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Getting
Older In The United States
- The population of older Americans is
growing and changing rapidly in terms of age distribution,
ethnic background, and racial makeup.
The number of Americans 65 and older is expected to double by
2030, with people over 85 being the fastest growing segment.
The number of older blacks, Hispanics, and Asian Americans are
expected to more than double by 2050.
- As many as sixty percent of nursing
home residents never have a visitor. People over age
85 are the most likely to live in nursing homes, and
three-quarters of nursing home residents are women
- Older Americans are more physically
active than their younger counterparts, but many still miss
out on the benefits of activity.
About
one-third of those age 55 to 64 years are inactive, while 46
percent of those over 74 years reported no activity.
- Dehydration is a major problem in
older adults, especially in "oldest" old and those
who are institutionalized
.
Estimated to result in 6.7% of hospitalizations, dehydration
can lead to constipation, fecal impaction, cognitive
impairment, functional decline, and even death.
- Federal programs to combat hunger
and food insecurity are estimated to reach only one-third
of needy older Americans.
Surveys suggest that significant numbers of low-income
seniors suffer from marginal nutrient intakes and, in some
cases, malnutrition serious enough to affect their health
status.
Source: Eat Right Montana
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Did you know…
In 1967, Mozarkite became
Missouri’s Official State Rock. Mozarkite is an
attractive, highly colored variety of quartz consisting mainly
of flint, jasper, and chalcedony. The rock can be found in
roadside ditches, outcroppings, hillsides, creek beds, and
around lakes and ponds. Its hardness of 7.5 to 7.775 qualifies
it as a suitable material for semiprecious gemstone. The popular
stone is more plentiful in the Lincoln area of Benton County.
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Payday Loans: Expensive
Money
Payday loans, also known as "check
advance loans," "post-dated check loans," or
"delayed deposit checks," are a costly form of credit.
They can be tempting, however, when people face a financial
pinch.
To get a payday loan, the consumer pays a
fee in cash, then writes a check for the loan amount and dates
it after the next payday. The lender advances cash in the amount
of the check, and holds the check until its date. The dollar
cost adds up if the loan must be renewed week after week. The
fee for these loans typically equals an annual interest rate of
200% or more.
To make sure consumers are aware of the
higher costs of these loans, the Federal Reserve has identified
payday loans as a type of credit subject to the Truth in Lending
Act. Beginning October 1, 2000 a APR (annual percentage rate)
must be disclosed in any payday loan agreement.
For more information on payday loans, see
the Federal Trade Commission’s Web site http//www.ftc.gov.
Click on Consumer Protection, then on Credit.
Source: Weekly Money Tip, Iowa State
University Extension, September 21, 2000
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Investing for Your Future
For those who have access to the Internet
and are interested in learning about investing, Rutgers
Cooperative Extension has an excellent web-based home study
course.
The 11-unit home study course was
developed for beginning investors with small dollar amounts to
invest at any one time. In developing this course, Rutgers
Cooperative Extension assumed that many participants would be
investing for the first time or selecting an investment product
that they have not purchased previously.
The course starts with the basics, such
as, setting goals, investment terms, and finding money to
invest. After exploring the basics, the course describes
specific types of investments in detail, how they are purchased,
and what it costs to purchase each investment.
Finally, the course concludes with
available resources, how to select professional financial
advisors, and information to help avoid becoming a victim of
investment fraud.
There is no cost to participate in the
home-study course. The Web site is:
http://www.investing.rutgers.edu
Check it out—this is a good way to
learn more about investing.
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If walking is your workout…here
are some tips to make it a more effective workout.
- Walk faster
by taking quicker, not longer, steps. Don’t overstride. Let
your steps come naturally.
- Stand tall
.
Pull in your tummy muscles to keep your back from arching.
- Bend your elbows
at a 90-degree angle. Swing your arms to the center of your
chest. Push off with your toes into the next step.
Enjoy your walk! Take your dog with
you…they need the exercise too!
Adapted from The Center for Women’s
Healthcare
Who is likeliest to eat
the recommended five (or more) fruits and vegetables a day?
According to a survey of American eating
habits from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, most
18- to 34-year-olds eat only one or two servings of produce
daily, or none. The good news: older adults do better. In the
over-65 group, more than 40% consume three or four servings;
about 35% make it to five.
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Mailing Service
If you are interested in having this
newsletter mailed to you, please contact us:
University of Missiouri Extension Center of Callaway County
5803 County Road 302, Fulton, MO 65251.
callawayco@missouri.edu
Tel: (573) 642 0755
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