shAARP Talk: Observations from AARP

Champ would be proud. On Wednesday, a bi-partisan group of legislators in Congress overwhelmingly passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008.

You, the grassroots, are largely responsible for this achievement. But we can't yet rest on our laurels. We still need to take action: President Bush is threatening to veto this critical legislation that would protect millions of Medicare beneficiaries as well as the thousands of doctors that are involved in the Medicare program.

Our friends at Keep Medicare Fair have all the tools you need to keep the pressure on our decision makers. If push comes to shove, we will have to mobilize to force congress to override a possible veto. In the meantime, tell President Bush to sign the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 into law immediately.

Champ was in the Roanoke, Virginia area in early June for a number of Divided We Fail activities. Here he is with the mascots of the Salem Avalanche, just before throwing out the first pitch. Of course, since he is missing opposable thumbs, Champ needed help throwing the ball from AARP Board Member Jacob Lozada (left) and AARP Virginia President Warren Stewart (right).

For more from Roanoke, check out the album from the DWF Team in Virginia.

"Whoever thought 20 plus years of experience would be a liability?" questions experienced film reporter Lisa Johnson Mandell in this morning's TODAY show segment on "De-Aging Your Resume."

So what exactly is it that folks should do to downplay years of valuable experience? According to TODAY show contributor Jean Chatzky, "For women, shorten your skirts a little bit. Cover your grays."

Pardon me, but I just choked on my Kashi. Jean! Usually your money and career advice is so spot on! But to suggest that the length of a woman's skirt and the color of her hair are valid employment criteria is a little off base. Jamie Lee Curtis showed AARP just a few months ago that going gray isn't the end of the world, and we know of many companies that LOVE the idea of 20 or 30 years of experience! No doctored up resumes needed over at RetirementJobs.com either!

I don't believe that a person's experience should be a liability, do you?

For some real career resources, check out these tips - including employment websites for 50+ workers - on AARP's website .

It's amazing how fast technology progresses, and there's no better symbol of that than the second generation iphone which was recently released by Apple. It's the second generation of the mobile phone sensation. The touch screen and internet access have made the phone a huge hit. Now the phone is twice as fast and half the price.

The iphone isn't the only technology with the potential to bring benefits to your life. While the iphone can bring information literally to your finger tips, the Nintendo Wii can not only help you pass the time, but stay active while doing it.

By Neil Schuster, president and CEO, American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA)

Over the last 10 years the press has made much ado regarding the question, "How old is too old to drive?" Fortunately, after much debate and discussion, most highway safety advocates and medical professionals agree that age should not be the critical factor in determining someone's physical and cognitive fitness to drive.

I agree. And with so few transportation alternatives available today, our best plan of action should be to implement the types of policies, practices and licensing procedures at the state level that help people continue driving for as long as it is safely possible.
To that end, today, the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety (AAAFTS) released some key objectives and policies that could help safely lengthen everyone's time behind the wheel as well as better identify at-risk drivers. And it gives me great pleasure to say, "State motor vehicle agencies (DMVs) are already implementing, or exploring how to implement, many of the AAAFTS recommendations!"

But even though your DMV is already on the case where many of the AAAFTS recommendations are concerned, not all of the objectives can be easily implemented, especially given state budget constraints and competing state and federal priorities.
Here's what I mean.

One of the recommendations suggests that states should require an in-person examination at each renewal cycle. In theory, it is a good safety practice to periodically retest drivers of all ages, but is it necessary at every renewal and how realistic is it in today's budget-strapped environment?

State DMVs lack funding to employee the additional personnel needed to carry out this task. Given limited resources, if state DMVs did attempt retest every licensee at every renewal, you would likely be waiting in line for hours to renew your own license because of the additional volume of people being reexamined.

This isn't a bad idea. But it presents a challenge to the DMV. Again, given limited resources, should DMV focus on retesting every license holder at every renewal, or invest scarce dollars in other programs, whether graduated licenses for teen drivers or, greater education and enforcement of repeat impaired drivers, or other programs that might yield a better safety payoff?

So the question becomes, not "how old is too old," but "where are limited dollars best employed in the battle to improve road safety?"

Founded in 1933, AAMVA is a non-profit voluntary educational association representing the chief motor vehicle administrators and law enforcement officials in the U.S. and Canada. AAMVA promotes uniformity among its members by developing best practices in driver's licensing and ID credentialing, vehicle tilting and registration and law enforcement, among others.

We've previously covered the changing perceptions on who and what is considered glamorous. Roles have been altered and as boomers grow older, their tastes continue to be catered to. In just one more example of this trend, there has been an explosion in the demand for older models. It's great to see widespread recognition of the fact that beauty is a life-long attribute.

