Older Americans Month, reduce household hazards, SeniorSSuperStoreS Keeping in Touch newslsetter for baby boomers, seniors, senior citizens and the elderly

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This issue of Keeping in Touch deals with several matters of interest to Prime Time Surfers:

1.) Older Americans Month, May 2003, by Presidential Proclamation

2.) The Better Business Bureau's Code of Online Business Practices

3.) Federal Trade Commission Announces Implementation of the National "Do Not Call" Registry

4.) A Simple Check Can Reduce Household Hazards for Seniors

5.) Remember Mother's Day with a light-hearted look at motherhood

6.) Your Subscription Details

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1.) Older Americans Month, May 2003, by Presidential Proclamation

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
May 1, 2003

Older Americans Month, May 2003
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

"Advances in medicine, public health, science, and technology are keeping Americans healthier and adding years to our lives. As our population of senior citizens continues to grow, our Nation remains dedicated to fulfilling our promises to these valuable members of our society. This year's observance of Older Americans Month, "What We Do Makes A Difference," recognizes the important contributions of older Americans and the network of services that support them. Older Americans continue to work in a variety of jobs, from teachers, to engineers, to business owners and entrepreneurs, and in so doing bring invaluable experience and leadership skills. Additionally, their wisdom, strength, and compassion reflect the character of our great Nation. During this month, we honor our seniors and thank them for the lessons they teach us and the strong values they instill in families and communities throughout our country.

"Serving as examples to others, throughout our Nation every day, older Americans are engaging in acts of compassion. Over a half million members of the Senior Corps are volunteering their time and talents to help those in need. Retired doctors, nurses, police, and firefighters are helping communities prepare for emergencies, and countless other older Americans are bringing comfort and care to their families and neighbors. These individuals understand the importance of service, and their efforts are helping to build a more welcoming society. Many food banks, clothing distribution programs, and other social service activities of faith-based and community organizations could not operate without the senior Americans who volunteer in these efforts.

"As these individuals continue to work on our behalf, our Nation is working to fulfill our obligations to older Americans by providing them with good health care and other services to enhance their lives. My Administration is coordinating with State and Area Agencies on Aging, and faith-based and community organizations to better provide essential services, such as meals, nutrition, counseling, and health screening, to our seniors. Seven million older Americans and their families are currently being served by a large network of Federal, State, tribal, local partnerships, and thousands of volunteers. The services provided by these groups make it easier for older Americans to remain in their homes, communities, and the workplace, which helps preserve their dignity and independence.

"In addition, our Medicare system is our binding commitment as a caring society. When Medicare was signed into law 38 years ago, it was designed to bring the healing miracle of modern medicine to our senior citizens. We must renew our commitment to giving seniors access to the preventative medicines and new drugs that are transforming health care in America. Medicare must be available in a variety of forms, and older Americans must have the opportunity to choose the healthcare plan that best fits their needs. My Administration will continue its efforts to improve programs that support older Americans and to offer innovative options for long-term care.

"NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 2003 as Older Americans Month. I commend our senior citizens for their many contributions to our society. I further commend the network of Federal, State, local, and tribal organizations, service and healthcare providers, caregivers, and millions of dedicated volunteers for their daily efforts on behalf of our senior citizens. I encourage all Americans to honor their elders, to find opportunities to address their needs, and to work together to reinforce the bonds that unite families and communities. I also call upon all our citizens to publicly reaffirm our Nation's commitment to older Americans this month, and throughout the year.

"IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirtieth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand three,and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh."

GEORGE W. BUSH

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2.) The Better Business Bureau's Code of Online Business Practices

The Better Business Bureau's Code of Online Business Practices has emerged as a key tool to assist consumers in determining which businesses have adopted - and follow -- ethical business practices. If an online business carries the BBBOnLine Reliability Seal on its website, consumers can be assured not only that the company has committed to adhere to the rigorous principles and guidelines of the Code, but also with other important trust-enhancing requirements to be a BBBOnLine Reliability seal holder.

