Senior Community Bulletin

The Jewish Pavilion will present the program “Finding Lear, Finding Ourselves,” featuring the recent film by the same name, at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 9 at Oakmonte Village, 1021 Royal Gardens Circle. The film explores the questions raised by aging as these are particularly related to adult children and their aging parents. RSVP at 407-678-9363.

The Newcomers Club of Central Florida’s luncheon on Thursday, March 17, will include a penny auction and bingo fundraiser at Maison & Jardin, 430 Wymore Road in Altamonte Springs. Attendees will have an opportunity to win a wide assortment of “recycled” gifts. Proceeds from penny auction ticket sales will be donated to the Russell Home for Atypical Children in Orlando. Members, guests and prospective members are welcome. Luncheon tickets are $23. Doors open at 11:30 a.m. Reservations required. Contact VP-Membership Tina Parrish at 407-359-1497 or [email protected] or visit NewcomersCFL.org

Good Samaritan Society, Kissimmee Village, 4197 S. Orange Blossom Trail, will highlight local talent at its third annual Art & Quilt Show. On Thursday, March 17, Quilt work will be showcased, and on Friday, March 18, the art categories will include photography, woodwork and painting. The event is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days. The public is welcome and entry is free. A silent auction will be held. Contact 407-933-1999.

Join the festivities at the Good Samaritan Society’s annual Spring Festival on Saturday, March 19. An ROTC review, entertainment in the park, a crafts and vendor fair, food vendors and a carnival begin at 10 a.m. Reminisce with a hometown parade at 2 p.m. The public is welcome and entry is free. A few vendor opportunities remain. Contact George Weber at 407-933-3744 or [email protected]

Medicare beneficiaries are reporting problems receiving required home medical equipment and services in the wake of the Jan. 1 implementation of Medicare’s controversial “competitive” bidding program in Miami and Orlando. Medicare beneficiaries, family members, caregivers, hospital discharge planners and clinicians can report problems, concerns and feedback about this bidding system by calling 1-888-990-0499 or by visiting BiddingFeedback.com

From the Orange County Commission on Aging Newsletter March 2011:

The Counsel for Caregivers Seminar is now in two locations! The topic “The Aging Process: What’s Normal, What’s Not” is at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 8, at West Oaks Library. The topic “Ethical Dilemmas and Challenges for Family Caregivers” is at 12:10 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, at the Downtown Library. Contact 407-836-7446 or e-mail [email protected]

Orange County’s 2011-2012 “The Source,” a directory of programs and services, is now available online: Visit OrangeCountyFL.net and use the menu on the left to navigate to Orange Media > Publications.

The Alzheimer Resource Center has a new name and new website. It’s now the Alzheimer's & Dementia Resource Center and their website is ADRCcares.org

Alzheimer Art Program, Art’s the Spark, is up and running at the Orlando Museum of Art! This interactive program makes art accessible and enjoyable to people with early and middle-stage Alzheimer’s disease. It’s monthly on Saturday mornings. Call 407-896-4231 extension 261.

You’re invited to the Florida Council on Aging’s advocacy summit from 2-4 p.m. on Tuesday, March 22, at the Renaissance Senior Center. Call 850-222-8877.

ABC Nightly News has a new website section titled “Families on the Brink: What to do about mom and dad.” Visit ABCNews.go.com/WN/ElderCare

Now through Thursday, March 31, women age 40+ can apply for an AARP scholarship to help them seek new job skills or training and educational opportunities. Visit AARP.org/WomensScholarship

The U.S. Administration on Aging has an “Aging Integrated Database” that lets you query AoA-related data files and surveys, including population characteristics. Visit AOA.Gov/AoARoot/Aging_Statistics/_redirects/AGID.aspx

The U.S. Census just released its 2009 older adult demographics. Visit Census.gov/population/www/socdemo/age/older_2009.html

The Alzheimer’s Association’s new report, “Generation Alzheimer’s,” looks at the impact of Alzheimer’s on the Baby Boomer generation. Visit ALZ.org/Boomers

It’s estimated that 79 percent of adults age 65+ are on medications and 35 percent of older persons experience Adverse Drug Events (ADEs), almost half of which are preventable. ADEs are: associated with preventable outcomes (falls, depression, confusion, immobility, constipation and re-hospitalization); a cause of morbidity leading to emergency room visits and hospital admissions; and estimated to cost the health care system $75-85 billion annually.

Source: Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing

Recommended Reading: “Passages in Caregiving” by Gail Sheehy