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Thursday, July 30, 2020

Normal Aging or Dementia?



As you get older, delays in recall become more common and you may ask yourself if it’s normal or the start of dementia.


You can’t remember where you put the car keys … again. You start to introduce a friend and, embarrassingly, can’t remember her name. You begin to tell someone about that fun movie you watched last night, but you’ve forgotten its title. Aurgh! Not only is it frustrating, but a thought wiggles into the back of your head: Is this how dementia starts? Am I getting Alzheimer’s?

Slowed recall commonly starts in your 50s or 60s, but experts say you can relax: It’s very unlikely to be dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease. In fact, recent studies show that the overall rate of dementia has declined over the past 10 years in older Americans age 70 and over due to cardiovascular disease prevention.

According to Amy Ehrlich, M.D., associate chief of geriatrics at Montefiore Health System in New York City. “It’s very typical as you age that you have trouble remembering a name,  then it will just pop into your head,” says Dr. Ehrlich. “That is not a sign of impending dementia, as dementia is a disabling condition.” According to leading dementia researcher Dr. Kenneth Langa, professor of medicine at the University of Michigan, 90% percent of older adults do not have dementia.

Still, it is true that the risk of getting Alzheimer’s doubles every five years after you turn 65. According to research by the Lancent commission, older adults can reduce their risk of dementia dramatically by:

  • treating depression
  • quitting smoking
  • treating high blood pressure
  • maintaining a normal weight/BMI
  • increasing physical activity
  • managing diabetes 

Who’s Qualified to Diagnose Dementia?


Older adults who have noticed cognitive changes should see their primary care physician first to eliminate treatable conditions and order further testing. Patients may be referred to a neurologist — a doctor who specializes in the brain and nervous system. Often, brain imaging is required for a definitive diagnosis. Geriatric psychiatrists, neuropsychologists, and geriatricians can also specialize in diagnosing dementia. If there is no such specialist in your community, check with the neurology department of the nearest medical school. An affiliated hospital may also have a dementia disorders clinic where expert evaluation can be found.

Types of Dementia


Dementia actually covers a variety of cognitive disorders, of which Alzheimer’s is the most common. Another kind is Lewy body dementia, which happens when tiny deposits damage brain cells. Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain due to heart disease or stroke.

Lay diagnosing, especially among grown children and well-meaning friends, is common and often causes family strife. Never assume it is Alzheimer’s Disease or dementia, get a diagnosis. Getting some baseline testing is a good idea if you think you, or someone you know, is beginning to show signs of dementia. Two assessments can be better than one using practitioners in complementary disciplines, such as a geriatric psychiatrist/psychologist and a neuropsychologist.

Dementia and Drugs


The effects of certain drugs can mimic dementia, causing confusion, disorientation, and memory loss. These medications include antihistamines and those used to treat Parkinson’s, and belong to a class called anticholinergic drugs. Even some doctors are fooled into thinking patients exhibiting symptoms of mild cognitive impairment have early dementia and treat them accordingly by mistake. Health care professionals should assess patients for use of anticholinergic drugs before beginning therapy for cognitive decline.

Always consult a medical professional before discontinuing any treatments or medications. 

Heavy alcohol use and urinary tract infections can also interfere with memory and mimic dementia.  Blood clots, brain tumors, vitamin deficiencies, depression, sleep disorders, head trauma … the list of causes for problems that resemble dementia is quite long. Rule out any of these possibilities before deciding you may have dementia.

Dementia and Sleep Apnea


Recently, sleep apnea has been linked with an increased risk of dementia and brain damage, especially among older women.  Low oxygen levels have been linked to reduced thickness in portions of the brain vital for memory which change with the onset of dementia.  Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) occurs when the sides of the throat relax, narrowing the airway and impeding the flow of oxygen. A recent study found that older adults should be routinely screened for the condition by a medical professional, since the chances of having it increase with age. 

Normal Signs of Aging


Dr. Ehrlich discussed what she looks for when she’s evaluating patients for signs of dementia. First, she’ll check if they can still learn new technology. It’s normal if it takes a little longer to get the hang of your new smartphone, but if you can learn a new task, it’s not likely to be dementia. Multitasking becomes more difficult with age and that is part of normal aging. However, semantic memory, or memory involving facts and concepts, tends to remain at the same level or dip slightly with age. At middle-age, some women find themselves forgetful and distracted due to menopausal hormonal changes.

