My Son (Daughter) Shortie is gone

Many of you who know me personally know about my two sons, Willy and Shorty. Willy is a White-Eyed Conure and Shortie is a Genday Conure. A conure is a small breed of parrot. Willy is a loving, cheeky bird who is as likely to bite you as he is to kiss you and he definitely dislikes my hubby. They had a falling out many years ago and no one but Willy can remember what is was about, but now he is a Momma's boy and my cherished pet. At night when I say I love him, he answers, "I love you too" and I've lovingly taught him how to roll over on my chest like a puppy. He has a vocabulary of about 25 words and knows when to use which words in a situation. Willy is 17 and we've had him since he was 2.

We acquired Shortie several years ago from his second owner and don't know much about him. He's beautiful with brilliant feathers of yellow, orange, red, green and even bright blue, but other than that, a most unremarkable bird. He's never wanted out of his cage, didn't talk much, and mostly kept to himself.

Last week I took them both to an Avian Vet, mostly because Willy was pulling out his own feathers (a reaction. we think, to being left with a sitter while we were on the cruise). To my utter surprise, we discovered when we got there that Shortie was in serious health, breathing heaving and puffed up. Birds of this type are renowned for hiding their own illnesses, a characteristic that keeps other birds/animals from attacking them in the wild. I felt terrible that he was so ill, but the doc assured me he had probably hid it quite well up to then.

The doc examined, trimmed, and discharged Willy, but he kept Shortie over the weekend while he performed several tests to determine the cause of his illness. Somewhere through the process, while Shortie was under anesthesia, he passed away. It was determined through an autopsy that he had a severe respiratory infection and they are doing lab work to make sure he didn't have something that could be passed on to Willy or even us.

The outcome of all of this was that we lost one of our family members who'd been with us for about 15 years; we learned our son Shortie was a girl; and we're about $1700 poorer than when we started out.

Perhaps losing Shortie first was better, because it might help me deal better with the loss of Willy when his time comes. Parrots can live to be very old, some as old as 95 to 100, although this breed only lives to be in their 20s. Since Willy is 17 now, I guess I have to consider the possibility that he might not be with us forever.

When I've mentioned the loss of Shortie to my friends, inevitably they will respond back about the loss of one of their pets and how they are still trying to get over it. We form such strong bonds with our pets. Some of my friends show more love to their cats and dogs and birds and reptiles than they do to their kids or spouses--perhaps because animals are so non-judgmental, so forgiving, so simple in their love. And as we get older, we can count on them to stay with us and not venture off to start lives of their own. We count on them to love us regardless of whether we're wrinkled or flabby. And they receive our love so unconditionally and so unabashedly.

If you'd like to share stories about your pets, please click on the word "comments" below.

America's Afforable Health Choices Act of 2009

As the editor of a newsletter for Baby Boomers called BOOMER-ING, I feel compelled to comment on the proposed new legislation drafted by the House of Representatives called H.R.3200, America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009, also called Obamacare by opponents. With over 70 million Boomers requiring medical care now or being on the brink of requiring it as we age, this legislation will smack us right in the face.

I also feel compelled to be objective, so I have read several articles about the House legislation and the bill written by Senator Ten Kennedy's committee; I've read the official summary of the House bill; and I've even read a good deal of the 1018 page draft House bill itself.

I'm sorry, the best I can say is that it gives me cold chills and a headache to read these documents. The draft House Bill is filled with mandates, requirements, federal committees to monitor the new system, penalties for employers, federal oversight, federal subsidies, disclosures, surcharges for individuals, increased funding, higher taxes, higher premiums to cover those unable to pay, etc., etc., etc. The 170 page Kennedy proposed bill, called the American Health Choices Act, would guarantee health coverage for every American, but doesn't include cost estimates or specifics on how to pay for the expansion.

So here's what I'm going to do. I'm going to give you some sites where you can go and read about this legislation yourself. And then let me know your comments and/or concerns below.

Sites:
1) Entire House Bill: http://docs.house.gov/edlabor/AAHCA-BillText-071409.pdf
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3200:

2) Official Summary of House Bill: http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3200/show Click on “Offcial Summary” button and then on “Read the Rest.”

3) Coverage for Illegal Aliens: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/08/27/health.care.immigrants/index.html

4) Understanding the Kennedy Health Care Bill: http://keithhennessey.com/2009/06/08/kennedy-health-bill/

5) Small Business Faces Big Bite: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124759535535340189.html

6) Kennedy Readies Health Care Bill: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/05/AR2009060504036.html

Those Awful Night Sweats

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, exhausted and miserable? Night sweats can be caused by many things. You could be having menopause night sweats, MS night sweats, cancer night sweats, or you might just be reacting to certain medications. I often hear people in our age group (particulary women) complaining about this unpleasant feeling.

Sometimes I wake up sweating just because I'm cold when I go to sleep, so I pile on the covers and then wake up in the middle of the night wet from head to foot.
Thomkins Research in Snook, Texas has come up with a wonderful solution to this common problem of sleeping hot, regardless of the cause. They've invented the Bedfan®. This simple device takes the cooler air found under your bed, processes it through a transformer, and using fans, forces it right between your sheets to create a cool flow of air around your body as you sleep.

This is a great idea, because not only does it make you sleep better, but it cuts down on your air conditioning bill. That's becasue the Bedfan® is cheaper to operate and more concentrated than central air. Could be the solution you're looking for.

Myrtle Beach Golf

I love it here in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Actually we live just south of the town in a smaller town called Murrells Inlet. Myrtle Beach is a dynamic town on a long stretch of beach called the Grand Strand and is loaded with activities: restaurants, glamorous nightclubs, amusement parks, and both regular and outlet shopping. But best of all is the golf. Myrtle Beach and the surrounding area is known for it's golf courses, 102 of them at last count, and the courses here are some of the most beautiful, challenging and rewarding courses you'll find in the United States.

If you love the sport of golf, you can take Myrtle Beach Golf Vacations that combine golf during the day, beach fun in the afternoon and either miniature golf or the night scene in the evening. Myrtle Beach Golf Packages are available at a variety of courses and can accommodate any budget requirements.

When you Golf Myrtle Beach, you won't forget the experience. And for the rest of the year, you'll be thinking about coming back. Suddenly every holiday or vacation period will make your mind drift to the Grand Strand and the fun you can have there. I know, we came here more than 25 years on vacations before we finally moved here, and we never got tired of the golf or our vacation experience on the beach.

Mesothelioma

I hear the word mesothelioma a lot these days. I guess its mostly on TV, because I don't know of anyone in person who has it. But I sometimes I worry about getting it or one of my former co-workers getting it. Its a cancer which attacks the mesothelium, the protective covering over most of the body's organs.

The most common form is pleural mesothelioma which attacks the outer lining of the lungs and the chest cavity. The most common cause is exposure to asbestos. I worked in an old federal building for years that supposedly had asbestos in the insulation, but we were told it was sealed off. That still makes me shudder to think about it.

The mesothelioma prognosis is poor; none of the treatment modalities (chemotherapy or radiation) cure it yet. But I just read about a gentleman, Paul Kraus who was diagnosed with mesothelioma and was given a few months to live. That was 8 years ago. He rejected surgery, chemo and radiation and came up with his own treatment plan which encompassed mind, body, and spirit. He's written a book called Surviving Mesothelioma Other Cancers: A Patient's Guide which shares the secrets to his success. Might be a good read if you have or fear this pervasive disease.

Defective Defibrillator Leads

As we boomers age, we start becoming victim to heart disease. Everyone is suddenly talking about high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attacks or other cardiovascular problems. For example, my husband has Cardiomyopathy and several of my friends and neighbors have had bypasses, stints, defibrillators, or pacemakers.

