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MATURE MARKET HEADLINES 3/16/2001

Sunny GenX Faces Face Premature Aging

There's nothing quite like a sun tan to enhance your face value. But all those sun-worshiping GenXers are about to find out what many Baby Boomers already know ... exposure to the sun accelerates premature aging. If you're one of those GenXers who doubt the relationship between sunshine and skin damage, just ask all those Baby Boomers who are waiting in line for reconstructive surgery to hide their premature wrinkles.

Let's face it. Your face is the first thing people see. And just like the miles on your car's odometer, the lines on your face are a measure of the miles you've traveled through time. To make matters worse, premature facial lines tend to "set your odometer ahead", giving the appearance of more time travel than actually occurred. That can lead to one of life's most embarrassing moments, like when someone mistakes you for your date's parent rather than your date's date. Know what I mean?

It takes only a few hours of fun in the sun to result in a lifetime of damaged skin, premature aging and possible reconstructive surgery, warns the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). "Plastic surgeons have a great interest in preventing skin damage because we regularly repair the destruction caused by the sun, including extreme cases where we reconstruct areas of the nose and ear after the ravages of skin cancer," says ASPS President Walter Erhardt, MD.

"ASPS members see patients who want to repair damage caused by ultraviolet rays, particularly on their face. Lying in the sun for a glowing tan may sound like a great idea, but exposure to ultraviolet rays leads to damage down the road", says Dr. Erhardt.

"Excessive sun exposure certainly hastens the deterioration of the skin's appearance and is a common finding among patients in their 40s and 50s who seek facial rejuvenation," says Dr. Erhardt. "That deterioration began a long time ago." "More unsettling to us as caregivers is treating patients with skin cancer because the disease is largely preventable," explains Dr. Erhardt.

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States, its incidence rate rises faster than any other cancer. Nearly 80 percent of skin cancer appears on the face, head or neck, areas most vulnerable to the sun.

Most skin cancers can be removed surgically by a plastic surgeon. "If the cancer is small enough, the procedure can be done easily on an outpatient basis," reports Dr. Erhardt. "The excision to remove the cancer is small and leaves a barely visible scar when performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon." Larger skin cancers may require more involved surgery and possibly reconstruction.

The ASPS offers the following sun safety tips for spring-breakers: ASPS is the largest plastic surgery organization in the world, representing physicians certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. The ASPS maintains a Plastic Surgery Information Service at: 1-888-475-2783.

Here's the bottom-line. Next vacation break, give yourself a break ... from the sun. Afterall, over-exposure to the sun makes you look well-red. But that doesn't make you look smart. It makes you look too stupid to care about premature aging and skin cancer.
See related articles in the AgeVenture archives.
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Coral World Access Gets Seniors Up Close

View from Undersea ObservatoryUp close and personal. That's the way we like it. Whether we're watching a football game or exploring the great outdoors ... everyone wants to experience life, up close and personal. So, if you're a nature lover, and who isn't, you'll be delighted to know that one of America's gems of nature, Coral World Marine Park, has managed to make the U.S. Virgin Island's coral reefs an "upclose and personal encounter" for visitors with all ranges of ability.

In another step toward completion of its program to bring maximum accessibility to travelers with disabilities, Coral World Marine Park and Undersea Observatory has announced the completion of its wheelchair lift installation at the entrance to the Caribbean Reef Encounter. This exhibit is one of the world’s largest living coral reefs in a man-made setting. Activated by greeters and other designated staff members, the lift transports both guest and wheelchair safely above the steps to the center of the 80,000 gallon doughnut-shaped tank.

Coral World Access VisitorTrudie J. Prior, president and general manager, said, "This is an especially satisfying day for me. As part of the reconstruction following Hurricane Marilyn, we redesigned the park to provide accessibility to as many exhibits as possible. We created wheelchair accessible walkways to the major exhibits. Now, with the addition of the new lift, we have removed all obstacles to full viewing of the Caribbean Reef Encounter by guests with mobility impairments."

