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WEST NILE VIRUS: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
West Nile Virus (WNV) is transmitted to humans by a mosquito bite. The virus infections range from no symptoms small infections to severe brain infections. West Nile virus was discovered in 1937 in the West Nile district of Uganda. West Nile emerged in the United States for the first time in the New York City area in 1999. There were 62 severe human cases and 7 deaths during this outbreak, creating widespread concern. The cases of severe brain infections (West Nile encephalitis) have increased sharply in the U.S. since 2002, when about 3,000 cases have been reported with 284 fatalities in almost all states, including Nebraska. According to the Center for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) surveillance in 2007 the number of diagnosed encephalitis is 1,217 with 124 fatalities; in Nebraska – 21 cases with 4 deaths. It has been determined that the distribution of the virus is spreading across the United States by infected birds. In a little more than a year, West Nile spread to 11 states along the East Coast. In 2002, the virus spread in large numbers to Florida, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. In 2007, cases were seen in 43 states. Till June 24, 2008 3 brain infections and 10 less severe cases, no deaths, have been reported in Arizona, California, Mississippi, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Texas.
Mosquitoes become infected by biting birds that harbor the virus. The virus is not spread from person to person or from infected birds to humans without a mosquito bite. The virus has now been found in 111 bird species and about a dozen mammals. About one in 150 people infected with WNV will develop severe illness. The severe symptoms can include high fever, headache, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, convulsions, muscle weakness, vision loss, numbness and paralysis. These symptoms may last several weeks, and neurological effects may be permanent. Up to 20 percent of the people who become infected have symptoms such as fever, headache, body aches, nausea, and vomiting, but they are not so severe and last only a few days. Approximately 80 percent of people (about 4 out of 5) who are infected with WNV will not show any symptoms at all. People over the age of 50 are more likely to develop serious symptoms of WNV. Anyone who has symptoms of severe illness such as mental status changes, high fever, neck stiffness, sensitivity to light, or confusion should go to the hospital's emergency department immediately. The easiest and best way to avoid WNV infections is to prevent mosquito bites. When you are outdoors, use insect repellent. Repellents are an important tool to assist people in protecting themselves from mosquito-borne diseases. CDC recommends the use of products containing active ingredients which have been registered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for use as repellents applied to skin and clothing. Products containing DEET, Picardin, Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus (PMD), IR3535 as active ingredients typically provide reasonably long-lasting protection. For more information check out Make sure you have good screens on your windows and doors to keep mosquitoes out. Eliminate standing water where mosquitoes can lay eggs - empty flower pots, pet food and water dishes, buckets, barrels, clogged rain gutters, etc. For more information about WNV activity and prevention visit the Center for Disease Control & Prevention WNV Web site
LIFETIME HEALTH – 25 YEARS HEALTH PROMOTION BY LINCOLN AREA AGENCY ON AGING
The focus of the Lincoln Area Agency on Aging Lifetime Health Program is on disease and injury prevention, physical activity, nutrition, mental wellness, and caregiver support.
The services offered are divided into 3 groups: individual and group screenings, fitness classes, consultations and assessments for family caregivers.
The assessment and screening services include:
The Senior Health Promotion Center is open almost every Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Call 441-7575 for information about the schedule.
The Physical Activity Programs include Aerobic Fitness, Stretch and Tone, Yoga etc. Call the Forever Strong Health Club at the Downtown ActiveAge Center (441-7575) for information about the schedule. Certified personal trainers assist people 60+ with individualized physical activity programs. Watch the Lifetime Health programs on 5-City TV as well. The following four 30-minute exercises are aired daily: Pilates – 6:00 & 8:00 a.m.; Forever Strong Strength Workout – 6:30 & 8:30 a.m.; Exercise for a Lifetime – 7:00 & 9:00 a.m.; Yoga – Refresh and Renew – 7:30 & 9:30 a.m. Check the Monthly Program Guide of the 5 City TV for more details:
The Family Caregiver Services include:
Appointment can be set up at home of the caregiver or another location. Call 441-7575 for more information.
