Senior Citizen Center - City of Vicksburg, MS

Senior Blogs: Mental Exercise and a Connection to the World
<img src="http://seniorliving.about.com/b/a/senior online.jpg" alt="" hspace="5" align="right" />If you regularly use the Internet, you are in good company. The number of adults over 50 who use the Internet is growing steadily, according to a Harris Poll. Find out <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/od/lawpolitics/a/use_internet.htm">how many of your fellow older Americans use the Internet</a>. And what's a popular leisure activity for Web-savvy seniors? <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/od/entertainmentrecreation/a/seniorblogs.htm">Senior blogs</a>, which offer a wealth of benefits for older adults, including mental stimulation, an opportunity to keep up with current events, and a connection to people around the world. Some of the most fun reading on the Internet are the wry, candid and thoughtful musings of older adults. Photo by Norbert Machinek<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/09/01/senior-blogs.htm">Senior Blogs: Mental Exercise and a Connection to the World</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/">About.com Senior Living</a> on Wednesday, September 1st, 2010 at 09:11:24.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/09/01/senior-blogs.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/09/01/senior-blogs.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://seniorliving.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/09/01/senior-blogs.htm&zItl=Senior Blogs: Mental Exercise and a Connection to the World">Email this</a>

One-Stop Shopping for Senior Benefits
Could you use some financial help paying for prescriptions, health care, meals, and more? Are you looking for senior housing options? Many people don't know that local, state and federal programs exist to help older adults with bills, prescription drugs, housing, Medicare and more. To help seniors find the resources they need, the National Council on Aging has developed a comprehensive <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=https://www.benefitscheckup.org/moreprograms.cfm?partner_id=0">Benefits Checkup</a> site that will help you locate assistance programs and determine if you qualify for assistance. The page offers large print and an easy-to-follow format, making the process of finding and applying for assistance much easier.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/28/one-stop-shopping-for-senior-benefits.htm">One-Stop Shopping for Senior Benefits</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/">About.com Senior Living</a> on Saturday, August 28th, 2010 at 10:42:49.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/28/one-stop-shopping-for-senior-benefits.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/28/one-stop-shopping-for-senior-benefits.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://seniorliving.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/28/one-stop-shopping-for-senior-benefits.htm&zItl=One-Stop Shopping for Senior Benefits">Email this</a>

Drug Information from A to Z
<img src="http://z.about.com/d/seniorliving/1/0/d/4/pills-DonBishop-g.jpg" alt="" hspace="5" align="left" />Many older adults take multiple prescriptions, some of which don't interact well. That's why it's so important to have complete drug information about the medication and supplements you take, including their effectiveness, safety, and possible side effects. Here are two handy guides that provide comprehensive <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/od/healthnutrition/a/druginformation.htm">drug information</a> about prescription and over-the-counter drugs as well as herbal supplements. And one will even help you identify that stray pill in the bottom of your suitcase. On the subject of health, it's unfortunate that older adults are more vulnerable to problems caused by tainted food and unsafe medications because chronic illness, other medications and the aging process can weaken the immune system. Keep yourself safe by keeping up with the latest <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/od/nutritionforolderadults/a/FDA_recalls.htm">food recalls, drug recalls and safety alerts</a>. Photo: Don Bishop/Getty<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/23/drug-information-from-a-to-z.htm">Drug Information from A to Z</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/">About.com Senior Living</a> on Monday, August 23rd, 2010 at 20:01:53.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/23/drug-information-from-a-to-z.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/23/drug-information-from-a-to-z.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://seniorliving.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/23/drug-information-from-a-to-z.htm&zItl=Drug Information from A to Z">Email this</a>

Is Sexual Activity Important to Seniors?
<img src="http://z.about.com/d/seniorliving/1/0/5/3/kissing-BloomProductions-g.jpg " alt="" hspace="5" align="right" />How do older adults feel about sex? Pretty good, according to the first comprehensive national survey of senior sexual attitudes, behaviors and problems in the United States. This <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/od/healthyseniorsex/a/senior_sex_surv.htm">sex and aging survey</a> found that most seniors think sexuality is an important part of life. And the survey also reports that sexually active seniors stay active for many years. Some of this information could surprise you. Photo by Bloom Productions/Getty Images<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/18/is-sexual-activity-important-to-seniors.htm">Is Sexual Activity Important to Seniors?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/">About.com Senior Living</a> on Wednesday, August 18th, 2010 at 09:32:34.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/18/is-sexual-activity-important-to-seniors.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/18/is-sexual-activity-important-to-seniors.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://seniorliving.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/18/is-sexual-activity-important-to-seniors.htm&zItl=Is Sexual Activity Important to Seniors?">Email this</a>

