Make it Happen Monday

All over the USA, Seniors are using their years of experience and knowledge in a servant leadership capacity in their communities. They are volunteering their services when needed. On Mondays we are looking forward to sharing the stories of some of these "make it happen" senior volunteers along with interesting volunteering opportunities.

Why Volunteer?

Seniorcitizenjournal.com is an interesting website that you might enjoy. One of the topics Dr. Elrod has addressed is the benefit of Volunteering. Here is his article:

Voluntarism is one of the most sterling qualities of the American culture and lifestyle. Persons seek out all forms of volunteer activity. The variety is beyond listing, differing somewhat from region to region, enabling the expenditure of as much or little time as one wishes to give.

A review of volunteer activities available in your area is the logical place to start. But there are preliminary questions you need to answer in advance of taking the effort to seek out some compatible voluntary role for yourself. These questions are:

• What are my major interests? In what field would I draw the most satisfaction from volunteering my time?
• How many hours a day/week, etc. am I willing to offer?
• How far am I willing to commute to be a volunteer?
• After choosing a volunteer activity, how long do I give it to determine it really satisfies my needs and I am meeting their expectations?

Having asked those questions and found some resolution to them, the next step is an interview with the agency or program you have chosen. In this case questions can and should be directed both ways. It will be this step that will help you to evaluate whether the program or institution is just right for you. If not, readily admit that, thank the interviewer for their time and move along.

The advantages of volunteering are varied, just as the places where you might volunteer are.

Deciding on the type of voluntary involvement will determine many of those advantages, however there are some generic ones as well.

If you have chosen a hospital or some medical group with which to work, this may bring you direct rewards to do something perhaps you have wanted to do all your life. It will certainly raise your empathy level for both patients and professionals, when discovering what daily experiences come out of those settings.

Perhaps you enjoy literature, history, and all the combinations of things that go into being attached to a library. Here, the human interaction may be less, but intellectual challenges more.
Assisting in working with persons with handicapping conditions is another of the experiences which teaches patience, respect, and offers opportunity to learn more about certain health conditions.

It is perfectly okay to have goals greater than just wanting to help. The more personal satisfaction a volunteer draws from his/her efforts, the more energy and interest he/she will want to pour into it.

Dr. Jerry Elrod
http://seniorcitizenjournal.com/category/seniorcitizenjournal/

Inspirational Sunday

Bill Witcher, co-founder of Computer School for Seniors will be sharing words of encouragement, inspiration and hope with you each Sunday.

“Think Positive Thoughts"

Do you ever wake up in the middle of the night or first thing in the morning and your head is filled with worries? You are worried about one of your kids or grandkids…your health…your finances…any number of things. Negative thinking starts taking over. Anxiety sets in. Negative thinking can leave us immobilized. Nothing positive is ever going to come from negative thinking. We’re helpless. No good to ourselves and no good to anybody around us. What do you do?

The first thing I do is pray. Lord help me. I know I am being attacked. Satan is an accuser and a deceiver. I need to find strength in Jesus. I need help. I need to change my thinking. It’s a matter of attitude and effort. It’s a matter of substituting the negative thinking with positive thinking.

John Maxwell in his book TODAY MATTERS provides some tips on positive thinking. He says… “The more positive thinking you do, the better you become at it. You can improve your thinking if you do the following on a daily basis:

• Focus on the Positive: Thinking alone won’t guarantee success. You need to think about the right things. Negative thinking and worry actually hinder the thinking process rather than improve it. I believe in this so wholeheartedly that the first book I wrote was THINK ON THESE THINGS based on a Bible passage that always inspired me:
  
  Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
  
  
  Focus on the positive and your thinking will move in the right direction.
  
  
• Gather Good Inputs: I’ve always been a collector of ideas. I do a lot of reading and I continually file the good ideas and quotes I find. I’ve found that the more good ideas I’m exposed to, the more my thinking improves.
  
  
  
• Spend Time with Good Thinkers: I you spend time with good thinkers, you will find that the exposure sharpens your thinking. Spend time with positive people and you will be more positive.

When a person’s thinking is positive, a lot of other things in life take care of themselves.

Saturday's with Dr. Roffman

Each Saturday, Dr. Joel Roffman, MD, a prominent Dallas cardiologist and author will share meaningful experiences he has had with patients who are dealing with a variety of physical and emotional issues. You will find the manner in which they deal with life’s problems to be practical, inspirational and uplifting.

You Cannot Remain Indifferent

A portion of the Bible that was read in synagogue on a recent Sabbath contains more laws than almost any other single portion. At first glance, the various laws read as a miscellany list of unconnected themes such as marriage/divorce, personal property, and employee-employer relations. Included are many rules that instruct us how to function as an individual and within the context of a living society.