And not only do Boomers have to deal with problems like this, but we also have to worry about heart care products that are defective. I was just reading that Medtronic Inc. has removed its Sprint Fidelis defibrillation leads from the market because five patient deaths have been linked to the devices. A defibrillator is a device implanted in the patient near the shoulder that has one or more leads which connect it to the heart. When the patient has an abnormal heart rhythm, the defibrillator senses it and automatically sends an electric shock which resets the heart to a normal beat.

The Medtronic defibrillator recall was necessary because a fractured lead can cause a defibrillator to deliver unnecessary shocks to the heart or not operate at all. Medtronic has asked doctors to stop implanting the leads and to return unused leads to Medtronic. If you or a loved one was an unlucky recipient of one of these defibrillators, you might want know about the debrillator lead lawsuit. If so visit the following website to learn about your rights: http://www.youhaverights.com/medical-devices/medtronic-sprint-fidelis-defibrillation-leads/.

HydroWorx Pools

What could be better than keeping fit in a pool? I know many Boomers who either do water aerobics or water walking in a pool to keep in shape. But there's a company called HydroWorx that has pools specifically designed for indoor exercise, home healthcare and sports.

They have hydrotherapy and rehab pools, and swim spas which can be installed in your home or business that have underwater treadmills, resistance jets you can swim against, massage jets for just relaxing and some of them even have heart monitoring equipment. These pools, some of which have graduated water depths, are ideal for aquatic therapy/rehabilitation, sports conditioning or just family fun. I've already started looking around the house for somewhere I could install one. I've always wanted a pool with the resistance jets that let you feel you're swimming long distances when you're actually swimming in place.

If you're interested in the HydroWorx pools, they'll send you a free brochure with a CD. Just go to: http://hydroworx.com/contact-us-pro.aspx. Aging might not be so bad if we have these types of products to help us through our golden years.

Unwanted hair, Yuck!

Funny, it's the young gals and guys who seem to be the ones to have permanent facial hair removal, but its us old codgers, the baby boomers, who generally have the most unwanted hair. As you age, unsightly hair seems to pop out everywhere; not only the face, but the chin, the fingers, the back, even the toes.

There's an answer now--laser hair removal--and its simple and painless. I was just reading how it works. The hair removal laser is able to focus on the hair rather than your skin, because it's designed to target the dark melanin of the the hair in the follicle rather than the lighter-colored skin surrounding it. Because the laser is focused on such a small target, the effects on the skin in minimal. But as with any other cosmetic procedure, finding the right, skilled practitioner is important.

If you live in the NYC area, you might want to consider Laser Hair Removal NYC. They have six hair removal spas throughout the metropolitan area staffed by trained professionals who are under the guidance of a physician. You can even schedule a complimentary test patch.

Defective Hip Replacement Cups

I played golf the other day with a lady who was recovering from a hip replacement. She played great, but she wasn't satisfied because she said she was having to use a different swing. The reason: she didn't have to adjust to the pain she has suffered from so much in the past. From my experience, most of the hip replacements I've heard of have been quite successful and even cause the recipients to have a new lease on life. But occasionally I hear about some that aren't so uccessful, often because there's a defect in the prosthetic hip.

One problem I've heard about relates to issues on the Zimmer Durom cup. An orthopedic researcher and surgeon, Larry Dorr, MD, has found that a very high rate of Durom hip cups implanted at his clinic needed to be surgically revised within two years of implantation.If you know someone with this type of hip replacement and they've had trouble, you might want to direct them to a Durom lawyer who's been filing Durom lawsuits on behalf of the recipients of these faulty devices.

For more information, visit the following site to not only learn about the defective Durom cup, but also about other artificial hips with defects: http://www.mctplaw.com/joint-replacement/zimmer-durom.php

Fitness Machines

I'm really not big on exercise and I know I need to do more. As we age, fitness becomes even more important and it's not too late for us Boomers to want to be buff and sexy, even though it's a lot harder to achieve the older we get.Today there's all kinds of technology to help us get fit and improve our lifestlye. The best website I've seen recently that sells more fitness machines than I've ever seen in one place is: http://www.smoothfitness.com/.

They have something called smooth fitness agile trainers that you step on, and some of these even have adjustable fans or speakers. Then there's elipticals with variying resistence levels; every kind of treadmill you can imagine (one even has a 15 inch, flatscreen TV); there's bikes (either recumbent or upright--one actually has a Body fat and BMI calculator); and they also offer combos where you can save some major bucks if you buy two machines.

They even ask you several questions on the site to help you pick the equipment that's best for you. "We have the technology;" now all we Boomers need is the time and fortitude to exercise.

Internet an aid to aging

The thing I like best about the Internet is that it will help us grow old independently. Once we're able to monitor our health at home, have our floors cleaned with an iRobot Roomba, have our meals brought in by Gourmet Meals on the Go, and have our every movement monitored by a medical alarm in case we fall, we're ready to stay home until we die. The Internet is a conduit to all this and when we run out of toilet paper or or other personal care items and we're too old to drive to the store, all we have to do is order them online and someone delivers them.

Now let's say you're a old guy and your electric shaver breaks. It's tough going from store to store looking at various shavers, comparing prices and features. So instead, you go to the Internet and search for Men+Grooming+Electric Razors. Voila, a whole list of electric razors with their prices and features appears before you eyes. All you have to do is point and click and the one you like is yours. No getting dressed, no scary drives when you can barely see the road, no danger to other drivers on the road who might be in your path. Within a day or two, that cute FTS gal with the fetching shorts is at your door with your new razor.

Everything is on the web, from skin care products to Smiley Face Soap. You can can find anything and everything for sale on the web.

Increased levels of lipoprotein (a) linked to heart attacks

Researchers in Denmark have recently completed a study which shows that increased levels of liprotein(a), a genetically produced cholesterol also known as Lp(a), are associated with a higher risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack). The study was reported in the American Journal of Medicine on June 10.

Using data from three separate studies that included 40,486 participants and 2,2824 myocardial infarctions (MIs), Borge Nordesgaard, MD, DMSc and his colleagues at Herlov Hospital were able to determine that there is a causal relationship between elevated levels of Lp(a) and the risk of heart attack. Unfortunately it's not clear how this information can be used on a clinical basis, and there are currently no drugs available that "preferentially" lower the level of lipoprotein(a).

Levels of high density and low density lipoprotein cholesterol are currently measured by a simple blood test, but the level of Lp(a) has not been measured previously, because it was unclear whether it was an effective measure to indicate the potential for heart disease. Nordesgaard feels the findings justify a larger, randomized intervention trial which will demonstrate if MI risk is reduced with Lp(a)- lowering therapy.

Other physicians and editorialists are less enthusiastic about the study results. They say that even if there was a well-tolerated medication that can reduce Lp(a), it's not clear whether it would have a significant effect on the reduction of the risk of MI.

For similar articles, visit http://www.examiner.com/x-6347-Columbia-Health-Care-Examiner

Supplements

Alternative medicine and health care supplements are the rage now and it seems that everyone is either buying them or selling them. Depending upon who you talk to, their product is the best. I'm not sure how I feel about them. Doctors rarely recommend them and they don't have to be approved by the FDA. On the other hand, I know many people who swear by the good health they promote.

I saw a company on the Internet, Oasis Advanced Wellness, that has many interesting alternative health care products. For example, they have a supplement called intraMAX™ that contains “organic microcomplexed minerals and over 415 daily essential nutrients". They say you need this supplement because organic minerals are essential to good health and disease prevention. According to the testimonials listed below the product, as least two people have had remarkable results with it. It also contains fulvic acid which is touted to contain elements of all living matter, but when I checked out fulvic acid in the Encyclopedia Britannica on line, all I saw was that it is an acidic organic polymer extracted from humus. It didn't say anything about it being a life-sustaining force for the ole human body.

They have another product called Poly MVA, a palladium lipoic complex, that “MAY” assist in increasing immune responses. It's also supposed to increase the charge density of DNA in the cell. Wow! When you take it, you have more energy and it supports your liver in processing harmful substances. But my favorite product is the Natural Sunscreen which not only nourishes but repairs the skin. Apparently the zinc oxide in it captures the suns rays and makes the skin produce Vitamin D.