In addition to the services, The Lifetime Educational Program includes 30-60 minute lectures and demonstrations for community, church and social groups. There is a good choice of popular programs as for example: ‘Attitude Tune-up’ (positive attitude in meeting life’s challenges); ‘Enlighten – A New Light on Depression in Older Adults’; ‘Fall Prevention’; ‘What’s Your Excuse?’ (not to exercise) etc. You can find more information on the LAAA Web site The newest initiatives of the ActiveAge Centers include an Arthritis Self-Help Course, as well as a class on AARP Driver Safety Program. Call 441-7575 or 441-6076 for more information.
The Lifetime Health program manager Peggy Apthorpe is always open to new ideas and recommendations. E-mail her papthorpe@lincoln.ne.gov or call her at 441-7796.
A FEDERAL NURSING-HOME RATING SYSTEM COMING SOON
In the U.S. there are about 16,000 nursing homes. About 1.5 millions Americans live in them. These numbers are expected to rise as the baby-boom generation ages. But for seniors and their families, it is often difficult to get enough information before they choose a nursing home.
The government is going to put in place a rating system for the nursing homes by the end of the year. It will give each nursing home from one to five stars based on reliable and validated information on staffing personnel, quality measures as well as on government inspection results. The new system will be put first on a Medicare Web site. “The fact a home has a lower rating will likely put them on the path to improvement," said Kerry Weems, acting administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
In announcing their intentions, federal officials also unveiled new regulations that will require all nursing homes to have in place sprinkler systems by 2013. Homes that fail to have the sprinkler systems could not serve Medicare participants.
They are several ways to get information about the local nursing homes. Senior people can always address the Lincoln Area Agency on Aging. By visiting LAAA Web site http://www.lincoln.ne.gov/city/mayor/aging/options.htm , or the LAAA Senior Foundation Web site http://www.seniorsfoundation.org/localResources.html , or by calling 441-7070 information on all local nursing- and assisted living facilities can be obtained.
Another local source of information is Answers4Families - a project of the Center on Children, Families, and the Law at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, supported by Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Visit their Web site at
Nationwide, UCompareHealthCare - a New York Times company – provides regularly updated, comparative information on the nursing homes. Try their ‘Find a Nursing Home’ – page at http://www.ucomparehealthcare.com/nursinghome_start.html .
Programs help Caregivers and their families
Do you assist with care for a parent, spouse or disabled family member? You are not alone… One in four Americans is a family caregiver. And you may qualify for many free or low cost services.
ElderCare Connection is a public service of Lincoln Area Agency on Aging, which helps older adults and their families and caregivers from 8 counties in Southeast Nebraska find their way through the maze of services for seniors by identifying trustworthy local support resources.
For all programs in all counties call 1-800-247-0838. For Lincoln area call Lincoln/Lancaster LIFE office - 441-7070!
The family caregivers and older adults can choose from various services:
Caregiver Education and Support Group is a joint venture of the LAAA programs and Madonna Adult Day Services. This group meets the second Thursday of the month from 7-9 p.m. at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, providing opportunities to discuss issues and problems in an atmosphere of understanding and support. The education gatherings are every fourth Tuesdays at Saint Paul United Methodist Church, 1144 ‘M’ Street. For information call 441-7070.
Additional support: Answers4Families.org is a project of the Center on Children, Families, and the Law at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and is supported by funding from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. Their mission is to provide information, opportunities for dialogue, education, and support to Nebraskans with special needs and their families. Visit their Web site at Nebraska Resource and Referral System (NRRS) is a statewide database created with input from Nebraska families, service providers and organizations. Visit their Web site at
Local programs help older adults locate work by Larry Lazarov ‘Operation ABLE’ is a program of Lincoln Area Agency on Aging providing employment counseling and job-search assistance to persons 50 and older in an eight-county service area: Butler, Fillmore, Lancaster, Polk, Salina, Saunders, Seward and York. Operation ABLE also works to promote the attributes and value of experienced workers to the employers of our community.