Amongst the long list of responsibilities is the command to protect the property of one's fellow citizen. So says the Torah (Deut 22:1-3):

If you see the ox of your fellow citizen gone astray; do not ignore it; you must take it back to your fellow citizen. If your fellow citizen does not live near you or you do not know who he is, you shall bring it home and it shall remain with you until your fellow citizen claims it; then shall you give it back to him and so too shall you do with anything that your fellow citizen loses and you find; you cannot remain indifferent.

It is not enough to simply return one's neighbor's property. The same respect given to the human being should also be accorded his/her property. We are but caretakers and guardians of all property, which ultimately belongs to God. If we find an individual's lost property, we are duty-bound to "restore it" to that individual. By restoring it to its owner, we carry out God's will.

But the Torah goes one step further. No matter what, 'you cannot remain indifferent.' In many ways, this phrase could be seen as the overriding connection and theme for the entire portion. It is so easy to turn the other cheek, to ignore the people around us as we strive to succeed and to achieve our own goals. Indifference carries far reaching consequences.

In the words of the 18th century English theoretician Edmund Burke, “All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.” The result of individuals failing to act in relationship to one another ends in a complete breakdown of the social order leading to anarchy, where few would ultimately realize their individual goals.

Consequently, the Torah reminds us that whether it be the person with whom we share our home, one's employee or employer, the person next door, the poor, the needy, or any of our fellow citizens - it is impossible for the individual or society to succeed without each one of us living within relationship - to others around us and to society itself. By attuning to ourselves to the needs, cries, and suffering of those around us, we help strengthen the circles of society. So, the Torah instructs us to expand our circle of family and friends to include those around us and those other members of the community - our 'brethren'.

If you have a comment or question about this blog entry, email Dr. Roffman at drroffman@cs4seniors.com.

Dr. Joel Roffman has spoken to many church, synagogue and support groups. His book, Coping with Adversity: Judaism’s response to illness and other life struggles is enjoyable, uplifting and informative. It is meant for people of all faiths and can be viewed at www.copingwithadversity.com. It is available at Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Amazon.com.

Internet Magic Friday

Jane Booras is the Editor of numerous newsletters including our Campus Times. She will be sharing how you can find whatever you need - photos, clipart, information, maps, phone numbers - on the Internet.

Social Networking. Should You?

For years we’ve heard the word “networking.” It’s a computer-age word that I first remember hearing in the 80’s, and related to computers themselves. Wikipedia defines “networking” as, “the act of using a computer network (computers that are connected so they can communicate either by a wired or wireless network); the act of meeting new people in a business or social context.”

So, we initially heard the “networking” word related to computers themselves, then in a business sense such as “networking” to find a job, leads or prospects for a business, babysitters, or the best auto dealer. But in recent years, we have begun to hear more about Social Networking – connecting with people with like interests. Why? Because networking is effective. People find it useful and meaningful in their lives.

Thus the “springing up” of Social Networking sites on the Internet like My Space, Utube, Facebook, Twitter and the dating sites. At first, I sort of turned up my nose at all of them. After all, I’m not looking for a date, and I don’t want to post a video of anyone I know dancing on tables or playing air guitar.

But there is one social networking site that is different, and you may want to check out – and that’s Facebook. Facebook is different. For one thing I have not found it to be provocative or in bad taste as I’ve found other sites to be - and it’s not just for kids. You find people of all ages there. Not just businesses or celebrities either - just plain everyday folks. And Facebook is free – so far!

Giving people the power to share and make the world more open and connected. That’s Facebook’s stated motto. Since joining Facebook, I have made contact with several (long-lost) relatives, former classmates, and my kids’ friends from grade and high school.

But the real magic of Facebook for me is that in just a few minutes of surfing each day, I learn what my children, grandchildren and friends are thinking about today, what they are planning for the weekend, what movies they’re raving about, if they are sick or blue or happy – little “snippets” of their lives that I would never have known. And I can, in turn, share my thoughts and opinions with them. The “posts” are always short, and they are like personal glimpses into their lives, a special moment that might never have happened because I won’t see them in person or talk to them today. It’s like getting “face time” with special people in your life - even far flung family and relatives that you almost never see in person or even talk to on the phone.

I get to see the pictures they took on their cell phones, what my former classmates and kids’ friends look like now. Can you believe George in now a doctor? Imagine that my niece is now a college professor!

Well, that’s the WHY. Next, we’ll discuss HOW TO. First, though, just go to http://www.facebook.com/, then the menu, and click “about.” This will give you an overview of the site.