My theory is: If it makes you feel better, take it or use it. But be sure to let your Doctor know in case there may be contraindications when taken with other prescription drugs.

Dust Abatement and Asthma

Although, we usually think of asthma as a childhood disease and something we'll outgrow, many adults and us Boomer-age adults suffer from it—me for one. A study by the National Center for Environmental Health Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that almost 9% of the U.S. population between the ages of 54 and 64 suffers with asthma and 7.5% of adults over the age of 64 have it. I believe this number is higher. Many experts note that new cases of asthma are harder to diagnose in older adults because a major symptom of asthma is wheezing which may occur with other lung conditions, such as emphysema or heart failure.

You also hear that children outgrow asthma, but from my own experience, I think asthma sufferers just become more adept at avoiding the allergens such as dust, mold and animal protein that trigger it. For example, I totally avoid furry animals, because I know exposure to them over a period of a couple of hours can trigger an asthmatic attack, and I'm getting more adept at avoiding mold, even though it's hard to see, but the worst problem for me is dust. It's everywhere, in our houses, in our cars and even in the air we breathe outside. As roads and infrastructures age and deteriorate, they increase the dust in the atmosphere and then the reconstruction of roads, bridges and building complexes adds dust particles to the air.

Recently the EPA issued guidelines for dust control, dust abatement and PM10 regulations. That means it's important for state and local governments to do as much as they can to economically control Particulate Matter of 10 microns in diameter or smaller. By taking corrective dust control/abatement measures, it's hoped that governments and businesses will dramatically reduce dust in the environment which will ultimately decrease the suffering of those with asthma and other breathing disorders.

New Cars

Although I thought it was about time I finally got my Mercedes, my husband had other ideas and decided it was time he needed a new SUV. Since he hauls a lot of “stuff”: golf clubs, morel mushrooms, and people, he decided to go with the big Yukon XL. It's a nice ride and gets surprisingly good mileage and uses flex fuel if it's available in the area. But it's way too big for me. I'll probably never drive it unless there is an emergency.

The 2009 Toyota Corolla is a nice car. There's two versions of it: the basic edition and the sportier Corolla XRS. The basic edition is more attractive than the previous model and gets 27/35 mpg, but the XRS has better power and handling and includes some leather trim and nice sports seats. I like Chrysler cars too. The 2009 Sebring convertible is a jewel and with the closing of so many dealerships, bargains galore are out there. The Chrysler Aspen Hybrid has distinguished itself too by being on the of classiest “green vehicles”.

If you like a more upscale vehicle, you might want to consider the Lincoln MKS, a new brand for 2009. It has a double winged grille which is reminiscent of the 1941 Lincoln Continental and is something you'll likely see more of in the future. One reviewer stated, “It does look pretty damn cool.” And finally, there's the 2009 Acura TL that's has been completely redesigned by Honda. It's long on style with angles and creases and performs well too. The TL SW-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive), has a 305-hp, 3.7-liter V-6 engine that sends power to all four corners to make it a smooth ride, but still responsive.

Isn't it about time for a new car?

IBM selected by Taiwan university to develop in-home health monitoring system

Ling Tung University of Taiwan has recently selected IBM to help them develop a health-care examination system that can be used at home (or anywhere) by elderly Taiwanese patients. The system is being developed in response to a program called Senior U-Care Flagship which was initiated by the Department of Industrial Technology under Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Like many developed countries, including the United States, Taiwan is experiencing a quickly aging population. Taiwan's Council for Economic Planning and Development forecasts that by 2025, more than 20% of the population will be over 65; estimates for the United States are about 19%.

The first phase of the homecare network developed by Ling Tung University will use IBM's software (Maximore Asset Management) to create a healthcare monitoring platform that will record vital patient data such as, height, weight, body temperature, pulse, blood glucose levels and heart functions. This data will eventually be used by other health care, social and government organizations to provide important feedback that will help the elderly and their families know when and how medical treatment can be provided.

According to Jhih-ming Chen, Director of the Department of Information Networking and System Administration at Ling Tung University, "The management of senior citizen's health requires monitoring, recording, maintenance, repair, follow-up and reporting, and these processes and related data are closely intertwined."

A medical alarm that detects a fall

When I was younger, I never understood why it was so important for my grandparents and parents to maintain their independence as they grew older. Now I do and I'm always thinking about how I can be independent when I'm in my 80s and 90s. With more services on the Internet, we'll be able to order food and household supplies online, and we'll be able to do all our banking online what with the wonders of EFT and now scanning software where you can scan in checks directly to your account without ever leaving the house. Someday, over the next 20 years, I think we'll have in-home diagnostic equipment so the doc can examine us and prescribe medication without us ever leaving the house, and eventually there will be backup computers that will kick in when our memory fails or we suffer from dementia.

But what if you fall and it happens so fast you can't push a button to signal emergency personnel? The answer is already here. There's a Medical Alarm made by BrickHouse Security that alerts emergency personnel at any time (24/7) when it detects the motion of a fall. You could fall and be unconscious, but someone will still be alerted to come and get you. And the device also has a panic button so you can summon help whenever you feel you are in trouble.

BrickHouse Security also a makes a bracelet with a GPS tracking device. If you get lost and don't know where you are, you use the speaker phone to call for help. Emergency personnel are able to determine your location from the GPS and help is sent. This is also an excellent product for folks who suffer with Alzheimers and sometimes wander off. So feel a little better about maintaining your independence as you age. BrickHouse Security has brought the future to the present.

A Cure for Night Sweats?

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night drenched in sweat, exhausted and miserable? Night sweats can be caused by many things. You could be having menopause night sweats, MS night sweats, cancer night sweats, or you might just be reacting to certain medications. I often hear people in our age group (particulary women) complaining about this unpleasant feeling.

Thomkins Research in Snook, Texas has come up with a wonderful solution to this common problem of sleeping hot, regardless of the cause. They've invented the Bedfan® which takes the cooler air found under your bed, processes it through a transformer, and using fans, forces it right between your sheets to create a comfortable flow of air around your body as you sleep.

Not only does this help your maintain a comfortable sleeping level, but it allows you to adjust down your AC, because the Bedfan®provides a cheaper, more concentrated cooling of the exact space you occupy. Many users have written testimonials praising the developer and telling him how they wished they would have had the Bedfan® 20 years ago when they were suffering the most. Could be the solution you're looking for.

Is Direct TV a good idea!

Do you have Cable or Direct TV? The major difference between the two, of course, is that Cable TV uses radio frequency signals to transmit to home TVs through either fixed optical fibers or coaxial cables, whereas DirectTV uses America's number 1 satellite to transmit TV programming.

I recently found a site that compared the DirecTV system with Cable; and the Directv Service came out way ahead when it came to digital quality, number of High Density (HD) channels, customer satisfaction, and the number of exclusive Sports packages. There's no activation fee with DirecTV and they include a DVR service with certain packages that includes 100 hours of recording.

So if you're considering switching from cable to satellite, I'd recommend DirecTV if you're looking for quality and maximum programming.

Myrtle Beach Golf

One of the best things my husband and I have ever did was to move to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. It's a beautiful, dynamic little town on a stretch of the Atlantic Ocean called the Grand Strand. But more than the beaches, the outlet shopping and the restaurants, Myrtle Beach is known for it's golf courses, 102 of them at last count. And the courses here are some of the most beautiful, challenging and rewarding courses you'll find in the United States.

If you love the sport of golf, Myrtle Beach Golf Vacations combine the opportunity to enjoy world class courses during the day while you enjoy the beach and the night scene in the evening. Myrtle Beach Golf Packages are available at a variety of courses and can accommodate any budget requirements.