Impaired episodic memory, which affects your ability to recall a significant personal event from long ago, such as a marriage or graduation, is a hallmark sign of dementia. There are a host of other causes having nothing to do with aging that can affect episodic memory as well. Not being able to recall the author of the book you just read or a recent appointment, on the other hand, is merely a sign of normal aging. But if you pick up the book and wonder what it is, that is not a sign of normal aging and you should consult a medical professional.

Certainly, if you suspect that you or a loved one may have dementia, or you just want some assurance that you do not have it, call your doctor. After ruling out a physical cause, she can run a combination of cognitive and neuropsychological tests to assess mental functioning. In older adults, the majority of dementia-like symptoms are not dementia at all but treatable conditions known as pseudodementia.

This article was corrected on August 6, 2020 from its original publication on  July 30, 2020.


Click below for the other articles in the July 2020 Senior Spirit


Sources:


https://journals.lww.com/nursing/Fulltext/2006/04000/Drug_effects_may_mimic_dementia.24.aspx 
https://www.alz.org/blog/alz/october_2011/sudden_change_in_behavior_urinary_tract_infection
https://www.sleepfoundation.org/articles/what-your-sleep-habits-reveal-about-your-dementia-risk
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322379 
https://memory.ucsf.edu/symptoms/memory 


Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors




Thursday, July 23, 2020

Will Coronavirus Ruin Your Retirement?



The economy took a sharp stumble when the pandemic hit; some businesses aren’t getting back up. Older adults worry about retirement in the aftermath.


The unemployment rate caused by COVID-19 precautions has hit older Americans harder than any other group except the youngest workers. Older adults may not return to the workforce, or they may take a long time to do so. An April 2020 survey showed 32% of baby boomers had lost confidence in their ability to retire due to the pandemic. And while they’re waiting it out, they could be reducing funds intended for retirement or making a decision to start Social Security earlier than they’d planned.

Unemployment High


Why is it that the old are becoming unemployed at a greater rate than most? The jobs they primarily occupied were in industries that got slammed: education and health care fields unrelated to COVID-19 care such as dentist offices, optometrist offices, and home health care. Older women were more affected than older men.

These aging workers are unlikely to be hired back as readily as younger cohorts. Age discrimination could rear its ugly head as employers fear having to make special accommodations for a population most vulnerable to the coronavirus. They may worry about liability if they cannot provide a safe work environment for older adults. 



What to Do When the Market Falls


Nothing. That’s right, the best thing to do is simply hold tight. Don’t sell! The market goes up and the market goes down, but mostly over time, it goes up. If you buy and hold low-cost index funds, you can pretty much ignore the market gyrations. Of course, when the market is down the stock of great American companies is on sale — recently, by as much as 40%! If you had extra cash, it was a great time to add to market holdings.

Bonds can give you some peace of mind when the market is declining. They tend to go up when stocks are sliding down. Finally, the dividend payout of stocks naturally rises when the value of the stock falls, as long as the company doesn’t cut dividends. If you find yourself hyperventilating during a market downturn, watch this 2-minute video of legend Warren Buffett and financial professionals for reassurance.

Fraud Increasing


Even before the coronavirus appeared, 9.2% of older Americans fell below poverty thresholds in 2017. They were going to have to continue working, according to Anna Maria Chavez of the National Council on Aging. 

All of these vulnerable adults are looking for a way out of their predicament, and it’s spawned a new wave of scammers targeting them for whatever savings they have left. “We call it ‘fake friends,’” says Chavez. These cheats offer “financial services” or pitch get-rich-quick schemes involving retirement or investment ideas. The Federal Trade Commission has responded with a scam bingo card to educate older consumers about the fraud. 

Use Assistance


Financial experts urge those who qualify to sign up for state and federal programs aimed to help them through hard times. You may qualify for SNAP (you may remember it as food stamps) or unemployment insurance. Ask your landlord for rent reduction or call your lender and see if you can negotiate forbearance on mortgage payments that will then be tacked on to the end of your mortgage term. 

If a job with a low payout would enable you to manage but you can’t find anything locally, try contacting the Retired and Senior Volunteer Programs (RSVP).  These programs connect people age 55 and up with rewarding work that may pay a small hourly rate.

