ShAARP Session: Observations from AARP

We are very excited to announce today that GRAMMY® Award-winning Country star Faith Hill appears in a new public service announcement that encourages Americans to volunteer their time to make America a better place.

Faith's ad, featuring AARP Create The Good is one of the iParticipate series you'll see on ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC.

Got 30 seconds? Take a look at Faith's ad and let us know what you think and how you like to make a difference. As she says, "There are so many ways to serve. What will you do?"

If you're looking for ideas and inspiration to make a difference on your own time, in your community, on the things you care about, visit AARP's www.createthegood.org to get started.

Blythe Danner, Gwyneth Paltrow, Morgan Freeman and Matthew McConaughey are among the performers featured in the PSAs. iParticipate was recently launched in New York's Times Square with Create The Good volunteers. We were joined by New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and 15 mayors from around the country, numerous celebrities, including Ashton Kutcher, Tyler Perry, Tim Daly (ABC), Christine Baranski (CBS), Randy Jackson (FOX), Michelle Trachtenberg (NBC), among others, and key service groups to launch the initiative. Check out the pictures and video in Create The Good's Facebook group.

AARP's Spanish language radio show premiered on Sunday, October 4th! The show is an extension of AARP's bi-monthly bilingual magazine Segunda Juventud and hosted by the magazine's editor, Gabriela Zabalúa-Goddard. Both the magazine and radio show target the senior Hispanic population. The 30-minute show will focus on health, finance, and lifestyle topics, featuring tips and advice from experts in various fields.

Check out the radio show (and a ton of other relevant news and information) on Segunda Juventud's site: http://www.aarpsegundajuventud.org/spanish/index.html.

In other big news today, the H1N1 vaccine is now available to some...Yesterday, medical workers in Indiana and Tennessee were among the first to receive the vaccine in what the Washington Post calls "the most ambitious inoculation campaign in U.S. history." Have questions about the vaccine? Check out this Q&A on the Washington Post's web site for answers to common concerns.

Looking for tips on job interviewing? Take some time to look at this informative article from US News and World Report that gives advice on job seeking after 50. The reporter spoke to hiring managers at organizations on AARP's list of best employers for workers over 50 and compiled a list of tips.

Have a great day!

Senator Ted Kennedy died late last night after a hard battle with brain cancer at the age of 77. Our thoughts go out to his family, who said in their statement:

"Edward M. Kennedy -- the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply - died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port . . . We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever."

Below is President Obama's statement on Kennedy's passing, saying he was "the greatest senator of our time."

AARP CEO Barry Rand released the following statement today on the passing of Senator Edward Kennedy:

"Early this morning older Americans lost a champion and this nation lost a role model. Senator Kennedy was a tireless fighter for the poor and the working class and the programs they relied upon, especially Medicare and Social Security. His life will stand as a shining example of what it meant to serve the public good. His loss will be deeply felt by our members and all Americans.

"Regardless of the issue, Senator Kennedy seemed to have one guiding principle: how will this help average Americans? He pushed his colleagues to ask themselves the same question and he challenged us all to make this nation an example for the world.

"His passing is especially devastating considering his lifelong goal to improve health care for this nation. As Congress seems poised to act this fall, Senator Kennedy will no doubt be watching with hope that this goal will be achieved. While his voice on this issue, and so many others, will be absent, his passion and wisdom must carry on.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Kennedy family on their great loss."

AARP's Bulletin Today also wrote an obituary on the life of this leader that can be found here.

For over fifty years, AARP's mission has been educating and engaging in the issues most important to you, our members. With over 40 million members we understand the importance of debate. Even when some members don't agree with our advocacy positions, it is critical that we make sure those differences of opinion are based on facts, not myths designed to derail a long overdue effort to fix what's wrong in our health care system.

Doing nothing is not an option. But any reform must not get between a patient and their doctor. It must not cut Medicare benefits. It must not allow insurers to continue to line their pockets by covering only the healthiest and the youngest.

AARP is committed to making sure health care reform will do the following for our members:

Lower Drug Costs and Strengthen Medicare: Close the Medicare Part D "doughnut hole," ensure patients' access to their doctors, and crack down on fraud and wasteful spending;

Protect Your Health Care Choices: Make sure you can choose your doctor, your health insurance plan and where to receive care;

End Discrimination by Insurance Companies: Prevent insurance companies from denying you coverage because of a pre-existing condition or using age to price Americans age 50-64 out of affordable, quality health insurance; and

Guarantee Stable, Affordable Coverage: Ensure you have the security of knowing that if you lose or change jobs, you will be able to get affordable, quality health insurance.

Since July 1st, when we started seeing a rise in phone calls and emails here at AARP as a result of the health care debate, we have lost approximately 50,000-60,000 members. While we are encouraged that almost 1.8 million people have either joined AARP or renewed their memberships over that same time span, we take the loss of any member seriously. ‪We don't want to see you, our members, leave for any reason, and understand that even when we all have the facts reasonable people may agree to disagree on the proposals being put forth by Congress.

AARP's strength has always been our members, and we're working hard to represent them as best we can. Each of our policy positions have been carefully considered and are set by our all-member volunteer board of directors based on input from our members.

We're also working to dispel several of the myths and lies that have warped the health care reform debate, targeting older Americans in particular with horror stories about euthanasia and rationed care. We believe that, at a time when a lot of the information about health reform surfacing on the Internet, cable news and talk radio simply isn't true, it's important that each of our members are armed with all the facts about this very important debate.

As we continue to fight on your behalf and work to fix our health care system, we are bound to have different opinions among our members. We respect each opinion and choice you make, and will do our best to represent the individuals who have, with their membership, shown that the collective voice of 40 million members working together have the power to make our health care system better - for themselves and for generations to come.

Sincerely,
A. Barry Rand

Hi - I'm Barry Jackson and I run the online advocacy program here at AARP. You may receive some of the emails I send out. Hopefully you find them useful. We find that these emails are a fantastic way to stay in touch with AARP members and let them know about issues that are timely and actionable.

If your inbox is anything like mine, you're getting a lot of emails about how SCARY health reform is. From allegations about rationing care to wild reports of government-sponsored euthanasia, the rumors just keep getting crazier.

And I've had enough. Enough of the fear-mongering. Enough of the myths and unfounded rumors. Enough of the interest groups twisting the truth to stop health reform.

I'm fighting back - and I'm asking for your help!

Below I've debunked some of the common myths going around. Please join me in forwarding these facts to everyone you know. Print them out and pass them around at your social gatherings and other places where people are discussing the issues of the day. Help get the truth out about reform.

The truth is real reform is at risk because opponents are using scare tactics and slogans to gin up fear and misunderstandings. Don't let that happen.

Let's make sure everyone gets the truth. Forward the message below, share these myths and facts on Facebook if you have an account, or post them on other networking sites. If you're active on Twitter, please tweet the truth now.

******Forward these points to friends and family ******

FACT #1: Medicare will not be ended, and no benefits or services will be cut.

Your services will not be ended, nor will your benefits be cut. AARP's position on this could not be clearer. And we have sent this message loud and clear to Congress. While the current proposals include savings in Medicare by cutting out fraud, abuse, waste, and inefficiency, we're standing up and making sure benefits for Medicare recipients are not only fully protected, but are improved.

FACT #2: No legislation currently in Congress would mandate the rationing of care. Period.

Our staff has read all of the legislation circulating in Congress and there are no provisions in these bills that would ration care for our members. None. If any ever did, we would vigorously fight to stop that legislation.

FACT #3: There is no provision of any piece of legislation that would promote euthanasia of any kind.

The rumors out there are flat out lies. Right now Medicare does not cover counseling for end-of-life care. The portion of the bill in question would simply provide coverage for optional end-of-life consultations with doctors, so that the patient can be aware of all of the treatment options on the table. It is not mandatory and it has nothing to do with euthanasia.

FACT #4: We have not endorsed President Obama's plan.

In fact, we haven't endorsed any plan. We are supporting reform of our health care system, something that AARP has pushed for many years. We're working closely with Republican and Democratic members of Congress to lower health care costs and to ensure quality affordable coverage for older Americans - and we want reform legislation passed and signed by the president this year.

So what is AARP fighting for in health reform?

-Stopping insurance companies from charging older Americans unaffordable premiums because of their age.
-Ending the practice of excluding people from insurance because of pre-existing conditions.
-Holding down health costs and making insurance coverage more affordable for all Americans.
-Making prescription drugs more affordable by narrowing the Medicare doughnut hole, bringing generics to market faster, and allowing Medicare to negotiate better drug prices.

Find out more and take action at HealthActionNow.org.

If you're anything like my friends and family, they love listening to the national debate on all the issues floating around, but what they really want to know is how they will be impacted in Arizona, for example. Below you'll find a smattering of where to find local AARP info. Don't see your state? I'd encourage you to check out Bulletin Today's State Pages as well as the AARP Online Community for more information and resources.

And of course, if you want to take action on health care reform, check out www.healthactionnow.org for events and info on how to reach your local reps.

California info on Facebook, Twitter and the AARP Online Community.

Massachusetts info on the AARP Online Community.

Michigan info on Facebook, Twitter and the AARP Online Community.

Minnesota info on Facebook, Twitter and the AARP Online Community.

New York info on Facebook and Twitter.

Ohio info on the AARP Online Community.

Oregon info on Facebook and the AARP Online Community.

South Dakota info on Facebook, Twitter and the AARP Online Community.

Wisconsin info on Facebook, Twitter and the AARP Online Community.

As Congress wraps up before August recess, this is our last chance to make some serious steps to take action for health care reform - and we're having our very own town hall meetings to discuss and strategize.

In fact, AARP will be holding teletownhalls over the next week (which will be audiocast live!) where AARP supporters and members can listen in to hear what role AARP has been playing in the health care reform debate, answer your questions on reform efforts as well as give you an opportunity to potentially connect with Congress straight from the town halls.

There's not much time left, and health care reform legislation will be moving - let's talk about what we can do to make sure it's prioritized. Sign up and submit your questions for Thursday's townhall!

See the times of other town halls after the jump. You'll be able to hear them live here.

Read More »

As I discussed here earlier, I don't have a great track record when it comes to wishing living people happy birthdays. So today I'm going to try something a little different and go with celebrating the birth of Nikola Tesla who has safely been dead for over 60 years. He was born on July 10th, 1856.

Tesla was an absolute genius who eventually held over 700 patents. You might recognize one of his inventions, a little thing called electricity. He didn't invent electricity itself, but rather the idea of using alternating current which is what lets all of us use electricity without needing to live 2 miles from a power plant (take that Edison). Pretty nice contribution there.

He did have some ideas which were pretty far out there but they can't all be winners.

All of this and his name is barely recognized these days. Check out this clip for a little more info on Tesla:

So considering this is a contest relating to the flu, this post's title might seem a little ironic. It got your attention though, and that's the point. Here's another chance at free money! The Department of Health and Human Services is holding a contest for a PSA on the upcoming flu season. The winning submission will receive $2,500 in cash and the video will be on national television. Check out the rules here.

Here's HHS Secretary Sebelius on the contest:

For more information on the contest and the government's efforts to deal with the flu, check out their site devoted to the virus.

This afternoon, President Obama nominated Dr. Francis Collins to lead the National Institute of Health. You might know him from directing the ground-breaking Human Genome Project, or as a recipient of AARP's Andrus Award honoring positive social change.

Be sure to check out AARP Bulletin's fascinating interview with this "guitar-playing, motorcycle-riding geneticist"... and his interview on finding new cures on AARP TV's My Generation. We also sat down with Collins two years ago for Prime Time Radio, talking about the implications of genetic prediction of our future diseases.

So times are tough and money is tight. Maybe you've been holding off on making some purchases until the economy turns around and your portfolio is looking a little better. Well guess what kids? All that patience and frugality can finally start to pay off. If you've put off buying a new car, AARP may be able to help you out. Just take a picture of your old clunker, write a description of why you deserve a new car, and enter these into the Get Focused! Car Giveaway. You could win a brand new 2009 Ford Focus for your troubles.

If you're interested, get your act together because all submissions are due by July 13th (sorry for the short notice). Be sure to check out the official rules and good luck!

This past weekend had a lot of news regarding the how much Americans weigh these days. A new study said that we as a nation are continuing to get fatter as obesity levels increased in 23 states. Another study said that obesity rates are higher amongst adults who have lived with a romantic partner for at least two years than for those who were single or dating.

Still, there are still questions as to how directly being overweight can be tied to poor health. Though the connection may not be direct, there seems to be consensus in the health community that being overweight doesn't help your health in any way.

While we're on the subject of eating, the Nathan's hotdog eating contest took place last weekend. Joey "Jaws" Chestnut held onto the title for America, downing 68 dogs in 10 minutes for a new record. I wonder how eating like this affects your health:

The President has decided to make a push for the increased roll of technology in the field of health care. This has a number of interesting and possibly very beneficial effects. While digital medical records offer the promise of reduced medical errors and greater efficiencies in the system, they can also be an economic boon for areas in need of a new industry to provide jobs.

Bringing more tech into medicine can also make life much easier for people. Many doctors are beginning to offer online appointments to patients with mild issues that don't warrant the inconvenience of a trip to the doctor. In fact, there has been a big spike in doctors who communicate with their patients online.

Increased access to health care professionals, added convenience and new jobs?

Sounds like a win-win-win to me:

At what age are you "old"? As it turns out the answer to that question has a lot to do with the age of the person you're asking. A new Pew Research Center survey shows that while those in their thirties might consider 60 to be old, people over age 65 don't think you're old until you've turned 75. Across the board people are claiming to feel younger than their age might suggest, and that seems like a good thing.

This survey also took a look at the differences of opinion between the generations on a variety of relevant topics. It's really interesting and provides some great insight into how folks at different ages perceive the world around them.

It shouldn't come as breaking news to anyone at this point, but on the off chance you hadn't heard, Michael Jackson died yesterday. For those of you who have followed the blog for a while, you may remember that I posted not too long ago on MJ turning 50 and lauded his continued vitality. Woops, might have spoken a bit too soon on that one. I can't help but wonder if my little post may have made some small contribution to the King of Pop's demise.

The 'gloved one' was without question one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Just take a look at his legacy. He broke records in album sales, and became one of the first artists to own his own and others' works. He was one of the first celebrities to go commercial with his famed advertising deal with Pepsi.

All in all Michael Jackson was one of the best out there (creepy years aside) and he will be missed by millions of fans. Also, I promise to never again give celebs the kiss of death with a post congratulating them on aging well. At least Barbie should be safe!

Goodbye Michael Jackson.

Sunday will mark the 40th anniversary of the Stonewall demonstrations. The protests, which started in New York City, were among the first and most powerful of the gay-rights movement. Prior to Stonewall, members of the GLBT community were the subjects of open, government sanctioned persecution. Stonewall marked the beginning of the gay-rights movement and this country, along with the world, hasn't looked back since. Check out our page commemorating this historic event and the legacy it has left behind.

Earlier this week, efforts to ramp up volunteerism and service in this country received a big boost. First Lady Michelle Obama spoke at the National Conference on Service and Volunteering in San Francisco putting these issues in the spotlight. The First Lady discussed to major service initiatives which will be taking place in the near future. On the week of October 19th, several major television networks will be incorporating the theme of service into their shows. In addition, Obama talked about the United We Serve initiative which began on Tuesday and will run until September 11th when it will end with a national day of service. These two events are just some examples of the nationwide effort to increase volunteerism and service through the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act. Have you been getting involved in any service recently?

Another way you can get involved in your community is through AARP's very own Create the Good which can help connect you with causes you care about in your own neighborhood.

