FirstGov for Seniors News Articles for January, 2000
Welcome to the first edition of the FirstGov for Seniors monthly newsletter. This newsletter is a compilation of articles that were featured in January 2000 on the FirstGov for Seniors website. Articles are organized by one of the following categories:
Featured News
General News
Health News
Legislative News
Increase in Social Security Normal Retirement Age The normal retirement age for collecting full Social Security benefits will gradually increase from age 65 to 67 over a 22-year period. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0100/ssa-retirement.html
Census Bureau Begins Recruitment of Workers for Census 2000 On January 5, 2000, the Census Bureau launched a nationwide recruitment campaign to fill thousands of short-term employment slots during Census 2000. Census Bureau Director Kenneth Prewitt noted that Census 2000 jobs are ideal for retirees, students and others seeking part-time work. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0100/censusjobs.html
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Released Findings on Seniors Health A look at several indicators of the health of older Americans indicates that older Americans could do more to improve their health and quality of life as they age, according to a report released December 17, 1999 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). http://www.cdc.gov/od/oc/media/pressrel/r991217a.htm
Cuomo Awards $9.3 Million to Help Elderly and Disabled People in 40 States Continue Living Independently at Home Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo awarded $9.3 million in grants to help low-income elderly people and people with disabilities get health care, meals and other supportive services they need to continue living in HUD-subsidized housing in 40 states. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0100/cuomoawards.html
GENERAL NEWS: This section contains news articles that affect a wide range of disciplines, such as, technology, financial planning, estate planning, and leisure activities.
Know the Choices for Receiving Federal Payments Individuals who receive Federal payments, such as Social Security, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), Veterans benefits, Federal employee salary and retirement, or Military or Railroad Retirement have at least three choices to get their payments. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0100/choices.html
Salary Skills for Senior Citizens Negotiating a salary is often a difficult task for older Americans. Kate Wendleton, founder and president of a national career counseling organization, provides advice to senior citizens on salary negotiation. http://www.msnbc.com/news/354885.asp
U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley Encourages Individuals to Discuss Funeral Arrangements Although many individuals are reluctant to plan ahead for funeral arrangements, there are a number of resources available to help ease the planning process. http://www.senate.gov/~aging/aw1299.htm
Administration on Aging Provides Retirement and Financial Planning Resources Online The Administration on Aging has posted a number of online resources about retirement planning from government and other sources. In the future, FirstGov for Seniors will be providing an online retirement planner and additional information to help the public prepare for their retirement. http://www.aoa.gov/retirement/default.htm
New Web Site on Sleep Disorders Unveiled on January 18, 2000 The National Center on Sleep Disorders Research (NCSDR) unveiled a new Web site to provide current information on sleep and sleep disorders. Sleep disorders affect every age group, but are common in teens, shift workers, and people over age 65. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0100/sleepdisorders.html
Recreation.Gov Provides a One-Stop Source for Information About Recreation on Federal Lands Recreation.Gov is a partnership among federal land management agencies aimed at providing a single, easy-to-use web site with information about all federal recreation areas. The site allows you to search for recreation areas by state, by recreational activity, by agency, or by map. http://www.recreation.gov/
Tips for Your Financial Future Bambi Holzer's new book, "Set for Life: Financial Peace for People Over 50", provides financial guidance for people between the ages of 50 and 65. http://www.msnbc.com/news/359004.asp
Making Technology Senior Citizen Friendly Seniors are using computers and the Internet now more than ever. National organizations, universities, and businesses are developing classes and products specifically geared at accommodating seniors' technology needs. http://www.businessweek.com/1999/99_47/b3656136.htm
HEALTH NEWS: This section contains news articles that provide information about senior citizen health issues.