CARES Act


In the meantime, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act has several provisions covering retirement accounts:

  • If you’re younger than 59-and-a-half, there is normally a 10% penalty on withdrawals from IRAs and defined contribution plans, such as 401(k)s and 403(b)s. The CARES Act waives the penalty if you’ve experienced hardship due to the pandemic for withdrawals up to $100,000 made from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020. The CARES Act also allows up to three years to pay taxes on the withdrawal, and you can repay all or part of the distribution within three years and they won’t be counted toward annual contribution limits. 
  • Some employers allow loans from employer-sponsored retirement plans for those impacted by the coronavirus. The limit is $50,000 to $100,000 if your employer is participating. You may also borrow up to 100% of your vested amount, with the possible limit temporarily bumped up to $100,000 from $50,000. Loan payments due from now until December 31 on an existing loan may be deferred for a year. However, interest will continue to accrue. Contact your human resources office for details where you work.


Whether or not you should take a loan or make a withdrawal from your retirement plan is a different question. If you can avoid it and get by on other savings or assistance, you probably should. But if you’re facing an inability to pay your mortgage or buy food, it may be your only option. 

Finally, the CARES Act allows people subject to required minimum distributions (RMDs) to forego them without penalty for 2020. People 72 and older with an IRA, SIMPLE IRA, SEP IRA or other retirement plan such as a 401(k) can waive payments. If you can make do without the withdrawal, it may be a good idea, but be sure to consult your tax advisor first.

Thankfully, many sectors of the economy appear to be recovering faster than was expected. But a crisis can occur at any time. The best offense is a good defense: In this case, having emergency funds so you don’t need to tap retirement accounts. But if you must, there is leeway through the CARES Act to make that a little less painful.


Click below for the other articles in the July 2020 Senior Spirit


Sources:

Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors



Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Travel in the Time of COVID-19



Is it Safe to Travel? Here’s what the experts are saying.


Cabin fever: everybody’s got it. But there is much debate as to whether it is safe to go to your favorite local restaurant, much less across the country. You may really need to travel somewhere, such as to help aging parents relocate. Or it could be you’ve heard that a cruise you’ve always wanted to do is half off if you buy tickets now. Should you? Find out what experts are saying about travel today. 


What About Airbnb Stays?


Lodging is a whole other can of worms. Many families are looking to the comfort of whole-house rental for a safe stay, while others eye cabins. In late April, Airbnb announced its Enhanced Cleaning Initiative to standardize cleaning and sanitation among its members. It gives hosts three options for cleaning their rentals:

  1. Most rigorous. Hosts enroll in the Cleaning Protocol learning and certification program. Only approved disinfectant can be used, and rentals maintain 24-hour periods between hosting to mitigate the risk of airborne particles being shared among guests. 
  2. Booking Buffer. In this level, the rental remains vacant for 24 hours after a guest leaves. It is then cleaned, and another 48 hours must pass before another guest enters. This protocol works for hosts who cannot obtain the required cleaning products of the Cleaning Protocol or can’t use them because they outsource a cleaning provider. 
  3. Nothing new. The third option is business as usual, but there is going to be serious market pressure to follow option 1 or 2. 
These guidelines are expected to roll out in June. Watch the space for changes and ask potential hosts what they are doing to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus before you book.

Airlines


Which airline you take, and which aircraft from their fleet, has a direct bearing on your safety in the skies. Since there are no national protocols at the time of this writing, it is only wise to dial the airline and ask a few questions. How many passengers are they seating to a row? Will alternate rows be empty? What are their sanitation procedures? Does the aircraft you will be in have a HEPA filter? Are they seating the middle row?

Most airlines are fogging the aircraft with disinfectant, but you still may want to wipe down the most germ-filled surfaces, which are the tray in front of you, arm rests and buttons, plus the lavatory door and sink handles. Avoid using the bathroom if you can. Wear a mask, and use gloves throughout your trip. The HEPA filter contained in most planes today is the same filter used in hospital ICUs. You can turn on the overhead air flow and adjust it to just in front of your face, helping to whisk away any virus that may be headed your way.