When you Golf Myrtle Beach, you'll have a vacation you can remember throughout the year, and you'll be champing at the bit to come back for more. Suddenly every holiday or vacation period will make your mind drift to the Grand Strand and the fun you can have there. I know, we came here more than 25 years on vacations before we finally moved here, and we never got tired of the golf or our vacation experience on the beach.

Manuka Honey

Ever heard of Manuka Honey? I was fascinated to learn about it. Not only is it richer and darker than regular honey, it also has antibacterial and antifungal qualities. The Manuka is a shrub that grows in New Zealand and parts of Australia; the honey is made by bees from the nectar of the flowers of this shrub.

In the past, the antibacterial level of Manuka honey was measured by the Unique Manuka Factor (UMF®) a rating system developed by an Associate Professor at the University of Waikato in 1981 and adopted by the Active Manuka Honey Association to rate Manuka Honey. But more recently (2008), Manuka Health New Zealand Ltd teamed up with Dr. Thomas Helne, University of Dresden's Head of the Institute of Food Chemistry in a research program where they discovered that Manuka Honey actually contains a dietary compound called Methylglyoxal (MGO) which gives it its antibacterial properties.

As a result Manuka Health New Zealand has developed a line of Manuka Honey products using the improved scientific MGO™ rating system. The higher the level of MGO™ in the product, the greater its health-giving properties. For example, the highest rated Manuka honey certification is MGO™ 550+ which means there's more than 550 milligrams of dietary Methylglyzoxal per kilograms of Manuka Honey.

To see Manuka Health New Zealand's complete line of MGO™ rated products, go to http://www.manukahoneyus.com/product.html. What a deal! A delicious product with healthy benefits.

Urine test may help smokers determine if they are likely to develop lung cancer

A new urine test appears to help determine which smokers are likely to develop lung cancer and which aren't. Although we know that lung cancer and other health risks are related to smoking, it's never before been clear why some smokers develop the disease and others don't. Now as the result of a study of 500 men and women in Shanghai and Singapore, Dr. Jian-Min Yuan and other researchers from the University of Minnesota, using a simple urine test, were able to discover a link between the level of a specific carcinogen and lung cancer.

There's nearly 60 carcinogens in tobacco smoke, but one carcinogen in particular, known as NNK is released into your body when you inhale smoke. It passes through the liver, gets metabolized and releases NNAL, a byproduct or metabolite of NNK, into the bloodstream.
If you have high levels of NNAL and high levels of nicotine (equivalent to smoking about a pack of cigarettes a day), you're 8.5 times more likely to develop lung cancer than a smoker with lower levels of NNAL.

According to Yuan, “If we can identify a smoker with a high level of metabolites, and down the road they have a higher risk of lung cancer, public health workers can get them motivated to quit smoking.”

When asked what he thought about the study, Dr. Len Lichtenfeld, deputy chief medical officer at the American Cancer Society said, "I think the big story here is that they were able to find a relationship between the more carcinogen a person has in their body and the more risk they have of developing lung cancer. So the more you smoke, the higher your risk."

The urine test isn't available to doctors yet, and probably won't be for another three to five years while researchers validate it around the world among other ethnic groups.

Should you drink?

The ingestion of alcohol is a tricky issue in today's health arena. On one hand, it's been proven over and over that moderate amounts of alcohol on a daily basis can actually protect us from heart disease, and now a recent study in Japan has shown that drinking with a support group is even more medically beneficial. And there's much ado about an ingredient in red wine (Resveratrol) that may turn out to be the new fountain of youth.

But on the other hand, we know that too much alcohol can destroy the brain, the heart and the liver and can actually result in death. And clearly for alcoholics, who are estimated to be 4-8% of the American population, one drink of alcohol can trigger a binging episode with dire consequences.

How do you know what's safe for you? First of all, most experts agree that one to two drinks (slightly less for women) of beer, wine or liquor on a daily basis is considered light to moderate drinking. If you drink, you should do it or a daily basis rather than abstaining during the week and then binging on the weekend.

What if you're an alcoholic? AlcoholScreening.org has a short test you can take to determine if you have a drinking problem or not. This is a service of Join Together, a project of the Boston University School of Public Health, that's supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The test asks you 12 questions about your drinking habits and then analyzes the results and provides recommended action if a problem is indicated. This is a excellent resource that can be used by anyone.

To learn more about the benefits of moderate drinking with friends, go to: http://www.examiner.com/x-6347-Columbia-Health-Care-Examiner~y2009m4d8-Drinking-with-friends-may-be-good-for-you

HydroWorx Pools

As we Boomers age, I'm sure companies will cater to our older bodies. And why wouldn't they? We're a concentrated population of over 70 million customers who, in the years ahead, will suffer from arthritis, muscle and joint deterioration, as well as broken bones and diabetes-related neuropathy. I'm already starting to have Boomer friends who are having knees and hips replaced and arthritis is becoming as common in our generation as it was in our parents'.

I just found one company online that's ready to cater to us now. They're called HydroWorx and they refer to their products as the "ultimate indoor exercise pools and swim spas for home healthcare, and sports". They have hydrotherapy pools which can be installed in your home or business that have underwater treadmills, resistance jets you can swim against, massage jets for just relaxing and some of them even have heart monitoring equipment. These pools, some of which have graduated water depths, are ideal for aquatic therapy/rehabilitation, sports conditioning or just family fun. I've already started looking around the house for somewhere I could install one. I've always wanted a pool with the resistance jets that let you feel you're swimming long distances when you're actually swimming in place.

If you're interested in the HydroWorx pools, they'll send you a free brochure with a CD. Just go to: http://hydroworx.com/contact-us-pro.aspx. Aging might not be so bad if we have these types of products to help us through our golden years.

Drinking with friends may be good for you!

For some time now, we've known that moderate amounts of alcohol, one to two drinks per day, can actually protect us from heart disease. The primary reason is that the consumption of alcohol increases the high density lipoprotein cholesterol in our system, otherwise known as the "good" cholesterol which carries plaque away from our arteries.

Now researchers in Japan have found that moderate alcohol consumption with your family or friends in a supportive social setting can not only reduce your chance of heart attack but can decrease your risk of strokes as well. The Japanese study which looked at the drinking patterns, social support and cardiovascular health of 19,356 men in their 40s, 50s and 60s found that those men who drank up to 300 grams (10.5 ounces) of alcohol per week had a reduced risk of stroke and heart disease which was more pronounced in those men with high levels of social support. By contrast, it was speculated that low levels of social support could cause mental stress, which is hard on the heart.

According to study team leader, Dr. Hiroyasu Iso from Osaka University, moderate drinking with a support group is "probably due to avoidance of unhealthy behaviors and enhancement of stress buffering." But Iso also noted, "this beneficial effect of social support is confined to light-to-moderate drinking. Heavy drinking is risky irrespective of social support level."

Skin treatment from Murad

One of the best parts of growing old is that I don't have acne anymore, but for those who do, I've heard of effective acne treatments developed by Dr. Howard Murad, Board-Certified Dermatologist. His acne products and acne body wash are both active and gentle and sooth inflammation without drying out the skin.

But for those of us who have hormonal aging of the skin, Dr. Murad has developed Resurgence a three-step treatment package that includes: the Renewing Cleansing Cream, the Age Diffusing Serum, and finally, the Age Balancing Night Cream that works while you sleep. Resurgence® is clinically proven to increase skin firmness by up to 42% in just 10 minutes! This is the stuff Joan London uses to keep her beautiful complexion.

Give these products a try.

Thank goodness, comfortable shoes are in

I can remember in the 1960s and 70s when I didn't want to wear anything but the most "hippest," stylish shoes on the rack, even though they were rarely comfortable and totally impractical. I only wore tennis shoes if I was going to play tennis or was taking a hike.

Thankfully times have changed and there are hundreds of comfortable shoes available that we can wear for just walking or working out, and the question of style is no longer an issue. Comfort is in and if they're comfortable, they're stylish.

