SENIOR STUFF

You guessed it. This is May and that means it is our time. We know this is true because each year the federal agency, The Administration on Aging declares May to be Older Americans Month.

Each year the President signs a proclamation in May celebrating the contributions and achievements of the nation’s seniors.

And, for the third year, your DeLand Senior Council, through Stuff, pays tribute to the seniors of DeLand and affirms their skills as well as their accomplishments.

If you think this is a lot of hoopla for a bunch of old people—you’re wrong. I looked it up. “Hoopla” refers to an “unnecessary fuss”. This month is necessary. While we’re at it, let’s examine this year’s slogan: Age Strong! Live Long! Like it? It doesn’t really matter; it’s already been selected. Want a different

one? Wait ‘til next year. What does this one mean, anyway?

The theme recognizes the diversity and vitality of today’s seniors who span three generations, who have lived through wars and hard times as well as periods of unprecedented prosperity, who have pioneered new technologies in medicine, communications, and industry while spearheading a cultural revolution that won rights for minorities, women, and disabled Americans.

These remarkable achievements demonstrate the strength and character of older Americans, but the contributions are not only in the past.

Older Americans are living longer and are more active than ever before. And as they age they are

spending more time making significant contributions in their communities through civic and volunteer opportunities. Indeed, seniors are a core component of service delivery to seniors—embodying and modeling the drive to Age Strong! Live Long!

FOUR BAD HABITS THAT AGE US 12 YEARS

Last year in this space, it was noted that the key to longer life was having friends. It was noted that those with a large circle of friends were 22% less likely to die as quickly as those with fewer friends. This year we bring you potentially more important data regarding living longer. While most of us are way past the place where we could gain its benefits, scientists last week revealed four bad habits that age us by 12 years.

If we have, over the past 20 years, eaten at least three vegetables per day, consumed fewer than two (women) or three (men) drinks a day, refrained from smoking, and engaged in at least two hours per week of physical activity, then you likely have increased your longevity by about 12 years. Now whether that means you’ll have twelve more years from now, or whether you’ve already used them up, it was, apparently, a good thing. Nice to know, huh.

In a somewhat related story, another group of scientists reported last week that having sex also increased longevity.

Now, before some of you head for the vegetable tray, throw away your cigarette, empty your liquor cabinet, and take off for the gym, these scientists report that“imagined sex” also is a life extender. No real explanation as to how this works was offered. It had something to do with blood pressure. I started to look it up, but instead, I just imagined how it might work. Age Strong! Live Long! Indeed!

OLDER POPULATION: A NEW ZENITH

According to the current census data, the population 65 and over has increased from 35 million in 2000 to 40 million (15% increase) in 2010, then it will increase to 55 million in 2020 (36% increase for the decade). By 2030, there will be over 72 million seniors in the U.S., almost twice the number in 2007 and 20% of the U.S. population.

Some of you people—those of you wise enough to eat your vegetables, stay away from the cigarettes and booze, go to the gym, cultivate many friends, and sit in your chair a lot and imagine things—could be around to see it happen.

Age Strong! Live Long!

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Some Data on Older Americans

• 14% of persons are over 65
•  There are 23 million senior women and
• 17 million senior men
• 72% of the men are married and 42% of the women; 42% of the women are widows
•  About 31% of non-institutionalized older persons live alone
• The median income for males in 2008 was $25,500 for males; $14, 560 for females
•  Social Security constituted 90% or more of the income received by 35% of the beneficiaries
•  About 10% of the elderly were below the poverty line in 2008, about the same as 2007.

(Data from Census Bureau, Bureau of Labor Statistics, National

Center on Health Statistics)

CarFit Program a Success

On April 23, the DeLand Senior Council, with the help of a couple of volunteer spouses, a superb supervisor from our State Department of Transportation, and a wonderful occupational therapist from DeLand Hospital conducted a CarFit program at the Earl Brown Senior Activities

Center.

As the drivers came by, our crew conducted a series of “fitness tests” for them, and before they left, our therapist offered a variety of suggestions and tips to make their driving experiences safer. They also picked up a bag full of goodies. Missed it? Maybe next year.

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The City of DeLand Senior Council is responsible for cranking out this thing on a monthly basis. Council members include: Deborah Tolan -Chair, Vivien Powis -Vice Chair, George Sherman, , Nan Smith

ex officio members:

Virginia Comella, Bob Goodwill, Kathy Knapp, Ron Burgher (Senior Stuff editor), Michael Pleus (whsu)

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Book Sale

The super monthly book sale at the Library will be held May 14 and 15. Buy ‘em buy the sack. Believe it.

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Alzheimer’s Caregivers support groups meet the first Monday of every month at 2 pm and the fourth Tuesday at 6:30 pm at Woodland Towers, 113 Chipola Ave.

Volunteer!

Volunteering is the seventh thing in this issue that extends life. Call Pat: 736-5016

Or e-mail her at volunteers@deland.org

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What If

What do you think would happen if you really turn yourself loose and lived the life of your design? Just the other day I was talking with a client and she said, “Inez it scares me to death to think of what I might do if I really turn myself loose and design my own life”. It’s not unusual to feel frightened when you think about the “what ifs.”

Having the what ifs can be handled when you decide to face your fears and start with small steps to design the life you yearn for. Take an imaginary journey to begin to design the life you really want. Here is an opportunity to start thinking about your life the way you envision. Create your own fantasy land. See yourself as you know yourself to be: confident, self-assured and ready to face the world surrounded by your loved ones and having great relationships with the people in your circle. For some this seems an impossible task. I’m asking you to play for a while. Remember your invisible playmates, the fun you had. You can recapture the fun and begin to dream again. Make your fantasy land as elaborate as you desire.

Be sure to make your fantasy land from the desires of your heart, from your authentic soul and from your

creativity. The following questions can help you get started creating your fantasy land. Don’t be anxious over any of them. You’re just having fun!

1. Why do I want to step into my authenticity?

2. What is the pay off for staying the way I am?

3. How can I learn what my heart really wants?

4. What’s keeping me from being my true self?

5. How can I feel fully, passionately vulnerable

and be okay with that?

When you can answer these questions you are ready to discover how to live the life you design.

Inez Bracy, BS, MS, CNLP, CGC

Lifestyles Transitions Coach

Connect with her: www.facebook.com/inez.bracy

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If you have some stuff you think belongs in Stuff, send your stuff to delandseniorstuff@yahoo.com and the odds are a little bit better than those you can get on Lookin’ at Lucky in the Derby that your stuff will appear in a subsequent issue of Stuff.  (Or call Burgher, the editor--until he can find a replacement--at 736-8364, unless he is watching a ballgame, at the pool, imagining, reading a good book, or doing some other fun stuff that older people do.)