Keeping the boom in older models in mind may be a good thing considering the tough times the economy is going through. Since 1 in 5 people 55-64 have said they are postponing retirement and 1 in 4 people 45-54 said the same, it looks like a bunch of people are going to be looking for second careers. Modeling might just be a way for some folks to help save for retirement or ignite a new career. Are you ready for your close up?

Led by the dramatic and emotional return of Senator Ted Kennedy, the Senate overwhelmingly passed the House-passed Medicare bill by the score - er, um count of 69-30.

The Senate vote - like the House's passage - is strong enough to override President Bush's promised veto.

AARP CEO Bill Novelli issued a statement praising the bipartisan support that passed this bill in both chambers of Congress. Bill noted that "[this vote] shows what can happen when leaders in Washington break through partisan gridlock."

Make no mistake about it - this vote also shows what can happen when people at the grassroots get involved.

The fact is that today's Senate vote was a mulligan. Two weeks ago, the same legislative body came up one vote short on the same bill. So what changed the math? You did - and I think Senator Kennedy would agree.

Since the start of the Keep Medicare Fair campaign, AARP volunteers have called, emailed or signed petitions to their Senate offices more than 780,000 times. And when the Senate left Washington last week after failing to pass the bill the first time around - you made sure to share your thoughts in person with them at July 4th parades and community events.

Like the roar of the crowd when Senator Kennedy walked onto the Senate floor, the Senate heard you loud and clear.

Have you guys seen those commercials for Gardasil, the cervical cancer vaccine? Usually it's young girls with their mothers saying "One less." Well, I recently found out that after requesting that the vaccine by allowed to be sold to women between the 27 and 45 year age bracket, U.S. regulators recently told Merck & Co. they weren't allowed to due to some unresolved issues that still need to be addressed.

I hope this gets resolved sooner than later, especially because when I think about women between 27 and 45 years old not getting access to the vaccine yet, it makes me wonder about women of all ages - will they ever have the option to protect themselves?

Obviously we're no prudes here at Shaarp Session, so I was naturally alarmed when friend of mine over 60 recently was diagnosed with the human papillomavirus (HPV), the sexually transmitted infection (STI) that causes the majority of cases of cervical cancer (and can be prevented by getting the Gardasil vaccine). She didn't even know what HPV was, let alone that it causes cervical cancer. While many assume that women over a certain age are married and have no need for this vaccine, there are still plenty of older single women who are dating and not educated about the prevalence of HPV in the U.S. So what about them?

After months of watching the price of oil set and then break record price levels, we all are well aware of how much we're paying at the pump. However, you might not even realize some of the additional troubles that can arise from high fuel prices. For starters, it looks like the price of electricity could spike nearly ten percent. In addition, many services that older Americans rely on such as home health care and home-delivered meals are being cut back in a response to the high gas prices. Just a few more things to take into account when planning for the future.

"It's not an obligation," says The Eighth Promise author William Poy Lee of offering to care for his aging mother in an AARP Bulletin special video report on aging in China. Lee, an American-born Chinese, refers to the ancient tradition of xiao shun, or filial piety.

Although Lee's mom declined his offer to live with him, preferring like most people to age in place, he takes comfort in that she did so freely. "Filial piety isn't rote or assumed, but rather a loving, symbiotic relationship," he writes.

You can read more about xiao shun and aging in China by following the links. Share your story in the comments section - we can all learn from each other!

Scary news from TIME: a study published last week by the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections found that the rates of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are on the rise. Amongst study participants, from 1996 to 2003 total cases of chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, syphilis and genital warts for people over 45 increased 127%, even more than for patients under age 45 ( 97%). Dr. Sharon Lee, a Kansas City family physician and medical director of HIV Wisdom for Older Women, points to a lack of sex ed as a critical reason for this increase. She says that "as people get older, they don't worry about pregnancy as much," and without education about STDs, many older people believe infertility negates the need for protection.

So what should you do? Start by having an honest dialogue with your sexual partner and with your doctor. If you're not sure where to start, you can read more about love and relationships on AARP's website.

Yet another reason to put down that pack: according to new research from the Wien Center for Alzheimer's Disease, drinking and smoking heavily increases the risk of early onset of Alzheimer's. A study of 938 people age 60 and older found that these behaviors were linked to onset as much as six or seven years earlier than average. The good news: researchers also found that lifestyle modifications can delay and even prevent the disease.

