Hello again from SeniorS SuperStoreS.

Welcome to our new subscribers; and to our established subscribers of Keeping in Touch, a special Welcome Back. We're glad to see you again.

This issue of Keeping in Touch deals with several matters of interest to Prime Time Surfers:
1.) We finally got our problems resolved with the Internet organization that matches web site addresses with identifying routing numbers. That means that you can now find us again on the Web.
2.) Now that we're accessible to you again, we want to celebrate that victory and help you kick off the Holiday season.
3.) We want to share a few thoughts about how computers help us offset the effects of aging.
4.) We'll take an amusing look at some great truths about life.
5.) We'll introduce you to a new drug discount program to aid needy elderly who lack prescription drug coverage.

1.) You can find us again!

We explained in our last newsletter about why you were unable to access us at www.SeniorSSuperStores.com. It had to do with the organization that matches web site addresses to traffic routing numbers. There now are in excess of one billion (yes, that starts with a "B") web pages out there. Matching up the server machines that host this multitude of sites with the routing numbers that other machines rely on to locate these host servers is one gigantic task. One heck of a database!

But, when something goes wrong and your web address no longer matches the string of numbers assigned to the server that hosts your site, you get frantic. That's what happened to us. After several dozen phone calls and emails, we finally made the "powers that be" understand what went wrong and their need to fix it.

Well, they finally did, and now your machine can again locate our machine. The problem is that dealing with that web traffic cop organization is akin to dealing with the IRS. "Really good at communicating and never willing to admit that they are capable of making a mistake!!!!!")

So, we now have something else to be thankful for this Thanksgiving - - we've come back to life!

2.) Celebrate with us

We thank you for your patience during these hectic couple of weeks, and we invite you to come and celebrate with us. Just in time for the Holiday shopping season, we have announced a price break for our customers.

For all orders in excess of $50.00 placed between now and December 20, 2001, and the requested shipping method is UPS Ground, the shipping and handling charges will be FREE. You can find full details of this offer both on our Home Page at www.SeniorSSuperStoreS.com and on our Shipping and Handling page. Remember, this offer lasts until December 20, 2001.

When you visit our site, you'll also notice some further enhancements in our navigational links and aides. We hope that you will find these changes helpful. And, we have added a considerable number of new Health Resources, especially concerning sensitive women's issues, in our Community Room at the Health Resources page.

3.) Who Says You Can't Learn New Tricks?
(Excerpted from our friends at The NewbieClub.com.)

Do you think you're too old to learn? We just won't buy it or believe it when we hear of 85 year old girls saying that they're having a blast with their computer!

And we shouldn't leave out the guys, either!

They don't say "having a blast" since that language isn't what they're used to. They say, "I'm enjoying my computer. And I feel like my mind is working better than it has in a long time."

Why does her brain work better now? Because she's using it in a whole new way!

We're sure that the older brain is working about the same as it was when it was 40... maybe a little more slowly, but working, all the same. And the computer can make it feel a little more zippy!

New neuronal pathways are created when you study new things. And learning a new skill stimulates your mind. This stimulation is what was missing in a LOT of older people's lives. It's a fact that citizens of long term care facilities, who are given the use of a computer and taught its use, exhibit renewed interest in everything around them.

So don't say, "I'm too old to learn new things." Instead, the key to success with your computer is this attitude: "I can do this. It may take a little longer, but I have all the time in the world. I will learn one small new thing each day, and not worry about it. I'm exercising my brain, and I'm becoming a happier person."

Okay... maybe we aren't all "85 year old girls," but when we're 95, we'll be sharp as a tack. We Prime Time Surfers plan to keep our wits, even if our other parts get a little worn looking!

4.) Great Truths About Life....

Here are a few Great Philosophical Wisdoms that are intended to bring a chuckle, and with that, better health and perhaps a different perspective about living and aging.

Great Truths About Life...

Little Children Have Learned:
-No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
-When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush your hair.
-If your sister hits you, don't hit her back; they always catch the second person.
-Never ask your 3-year old brother to hold a tomato.
-You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
-Don't sneeze when someone is cutting your hair.
-Don't hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
-You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
-Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
-The best place to be when you're sad is Grandma's lap.

Adults Have Learned:
-Raising teenagers is like nailing Jell-O to a tree.
-Wrinkles don't hurt.
-Families are like fudge...mostly sweet, with a few nuts.
-Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held its ground.
-Laughing is good exercise. It's like jogging on the inside.
-Middle age is when you choose your cereal for the fiber, not the prize in the box.

And Growing Old:
-Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
-Forget the health food; I need all the preservatives I can get.
-When you fall down, you wonder what else you can do while you're down there.
-You're getting old when you get the same sensation from a rocking chair that you got from a roller coaster.
-It's frustrating when you know all the answers, but nobody bothers to ask you the questions.
-Time may be a great healer, but it's a lousy beautician.
-Wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone.