Love Hurts: Finding a Mate May Take Months Off Your Life
Love may be a universal need, but working hard to find a mate could shorten your life. A new study shows that men who reach sexual maturity in an environment where they far outnumber women--and therefore face more competition in finding a mate--live an average of three months less than men who come of age with more women around and don't have to work as hard to find the love of their lives. The higher the gender ratio of men to women (also known as the operational sex ratio), the shorter the lifespan for those hard-working romantic men, according to the study, which was led by Harvard Medical School and published in the August issue of the journal Demography. "At first blush, a quarter of a year may not seem like much, but it is comparable to the effects of, say, taking a daily aspirin, or engaging in <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/od/exercisefitnes1/a/4seniorexercise.htm">moderate exercise</a>," says Nicholas Christakis, senior author on the study and professor of medicine and medical sociology at Harvard Medical School as well as professor of sociology at Harvard University's Faculty of Arts and Sciences, in a statement. "A 65-year-old man is typically expected to live another 15.4 years. Removing three months from this block of time is significant." The new study, which compared Census figures, Medicare records and long-term data from the Wisconsin Longitudinal Study, only shows the correlation between an out-of-whack gender balance and shortened lifespans for men; it doesn't explain why the first leads to the second. Other studies of populations in countries such as China and India--where selective abortion, internal migration and other factors have led to men outnumbering women by 20 percent--have shown that gender imbalances have many harmful effects on society, including increased rates of murder, infanticide, human trafficking and other forms of violence and abuse. Christakis says that the shortened lifespan for men who have to work harder to find and win the woman of their dreams probably results from a combination of social and biological factors. Finding a mate can be stressful, he says, and stress is a major contributor to many health problems. "We literally come to embody the social world around us," he says, "and what could be more social than the dynamics of sexual competition?" Also Read: <ul> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/od/lifetransitionsaging/a/longevity.htm">To Increase Longevity, Friends Are More Important Than Family</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/od/lifetransitionsaging/a/meetnewpeople.htm">A Great Way to Meet New People</a></li> <li><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/od/lifetransitionsaging/a/seniordatingonl.htm">Is Online Dating Right for You?</a></li> </ul><a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/14/love-hurts-finding-a-mate-may-take-months-off-your-life.htm">Love Hurts: Finding a Mate May Take Months Off Your Life</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/">About.com Senior Living</a> on Saturday, August 14th, 2010 at 10:22:46.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/14/love-hurts-finding-a-mate-may-take-months-off-your-life.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/14/love-hurts-finding-a-mate-may-take-months-off-your-life.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://seniorliving.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/14/love-hurts-finding-a-mate-may-take-months-off-your-life.htm&zItl=Love Hurts: Finding a Mate May Take Months Off Your Life">Email this</a>

The Future of Social Security: 2010 Trustees Report Highlights
Social Security is still on track to run out of income in 2037, according to the 2010 report from the Social Security Board of Trustees. Highlights of the report include the following projections: <ul> <li>In 2010 and 2011, Social Security costs will exceed money coming into the fund through Social Security tax revenues. </li> <li>In 2012 through 2014, more money will go into the Social Security fund than is paid out in Social Security benefits. </li> <li>Beginning in 2015, the trustees predict that Social Security will begin permanently running in the red, if no action is taken to change this. This is one year earlier than the Social Security trustees predicted last year. </li> <li>In 2037, when the Social Security funds are exhausted, there will be enough money to pay approximately 78 percent of benefits. </li> </ul> Addressing the future of Social Security, here's what Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security had to say: "The impact of the current economic downturn continues to be felt by the Social Security Trust Funds. The fact that the costs for the program will likely exceed tax revenue this year is not a cause for panic but it does send a strong message that it's time for us to make the tough choices that we know we need to make. "I applaud President Obama for his creation of the Deficit Commission so we can start the national discussion needed to ensure that Social Security remains a foundation of economic security for our children and grandchildren." For a different perspective on the future of Social Security, read what Alex Pareen of Salon has to say about <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.salon.com/news/politics/war_room/2010/07/12/deficit_commission">Social Security and the Deficit Commission</a>. Do you think Social Security is in trouble? Will lawmakers find a solution to the shortfall that doesn't include forcing us to work longer? Share your opinions about Social Security in Comments, below.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/09/future-of-social-security-2010-trustees-report.htm">The Future of Social Security: 2010 Trustees Report Highlights</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/">About.com Senior Living</a> on Monday, August 9th, 2010 at 19:57:33.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/09/future-of-social-security-2010-trustees-report.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/09/future-of-social-security-2010-trustees-report.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://seniorliving.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/09/future-of-social-security-2010-trustees-report.htm&zItl=The Future of Social Security: 2010 Trustees Report Highlights">Email this</a>