Here’s my Facebook page. If you want to join, set up your own profile page and start communicating with friends and family!

Lifelong Learning Thursday

Nancy Merz Nordstrom, author of Learning Later, Living Greater: The Secret of Making the Most of Your After 50 Years will share the benefits of Lifelong Learning on Thursdays.

LEARNING LATER, LIVING GREATER:

The Secret for Making the Most of Your After-50 Years.

Lifelong Learning in Your Later Years…

A Health Club for Your Mind, Body, and Spirit!

Last week we looked at some facts about lifelong learning programs. This week let’s look at the participants themselves. They personify lifelong learning at its best.

The camaraderie at a program fills the classrooms and spills into the halls, the cafeteria, and even out in the parking lot. Stimulating discussions echo in the air. Laughter, intensity and a real joie de vie envelop everyone involved. To an outsider at first glance it might seem like a group of young people intent on comparing the latest rock bands. But a second look would show these students are special: they’ve experienced life and all it has to offer. They are truly living!

Closer study shows that participants are self-motivated learners, intent on making their later years the very best they can be. They come from all walks of life. Some have college degrees. Others do not. In the types of programs we are discussing, it’s a level playing field.

Members are dedicated students of retirement age, whose common bonds are intellectual curiosity and generational experiences. They share opinions, knowledge, and expertise with humor, creativity, mutual respect and an intense vitality. The volunteer work each member does at a program helps create a well-run learning environment full of diversity, insight, wisdom and intellectual and cultural stimulation. At the same time, they get to share in the joys of learning and friendship while being challenged to broaden their horizons.

In other words, everyone is there to keep their brains active and alert. Everyone is there for the sheer joy of learning. Everyone has something to contribute because all members have life experiences that have shaped and formed them. Life experience is experiential learning at its very best!

All members bring their experiences to the classroom. Give and take between the members and the course facilitators is a hallmark of lifelong learning programs. The facilitator learns as much from the participants as the participants do from the facilitator.

Unless it’s a special lecture, most of the time you will not find “talking heads” in these classes. Rather you will find facilitators anxious to guide participants on a journey of self-discovery, finding a new way to look at an old topic, listening to both sides of an issue, exploring the world of something new and exciting in a relaxed and stimulating environment. In other words, these lifelong learning programs are the perfect learning venue.

THURSDAY’S THOUGHT…

Mortimer Adler, American philosopher, educator and author said, “The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live.” This is exactly what those who participate in lifelong learning programs are doing - they are continuing to live, and not letting their ages interfere with living life to the fullest.

For more information on Learning Later, Living Greater visit www.learninglater.com

You can purchase Learning Later, Living Greater at www.amazon.com

Till Next Time…

Nancy Merz Nordstrom is Director of the Lifelong Learning Department at Computer School for Seniors (www.cs4seniors.com)

Wednesday Aging in Place

Computer School for Seniors will be sharing her insightful research on how seniors can safely and successfully live independent lives in the home of their choice.

Modern Technology is Becoming

More Important to Seniors

By Dennis Thompson
HealthDay Reporter by Dennis Thompson

SATURDAY, Oct. 3 (HealthDay News) -- Imagine that you see a new mole and don't like the looks of it so you take a picture of it using your cell phone and e-mail it to your family doctor for an opinion.

Or perhaps you have heart disease and take your blood pressure using a cuff that automatically uploads the data to your cardiologist's computer for review.

Using electronic communications equipment to transmit medical information for consultation or examination -- known as telemedicine -- has come a long way from its beginnings as a means for rural areas to have access via teleconferencing to top-flight specialists.

In fact, technology has advanced to the point that telemedicine is beginning to blur into the normal daily routine of a doctor, said Dr. Jason Mitchell, assistant director for the Center for Health Information Technology of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

"Someday we won't even consider it telemedicine anymore," Mitchell said. "It'll just be part of the way we practice medicine."

And evidence is mounting that telemedicine can play a positive role in health care. A study in the journal Stroke found that the use of teleconferencing and the transmission of CT brain scans is beneficial to the initial treatment of stroke victims, later assessment of the amount of brain damage they've received and the rehabilitation they will go through during their long-term recuperation.

Some new ways of practicing medicine already taking place that could be considered telemedicine include:

• Ambulances transmitting EKG data to the hospital they're en route to
  
• Automated pill counters that transmit data that lets doctors know whether medications are being taken as prescribed
  
• Teleconferences to bring in specialists for consultation in such fields as dermatology, neonatal care, surgery and psychotherapists
  
• Electronic scales for heart patients that trigger an alert to a nurse if the patient's weight increases dramatically
  

"One of the best early indicators for impending hospitalization for patients with congestive heart failure is an increase in body weight," said Dr. Lee H. Schwamm, vice chairman of the neurology department and director of TeleStroke & Acute Stroke Services at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and an associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School.

