Updated : Friday July 03, 2009

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is a free, volunteer site, BY SENIORS, FOR  SENIORS.  But you may find that our Senior survival tips have considerable value for children of all ages. We are not a dead, static senior citizen site, but are updated EVERY DAY, including most holidays. SeniorARK was begun in November 2005. By July 2009 we are only completing the foundation, but we already receive over 100,000 hits per month from inquiring, and sharing, Seniors. (165,581 in a recent month) You have created hundreds of pages, chock full of over 4,999 links, tips, and other resources to help our generation cope with the inevitable challenges that come in retirement.

We believe that surviving in retirement does not rely on one "silver bullet", but instead is the result of doing many things a little better. As we share our tips and information with each other, we can build a sturdy SeniorARK for everyone. By its nature, SeniorARK will always be under construction.  Please be one of the Senior builders of SeniorARK by your sharing. Remember:

AMATEURS  built the ARK--- PROFESSIONALS  built the TITANIC.

WE KNOW YOU HAVE THE ANSWERS. LET'S SHARE THEM WITH EACH OTHER!

YOU ARE THE PULSE OF SENIORARK. PLEASE SEND YOUR COMMENTS, SUGGESTIONS, TIPS, RECIPES, HOBBIES, HUMOR, AND LINKS TO: seniorark@aol.com    

 

 Why was this site was built?

 

 

 

 

 

SeniorArk Bulletin Board

 

Seniors, always remember, if you are EVER in need of ANYTHING,

 email: seniorark@aol.com

We may not be able to help, but we WILL TRY. And we WILL answer your email.

 Email us--we want to be bothered. 

 

Happy 233rd birthday America

 

 

 

SOME SENIORARK FEATURES

 

 

Senior Tips Links -  Fun - Humor

 Videos  -  Adventure

 

20 TOP Weekly Travel Deals

Over 4,999  Senior Citizens Links

 Links to 33 Major News Sources, plus

Today's Senior  Health and World News 

Huge Caregiver Resource

 

56 Hobby Tips and Ideas for Seniors

Senior Inspirational Messages 

This Week: "Fix the Dishwasher"

  Hundreds of pages, growing daily.

       Chock full of information for Senior survival and fun in retirement.

 

 

SELECTED RECENT PAGES

       H: humor  U: updated  P: Pictures

06-17-09     Universal Healthcare - Must Have Gov't Option
06-16-09     Universal Healthcare - Cut Through the Hype

05-26-09

    Heat and other summer dangers for Seniors

05-02-09

    Why the CBO Projects No Social Security COLA for 2010 to 2012

05-02-09

    Effect of a Zero Social Security COLA on Part B Premiums in Medicare

04-20-09

    10 Social Security Facts You Need to Know

04-15-09

    All about the CPI-W, and will there be a COLA?

04-01-09

 

 

Change those smoke detector batteries NOW

03-30-09

 

 

Mental Acuity Test  HUMOR

03-27-09

 

 

15 Ways to Survive the Doughnut Hole  U

03-10-09

 

 

Print Free 2009 Federal and State Tax Forms

02-27-09

 

 

Kid's' Homework Assignment   H

02-15-09

 

 

How many product images do you recognize?

02-14-09

 

 

Uplifting and True Story - Believe it!

02-11-09

 

 

You may be able to monitor electric usage

02-08-09

 

 

15 Ways to Save $$ on Utilities - Kiplinger

01-26-09

 

 

Wholesale Natural Gas at multi-year low.

 Why are you not benefiting???  U

01-20-09

 

 

What do you call a bunch of butterflies?

01-16-09

 

 

Is it Flu, or the Common Cold?

01-10-09

 

 

You MUST have a Carbon Monoxide Detector

01-08-09

 

 

Eat  these 7 Ultra - Healthy Foods

01-05-09

 

 

Print  your  2009  Calendar

01-04-09

 

 

Medicare Advantage open season 

01-04-09

 

 

Stretch you Prescription Drug Benefit

01-04-09

 

 

Make the most of your doctor visits

01-03-09

 

 

The New Retirement Mecca. WHY?  U

01-01-09

 

 

Medicare Advantage Enrollment 1-1 > 3-31

12-28-08

 

 

Double-Takes: Whaaat was that?  H  U

12-25-08

 

 

Retire to great town for less than $50,000

 Eastern Daylight Time>>

MiamiPittsburghAtlanta,

BangorNew York, Quebec, Toronto, HavanaColumbia, Peru, Jamaica, Boston Detroit, Louisville, Washington, D.C. 