"Walkways and ramps allow guests to enjoy the Palm Court with nearby Shark Shallows and Touch Pool exhibits. Both exhibits are interactive: an aquarist ‘tells all’ about our juvenile sharks and everyone gets a chance to pet one; and at the Touch Pool, a staff member explains all about a West Indian sea egg, a sea cucumber, conch, star fish and other marine creatures there and shows you how to hold them gently."

"Our architects designed pathways to provide views of the Sting Ray and Turtle Pools, and a ramp around the Mangrove Lagoon gives access to one of our major halls, the Marine Gardens, where twenty-one jewel-like aquariums are housed. The top level of the Undersea Observatory, 100 feet offshore across a bridge, is open to all to enjoy spectacular views of neighboring cays, St. John and several British Virgin Islands.

Because the steps to the two lower levels of the Observatory, built in 1977, are circular staircases that may be difficult for some of our guests, the next project in our accessibility program is to have television monitors on the top level showing feedings in the Predator Tank and the non-captive marine life outside the bottom level windows fifteen feet below the sea."

"We have provided lots of interpretive signage so persons who are deaf or hard of hearing can access information and our numerous talks and feedings throughout the day - with opportunities to touch or feed some of the animals - make Coral World accessible to people with visual impairments as well. Of course, our new restrooms are wheelchair accessible and persons using wheelchairs will have no problem getting refreshment at Coral World," Prior concluded.

While research on the Internet about travel by persons with disabilities produces dismally low recommendations for the islands in the Caribbean, St. Thomas actually has a great deal to offer. Dial-A-Ride provides transportation and tours by pre-arrangement for the wheelchair explorer. Visitors with visual impairments can check their e-mail or make a phone call at the V.I. Resource Center – downtown on the waterfront.

Many resorts offer accessible rooms and features. The Hotel and Tourism Association can provide more information. If you like music, you may find jazz, classical, blues or reggae at accessible venues like Tillett Garden or the Reichhold Center for the Arts. Perhaps you simply want some outrageously delicious food in a tropical setting? According to the Department of Tourism, among St. Thomas’ several accessible restaurants are Smuggler’s Cove, Sea Grape, Iggy’s, Hard Rock Café, Palm Courts, Bay Winds and Windows on the Harbor.

Coral World Marine Park and Undersea Observatory, located at Coki Point on St. Thomas, is extending a large welcome mat and a memorable opportunity to travelers with disabilities. If you haven't yet experienced this Carribean gem, you're letting one of the best things in life pass you by. Coral World maintains a welcome website on the internet at: Coral World Marine Park.
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Bone-Builder Drug Better Than Estrogen

Osteoporosis, a bone-thinning disease, is a major health risk for 28 million Americans. Of those 28 million, 10 million already have osteoporosis and 18 million more have low bone mass. One out of every two women and one in eight men over age 50 will have an osteoporosis-related fracture in the span of a lifetime.

Now that I've got your attention, here's the good news. Well, almost good news. Actually, it's promising research that could lead to the development of new drugs to prevent or treat osteoporosis in both men and women.

Researchers at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences have successfully used synthetic molecules to activate bone cells to lay down new bone. Before you get too excited, you should know that the cell culture experiments were conducted on mouse bone cells. However, if the findings can be applied to human cells with equally promising results, then new drugs might be substituted for estrogen. And, that's good news, because estrogen runs the risk of detrimental effects such as cancer.

Osteoporosis is responsible for more than 1.5 million fractures annually, including Preventive measures can help preserve bone mass and reduce the affects of osteoporosis. These measures include hormone replacement therapy, physical exercise, and adequate calcium and vitamin D.

This new research suggests ways to protect bone-forming cells in men and women, says Dr. Jill Carrington, director of the musculoskeletal biology program at the National Institute on Aging. "With further work to understand this mechanism, it may be possible to design new treatments for osteoporosis without some of the detrimental effects of estrogen, such as an increased risk of endometrial cancer."
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Kill The Death Tax Says 60-plus Association

It's time to get rid of the Death Tax, the most unfair tax of all time, says the 60 Plus Association. The non-profit organization is a self-proclaimed anti-tax advocacy group for senior citizens. In case you're wondering, the death tax refers to the federal estate tax. That's the tax that must be paid to the federal government from proceeds of an estate left behind by the death of a small business owner or family farmer.