If you need to lose weight and aren't opposed to getting your 15 minutes of fame, you might have what it takes to make it on NBC's "The Biggest Loser." The good news is that the show will be holding an open casting call in Chicago this Saturday, June 27th for its upcoming season. I've seen this show and it really is amazing to see the transformations that people go through. This is a great way to make a life-altering change in your life. If you're interested, the casting call is at Chicago's NBC Tower from 10 A.M. to 6 P.M.

Last week marked the start of an unprecedented year long residency of guitar legend Carlos Santana at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. The show: Super Natural Santana: A Trip through the Hits plays every Wednesday through Sunday until 2010. And what hits they are! From Oye Como Va, Black Magic Woman, Evil Ways, to more recently, Smooth and Maria, Maria. It's no wonder that the Las Vegas Sun gave the inspired rock god rave reviews in his debut.

Santana is without a doubt one of the greatest guitar players of all time. So here's a little "Black Magic Woman" to kick your weekend off with:

There has been discussion of the need to overhall America's financial system for years. This talk ramped up dramatically when the economy went in the tank and many blamed an apparent lack of regulations to keep Wall Street in check. Well after months of intense discussion, the President has rolled out his plan to reform the financial system. This plan is expansive. It covers everything from complex Wall Street trading scenarios to a straightforward home loan.

Given the recent groundswell of support for increased regulations it's not surprised to see such wide-sweeping proposals for reform, but it can be a lot to process. If you're looking for a good summary of the President's plan, read this. There are a bunch of changes in store for the financial sector, what do you think?

LiveSTRONG just announced a new campaign which aims to reach out to Spanish-Speaking Hispanic cancer survivors, along with their families and caregivers. Their updated Spanish website has a ton of information and tools which can be valuable to Spanish-Speaking Latinos who are struggling with cancer. If you or someone you love has been touched by cancer, make sure to check out the site!

So you used to work in a big automobile plant and you got laid off. This is a big deal. How are you going to find a new job? With unemployment levels so high there is a ton of competition. Maybe you're willing and able to go back to school. Otherwise you may have to learn some new skills and try to make it in a new industry, like pro-wrestling. That's what's going on at Boogie's Wrestling Camp in Shawsville, Virginia. At Boogie's, regular Joes are trying to make it big on the pro-wrestling circuit. So maybe if you get fired from your job the question should be 'Are you ready to rumble?!'

Everyday working stiff aren't the only people struggling right now. Believe it or not, Ripley's is having a tough time finding enough oddities to fill its museums. Normally they say a bad economy is good for their business because folks are willing to sell their toothpick renditions of San Francisco and six-legged cows at a discount. Not so right now, and Ripley's can't find enough shrunken heads and medieval torture devices to feed the public's appetite. If they're truly desperate for some weird stuff, they should check the back of my refrigerator.

In a recent interview with the New York Times, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said that despite the many woes facing America's aging transportation system, he believes that the Department of Transportation is "doing great things" right now. Among the great things Secretary LaHood may be talking about is the urban revival that is taking place in many cities with some help from the rise of public transportation. With more Americans using public transportation than ever, burgeoning train lines in urban centers are revitalizing old neighborhoods. This is really a win-win situation with stimulus money providing jobs for workers and trains lines that bring new crowds to old neighborhoods. This all takes place while also cutting down on transportation pollution and traffic. Great to see!

As more and more boomers near retirement age, they are forced to deal with the gap between what they've saved and the cost of living. Many people have no choice but to put off retirement and go back to work. One common reaction has been to start up a business in the hopes of bridging this gap with some extra income. This is actually becoming an increasingly common option as many boomers struggle to make up for losses in the stock market. Start ups offer the chance to inject some creativity into your job and also allow a great deal of freedom. Of course there are risks involved in starting your own company so be sure to do your homework before diving in.

So President Obama has taken to the road to promote health care reform. Along the way he held a town hall meeting in Green Bay Wisconsin where he got an interesting request. His questioner mentioned bringing his daughter to the event, causing her to miss the last day of school. In response, President Obama offered to write a letter to the girl's teacher to excuse the absence. In fact, the President did write the note which is pictured above. You can see the exchange right here:

Well over the past few months, bad headlines from the auto-industry have been pretty easy to find. Between bailouts, bankruptcies and plant closures, it has been one calamity after the other for American auto-makers.

However, a look through the news today shows a few bright spots. The courts cleared the way for Chrysler to be bought out by Fiat. G.M. has a new chairman in former AT&T executive Edward E. Whitacre. Also, the House just passed 'cash for clunkers' legislation that would incentivize consumers to trade in their gas-guzzling cars and trucks to buy new more fuel-efficient vehicles.

They certainly aren't out of the woods yet up in Detroit, but it's nice to see something positive coming from the auto industry for the first time in a while.

The American Journal of Medicine just released a new study which seems to show a steady decline in healthy lifestyles amongst middle-aged Americans. In comparing the results of two National Health and Nutrition, one from the 80's and the other from the first half of this decade, the study finds reductions in the amount of middle-aged Americans who exercised regularly, and ate a well-balanced diet. It is thought that the rise of the sedentary lifestyle and more demanding work schedules have contributed to the abandonment of healthy behaviors. The news is particularly troubling because at this point, the health ramifications of a poor diet and lack of exercise are well known.

Surf, sand, sunny beaches and stress - one of these isn't typically associated with summer getaways. Yet a survey by global staffing firm Randstad reveals a surprising cause of employee stress - taking time off for a vacation.

When asked what they found difficult about taking time off from work for vacation, 84% of workers over 55 said the first day back was the most stressful, significantly higher than Gen Y, Gen X and Boomers.

So what can be done to alleviate some of the stress - tons of emails, a desk piled high with reports and paperwork and a full voicemail inbox - that comes with the first day back in the office from vacation? Below, Eric Buntin, managing director for Randstad US, suggests the following tips for making your first day back from vacation productive and stress free:

For more employment tips check out Randstad's website here.

A couple of new reports show continued bad signs regarding the health of America's health care system. First off, a study by the National Opinion Research Center found that out of pocket health care costs for those with job-based health insurance jumped 34% between 2004 and 2007. This is an enormous increase and a particularly troubling development for those who don't earn a ton of money and people with expensive or chronic health troubles.

In a separate study, Merritt Hawkins and Associates found that wait times to get an appointment with a family doctor or specialist have spiked since 2004. In the past few years, people in major cities have had to wait, on average, an additional week beyond what they previously had. The study blames much of the increased wait on a lack of training for primary care physicians and some specialists. Experts say the government needs to take an active role in promoting the training of more doctors to address this glaring need. These are just two new signs of the troubles we face with our current health care system and they highlight the need for reform.

Traveling abroad for medical care, sometimes called medical tourism, has grown increasingly popular as Americans continue to seek alternatives to sky-high health care costs domestically. Another reason for seeking medical care outside of the U.S. can be to seek treatments that aren't approved for use domestically. For example, many stem cell treatments that the F.D.A. hasn't approved are being used abroad to treat diseases ranging from Parkinson's to Lou Gehrig's Disease and many others. However, the F.D.A. cautions Americans against traveling for these procedures as many haven't been thoroughly reviewed. For many people in need, leaving the country provides some hope that can't be found at home, but be careful and make sure you know what you're getting into before committing.

Non-profits such as the Peace Corps have seen a major upswing in applications recently. A big reason for the newfound popularity of these organizations is the rise of the second, or encore career for older Americans. Such careers are often undertaken after someone retires from their job. Encore careers can help pay the bills, especially for people who lost money in the recession. An equally important aspect of these second careers is that they allow people to give back.

Another factor credited for making non-profits hot again is President Obama. With his consistent message on the importance of service and his push for service legislation, President Obama and "the Obama effect" are cited as a big part of the reason for Peace Corp application submissions being up over 40% from a year ago. Whatever the reason, it's good to see Americans increasingly looking to making a difference in their communities and the world as a whole.

While it's far too early to say for sure, the latest studies seem to indicate that the efforts to treat cancer through vaccination have taken a big leap forward over the weekend. New studies show that researchers may have found the key to creating a vaccine that would enable the body's own immune system to attack and slow the growth of some cancers. Such a vaccine could reduce some of the powerful side-effects patients suffer from with current treatment methods such a chemo and radiation. Patients diagnosed with several types of cancer reported extended times between relapse when using the vaccine as compared to patients who didn't use it.

This news does not mean that any sort of cure has been created, however it does show a big first step in an area where scientists have struggled to make progress for years.

I've spent a good amount of time here discussing lists of the best places to retire. There are many different sites to check out and they use varied criteria in assessing rankings. Here's one list that actually compiles and compares the results of other rankings. You can see how each different study values aspects of cities and determine which methods best suit your priorities. Of course, you can also check out the list AARP put together on the subject. How do your experiences compare with these rankings?

As you can see, director Ron Howard graces the most recent cover of AARP The Magazine. Howard offers up a mix of insight into his life along with his aspirations for the future in his interview. The director talks about some of his best known works, his family life, what he's really like and much more. Also, Howard mentions that he'd like to direct films "'til he drops." It's great to see someone who is so passionate about his work.

When you're on your daily commute, courtesy may be the furthest thing from your mind. Something about high stress and big crowds tends to make people forget some of the manners their parents hopefully taught them. In an effort to bring some of the civility back to public transportation, some cities' transit authorities are working to enforce existing rules such as priority seating for older and disabled riders.

In Washington D.C. for example, the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority (WMATA) has begun a campaign to inform people about the rules on the Metro subways trains. They've even got this animated YouTube video:

The goal is to increase awareness of the rules and help make transit systems a friendlier and more considerate place.

Are you good about giving up your seat to someone who needs it more? Do you find that other riders are generally considerate about giving up a seat when you need one?

For all of the great things the internet has to offer, a completely open forum will always have some vulnerabilities to pranksters looking for a laugh. For one of the most recent examples of high-tech trickery, check out the recent spike in sales of a certain T-shirt featuring three wolves howling at the moon. It might not seem like the height of fashion, but it is currently the hottest selling item on amazon.com.

But why would such a random item rise to such prominence? Well, it's a prank. Multitudes of people have stormed the site with a combination of high ratings for the shirt and hilarious reviews of the product. These people were brought to the shirt by a well known comedy site that thought it would be funny to artificially jack up the sales.

Pranks on the internet aren't limited to clothes however. The state of Nebraska was duped during an online competition for a new license plate design. Also, a recent online poll by Time was fooled with, resulting in a college student beating out famous entrants including President Obama as the most influential person.

This certainly doesn't mean that active participation online should be avoided or a cause for concern. Just be aware that anything online can become a target for an ironic laugh.

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood went on television last night to announce his support for a law banning mass transit operators from sending text messages while on the job:

Despite recent collisions involving text messaging in Boston, San Antonio, and the tragic train crash in California last year, there has yet to be any national action taken to address this issue.

I for one have no idea how this isn't currently illegal, but I'm glad the government may be finally looking into banning mass transit workers from texting at work.

The White House announced today that it will be releasing new proposals for vehicle emissions laws. The new rules would greatly raise fuel efficiency for all vehicles. In addition, the proposed laws would allow the government to regulate green house gas emissions from cars for the first time. These laws would offer up some serious savings for the consumer. Not only would higher mileage cars save money and the pump, but the creation of one consistent standard for automakers would help them to cut down on production costs. These new laws have found a delicate balance between automakers that have long fought mileage and emissions restrictions, and states such as California which have pushed for standards that are even more stringent.

If you were to ask ten people their thoughts on their commute to work, you'd probably get 10 negative viewpoints. When is the last time you remember hearing someone boast about loving the trip to their job or into town to run errands? Probably never, and that's the point. Our transportation system is a mess and as a result, we waste tons of time and energy needlessly sitting in traffic. I bring this up now because this year Congress will be writing the six year transportation bill. This is a great opportunity to tell your elected officials what you think about the transportation where you live. If you're looking for a way to make your voice heard, you may want to check out this site. You can post stories about how terrible your commute is and even share pictures and videos. The site will also help you get in touch with your Members of Congress. You can even follow this group on Twitter @mycommutesucks.

While we're on the topic of transportation, roads aren't only a problem for drivers. Most of our streets have only been designed to get as many cars through them as quickly as possible (though the often fail at that as well). Very few streets take pedestrians and bicycle riders into account. In fact, a new AARP Public Policy Institute study shows that two in five Americans aged 50+ said their sidewalks were inadequate. Moreover half of these people said they couldn't cross the major streets near them safely, preventing them from walking, biking, or even catching a bus. This trend needs to change and we need to begin making roads that are accommodating to all. Such designs are called complete streets and they're something that Congress should include in the next transportation bill. So let us know, how is the commute where you live?

Since the cost of health care has gone through the roof, anything that can be done to find some savings in this area should be considered. So naturally when Senators Mel Martinez (R-FL), Bill Nelson (D-FL) and John Cornyn (R-TX) sponsored the STOP Act to prevent Medicare Fraud, AARP loved the idea and endorsed the bill. With billions of dollars being lost to Medicare fraud, this bill is a great step in improving the quality of Medicare while also curbing unnecessary spending. Improving Medicare is extremely important, but it is just one of AARP's many health reform priorities.

A new documentary series co-produced by Maria Shriver premiered last night on HBO. The series, called The Alzheimer's Project is drawn in part by the California first-lady's personal experience of coping with her father's Alzheimer's. The Los Angeles Times gives us a preview.

"I thought of it as short stories about forgetting," said HBO Documentary Films President Sheila Nevins, executive producer of the series. "To me that show was really a lesson in caring if nothing else and oddly not as depressing as everyone expected it to be. The love of some of these people is quite extraordinary."

Nevins also involved First Lady of California Maria Shriver as executive producer. Shriver's 93-year-old father, Sargent Shriver, the first director of the Peace Corps and 1972 Democratic vice presidential nominee, was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2003.

More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. That figure accounts for one in every eight people over age 65, according to the Alzheimer's Assn. And those numbers are expected to balloon as the baby boomers reach retirement age.

Did anyone see the premier last night? What did you think?

The thought of changing careers is always scary. The feelings of uncertainty only increase when that change comes after age 50. However, a new study shows there may not be anything to fear. In fact, if you're willing to accept a pay cut, a job switch could pay great dividends in happiness. The study shows that amongst those who switched careers after age 50, 91% of people enjoyed their new jobs. Researchers attribute the increased happiness to a reduction of stress and greater workplace flexibility. A note of caution: the people surveyed did experience a drop in pay and many lost benefits or pensions. So finding a new job could improve your quality of life, just be sure you can afford to make the change.

For anyone who has spent time in a hospital, the hospital gown is a familiar sight. In fact, the same-old gown design has been in use, with very little alteration, since the 20's. The trouble is, it seems like no one actually like the thing. They're tough to close, awkward, and bland. Worse still, anyone who has worn one knows that the gowns don't leave much to the imagination. The good news is that people are trying to come up with new designs. So far it has proven difficult to create a new gown that would prove both more visually appealing and easier to wear but this hasn't stopped design efforts.

It seems like just about everybody is looking for a bailout from the government these days. Banks and automakers have both gotten a helping hand, but could newspapers be next? With the economy being what it is, an industry that has been facing increasingly tough times has been pushed to the brink. So the question is how bad are things for newspapers? Well if a whole bunch of layoffs and closings are any indication, the answer is "pretty bad." So what happens if we lose this institution? Can "new media" take the place of newspapers? While it's too soon to know if we are witnessing the death of a medium for certain, the long-running animated comedy 'The Simpsons' certainly seems to think so.

Across the country, longer life-spans are leading to more and more adult-children caring for their parents. Family caregiving can be a demanding and stressful component of life, but it is increasingly becoming the norm. Despite the pressures of having to balance caregiving with work and other family concerns, there may be an underlying benefit in looking after loved ones. A new study contradicts previous research that said that caregiving reduced lifespan. This new information seems to show that people who look after family actually live longer than those who don't. Just one more good reason to look after family when you're needed.