New Castle, PA

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Your sunrise/sunset and average daily  temps

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        Current Radar Loop  

 

 

    At 92 she beat final stage cancer

Her Oncologist gave her little hope for recovery, but  the cancer vanished. Was it God, the doctor, resveratrol or carboplatin? You tell me.

 A story of great hope for all who are fighting this terrible affliction.

 

    86 Ways to Save Money on Utilities TODAY

     LATEST Medicare and  part "D" NEWS

     Major Health News Section

    Our daily search on the web for the

           latest news of value to seniors

     Avoid medication errors

     Housing on Less than a Shoestring

     15 Bohemian Bargain Cities - Forbes

    Survive a fall into the "doughnut hole"      

    Senior Citizen Help with utilities

     PART D - total 2008 information

    10 ways to get a reduction on your real

           estate tax

    Seniors need a decent COMPUTER 

     Read why you will want to print a free:

           **Personal Medical Organizer

           **Prescription Organizer  

           **2009 Printable Calendars

               (year-at-a-glance, or 12 monthly pages)   

 

   

     LIHEAP Home Energy Saving Tips  and for more

       savings see  Senior Utilities Tips

 

   Fighting Cancer: Is this a Miracle Substance?

  

 

 

DAILY HOT NEWS ISSUES FOR SENIORS

____________________________________________________________________

 Friday July 03, 2009

____________________________________________________________________

 

Did you read something on this page, and now it's gone? If so, you will probably find that it has been moved to this page.

(Read more at FBI site)

 

TODAY'S IMPORTANT NUMBERS  -   Friday July 03, 2009 ***********************************************************

*

 The Gross National Debt

     January 2001 the national debt was  $5,728,195,796,181

     January 2009 the national debt was  $10,656,877,048,913

* 100 - times per second that lightning strikes the earth. (Weather channel June 4, 2009)

* 43rd - U.S. life expectancy - 42 nations are higher

* 28th - U.S. ranking on infant mortality - 27 were better. (Center for Disease Control)

* 33 cents - Portion of each U.S. health dollar spent on administrative costs

* $3.55 TRILLION  2010 U.S. Federal budget. Obama's first one. 2009 budget is George W.'s

* $50 Billion - Estimated amount the government will invest in GM this year (you own it!)

* 6 British pubs are closing every day (now--this is serious)

* 24,892 US jobs are being lost every day (April 2009)

* 9,133 U.S. home foreclosures every day in May 2009

* 2,944 consumer bankruptcies filed per day

* 32 - # of consecutive months home prices have dropped - (as of May 2009)

* 165 - Number of days Barack Obama has been in office. Less than 6 months.

* 50-70 Million - - # of Americans who will face today with no health insurance

* 9.2 Million  U.S. households net worth of $1 million or more, not including primary residence

* 174 - Shopping days left until Christmas. (as of July 3, 2009)


SAINATO CO-SPONSORS BILL TO EXTEND PENNSYLVANIA PACENET

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Friday, July 03, 2009   Chris Sainato (D)-New Castle, recently co-sponsored a bill (HB 1676) introduced by Pennsylvania House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D-Luzerne). The bill would allow PACE/PACENET to include many additional seniors into a program that helps them get valuable discounts on vital medication. The expanded program would increase the PACENET income eligibility limit for an individual from $23,500 a year to $30,000 a year. The income guidelines for a couple would increase from $31,000 a year to $40,000 a year.

The PACENET program is just one of several Senior-friendly benefits offered by Pennsylvania. Under the program, Seniors may purchase generic drugs for a very small co-pay, and brand names for a slightly higher fee - - even through the dreaded "Doughnut Hole".