The Internet: Were Using It More, Trusting It Less
While the number of Americans who use the Internet is growing each year, the level of trust we have in the information we find is decreasing. Internet use among Americans hit an all-time high of 82 percent in 2010, according to the 2010 Digital Future Report, an annual report on American Internet, now in its ninth year, from the Center for the Digital Future at the USC Annenberg School. And while Internet use is up, people say they have less trust in what they find. Sixty-one percent of users said that only half or less of online information is reliable. It's common knowledge that older adults use the Internet a lot less than younger generations (100 percent among users age 24 or younger), but USC researchers were surprised to find a high number of people age 36-55 who don't use the Internet: 19 percent of people who are 46-55, and 15 percent of people age 36-45. Other highlights of the 2010 Digital Future Report: <ul> <li>49 percent: People who report using a free micro-blog like Twitter.</li> <li>0 percent: People who would be willing to pay to use Twitter.</li> <li>19 hours: The average amount of time that Americans spend online each week. </li> <li>56 percent, and dropping: The percentage of American Internet users age 16 and older who report that communication technology "makes the world a better place." This number is declining, from a high of 66 percent in 2002. </li> </ul> Want more information? You can <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://store.digitalcenter.org/purchasereport.html">purchase the 2010 Digital Future Report </a>from the USC Annenberg School, or <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.digitalcenter.org/pdf/2010_digital_future_final_release.pdf">read the highlights online for free</a>. Are you using the Internet more...or less lately? And how much do you trust what you read online? Share your thoughts about the Internet in Comments, below.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/03/the-internet-were-using-it-more-trusting-it-less.htm">The Internet: Were Using It More, Trusting It Less</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/">About.com Senior Living</a> on Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010 at 21:53:43.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/03/the-internet-were-using-it-more-trusting-it-less.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/03/the-internet-were-using-it-more-trusting-it-less.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://seniorliving.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/08/03/the-internet-were-using-it-more-trusting-it-less.htm&zItl=The Internet: Were Using It More, Trusting It Less">Email this</a>