All services provided by Operation ABLE are free. People seeking gainful employment, who are at least 50 years of age and residents of the eight-county area, are welcome to use the program services. The program office is located in downtown Lincoln at 1010 N Street – Gold’s Galleria Building. To make an appointment with an employment counselor, call 441-7064 or 1-800-247-0938. Donations are accepted through the Seniors Foundation, 441-6179.
Nationwide the Operation ABLE (Ability Based on Long Experience) has a long history. It is a longstanding program of LAAA including both work with clients seeking job search assistance and work with employers who have job listings. It is included as a resource of the ‘National Able Network’. A local partner is the Nebraska Workforce ‘One Stop Career Center’.
Another program of interest for seniors is the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP). This program, funded under Title V of the Older Americans Act as well as state and local grants, helps low-income individuals of age 55 and older, who are interested in getting training and work experience so they can find a job in the community. Annual family income must not be more than 125% of the established federal poverty income guidelines.
Through this program, participants are placed at eligible host agencies (primarily at faith-based and community organizations) for which they are paid the minimum wage for an average of 20 hours per week. A host agency is either a private nonprofit organization (other than a political party) that is tax exempt under section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue code of 1954, or a public agency operated by a unit of government.
This program is administered by Experience Works, Inc. - a national, charitable, community-based organization. Experience Works has offices nationwide. You can reach the main office for Nebraska calling toll free 1-800-782-7519. If you are eligible and interested to be placed at an appropriate host agency in Lincoln area as an SCSEP participant, call the Experience Works office in Lincoln, 742-3770. This office is also located on 1010 N Street – Gold’s Galleria Building, Suite 150.
Thirty-eight percent of Experience Work's SCSEP participants found permanent jobs, notably as teachers' aides, emergency dispatchers, care providers, and clerical assistants.
by Larry Lazarov With an estimated 15 trillion dollars under their control, American senior citizens have become not only sales targets but fraud and scam targets for insurance, investment, telemarketing and Internet schemes. Individuals who grew up in the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s were generally raised to be polite and trusting. Two very important and positive personality traits, except when it comes to dealing with a con-man. The con-man will exploit these traits knowing that it is difficult or impossible for these individuals to say "no" or just hang up the phone. When it comes to products that promise increased cognitive function, virility, physical conditioning, anti-cancer properties and so on, older Americans are especially concerned and more pliant. Be very careful of “anti-aging” products. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. If you're age 60 or older, you may be a special target for people who sell bogus products and services by phone. Older women living alone are special targets of these scam artists. Telemarketing scams often involve offers of prizes, low-cost vitamins and health care products, and travel offers. There are warning signs to these scams, including promises of "free" or "low cost" vacations and get rich quick schemes. If you hear “lines” like "You must act 'now' or the offer won't be good." from a telephone salesperson, just say "no thank you," and hang up the phone. Senior citizens are frequent targets of Medicare schemes, especially by medical equipment manufacturers who offer seniors free medical products in exchange for their Medicare numbers. Carefully review your health insurer's explanation of the benefits statement. Providers could bill insurers for services never rendered.
Use caution when purchasing drugs on the Internet. Consult your pharmacist or physician if your prescription drug looks suspicious.
As Internet use among Senior Citizens increases, so does their chances to fall victim to Internet Fraud. Internet Fraud includes Internet auction fraud, non-delivery of items ordered over the Internet and credit/debit card fraud. Make sure you understand how an auction works before participating. Purchase merchandise always from a reputable source. Don't give out your credit card number(s) online unless the site is a secure and reputable site. Sometimes a tiny icon of a padlock appears to symbolize a higher level of security to transmit data. This icon is not a guarantee of a secure site, but might provide you some assurance. Don't trust a site just because it claims to be secure.