SENATE PANEL QUESTIONS INSURER'S CREDIBILITY; CALLS FOR PUBLIC OPTION
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Friday, July 03, 2009   As the public health plan option, adamantly opposed by insurers, is considered in the Senate, the Senate Commerce Committee released a report last week exposing greedy and dishonest acts by insurance companies. The report showed the industry's obvious motives to profiteer at the expense of sick people. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller IV (D-WV) released the findings as part of a multi-pronged assault on the credibility of private insurers and as evidence of the need for a public plan. The Committee also heard testimonials last week from three health care specialists, including the former vice president of communications at big insurer Cigna. Witnesses stated that insurers sell "junk" policies that do not cover needed care. Moreover, insurers have deliberately instilled confusion upon consumers by using Ingenix, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth, in order to systematically underpay for out-of-network care, placing an additional burden on many patients who pay higher premiums in order to use doctors and hospitals outside their insurer's network. As a result, consumers have paid billions of dollars in medical bills that were supposed to be paid by insurers. "We must create a public plan. Private insurers cannot be allowed to continue turning their backs on the sick custumers who need them most desperately," said Barbara J. Easterling, President of the Alliance for Retired Americans.


Alliance.DON'T FALL FOR TELEPHONE "JURY-DUTY" SCAM

**********************************************************

The phone rings, you pick it up, and the caller identifies himself as an officer of the court. He says you failed to report for jury duty and that a warrant is out for your arrest. You say you never received a notice. To clear it up, the caller says he'll need some information for "verification purposes"-your birth date, social security number, maybe even a credit card number. This is when you should hang up the phone. It's a scam.   (Read more at FBI site)  Thanks to Maureen at "theview2" Pennsylvania

 

2009 RECOVERY ACT: HUGE TAX CREDITS FOR BUYING ENERGY EFFICIENT PRODUCTS

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The Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009 stimulus) offers huge investment tax credits for a range of high energy products for your home. Windows, doors, heating, roofs, and alternative energy-producers all participate. If you are having difficulty in selling an existing home, energy-saving improvements could be the key. Few know of these provisions, so move quickly to avoid backups in supplies and contractors. Read the Details and Cash In

Seniors and Summer Heat

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Seniors are especially at risk in high heat situations. Large stretches of the USA are experiencing extreme temperatures at the moment. Care- givers need to check on the elderly. If you live in another city, call the police department, or someone you know, to check on your loved one.

Does an elderly person live in your neighborhood? Go knock on the door and ask how things are going. Do NOT accept the first answer. We all want to say, "OH, I'm ok, don't worry." The person may not realize they are suffering from heat exhaustion. Invite them into air conditioning, offer to take them to an air conditioned mall or other building. Sit in a hospital waiting room. Anything to get out of the heat for a while. Ask a senior to become an overnight guest. (read more)

WALMART LOWERS PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES BY PUTTING THEIR CUSTOMERS AT RISK?
***********************************************************
In an email to members of the Alliance for Retired Americans, the following was asserted:

"The cost of prescription drugs has been a recurrent theme in health care reform, and Walmart has promoted their $4 generic drugs in an attempt to address the issue. However, the group "Wake Up Walmart" has released a report saying that Walmart's medication comes from Ranbaxy - a disrespected Indian drug maker - and that Walmart actually profits off these foreign investments. The FDA and the Department of Justice have repeatedly investigated Ranbaxy for insufficient contamination policies and for issuing false records, and eventually banned the importation of drugs manufactured at two Ranbaxy facilities. According to the Department of Justice, Walmart's supplier is  responsible for introducing potentially "subpotent, superpotent, or adulterated" drugs into the market. Medications used by millions of Walmart shoppers could have contained active ingredients from unapproved sources, in unapproved blends, and in amounts weaker than FDA-approved doses. Despite these investigations, Walmart has given Ranbaxy the "Outstanding Supplier Award." Stated Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance, "Walmart has been putting consumers at great risk. 'Safe' and 'affordable' are not mutually exclusive."

 

"NEW HELP WITH THE DOUGHNUT HOLE?

***********************************************************

Monday, June 22, 2009   At noon today, President Obama will announce an $80 billion agreement with drug companies to reduce the cost of prescriptions purchased by Seniors in the doughnut hole. Details of the arrangement are not yet fully available, and will be elaborated in this space as they are made clearer. Update: June 26, 2009 -  SeniorArk has chosen not to elaborate any details on this proposal, at this time. Drug companies have set some conditions for their participation, which may or may not be met. When the proposal appears more certain, watch SeniorArk for the details.