Zappos.com specializes in all types of walking shoes in both the athletic and casual categories. They combine support, flexibility, and cushioning best suited for your foot.

Zappos.com offers hundreds of brand-name walking shoes for men, women, and children, in every style from clogs to sandals to best suit you lifestyle. With hundreds of styles and designs to choose from, you can find the perfect combination of comfort, fit, and fashion. Make Zappo.com your "go to" site for walking shoes.

The more mouth bacteria, the greater the chances of heart attack

For some time now, researchers have thought there was a connection between dental hygiene and the incidence of heart disease, but the results of a study at the University of Buffalo (UB) have confirmed it now.

Dr. Oelisoa M. Andriankaja, a postdoctoral researcher conducted the study in UB’s Department of Oral Biology in the School of Dental Medicine. The study included 386 men and women between the ages of 35 and 69 who had suffered a heart attack and a control group of 840 people who were free of heart trouble. Samples of dental plaque were taken from all study participants and analyzed to check for the presence of six types of peridontal bacteria. In addition the researchers looked at the total number of bacteria present.

Although the study showed that two species of bacteria were significantly related to heart disease, Tannerella Forsynthesis and Preventella Intermedia, the most significant finding was that the patients who had suffered heart attacks had a higher level of all bacteria than the control group.

According to Andriankaja, "the total number of ‘bugs’ is more important than one single organism.” The results of the UB study will be presented at the International Association of
Dental Research (IADR) held in Miami, Fla this week.

Venus closure for varicose veins

Between 25-40 million Americans, mostly women, suffer from varicose veins. Venus closure is becoming a popular procedure here in South Carolina for the treatment of varicose veins in the legs that are associated with venux reflux disease. Perhaps it's because active women here in the South wear shorts for a larger part of the year and are not only concerned about the unsightly cosmetic appearance of varicose veins, but may also suffer from other symptoms of the disease which include leg pain, swelling, leg heaviness, fatigue and skin ulcer.

Venus reflux disease occurs when vein valves become damaged and aren't able to regulate blood flow. If you have venus reflux disease and have your varicose veins removed through more traditional methods such as sclerotherapy or laser treatment, the varicose veins return. However, according to Dr. Donald Balder, a Vascular/Endovascular Specialist at Advanced Surgical Associates in Conway, SC, the greatest benefit of having the venus closure procedure is that the varicose veins will not return after they're removed, and the leg pain and other symptoms associated with venus reflux disease begin to dissipate quickly.

How do you know if you have venus reflux disease? This is determined by ultrasound. If you're diagnosed with the disease, the venus closure procedure is recommended; if not, you may be offered other treatment options such as sclerotherapy to improve the cosmetic appearance of the veins. Since venus reflux is categorized as a disease, some insurance policies will pay for the venus closure procedure which adds to its attraction.

The venus closure procedure itself is relatively painless and minimally invasive, much less intrusive that vein stripping where the vein is actually removed. The venus closure is done on an outpatient basis, sometimes right in the physician's office under light sedation and with a local anesthetic. The physician inserts a catheter into the diseased vein through a very small incision. The catheter is then threaded up the vessel toward the groin area and radio frequency waves are used in short intervals to heat and shrink the vein. The physician gradually works his way down the vein repeating the process until the whole length of the vein is sealed. The body reacts by re-routing blood flow through healthier veins and the treated vein becomes scar tissue which is eventually absorbed by the body. Some patients have immediately reported they have less leg pain as they walk out of the doctor's office.

Recuperation time is short, only a couple of days, and the patient is encouraged to walk often. Compression hose must be worn for several days, but the patient is able to engage in normal activities after a day or so.

The most dramatic difference in appearance is the shrinkage of the large, ropey varicose veins, although the spider veins may still pose a cosmetic problem. After the a few weeks, the physician may recommend sclerotherapy to remove these.

To locate a vein specialist near you who performs the venus closure procedure, visit: http://www.vnus.com/locate-vein-specialist/index.aspxor contact Dr. Balder's office at 843-347-3900 for a referral.

Resurgence for the Complexion

The hardest part about the aging process is the way our skin looses its elasticity. You can build up your muscles under your skin, but you just can't seem to rebuild the elasticity. That's when you need products like the one invented by Dr. Howard Murad, Dermatologist, to stop the affects of hormonal aging.

Dr. Murad's product, Resurgence, with plant-dervied agents and a sequence of peptides penetrates deep into the skin and restores the firmness. Read the Resurgence Reviews. Women who've used it are thrilled by the way it makes their skin glow.

There are three Resurgence products that make up the night regimen: the renewing cleansing creme, the age diffusing system and the age-balancing nite creme as well as additional products for the sensitive skin around the eyes, for acne, and to protect the skin from the sun. Visit the Resurgence site to learn about membership benefits.

Prostate test may not be as effective as once thought

If you're a male Boomer over 50, you might be interested in recent studies which tested the effectiveness of PSA tests. Once thought to be the best diagnostic tool for early detection of prostate cancer, PSA tests have been used routinely by most physicians since they were approved by the FDA in 1987. Now studies show they may not be that effective and may even result in men having unnecessary surgery or radiation.

PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen which is a protein found in the prostate cells and can be determined by testing a man's blood. Current guidelines recommend that all men have an annual PSA test starting at age 50. If the PSA level exceeds 4 nanograms per milliliter of blood or if there has been a significant rise between two tests, this could suggest the presence of cancer and a biopsy is recommended.

The two recent studies (one in Europe and one in America) while showing different results both indicate that PSA tests may not be worth the risks involved. The American study of 77,000 men conducted by the American Cancer Institute showed that those who received annual PSA blood tests did not have a reduced rate of death from prostate cancer. The European test of 187,000 men found that for every man whose death was averted because of the PSA test, another 48 men ran the risk of having unnecessary treatment. Surgery for prostate cancer can sometimes result in impotence and incontinence; and when the treatment is radiation, the side effect can be painful defecation or chronic diarrhea.

Dr. David F. Ransohoff, an internist and cancer epidemiologist at the University of North Carolina finds the studies important. “This is not relying on modeling anymore,” he said. “This is not some abstract, pointy-headed exercise. This is the real world, and this is real data.”

According to Eric Horwitz, a radiation oncologist and prostate-cancer specialist at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Northeast Philadelphia, “PSA is a great test if it's used the right way.” He believes the PSA level has to be interpreted in relationship to the man's age and his previous tested levels. A sudden rise in the PSA level can be more indicative of a problem than a level that stays the same.

Defective Hip Replacements

We're getting to the age when we're starting to need hip replacements or at least we know people who've had them. Most of the time, they're quite successful and even cause the recipients to have a new lease on life. But occasionally I hear about some that aren't so successful, often because there's a defect in the prosthetic hip. For example, I've heard there have been issues on the Zimmer Durom cup. An orthopedic researcher and surgeon has found that a very high rate of Durom hip cups implanted at his clinic needed to be surgically revised within two years of implantation.


If you know someone with this type of hip replacement and they've had trouble, you might want to direct them to a Durom lawyer who's been filing Durom lawsuits on behalf of the recipients of these faulty devices. For more information, visit the following site to not only learn about the defective Durom cup, but also about other artificial hips with defects: http://www.mctplaw.com/joint-replacement/

Herbalife Distributors

I've always thought the best retirement job for a Boomer would be one where you could sit at your computer in old shorts and a sweatshirt and sell quality products or services online. Herbalife is a company that's made that possible. Not only does this company provide a variety of health and wellness products that boost your energy, improve your immunity, and help you slim down, but they have an International Herbalife Distributor site that provides retail websites to independent Herbalife distributors all over the world.

Participating Herbalife distributors can have fully functioning websites that use the popular merchant accounts and payment systems. Sites can even be personalized and the distributor doesn't have to worry about maintenance.

