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CONTENTS
A. IN THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON
B. IT DOES A BODY GOOD
C. SOCIAL SECURITY FOR 2008
D. DID YOU KNOW...?
E. THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH
F. FREE THINGS
G. SPECIAL SURFING SITE
H. OH MY AGING FUNNY BONE
The Survey http://www.seniorresource.com/survey.htm
is ready for your input!
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A. IN THE SPIRIT OF THE SEASON
It is Seniorresource.com's wish that you have a joyful holiday and a
bountiful new year! As we
welcome in this season of the year, our minds and hearts turn to giving
(and getting). Here is a personal story on how volunteerism helps both
the giver and receiver.
Volunteering and Freecycle™ by Monique Theriault
In early 2004, my life took an interesting turn.
I had just retired from my university job so I had a little more time
on my hands. Volunteerism had always been part of my vocabulary but
not until then did it become part of my daily life. But let me jump
back a few months. At that time, a new online group had joined the Internet.
Created by Deron Beale in Phoenix, AZ, in 2003, Freecycle hit the airwaves
at flying speed. Deron's many friends caught the fever and soon there
were Freecycle groups in several cities all over the country, courtesy
of Yahoo Groups.
My daughter, who lived in Ithica, NY, at the time,
loved the concept of Freecycle. It was designed to keep good stuff out
of landfills and put it into the hands of those who could use it-- and,
best of all, everything was totally free, including membership. Being
the environment-conscious person that my daughter is, she started her
own Freecycle group in her town of Ithica. But she didn't stop there.
She thought that Orange County in California (her old stomping grounds)
should benefit from the same. So she created FreecycleOC and invited
all her friends and relatives in the OC to join this new group. Following
her call, I joined the group when it consisted of only 39 members.
But the group grew exponentially and, soon, handling
two groups became a bit much for this young mother/writer. So she posted
a message asking for local volunteer moderators. That's when I volunteered
to moderate this group, along with another OC member. To our delight,
in two years time, our OC group grew to 5,000 members! There was a lot
of giving and getting going on every day. Along with all this transfer
of free merchandise (members can both give things away and/or ask for
things they need) a new community was being formed.
In 2005, because of our size, the Freecycle network
stepped in and asked us to break our large OC group into 9 local city
groups. I then became a moderator on the Freecycle Huntington Beach
group, one of the splinter groups. By this time, Freecycle had become
part of my daily routine-my "at home" work. Every day, I would sit at
my desk and approve messages and new members: I still do. It has been
very fulfilling for me to do this work. It's fun to see what kinds of
things members give away. A couple of times we have had offers for a
boat, once for a trailer, baby items are a big thing-many a new mother
who can't afford baby clothes has received those clothes from another
mother whose baby has outgrown them. Many seniors who are downsizing
to a smaller home have found that Freecycle is just the place to give
their furniture to someone else who needs it. And, when we remodeled
our home, it was surprising for us to find someone who wanted our old
gutters, the pylons under our deck-even dirt that we had dug up for
the remodel!
Our FreecycleHB group has grown
to over 2,000+ members. We now have 2 co-owners and 4 other moderators
who volunteer their time to this cause. And since our members are so
enthusiastic and friendly, we even created an additional Yahoo group
where we can help each other out in many other ways. Members of FreecycleHB
make up this new "café" group where messages are exchanged on topics
of recycling, helping our environment, gardening, finding skilled labor
in our local cities, and so on. It's a great little community.
Many friendships have developed over the years in
both FreecycleHB and on the café. It's been as much of a joy for me
to volunteer my time to these groups as it has for the rest of our moderator
crew, who really enjoy working together.
There are now 4,152 groups with 4,026,000 members
across the globe.
If you would like more info on Freecycle, please go to: http://www.freecycle.org/
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B. IT DOES A BODY GOOD
Are you an active person? Or are you a bit more sedentary? Were you
active as a younger person and then just stopped? Was it an injury? Were
you blessed with kids taking up all of your parent time? And now you wrangle
with the grandkids?
The point is-you've stopped. Ever think about getting active in some
way again? You should consider it for your health. As they say in the
milk commercials: "It does a body good." Higher energy levels, better
sleeping patterns, increased blood flow, strength, and stamina all result
from moderate exercise.
The Chinese have known for centuries that they must move their bodies
on a regular basis for health. Thousands of Chinese people young and old
take to their parks each morning to exercise. Some just move their arms
and legs about in various positions dating back thousands of years. Others
do calisthenics. The daily ritual cranks up the metabolism, gets one out
into the air, and in the case of the Chinese, promotes a sense of community
among friends and neighbors.