 

WHY THERE MUST BE A GOVERNMENT OPTION WITH UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE

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By: Robert Fassbach, editor, www.SeniorArk.com  

June 17, 2009  This morning on MSNBC I heard Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA) discussing the Republican view of universal healthcare. (Truth be known, I feel that the Republican view is really that we don't need universal healthcare, but the pressure for it has grown, and they can no longer avoid addressing it.) Mr. Cantor stated that the model for universal coverage should be patterned after Medicare Part "D". Under that program, Seniors' prescription drug coverage was turned over to insurance companies. The result has been confusion, deception, extreme expense, and ever-shrinking coverage. Part "D" needs a competing government option to set the standard for other insurers, and so does universal healthcare.

We are hearing the tired old question being asked again: "Who do you want to make decisions on your health; your doctor or the government?" The question is a lie. The true question is this: "Who do you prefer to make decisions on your health; a for-profit company, or a government system?" If you have health insurance today, your doctor makes the decisions only allowed by your insurer. Your insurer is a for-profit company with shareholders. The mandate of executives in for-profit companies is to sell as much of their product as possible, while spending as little as possible. The result is higher profits for the shareholders. If corners can be cut, or service denied--without otherwise harming the company's image--they will do it. If a policy can be sold that confuses the consumer, and saves money for the company, they will do it. If you become "unprofitable" for them, they will try to withhold treatment, or drop you completely. So a constant tension exists between doctors and insurers, and between patients and insurers.

A government option can temper the abuses of for-profit insurers. If insurers know that their customers have the freedom to choose a government Medicare-type program to administer their healthcare, it can make them a lot more responsive to the real needs of patients. If the government plan is the real anti-treatment boogieman, as insurers would have you believe, then consumers would have the option to leave the government plan and return to a for-profit insurer. The the truth will be told, as to which entity you want to make decisions on your health.

Insurers, doctors, and Republicans vehemently opposed the establishment of Medicare the the 1960's. It passed anyway. The result has been a quality, reliable, consistent program of healthcare for Seniors in America. The terror of facing old age without coverage ended. Life quality for Seniors has improved. Burdens on their children have been reduced.

It is time for doctors in our country to look again at their mission "First, do no harm", and find a way to insure EVERY American. Otherwise they turn their backs of 40-70,00,000 of our people, allowing them to suffer great harm without coverage.

It is time for Republicans to move past the "Our people already have insurance", and "It's our people who sell the insurance",  attitude, and start representing ALL of the people.

It's time for insurers to drop the fear tactics, making the government the monster who is about to strike. Surely you can provide a service at a reasonable price that can compete with that awful government--you know with all of its inefficiencies, restrictions, and bureaucracy.

It's time for Democrats to get a spine, and stop trembling at the lobbyists who hover outside their offices. Where are the real statesmen who are willing to lose the next election for the benefit of their people? We supporters are watching you.

 

UNIVERSAL HEALTHCARE----CUT THROUGH THE HYPE

***********************************************************

"...if we get a government/insurance hybrid like the Medicare Part D prescription plan that came out of the Bush administration , and passed by a Republican Congress, prepare for confusion and higher costs."  (read article)

 

 

SUMMER HEALTH WARNING:  Tiny ticks: One of three carry Lyme

Osakis Review 

Approximately one-third of blacklegged ticks – also called deer ticks – tested during recent years in Minnesota were positive for disease-causing organisms, say state health officials. Blacklegged ticks carry Lyme disease, human anaplasmosis (HA), ...

 

To Collect Spouse's Social Security, Age Matters

Wall Street Journal  

By KELLY GREENE If both the husband and wife receive separate Social Security benefits on their own earnings, and one dies, does the survivor receive half of the benefit of the deceased partner?  MORE

 

 

 

Do you know there are now NINE news sections on www.seniorark.com?

Volunteers scour the web EVERY DAY to find the most important articles for Seniors

***********************************************************

   Primary News Sections

·    The Home Page you are now viewing, for the very latest news for Seniors

·    The "News" page for today's news on health and other items of interest

·    Up-to-date news on Medicare, including Part D information (last section)

·    Up-to-date news on Social Security, including other pension related news (last section)

·    News on Senior Health Issues, (last section), older than the current "news" page

   Archived News Sections - Articles you remember reading somewhere, but can no longer find.