One of the best parts about the website is that it uses a directory of Independent Herbalife Distributors to point the customer to the distributor closest to them. Check it out is you want to start a business online.

Defibrillators

It seems that when you reach the age of 60, you start hearing about all your friends having problems with high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart attacks or other cardiovascular problems. For example, my husband has Cardiomyopathy and several of my friends and neighbors have had bypasses, stints, defibrillators, or pacemakers.

And not only do Boomers have to deal with problems like this, but we also have to worry about heart care products that are defective. I was just reading that Medtronic Inc. has removed its Sprint Fidelis defibrillation leads from the market because five patient deaths have been linked to the devices. A defibrillator is a device implanted in the patient near the shoulder that has one or more leads which connect it to the heart. When the patient has an abnormal heart rhythm, the defibrillator senses it and automatically sends an electric shock which resets the heart to a normal beat.

The Medtronic defibrillator recall was necessary because a fractured lead can cause a defibrillator to deliver unnecessary shocks to the heart or not operate at all. Medtronic has asked doctors to stop implanting the leads and to return unused leads to Medtronic. If you or a loved one was an unlucky recipient of one of these defibrillators, you might want to visit the following website to learn about your rights: http://www.youhaverights.com/medical-devices/medtronic-sprint-fidelis-defibrillation-leads/.

Shopping Online

It's amazing what you can find on the Internet now. I think the Internet will be our salvation as we age. When we're in our 90s, we'll be able to buy anything from Liver Pills to Cottage Cheese online and have it delivered to our doorsteps without us getting out in our cars and killing each other. For that matter we can do it now.

Let's say you're a grandparent and you want to celebrate the birth of a new grandchild in a remote location. There are some really nice sites that sell nursery furniture, toddlers and infants clothing as well as toys and games that you can buy and have mailed to the new baby. Or if the grandchild is a little older, you can order either of my two books, Tagger: Alone Along the Mystic River or Ame the Elephant: Terrorized by Evil Mice and give them as Christmas to birthday gifts

If you love animals, you can find buying guides that show you the type of pet (large or small) that fits your lifestyle and the products you need to raise them.

All the products you'll ever need are out there and the only shopping cart you'll need is automated.

Protein for Power

When I had my lap band, I was told to drink at least one protein shake a day. And I do. It's composed of organic whey which is an excellent, low-calorie, tasty source of protein.

A protein shake has the same amount of protein as though you were eating several pieces of meat, but you don't have to worry about calories or cholesterol. I like to mix Vanilla-flavored protein powder with skim milk, a piece of fruit and some banana flavoring. It's a yummy, low-cal drink that's rich and creamy.

There are several flavors of protein you can get: vanilla, chocolate, and flavorless protein powder, and protein sites like http://www.energyfirst.com/ have several recipes for using each flavor. Give it a try. Whey protein is a great source of protein for the over-50 set.
Do you use it? Comments?

Relaxing

Now that we're older, it's more important to relax to maintain our health, and if we're lucky enough to be retired, we have more time to do it. I was wondering how you like to relax.

I've always been partial to hot tubs for an instant melt down, but I've heard a lot lately about the Far infrared sauna. I've read that infrared saunas actually cause the heat to penetrate right down into the tissues. It's supposed to be a great way to relax and relieve pain and joint stiffness. Some people say it causes you to lose a few pounds too.

If you're a little more active, you might be interested in yoga as a stress reliever and muscle strengthener; a lot of my boomer friends swear by this. Some of my friends prefer meditation and others like to jog or hit the treadmill. But I guess I prefer the more passive form of relaxation like a hot tub--or maybe an infrared sauna. What's your preference for relaxation and pain relief?

Workin' Out

I'm really not big on exercise, but I do recognize how important fitness is as we age. And I don't think it's too late for us Boomers to want to be sexy, even though it's a lot harder to achieve the older we get--isn't it?

Today there's all kinds of technology to help us get fit and improve our lifestlye. I ran across a website recently that has more fitness machines than I've ever seen in one place: http://www.smoothfitness.com/.

They have something called smooth fitness agile trainers that you step on, and some of these even have adjustable fans or speakers. Then there's elipticals with variying resistence levels; every kind of treadmill you can imagine (one even has a 15 inch, flatscreen TV); there's bikes (either recumbent or upright--one actually has a Body fat and BMI calculator); and they also offer combos where you can save some major bucks if you buy two machines. They even ask you several questions on the site to help you pick the equipment that's best for you. "We have the technology;" now all we Boomers need is the time and fortitude to exercise.

Car Shopping

We'd like to have a new car or truck, but with the economy the way it is, it's a big step. It sure is nice not to have car payments right now, but like any good American, we're shopping around. Now is a good time for bargains. Dealers are ready to deal.

I've always wanted a Mercedes Benz before I die. It's kind of a "bucket list" sort of thing. I've wanted one since I was about 20. A few months ago, I even had a beautiful, sleek coupe all picked out, but now we just drive by the dealer, look, and imagine what it would have been like to drive it.

My husband has always been partial to a ford and they continue to have great SUVs. I had a Ford Mustang once that I drove for 7 years without a serious problem and sold it for what I paid for it.

I've never owned a honda, but I have friends who swear by them and tempt me to take a look. They do have some beautiful models and I understand performance is top notch. And they have Hybrids that get up to 60 miles per gallon.

If you're in the market for a car too, try surfing http://www.thecarconnection.com/. They have a nice variety with interesting car ratings for some models.

Acne No More

It seems that as we age, we begin to regret all the appearance problems that come with old age: wrinkles, gray hair, facial hair, sagging skin. But we never appreciate the fact that most of us don't have acne anymore. That was the most irritating, disfiguring condition that ever hit my face. It seemed that back in the 50s and 60s when acne flourished on my face and neck, there wasn't much we could do about it. There were a few products that were supposed to help but really didn't; and it seemed that adults were always recommending a better diet, but it really never seemed to make any difference.

Kids didn't have the products back then like the Acne Complex® that works for people of all ages and all skin types. Developed by Dr. Howard Murad, this product is about 90% effective in stopping breakouts. Although acne still isn't curable, it is highly manageable and controllable.

Recommend the Murad Acne complex to your kids and your grand kids. It could be just the treatment they've been looking for to help them through their "acne years".

Interesting Wellness Site

I'm not above using anti-aging or alternative health-care products that help me look and feel younger. I think most Boomers feel that way. I've been surfing and came across an interesting website that you might want to check out. It's called Oasis Advanced Wellness and not only do they provide a variety of heath care products, they have custom-designed health programs and private consultations either in person or over the phone.

One of their popular products is intraMax which is an organic liquid vitamin and mineral supplement, another one is Lithium Orotate which is helpful if you have mood mood swings and depression, and Poly MVA is a new, nontoxic, antioxidant dietary supplement that may help boost immune response and heal damaged cells.

The site is worth checking out, particularly if you're interested in natural, alternative health care solutions. There's some interesting articles at the bottom of the home page too.

Medical Alarm

I worry a lot about being alone someday. Even though I have no family nearby, I do have wonderful friends in our neighborhood and would love to spend the rest of my days here in my house even if my husband should go before me.

With so many baby boomers moving into old age, I just knew there would be new technology coming out that would help us live in our own homes after we became elderly, and I just heard about it today. Now there's a medical alarm system unlike any I'd heard about before. First of all, there's a little device you wear called a Fall Detector that alerts the 24-Hour Call Center if you fall and can't speak. I really like that idea.

Secondly, there's a bracelet you can wear that has GPS tracking. Now think of the possibilities. It has a built in speaker phone, so if you are out and get lost or have problems, you can contact emergency personnel or family for help. The GPS tracking device helps someone find you if you can't identify your position. And if the wearer is an Alzheimer's patient, the bracelet alerts loved ones if the patient wanders off away from a specified area.

I don't need one yet, but it sure is nice to know a medical alarm system like this one is out there if you need it.