Schwamm describes such examples of telemedicine as "low-hanging fruit," easily done to great advantage for both the patient and the doctors involved.

Telemedicine could be a boon to preventative medicine, Mitchell and Schwamm said, giving doctors access to detailed data that would allow them to diagnose problems early. For example, data from the scales or the blood pressure cuff could give doctors a chance to get someone in for treatment before a heart attack or stroke occurs.

"It would identify for us when a patient should be seen rather than relying on the patient for that judgment," Schwamm said. "In my mind, that's the real promise."

Telemedicine also could provide tremendous cost savings. People might not have to take time off from work and drive to see their doctor to have a question or concern addressed. And people with serious illnesses might not have to travel hundreds or thousands of miles for a consultant's opinion. "It's expensive and inefficient to move people around when many visits require minimal care," Schwamm said.

Some impediments must be overcome, however. Insurance companies have not ironed out how a doctor should be compensated for different types of telemedical service. "That takes time. That takes expertise," Mitchell said. "There should be some level of compensation for making that happen."

And there are administrative barriers, too, Schwamm said. For example, can a doctor licensed and credentialed in one state "see" patients from another state via an Internet video link?
Mitchell believes telemedicine ultimately will strengthen people's relationships with their doctors, allowing them to share health information more easily. However, people first need to have a relationship with a doctor they trust.

"This is an adjunct to a relationship with a physician that's already there," Mitchell said. "I don't think the electronic interactions are going to completely replace the personal interaction, but they can augment them. You don't have to be standing in front of a physician to accomplish certain things, but that hands-on interaction needs to be there in many cases."

Don't write off doctor visits just yet, though.

"It's important to never underestimate the healing power of human touch," Schwamm said.

For more information, visit Laurie at http://www.ageinplacetech.com/ Place Technology Department at http://www.cs4seniors.com/

Tuesday Treasures

On Tuesdays we provide our Faculty an opportunity to feature the talented work of some of our students and friends. You may see a display of creative Photoshop work, their beautiful photographs or an interesting story about an individual’s meaningful contribution to his or her community, country or the world.If you have memories, old or new, you would like to share, send them to me at mxw8110@yahoo.com.


Collaging Favorites
One of the things that continues to be a happy surprise for me is the spirit of creativity that seniors exhibit in my classroom. Betty Malone has been in many classes at the college where I teach, and her work speaks for itself.

She has numerous and varied interests which you will see portrayed in the images below...

whether traveling (a simple subject, enhanced with special effects)...

restoring and collaging old pictures...

creating images of new beginnings...



or working with pictures of beloved grandchildren, both traveling and...



just being themselves...

she does such a great job of preserving and enhancing all of those special memories.

Thanks so much Betty for sharing these images with us.

Niebuhr said, "It is better to create than to be learned, creating is the true essence of life!"

Inspirational Sunday

Bill Witcher, co-founder of Computer School for Seniors will be sharing words of encouragement, inspiration and hope with you each Sunday.

“Plug in the Power"

It can be depressing to read the headlines in the morning paper (if your town still has a morning paper). Unemployment figures are reaching record highs. Bankruptcies are up. Wages and earnings are down. And the list goes on. Lots of bad news.

For us seniors, everything has changed. The market collapse bled trillions of dollars out of retirement accounts and people aged forty-five to sixty are having to rethink their retirement plans:

• 60 percent expect to delay retirement
• 20 percent stopped putting money into their retirement nest eggs
• 25 percent took money out of retirement accounts to pay for their current expenses

A record number of people in their 60’s are looking for a job instead of a place to retire. By 2016, AARP estimates the workforce over age fifty-five will grow five times faster than the overall labor force.

With so much uncertainty, so much change, so much confusion, what do we need to do to deal with it all? How do we find the right answers to our many questions? How do we find peace in chaos? Our teaching Pastor reminded us of the same answer we were given since we were children – “Pray.”

Pray without ceasing – 1 Thessalonians 5:17

The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. – James 5:16

We don’t have the answers. We’re even confused about the questions. But God does. He knows what is best for us. We have to trust in that and plug into His power, His wisdom, and His grace. Pray, pray, pray is what Pastor Stephens told us. Keep going to Him over and over again. Pray without ceasing.