Additionally, be careful in the airport to maintain at least six feet in the security line and terminal. Hanging out in a crowd can increase your risk of getting the disease. Bring sanitizer and/or wipes and use them whenever you must touch something that could be exposed to the virus. Recent travelers report overall positive experiences in the air and at the nation’s airports; however, TSA personnel cuts may mean that the special clearance you paid for has no dedicated line, and you will be taking your shoes off in security like everyone else. On the bonus side, most airlines are currently offering free changes up to, or even including, the day of travel, and flights are picking up daily, increasing your odds of a direct route.

Bus and Train Travel


Again, a call to the company you are riding with will tell you a lot about the safety factor. Are passengers seated in alternating rows? What happens to passengers with a fever? What sanitation protocols are in place?

Cruising


Cruise ships have been referred to as “floating petri dishes,” so why would anyone book a cruise now? Price, my friend, low price. But would you be crazy to get on a boat at this stage in the game? Currently, the CDC’s answer is “yes.” Visit this travel site for updated details.

Although cruise lines are working out how to ensure safer travel onboard, it is currently quite risky to be at sea with a thousand of your closest friends. There is just no way to isolate in a cruise vessel, where mingling is normally encouraged and unavoidable. If you must go on a cruise, do your best to maintain a six-foot clear radius around you (those German pool noodle-wearers might bear imitation). Also, consider taking meals in your cabin, wiping surfaces employees may have touched. And, as in all public areas, avoid public restrooms if at all possible.

RV’ing


Everybody you know has hopped in their RV for a safe travel adventure … but is it? Actually, RV’ing is not a bad way to go if you take a few simple precautions. Use the bathroom in the RV, not public restrooms, along the way. Gas up with gloves or use sanitizer or wipes at the pump. Wear a mask in public areas, such as when you stop for gas or groceries. Stock up with food and water at home, if possible. Remember that restaurants may be closed. If you are renting an RV, follow the CDC’s guidance on cleaning and disinfecting. Finally, check on state or local health restrictions along the way and at your destination.

Camping 


Now there’s an idea: it’s cheap, it’s in the great outdoors, and it’s easy to stay away from other people when camping, right? Well, the answer is mostly yes. A recent study found the virus dies quickly on surfaces and in the air when exposed to direct sunlight, and other research notes that wind carries it away outdoors. These factors, plus a tendency to isolate at your campsite and in your group on the trail, make car camping or erecting a tent an excellent choice. Just remember that public restrooms can gather the virus, so you may want to invest $20 in a Luggable Loo portable toilet before you go. Wear a mask if you are around others and maintain a six-foot radius on the trail.

Other Considerations


Planning and preparation is always a part of travel, but there are more things to consider now that COVID-19 is in the world. You may be so used to going to a favorite restaurant at your destination that you forget to call and make sure they are open, but that’s important nowadays, especially if you’ve planned to eat out. If the place is open for business, it is okay to ask what they are doing to keep customers (and staff) safe. It is also better to be seated outdoors on a patio instead of inside.

Another thing that may never have crossed your mind is to carry an advance healthcare directive with you, particularly if you will be cruising. It is a legal document about what actions you would like taken for your health in the event you can no longer make those decisions because of illness or incapacity.

If you can, it is safest to stay at home. But if you need to travel, remember that the virus is still out there, and people are still getting sick and going to the hospital. We are all tired of hanging out at home, but it is a lot better than lying in bed in an ICU, and that should be top of mind when making the decision to travel.



Click below for the other articles in the July 2020 Senior Spirit


Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-in-the-us.html
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2020/05/13/is-flying-safe-with-covid-19-coronavirus-when-should-you-fly-again/#45d352892534
https://www.businessinsider.com/are-airbnbs-safe-coronavirus
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/travel-in-the-us.html
https://www.fcmtravel.com/en-us/resources/insights/fly-safe-during-covid-19
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/05/15/848706362/coronavirus-faqs-how-risky-is-it-to-fly-is-there-any-way-to-reduce-the-risks
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2020/05/15/848706362/coronavirus-faqs-how-risky-is-it-to-fly-is-there-any-way-to-reduce-the-risks
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/coronavirus-cruise-ship
https://www.kxan.com/news/local/study-coronavirus-appears-to-die-quickly-in-direct-sunlight/





Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors



Thursday, July 9, 2020

Telemedicine Is on the Rise for Older Adults


With the advent of COVID-19, telemedicine has come into its own. But how does it work? What will you pay? Is it as good as seeing your doctor in person?