Old Lover Love

As you might guess, I have many friends who are Boomers and most of them I hang with are married. The couples grouse at each other, argue over nothing and complain to others about their spouses. But most of us are in love--an old, steady, comfortable, caring, worrying love. Worrying because we are beginning to wonder how we will get along without each other. He knows how to work on cars and she can barely find the ignition. She's know how to do the laundry so the colors don't fade on each other; he hasn't figured out how to turn on the washing machine. The two of them supplement each other; they're the left and right arm of one person.

Hats off to us this Valentine's Day! Be thankful each day for the old fuddy duddy you're married to or living with. Some day you'll look back to this Valentines day with fond reminiscences.

Not Fair

Life just isn't fair. You work hard all your life so you can have a wonderful retirement. You retire, you're having a great time, playing golf, making new friends, going to parties, taking cruises and then....Whap! The economy falls out the bottom, your retirement savings are reduced to a nub, your husband gets sick, and your activities are reduced. But still you spin on, ignoring old age, trying to recapture and preserve your youth by acting crazy and partying harder and then and then...........you get an Ulcer. Now you're drinking your food outa blender, you can forget alcohol, you get to take nasty pink liquid four times and day, and the only thing you have to look forward to is bedtime. How's that for an uplifting message? Any comments to cheer me up?

Is WORK a Four-Letter Word?

A New Year and new hope. With more layoffs and more business closures being announced every day, it's hard to have hope for America's economic future right now. Many have placed their hopes in our new President, Barack Obama and I truly wish him the best, but I must apologize for not sharing the enthusiasm. It's not that I don't think he's an intelligent and diligent young President with the best interests of American at heart, it's that I don't think any U.S. President, even with the full backing of Congress, can change the entire global economy. When China starts relying on cars for transportation, placing a greater demand on oil, the prices go up. When jobs are transferred overseas in pursuit of lower labor costs, layed-off employees are unable to buy the products and services produced overseas. When medical costs go up to support discoveries that will lengthen our lives, the people who need them can't afford them. When companies are more interested in lining their pockets than in servicing their customers, the customers move on to other companies. These issues can't be legislated away and no U.S. President can single-handedly change them.

Perhaps because of our fanaticism with sports in America, we seem to think the answer to achieving victory lies with the Coach and unquestionably the Coach is a major factor. But what about the players, their talents, their hard work, their creativity and skill in carrying out the plays? The players don't feel “entitled” to victory; they “earn” it. They WORK hard, they struggle, they literally risk their lives in some cases to win.

Somehow I think we've lost that desire to work hard and struggle for success in America. We feel we're “entitled” to a nice house, a nice car and well-dressed kids, but we don't feel any responsibility to “earn” it. WORK has become a four-letter word, something to be avoided.

To be honest, I'm not sure how or if the Boomers have caused this. Is it because we were spoiled by our post-WWII parents who wanted us to have everything they didn't. Or is it because we spoiled our own kids and taught them that they are entitled to a good education and nice possessions just because they are our kids, and because we were able to spoil them? Or is it that Boomers, who still have some work ethic, are leaving the workforce now to generation who want it all without sacrificing to get it? Maybe it's none of these' maybe it's all of these, but it needs to change. Americans must take back America. We simply won't succeed if we rely on the government to run our companies and our economic lives.

Lately, I've heard economists say, “the best way to keep your job these days is to “suck up” to your boss, so you're not the one layed off.” How about (and I know this is old-fashioned), but how about securing your job by working hard and coming up with creative, low-cost ideas that might make your company more successful? How about taking responsibility for your own little spot in the hierarchy. I know you can't do it alone, but when others see what you're doing, they might just join in and try it too. And if you're retired, how about sitting down and explaining this old-fashioned process to your kids who are still working. What can it hurt? Maybe you or your kids will be tired when you/they come home, but it will be a “good tired” – a rewarding “tired” and you or they will feel you helped the economy just a little bit when you do.

What do you think? Let's get a dialogue started here.

When Will It End?

Yesterday, my financial advisor convinced me that I shouldn't take out our remaining equity investments and put them in bonds, because he thought the market would go back up. Then he told me not to watch CNN anymore because it was making me too upset. So I didn't watch CNN , but by the end of the day the market had dropped almost another 700 points. This morning I turned CNN back on and saw a dramatic drop right after the bell. Not surprising when the foreign markets had already been experiencing huge drops and Russia had closed it's market. Investors are panicked.

CNN analysts were saying the bottom is near, and then some started saying there may not be a bottom. This is clearly the most significant downturn in the market since the Great Depression.

What should we do? I hear a lot of concern expressed by people who are close to retirement saying they may not be able to retire. Maybe you're lucky; you can still work. What about those of us who are already retired. Once our savings are dimished, will we need to go back to work? Will there be any jobs for us with so many companies and small businesses going through major layoffs? Can we start small businesses when the credit market is frozen?

My best advise is to try to not panic, get yourself in a somewhat more conversative financial position if you can (e.g., more bonds) and then try to wait out the storm. If you're working, don't neglect your job while you're worrying. If you're retired, cut back on spending.

What are your thoughts? Please offer your advice by clicking on "comments".

Market Goes from Stall to Downhill Plunge

Didya notice? The DOW Jones Industrial Average went down 504.48 today after a 14-month-old credit crisis that caused two of Wall Street's most powerful institutions to collapse over the weekend. Investment bank Lehman Brothers went into bankruptcy and Merrill Lynch was forced to sell out to Bank America to avoid a similar outcome. Everyone is currently watching American International Group Inc. (a DOW stock), which is trying to get funding to shore up its losses. This was the largest one-day drop in the market since 9/11/01.

Gas prices reached the highest they've ever been today and devastation from Hurricane Ike has left a swath of destruction, power outages, and deaths in Texas and parts north. Talk about Blue Monday.

In the meantime, we average-American Boomers wonder what the heck to do. According to at least two financial experts I talked to today, the stock market will get better and gas prices will undoubtedly come down, but what should we do in the meantime? I heard several TV financial advisors say today that we should remain calm and not overreact, but when your IRA, savings or pension are dwindling, it's hard stay relaxed.

I'm actually making a change. When we first invested with Merrill Lynch in 2001, we went for moderately high risk when things were looking good. Now, we're thinking that might have been overly optimistic, so on the advice of our advisor, we're going to convert to less risk with more of our investments in bonds. Maybe it's too little too late, but it definitely seems like now's the time to look at some safer investments while the stock market works out its problems.

What are you planning to do? Are you riding it out with your current investments or are you changing your risk level? Are you making any plans to spend less during these dark times? Please click on "comments" and leave your thoughts below.

Still More About Retirement

I was pleased recently to receive an email from Liz Wolgemuth, a blogger for USA Today, suggesting I read an article she had written on September 2 titled, A Warning for Boomers Looking for Work. In this article she warns job seekers, particularly Boomers who probably haven't looked for jobs in many years, to be wary about employment agencies that charge excessive fees for limited job search services. A couple of companies in Florida are currently under investigation by the state attorney general's office for charging some clients nearly $9000 for services that were never received. Woglemuth notes that there are a number of public programs where you can receive free assistance with job searching such as government agencies and community colleges. She even provides a list of these programs by state. In addition, she lists several tips from the Federal Trade Commission for assuring the honesty of the "head hunter" you choose. This article is a must read if you're using employment agencies to find a job.

Please tell us about experiences you've had with employment agencies recently. Do you have any advice to share?

More About Retirement

On August 28, USA Today had an interesting article about Boomers delaying retirement. According to their findings, this may not be the best of times to retire early. Although the oldest boomers (age 62) can draw Social Security benefits at a reduced rate and still have time to kick up their heels before senior moments turn into senior days, many of us may not be able to afford it. Several factors are keeping us working longer. First of all, a study by Hewitt Associates found that in 1991, 88% of large employers subsidized health care benefits for retirees after they retired; now only 45% do. For many retirees, that means they will have to take other jobs with health benefits or cover the cost of health insurance themselves. The declining stock market and housing values also means many Boomers don't have the available assets they were expecting when they retired, and this is combined with rising consumer costs. So many workers who were planning to retire early are either continuing to work or taking post retirement jobs.