If you'll kindly take a look at your calendar, you'll notice that today is May 5th or is it's more affectionately known, Cinco de Mayo. Although you might not know it from checking the web, there's more to this holiday than tequila and delicious Mexican food. While those are certainly great and any excuse to enjoy your Tuesday a little more is welcome, there's a real history here. Though it's not a national holiday in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo offers up a great chance for people in Mexico and here in the U.S. to celebrate an historic event, and maybe sneak just a drink or two.

The President likes Cinco de Mayo so much, he started celebrating a day early:

AARP The Magazine won a prestigious National Magazine Award for the Interactive Feature Category for the feature "1968: The Year that Rocked Our World." The folks over the magazine deserve a big huzzah for this accomplishment. The awards are a very big deal in the industry--sort of like the Oscars for the glossy-page set. Great work, guys!

em>SPECIAL GUEST BLOG FROM MIMI CASTALDI, AARP
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita had a devastating impact on St. Barnard Parish, LA. All 27,000 homes were uninhabitable after the storm. More than three years later, only one-third of the residents have returned home.

One of my friends suggested we get a group together to help and the next thing you know, seven of us from DC are down in Louisiana this week helping rebuild houses with the St. Bernard's Project. You can sign up right on the web and choose your dates. When we got here they had an orientation and we met volunteers from around the country. There was even another AARP member from Philadelphia who was on her FIFTH trip!

It has been an amazing experience. We heard the story of one of the residents who was stranded on a roof top for six days waiting for help. We saw house after house that still had the markers from when crews in after the storm.

Our group spent the day in a house that is midway through reconstruction. The owner currently lives about 35 minutes away, but he's eager to return to his home, his neighborhood and his family. Crews of volunteers before us stripped the house down to the studs, treated it to get rid of mold, and installed drywall. It was our job to tape and spackle (or mud) the drywall to create a smooth surface. None of us had much experience, but we had a leader from AmeriCorps who patiently showed us what to do, and monitored it to make sure we got it right. By days end I had the hang of it, and felt like I was making a difference.

As a special treat, we were lucky enough to be able to visit a family who had just returned to their home. The family was so happy they cooked us jambalaya for dinner. I told them that somehow that didn't seem fair since they've been living in this harsh reality for years, and we just arrived. She said, just tell your friends what you're doing and that we need their help too.

To get started, visit St. Bernard's Project today.

Yesterday the President completed his 100th day in office. He held a press conference and a town hall meeting yesterday to discuss his progress so far and where he would like to head over the rest of his term. President Obama noted: "I'm pleased with the progress we've made, but I'm not satisfied," Obama told the cheering crowd at Fox Senior High School. "I'm confident in the future, but I'm not content with the present."

So there is work still to be done for sure, but with all of the issues that have already cropped up in the first hundred days, it can be useful to look back on what the Obama administration has done so far. How do you think the President has done in his first hundred days in office?

Bea Arthur, the hilarious actress and icon for older women everywhere, passed away this past Saturday at the age of 86.

You may have known her as Maude or as our witty and candid friend Dorothy on The Golden Girls - either way, she was no lady to mess with, and will be missed deeply by her fans worldwide. She defied the stereotype of what an older woman is supposed to be, particularly on The Golden Girls. She once told reporter Hal Boedeker about why the show was so successful:

"It's refreshing to see older women who look great, who dress great, who are kind of ballsy ladies," she said. "When I was given the script originally, it never dawned on me that these were older women. I just thought, 'What a funny, funny show.' "

And boy, did she epitomize that. So here's to Bea - she shall never be forgotten!

If you've recently lost your job, you're not alone. However, a growing number of people are trying to take advantage of the high unemployment rate. Considering all the folks who have been laid-off, it's not surprising that some of them have found creative ways to profit from their situations. Some are making websites and selling merchandise including customizable T-shirts you can put your cover letter on, and all sorts of apparel announcing that you need a job. A little inventiveness can go a long way when you've lost your job, but if you're not the type to think outside the box, it can't hurt to let people know you're looking for work.

So assuming you've watched or read the news in the past few days, you've probably heard about the swine flu fears that have been spreading. What's the real deal here? While it's true that countries around the world are taking precautions and heightening their readiness levels, it is important to note that the American government has not felt the need to take some of the more extreme actions it could in a severe emergency. That being said, the administration has said that swine flu does represent a public health threat.

Despite the lack of an HHS Secretary, President Obama's administration was quick to let everyone know that this issue is under control. Almost all cases in the U.S. have had only mild results, and both the administration and experts advise people not to over react. In preparation, pharmacies are stocking up on sanitary supplies such as masks as well as flu vaccines.

There are some basic facts to know here, but the message seems to be that while this is concerning, there's nothing to panic over.

Health care reform may just be the buzzword in politics right now. Democrats and Republicans are both rallying their supporters behind their ideas on how to fix America's health care system. There's a pretty good consensus that our current system doesn't work (just check out the facts), but that's where agreement seems to end. Some people say we need the government to take over health care. Others think the solutions can be found on the free market. Many people prefer some sort of middle ground. There are still plenty of unanswered questions: Who will pay? What role should technology play? Should a reformed system focus on treatment or prevention? Check out this fun video that breaks the issue down into easy to understand concepts:

Happy Earth Day everyone! Earth Day first started as a major American show of support for environmental issues. Since then it has become a massive global event. In honor of the day, let's go over some ways you can go green. For starters, you can buy green products that save the planet but also save you a buck or two. Did you know that 50% of people who are Boomers or older say that they already buy green products? Being conscious of the environment extends to your home too. There are ways to make your home greener and some nursing homes are designed with this is mind. You can even be green when dealing with end of life issues for yourself or loved ones. If you're stumped, there are Green Fairs featuring exhibits with some creative ideas than can help you be a little more Earth-friendly in your daily activities.

Science Daily recently had an article on the health benefits of dancing. And I'm not talking about being a professional dancer either; social dancing may help older adults not only stave off sickness, but actually counteracts declines associated with aging:

Recommendations include the expansion of social dance provision for older people in order to aid successful ageing and help older people enjoy longer and healthier lives.

Jonathan Skinner, Lecturer in Social Anthropology at the School of History and Anthropology at Queen's, studied the effects of social dancing amongst older people in Northern Ireland, Blackpool and Sacramento, USA.

Dr Skinner said: "I have found that social dancing leads to a continued engagement with life - past, present, and future - and holds the promise for successful ageing. It contributes to the longevity of the dancers, giving them something to enjoy and focus upon - to live for. It alleviates social isolation and quite literally helps take away the aches and pains associated with older age.

While this study didn't necessarily have ground-breaking findings, research like this is refreshing to see; there's nothing like a reminder that dancing can be the best medicine a person can have!

A major part of President Obama's plan for the country's economic recovery is infrastructure spending. While many people think of highways and buildings when they think if infrastructure, the President has envisioned a major expansion of high-speed rail services as part of his plan to stimulate the economy and create jobs. Though rail travel has never caught on in the U.S. the way it has in Europe and Asia, the President hopes that new rail projects and increased funding will lead to a boom in rail travel in the country. What do you think about expanding train service throughout the country?

Everyone had been waiting patiently for the Obamas to get the puppy that the President promised to his daughters if he made it to the White House. Well, he has finally come through, giving the adorable pup his first public appearance! See below for the Obama family's walk with their new 6-month old Portugese water dog, Bo.

If your fitness and health leave something to be desired, take action. AARP is offering new and interesting ways to take an active role in promoting your own health. The Fat2Fit Challenge is offering people the chance to get together and help motivate each other to lose weight as a team. Fat2Fit allows people to share stories, give advice to others who are struggling and share motivation amongst folks who are all working to improve their fitness.

Another key to staying healthy is ensuring that you regularly monitor many common health measures such as blood sugar and pressure. AARP can help you out here too as it has joined with Walgreens on a Wellness Tour to give free health screenings to Americans all across the country. This is a great way to do some basic tests and get an idea as to your general health. Check out our new CEO as he discusses the tour.

All you ever seem to hear about these days are the companies that are laying people off and the cities and states with the highest levels of unemployment. However, there are bright spots in this economy, you just need to know where to look. Here are a few of the best cities you can head to if you're looking for a job. While their current growth levels might not be much to brag about, relative to their competition these cities are diamonds in the rough. If you're considering relocating to find work, you might want to take a peek.

Health care reform has been one of the biggest buzzwords in politics and the news this year, but what exactly does it mean. What would an overhaul of the American health care system look like and what changes could Americans expect to see? Well to be certain, there are lots of areas for improvement and many good ideas that could be implemented. Want to ask an expert? Today at 1 P.M. Eastern, AARP's own Executive Vice President of Policy and Strategy, John Rother will be in a web chat to answer questions on health reform. If you have questions about what the face of health care reform could look like, be sure to check out the chat at: http://express.paltalk.com/index.html?gid=1191684214

A major result of the recessions has been a drop in demand on the housing market. With fewer people looking for new homes, home-sellers have been looking for new pitches to sell properties. In this challenging environment, 'walkability' has become a valuable trait for a property. Many perspective buyers are allured by the savings to be had in homes that are close to both public transportation and local stores. Moreover, being in walking distance of many conveniences makes it easier to remain in a home as you age. How important is walkability to you?

Jane Hamsher left the following response to our statement in the comments section so I thought I'd pull it up to the front page:

AARP had a $20 million advertising campaign last year, "Divided We Fail," that included no blog advertising component. So I find this statement curious:

"AARP would never allow advertisers to dictate our editorial content based on the amount of ad space purchased, and we would be hesitant to buy ads with any media that suggested it might act otherwise."

What exactly are you alleging?

Jane - DWF is one of many campaigns AARP is a part of and, while blog ads weren't a part of that particular campaign to date, the allegation that AARP somehow does not advertise - or worse that we don't see the value in blogs - is incorrect.

Regarding your second statement - we're not alleging anything. When we advertise DWF or any of our other campaigns with CNN, FOX, and others we never expect news coverage on their stations. Similarly, our pitches to producers for story ideas were not met with questions about how much advertising we had purchased. Your concerns about AARP advertising with blogs directly link news coverage and ad dollars. We were simply stating that we would never put our journalists/editors/writers in such a position.

There's been a recent debate in the blogosphere about who - or more importantly, who's not - advertising on various political blogs. AARP is a non-partisan organization that strongly supports all reaches of the online community and values the contribution of the millions of Americans who use blogs to share information and to express their views.

AARP has a robust online presence, with a vibrant online community, an active blog and daily online news source for 50+ America, Bulletin Today.

Because we understand the influence and reach of online communities we have worked with BlogAds, an important resource for marketers targeting blog communities, on targeted ad campaigns over the last year. On May 4, 2007, Daily Kos founder Markos Moulitsas stated that, "...Blogads has been perhaps the single most important component to the rise of the liberal blogosphere. And it will continue to play a huge role as we grow in years ahead." Thanks to BlogAds, AARP ads have been made available to the likes of Daily Kos, Wonkette, Atrios, Talking Points Memo, Americablog, Crooks and Liars, Firedoglake, Political Wire, Red State, Outside the Beltway, Power Line, Townhall and others.

Our ongoing commitment to supporting and participating in the online community means that we intend to continue working with bloggers and to support the growth of this community.

As publishers of the world's largest magazine and the preeminent online destination for individuals 50+, we understand the desire to pursue advertising revenue. Additionally, no one is immune from our current economic crisis and we can appreciate your plea for increased ad revenue. That said, we also strongly honor the integrity of our journalists and writers/editors/content developers. AARP would never allow advertisers to dictate our editorial content based on the amount of ad space purchased, and we would be hesitant to buy ads with any media that suggested it might act otherwise.

- Andrew Nannis, Director of Media Relations for AARP

Just yesterday, actor Kal Penn announced he would be leaving Hollywood for a job in President Obama's White House. You may recognize Penn from his role as Kumar in the Harold and Kumar franchise:

(Kal Penn, Right)

He also played the role of Dr. Kutner on Fox's House:

Penn will take on the roll of Associate Director of the White House's Public Liason Office. Lest you think the actor received special treatment in gaining this appointment, he says he filled out an online application just like thousands of other people.

This isn't the first time Penn has gone to bat for the Obama administration, he has backed the President since early in his Presidential Campaign:

Never got around to saving a bunch of money for retirement? Retirement account take a big hit when the market tanked? Many Americans find themselves looking into a gap between the savings they have and what they need to retire. For some of these people, retiring abroad may be able to bridge the divide. In many countries the cost of living is significantly lower than here in the U.S. You may be able to greatly reduce your retirement costs without sacrificing quality of life by moving to another country. Just keep in mind, there are a few important things to keep in mind when retiring abroad. For starters, you'll need to find health insurance as Medicare won't cover you. Despite having to deal with changing your currency and dealing with differences in local culture, spending your retirement overseas could be the key to resolving your financial woes.

For the next two weeks Congress will be in recess. What does this mean? Well Congressional Delegations will be going home to their constituents so there will be tons of stories on visits they make. It also gives voters a chance to discuss the votes their Congressional Delegations have made on their behalf. Take this time to talk with your elected officials about how they have voted this term. We've been tracking some votes to help you see where your Senators and Representatives have stood on some key issues.

Unemployment is rising and consumption is shrinking. All sorts of producers and service providers are seeing their sales dip and as a result, many are coming up with creative promotion to boost sales. Just yesterday, General Motors announced a new promotion which offers to make some of your car payments for you if you lose your job. You can find many more companies with offers that help you out if you lose your job. The idea is that if people are holding off on buying because of fears of job loss, the best way to promote more buying is to reduce those fears. Would any of these deals encourage you to buy during this recession?

Going to the gym to do some cardio or lift weights is great for you, but get with the times. It's not just about working out your body. These days more and more people are exercising their brains in order to keep their minds sharper for longer. Brain gyms as they are called, offer classes with mental exercises that claim to improve both memory and reasoning. Recently, these brain gyms have exploded in popularity in a growing trend to keep the mind functioning well during aging. Traditional exercise is still a good idea, but maybe hitting the brain gym will help you remember to go to the regular one afterward.

When you have a serious medical issue, you only want to see the best doctor for your problem, right? Well with so many hospitals with different specialties, how are you supposed to know where to go? AARP is looking out for you, and AARP The Magazine has put together an interactive map that can help you find the right hospital for your situation. If you need medical care, take the guesswork out of finding a hospital and make sure you have a good match.

AARP COO Thomas Nelson penned a "Where We Stand" column for Bulletin Today and we wanted to excerpt a bit for you since the Senate's debating the Serve America Act today and expected to vote this week.

"Even as Congress is focusing on financial practices that have badly hurt our economy, the House and Senate are acting on legislation that speaks to what is best about America: a bill to substantially expand opportunities for community and volunteer service...

We've heard a great deal lately about toxic assets. By approving this legislation, Congress and the President can mobilize a very different kind of asset, one found in abundance in every community: the American spirit of service and generosity.

We know from talking to our members and from our survey research that boomers and older Americans stand ready to do more...

AARP urges the Senate to "create the good" by passing national service legislation this week. "

Call your Senators and ask them to support the Serve America Act today. And to find ideas, opportunities and a community of others who want to do more to make a difference, visit www.AARP.org/CreateTheGood.

As states try to combat deficits and balance their budgets, the penal system is increasingly heading to the chopping block. Though costs vary, it runs tens of thousands of dollars to keep a prisoner incarcerated for a year. Because of this, many states are looking for ways to reduce sentences in this recession. Whether lowering mandatory minimum sentences for crimes or replacing imprisonment with community service, many convicts will be seeing less time in jail while states try to cope with growing deficits.

So you may have heard that an American icon recently turned 50. That's right, Barbie has hit the half-century mark and looks as good as she has since her introduction in 1959. While the doll has been subject to its share of controversy over the years, no one can deny the massive impact Barbie has had on pop culture in this country. AARP has decided to present Barbie with an honorary membership to commemorate her 50th birthday.