As the coronavirus sweeps across the country, older adults are isolating at home and in care facilities for safety. Problem is, the vast majority of them need health care, either for chronic conditions or acute issues. With the health care system strained, the Trump administration recently cleared the way for a temporary increase in the use of telemedicine.

Telemedicine is “the use of medical information exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve a patient’s clinical health status,” according to the American Telemedicine Association. Simply put, it involves having provider visits via computer or phone, and monitoring patient health remotely with sensors. A steady stream of vital signs can be automatically recorded and shared while the patient stays comfortably at home.

“Having a feed of information that tracks vitals over time is much more comprehensive than the snapshot assessment that’s obtained during an in-office doctor’s visit,” says Majd Alwan, senior vice president of technology and executive director of the LeadingAge Center for Aging Services Technologies (CAST). “Doctors can prescribe appropriate treatments and interventions, as well as detect the early onset of disease, without patients even leaving their homes.” More than half of hospitals use telemedicine in some way to monitor patient health.

Coverage Increases


On March 17, the White House announced an expansion of benefits under Medicare during the COVID-19 pandemic. “Providers will be allowed to use everyday technologies to talk to telehealth patients, more telehealth services will be covered ... and providers will be allowed to offer these telehealth benefits to Medicare beneficiaries at a lower cost than traditional services,” Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a prepared statement.

Telemedicine may be as simple as a call from an older adult to a health provider to report symptoms from a new medication and ask for guidance. But older adults who are not as able can benefit as well by having a caretaker give updates or detail an issue. And automatic monitors — such as fall alerts or heart monitors — can send critical information without the need for human intervention.

Many providers are hopeful that the new guidelines will endure beyond the pandemic. As lawmakers realize the cost savings and patients experience the convenience and accessibility of the technology, virtual care could become the new norm.

How Does It Work?


Telemedicine can’t mend a broken bone, but it’s amazing how many services can be delivered virtually. Doctors, Physician’s Assistants and other professionals can Skype or FaceTime clients and hear how they are doing with a new medication, if they may benefit from an antidepressant, ask about a rash that the patient can “show” them with a phone or computer camera, or recommend virtual mental health therapy. They can also go over prescribed exercises, ask how a patient is eating or get a report on vital signs.

The health care worker benefits by being able to handle a larger number of patients without the expense of upkeep in the waiting room or exam rooms. (Some providers offer their services exclusively via electronic communication, eschewing a brick-and-mortar office completely). Providers are also protected from catching any bacteria or virus the patient may have, and vice-versa.

While anyone can benefit from the ease of picking up the phone for a visit with the doctor, some groups are particularly grateful for the option. Older adults with mobility issues, those in rural areas where health care is geographically far away, and those who lack transportation all find a major problem fixed. In addition, patients with diabetes, heart issues or lung problems may be treated without the worry of exposure to someone carrying the coronavirus.

What Is Covered?


Currently, Medicare will cover three types of virtual services:

  • Check-ins. Medicare beneficiaries can message their care provider to cut down on trips to the office. This service may be included for chronically ill people who need to check in on a set basis.
  • Telehealth visits. Patients can consult with a professional over the phone instead of in person. This works for mental health care as well.
  • E-visits. Non-urgent communication is initiated by the patient via email, and follow-up is provided by the health care professional. 

Show Me the Numbers


  • Those casting a jaundiced eye at the novel technology may be swayed by numbers emerging from an ever-growing body of research. Consider the following:
  • At a chain of skilled nursing homes in Illinois, telemedicine is in use to cut down on both emergency visits and readmissions to hospitals. Nearly 81% of patients using the technology could be treated on site.
  • In Pennsylvania, a nonprofit running senior living communities managed to reduce the percentage of older adults moving into nursing homes from 20% to 12% just by having frail patients wear a monitoring device that could alert nurses to a fall.
  • The cost of starting a telemedicine program in nursing homes can be balanced by a reduction in costs of transferring patients to emergency rooms and doctors’ offices. 


And it’s not just patients who benefit. Caregivers find that telemedicine can be a lifeline, reducing the need to take Mom to appointments. They are also able to stay involved in the care protocol for their loved one, since they can ask questions and make reports electronically.

Veterans with limited mobility or chronic illness may also take advantage of telemedicine. The hope is that these services can avoid a move into a skilled nursing facility.

