes Nursing Less AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com BACK TO TOP Game Helps Family Boost Elder's MemoryFamilytime Products Inc believes that the best memory chips are the minds of your family. And, they've created a game to prove it. "Generations" is a new game of family fun that allows older and younger family members to play a game together to share stories, learn and relive life experiences."At times throughout the year when families are getting together for reunions, picnics, and holiday gatherings, we wanted to give seniors, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, an entertaining forum to spend quality time with their families", says Larry Buttram, President of Familytime Products. By using questions that test the players' knowledge of family history, Generations spurs family facts and stories to be handed down from generation to generation. Players can earn their way out of a household chore or win the privilege of choosing the next video rental or pizza topping. Generations is designed for 3 to 6 players. Players try to match answers to questions such as "Name the city in which your maternal grandmother was born?" or "Name the family member who snores the loudest?" Players also get a chance to demonstrate their knowledge about other famous families such as the Osmonds, Jacksons, Kennedys, or TV's Brady Bunch. The object of the game is to match answers and move your pawn up the "family tree" game board to the finish line. Familytime Products Inc is based in Annandale, Virginia. Their mission is to create family entertainment with board games that promote togetherness and family history. The Generations game sells for $24.95 at retail outlets. See related articles in the AgeVenture archives. Game Helps Boomers Re-spark Romance Family Tree Maker Sierra Home Generations Software AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com BACK TO TOP Boomer Women Shun Cancer ScreeningWhen it comes to educating people about health care, it seems health professionals end up preaching to the already converted rather than reaching those most in need. That's the gist of a study reported by the Center for the Advancement of Health. That study suggests that women who might benefit most from breast and cervical cancer screening are the most hesitant to receive it. Why? The barrier that holds women back is misinformation.Since previous research has shown that cancer rates are higher among those who never receive screening tests, special programs are needed to focus specifically on those women who do not receive regular mammograms or Pap smears. "Screening programs that focus on such individuals may return greater benefits at much lower cost than do indiscriminate ‘blanket screening’ programs," said lead author Russell E. Glasgow, PhD, of the AMC Cancer Research Center, in Lakewood, Colorado. In a survey of more than 500 women aged 52-69, the researchers found that study participants who had neither a mammogram in two years nor a Pap smear in three years were the most likely to report reasons for avoiding screening. Participants who needed only one test came in second in terms of barriers, and those who had received both tests reported the fewest and least intense barriers. The researchers found great similarity in the barriers reported most often for both types of cancer screening. "Just meeting current cancer screening guidelines does not ensure that the women who are most at risk and who most need screening get it," says Dr. Glasgow. "It is crucial that health care systems focus on this subgroup of women," he added. The participants gave a number of reasons why they neglected the screenings.
The findings of this study are further detailed in the current issue of Annals of Behavioral Medicine. This research was supported by a grant from the National Cancer Institute. See related articles in the AgeVenture archives. Embarrassment Is Major Medical Problem Women's Health and Aging Resource Guide Five Most Embarrassing Health Issues AgeVenture News Service, www.demko.com BACK TO TOP "Thanks for Giving" Lauds Senior Advocates"America always looks up to those who really stand for something," says AgeVenture News editor, David J. Demko. Every endeavor has its leaders who serve with conviction and courage. And when they do, it's time to say "the magic word" ... "thank you" ... thanks for giving. There's no time like the present to turn our attention to those who stand the tallest among all those who advocate for the nation's 34 million elderly.Who are the nation's top senior advocates? Everyone will soon know these remarkable individuals once the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare (NCPSSM) tallies the final results of their national search for the nation's top senior advocates. Best of all, everyone can nominate their choice for these coveted recognitions. The NCPSSM is seeking nominations for its Service to Seniors, Elder Abuse Prevention, and Medicare Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Prevention awards. These awards honor innovative and effective programs for seniors, as well as programs that eliminate the misuse of Medicare funds. The awards, initiated in the hopes that the winners can serve as models for other communities, will be presented at a special ceremony in the NCPSSM's Washington, D.C. offices this coming May 2001. Martha McSteen, President, NCPSSM, "As we approach the spirited season of giving and cheer, thousands of individuals across the country are volunteering their time, expertise, and talents to make the world a better place for older adults." "We are proud to sponsor these awards to honor the dedicated efforts of individuals, area agencies on aging, senior centers, and other organizations who are using their energies and talents to better their communities." "Last year, I was honored to accept the Elder Abuse Prevention Award on behalf of the Maricopa Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance, Area Agency on Aging, Phoenix," says Monette McKinnon, National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. "Through its aggressive grassroots public awareness campaign, "Elder Abuse Hurts Us All," the alliance successfully addressed the complexity of issues that result from elder abuse and late-life domestic violence." For those interested in nominating a top senior advocate, the Submission Deadline and Nomination instructions are as follows.
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