Check out the love we got on CBS's Early Show:

Our friends at AARP The Magazine deserve a hearty congratulations of being nominated as a finalist in the Interactive Features category of the National Magazine Awards. Specifically, AARP The Magazine's multimedia special "1968: The Year that Rocked the World" earned them this prestigious distinction. These awards are a very big deal in the industry, sort of like the Oscars for the glossy-page-flipping set. Great job, guys and thanks for all the great information!

Because many Americans don't save much and have a good deal of debt, a lot of people aren't prepared for a sudden loss of income. If you don't have a lot of money saved up for emergencies, there are some important tips on saving money in a crunch. Among the ideas you may want to consider: adjusting your tax withholding if possible, making a budget, and selling your second car if you can. If you lose your job, it may seem like the walls are closing in, but there are still plenty of things you can do to stay afloat.

We cornered our new to-be CEO yesterday in the AARP radio studios for an interview. Why did he take the job? Watch below.

That's right folks, AARP announced a brand new CEO for the organization this morning, and the winner is...drum roll...A. Barry Rand!

After 8 wonderful years with Bill Novelli leading the ranks, Rand will be taking over next month as the organization's first African-American chief executive officer. He has a long history at Xerox as Executive Vice President of WorldWide Operations, where he worked for 30 years building the company to what it is, all the while making sure that minorities and women had equal opportunities.

Rand is also board chairman at Howard University, and helped to launch the renowned Executive Leadership Council, an organization that recognizes the strengths and impact of African-American corporate business leaders. In other words, this guy has been around! This is not to mention his experience as a caregiver for his father during the last 8 years of his life motivated his advocacy for the critical issues around AARP's agenda. Says Rand:

"AARP and I have long shared the belief that health care and long-term financial security should be the goals of this nation, goals we all have an obligation to help achieve--from government to corporate America to the individual."

"Lifetime health care and financial security are terms far too many believe are out of reach; not just for older Americans or aging Americans, but for all Americans . . . While we have come far because of the efforts of AARP, we have much left to achieve. I look forward to building on these successes as we continue our work in Congress and in state capitals across the nation. The fight will not be easy, but if I've learned one thing in my career, it's that nothing worthwhile ever is."

Sounds like we'll be in good hands with Rand. Read more about his work here at Bulletin Today. We'll have more to share in exclusive interview footage here on Shaarp Session in the coming weeks!

Social networking sites like Facebook and MySpace are a great way to stay in touch with friends and family. They also help to reconnect people who haven't spoken in years. It's no wonder then that older people are signing up to these websites in droves. Whether keeping tabs on grand children or looking up old classmates, older people are signing on to social networking sites by the millions. A few users might be upset at the thought of having to watch what they post with the watchful eyes of older relatives out there, but most are adjusting well and enjoy the connection. Are you a part of one of these websites? Let us know in the comments.

There has been a good deal of attention paid to the faults of our medical system here on this blog. However, I think this is a great chance to acknowledge that despite its shortcomings, medicine in the U.S. is capable of incredible works. Take seven-year-old Heather McNamara who recently underwent 23 hours of surgery to remove a tumor from her abdomen. The surgeons had to literally remove six of her organs to get to the tumor and then replace them back into her body. The one of a kind surgery has been deemed a great success and Heather is looking forward to getting home and playing with her dog. Just amazing!

Last week's unemployment report was just one more piece of bad news in what seems like an endless stream of negative numbers regarding our economy. The labor market has been shedding jobs left and right, yet despite all the bad news, the health care industry continues to hire new employees. While the country as a whole lost millions of jobs over the last four months, health care added about 100,000 during the same period. One bright spot in a pretty dark report.

Sleep trouble? You're certainly not alone, but some definitely have more problems than others. At least you've never done this:

Nothing like a good laugh at the end of the week. Have a great weekend, and try to take it easy on the sleepwalking.

Even for a guy who claims to be pretty easy-going and stress free, President Obama has a lot on his plate right now. The daunting road ahead would put a strain on anyone, so it's hardly surprising to see the Presidency taking a toll on Obama in the form of gray hair. A few different writers have noticed a bit of gray working its way into President Obama's hair since he moved into the White House. There have been all sorts of theories on the President's hair from him dying it black to appear young or gray to appear more mature and dignified. His barber insists the look is totally natural.

Know someone over 60 who is changing the world? They could win $100,000 for their passion. Nominate them for the Purpose Prize.

The Purpose Prize awards up to $100,000 to social innovators over 60 who are creating new ways to solve pressing social issues - from education to health care, poverty to global warming. Winners are finding purpose in an encore career and putting their experience to work for the greater good.

Click Here for stories on past winners and the nomination form.

Good luck!

Ratings aren't just for restaurants anymore. With the rise of websites like Angie's List, you can rate the performance of just about any kind of service provider for anyone to see. The medical field is just one of the latest industries to come under the scrutiny of customers. Sites like RateMDs.com allow users to post comments regarding their doctors and the treatment they have received. Well now doctors are fighting back, sometimes requiring a patient sign a waiver saying they won't post negative comments about them online before seeing them. Some doctors claim that these sites allow people to spread negative comments without any sort of verification, needlessly harming their reputations. Several doctors are trying to force websites to identify commenters and remove comments made by people who have signed non-disclosure waivers. So what do you think? Should a patient's right to discuss treatment trump a doctor's need to protect their reputation or vice versa?

With the announcement of President Obama's loan modification plans on the horizon, there is hope for all those homeowners out there who are struggling to keep up with their bills. Today, Citigroup Inc. announced their own mortgage modification plan to aid certain borrowers who are in trouble. They will let some people with loans through their company temporarily lower payments to around $500 dollars per month. This program only applies to people who have lost their jobs and are at least 60 days behind on their payments. Still, Citi thinks the plan will help out thousands of homeowners. If you think you might qualify, be sure to call Citi and find out.

all of the big talk for health reform, one of the major initiatives discussed has been the implementation of health IT. Now the claims are that health IT will allow health care to be more efficient, better organized and cheaper through the use of technology. This sounds like a great idea and it is one of the many concepts that will be getting funding through the stimulus package. Of course, this all begs the question, how will doctors use it? It will certainly take time for doctors to adjust from all-paper records to a completely digitized work environment. However the payoffs, now with government incentives, seem to make it a worthwhile endeavor.

In the midst of the terrible economic news, and the passage of the stimulus package, President Obama announced his budget proposal. One of the most noted aspects of this budget is the money allocated for reforms to the health care system. The President isn't the first to try and overhaul America's health care, but he is going about it in an interesting way. Rather than coming up with a whole plan and then trying to gain approval for it, he his budgeting money first, and then working out the details. The plan is to reserve the money for expanding and improving coverage, and then working with Congress to find a solution that will be able to gain the support needed for passage.

President Obama's biggest challenge may just be finding ways to pay for his budget, especially as the government is seeing decreasing revenues during this recession. It will be very interesting to see how the planned spending in this budget will match up with the economic realities we are all facing right now.

There is a certain perception common amongst Americans. For some reason older drivers are labeled negatively and viewed as less safe than drivers of other age groups. While there are some physical changes that can make driving a bit more difficult, the facts simply don't show that older drivers pose a greater danger than others.

Case in point, the AAA has gathered statistics showing that older drivers:

Kill fewer motorists and pedestrians than any other age group;
Have the lowest crash rate per driver;
Have the lowest rate of crashes involving alcohol;
Use seatbelts the most.

Just goes to show you that when it comes to older drivers, you can't rely on perceptions.

A new study from the Yale School of Public Health has some interesting ramifications. The study measured people's attitudes toward older folks. Thirty years later, the study went back and checked on the health of the people who they had spoken with earlier. The findings were pretty interesting: those participants who had lower opinions of older people or believed negative stereotypes were almost twice as likely to suffer heart troubles or a stroke as those respondents who exhibited more positive beliefs about older people. Really makes you think doesn't it?

When you were a kid in school, you probably had a teacher who extolled the value of writing your elected officials to let them know how you feel about important issues. I can remember writing a letter to the President when I was in elementary school. Getting that form letter in the mail was pretty exciting, even if the President never even saw the letter.

Mailing your thoughts to the President continues to be a popular choice for Americans facing serious issues and the White House gets thousands of letters everyday. What you might not have known is that President Obama reads ten letters from normal Americans each and every day. Moreover, he says that these letters help him see the real problems facing people in this country and have an impact on his policy decisions. The odds might not be good, but knowing there is a shot the President could read your letter is pretty cool.

Last week Congress and the President pushed the huge stimulus package into law. With all of that money, flying around it's important to know what's in it for you. A few highlights from the bill include a $400 payroll tax credit for those earning under $75,000, a $25 raise in unemployment checks, which you can now collect for a longer period of time. Also, if you collect Social Security, you're in line to receive a one time payment of $250 dollars and you won't even have to file any paperwork to get it. Federal programs such as Medicaid will also get a big financial boost. There's a lot in this stimulus package so it really pays (literally) to do your reading to make sure the government shows you the money.

Earlier this week I wrote about how retirement can still be attainable in tough times. One major step in preparing to retire is finding cheaper living arrangements. Well here is a list of some of the cities with the most affordable housing in the country. Many are in upstate New York, but there are other cities throughout the country that offer some hope. Just make sure they aren't also on this list.

Yesterday President Obama announced his plans to address the mortgage crisis. It is the second phase of an all out effort to fix the troubled economy. This comes after Congress voted to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and the President signed the bill into law. AARP and our 40 million members were declared a "key vote" in this decision. Hurray! Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President, released this statement:

"Unprecedented job loss, loss of savings and investments, and rising numbers of uninsured individuals has forced every American to take notice of this dire moment in history. The passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is a critical moment for Americans young and old and a vital jump start to our ailing economy.

AARP is pleased to see that Congress included a $250 economic recovery payment for older Americans, veterans and people with disabilities who are not eligible for the Make Work Pay credit."

Read the whole statement here, as well as a list of the most important pieces in the legislation that will benefit older Americans. In the meantime, keep an eye on AARP's government watch site to check out how your officials voted on the legislation.

In a move to combat wavering consumer confidence, JetBlue is offering refunds to any customers who have been laid off after purchasing tickets with the airline. The new program is designed to help give travelers the confidence to buy plane tickets without the fear of being unable to afford travel after losing a job.

JetBlue isn't the only company trying to reassure customers. Car manufacturer Hyundai is running a new promotion in which any customer who buys a car and is laid off can return the vehicle without paying any additional money or penalty. Companies hope that these efforts will bring consumers in and increase falling revenues in these challenging times. If only I could get the movie theater to return my ticket money after seeing a terrible flick.

If you listen to all the doomsday predictions and naysayers, then you probably don't think you have any shot at retiring. Not so says one Kansas State University professor. According to Fred Brock, people can still retire even during a steep recession. The key is not only trying to maximize earnings, but more importantly cutting costs. It's often unpopular to resort to scrimping and saving every last dime, but this is your retirement people! If it is truly important to you then you may have to make sacrifices. You might even need to move into a smaller home. If you owe money on your current home, renting it out could provide an additional source of income. In short, no pain no gain.

Over the weekend, USA Today gave AARP President Jennie Chin Hansen the chance to highlight some of this year's most interesting and important health news and research. In her Special Report on Health, she references research on preventing medication mix-ups, using space technology to improve balance and prevent falls in older Americans, the ability of exercise to slow the aging process, and even how internet games can help sharpen the mind. With so many depressing stories in the news, it's nice to see a year's worth of health news on ways to live better and longer.

So tomorrow is Valentine's Day. This is one of those holidays that evokes really strong feelings at both ends of the spectrum. It can be a rough day when you don't have anyone to spend it with (been there). However, when you're lucky enough to spend Valentine's Day with someone you care about it can be a truly special experience. I'm in that second boat this year and I'm pretty excited about it.

The real question is, what do you do for Valentine's Day? You can go the lavish rout with expensive dinners and gifts. You can also go traditional with:

Chocolates

And Flowers

Then there are the people who make bold and risky displays, putting it all on the line to show loved ones their feelings. Kind of like this:

In my opinion, it's not really what you do as much as how you go about doing it that makes Valentine's Day romantic. I've got my plans but I'm curious: What's the most romantic thing you've done for a loved one?

Happy Valentine's Day!

If you are looking to relocate or even just travel, here are some places you don't want to go. These are America's 10 most miserable cities, with Stockton, California clocking in at number one. Michigan has the dubious honor of having two cities on the list. The criteria included such aspects as tax rates, crime rates, unemployment, commute times and more. What do you think of the list? It's pretty bad to make it onto a list like this, but it could be worse. At least none of these cities is the ugliest city in America.

So I've already told you all about the Washington Auto Show and its new focus this year. Aside from economy and efficiency, safety features played a prominent role in this year's auto show. Many cars showed off some pretty high-tech gadgets designed to keep you safer on the road. Lexus showed vehicles which have adaptive cruise control to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead, the ability to park themselves, and a crash detection system that deploys the brakes automatically if it senses an imminent crash. Check it out:

The small Volvo SUV the XC60 also highlighted several new safety devices. This "cute ute" comes with items such as lasers and radar designed to identify objects and slow moving vehicles that could cause collisions. The XC60 also has blind spot sensors to prevent accidents while switching lanes and cameras to monitor the vehicle's surroundings and aid parking. It's a good looking little SUV too:

When the saving gets tough, the tough get saving. That's pretty much the bottom line from the experts when it comes to protecting your retirement savings. While your portfolio is likely going through difficult times these days, there are still important measures that can be taken to protect what you've saved. Many of these strategies can be a bit painful and involve some sacrifice, but tough times call for tough measures. Cut back where you can, sock money away some place safe if you can, and you may have to put off retirement. However, with some fiscal restraint you can prevent losing your nest egg.

I recognize that I might be a bit of a car nut, but even if you aren't a gear head an auto show is a pretty fun thing. The Washington Auto Show has been going on since Wednesday and will be in town until Sunday. The cars and trucks on display give an interesting commentary on the state of the economy and the American consumer. There will be some of the traditional sports cars and exotic concepts of course, but the automakers will be focusing on hybrids, electric vehicles and a host of other new powertrains. In addition there will be a much greater emphasis on small, economical cars. I can't wait to check out the show this weekend and I think it's a great idea for anyone who is in town. Here are just a few of the cars that will be on display:

The Third Generation Toyota Prius:

The Ford Fusion Hybrid:

The Chevrolet Aveo:

Experts are saying that a key to improving the performance of your employees is to make sure to keep them happy with their jobs. Not only are people who are happier at work more productive, but they are more likely to stay with the company. This helps to avoid employee turnover which can be costly in terms of time for training and lost productivity. In turn, these factors can help improve your bottom line. If this all seems a bit obvious, it at least serves as another motivator for employers to keep the needs of their work force in mind. However, with unemployment numbers like this, people might be willing to take any job regardless of how they will be treated.

Yesterday was the 50th anniversary of the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly along with Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. Buddy Holly music was hugely influential and he had an impact on famed artists including The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Bob Dylan amongst many others. Holly's tragic death has been permanently cemented into the American consciousness and his memory lives on through both the music he made and the people he touched. Are you a big Buddy Holly fan? Tell us your story in the comments.

The job market is a tough place these days. As layoffs are piling up and people who still have jobs are feeling insecure, Americans are increasingly turning to the federal government for job security. While there is usually high demand for federal jobs amongst younger people, the 50+ crowd is joining in recently. With bills to pay, both for themselves and their children, boomers and those nearing retirement age are eyeing federal jobs that seem to offer more security and reliability. Those older federal employees who had been nearing retirement are often holding off to wait for better economic times before leaving the job. With the stimulus package promising to expand the federal workforce, people looking for a good job with good benefits may want to consider consulting their Uncle Sam.