Now in the U.S. the trend is picking up. In America it takes place largely
at the gym. Many communities in colder climates see their shopping malls
fill in the morning with walking seniors. This trend really picked up
in the 90's; however today senior citizens are joining the gym. You ask:
"What are they doing THERE?"
Mention the gym and some people immediately conjure up an image of sweaty
men in a locker room. Perhaps for boxing, but that's not the type of "health
club" we're talking about here. Senior citizens are doing lightweight
exercise, balance, and motor skill improvement, weight loss programs to
light cardiovascular exercise. Many people find working with the health
professionals hired by the gym for personal training, and even diet advice
from nutritionists helpful. Additional benefits for you? The community
you'll meet: you'll be out and about. Seeing different people and making
friends who are there for the same purpose-their health and mobility can
be the result.
Even sports medicine is getting into the act. Yes, the bastion of pro
sporting athletes is graying just like the rest of America. The University
of Pittsburgh opened a center recently called the "Performance and Research
Initiative for Masters Athletes." It offers sports competitors over 40
years of age a package of medical care, nutrition counseling, mental training
and physical therapy. Sound like something only for young athletes? Well
it used to be! Today, Americans over age 55 make up the fastest growing
segment of health-club members.
The American heart Association www.americanheart.org
has guidelines for senior citizen exercise. The goal for many seniors
is 30 minutes of moderate exercise five days each week. For older people
this may mean a moderate walk. It definitely means stretching exercises
for many. Being limber can help prevent pulled muscles, for instance.
Seniors commonly use Balance boards, exercises such as tai chi, balance
balls, and coordination building. Balance becomes an important focus as
the body ages. When older people take a fall it can be much tougher on
the body for a host of reasons, from body and muscle mass levels, to bone
loss. Recovery takes longer, too. You'll find classes at the gym that
are low impact, moderate exercise for improving your balance and coordination.
Click
here to visit the American College of Sports Medicine's guidelines
on physical activity for seniors, and for those healthy adults under age
65 as well. Why not get your adult kids into the act too?
It is important to speak to your physician before you begin an exercise
regimen to be sure you are not doing exercise appropriate for your neighbor
or spouse, but for you! Aggravating an old injury won't do, either, so
even if you're an old track and field coach, get some assistance before
you plunge in headlong if it's been a few years since you were active.
As always, do your homework-then get to the park or the gym!
Additional health information for seniors can be found at:
http://www.seniorresource.com/health.htm
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C. SOCIAL SECURITY ANNOUNCES 2.3 PERCENT BENEFIT
INCREASE FOR 2008
Monthly Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits for
more than 54 million Americans will increase 2.3 percent in 2008, the
Social Security Administration announced last month. (It should be noted
that this is the smallest increase in the history of Social Security increases.)
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits
increase automatically each year based on the rise in the Bureau of Labor
Statistics' Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers
(CPI-W), from the third quarter of the prior year to the corresponding
period of the current year. The 2.3 percent Cost-of-Living Adjustment
(COLA) will begin with benefits that nearly 50 million Social Security
beneficiaries receive in January 2008. Increased payments to more than
7 million Supplemental Security Income beneficiaries will begin on December
31, 2007.
Some other changes that take effect in January of each year are based
on the increase in average wages. Based on that increase, the maximum
amount of earnings subject to the Social Security tax (taxable maximum)
will increase to $102,000 from $97,500. Of the estimated 164 million workers
who will pay Social Security taxes in 2008, nearly 12 million will pay
higher taxes as a result of the increase in the taxable maximum.
Information about Medicare changes for 2008 can be found at http://www.cms.hhs.gov
Other important 2008 Social Security information is as follows:
|
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2007
|
2008
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| Employee |
7.65%
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7.65%
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| Self-employed |
15.30%
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15.30%
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| NOTE: The 7.65% tax rate is the combined rate for Social
Security and Medicare. The Social Security portion (OASDI) is 6.20%
on earnings up to the applicable taxable maximum amount (see below).
The Medicare portion (HI) is 1.45% on all earnings. |
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Maximum Taxable Earnings:
|
2007
|
2008
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| Social
Security (OASDI only) |
$97,500
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$102,000
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| Medicare (HI only) |
No Limit
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Additional insurance information for seniors can be
found at:
http://www.seniorresource.com/insur.htm
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D. DID YOU KNOW...?
Holiday Radio Special
LeAnn Rimes is the featured artist in the annual "Red, White and
Air Force Blue Christmas" radio special. The show is produced and
marketed by the Air Force Recruiting Service. It is distributed to thousands
of country radio stations around the country and will be broadcast on
Christmas Day over the Armed Forces network worldwide. The show features
some seasonal classics and tracks from her newest release, and also includes
a candid conversation about Ms. Rimes' efforts to champion support for
service members serving away from home.