It's never too late to quit! For more information on nicotine addiction and smoking cessation, visit the Walgreens Health Library.

The New York Times had a really good (yet upsetting) piece this weekend on the severe effects that the rising gas prices are beginning to have on older folks:

"Faced with soaring gasoline prices, agencies around the country that provide services to the elderly say they are having to cut back on programs like Meals on Wheels, transportation assistance and home care, especially in rural areas that depend on volunteers who provide their own gas. In a recent survey by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging, more than half said they had already cut back on programs because of gas costs, and 90 percent said they expected to make cuts in the 2009 fiscal year."

Without Meals on Wheels, they would need transportation or home care. Without transportation, they need home care or Meals on Wheels. So without any of the three, where exactly does that leave them? And it doesn't end there - not only are these necessary programs being cut, but it's getting more and more difficult to get volunteers, who are increasingly harder to recruit as they cut back on their miles.

The article touches on a couple of personal stories from citizens of Michigan that really hits home; we can talk prices and numbers all we want, but humanizing the problem and seeing how this is affecting real Americans is what will resonate with people.

One ray of hope is that the agencies are currently urging Congress to account for fuel inflation in reimbursement rates and reinstate special increases for providers in rural areas - a program that actually expired in 2006. It looks like we need it now more than ever.

The sports world is abuzz this week with swimmer Dara Torres' record-setting 50-meter free-style win, qualifying her to compete on behalf of the United States at the 2008 summer Olympics. The catch? Torres is a 41 year old in a sport dominated by teenagers. She may be getting older, but she still got game.

Inspired by Torres' success (and who isn't?) The Miami Herald listed a few other athletes who excelled in their craft after hitting 40.

-Eamonn Coghlan: In 1994, the 41-year-old Irish miler and former world champion at 5,000 meters becomes the first person over 40 to run a sub-4 minute mile. Coghlan clocks a 3:58.15 at a race in Cambridge, Mass.

-George Foreman: In 1994, at age 45, the boxer regains part of the heavyweight title he lost to Muhammad Ali 20 years earlier, stopping Michael Moorer with a two-punch combination in the 10th round. Foreman captures the IBF and WBA championships to become the oldest champion in any weight class.

-Jack Nicklaus: In 1986, the golfing great wins his last major championship, the Masters, at age 46.

-Nolan Ryan: In 1990, at age 43, threw the sixth no-hitter of his career, blanking Oakland 5-0 while pitching for the Texas Rangers. The next season, at age 44, Ryan tossed his seventh no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays.

-Darrell Green: Elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in February in his first year of eligibility, the Washington Redskins cornerback was 42 when he retired after the 2002 season. He had at least one interception in 19 consecutive seasons.

-Martina Navratilova: A month before her 50th birthday, in 2006, the tennis champion finished her career by winning her 59th Grand Slam title, teaming with Bob Bryan to take the mixed doubles championship at the U.S. Open. To this illustrious list, I would add hockey legend Gordie Howe, who played until the age of 53 (and on a team with two of his sons!) I suppose we could also add Roger Clemens, but perhaps with an asterix? Who else would readers add to the hall-of-after-40 fame?

Welcome to the big 5-0, Kevin Bacon! We're still trying to figure out our degrees from Kevin Bacon, but with AARP's network of over 39 million members it can't be too high. Now that he's of eligible age, we look forward to being able to welcome Bacon as a member (FYI: that would give us a Bacon number of one. Did you know that there is an actual computer program that calculates exact Bacon numbers and the so-called Center of the Hollywood Universe?).

Instead of sending cards or flowers, wish our buddy a happy birthday by visiting Six Degrees. Last year, the organization was founded with Bacon's support using the idea of connection to promote and raise funds for different charities. As Bacon writes, "It's a small world...accomplish something good."

Wouldn't it be great if you could just step into your car, buckle up, and simply by whisked to work while you just read the paper or even take a nap? It might sound like a crazy sci-fi fantasy but many experts say that cars that can drive themselves could be as little as 20 years away. Much of the technology already exists and autonomous cars could provide a way to keep drivers on the road indefinitely, ensure independence, and even increase both the safety and efficiency of driving. Would you trust a car to drive you around, or do you need to have your own hands on the wheel?

Being single can be a real mix of emotions. Sure you get the freedom of not being tied down, but you don't always have that partner to turn to when you need someone. Whether you're looking for someone for the night or the rest of your life, you've probably had some experience on the dating scene. Well, dating isn't just for kids and the older dating scene is a vibrant and growing place. Check out this book review of one writer's story of double dating with his father for some interesting perspective on the ups and downs of the older dating crowd.