We have reproduced this extensive article provided by the Better Business Bureau in the Financial Resources category of our Community Room at BBB OnLine Code. We encourage you to become familiar with these principles and keep them in mind when you deal with online businesses.

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3.) Federal Trade Commission Announces Implementation of the National "Do Not Call" Registry

People fed up with unwanted telemarketing can sign up in July, 2003, for a national do-not-call list that will block many sales calls according to the Federal Trade Commission.

The FTC has released its schedule for creating and implementing the national "do not call" registry, first announced in December 2002 as part of the Amended Telemarketing Sales Rule (TSR). The registry will give consumers a choice about whether to receive most telemarketing calls.

Beginning in July, consumers will be able to put their telephone numbers on the national registry, which telemarketers subsequently will be required to access. As of October, 2003, it will be illegal for most telemarketers to call a number listed on the registry.

When registration opens in July, consumers can register for free in two ways: online or by telephone. The FTC will announce the Web site URL for online registration and the toll-free number in June. To better manage the anticipated volume of registrations, initial sign-up by phone for the registry will be phased in, region-by-region, over an eight-week period. The number will first work on the West Coast and then spread across the country until it is available nationwide by the end of August.

Online registration will be available immediately throughout the United States in July. Consumers' names will remain on the registry for five years, or until they change their phone number. At that point, consumers will be able to renew their registration.

The registry will be available to telemarketers and other sellers in September 2003, and they will be required to "scrub" their call lists against the names on the registry at least once every 90 days. In October 2003, the FTC and the States will begin enforcing the national "do not call" provisions of the Amended TSR. Violators will be subject to a fine of up to $11,000 per violation. Consumers listed should begin to receive fewer unwanted telemarketing calls approximately three months after they register.

Telemarketers say the registry will devastate their industry, endanger millions of jobs and send ripples through the economy. The Direct Marketing Association, an industry group, has sued the FTC on grounds the registry amounts to an unlawful restriction on free speech.

More than two dozen states already have their own do-not-call lists or legislation pending that would create them. Most states plan to add their lists to the national registry.

Until the national "do not call" registry begins accepting registrations, consumers may limit the number of telemarketing calls they receive by placing their names on the "do not call" lists of individual companies. Additionally, some states have established "do not call" lists for their residents' convenience. Consumers can visit ftc.gov/donotcall for additional information and updates.

There are exceptions to the FTC's do-not-call protections. A company may call someone on the list if that person has bought, leased or rented from the company within the past 18 months. Telemarketers also can call people if they have inquired or applied for something from the company during the past three months. Charities, surveys and calls on behalf of politicians (as we might expect) also are exempt.

The FTC will not allow private companies or other such third parties to "pre-register" consumers for the national Do Not Call registry. Web sites or phone solicitations that claim they can or will register a consumer's name or phone number on a national list - especially those that charge a fee - are a SCAM. Consumers will be able to register directly with the FTC, or through some state governments, but never private companies.

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4.) A Simple Check Can Reduce Household Hazards for Seniors

Courtesy of our friends at PRNewswire.

One of the biggest fears for adults caring for senior-aged relatives or loved ones is the individual being injured in a fall. As winter eases, especially in areas of the country where snow and ice occur, it is easy to believe the risk of falls is reduced. However, the majority of harmful falls seniors suffer do not occur out of doors.

According to statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, the majority of falls for people over age 65 occur in the home. There are everyday fall hazards around the home that can be significantly reduced.

A quick, but complete, inspection for fall hazards is an important step towards safety. Adults who live a distance from a senior can hire a qualified senior care agency to conduct a fall safety inspection.

To reduce the risk of falls, start by inspecting each room in the home. In all areas, look for loose carpeting and rugs. Check to make sure cords and wires are taped against walls and out of traffic areas. Inspect any handrails near stairs or other inclines to ensure they are the proper height for the senior and fastened securely. In all areas, look for proper lighting and burned out light bulbs.

Lighting is something that is easy to overlook. Seniors may have a hard time replacing a burned out bulb in the ceiling, so over time a multi-bulb fixture puts out less and less light. And, aging people may experience diminishing eyesight, making it harder to see in dim lighting.