Even though we're in the biggest economic turndown since the Great Depression, companies were still lining up to buy Super Bowl ads at the rate of $3 million for a thirty second spot. That's $100,000 per second!! With all of the bad news people have been dealing with lately, it's no wonder many advertisers went with a more positive and uplifting message with their commercials. Also, did you notice all the job site commercials? In case you missed out, you can see still catch all the ads. What was your favorite commercial?

If you're like me then you are probably pretty excited about the Superbowl this Sunday. Who cares if you don't root for either team? This isn't about the football people, it's about the chance to go to a big gathering with a big TV. It's about all the great commercials. Most importantly, the Superbowl is about consuming mass quantities of delicious and completely unhealthy food without feeling any guilt. So the burning question for this weekend is: what will you be eating during the Superbowl? This humble blogger would like to offer up a couple of truly artery-clogging dishes that offer up culinary Superbowl bliss no matter what you think of the Cardinals or Steelers.

1. The Bacon Explosion aka the Meat Missile. If you like bacon and you like sausage, then you'll love this sausage wrapped in bacon and barbeque seasoning. See below:

2. The Snack Food Stadium. If watching real football players and real fans in a real stadium isn't stimulating enough for you, then you might enjoy a stadium which, along with its players and fans, is made entirely out of snack foods. Total nutritional value:
TOTAL CALORIES: 24,375
TOTAL GRAMS OF FAT: 1,285
Just look at it:

Now that's something I think everyone can cheer for!

Not rain, nor sleet nor driving snow, not even snake bites can halt it, but budget shortfalls may ultimately prove to be the only force capable of stopping the mail from being delivered. A combination of the increased use of email and the struggling economy have drastically reduced the amount of mail been sent through the postal system. Despite recent increases in the cost of postage, the postal service is facing major shortfalls. The postmaster general recently told Congress that the USPS could face cuts including possibly cutting delivery down to five days per week. While this is just one possible measure being considered it is a stark example of how rough things are really getting out there. However, despite major financial losses, it seems like the postal service may have larger concerns at the moment.

If the measure passes the House, the long-awaited digital transition could be pushed back from February 17, to June 12. The move is a reaction to the shortage of discounted digital converter boxes offered to people with analog televisions. It is hoped that this delay will enable the government to address the backlog of people requesting converter boxes, allowing for a smoother transition. Keep an eye on the date and make sure you're ready for the switch.

New research shows two beverages which could be linked to improving long-term health. Coffee consumption, which is often tied to negative health consequences, has been linked to reduced occurrences of dementia in people who drink three or more cups per day.

In contrast, red wine has long been thought to provide health benefits to those who drink it. New studies show that drinking red wine could be even healthier than previously thought. Among the additional benefits red wine can provide: reduced likelihood of developing a physical disability, lower chances of developing Alzheimer's, increased levels of Omega 3's, and lower odds of getting lung cancer. Not a bad list is it? 60 minutes also had a discussion on the health benefits to be found in red wine, check it out:

The use of the Blackberry has become ubiquitous in today's society. You can't walk down the street without seeing (or bumping into) someone with their face glued to their screen, clicking out their emails.

Television news has documented the phenomenon:

There is an online forum for these addicts to meet and discuss their troubled lifestyles, and there is even a book on the subject.

Now this technological addiction is reaching critical levels with the election of admitted Blackberry abuser President Obama. However, when you're the President there are bigger issues with over-using your phone than simply annoying your wife and kids. It was rumored that President Obama would have to give up his Blackberry for security reasons, but now it seems like a compromise has been reached. Supposedly, there is a high-tech fix on the way which would provide the President with a secure device that would enable him to stay in touch with friends and family while still protecting national security. Thank goodness!

Well if you've had your head buried in the sand or just got back from a trip to the outer reaches of space, you may have missed the news about President Obama's inauguration. Well given all of the difficulties we are facing in America today, people have high expecations for President Obama and they were looking for a lot in his inaugural speech. Having been in the crowd on the mall for the inauguation I can say that many people were thrilled with what he said. However, he will have a lot to live up to. So, what are the legacies of other landmark inaugural addresses? Well AARP recently took a poll on whether or not Americans have met the challenge of JFK's inaugural address which beseeched us to "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." Check out the results and let us know how you feel about it:

Love coffee? Love Starbucks coffee? How does a FREE Starbucks coffee sound to you? We think it sounds pretty darn good, especially at this time of day. (*yawn*)

What's the catch you ask? Well just five hours, really.

On Monday, January 19 - which is also Martin Luther King Jr. Day - hit up your local Starbucks, pledge to do five hours of community service work in 2009 and you get your free cup of Joe.

You can read about it all right here.

What do you think about Starbucks getting into the service action? Will you pledge five hours of the 8,304 hours that will be left in 2009 by MLK day? We are! Visit AARP Create The Good for ideas of what you can do - whether you have 5 minutes or 5 hours.

And you thought the Madoff scandal was bad. Sure, he's under "house arrest" in his luxurious New York apartment, but at least he didn't fake his own death to escape the investigation into his misdeeds. Businessman Marcus Schrenker is accused of erroneously claiming his plane was having trouble, then jumping out of the plane and parachuting to safety in Alabama. It gets crazier though as he then is alleged to have hit the road on a motorcycle he had stashed away. The chase ended when he was surrounded on a camping ground in Florida.

Our friends at www.USAService.org have teamed up with You Tube to sponsor a video competition. Get out your iPhone or video camera and get shooting - the person who has the best video telling what they plan to do on MLK Day wins a personal call from future First Lady Michelle Obama!

Need ideas on what to do MLK Day, visit Create The Good for more than 200 ways to make a difference!

Now, what would I talk to Michelle Obama about first?

Get the details below and get shooting footage.

Over the weekend, President-elect Obama made a much-publicized visit to Ben's Chili Bowl.

Ben's is a landmark here in Washington and Obama's appearance with D.C. Mayor Fenty made quite a splash. Obama reportedly ordered a D.C. classic at Ben's, a chili Half-Smoke. Afterwards, there was a big scene outside of Ben's when Obama and Fenty emerged to greet people with the protection of their security entourage. Check it out:

With a struggling economy, two wars, and a health care crisis to deal with, President Obama and the First Lady will have plenty on their plate when they move into the White House. Thankfully, one thing they'll have plenty of help with is watching their kids.

Michelle Obama's mother Marian Robinson, 71, will be moving into the White House and helping care for the Obama's two daughters. Mrs. Robinson will be just one of 3.6 million parents living with their children, and surveys show that 24% of boomers expect their parents to move in with them at some point.

Knowing they have a caring role model to look after their children has been a huge help to the Obamas during their years of campaigning and the arduous transition to the White House. Despite the new challenges facing Mrs. Robinson, she fully plans on maintaining her very active lifestyle which at one point included participating in the Senior Olympics.

Although the Obamas rave over Mrs. Robinson's caregiving abilities she fully acknowledges spoiling her grandchildren from time to time, something I'm sure they don't mind.

Colin Powell Announces USAService.org

AARP cover guy and Inspire Award-winner, Gen. Colin Powell who is an honorary co-chair of the Presidential Inauguration, announced "Renew America Together" volunteering initiative launching around MLK Day.

The AP reported:

"I think it will capture the imagination of the American people," Powell said, adding that there was a "fervor" for the new administration that should be tapped.
The goal is to make public service a greater priority throughout American life.
"It's not enough, I think, just to do it one day a year," Powell said.

Pictures from the Event

So yesterday Tom Daschle began the process of going through confirmation hearings.

President-Elect Obama gave a speech on the dire need for quick passage of a massive stimulus bill.

We're also being told that many of us can expect to get pay cuts if we're lucky enough to keep our jobs.

On the plus side, I found this little gem of a blog which can be a great distraction from all of the horrible headlines we've been seeing of late. Check out my personal favorite below:

This MLK Day, January 19, AARP Create The Good is joining President-elect Obama's call to service. Our hope is that along with the rest of America, you will be able to reignite our nation's spirit of volunteerism and community service. This nation-wide call to service is not simply a one-time involvement but a continued commitment to community service.

Visit the Create The Good site for ideas like helping neighbors save on energy costs and hundreds of others for you to choose from. We know you're busy - that's why some only take five minutes and can be done right from your computer or cell phone! If you have more time, consider organizing a group to help those in your community with the Operation Energy Save toolkit.

There are even organizations like the Case Foundation that are giving away trips to the 2009 Presidential Inauguration just for sharing your story. Tell them about it here and enter to win!

It looks like the incoming Obama administration wants to add to its already star-studded list of political appointees. The apparent front-runner for President-Elect Obama's Surgeon General appears to be none other than CNN's chief medical correspondent and acclaimed neuro-surgeon Dr. Sanjay Gupta. Dr. Gupta would bring recognition and credibility to the post of America's leading medical officer. Gupta is reportedly weighing his decision as to whether or not he will accept Obama's offer.

In a response to the continued economic hardships facing millions of Americans, the IRS has given its agents new leeway in allowing taxpayers to defer penalties on late payments. Agents can take many variables into account including recent job loss and high medical expenses. I'm sure a lot of folks will appreciate a little leniency from the normally stingy IRS. Another group of people who may be getting a break from the IRS are those unfortunate investors in the Madoff scheme. The IRS could let them write off their losses in a move that would cost up to $20 billion in lost revenue.

While many companies are cutting benefits for their employees, you might be surprised to see which company is offering a great savings plan for its workers: McDonalds. The megalithic franchise decided to offer an auto-401 (k) with a huge match as a way to retain talent within the organization. Just how good is this program? Well employees who contribute 5% of their salaries to retirement savings can find matches from their employer as high as 11%. That'll buy a lot of Big Macs.

With the population of older Americans exploding in the coming years, America's geriatricians will be spread even thinner than they already are. Making sure that older people receive age appropriate care is extremely important and the Martha Stewart Center for Living at the Mount Sinai Medical Center serves as a sterling example of the right way to approach this subject. Focused on primary care and catering exclusively to older people, the Center for Living emphasizes individualized care based on medical history and lifestyle. Few patients have to wait more than ten minutes to be seen at the Center for Living, and each patient's unique needs are always made a priority. This is surely the way to approach health care for older Americans.

Anyone who has been to a doctor in the last few years knows how expensive health care can be. Cutting back on doctor's visits and medications may seem like a tempting way to save money, but there are better ways to reduce expenses without risking your health. For starters, be sure to use your Health Savings Account if you have access to one. Reducing your taxable income is a smart way to save on health care. When it comes to your prescriptions, it's a good idea to go generic and buy in bulk when possible. Here are some other smart tips on reducing your medical expenses.

With millions of boomers looking toward retirement, the question of where all of these people want to spend their golden years begins to grow in importance. While research shows that many boomers would like to age in place in their current homes, that is not always possible. This is creating enormous growth in the demand for homes with universal design features that allow for easy access and living. Some builders have seen this trend and are working to create both homes and communities that are designed to promote healthy and safe aging. AARP and the National Association of Home Builders recently teamed up to recognize the builders, developers and remodelers that best incorporated universal design features in their work with the Livable Communities Awards.

So if any of you are like me, you've probably heard about the Federal Reserve Board cutting short-term interest rates by three quarters of a point and wondered: What does that mean for me? Well, when the Fed lowers the interest rate, rates also drop for things like credit cards, mortgages, and home equity lines of credit. Also, if you can get a loan for something like a car, you should be able to find bargain. However, these are only useful benefits with people who can get loans. With the credit markets so tight, anyone with less than perfect credit may find themselves unable to enjoy some of these benefits. While everyone might not be able to get into the party, lowering rates are definitely a step in the right direction as we try to pull ourselves out of this recession.

While it’s been quite a dramatic year, older Americans have had many victories to celebrate as 2008 comes to an end. Here are a few reasons we have to celebrate:

• The passage of the economic stimulus package, which will extend stimulus support to about 20 million Americans who depend on Social Security.
• Our Keep Medicare Fair campaign came out victorious when Congress overrode President Bush’s veto of the Medicare reform bill.
• Most recently, a bill that would waive penalties for retirees for mandatory withdrawals in 2009 passed the House and the Senate, now awaiting Bush’s signature.

With that being said, there’s obviously a lot of nervousness about larger looming problems for the new year, such as the future of the economy and the health care crisis. With the new Obama administration to focus on change for this country, what should be America’s resolutions for 2009? More specifically, what issue means the most to you? Take our poll and let’s open up the discussion in comments!

You needn't look any further than this blog to see that the headlines have been pretty bad lately. News of the credit crunch, high gas prices and foreclosures have been top stories since the summer. When the economy is having tough times like this, you need to worry about more than just your stock portfolio. There are people out there looking to swindle you out of your money by using many elaborate scams that piggy back off of the current condition of our economy. Be diligent when considering a company that claims they can help you reduce your debt or give you huge profits by investing in foreign currency or energy. With tough times looking like they are here to stay for a while, we can all ill-afford losing money to some scammer.

As part of his farewell tour, President Bush made unannounced appearances in both Iraq and Afghanistan over the weekend. While at a press conference in Iraq, the President got the boot, literally, from an Iraqi journalist who threw both of his shoes toward the President as he stood with Iraqi President Nouri al Maliki. In Muslim countries there is no deeper insult than to throw your shoe at someone. Thankfully, the President was able to deftly dodge the flying footwear and later joke about the whole incident. "All I can report is a size 10," Bush told reporters. Whatever your thoughts may be on the President's politics, you have to admire his athletic prowess:

Not incredibly new news, but great to see this 73 year old mix it up on the court with kids in their teens and twenties.

I can see why the government wants to help out people who are falling behind on their mortgages. In fact, I think it's good to pay some attention to the general public after all the assistance that has been given to Wall Street, banks, and now the auto-industry. However, there is a possible downside to helping out homeowners who are falling behind on their mortgages. It is possible that people are intentionally neglecting their mortgage payments in order to qualify for government aid. There aren't any statistics on this, but economists say there is definitely the potential for abuse in this system. A warning for anyone thinking of beating the system: Experts say the damage that delinquent mortgage payments do to your credit rating can far outweigh any benefits, and that's if you don't get caught!

When it comes to marketing, retailers will always find new ways of getting their message to customers. In today's tough times, companies are getting increasingly creative. With a cell phone in the majority of American households, more and more retailers are using text messages to reach their consumers. In addition, some stores are even creating web sites made specifically for access by mobile devices. Blogs and emails are also being used as stores are desperately seeking revenue in these tough times. So watch out the next time you feel that cell phone buzzing.

Wish there was a place where you could go to and forget all about the problems we are all facing? Well if you want to move to a place with surpluses, increasing home values, few foreclosures and little unemployment you can. All you need to do is find a way to get yourself to North Dakota, a place that where people seem to be living in a bubble.

But why is North Dakota thriving when everyone else is struggling to keep their heads above water? North Dakota has seen windfalls from increased oil production for starters. Also, as a mainly agricultural state, North Dakota benefited from a great year for its crops. Maybe most importantly of all, North Dakotans have a no frills approach that never gets too high or too low. This state wasn't saddling with the bad loans that plague much of the rest of the country. So if you need a break from all those economic storm clouds hovering over your head it keep in mind the forecast for North Dakota looks sunny.

One of the funnier pieces of political news in the last month was buried yesterday amid the coverage of the automakers pleading with Congress for a bailout. Florida Representative Illeana Ros-Lehtinen received a call of congratulations from a man claiming to be President-elect Barack Obama. Believing the call to be an elaborate prank and not wanting to be the next Sarah Palinesque prank call victim, she hung up. Just minutess later the Representative got another phone call, this time from a man who identified himself as Rahm Emanuel, Obama's chief of staff and a political star in his own right. Despite knowing Emanuel from his time in the House, Ros-Lehtinen was not convinced and hung up again.