The future for telemedicine looks promising as more and more innovations in monitoring equipment hit the market, and older adults adapt to electronic visits. The population will become more device-savvy over time, and telemedicine, like online banking, is likely to play an ever-larger role in delivering a vital service.


Click below for the other articles in the July 2020 Senior Spirit




Sources:


https://www.agingcare.com/articles/telemedicine-a-promising-model-for-senior-health-care-191659.htm
https://khn.org/morning-breakout/telemedicine-for-seniors-gets-boost-in-effort-to-keep-most-vulnerable-at-home-out-of-hospitals/
https://healthtechmagazine.net/article/2020/04/expanded-telehealth-coverage-seniors-why-it-matters-now

Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

www.csa.us

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Robot Pets for Lonely Older Adults



Facing isolation from pandemic-induced quarantines and worry about the safety of their health, older adults turn to tech devices to relieve loneliness. 


Wagging his tail, big brown eyes softly shining, the dog lies patiently in the lap of an older adult. When he’s petted behind his ears, he leans in for more. And he never soils the carpet or needs to be walked. That’s because he is a Tombot, a robotic puppy in development for older adults with dementia. These companion “animals” are increasingly being considered for use with older adults who have limited human interaction due to fears of COVID-19 contamination.

As adults age, the problem of loneliness increases; a 2018 study found that a third of adults over 45 felt lonely. And those who are lonely and isolated socially tend to have more health problems. Pets have been proven to be valuable companions, but many older adults lack the ability to provide necessary care for an animal. Enter technology.

Robots to the Rescue


Robotic cats, dogs and even seals have been created to respond to touch, motion and sound. Studies show that they reduce stress and provide increased engagement with both the older adult and their environment.

“What we saw from the robotic, interactive pets project is that it appeared to provide our day care participants with a companion that prompted them to speak to the pet often as well as share their feelings,” said one researcher. “Participants seemed to believe that the pet was responding to their statements through meowing, turning their head, or blinking their eyes, and that they were ‘having a conversation’ with the pet.”

You can watch older adults interacting with the pets in a YouTube news report about a care service that offers a robotic pet on visits.

Expense


One limiting factor can be the cost of the robotic pets, some of which are quite advanced. Sony’s Aibo robot dog arrives complete with facial recognition and internet connectivity for $2,900. Paro the seal sports five types of sensors and can learn to behave in a way the user prefers. But you will have to part with several thousand dollars for the privilege.

A pair of companies recognized the need for a less expensive version that wasn’t overly simplistic. Tombot’s pup retails for $500, and Ageless Innovation’s Joy for All cats and dogs, although marginally less realistic, can be had for $100. They focus on a smaller set of realistic behaviors: head movements, facial expressions, and tail wagging.

While the love and attention of caregivers and others cannot be replaced, the robotic companions are a boon for older adults who spend time alone. Even those who have never owned an animal often react positively when the “pet” is introduced. In these trying times, it is nice to have another option to help Mom or Dad feel like they have a friend.


Click below for the other articles in the July 2020 Senior Spirit





Sources:


http://www.fau.edu/newsdesk/articles/robotic-cats-pandemic.php
https://www.nbcnews.com/mach/science/why-robotic-pets-dementia-care-may-be-next-big-thing-ncna990166
https://www.aarp.org/research/topics/life/info-2018/loneliness-social-connections.html?CMP=RDRCT-PRI-HOMFAM-073118


Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

www.csa.us

Friday, July 3, 2020

Famous and 65

Look who's turning 65 this month

Find out which celebrities are turning 65 this month!


Image Source: Wikipedia

July 9 - Jimmy Smits, actor


Brooklyn-born Jimmy Smits may be best known for playing attorney Victor Sifuentes on the legal drama L.A. Law, or you might have caught him on NYPD Blue as Detective Bobby Simone. More recently, he played the part of Matt Santos on the political drama West Wing.

The handsome star was born to working-class parents. His father was from Suriname and his mother was born in Puerto Rico, where Smits spent time as a child. The family was devoutly Roman Catholic, and Smits still returns to Puerto Rico often.