The bathroom is one area where fall hazards abound. Consider placing non- slip surfaces in the tub or shower. We feature a quality product, known as TreadSafe Tub and Shower Slip-Resistant Treatment Kit, that has been used only in health care institutions and hotels. We encourage you to view the features of this product in our Safety Products department.

Similarly, grab rails are a good way to reduce falls around the tub and toilet. Bath mats or other small rugs should have non-slip backings. It is a good idea to install a night-light in the bathroom to improve visibility upon entry.

The bedroom is another area where falls can occur, because seniors are changing levels from lying to sitting to standing. It is best to have a clear path from the bed to the bathroom. A bedside table should have a sturdy lamp and a place for eyeglasses to aid getting out of bed. It also is recommended that a chair be placed in the room to aid dressing. We also feature a number of inexpensive safety products designed to provide more security for seniors in our Safety Products departmentand our Mobility and Lift Seats department.

These are just a few tips to minimize the risk for falls for seniors. These seem like common sense ideas, but if someone doesn't live close enough to the senior, these things may not be getting done. Bringing in someone for a short safety inspection can be a very good investment. Ask around for a good local agency, or you might contact rightathome.net, a national franchise organization of such agencies.

There are additional areas of household safety that are not as obvious. Seniors should have routine eye examinations to check for diminishing eyesight or update prescription glasses. The senior, family or caregiver should talk to a physician to determine if prescription medications increase the risk of falls. A family member or caregiver also should encourage the senior to do regular light exercise to improve his or her physical condition. Perhaps the most important safety step is to have a family member or caregiver make routine contact with the senior to ensure they have not suffered an accident.

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5.) Remember Mother's Day

In case you need to be reminded, Mother's Day here in the U.S. and Canada is May 11, 2003. That's the day set aside to "go the extra mile" to honor our mothers.

Here's a light-hearted look at motherhood:

Somebody said a mother is an unskilled laborer.
Somebody never gave a squirmy infant a bath.

Somebody said it takes about six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby.
Somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, normal is history.

Somebody said a mother's job consists of wiping noses and changing diapers.
Somebody doesn't know that a child is much more than the shell he lives in.

Somebody said you learn how to be a mother by instinct.
Somebody never took a three-year-old shopping.

Somebody said being a mother is boring.
Somebody never rode in a car driven by a teenager with a driver's permit.

Somebody said if you're a good mother, your child will turn out.
Somebody thinks a child is like a bag of plaster of Paris that comes with directions, a mold and a guarantee.

Somebody said being a mother is what you do in your spare time.
Somebody doesn't know that when you're a mother, you're a mother ALL the time.

Somebody said good mothers never raise their voices.
Somebody never came out the back door just in time to see her child wind up and hit a golf ball through the neighbor's kitchen window.

Somebody said you don't need an education to be a mother.
Somebody never helped a fourth grader with his math.

Somebody said you can't love the fifth child as much as you love the first.
Somebody doesn't have five children.

Somebody said a mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in the books.
Somebody never had a child stuff beans up his nose.

Somebody said the hardest part of being a mother is labor and delivery.
Somebody never watched her baby get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten.

Somebody said a mother can do her job with her eyesclosed and one hand tied behind her back.
Somebody never organized seven giggling Brownies to sell cookies.

Somebody said a mother can stop worrying after her child gets married.
Somebody doesn't know that marriage adds a new son or daughter-in-law to a mother's heartstrings.

Somebody said a mother's job is done when her last child leaves home.
Somebody never had grandchildren.

Somebody said being a mother is a side dish on the plate of life.
Somebody doesn't know what fills you up.

Somebody said your mother knows you love her, so you don't need to tell her.
Somebody isn't a mother.

Pass this along to all the mothers in your life!!!

So, remember Mother's Day is May 11th. And, remember that we have added a number of new helpful products to enhance your mother's lifestyle. We now feature more unique gardening products in our Hobbies and Gardening department, as well as other thoughtful gifts in our Gift Ideasdepartment.

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6.) Your Subscription Details

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