The Death Tax results in a reduction of carry-over resources to the survivors so they can keep the small business or family farm running. Think of this new effort to repeal the death tax as an extension of the Right to Die ... as in, the Right to Die Tax Free.

60 Plus chairman, Jim Martin is mounting a campaign designed to bring about the immediate end of the death tax. Current proposals call for the gradual phase out of the death tax over a ten year period. Martin wants the death tax repealed now, not later according to an extended phase out period.

"Recall that the confiscatory 55 percent death tax was to phase down to 50 percent while Ronald Reagan was in the White House," says Martin. "Mr. Reagan left the White House 12 years ago and that 55 percent still prevails."

This tax, according to 60 Plus, is a revenue loser instead of a revenue raiser because too many federal dollars are wasted on collection and compliance. That money is better left in the economy where it would help boost job creation and economic prosperity. At any rate, this "pay as you go" tax ... has got to go.
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Geriatric Reference Available Free Online

The "Merck Manual of Geriatrics" (3rd edition) is now available online at www.MerckGeriManual.com thanks to medical publisher, Merck and Company Inc. Reviewed by more than 150 experts in all fields of medicine, the reference manual offers health professionals state-of-the-art knowledge about care of older patients. Merck first began medical publishing in 1899 with the first edition of "The Merck Manual of Medical Information".

"We have tried to make the "Merck Manual of Geriatrics" the most interdisciplinary book on geriatric care available, and we hope that making it available on the internet will allow many more health professionals and caregivers to use the information in it to help them provide the best care for their elderly patients," says Mark H. Beers, MD, Editor-in-Chief of "The Merck Manuals". The new manual is an addition to two other free online medical references: "The Merck Manual of Diagnosis and Therapy" and "The Merck Manual of Medical Information - Home Edition."

The new geriatric reference manual incorporates knowledge on nursing, pharmacy issues, patient and family education, palliative care, end-of-life care, and prescription drugs for the elderly. The new 3rd edition provides updates on dementia, Alzheimer's disease, rehabilitation, respiratory failure, and managed care. The manual's broad focus appeals to a variety of audiences who work with geriatric patients, including doctors, nurses, physical therapists, pharmacists, occupational therapists, social workers, home healthcare providers, and long-term care administrators.

Visitors to the "www.MerckGeriManual.com" website will find sixteen categories of information organized around the following topics. The print version of "The Merck Manual of Geriatrics" ($32.50 U.S.) is available in bookstores, or by calling: 1-800-819-9454.
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Eldercare What Where When Who and How

The aging of America has transformed baby boomers into the sandwich generation, caught between caring for their kids and their aged parents. And just when you think things couldn't get worse, we find that today's caregiver options have placed the sandwich generation in a real pickle. That's because the myriad of caregiver decision-making can be as taxing as ... well ... as taxing as caregiving itself.

You see, before you can select a caregiver for the older folks, you have to know what level of care is required. And, for that, you need an eldercare expert. And when the assessment of need is accomplished, boomers are again faced with another dilemma. What kind of caregiver is appropriate for the determined level of need? There's more. How much is a fair price to pay for eldercare. It's all downright confusing. Thank goodness, help is on the way.

The MetLife Mature Market Institute is offering information to those Americans considering home care options for an elderly or sick relative or friend. The advice from the Institute is geared toward helping those who need to make decisions about how to provide care for their loved ones and how to understand the roles played by various health professionals.

"There are varying levels of help for in-home care recipients and caregivers, offering a range of health and social services," says Dr. Sandra Timmermann, Director of the MetLife Mature Market Institute. "There are a variety of payment methods which must also be considered," says Timmermann. "The cost of home care can range from $13 per hour to $47 per hour nationally, depending on the level of care.

Okay, so far so good. Now, here's a rundown on common terms associated with various levels of caregiving. You might call it the first, last, and every word in-between on caregiver options. The Mature Market Institute is an information center on aging sponsored by the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.
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