Look Out for Seniors in Hot Weather
<img src="http://0.tqn.com/d/seniorliving/1/0/k/5/hot-g.jpg" alt="" hspace="5" align="left" />July 2010 is on track to become the hottest month since weather data has been recorded, according to the National Weather Service. To find out if July 2010 beats the current record set by July 1936, we'll have to wait until the Weather Service releases its data on August 9. Hot weather can be especially hard on seniors who live without air conditioning and are not able to get to a library, senior center, shopping mall, or movie theater to find relief from the heat. When the temperature climbs, seniors are at risk for hyperthermia, a condition caused by the body's inability to cope with hot temperatures. According to the National Institutes on Aging (NIA), hyperthermia, a failure of the body's normal heat-regulating mechanisms, can result in heat fatigue, heat syncope (sudden dizziness after prolonged exposure to the heat), heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke. People who are in poor general health are more at risk to develop hyperthermia. The NIA lists these lifestyle factors that put seniors at increased risk for hyperthermia: <ul> <li>Not drinking enough fluids</li> <li>Living in homes without air conditioning</li> <li>A lack of mobility</li> <li>Illness or medical conditions</li> <li>Being seriously overweight or underweight</li> <li>Not having access to transportation</li> <li>Wearing too much clothing in hot weather</li> <li>Visiting overcrowded places </li> <li>Not understanding how to respond to hot weather conditions, which includes staying indoors during the hottest part of the day or when air pollution alerts are in effect. </li> </ul> If you know seniors who may be at risk for hyperthermia, encourage them to spend as much time as possible in places that have air conditioning. In addition to the locations mentioned above, many communities set up cooling centers at community centers or religious organizations to help people cope with the heat. The NIA offers more information about hyperthermia. Call the NIA Information Center at (800) 222-2225, or look online for the NIA hyperthermia information page in <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=www.niapublications.org/agepages/hyperther.asp">English</a> or <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=www.niapublications.org/agepages/hyperther-sp.asp">Spanish</a>. Photo: Getty<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/07/29/look-out-for-seniors-in-hot-weather.htm">Look Out for Seniors in Hot Weather</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/">About.com Senior Living</a> on Thursday, July 29th, 2010 at 08:19:27.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/07/29/look-out-for-seniors-in-hot-weather.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/07/29/look-out-for-seniors-in-hot-weather.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://seniorliving.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/07/29/look-out-for-seniors-in-hot-weather.htm&zItl=Look Out for Seniors in Hot Weather">Email this</a>

Looking for Something to Do? How About Volunteering?
I'm a big believer in volunteering. In fact, my volunteer efforts led me to go back to school and change careers. You just never know where your inspiration will come from. With the economic downturn we've experienced, many people need to focus their time on earning money, but if you have some spare time and would like to help others, the US government has created a list of worthy organizations you might not know about. Go to USA.gov and click the link <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.usa.gov/Citizen/Topics/PublicService.shtml#vgn-volunteer-your-time-vgn">Volunteer Your Time</a>. <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://www.serve.gov/">Serve.gov</a> is a special government-sponsored site that connects volunteers with worthy organizations. Enter keywords for topics that interest you and your location, and you'll be connected to organizations and projects that need your help.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/07/25/how-about-volunteering.htm">Looking for Something to Do? How About Volunteering?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/">About.com Senior Living</a> on Sunday, July 25th, 2010 at 16:03:24.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/07/25/how-about-volunteering.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/07/25/how-about-volunteering.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://seniorliving.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/07/25/how-about-volunteering.htm&zItl=Looking for Something to Do? How About Volunteering?">Email this</a>

When You Travel, Will Your Pet Travel With You?
<img src="http://z.about.com/d/seniorliving/1/0/X/4/dog-convertible-g.jpg" alt="" hspace="5" align="left" />When the weather gets warmer, my thoughts turn to one of my favorite activities: road trips! With two dogs in the family, the first question we ask when planning a trip is <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/od/travelsmart/a/pettravel1.htm">should our pets travel with us</a>? We like to take them when we can, almost always on short day trips and often for weekends out of town. Over years of traveling with pets, I learned that it's best to be prepared. If you're thinking about traveling with your pet, check out these tips to help <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/od/pettravel/a/pet_travel_prep.htm">prepare your pet for travel</a>. The most important thing you can do? Put a sturdy collar on your pet with an ID tag that includes your current contact information. The cost will be worth it if you and your pet ever become separated. And if your animal companion has a medical issue, an organization called <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/od/travelsmart/a/pet_safe.htm">PetHealthAlert.com</a> offers free medical alert tags and a national pet health registry. Photo: Getty Images<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/07/20/when-you-travel-will-your-pet-travel-with-you.htm">When You Travel, Will Your Pet Travel With You?</a> originally appeared on <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/">About.com Senior Living</a> on Tuesday, July 20th, 2010 at 09:47:13.<a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/07/20/when-you-travel-will-your-pet-travel-with-you.htm">Permalink</a> | <a href="http://clk.about.com/?zi=1/1hc&zu=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/07/20/when-you-travel-will-your-pet-travel-with-you.htm#gB3">Comment</a> | <a href="http://seniorliving.about.com/gi/pages/shareurl.htm?PG=http://seniorliving.about.com/b/2010/07/20/when-you-travel-will-your-pet-travel-with-you.htm&zItl=When You Travel, Will Your Pet Travel With You?">Email this</a>