Health Improvement Goals for the Nation On January 25, 2000, Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala and Surgeon General David Satcher released the new Healthy People 2010 health improvement goals for the Nation. Healthy People is a national health promotion and disease prevention initiative aimed at improving the health of all Americans, eliminating disparities in health, and improving years and quality of healthy life. http://www.health.gov/healthypeople/
Fiscal Year 2000 Reimbursement Rate for the Nutrition Program for the Elderly According to the United States Department of Agriculture, food Distribution Division, he projected level of per-meal assistance for the Nutrition Program for the Elderly for Fiscal Year 2000 is $0.5404. This rate is retroactive to October 1999. http://www.aoa.dhhs.gov/aoa/fyy2kusdarate.html
When Jack Frost Howls, Take Cover -- Even Indoors. Hypothermia Alert for Older People According to Dr. Terrie Wetle, Deputy Director of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), elderly poor people are at an increased risk for hypothermia because they may keep indoor temperatures low to save on heating costs. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0100/hypothermia.html
Get the Flu Shot, Not the Flu Your flu shot is free, if you are enrolled in Medicare Part B and your health care provider accepts Medicare assignment. The Medicare program covers the flu shot and the cost of administration for beneficiaries. http://www.medicare.gov/fightflu/fightflu.html#who
Protect Yourself Against the Flu The Assistant Secretary for Aging, Jeanette C. Takamura, encourages all older Americans that it's not too late to get immunized. http://www.aoa.gov/pr/not-too-late.html
The Food and Drug Administration Provides Health Care Providers with Information on Prescription Flu Drugs Due to the large number of influenza cases occurring throughout the country, the FDA has published a Public Health Advisory to remind prescribers of important considerations for treating patients with influenza-like symptoms. http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/answers/ans00995.html
Doctor Michael Roizen Writes Book that Distinguishes Chronological Age From Real Age In his new book, "Real Age: Are You as Young as You Can Be?", Dr. Michael Roizen writes that certain lifestyle changes can add years to your life. Click on the link to read an excerpt from his new book and scroll down to test your own life expectancy. http://www.msnbc.com/news/247787.asp#body
Expert Panel Convenes to Discuss Medical Implants In the United States, an estimated 8 to 10 percent of the population has a medical implant. However, medical implant recipients often have unrealistic expectations of the risks and benefits associated with those implants, an expert panel concluded. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0100/implant.html
Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) Reports that Health Care Spending Growth Rates Stayed Low in 1998 For the past five years, the low growth rate in health care spending has corresponded to the economic growth rate. The related rates have resulted in a relatively stable health-spending share of the gross domestic product (GDP). http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0100/health_spending.html
Risk Factors of Male Osteoporosis Although osteoporosis is more common in women, it affects 20 percent of men over 50 nationwide. http://www.msnbc.com/news/354784.asp
HPV Testing May Be Useful in Cervical Cancer Screening A recent study has demonstrated that testing for the human papillomavirum (HPV) may be a useful screening tool for cervical cancer. HPV testing is able to identify precancerous changes in the cervix and is worthy of consideration in cervical cancer prevention programs. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0100/hpvtesting.html
New Findings for Women with Benign Breast Disease A recent scientific finding may now warn women with benign breast disease of their risk for developing breast cancer. Dr. William Dupont and his colleagues have been measuring transforming growth factor (TGF-b) receptor, a certain protein found in biopsy samples. Their research has shown that women with low levels of TGF-b receptor in their breast tissue were more likely to develop breast cancer than woman with high levels of TGF-b receptor. This discovery could help identify women who should receive preventive treatment for breast cancer. http://www.4woman.gov/nwhic/News/Dec99/29Dec99.htm
Study Finds that Active Women are Less Likely to Die from Stroke A recent study published in the January issue of Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association, showed that regular physical activity reduces a woman's risk of dying from a stroke by about 50 percent. http://www.4woman.gov/nwhic/news/jan00/20jan001.htm
LEGISLATIVE NEWS: This section contains news articles that announce legislative priorities and actions affecting senior citizens.
Senate Coalition Pledges to Push Major Medical Errors Bill: Reform Package Will Target Major Federal Programs
A bipartisan coalition of Senators announced that they would soon introduce legislation that would make critical changes in the nation's major federal health care programs to dramatically reduce the risk of medical errors. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0100/senatecoalition.html
President Clinton Releases Report on Success of Fight Against Medicare Fraud, Announces New Anti-Fraud Funding In his radio address on Saturday, President Clinton highlighted the success of the Administration's effort to combat Medicare fraud and announced a new initiative to fortify those efforts. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0100/medicare.html
President Clinton Urges Congress to Pass a Long-Term Care Initiative in 2000 The President's budget will include a $3,000 tax credit for people with long-term care needs or their caregivers. This credit is part of health care initiative that tackles the complex problem of long-term care that affects millions of the elderly, people with disabilities and families who care for people in need. http://www.seniors.gov/articles/0100/longtermcare.html