·    Hot News items that have been moved very recently from the page you are now reading

·    Older Medicare News

·    Older Health Articles with summary

·    Older Health Articles listed, without a summary

 

 

Which Presidents said these things?

(1) "Every gun that is made, every warship launched, every rocket fired signifies, in the final sense, a theft from those who hunger and are not fed, those who are cold and are not clothed." 

Which U.S. President said this?    You might be surprised.    Click for answer

(2) "Let me tell you what else I'm worried about: I'm worried about an opponent who uses nation building and the military in the same sentence."

Which U.S. President said this?    You might be shocked.    Click for answer

(3) "To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public."

Which U.S. President said this?    You might be shocked.    Click for answer

(4) " It took a lot of blood, sweat and tears to get to where we are today, but we have just begun. Today we begin in earnest the work of making sure that the world we leave our children is just a little bit better than the one we inhabit today."

Which U.S. President said this?    Are you sure?.    Click for answer

 

 

 

SENIOR ACTION REQUIRED

ARE YOU FALLING INTO THE DOUGHNUT HOLE?

*****************************************

15 ways to survive a fall into that dreaded abyss

July 03, 2009  Yes,  Part  "D" is a bizarre system, crafted by a slight-of-hand Congress,  mostly  written by the  drug  and  insurance companies.  Yes it can be overwhelming to the Senior who needs more than a minimal amount of medication each year. But do not despair. There are specific things you can do today to survive this convoluted program, and the doughnut hole at its center. Read Complete Article, and another important article, Surviving with Medicare Part "D". 

MANY ELIGIBLE LOW-INCOME SENIORS NOT APPLYING FOR PART D SUBSIDY

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The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Congressional Budget Office have estimated, respectively, that about 2.6 million to over 4 million individuals who may qualify for the Medicare prescription drug low-income subsidy are not receiving it. Various barriers, such as reluctance to disclose personal financial information or lack of knowledge of the subsidy, may prevent potentially eligible Medicare beneficiaries from applying for the subsidy. To view the highlights of the report, go to: http://www.gao.gov/highlights/d08812thigh.pdf . To see if you qualify, or to apply, go to: https://s044a90.ssa.gov/apps6z/i1020/main.html

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

 

SCAM ARTISTS ARE HARD AT WORK

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 Seniors, be very careful with your computers. Scam artists send a constant flow of bogus and dangerous requests. Just today, I have received 5 overseas emails offering me millions if I will just contact them about something. It might be a business offer, a lottery, a long lost relative who has left me a fortune, or some other enticing offer. I have also received, almost on a daily basis, notices that the IRS has a sum of money to refund to me. Don't fall for any of it. Their ultimate goal is to take your money, and give you nothing but an empty bank account. They use actual company, or bank, or IRS logos that look totally real. Never give out account numbers, Social Security numbers, or anything else to an unsolicited request. 

The same goes for mail or phone solicitations. Give them nothing. Call their parent organization to see if a request is real. You have not won a prize or money. There is no inheritance. Ebay does not have a demand for cash or clarification of an order. You do not need to deal with

bank fraud online, or on the phone---unless you have called your bank. Be safe.

 

 

  Daily FunSpot  07/03/2009   Enjoy our massive: "just for fun" , "humor", and "photo" sections

 

 

 

If IKEA buys the auto companies

 

Something to Ponder:  "If a man speaks in the forest, and there is no woman there to hear him, is he still wrong?"

submitted by Don Tilley, Michigan

 ****************

Five Off-Center Animal Images

THE ITCH IS ALWAYS ONE INCH BEYOND THE REACH

 

READ STORY AND SEE MORE PHOTOS OF THIS UNLIKELY FRIENDSHIP

 

FOCUS

 

PRAYER GROUP

 

IS THIS HOW IT ALL BEGAN?

 

For more go to: Fun Pages  or  Humor Pages

 

 

 

Please read the page called WHY?.   In a short note from our editor, you will learn who is creating this site, and why.

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www.SeniorARK.com                                             email: SeniorARK@aol.com