No slouch at academics, Smits earned a bachelor’s from Brooklyn College and a Master of Fine Arts from Cornell University. He appeared in many plays at the Hangar Theatre in Ithaca, New York. His screen acting career began with a role in Miami Vice (remember that show?!) back in 1984 when he played the part of Sony Crockett’s original partner, shot to death in a sting that backfired. Smits identifies as Puerto Rican and has won the HOLA Award for Excellence from the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors.

After a short marriage to his high school sweetheart that produced two children, Smits has partnered with actress Wanda De Jesus. The couple live in Los Angeles and support a number of charities, including the Red Cross and Stand up to Cancer.






Image Source: Wikipedia

July 13 - Chris White, saxophonist for Dire Straits 


It’s every kid’s dream: start playing an instrument at the age of 13 and wind up touring with a world-famous band. White did exactly that, playing with other famous artists such as Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger over the decades. The saxophone was his instrument of choice as a teen, and he quickly became so skilled that he was playing in the United Kingdom’s National Youth Jazz Orchestra.

White is also competent on flute and tambourine, and can switch from jazz to Celtic rock, country or blues. His one solo album, released in 1991, is Shadowdance. A motorcycle accident two years later prevented him form a planned tour with Pink Floyd. White performed at the Live Aid concert and Nelson Mandela’s 70th Birthday Concert, both in 1988, as well as the Concert for Diana at Wembley Stadium in 2007.









Image Source: Wikipedia

July 17 - Paul Stamets, mycologist and environmentalist 


This American icon has made his name as an expert on, and promoter of, the lowly mushroom. In fact, the character Lieutenant Commander Paul Stamets on the Star Trek: Discovery series on CBS was named after the real-life Stamets.

Holding only a bachelor’s degree from The Evergreen State College in Olympia, Washington, Stamets became a logger but learned mycology (the study of fungi) on his own after his late brother stoked an interest in the field. Stamets has written five books on the subject of mushrooms. The latest, penned in 2019, is titled, Fantastic Fungi: How Mushrooms Can Heal, Shift Consciousness & Save the Planet.

In 2014, Stamets garnered the Invention Ambassador Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science. He is currently married and has two children from a previous marriage, one of which bears the name of a hallucinogenic mushroom.






Image Source: Wikipedia

July 18 - Bernd Fasching, painter and sculptor


Austrian Bernd Fasching works and lives in Vienna. He is perhaps best known for a series of pieces he created when he lived and worked in galleries around the world, creating each piece over 12 days and 12 nights while living in the gallery. For this period, he would engage with visitors, using their talks to inspire themes. A soundtrack composed for each location would play during the entire 288 hours for each project, set in Vienna (1987), Amsterdam (1980), Cologne (1991), Zurich (1992), Jerusalem (1994), New York (1997), and returning to Vienna again in 2006. The piece would be created in front of the eyes of gallery visitors, who could return throughout the process to watch the work evolve. 






Image Source: Wikipedia

July 25 - Iman, model, actress and entrepreneur  


Iman (born Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid) was born in Mogadishu, Somalia and lived most of her first four years with her grandparents before heading to boarding school in Egypt. She returned to Somalia in her teen years, then moved to Kenya at the urging of her ambassador father. While studying political science at the University of Nairobi she was “discovered” by an American photographer and moved to the U.S. to start a modeling career.

After debuting in prestigious Vogue magazine, Iman’s image wound up on the covers of every important fashion journal in America, establishing her as a supermodel. Her lanky, tall body and impossibly slim neck, copper skin and exotic air made her the muse of designers such as Halston, Versace, Calvin Klein and Donna Karan. A darling of Yves Saint-Laurent, she was described by him as his “dream woman.”

After dominating the fashion world, Iman took on an acting career as well, including stints hosting Project Runway Canada and The Fashion Show. She also took on film roles, including the thriller No Way Out with Kevin Costner and the comedy The Linguini Incident. After mixing her own makeup for nearly 20 years, Iman founded a cosmetics firm that is still a top foundation brand.

Her philanthropic endeavors are legendary, centering around children and poverty. She is a global advocate for CARE, an ambassador for Save the Children and works for the Children’s Defense Fund, among other roles.

After a pair of marriages that ended in divorce, Iman wed David Bowie in 1992. Their daughter was born in 2000 in New York City, and the pair resided primarily in Manhattan and London. Iman became a widow in 2016 when Bowie succumbed to liver cancer.


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Sources:

https://www.wikipedia.org

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