Prank averted, except for one detail. It was Obama calling. Not until the Representative received a call from fellow Florida Rep. Howard Berman confirming the truth was she convinced. Realizing she had just hung up on the President-elect, Ros-Lehtinen told Rep. Berman to inform Obama that he could now call her. For his part, Obama found the whole situation both understandable and comical.

I've spent a lot of time blogging here about the many ways folks are trying to deal with hard times, but here is one situation where you have to wonder if the pain is worth the reward. As people are losing their jobs and seeing declines in their home values, they are being forced to wait out the bad economy. Specifically, divorced couples and those who have recently broken up are being forced to postpone plans to move out. This means that even though couples have split, they're forced to stay under the same roof to save money. Talk about awkward!

This short piece was produced for AARP-TV's "My Generation." It won a a 2008 TIVA-DC Peer Gold for directing (non fiction, under thirty minutes). Enjoy

Yesterday the National Bureau of Economic Research announced that the U.S. has been in an economic recession since late 2007. For just about everyone else, this was pretty old news. The stock market responded accordingly and tanked, as the Dow fell 679 points. Despite all the bad news, the government still says it is working hard to stem the losses and Fed Chief Bernanke has outlined some additional actions that could improve the economy.

The economy may be cooling down along with the weather, but yard sales are still hot. Millions of people are feeling the pinch of tighter budgets this year, and they are turning to yard sales as a way to free up some cash for the holiday season. Surveys show that yard sale numbers may have doubled from this time last year. There has also been a huge increase in the sales posted on sites like Craigslist. I guess people will always find creative ways to deal with tough financial times.

If you're like most people, you're probably looking for ways to save a buck or two. Well the good news is that even in these tough times, there are lots of things you can do to save money without seriously impacting your quality of life. Surprisingly, there are lots of health care choices you can make to save money without compromising quality. For starters, you can always use generic prescription drugs rather than name brands. Also make sure to be aware of any government programs you might be eligible for. You might be surprised to find you can get assistance in paying for medical costs. Being smart in these tough times can really pay off.

Trying to save a little money on housing? Have parents or kids that can't afford to be on their own? Join the club. The Census Bureau reported that over 3.6 million parents lived with their adult children in 2007, up 67% from 2000. There are a lot of benefits to inter-generational living: shared housing costs, dividing the chores, and extra help watching the kids. There can be some strain though, so keeping the lines of communication and understanding open is crucial. Does this sound like your living situation? Tell us about your living experience in the comments.

So I've spent a lot of time in this space talking about the host of economic troubles we're facing. While I don't want to diminish the horrible impact the economy has had on people, the optimist in me wants to point out a bright spot. With the economy in such bad shape and unemployment increasing, it looks like the calls for health care reform are growing. As people lose their jobs, and their employer-sponsored insurance, they will demand action. Companies themselves are having a tougher time affording healthcare under our current system. All the momentumthat comes with this bad economy might finally force the government to take some action and get Americans insured.

The cost of unpaid caregiving in the country was $375 billion last year according to a new AARP study. This was more than the government's expenditure for Medicaid and a $25 billion increase from 2006. With 34 million Americans providing unpaid care to family and friends for an average of 21 hours per week, it is easy to see how caregiving has such an enormous cost. Aside from monetary value, caregiving places a huge strain on caregivers who often have to take time off of work and face additional stresses. Tell us your caregiving stories in the comments.

According to a recent Time Magazine article, having to postpone retirement for a few years might not be such a bad thing. When millions of Americans have spent their careers preparing for the day they could retire, there are benefits to holding onto your job for a bit longer. The country could see a big boost in the size of the economy if boomers were to stay at their jobs for a few more years. Moreover, the extra years of work could lessen the impact of the looming labor shortage resulting from retiring boomers. On a more individual level, as many as two thirds of older boomers aren't fully prepared for retirement. Working longer could help these people properly prepare for an enjoyable and secure retirement.

According to the Agriculture Department's annual study on food security, hunger rates for American children have reached there highest point since 1998. In fact, the number of children who have experienced major disruptions in their food supply increased 50% in the last year alone. In all, over 36 million Americans went hungry at some point in the last year. I know the economy is in bad shape right now, but there's no excuse for people in this country to be unable to get enough food. Just one more problem to throw on the to-do list for President-Elect Obama.

In the wake of harsh criticism and a growing number of headlines like this, many people are having doubts about the usefulness of 401(k)'s as a retirement savings tool. However, despite shaken consumer confidence and an unstable stock market, 401(k)'s still have their supporters. Individual retirement accounts are really the only way to prepare for retirement over the long hall and they can be the difference between affording retirement or having to keep working. Times may be tough right now, but these accounts are all we've got at the moment so we need to stick with them.

A new study has shown promising results from a Florida law requiring older drivers to take a vision test before renewing their licenses. The study says that death rates from car crashes have dropped 17% amongst drivers over 80 since the implementation of the law. However, researchers are quick to point out that they haven't pinned down what exactly about the law has reduced the death rates. Still, I think we can all agree this is very good news.

On Monday a San Francisco court ordered the NFL Players association to pay out $28.1 million in damages to the NFL's 2,056 retired players. The damages were awarded to compensate the players for poor representation by the NFLPA which failed to act in their interest in securing endorsements for the retirees. The court found that the NFLPA worked to ensure maximum benefits for the active players at the expense of the retirees. Way to go NFL legends! You made the league what it is and you shouldn't let it take one penny from you.

With all the talk of younger voters changing the face of this election, it is easy to lose sight of the bottom line in this year's Presidential Election. Despite the emphasis placed on the youth vote coming out to support Obama, statistics show that it was the 50+ crowd that actually delivered President-Elect Obama the win. While it is true that the youngest voting demographic did grow slightly in this election, 50+ voters made up over 40% of all voters. In fact, this age group delivered was largely responsible for Obama's wins in battleground states such as Colorado, Pennsylvania and Florida amongst others. I am certainly glad people are paying attention to the youngest voters as they are the future of our democracy; they just need to remember who really brings home the bacon.

Times are tough, but governments still need money to provide us services. They also need to find ways to create jobs so people can pull themselves out of their personal economic troubles. Severe economic downturns can sometimes defy typical solutions and some folks are getting a little more creative with their ideas. In New York, Mayor Bloomberg is considering a plan that could bring in revenue and help the city go green. He is mulling over introducing a 6 cent tax on plastic bags to encourage people to adopt re-usable bags for their shopping.

A recent article in Time also suggests that one way to dig the country out of this hole would be to start a major infrastructure project. By rebuilding many of the nation's deteriorating roads, rail systems, dams and sewers, we could improve our ability to compete with other countries while creating thousands of jobs for unemployed Americans.

The economic downturn is forcing people to take a hard look at their expenditures. Shoppers across the country have been cutting back, and their grocery list seems to be one major victim. Half of people are buying fewer prepared meals at the grocery store and just under half of Americans are trying to stretch the use of household cleaning products. Also, lots of consumers are eating out less often and trying to share items like toothpaste and shampoo with family members. How have you been cutting back?

Well, a historic election has just wrapped up. While it's definitely a relief to be done with the election, it's time to turn toward actually addressing the real problems facing America. This is certainly a tough time to be taking over as President, and there will be plenty of challenges on the road ahead. For most people the biggest concern has been the economy, but just why has it gotten so bad? AARP's Chief Operating Officer Tom Nelson suggests that a lot of the problem can be traced to the skyrocketing cost of health care in America. It seems as though we will have to address health care in this country if we want any shot of repairing the economy. Let's see how our new President-elect can deal with the hand he's been dealt.

So if you haven't already voted I am sure that you are on your way to do that right now. And since you are being such a good citizen, I'm sure that you're probably aware of the obstacles and troubles you may have to deal with when trying to vote. Just to be safe, here are some things to look out for when trying to vote. Be ready for long lines and make sure to have some sort of ID, just to be safe. Just remember this is the most important thing you can do today, so stick it out even if the conditions aren't the best. You'll feel better in the morning knowing your voice was heard.

There have been many responses to high fuel costs. While many people traded in their S.U.V.s for smaller cars, others have gone the route of taking mass transit when possible rather than driving. In fact, so many people have switched to public transportation, that many mass transit systems are seeing record ridership levels. This has lead to a call for expanding these systems, particularly our railways. Congress has approved a $2 billion grant to encourage states to link-up through new rail systems and it has also promised $13 billion to fund Amtrak and help with the development of high-speed rail corridors. Even states are getting involved. California is considering selling billions of dollars in bonds to fund a high-speed rail network connecting major cities. Many people view rail transit as a way to lower fuel demand and diminish congestion on American roads.

It's the latest rage in entertaining guests and also a great way to make some cash. I'm talking, of course, about gold parties. Generally speaking, a gold dealer will coordinate with a homeowner to invite a bunch of guests over who then trade their unwanted gold jewelry in for cold hard cash. Gold parties can be a good method of fattening your wallet in tough economic times, but be careful before signing up. There are lots of opportunities for scams here. Be sure to know the purity of the gold you are dealing with (how many karats). Also, use due diligence in ensuring that you are working with a real gold broker and that there isn't any funny business in how they weigh and price the gold. You can certainly make a pile of cash at a gold party, just keep in mind that everyone is looking to make a profit here and not all people go about that honestly.

In just the latest chapter in the story of our troubled economy, the Federal Reserve agreed to provide loans to America's ailing auto industry yesterday. At this point we're all sick of hearing about another industry that needs us to bail it out of trouble, but let's take a look at what is really happening here.

The first thing to keep in mind is that American auto-makers were in a bad way long before the economy went down the tubes. We had yet to see the worst of this economic downturn when it was already becoming clear that G.M. was going to lose its claim to the title of the world's largest auto-maker to Toyota.

The frozen credit market and nose-diving stock market took a bad situation and made it that much worse. The Big Three (Chrysler, General Motors, and Ford) were largely barred from access to credit meaning they couldn't provide car loans to potential buyers. Between pre-existing problems and the new realities of the economy, even some serious penny-pinching couldn't bring profits back to Detroit.

Now thanks to this perfect storm of financial ruin, the American automotive industry has seen its life flashing before its eyes. They've gotten approval for new loans and G.M. and Chrysler are in talks of a merger. If you're wondering why you should care, here are a few stats courtesy of CNN/Money's Chris Isidore:

- 10 jobs are dependant on every 1 assembly line job;
- In all, the U.S. auto industry provides 2 million jobs;
- $25 billion in loans may be costly, but the collapse of the Big Three could cost the economy $100 billion or more.

What a mess.

So I've already told y'all about AARP's latest effort to get out the vote. However, we're far from the only people trying to spread the message on how important it is to participate in the upcoming election. Groups like America Votes and Rock the Vote have been working on improving voter turnout. The message here is that voting is a crucial part of what makes America great and it's your biggest and best chance to make your voice heard. I could go on and on about this, but I think these kids from Atlanta's Ron Clark academy said it best:

So make sure to show up at the polls on Election Day and "you can vote however you like."

Divided We Fail recently teamed up with the UCLA School of Theater, Film, and Television to create the Stolen Dreams short film competition. Films were made by nine students covering the topics of health care and financial security and a panel of judges selected a winner. The winning film, "The Cure" was written by UCLA grad student Anthony Onah who received $7,500 along with his first prize recognition. The video can be seen here and the finalists can all be viewed here. Make sure to check them all out. These short films are all well done and have important messages about the troubling state of health care and financial security in this country.

Crowding in hospitals is reaching record levels. With more and more people using the Emergency Room for primary care, a greater number of patients are forced to deal with diminishing resources. One tactic hospitals are taking is to house some patients in their hallways to reduce overcrowding. It is troubling to think that people with serious health conditions are being forced to stay in hallways with only a privacy screen separating them from the commotion of a busy hospital. However, studies are showing that this strategy may not have any serious medical consequences and could actually be an improvement over simply packing patients into the E.R.

One of the many reactions people tend to have in tough times is resorting to cash instead of credit. This is particularly the case when dealing with a credit crisis and a lack of liquidity in the market place. Case in point, a new survey shows that 39% of people have reduced their credit card usage. You may be wondering what the big deal is. Well for just one example, think about the damage this does to online retailers who can't take cash. Have you hid your credit cards away in favor of good old-fashioned greenbacks? Next thing you know, we might be saving our money here:

You've heard it time and time again: there's a lot on the line in this year's election. With the economy in trouble, questions regarding the future of Social Security and Medicare, and a broken health care system, the next President will have a major impact on Americans for years to come. With that in mind, AARP has rolled out AARP Vote 2008 to encourage people to vote in this year's election. As part of AARP Vote 2008 there is a great video showing people who AARP thinks can make the biggest impact in the '08 race. Check it out below and don't forget to vote!

AARP 08 Video

Enter your name to see who can bring real change to Washington. First Name: Last Name:

The economy continues to head in the wrong direction. In a logical response, millions of Americans are cutting back and tightening their belts to save where possible. It is certainly responsible and necessary to budget properly in difficult times. However, there are some places, health care comes to mind, where people shouldn't have to sacrifice. Recent surveys show that over a third of Americans may be postponing health care for monetary reasons. This is not only dangerous, but likely more expensive in the long-run. Putting off doctor's visits and not taking medication can aggravate medical conditions and turn a minor problem into a serious situation. Have you had to put off medical care to save money? Tell us about it and comment below.

As you've probably heard by now, Senator McCain found himself in some hot water after desserting David Letterman to head back to Washington to work on the bailout deal. If not, you can see Letterman's reaction below:

Letterman was pretty upset and continued to harp on the issue for several shows. Thankfully, it looks like the two have finally managed to patch things up. McCain appeared on Letterman's show just last night, and after a pretty good tongue lashing by the late night host, the two were able to smooth things over and Letterman forgave McCain. See for yourself!

Well the saying holds that money can't buy you happiness. The Beatles said money can't buy me love. That may be true, but I'll tell you what money can buy you: life. A new study released by the World Health Organization shows that there is an enormous disparity in the life spans of the world's richest 10% and the poorest 10%. A 35 year disparity to be exact. The richest 10% of people can expect to live to age 81, while the poorest 10% live to an average age of 46. So I guess we had better hope this economy turns around soon.

What did you get out of the debate? Well if you're like me, you probably remember the candidates talking more about some plumber named Joe, than they were about many of the issues. Did you know they mentioned this guy more than 20 times? That's more references than they gave to just about every major issue facing the country! You'd think that in the days of this and this, the candidates would be a little more willing to stick to the matter at hand and not get caught up in some silly and shallow conversation on one man's personal situation. What did you think of last night's debate?

The sickness that has spread through the economy with the speed of a pandemic has spread to the health care industry. Tightening credit markets are leaving hospitals strapped for cash. What does this mean for us? Hospitals will be delaying improvements such as new emergency rooms and updating high tech equipment such as MRI machines. Worse still, with the economy not showing any signs of turning around any time soon, hospitals will likely fall further into debt as they have an increasingly hard time collecting bills from patients.

We all knew things were bad, but this bad? Really? As personal debts mount people across the country are being forced to make some tough choices. Some folks are so desperate that they're committing insurance fraud to try and dump some debt and collect a check. One example: the number of cars suspected of being burned by their owners has nearly doubled in the last year. Just a little taste of the desperation some people are feeling as they watch their savings go down the drain.

One small bright spot coming out of the doom and gloom of economic news this week: gas prices are way down. Despite this good news, demand is still remaining uncharacteristically low here. Why? Well for starters with the national average still above $3.40 a gallon, gas isn't exactly cheap. Americans seems to be sticking with their newly learned frugal habits and the lack of demand will likely drive prices even lower. This is a good thing, especially considering how the cost of everything else seems to have gone up even as we have less money to spend. If you're looking for ways to save on gas, try these tips, or if you're really feeling desperate to save on your commute, there's always this:

Technological advances seem to have no limit these days and this particular device is all about removing limitation. A Japanese company has created a robotic suit with the potential to give the ability to walk and carry things to those who currently can't. The suit reads impulses sent from the brain to operate its mechanical limbs. This machine holds the promise for increased mobility and strength for a host of people from those who have suffered injury to older people who have lost dexterity and strength. The suits are ready to be mass produced in Japan and will be available for monthly rental in Japan and elsewhere. The company has yet to decide on plans to sell the suit in America, but if they do, you can have your very own robotic exoskeleton for the low, low price of just under $60,000.

