Stories from November, 2024
Stories from November, 2024
California’s aging population is more diverse and growing faster than any other age group. By 2030, an estimated 10.3 million older Californians (age 60 and over) will make up 25% of the state’s population. California’s Master Plan for Aging (MPA) affirms the priority of the health and well-being of older Californians and people with disabilities. It acts as a “blueprint” for state government, local government, the private sector and philanthropy to prepare the state for the coming demographic changes and continue...
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced that drivers 70-years-old and older in California whose licenses expire in 2024 and beyond will no longer be required to take a written knowledge test. "All drivers have been required to take a written test once they turn 70 as a policy requirement and not a requirement of law," said DMV Director Steve Gordon. "We are eliminating the written knowledge test for those without traffic violations on their record to...
On October 1, The Carter Center and the world celebrated the 100th birthday of former President Jimmy Carter, the longest-living U.S. president in history. Born on October 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, Carter has dedicated his life to service and human rights. Early in life, he was an active member of the Plains community alongside his wife, Rosalynn, whom he married in 1946. He was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 1962 and served as Georgia's 76th governor from 1971 to...
When you are relearning how to walk, sometimes it's the grass that trips you up and sometimes it's the rocks. Kaweah Health Rehabilitation Hospital's new mobility course, which had a ribbon-cutting on September 16, helps patients who have had life-altering injuries learn how to maneuver through various types of terrain. "For older adults especially, mobility involves more than just walking on flat, controlled surfaces," said Molly Niederreiter, director of Rehabilitation and...
District Attorney Tim Ward is warning of a financial scam targeting Tulare County residents, particularly seniors, with bogus claims that personal bank and investment accounts have been compromised. "This scam is happening in Tulare County, and the Office of the District Attorney has prosecuted and is currently prosecuting offenders involved in the scam," said Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward. The scam begins as many others do, with an erroneous pop-up computer ad or...
Leeza Gibbons is best known as a co-host of "Entertainment Tonight" and for "Leeza," her syndicated daytime talk show. She is also an author and, since 2017, has hosted the Tournament of Roses Parade on local television. In 2007, she was appointed by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to a board that oversees the state's stem cell research agency. Gibbons' current passion is Leeza's Care Connection, which helps caregivers learn ways to cope and manage their role. She...
Sitting too long at work or at home lays the groundwork for many health risks - depression, poor dietary habits and cardiovascular disease among them. Another related issue, despite its silly name, can be serious: dead butt syndrome. Technically known as "gluteal amnesia," the condition means that the muscles of a person's rear end forget how to do their job - namely stabilizing the pelvis and affecting the body's alignment - because of inactivity. "Our bodies aren't designed...
November marks National Hospice and Palliative Month, offering an opportune time to reflect on the importance of support for families and patients facing end-of-life challenges. Hospice care, typically provided to patients with a life expectancy of six months or less, focuses on managing pain and symptoms while addressing emotional and spiritual needs. Kaweah Health Hospice, a not-for-profit agency in Tulare County, offers a range of services to support patients and their...
We've seen dramatic increases in life expectancy over the 19th and 20th centuries, thanks to healthier diets, medical advances and many other quality-of-life improvements. But after nearly doubling over the course of the 20th century, the rate of increase has slowed considerably in the last three decades, according to a new study led by the University of Illinois Chicago. Despite frequent breakthroughs in medicine and public health, life expectancy at birth in the world's...
"The 2.5% COLA for Social Security benefits in 2025 is nowhere near enough to allow older adults to afford their true cost of living," said Ramsey Alwin, president and CEO of the National Council on Aging, following the announcement of the Social Security cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for 2025. "The poverty rate for people age 65 and older remained at an unacceptable 14% in 2023," he continued. "Our research with the LeadingAge LTSS Center at UMass Boston shows that about...