For LeAnn Rimes and other recordings visit:
http://www.seniorresource.com/SRBaz.htm#music
Energy Savings Techniques This Winter II
Think a bit about the small appliances in the house-DVD, stereo,
coffee maker, computer. Many of them use electricity even when turned
off. These appliances can use several percent of your energy. The only
way to stop this power waste is to pull the plug on these items when you're
on vacation.
For more energy tips see "Energy Saving Home Improvements
From A to Z" at
http://www.seniorresource.com/SRBaz.htm#books
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E. THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH
We present here some words from those with a birthday this month.
Gianni Versace - "In the past, people were
born royal. Nowadays, royalty comes from what you do."
Tyra Banks - "Take responsibility for yourself
because no one's going to take responsibility for you."
Dennis Wilson - "The Beach Boys are not a
superstar group. The music is the superstar of the group."
George Armstrong Custer - "There are not
enough Indians in the world to defeat the Seventh Cavalry."
Joyce Kilmer - "The air is like a butterfly/
With frail blue wings/ The happy earth looks at the sky/ And sings."
More "Thoughts" at: http://www.seniorresource.com/thought.htm
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F. FREE THINGS
Yes, this is the place we usually discuss free things and discounts
for seniors. However at this time of year it is more appropriate to consider
some opportunities to give versus to receive. Here are two organizations
worthy of your support.
American Diabetes Association
The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading 501(c)3 nonprofit
health organization providing diabetes research, information and advocacy.
Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association conducts programs in
all 50 states and the District of Columbia, reaching hundreds of communities.
Give an honor donation to someone you love for any special occasion.
Honor donations to the American Diabetes Association are the perfect gifts
this holiday season.
Your tax-deductible donation shows your thoughtfulness while helping
the American Diabetes Association fund research to find a cure for diabetes.
They will send a personalized email or mail a card personalized with your
message to announce your caring support. You can make a donation by phone
(1-800-342-2383)
or visit https://www.diabetes.org/home.jsp
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association is a national voluntary health agency whose
mission is "Building healthier lives, free of cardiovascular diseases
and stroke."Make a donation, memorial or tribute online today. Honor
the memory of a loved one or celebrate an accomplishment by helping others.
Your contribution funds new research and education programs. Donate by
phone (800-AHA-USA1)
or visit: http://www.americanheart.org
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G. SPECIAL SURFING SITES
Disability-Related Information and Resources
Your online connection to the federal government's disability-related
information and resources is DisabilityInfo.gov,
the federal government's one-stop Web site for persons with disabilities,
their families, employers, veterans and service members, workforce professionals
and many others. A collaborative effort among 22 federal agencies, the
site connects those with disabilities to the information and resources
they need to actively participate in the workforce and in their communities.
Visit any of the nine subject areas at the top of this Web page to find
disability-related resources, and then click on the State and Local Resources
map to locate programs and information in your state.
Red Hat Items
For the ladies, the Red Hat Society™ offers an excellent venue to
stay socially active. Red Hatters are focused on women over 50. This sisterhood
is worldwide, with numerous chapters across the U.S. and in foreign countries.
Their full regalia for outings include red hats and purple clothing. Their
primary Web page is redhatsociety.com
Seniorresource.com is pleased to offer Red Hat items along with other
gifts in our
Senior Bazaar™
http://www.seniorresource.com/SRBaz.htm
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H. OH MY AGING FUNNY BONE
Looking for Help
Three elderly sisters Sue, Darleen, and Sandra live in a house together.
One night Sue draws a bath. She puts her foot in and pauses. She yells
to the other sisters, "Was I getting in or out of the bath?"
Darleen yells back, "I don't know. I'll come up and see." She
starts up the stairs and pauses "Was I going up the stairs or down?"
Sandra is sitting at the kitchen table having tea and listening to her
sisters. She shakes her head and says, "I sure hope I never get that
forgetful, knock on wood." She then yells, "I'll come up and
help both of you as soon as I see who's at the door."
Wisdom of Larry, the Cable Guy
1. A day without sunshine is like night.
2. On the other hand, you have different fingers.
3. 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.
4. 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.
5. Remember, half the people you know are below average.
Visit 1000's of jokes of interest to people who have lived a long and
rich life.
"Oh My Aging Funny Bone" is at:
http://www.seniorresource.com/jokes.htm
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Please send such to publisher@seniorresource.com
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This issue has been edited by Betsy Day (Betsyjday@aol.com).
Copyright 2007 seniorresource.com, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Information in
this document is subject to change without notice. Other products, service
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