Halloween- These seniors were far from zombies

Trunk or Treat at Jefferson Place Nursing Rehab Center

Celebrating Halloween at Jefferson Place Trunk or Treat Event with the seniors staying with them for Short Term Rehab on 10/20/2015

Many of the rehab residents joined in the fun. There were witches, pirates, Jedi Masters, princesses, and even a black cat that crossed my path. 

The seniors joined in the games right along side the kids.  The game of the night seemed to be corn hole. 

Have a safe and happy Halloween! 

See more photos by visiting our Flickr page : https://www.flickr.com/photos/135807698@N05/22420483091/

Benefits of Eating Chocolate to Seniors Health

There have been many studies over the years that have found potential health benefits from chocolate in the diet. But what about for seniors? 

no need to sneak away to eat chocolate anymore 

Since today is National Chocolate Day, let’s take a look at some of the possible ways chocolate may benefit seniors. Chocolate is not just delicious but has shown in studies to have a positive impact on improving memory and cardiovascular health in individuals 65 years and older.

Grab a chocolate treat of your choosing and join me in celebrating National Chocolate Day.

​Learn more about 

Health Benefits of Chocolate for Seniors

​by visiting 

http://blog.ehealthmedicare.com/2015/02/health-benefits-chocolate-seniors/

National Make a Difference Day here in Louisville -AleeSolutions

Learn what you can do to make a difference 

HISTORY of National Make a Difference Day

It is said that National Make a Difference Day was created in 1992 by USA WEEKEND magazine. Later joined by Points of Light, together they have sponsored what has become one of the largest national day of community  service. It has been continued for more than twenty years.

Senior Need Helpers in the Louisville Community: Learn how you can volunteer to Help a Local Senior Today!

ElderHelpers.org

CELEBRATE ON A NATIONAL LEVEL

Do what you can to make a difference and use #MakeADifferenceDay & #aleesolutions to post on social media.

Learn more about house to volunteer at: 

http://www.volunteermatch.org/search/opp1907110.jsp

Highlights from the 2015 White House Conference on Aging

Highlights from the 2015 White House Conference on Aging

 What an amazing conference!

The 2015 White House Conference on Aging  http://tinyurl.com/pjvovp6  (WHCOA) took place at the White House on July 13, 2015. The Conference was truly a national conversation. In addition to the older Americans, community leaders and advocates  at the White House, there were more than 700 watch parties in every state of the Union. Our hashtag, #WHCOA, also lit up social media with nearly 10,000 Twitter users contributing to the dialogue! 

 Monday’s event was a culmination of the country coming together in a dialogue about aging in America today and what the coming decade holds. We heard from speakers and audience participants discussing a wide range of topics from caregiving to financial security to technology and more. The 2015 White House Conference on Aging was an opportunity to highlight the importance of supporting the aging population in the United States. The Administration announced a number of key deliverables (http://tinyurl.com/pxg7gs5) to help empower Americans as they age.

 Bernie Nash, 92 years young and a delegate to the first White House Conference on Aging in 1961 kicked off the day, followed by a welcome from Valerie Jarrett, Senior Advisor and Assistant to the President. 

The true highlight of the day came early on when President Obama delivered remarks from the East Room of the White House. He noted that one of the best measures of a country is how it treats its older citizens, and some of this country’s greatest triumphs are Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security programs --- created by Congress in 1965 and 1935 respectively. “Together we declared that every citizen of this country deserves a basic measure of security and dignity,” said President Obama. “That choice saved millions upon millions of our people from poverty, allowed them to live longer and better lives.”

 President Obama underscored a key announcement related to planning for retirement: the Labor Department is going to make it easier for state-based retirement savings initiatives to help workers who don’t currently have access to a 401(k) at work save for retirement.

 President Obama also touched on many initiatives throughout the Federal government to support older Americans. The life of the Medicare Trust Fund, for example, has been extended by 13 years since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law in 2010, nine million seniors have received significant discounts on their prescription drugs, and more than 40 million people on Medicare have received free preventive services. He talked about ways to make it easier for Americans to save for retirement, and ways to combat elder abuse.

 Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell offered remarks highlighting new steps the Department is taking to improve the quality and safety of nursing homes, and shared a video recapping the five WHCOA regional forums.

 The jam-packed agenda included panel discussions on Caregiving in America, Financial Security at Every Age, the Power of Intergenerational Connections and Healthy Aging, Elder Justice in the 21st Century, and Technology and the Future of Aging.

 Secretary Tom Perez of the Department of Labor, Secretary Robert McDonald of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and Secretary Tom Vilsack of the Department of Agriculture as well as other administration officials such as Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Richard Cordray, Director of the National Economic Council Jeff Zients, and Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee participated in the panel discussion and throughout the day. Other panelists included industry leaders and advocates, as well as caregivers, athletes, and innovators. Armchair conversations throughout the day focused on Innovations in Aging, Nutrition and Aging, and Universal Design. Jo Ann Jenkins of AARP delivered a lightening talk on “Disrupting Aging;” and Mary Kay Henry from SEIU delivered remarks focused on Care for All.

