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Greetings!
We hear about things in the news - the economy, healthcare legislation, changes in Medicare. But, what do these things really mean for seniors?
Societal and national issues can and do impact the elderly. It is important to be informed and understand how these things can impact you or someone you love.
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We are all familiar with racism and sexism - but what about "ageism?" "Ageism" was first defined by Dr. Robert Butler in 1968 as "a systematic stereotyping of and discrimination against people because they are old."
Social scientists agree that when we meet new people, we automatically first look for three things - race, gender, and age. People do this to mentally categorize and define others. When describing people, there is a tendency to focus on gender, age, and race as well.
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Medicare is a US government health insurance program for people aged 65 and over who have paid into Social Security for 10 years. A person is automatically signed up if receiving SS payments unless specific steps are taken to opt out. It can also be used by those under 65 with certain medical conditions or those who receive certain social security disability benefits.
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Independent Living and Seniors - Housing Needs
Housing is vital to a senior's health and safety. Eighty percent of people aged 50 and over own their own homes and 92% of them want to age in place and never move out. For those fortunate to own their own homes, there are still rising costs that are sometimes difficult to manage such as household maintenance, major repairs, lawn care services, and rising local property taxes. In addition, many people have homes that are not suitable for frail elderly living and may need modifications in order to age in place. It is also costly to heat and cool a large home for just one or two people.
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