SENIOR "HOT-OFF THE PRESS" NEWS

Remember that U.S. first class postage increased to 42 cents 5/12/08

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WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT STROKES?

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May 13, 2008  Doctors know that a stroke can happen to a person at any age. Even a child can have a stroke. But, let's face it, the vast majority of the 750,000 Americans who suffer a stroke each year are seniors.

Annually, May is National Stroke Awareness Month. This is a time to raise awareness of stroke risk factors, warning signs and prevention measures, especially in the senior population. Stroke prevention is the key element in reducing the number of strokes in this country, and timely stroke care is essential in preventing serious disability.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blood clot or a broken blood vessel. Lack of blood and oxygen kills brain cells in the area of the blockage or break, leading to symptoms that may include blindness, loss of speech and paralysis.

In order to minimize the numbers of brain cells killed, it is vital to be aware of stroke symptoms and get treatment immediately. There is treatment, using thrombolytics, or "clot busters," that can improve the outcome of a patient with stroke, but it must be given within three hours of the onset of stroke symptoms.

Stroke is a "brain attack" and "time is brain," so it is important to recognize the symptoms of stroke and call 911 immediately.

Stroke is a medical emergency; know the symptoms:

• Sudden numbness or weakness of the face, arm or leg _ especially on one side of the body;

• Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding;
• Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes;
• Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination; or

• Sudden severe headache with no known cause.

OLDER VOTERS TURNING OUT IN TWICE THE NUMBERS AS THOSE UNDER 30
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May 9, 2008   While organizers and the media have made much of record turnout among young voters in recent months, the San Francisco Chronicle reports that older Americans remain the most reliable and consistent group of voters. According to exit polls, at least one-third of all voters in most of the 2008 Presidential primaries have been over age 60, with the number rising to over 40% in states like Massachusetts, Ohio and California. Senior voters have generally turned out in twice the numbers as people under 30. Candidates recognize the importance of the "grey vote" and are expected to campaign hard for this demographic in part because young people have not yet established voting as a habit. Those under 30 are also more likely to face problems with residency requirements when they do go to fill out a ballot - they move much more frequently than seniors and may not have properly updated registration information, and college students must frequently vote by mail when they attend universities out of state.

SEEKING HELP FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION REQUIRES  PATIENCE ***********************************************************************

May 6, 2008  Every day this year, about 10,000 baby boomers turn 62. Many will have questions about their Social Security benefits, but few will likely get answers -- at least not quickly. The Social Security Administration's has reduced its staffing by more than 5 percent since 2003, to about 60,000. That means seniors such as Early L. Graham of Raleigh, N.C. have dealt with long hold times and promises of call backs that never come. "I had to call three different numbers before I got anyone on the phone," one caller reports.

CONGRESSMAN CALLS FOR CPI TO BE ADJUSTED TO MORE ACCURATELY REFLECT SENIOR EXPENSES, AND THUS THE SOCIAL SECURITY COLA ***********************************************************************

 ***A CALL TO ACTION FOR OUR READERS ***

May 1, 2008  Standing outside the Social Security office, U.S. Rep. John Hall (D-NY19) announced legislation he is pushing to help fixed income seniors cope with the rising prices of food, gasoline, prescription drugs, housing and health care costs.  H.R. 2032, the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers Act, would change the way the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for seniors' Social Security benefits is calculated.  The bill, which Hall is co-sponsoring, would establish a COLA specifically for the elderly.

 "This year's Social Security COLA is negligible compared to the skyrocketing prices of health care, prescription drugs, energy, and housing," said Hall.

"The Social Security system is not going to keep up with seniors’ basic necessities unless it factors in their unique purchasing needs," said Hall. 

Read entire article, AND CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMAN.

     Also see: Latest Health News , Latest Medicare News , Latest Social Security News

Are you approaching the doughnut hole?

14 ways you can survive a fall into that dreaded zone

April 26, 2008  Yes it is a bizarre system, crafted by a slight-of-hand Congress, and mostly written by the drug companies. Yes it can be overwhelming to the Senior who needs more than the minimal amount of medication each year. But life need not end. There are specific things you can do today to survive this incredible inequity. Read Complete Article

STIMULUS REBATE

SENIORS MUST FILE FEDERAL TAX RETURNS IN ORDER TO RECEIVE STIMULUS CHECKS

In 2008, up to 20 million Americans who rely primarily on Social Security income will qualify for an economic stimulus check from the federal government. Generally, people need more than $3,000 in 2007 income to qualify for the rebate. Even seniors who do not earn income through current employment can qualify, if their Social Security benefits, Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, and railroad retirement benefits add up to at least $3,000 annually. In most cases, seniors will receive an economic stimulus check ranging from $300 to $600, with payments increasing by $300 for families with dependent children under the age of 17. The IRS encourages filing a return by the regular April 15 deadline to get the rebate check in May of this year. Those filing later than April 15, with or without a tax-filing extension, may delay receipt of the rebate. Those who qualify for a stimulus check will receive one by the end of 2008 if they file by October 15, 2008. However, no rebate checks will be issued after 2008. "Seniors need to file a 2007 federal tax return, either the IRS Form 1040 or the 1040A-short-form, to receive their stimulus checks. This is true even if their income had been low enough that they were not required to file in previous years.                          Read IRS statement.

DATES FOR MAILING STIMULUS REBATE CHECKS ANNOUNCED

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has listed the dates for mailing out stimulus payment checks, which will be issued according to the last two digits of the main tax filer's Social Security number. Recipients who use direct deposit will be among the first to receive the payments, starting on May 2. Paper checks will be put in the mail starting on May 16. The IRS is scheduled to mail checks by July 11 to all eligible taxpayers who have filed a return by the April 15 deadline. Those who file a tax return after April 15 will receive their economic stimulus payment later. A return must be filed by October 15 in order to receive a stimulus payment this year. See the IRS online calculator for an estimate of the amount you will receive. For the complete schedule of payments by Social Security number, visit  http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=177937,00.html .

 

WHEN YOU'LL GET YOUR REBATE The order in which the IRS sends out payments will be based on Social Security numbers. If your return was processed by April 15, here's what you can expect. Direct deposit payment If last 2 digits of your SS# are: Your rebate should be sent by: 00-20 May 2 21-75 May 9 76-99 May 16 Paper check If last 2 digits of your SS# are: Your rebate should be sent by: 00-09 May 16 10-18 May 23 19-25 May 30 26-38 June 6 39-51 June 13 52-63 June 20 64-75 June 27 76-87 July 4 88-99 July 11 Source:IRS

NOTE: The IRS has issued a lookout for scam artists in relation to your rebate. Do not give out personal information to ANYONE claiming to represent the IRS or your rebate. They want your bank account number so they can clean it out. They will take, but give you nothing.