Social Security benefits and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for more than 72.5 million Americans will increase by 2.5% in 2025, the Social Security Administration announced on October 10. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $50 per month starting in January. Over the last decade, the cost-of-living (COLA) adjustment increase has averaged about 2.6%. The COLA was 3.2% in 2024. Nearly 68 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.5% COLA beginning in January...
Over the years, Tulare County has been known for many things - like its fertile soil, its abundance of water, and its beautiful Sierra scenery. Unfortunately, there was a time when the county had a well-deserved reputation for something far less pleasant - train robberies. Locals like Christopher Evans, John Sontag, the Daltons and other outlaws did their best to burn these crimes deep into the pages of Tulare County history. From 1889 to 1898, Tulare County experienced at...
December is the coldest month of the year in our area, and the winter solstice occurs on December 21. It's the shortest day of the year, the first day of winter, and from then on the days will be getting longer. Celebrations around the solstice are most often marked with greenery for the promise of a returning spring, yule logs and candles to increase the light for the day, and in general everything nature-related to remind ourselves we live on a living, changing,...
Forget about retinol night creams, researchers from Edith Cowan University (ECU) believe travel could be the best way to defy premature ageing. For the first time, an interdisciplinary study has applied the theory of entropy to tourism, finding that travel could have positive health benefits, including slowing down the signs of aging. Entropy is classified as the general trend of the universe towards death and disorder. The entropy perspective suggests that tourism could...
Over 300 area residents participated in this year's Tulare and Kings Counties Walk to End Alzheimer's at Valley Strong Ballpark, home of the Visalia Rawhide, on October 5. So far, more than $35,000 has been raised to fight the disease. "This year's event was a smash success" said Walk Manager Heather McCarthy. This year's goal was $30,000 and McCarthy knew before Walk Day that this event had already surpassed its goal. "Even though this event has gone over its goal, there is...
The holiday season is a joyous time for many. Families gather to celebrate, spend time together, and look forward to the new year. This time of year can be difficult, though, for homebound senior citizens experiencing isolation, with limited resources and support. To add a little holiday cheer to their lives, selected seniors will receive a stocking filled with donated cold-weather items and hygiene products during the annual Kings/Tulare Area Agency on Aging (K/T AAA)...
Being safe and comfortable at home is a large part of living well. Home modifications and repairs can help everyone prevent accidents and maintain an independent lifestyle, especially older adults and people with disabilities. Many older adults prefer to live in their own homes for as long as possible, but too often don't think about whether a home can adapt to their needs as they age. Making improvements before they are needed is a good way to ensure that a home is ready...
I had to quit my job to care for my father. His income is very low and the cost of caring for him is coming out of my savings. Are there any programs that can help? The government offers benefits for seniors. Many government programs can help to provide financial assistance to seniors who need additional financial support. The following programs may make the financial aspect of caregiving easier. 1. Money for Veterans to Modify their Caregiver's Home If your family member is a retired service member with service-connected...
Among tales of remarkable human-animal friendships, few true stories have been as mysterious, or as profoundly touching, as that of the little Magellanic penguin who crossed the vast ocean, again and again, of his own accord, to visit the curmudgeonly fisherman who rescued him from peril. This "penguin out of water" tale comes to theaters and streaming services as an emotional and poignant family adventure, a journey of friendship, courage, compassion and the power of love to...
In "How to Make Millions before Grandma Dies," a scheming young man moves in to care for his grandmother who has just been diagnosed with cancer. Motivated by a desire to secure her fortune for himself, he quickly discovers that winning Grandma's favor is no easy feat. This conniving grandson, driven by the desire for a multimillion-dollar inheritance, puts aside his dreams as a hopeful gamecaster, but Grandma proves to be a very tough lady - demanding, exacting and...
New Zealand has its own online gaming portal for seniors with a new Mahjong portal designed primarily for elderly players aged 65+. The goal of this project was to create the best Mahjong game tailored to the specific needs of a senior audience, helping them easily interact with the game elements. According to the latest studies, Mahjong solitaire and other similar puzzle games, when played regularly, can help prevent neurological conditions associated with cognitive decline...