Have a look:

Pretty impressive, but call me when it can do this:

So the stock market has hit its lowest levels in four years, credit is tight and home values are down. We are all starting to get accustomed to these facts, but the real-world implications for the economic slow down are just starting to reveal themselves. One of the big losers in the current economic climate is retirement savings. Even before the markets really tanked, an AARP survey showed that 20% of baby boomers had stopped contributing to their retirement savings, and a third were considering postponing retirement. It's doubtful that the swooning economy of recent weeks has done much to improve these numbers. So if your nest egg is starting to look like this:

You're not alone.

We asked and you answered! Your overwhelming repsonse to yesterday's "Cost of Inaction" post has been truly amazing.

No matter what the idea, or where you stand on the political spectrum...thank you for sharing with us. Keep 'em coming, because we love nothing more than when you let us know exactly what's on your mind!

So for the record, we've got a credit crisis, a housing crisis, and a gas price crisis. Well let's add another one to the list. Thanks to the huge hike in gas prices in combination with the spike in demand last winter, road salt has seen a jump in price and a dive in supply. Who cares, right? Well many states aren't going to be able to stock up on salt for the upcoming winter and are being forced to look into cheaper, but less effective alternatives. You might want to invest in a pair of snow tires, or one of these:

When it comes to tests, scoring over 90% tends to be a good thing. When you're talking about the percentage of nursing homes that were cited for violations during inspections, not so much. As part of an effort to improve quality in Medicare, the government has stiffened standards and greatly increased inspections for nursing homes. The most common violations: "improper storage and distribution of food, accident hazards and lack of services necessary for residents' mental and physical well-being". Looks like these facilities haven't gotten the message yet.

Lost in all the talk of our current economic crisis is the huge hike in the price of energy that we are facing. Major increases in prices for things like heating oil have a dramatic impact on people's budgets, particularly older Americans that are living on fixed incomes. With everyone's attention focused on the real estate and investment banking collapse, many older Americans feel that the government isn't doing enough to address energy costs. Winter is around the corner and with fuel oil prices so high, there is a serious danger that people won't be able to afford to heat there homes during freezing weather. One town's solution has been to pool its resources and invite several oil companies to sell large quantities of oil to the town at a discounted rate. The plan could save the town's citizens between $100 and $200 dollars over the winter.

I recently sat down with Alejandra to chat about Life@50+ and how truly amazing an event it was. I was on my feet everyday from morning until night, but not even being tired could keep me away from our fantastic members and some of the most fun I've had in a long while. Below are some excerpts from our conversation.

Alejandra: What were you most surprised by at Life@50+?
Jennie: Just how delighted so many attendees were with the organization and coordination with an event of this magnitude. They came up to me and just gave unsolicited comments of appreciation!

A: Did you meet any celebrities? Do you have a favorite celebrity moment?
J: Quincy Jones, Sally Fields, Richard Petty, Patty Austin, Martina Navratilova and Dr. Ruth. And it was great to meet Mickey Mouse!

A: Did you have a favorite event during Life@50+?
J: The Lincoln Memorial event which was both powerful and moving, It really helped us highlight the legacy of our 50 years and the vibrancy and timelessness of issues that drove Dr. Andrus to start our organization-and the issues continue to still need our leadership and advocacy today..50 years later!

A: Next year Life@50+ is in Las Vegas, is there anything you'll do differently next year?
J: Would most definitely spend more time on the floor to meet more members and attendees as well as our multitude of exhibitors.

A: What was your favorite member/attendee story?
J: The thrill of the entertainment of the evenings..so many people were just over the top happy to have seen and participated in the Natalie Cole, Ramsey Lewis, Chicago and Paul Simon concerts.

It was amazing to see members pounding the stage to exhort Paul Simon to return to the stage two times after the "last song". It was also fun to see some attendees with 4-6 shopping bags just filled with stuff gathered from the nearly 500 exhibitors.

Check out the picture of me on stage during our opening event! The room was pack with about 10,000 people!

Well it's official. Summer is over and cooler weather is here to stay. As you work to dig your coat out from the closet and find your winter boots, here's something else to consider: getting a flu shot. With over 143 million vaccines produced this year, the government is urging more people than ever to get vaccinated. There is an especially large push to reach the 50-64 demographic, which rarely gets flu shots in the same numbers as children and the 65 and over crowd. With over 200,000 Americans hospitalized with the flu each year in the US, there's really no reason not to go in and get the shot.

You're not alone if you feel like your job is killing you, but you should know it doesn't have to be like this. AARP has just released its list of Best Employers, rating these employers on criteria including: recruitment, opportunities for career training, workplace accommodations, alternative work options, health benefits, and benefits for retirees. These are the kinds of jobs that offer people great flexibility and the kind of care that can actually improve the quality of your life. Maybe you wouldn't dread getting up in the morning if you worked for one of these employers. How's that for a change?

New research paints a grim picture for adults who provide care for their parents. The combined stress from a job, caring for children and also your parents can eventually carry over and negatively impact quality of life. Caregivers often see health consequences in their own lives as a result of the time they dedicate to caring for their parents. Good news though, having a spouse and a higher education seems to reduce stress levels. You can also visit aarp.org for caregiving tips.

After our continual hard work to keep you informed on the latest news and stories that are important to you, we've gotten some love for ourselves. One of aarp.org's many services is helping 50+ workers find jobs for second or continuing careers. Our partnership with retirementjobs.com has enabled us to provide a great service to those in the 50+ community looking for a new job and recently, Fortune Magazine recognized this tool as a quality resource for the older worker. They even gave some recognition to our humble blog.

In the wake of the continued and ever-growing financial crisis facing the nation, AARP Public Policy Institute has released research showing that in the last six months of 2007, over 600,000 people over age 50 were either delinquent on their mortgage payments or facing foreclosure. That's over one quarter of the total number of Americans in such financial straights. Much like all Americans, those of the 50+ crowd who had sub-prime mortgages were far more likely to be affected. In addition, African-Americans and Hispanics have been disproportionately affected by the financial crisis. This research counters the commonly held belief that older Americans would be less impacted by this financial disaster. Given the increased reliance that older Americans have on their homes for both shelter and personal finances, this research is troubling to say the least. Have you had trouble paying your mortgage? Know anyone facing foreclosure? Tell us about it.

Exercise and diet are always important parts of ensuring a long and healthy life. However, it's starting to look more and more like certain people are just born with the genes to live past 100. You've either got 'em or you don't. Researchers across the world are sifting through the volumes of human genetic information to try and pinpoint longevity genes. A key part of their efforts is studying the genetic makeup of the mere 79 men and women who are alive today and over the age of 110. If scientists can isolate the genes that lead to longevity you'd better start planning to save a lot more for retirement.

With age comes wisdom. This concept is widely held and accepted in most cultures around the world. Recent research has lent further credibility to this notion. In a study conducted by Brandeis University psychologist Margie Lachman amongst others participants of various ages were asked to evaluate the past ten years of their lives and speculate on their next ten years. Nine years after the initial survey respondents were asked to compare how their predictions for the future held up when compared to reality. The results showed that while younger participants had the rosiest predictions for the future, older respondents felt that their time had more accurately met their expectations. A major conclusion of the study was that older participants were not as fixated on the future because they were more focused on enjoying the present.

The debate goes on and on. Are we in a recession or aren't we? Well maybe we aren't in the text book definition of an economic recession, but it sure feels like we are doesn't it? It turns out that the economy is actually projected to have better than expected growth this year, and the highest growth of any of the G7 countries. So why does it still feel like we are doing so badly? Some experts believe that the problem is in our heads. A fear for job security and worries over the future can create a troubling sense of insecurity. This in turn can lead consumers to believe that things are worse off than they really are. Although we might not be doing as poorly as we think we are, it's little compensation to the thousands of people who have lost jobs or their savings.

As the need to reduce our impact on the environment becomes increasingly pressing, people have worked to develop techniques to lower energy use and increase efficiency. While many of these solutions are expensive and complex, others are decidedly cheap and simple. So what is one of the latest energy-saving concepts to hit the scene? White roofs. White roofs reflect sunlight and heat back into the atmosphere while dark roofs absorb the heat and bring it into the building. Simply put, if every home and commercial building were to install a white roof, energy costs related to air-conditioning could be lowered by 20%. Nation-wide that equates to $1 billion in annual energy savings. Moreover, switching to lighter colored roads and sidewalks would double the energy savings. White is totally the new green.

You couldn't have missed the news yesterday as the Dow suffered its largest single-day loss since it opened following the September 11th attacks. The battered market finished more than 500 points lower than it opened. When all the carnage was done yesterday, Lehman Brothers had applied for bankruptcy, Bank of America had bought out Merrill Lynch, and serious questions remained as to whether AIG, Wachovia and Washington Mutual would be able to stay afloat. This was one of the worst days the markets have ever seen, and the US wasn't alone. Foreign markets, particularly those in Asia took hefty losses as well. Aside from the damage dealt to these corporations, many individuals and companies will now find it even harder to get loans.

Have you been touched by the financial crisis?

A common theme to my posts here is the massive demographic shift the country is going through. Baby boomers are retiring (or trying to) in huge numbers and this means the way we approach many government programs from Medicare to Social Security will have to change. Well, a major part of this shift is the aging of the Latino boomer population. However, next to no data exists for how this segment of baby boomers is preparing to retire. We know that Latinos have, on average, less education than their African-American and Caucasian-American counterparts. It has also been shown that amongst those Americans with lesser education levels, Latinos earn less than other ethnic groups. This would point to more Americans of Latin descent taking jobs with fewer benefits leaving fewer options to prepare for retirement. Despite all of these disadvantages, Latinos live longer than the population as a whole. The combination of low education and earnings with a longer life-span means we could be in for a troubling trend of Latinos who can't afford to retire. Or not. The point is no research has been done so we just don't know, and that's the problem.

Major automakers Nissan and Toyota have announced the release of new convertibles. These will join the heard of drop-tops sold by Ford, Volkswagen, Chrysler, Mercedes and many others. Why are so many car companies vying for such a small market niche? They're betting on the "mid-life crisis" and demographics. With boomers reaching the peak of their buying potential and their kids leaving the house, automakers are wagering that many of these people are going to be looking to spend money on something a bit more extravagant. Any boomers out there thinking of a ride that lets in a bit more air? Tell us about it.

Ever get that feeling that you could be doing more? Feel like you have a lot to contribute to your community but don't know how? Volunteering could be the answer that you and as many as 45 million Americans have been looking for. This is the subject of the "More To Give" report which will be released at the ServiceNation summit in New York tomorrow. Amongst the key findings, the three most popular volunteering options are: work through a faith-based group, mentoring younger people, and helping older people live independently. Another interesting note: the majority of people who haven't volunteered in this country haven't been asked. Do you volunteer or want to get involved? Let us know.

Here's a blast from the past: Lance Armstrong is rumored to be getting back on the bicycle professionally and will compete in five races including the Tour de France. Armstrong is 37 and would be returning in an attempt to win his 8th Tour. This would be just one more amazing example of how older athletes are accomplishing more than ever and knocking down stereotypes along the way. Athletes such as Lance, Dara Torres, and the several Olympians near or over age 50 have really shown the potential for older folks to compete on an elite level. Ride on, Lance!

Things are wrapping up here at Life@50+, but not before Kiss's Gene Simmons stopped in for a few interviews and some words of wisdom for the AARP faithful. You may recognize Simmons this way:

However, most of you will recognize him like this:

Simmons's main message: live each day as it comes and you'll never really grow old. Very carpe diem, and I couldn't agree more. You're only as old as you live your life and this year's Life@50+ is just further proof.

Studio 50+ Night Club was packed with dancers on Thursday night. Then on Friday, hyped up fans rushed the stage for the Chicago concert. Despite the weather, thousands of members showed up and listened to the candidates speak via satellite. All in all, a great event and one heck of a 50th birthday part for AARP.

Did you attend Life@50+ or know someone who was here? Post below and do what Gene Simmons would do: Shout It Out Loud

As planned, Bill Novelli, CEO of AARP, chatted with presidential hopeful Senator John McCain in front of a packed room full of AARP members, volunteers and 50 plusers. Sen. McCain answered questions about pre-existing conditions and how his health care plan addressed that, partisan gridlock in Washington and more. He also took the opportunity to tell more than 3,000 people where he stood on the issues and expressed his appreciation for Divided We Fail.

If you watched, tell us what you thought of the half hour chat. If you didn't, check out the replay on www.aarp.org anytime.

Of course, no event in Washington, DC is complete without a larger than life American president, decked out in red, white and blue AND on 6-foot high stilts!

I can't get the Mr. Clean jingle out of my head now! Mr. Clean himself was here and boy did the ladies go crazy! Check out those muscles! And he cleans too...he's my dream guy.

As promised, Senator Obama joined more than 3,000 AARP members, volunteers and 50 plusers this morning. Bill Novelli, CEO of AARP, asked the presidential hopeful questions about his health care plan, social security and more. Sen. Obama took the time to explain how his position differed from his opponent's and took the time to share his personal perspective on these national issues.

If you watched, tell us what you thought of the half hour chat. If you didn't, check out the replay on www.aarp.org anytime.

Mr. Novelli will be speaking with Senator McCain today at 12:30 p.m. ET - and you can catch that live on www.aarp.org as well!

Check out the video of Yolanda Adams and CeCe Winans talking about AARP turning 50 this year!

AARP is clearly in good company, considering NASA is turning 50 this year too! They've been at our annual member event, Life@50+ with a HUGE set up. You can get your picture on the moon, learn about all the major space missions over the last 50 years and even check out a robotic space explorer (see picture above)!

Congratulations to David Squires of Hampton, Virginia! This week, Mr. Squires became AARP's 40 millionth member. And in so doing, he won a ton of cool prizes, ranging from tickets to his local Washington Redskins football games to gas cards and a free vacation. So who is David Squires? Just your average AARP member.

A native of Hortonville, NC, David Squires is now a columnist with the Daily Press in Newport News, VA. Over the course of his journalism career,
50-year old Squires has worked for more than 10 newspapers, some African American publications. He was one of the first editors of AOL Black Voices. He is also a husband and father of two. Squires enjoys the various benefits of his AARP membership.

"I really appreciate what AARP does in making a difference in others' lives, as well as the great discounts AARP offers its members," said Squires. "I would certainly recommend AARP membership to my family and friends."

We're turning 50 this year folks! It's exciting for so many reasons (not the least of which is that we can now join ourselves and get all those great discounts!).

We're celebrating at our annual event, Life@50+ with lots of cool exhibitors, concerts, learning sessions and more. Visit our website for more details, and feel free to bring a friend! We're hanging out at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, DC until Saturday, September 6th.

I'll be sure to post some pictures for those who can't be here for the fun!

Despite the bad reputation some retirement homes may have, millions of Americans reside in them and rely on them for both housing and medical care. As part of the ongoing effort to improve the experiences of those living in these facilities, many communities have invited pets onto their campuses. Animals can help residents deal with isolation, frustration and many other emotional issues that can crop up. Some facilities bring in animals while others have them on-site permanently. Now the only thing to worry about is whether it is getting near time for your pet to retire.

Well the ranks of the over 50 crowd grew one incredible musician (and quite the eccentric) richer yesterday. Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, the Thriller himself turned 50 and was interviewed by ABC. In many ways, Jackson is the poster child for the constantly changing and adapting life of the baby boomer. Over the course of his career, Michael Jackson has gone from this:

To this:

And then sadly to this.