Senior Citizens, as they plan for retirement, may fall victim to investment schemes. International fraud artists have invented an investment scheme that offers extremely high yields in a relatively short period of time. In this scheme, they purport to have access to "bank guarantees" which they can buy at a discount and sell at a premium. By reselling the "bank guarantees" several times, they claim to be able to produce exceptional returns on investment. To make their schemes more enticing, con artists often refer to the "guarantees" as being issued by the world's "Prime Banks." The purpose of these frauds is generally to encourage the victim to send money to a foreign bank where it is eventually transferred to an off-shore account that is in the control of the con artist.
A ‘Ponzi’ scheme is essentially an investment fraud wherein the operator promises high financial returns or dividends that are not available through traditional investments. Instead of investing victims' funds, the operator pays "dividends" to initial investors using the principle amounts "invested" by subsequent investors. The scheme generally falls apart when the operator flees with all of the proceeds, or when a sufficient number of new investors cannot be found to allow the continued payment of "dividends."
Senior investors should beware of the high surrender fees and steep sales commissions agents often earn when they move investor into variable annuities. Of particular concern are ‘Free Lunch Seminars’ where seniors are urged by bogus ‘specialists’ to invest in unsuitable investment products.
You could report investment scams and any problems with your investments to the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance, consumer hotline (877) 471-3445, in Lincoln: 471-2171. The Nebraska Department of Insurance has a Fraud Prevention Department responsible for confronting insurance fraud problems by prevention, investigation, and prosecution. Call (402) 471-2201.
The nationwide Coalition against Insurance Fraud has fraud bureaus which are state agencies that detect, investigate and prevent insurance scams. All bureaus invite citizens to phone in hot tips about suspected scams. To report fraud to the Nebraska bureau call 1-402-471-4999.
A Nebraska homestead exemption provides relief from property taxes by exempting all or a portion of the valuation of the homestead from taxation. It is available to the following groups:
All eligible persons, who on January 1 are homestead owners and occupants, must submit to their county assessor, Form 458 after February 1 and before June 30 of each year. To those, who have previously been granted a homestead exemption, the form will be mailed in January. Program information and applications are available through your County Assessor. You can download the form as well as get more information at http://www.revenue.ne.gov/homestead.htm . LAAA provides assistance with filling out the homestead exemption application. You may call 441-7070 and arrange an appointment. Fore more information you can also contact the Department of Health & Human Services – 471-623. By Lazarin (Larry) Lazarov The global aging of the world population appeared to be both one of the most important achievement of the 20th Century and one of the most important challenges of the 21st Century. Advances in sciences, technology and medicine, leading to reduction in infant and maternal mortality, infectious and parasitic diseases, occupational safety, improvements in nutrition and education, made it possible for people worldwide to live longer and, in some parts of the world, healthier lives. But longer lives require societal planning and global cooperative efforts. On April 12, 2002, the World Assembly on Ageing adopted an “International Plan of Action on Ageing”, which seeks to ensure that people everywhere will age with security and dignity, and continue to participate in their societies as citizens with full rights. With coordinated efforts of the United Nations, US Census Bureau, and the Statistical Office of the European Communities, regional survey data have been accumulated and the most important trends identified. In March 2007 a “Summit on Global Aging”, hosted by the US State Department in collaboration with the National Institute on Aging issued a report containing important data and outlining interesting trends. The administration on Aging, an agency in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services also plays a vital role in information exchange with other nations concerning aging issues. The steady increase of older age groups may affect economic growth and many other issues, including the sustainability of families, the ability of states and communities to provide resources for older citizens, and international relations. The need of rigorous cross-national scientific research and policy dialogue is imperative and inevitable. Let’s see some data making impression and needing consideration. In 2006, almost 500 million people worldwide were 65 and older. By 2030, that total is projected to increase to 1 billion – 1 in every 8 of the earth’s inhabitants. Significantly, the most rapid increases in the 65- and-older population are occurring in developing countries, which will see a jump of 140 percent by 2030. In 1960, men on average could expect to spend 46 years in the workforce and a little more than one year in retirement. By 1995, the number of years in the workforce had decreased to 37 while the number of years in retirement had jumped to 12. While Europe currently has four people of working age for every older citizen, it will have only two workers per older citizen by 2050 as a result of the baby boom generation retiring and life expectancy increasing.