 The morning session ended with remarks from White House Conference on Aging Executive Director Nora Super. She compared the work of WHCOA to a symphony. Each and every instrument has an important role to play – a voice to add. Take away a single instrument and the entire work is diminished, the outcome lessened, the score incomplete. It’s the same with our work here. Take away a single voice, a single contribution, from our dialogue and discussion, and the outcome will certainly be diminished.

 The afternoon was filled with dynamic speakers, intriguing panel discussions, and robust question and answer sessions.

 The day presented many opportunities for those at watch parties or following on social media to participate. At the end of each panel, those in the room as well as those participating virtually asked questions of the panelists. The response on social media was overwhelmingly positive as users tweeted or posted with excitement as they heard their questions being asked in Washington, D.C.

 Labor Secretary Tom Perez wrapped up the day with a call to action. He reminded the audience that without advocacy, there would be no Social Security, no Medicare, no Medicaid, no Affordable Care Act. Recalling Nora Super’s remarks, he called on all Americans to raise their voices and advocate for these important programs and a healthy future for aging in America.

 It was quite a year getting to the 2015 National Conference, with regional forums in Tampa, Phoenix, Seattle, Cleveland, and Boston; hundreds of listening sessions; and meetings throughout the country. All of it culminated in a truly extraordinary day, a national conversation that provided new ideas and insights to help all of us live longer, healthier and, ultimately, better lives. But the event, although outstanding in content and conversation, was a step to build on, not to rest on. We must continue the Conference’s work, sustain the national dialogue and discussion that was initiated, and ensure that we are fully prepared for the changing aging landscape in the next decade, and beyond.

Article by Louisville Metro Community Services - Office for Aging & Disabled Citizen Newsletter July 24th 2015 issue.

Senate passage of Older Americans Act Reauthorization

Statement from Assistant Secretary for Aging Kathy Greenlee on Senate passage of Older Americans Act Reauthorization

 We applaud the Senate for passing the Older Americans Act and advancing it one major step toward reauthorization. This critical legislation, which was signed into law 50 years ago this week, provides high-quality, individualized services that improve the health, safety, and well-being of nearly 12 million older adults and one million family caregivers. It is key to enabling older adults to live their lives with dignity and respect in the homes and communities they choose.

 Earlier this week at the White House Conference on Aging, we talked about the transformation of aging in America and the engagement of all sectors of society in the benefits and promise of longevity. Reauthorization of the Older Americans Act is an important step in achieving the goals we set.

Article by Louisville Metro Community Services - Office for Aging & Disabled Citizen Newsletter July 24th 2015 issue.

A Letter from Social Security

Dear Colleague:

This year, Social Security turns 80 years old. That’s 80 years of ensuring financial security for millions of individuals—often keeping them from falling into poverty. As part of our 80th anniversary celebration, we’re inviting faith and community leaders from across the country to participate in Social Security Faith Week of Action from Sunday, August 2 through Saturday, August 8, 2015. This special week will highlight America’s most successful social program and encourage individuals to take charge of their financial future by creating a secure my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount.

To participate, please visit the Faith Week of Action web page at www.socialsecurity.gov/thirdparty/faithaction. When we receive your RSVP, we will send a confirmation email and an event planning toolkit.

 On Thursday, July 23 at 11:00 a.m. ET, we will host a conference call to discuss Social Security’s Faith Week of Action. To join the call, please dial 1-800-776-0816 and enter the passcode 930047# (you must press the # symbol).

 I appreciate your help with giving workers the tools they need to forge a secure future for themselves and their families! I look forward to speaking with you soon.

Sincerely,   Jioni Palmer  .  Associate Commissioner for External Affairs    (T)    (E) Jioni.Palmer@ssa.gov

WWII Veterans ask for you to understand what sparks inside of them during 4th of July Festivities

Watch the interview with a WWII Vet who suffers from PTSD and what struggles arise for him during this time of year in the special, "Independence Day fireworks sparking bad memories for combat veterans suffering with PTSD" by WPTV reporter   - Jeff Skrzypek

http://www.wptv.com/news/region-s-palm-beach-county/delray-beach/independence-day-fireworks-sparking-bad-memories-for-combat-veterans-suffering-with-ptsd

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW VETERANS ARE ASKING FOR COURTESY WITH HOLIDAY FIREWORKS THIS 4TH OF JULY

"A reminder of war’s lasting effect flashed across social medial today as a the photo of a veteran holding a poster expressing concerns about fireworks and the emotional trigger of nearby explosions spawned an outpouring of reaction", reports  http://www.militarywithptsd.org/fireworks-triggers-ptsd-and-veterans/

Check out this story on USATODAY.com

Warming your heart this February: Get to know your heart & risk of Heart Disease

Would you be surprised to hear that most people in the U.S. enjoy a bowl of Wheaties in the morning than any other time of the day. But did you know that most heart attacks occur in the morning as well?

Learn more from Medical Director *Jon Perlin*

http://www.hcatodayblog.com/author/jperlin/

http://www.hcatodayblog.com/author/jperlin/

Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the U.S. February is American Heart Month http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/ which means it’s a good time to get to know the facts about heart disease.

Eye Injury Facts, Prevention Tips & Myths

For more information please visit 

www.theopticalvisionsite.com