These days, Jackson still loves music but his focus has shifted toward his children and providing them with the childhood he never had. Michael says he can still pull off all of his old moves and he isn't showing any signs of slowing down.

Imagine if you could customize your home they way you create a computer. Not a chef? Cut out the kitchen and add a sun room. Are those stairs getting to be a dangerous challenge? Add a bedroom on the ground floor. While this might sound either crazy expensive or just crazy, in the near future it might be neither. As I write this, people are working on designing modular homes in which rooms could be added or removed in a matter of days, not weeks or months.

The advances in home design go far beyond modular homes. Environmentally friendly homes have come a long way recently. Check out this smart home which monitors its electricity use (it's a really small number). Solar panels on the roof generate most of the electricity needed, and sensors that open windows to let in a breeze to cool the house and reduce air conditioner use. All of the systems in this house are monitored through a computer and can be viewed by the owner on a screen. Now that we have houses that can take care of themselves, all we need is a house that will pay for itself!

With the inflation raising the cost of nearly everything, the economy still stuck in the cellar, and high energy costs sticking around, Americans are really feeling the pinch. A new AARP survey gives a clearer picture of some of the ways older Americans are struggling to cope. More than half of the survey respondents making less than $50,000 a year said paying utility bills this year is harder than it was last year. 75% of people interviewed said their heating and cooling expenses were up from last year and just under 80% believe the trend will continue. Among people's biggest gripes, just 17% of respondents believe that politicians have done enough to address rising energy costs. Have your heating and cooling costs been on the rise?

According to a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sharing prescriptions is commonplace in America. While it's most common for women 18-44, overall 27% of men and 29% of women admit to sharing medications. Allergy medicines and pain-killers were the most common offenders. Clearly this is risky behavior with unknown drug interactions and side-effects posing a threat to any prescription sharers. Is this something you would consider doing or that you've heard of taking place?

Despite continual advances in audio recording and playback, a large contingent of dedicated music fans refuses to move on. These people won't end a decades long love-affair with the vinyl. Call them old-fashioned but these folks say there's nothing quite like that warm sounds you get from a record. A quick look at the numbers seems to show that this vocal minority is rapidly growing. Sales of vinyl LPs increased by over a third from 2006 to 2007. And not only are people spending money on records, but they are buying needles that cost up to $15,000 a box and turntables running in the six-figure range. While you don't need to spend that much to appreciate the quality of a record, it shows the depth of affection that aficionados have for old school audio. What's your favorite way to listen to music? Record? CD? Cassette? A-Track?! Let us know, comment below.

Yea yea, we know, the economy is tanking. Jobs have been disappearing and now, after a couple of weeks of falling, oil prices are on the rise again. But wait, before you start sinking any further into despair, there may be hope on the horizon. For starters, jobless claims are down for the second week in a row. This may just be the start of a serious recovery in the job market. According to University of Michigan economists, the economy could add as many as 3.5 million jobs over the next two years. These jobs will largely come from an automotive industry retooling to make smaller cars, and a booming alternative energy industry. Let's hope these economists are right.

In two very different surveys taken over the last three years, one country has ranked as the happiest in the world. Any guesses? Give up? Well if you guessed Denmark, you're right! What is it about this little country that's got everyone in such a good mood? According to researchers, it's a combination of a strong social strong social safety net, high per capita GDP, and a great school system. Though the high taxes and far left leaning government may seem off putting to many Americans, the system seems to be working for Denmark.

If you're tired of getting locked into hefty, expensive cell phone plans, AARP has just the thing you've been looking for. Thanks to a deal with Consumer Cellular, AARP members can now sign up for cell phone plans starting for as little as ten dollars per month. Should you choose to end your service, you can do so without being hit by the massive fees of other service providers. Interested? Look for yourself.

Congress may be out of town, but the political season is really heating up. With the Democratic and Republican National Conventions around the corner, we can look for big political developments and major campaign announcements. What will happen when the votes are counted for Clinton and Obama at the Democratic National Convention? Who will McCain and Obama name as their VPs? To stay up on the latest campaign news, AARP's The Bulletin has a site with the most up to date stories on what's going on with the Presidential campaigns as they ramp up for the convention.

In just the latest evidence of the benefits of exercise, a study by Stanford professors shows that running can help reduce the effects of aging. Runners over the age of 50 were able to stave off disability for a shocking 16 years longer than their non-running counterparts. In addition, death from heart disease can be nearly halved by running regularly. The researchers surmised that running can add four years to your life.

Aside from running, a training regimen including weight lifting and various athletic activities can help people remain vigorous and extend life. People who engage in these types of activities have seen increased mobility, improved ability to conduct everyday chores and tasks, and a resurgent sense of confidence. Research has shown that even light workouts have significant benefits to offer older Americans.

In case you didn't know, Olympic swimmer Dara Torres is unbelievable. At 41, she's the oldest Olympic swimmer ever and on Sunday she became the oldest Olympic swimming medalist of all time. Her first Olympics were in 1984 where she won her first gold and she hasn't stopped since. In addition to being a former model, Torres is also a mother, making her feats in the pool even more amazing. If you're inspired by her story you're not alone and you actually have to opportunity to see her in person. Dara Torres will be appearing at AARP's member event, Life@50, on September 4th with Martina Navratilova so come down to Washington and see her yourself. See ABC's segment on Dara as their "Person of the Week" below:

After winning his 5th gold in Beijing in the 4 x 200 meter freestyle medley (demolishing the competition and the old world record in the process), Michael Phelps stands as the winningest Olympian of all-time with 11 gold medals. So far he has been untouchable in these Olympics. The question is: Is Michael Phelps the best Olympic athlete, or maybe even the best athlete of any kind ever? If he wins his 3 remaining races, some say this is a foregone conclusion, he will have broken Mark Spitz's record for most gold medals in a single Olympic games with 8. At that point it would be hard to make a case against Phelps being the single most dominant athlete of all time. Check him out for yourself and let us know what you think:

One of the major problems facing America's health care system today is the astronomical cost of treatment. While you might be able to extend your life through major surgery, the tension that results from the stress of medical debt could end up killing you. However, there are several acts (some easier than others) that people can take to lop off some of that debt and pay off their medical expenses.

The Olympics kick off today! Opening cermonies are actually going on as I write this. And while the Olympics are always exciting, these games are particularly post-worthy. Why? Older Olympians are playing a huge role in the games this year. There is a 58 year old sailor and a 67 year old rider in the equestrian events amongst several others. These people are just the latest proof that "over the hill" is simply a myth. Make sure to check them out.

In case you haven't heard, or missed yesterday's Today Show, Foreigner is still rocking and now you can play along. AARP is powering an air guitar contest in which the winner gets Mick Jones' guitar. Pretty sweet deal if you ask me. All you have to do is submit a video from your computer or show up at one of Foreigner's tour dates to record a video from their mobile truck. Better bring your A-game though, the competition looks pretty fierce:

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Recently, two health economists from the University of Minnesota conducted a study on how the availability of health insurance would be affected by several variables. Among the more interesting findings, the research showed that in simulations, allowing competition between insurance companies across state lines could give an additional 12 million people access to health insurance. That's a huge number a definitely an interesting thought. Keep in mind though, that this doesn't say anything about the quality of the insurance.

Medicare is an enormous buyer of all things medical, including durable medical equipment. This is includes items like wheel chairs and canes amongst others. The question is, just how well does Medicare investigate those companies it buys products from? Well, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) was apparently wondering the same thing and set up an investigation. They created two phony companies, came up with fake suppliers and rented commercial space for offices. So what did they discover? After some initial difficulty, the made-up GAO companies were able to gain a Medicare billing number and could have fraudulently charged for equipment they never distributed or even had. This is important because if GAO can pull this off, so can people with more devious intentions. Medicare, for its part has said it is rolling out a more vigorous plan to vet suppliers and prevent fraud.

What would it be like to be 85? Many people wonder what things will be like later in life, but few actually get the opportunity to experience this. At one retirement community in Ohio, employees are getting such a chance. In order to better understand the people they serve, employees of the retirement community took part in a course in which they put on glasses to distort vision, put cotton balls in their mouths and noses to inhibit hearing and smell, and wore gloves with rubber bands on the knuckles to simulate a loss of dexterity. These people could experience what it's like to be 85. The result? A much greater understanding of the trials and tribulations that older Americans go through every day.

I've recently posted about the second generation iPhone and all of its high tech gadgetry, but I realize it's not for everyone. Lots of people don't need a phone that can create feature length motion pictures or alter the path of satellites in orbit. What if you just want a basic, easy to understand cell phone with no frills? Here are four simple phones that fit the bill and can give you an easy way to stay in touch without any of the nonsense.

Hello everyone! I've not been posting here on Shaarp Session for awhile, but I'm back and will be posting more regularly - and robustly- than ever before.

You may or may not know that my position is a volunteer position here at AARP. Some of my favorite parts of this role include meeting so many people, both individuals and organizations, who really care about situation of our country today and think AARP can be a big resource to help contribute to our well being now and in the future. As a volunteer and member, I really feel I get to help improve the lives of older Americans and their families across the nation along with the nearly million other AARP volunteers - and our nearly 4 million activists!

I've been busy traveling across the country with AARP, talking to our volunteers, meeting with elected officials...and even an occasional celebrity here and there. This has been an incredible experience already and will start sharing some of my experiences with you. I'll be bringing you pictures from the road, some interviews and sharing my background and experience. Hopefully this can be a venue where you get a more personal view of AARP, post your input and a have some fun doing it. Talk to you soon!

There are lots of everyday dangers that we're all trained to think about. Look before crossing the street. Check your mirrors and blind spot before switching lanes. When using a sharp knife, cut away from your body. Well here's a dangerous situation you may find yourself in on a daily basis without even realizing it: riding the escalator. A recent analysis of emergency room data shows that the likelihood of injury on an escalator increases with age. This study also indicates that women are more at risk than men. Watch your step out there!

Though the price of oil has finally started to fall a bit, gasoline still costs over a dollar per gallon more than it did a year ago. Keeping that in mind, many Americans have found creative ways of saving gas to limit the pain they feel at the pump. There have even been proposals to lower the national speed limit to 55 miles per hour in an attempt to improve car mileage. Have you found interesting ways to squeeze some more mileage from your car or truck? Well if so, you should submit your strategies here. AARP is offering folks the chance to be one of 50 winners of a $50 dollar gas card every week between July 21 and September 28. Click on the link or type in http://www.aarp.org/money/consumer/articles/pain_at_the_pump_.html to find out details on how you can win a little help in filling that gas tank.

Many Americans have applied for health insurance only to be rejected for unknown reasons. One explanation: insurers using your prescriptions against you. It turns out that databases with personal prescription information can be bought and sold commercially and insurers are taking advantage. They can access the prescriptions people have been given for up to the past five years and manipulate this information to deny coverage. The worst part? Apparently this is completely legal! Just one more hurdle for uninsured Americans to jump over.

In the wake of a recent on-court brawl, the WNBA's Detroit Shock were short on players and in a serious bind. Coming to the rescue, former silver-medalist and current WNBA broadcaster Nancy Lieberman was signed to a 7-day contract. At 50 years old, Lieberman will break her own record for oldest WNBA player. While the Shock's coach admits he doesn't know how Lieberman will perform, he says Lieberman is in great shape and is giving her a shot. As for Lieberman, she's just happy to get a chance to play the sport she loves.

AARP The Magazine has published a list of America's ten healthiest cities to live and retire in. Topping the list? Ann Arbor Michigan. While many people tend to think of warm locales as the best places to retire in, cooler cities did very well on the list. Why? It's not all about the weather. Cities like Ann Arbor have a great health care infrastructure, many parks, year long activities, and clean air and water. The whole list is below:

1. Ann Arbor, Mich.

2. Honolulu

3. Madison, Wisc.

4. Santa Fe, N.M.

5. Fargo, N.D.

6. Boulder, Colo.

7. Charlottesville, Va.

8. Minneapolis-St. Paul

9. San Francisco Bay area

10. Naples-Marco Island, Fla.

The latest edition of the Batman franchise, "The Dark Knight" has broken box office records for both opening night, and opening weekend ticket sales. It may not be friendly for kids, but this is a great flick, more serious and darker than previous efforts, and I'd recommend it. Not sold? Check out the trailer.

More and more older Americans are saying that given their choice, they'd rather continue to live in their homes rather than move. Unfortunately, many homes aren't designed to accommodate the changing capabilities and needs of their tenants. Universal design homes can do this by incorporating design features such as no step entries and wider doorways to allow easy access and promote safe and healthy living. Check out this home design which won AARP's Ethel Percy Andrus House of Freedom Award that recognized the design for highlighting "aging in place with dignity; universal design; and accommodating the needs of a family regardless of age and ability."

Home design is the first step in enabling people to age safely and vibrantly in place. The next important move is to ensure that your home is in a community that is designed to promote independence and easy access for all. If a community combines ease of mobility with abundant access to services, residents can thrive regardless of their age.

Falls are a serious concern for older Americans. Not only do they pose a risk to many older people who live alone and don't have easy access to assistance, but they also lead to many life threatening injuries. However, a new development in shoe technology, the iShoe, could literally help to keep you on your feet. Sensors in the shoe can actually evaluate how the wearer's weight is distributed and alert the user about imbalances. In the future, the shoe may even be able to automatically compensate for imbalances.

Technology that can help prevent falls is clearly a step in the right direction (no pun intended), but gizmos to keep drivers on the road and help them recognize obstacles in the street would be a welcome advance as well. General Motors is working on just that sort of technology with a smart windshield that can identify the borders of a road in poor visibility and even point out objects in the road. Nice to see GM showing some drive to improve car safety (OK that time the pun was intended).

As someone who has to wake up at 5 AM for work, I understand good sleep is hard to come by. We are all guilty of postponing or missing sleep for various reasons, but the more research that comes out, the worse we find it is for the body to miss out on sleep. Well in an interesting twist, it may be dangerous to get too much sleep as well. Some studies seem to indicate that the risk for stroke in older women who get over 9 hours of sleep increases. These women had an even larger risk than those who caught less than 6 hours.

As we all struggle to deal with an economy that's trying to keep its head above water, another piece of bad news has come down the pipeline. Inflation has reached its highest rate in 17 years according to the Department of Labor. What that means for all of us is spending more on the common household items we use every day. That's another big hit on wallets that are already having to deal with job loss and a weak stock market. Some experts think that part of the problem is the media's portrayal of our economic woes. What do you think?

Age should not be a determining factor in whether or not someone is fit to drive. We've already discussed the need to ensure that every driver is safe enough to be on the road, regardless of age. However, what can be done when it's time to give up the keys? Over half a million drivers over 70 stop driving each year, and this can be problematic. Older Americans who do not drive are likely to have less access to goods and services, make fewer trips to the doctor, and feel isolated from their community. A key tool in combating these issues is good public transportation, but we don't have nearly enough of it in this country. Rural and suburban neighborhoods have a significant shortage in alternatives for those who can't drive, and we need some solutions.

After reading through today's headlines, I will get this post out to you as quickly as possible. Why am I in such a rush? Well it turns out that older email users, particularly those over 70, don't want to waste time waiting for email responses. More than any group, these older emailers want prompt responses to emails they send out. This group also checks their email as much or more than other age groups. So while some demographics try to pare down their internet usage, older internet surfers are showing no sign of letting up. Sorry, to keep you all waiting!

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.

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?

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.

So as I'm sure you all know, tomorrow is July 4th. Not only do we get to celebrate our amazing country, but we get a three day weekend to boot. Millions of Americans will be barbecuing, going to the beach and watching fireworks, but some people are looking for less traditional ways to spend the 4th. If you're looking for activities that are a bit more adventurous, you might want to try skydiving. Not only is it a serious break from the routine, but it's also a great way to stay cool. Check it out!