Here's some websites that match retirees with jobs or provide advice to retirees for finding jobs:

RetireeWorkforce.com
RetiredBrains.com
RetirementJobs.com

Sex Again?

A boomer who subscribed to my BOOMER-ING newsletter today asked: "How often should the boomer have sex?" My first thought was, only if he's old enough; and my second thought was, was that my husband with a secret email address?

A CNBC article by Diana Olick in 2006 reported that an AARP survey in 2004 found that "60 percent of boomers say they are sexually active at least once a week." I found more about that study and learned they surveyed a nationally representative group of 1,682 adults ages 45 and older to measure attitudes and other factors affecting their sexuality and quality of life. At that time the oldest Boomer would have been 58 and the youngest only 40. So while the study showed that more than half of the 45- through 59-year-olds had sex at least once a week, those who were 60- through 74-year-olds (a group the older boomers are now falling into) reported only 30 percent of men and 24 of women had sex weekly.

So while the study showed that frequency drops with age, it also showed that 70 percent of all surveyed men and women with regular partners were sexually active enough to have intercourse at least once or twice a month.

But if you think I'm going to answer my subscriber's question by saying one or twice a month, you are wrong! Obviously there are many factors involved in the frequency of sex: medications taken, physical health, health of the relationship, libido of the partners, etc., etc., etc., Soooo, how often? I'd say as often as you and your partner both agree that you feel like doing it. What do you other readers think. Please add your comments.

Where's the Boomer Pols?

I only amble into politics when something is earthshaking or affects Boomers. In this case, it's the former rather than the latter. I just watched the news conference where John McCain named first-term Governor of Alaska, Sarah Palin as his running mate. Wow! What a surprise, a young, conservative, dynamic mother of 5, age 44, lifelong member of the NRA whose husband is an Alaskan commercial fisherman and snow machine champion. Regardless of who wins now, we'll have either the first afro-American President or the first woman Vice President in history.

But here's the most interesting thing. The last two presidential elections were dominated by Boomer candidates: Bush, Gore, Edwards and strectching it a bit, John Kerry, but this time we have Obama and Palin in their 40s, Biden in his late 60s and McCain whose 72nd birhtday is today--none of them truly representative of the boomer generation. What's up? Are we being ignored because we're predictable voters or because we're too old to be politically active? Coincidence or design?

Boomering on the Links

A study published earlier this year by the Swedish Karolinska Institutet studied 300,000 golfers and found that those who play golf have a death rate almost 40 percent lower than non-golfers. This means an extra five years of life for those who spend time on the links. Mayo Clinic Women's HealthSource has also reported that golf offers fresh air, fun, and a workout. It's not an aerobic sport because it's not a sustained workout, but golf is a good form of low-intensity exercise. You walk a lot, you swing a lot (if you play like me), you have to bend over several times during a round, and most important, you have to use the muscle between your ears to develop a strategy if your compete. According to my friend Marlie, it's the best mental excercise she gets.

The great thing for Baby Boomers is that the more golf you play, the better you seem to get even as you age. What do you think? Do you agree that golf is a good hobby for us aging Boomers?

Is the Stock Market Stuck?

In May 08, the Dow Jones Industrial average was over 13000.00; today it closed at 11,502.51. My financial advisor went on and on about why: dramatic decline in the housing market, high gas prices, rising consumer costs, etc., etc., etc. This was the first time that he didn't say, "Don't worry, it will go up." He couldn't really give me much hope for an upswing in the economy in the near future. And then he jumped me about how much we've taken out of our assets--just to live--since we retired.

"But we've always taken that much," I pouted. "Sure, but then the market was going up; now you shouldn't be taking out more than 4% and you're taking out 6.5%." Gulp, I saw his logic. Now we're trying to think of ways to tighten our belts. I'm lost, I can't think of anything I want to give up. I'm eating less food since I've had the lapband surgery--that should help a little, heehee.

So my question to you is this: Have you had to tighten your belt over the last few months? What have you done? What do you recommend as a good budget saving method?

Boomer Hobbies to Avoid Alzheimers

The experts say that 67 out of every 1,000 older Americans have been diagnosed with some form of Alzheimer’s. By 2050, more than 26 million people worldwide will be living with Alzheimer’s disease. Article. While scientists are hard at work trying to discover a cure or at least a medication that will slow or stop the progression of Alzheimers, studies suggest that there are several things we can each do to reduce our chances of developing this dreaded disease.

In addition to proper diet, exercise, and frequent social contacts, researchers think that mental stimulation can actually help to keep your brain mentally sharp by establishing new brain cell connections. Some scientists even believe that mental exercise such as crossword puzzles, card games, board games and learning a new language can help you grow new brain cells.

I'm an online scrabble junkie and my husband plays a mean game of FreeCell into the wee hours. What, if any, mental stimulation do you engage in that you feel is keeping you mentally sharp?

Retiring Boomers Will Affect the Housing Market

I've long thought that as the Boomers reach retirement age, many will want to retire to warmer climates or areas with more interesting topography, and thus, there will be a migratory shift in the population. But one of the problems with Boomers having this goal is that the younger, smaller, less affluent generations won't have the numbers or dollars to buy the houses we vacate in the north and northeast. This will have a still greater negative impact on the already weaking housing market and unfortunately housing prices will get softer. I recently read an article on Wall Street Journal's blog that confirmed my fears. They estimate that it might be 20 years in states such as New Jersey before housing prices improve.

What about your plans? Are you being forced to modify your retirement plans to move south or west because you feel you won't be able to sell your house for the price you need?

Boomers Opting for Part-time Employment

As many of you know, when I retired from the government, I pursued a part-time career in writing/publishing and have loved every minute of it. A Merrill Lynch survey has recently shown that 80 percent of today’s 76 million baby boomers will keep working in the future and more than half of us plan to pursue new careers.

Part-time employment is a great option, because you can supplement your fixed income after retirement (401K, company retirement and Social Security benefits) with money you make in a part-time career. Many of us boomers have longed to work in jobs we love after retirement and this may be our chance. Do you plan to work part-time in another career after you retire, or are you already doing it? Please share your experiences or plans.

The New Centarians

According to Dr. Robert Butler, founder and president of the International Longevity Center, there are 54 thousand Centenarians in the United States today and this number is expected to grow to as many as 840 thousand by 2050. It's thought that Centenarians are the fastest growing group in America. The U.S. Census Bureau projects that one in nine baby boomers (9 million) will live into their late 90s, and that one in 26 (3 million) will reach 100. Article. What do you think of your chances? Will you make it to 100?

Lap Band Surgery

I had the Lap Band surgery in April. It wasn't a lot of fun and I wasn't really sure I wanted to do it, but I was beginning to worry about some health issues--diabetes, arthritis, etc. Then I heard that patients with the lap band surgery and the stomach bypass surgery have had remarkable results with nearly eliminating Diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. So it sounded like the solution for me.

I've lost about 55 pounds so far and feel a lot better. It looks like I'm winning against Diabetes right now and my feet, ankles and back hurt a lot less when I play golf. But the really best part is that I can still wear some of my "big" clothes, but I can also fit into a lot of clothes I haven't worn in awhile. Suddenly my wardrobe doubled. I'd certainly like to recommend the Lap Band surgery for Boomers with a lot of weight to lose. Has anyone else had it? Please share your experiences.

Boomer Worries

What worries you most about aging as a Baby Boomer?

Social Security at Age 62?

If you are a boomer and are 62 or approaching 62, do you plan to file for reduced Social Security benefits when you reach age 62 or do you plan to wait for full benefits at age 66? Why?