The Four Stages of Life:
1. You believe in Santa Claus.
2. You don't believe in Santa Claus.
3. You are Santa Claus.
4. You look like Santa Claus.

5.) Proposed New Drug Discount Program:
(Courtesy of our friends at PRNewswire)

Novartis Unveils CareCard(SM) Drug Discount Program to Aid Needy Elderly Who Lack Prescription Drug Coverage
* Plan Aims To Provide Financial Assistance to Seniors in Need
* Company Supports Industry-wide "Call to Action"

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation announced on November 7, 2001, a valuable discount program called the Novartis CareCard(SM). Scheduled for official launch in January of 2002, the CareCard is designed to make prescriptions more affordable for low-income elderly who lack drug coverage. An estimated 10 million Americans are expected to qualify for the CareCard. Novartis also issued an industry-wide call to action, encouraging other pharmaceutical companies to create programs to deliver real value to the low-income elderly.

"Novartis is committed to helping elderly low-income patients obtain their medications in a timely, affordable manner," said Daniel Vasella, MD, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Novartis AG. "Our goal with the Novartis CareCard is to provide a nationwide discount program which helps assure that medicines reach elderly patients who need them but who cannot afford them. If each company were to undertake a program similar to ours, there could be a cost savings of $100 billion over the next decade, for the most needy, elderly Americans."

While the elderly currently represent approximately 12.6% of the population, fully 38% of all prescriptions are written for this group. An estimated one-third of community-based seniors lack drug coverage and are facing mounting prescription costs, as traditional sources of coverage (i.e., employers and HMOs) are eliminating and reducing benefits and increasingly shifting costs to patients.

"We hope the Novartis CareCard serves as a foundation for cooperation between the pharmaceutical industry and federal government to provide low-income elderly Americans the comprehensive access to medicines they need and deserve," said Paulo Costa, Chief Executive Officer, Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation. "We would welcome a federal government initiative which includes supplemental coverage, limiting to a reasonable amount the maximum exposure for annual drug costs among low-income elderly."

The CareCard will use an administrative infrastructure managed by an independent third party to serve as a viable foundation for other pharmaceutical companies to integrate their own programs. Pharmacy retailers will be the primary means for program enrollment and prescription delivery. Given pharmacists' expertise and frequent patient contact, Novartis envisions their playing a critical role to enhance the effectiveness of the program.

"Novartis is offering an innovative solution in working with the federal government in our efforts to make prescription medicines more accessible to those seniors who cannot afford them," said Tommy G. Thompson, Secretary of Health and Human Services. "Moving forward, it will be necessary for the Administration, the Congress, and the private sector to work together to formulate a more comprehensive solution to this challenging problem."

How the Novartis CareCard Program Would Work
The Novartis CareCard will be available free of charge. It will provide a discount of 25% off the wholesale list price. This should translate to patient savings of between 30-40% off of retail prices. Individuals will qualify if they are age 65 or over, with an annual income of less than 300 % of the Federal Poverty Level (approximately $26,000 for an individual; $35,000 for a couple) who do not currently have alternative prescription drug coverage. This target population includes approximately 80 % of Medicare enrollees who lack coverage, or about 10 million people. Those interested in learning more about the Novartis CareCard can call 1-866-974-CARE (2273), or log on to the Novartis website. The program will be officially launched on January 1, 2002. The program will cover all Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation outpatient prescription products.(1)

The Novartis list of products includes key products for diseases affecting the senior population, such as Diovan(R) (valsartan) (for high blood pressure), Exelon(R) (rivastigmine tartrate for Alzheimer's), Lamisil Oral(R) (terbinafine hydrochloride tablets for fungal infections), Lescol(R) (fluvastatin sodium for high cholesterol), Lotensin(R) (benazapril hydrochloride for high blood pressure), Lotrel(R) (amlodipine and benazepril hydrochloride for high blood pressure), and Miacalcin Nasal Spray(R) (calcitonin salmon for osteoporosis). Novartis Pharmaceuticals is also working with other Novartis healthcare companies to consider ways of expanding the program.

For example, in a sample of pharmacy retailers, the average price to consumers for a 3-month supply of Diovan was $155. In this particular sample, CareCard would deliver savings on Diovan of $41, or 30% of the average price, resulting in a net price to the consumer of $98.

Novartis has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to providing their medications to patients in need of financial assistance. Their patient assistance program will continue to provide support for selected key products and the CareCard program supplements their efforts by specifically targeting low-income seniors and encompassing a broader product portfolio.

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation is an affiliate of Novartis AG (NYSE: NVS), a world leader in healthcare with core businesses in pharmaceuticals, consumer health, generics, eye-care, and animal health.

(1) Hospital products that are already covered by Medicare are excluded, as are selected specialty products already covered by Novartis access programs.

For full prescribing information for products listed in the press release, you are encouraged to visit their website at: Novartis.com.

Editorial Comment: As expected, the responses from trade groups, such as associations of independent pharmacists, were less than encouraging. We'll stay on the lookout for you about this issue.

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