The following emerging trends in global aging have been identified:
Population aging will have dramatic effects on local, regional, and global economies. Most significantly, financial expenditures, labor supply, and total savings will be affected. The outlined trends represent challenges and opportunities for the governments for cross-national collaboration and policy development. It is necessary to involve older persons in the development process and to make use of their desire to stay active and engaged. An increasing number of countries are evaluating the sustainability of old-age social insurance system. Some governments have begun to plan for the long term, but most have not. The window of opportunities for reform is closing fast as the pace of population aging accelerates.
By Larry Lazarov Ageism is a social attitude. It is way of looking at older people that stereotypes them – usually based on prejudice. The stereotyped notions present the older people both with some positive and negative traits. Historically the stereotypes have changed from assuming all older people are wise or caring to stereotyping as weak, frail, slow to accept change, even as a burden on society. This is connected with the life in industrial society and the perceiving that personal value is tied to a paid work. Ageism, based on the perception of older people as non-valuable and non productive can form the notion, and the respective attitude, that they have lost their financial independence and become dependent on others, on the society. But this contradicts to the reality. That’s why ageism should be combated by learning, teaching, identifying the myths and misinformation, highlighting the contributions of older adults to our society. They are demographic and economic factors of the ageism development. The average age of the population of most countries inexorably increases. The policy - the longer salaried employees worked for a company the more they should be paid - gradually has been changed. The old have come to serve as a balance between the supply and demand of workforce for the labor market. The mandatory retirement and the policy of requiring all employees to retire at age 65 and encouraging some employees to retire at an even earlier age have become cocommon practice. It is disastrous for an employee to lose his/her job unprepared for retirement at a age of about 60.
The Age Discrimination Act of 1975 prohibits discrimination based on age in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. This act does not cover employment discrimination. Complaints of employment discrimination based on age may be filed with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act. This act is the major federal law that prohibits employers from discriminating against employees and applicants who are at least 40 years old on the basis of their age. Many state laws also prohibit discrimination on the basis of age. In addition, the federal Older Workers Benefit Protection Act makes it illegal to use an employee's age as a basis for discrimination in benefits and retirement. Under this law, health or life insurance benefits cannot be reduced for older employees, nor their pensions can be stopped from accruing if they work past their normal retirement age. The act also prohibits employers from forcing employees to take early retirement. An early retirement plan is legal only if it gives the employee a choice between two options: keeping things as they are or choosing to retire under a plan that makes the employee better off than he or she was previously. This choice must be a genuine one; the employee must be free to reject the offer. To learn more about the Age Discrimination in Employment Act and the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, log onto the web site of the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, at www.eeoc.gov. For assistance or complaints you may call the State of Nebraska Equal Opportunity Commission at (402)471-2024 or 1-800-642-6112. Have You Ever Thought of Writing an Ethical Will? Many people, especially seniors, have written ethical wills – letters to their family, friends, or community. The ethical wills are not considered legal documents as compared to ‘living wills’ – they are a way to share and documentary preserve your legacy of values, wishes, admonitions, blessings, love or forgiveness. People of any age have written ethical wills – usually at turning points and transitions in their lives or when facing challenging life situations. But they are especially common at older age when people harvest their life experience and convert this experience into wisdom. Ethical wills may be one of the most meaningful gifts you can leave to your family and community. They usually reflect the voice of the heart and the accumulated wisdom. They express life’s lessons and contain both important personal values and beliefs and important spiritual values. The writing of a will may help preserving valuable stories. By saying what we value now, we can take steps to insure the continuation of those values for future generations. Such a will could provide a sense of completion in our lives. We all want to be remembered and to leave something of our ethics and morale behind. There are many web sites to help you write an ethical will, just type ‘ethical will’ into your search engine.
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