Max Lucado tells the story about a lady who had a small house on the seashore of Ireland at the turn of the century. She was quite wealthy but also quite frugal. The people were surprised, then, when she decided to be among the first to have electricity in her home. Several weeks after the installation, a meter reader appeared at her door. He asked if her electricity was working and she assured him it was. “I’m wondering if you can explain something to me,” he said. “Your meter shows scarcely any usage. Are you using your power?”

“Certainly,” she answered. “Each evening when the sun sets, I turn on my lights just long enough to see to light my candles and I turn the power off.” She tapped into the power but doesn’t use it.

Don’t we make the same mistake? We have the power of prayer available to us 24/7 to help us, to guide us, to give us strength, but we don’t use it. As my daughter use to say when she was about 4 years old, “I’ll do it myself.” Unfortunately, that’s the choice far too many people make on a daily basis. They try to carry the load alone or solve the problem by themselves. Plug into the power of Jesus. That’s what He asked us to do.

Saturday's with Dr. Roffman

Each Saturday, Dr. Joel Roffman, MD, a prominent Dallas cardiologist and author will share meaningful experiences he has had with patients who are dealing with a variety of physical and emotional issues. You will find the manner in which they deal with life’s problems to be practical, inspirational and uplifting.

Days of Repentance

The Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur was celebrated this past week. On that holiday, Jews ask God for forgiveness for sins committed against God – dietary laws and other laws that involve ritual. Significantly, sins committed against other people are specifically excluded. For those sins, we must seek forgiveness directly from the person against whom we have sinned. (I can assure you that for those of us who take this seriously, the thought of apologizing at this time of year has a definite effect on our behavior the rest of the year – it is not a comfortable prospect!)
I’m always struck by the emotional distress in patients who I see in my office when they are involved in a fractious relationship – especially with someone in their family. It has been shown that stress of this type has a decidedly detrimental effect on one’s health. I can also report that those with “normal” relationships with others seem much more at peace with their lives in general.
Forgiveness is offered by God in the Bible – when David is confronted by the prophet Nathan (2 Samuel 12:1-13) he acknowledges sins he has committed and is forgiven.
Those carrying a grudge against another person carry a burden as well. It can be a constant source of tension and distress. For those who reconcile with others, it is as though a great weight has been lifted. Far from a concession to another person, reconciliation is a gift we can give ourselves.

If you have a comment or question about this blog entry, email Dr. Roffman at drroffman@cs4seniors.com.
Dr. Joel Roffman has spoken to many church, synagogue and support groups. His book, Coping with Adversity: Judaism’s response to illness and other life struggles is enjoyable, uplifting and informative. It is meant for people of all faiths and can be viewed at www.copingwithadversity.com. It is available at Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Amazon.com.

Internet Magic Friday

Jane Booras is the Editor of numerous newsletters including our Campus Times. She will be sharing how you can find whatever you need - photos, clipart, information, maps, phone numbers - on the Internet.




So one evening you’re watching the classic movie channel and enjoying one of your favorite old black and white movies. “Who is that actor?” you say to your wife (or husband). “Oh, I know who that is, but I can't think of his/her name!” Sound familiar? So we play a guessing game. We rack our brains and throw out a few names. My husband is apt to say, “Oh, yeah! That’s ‘what’s his name’.”

So you wait for the credits to roll. Then one of two things happens. One, since there were no commercials, you have to head for the restroom as soon as you see “The End” come up on the screen. (Ever notice that the new movies don’t say “The End” anymore?) Or, two, the credits run alright, but they are so teeny tiny that you can’t read them – even if you get up and put your nose right up to the screen. Well, darn. How will you ever know who that actor was?

GOOGLE! Just go to your computer and Google the name of the movie. Say, “State Fair” made in 1945. Try it and identify the picture below.

Or, “Slattery’s Hurricane” made in 1949. Same thing. Google it.

Last week, my sister and I flew to Cancun, Mexico for a 5-day vacation on the Yucatan Peninsula. It was wonderful. One day on the way to a snorkeling adventure, the van driver stopped suddenly on a back road. There along the road in the underbrush were several raccoons, along with another animal that looked like a raccoon, but had a long tail like a monkey. The van driver told us what it was, but with his accent, we couldn’t quite get the name. Then my sister remembered that she often googles answers to crossword puzzles when she gets “stuck.”

When we got back to our hotel, we went to the business center where free Internet service is offered and googled “Mexican raccoon-like animal.” Google took us to this web site: http://www.brandywinezoo.org/coati.html. Click on the link and see the results for yourself.

Now mind you, my sister only googles answers after she has exhausted all other options – her brain and her precious crossword dictionary. But when things “niggle” at you for just so long, you have to know! That’s when you Google.

I wonder what ever happened to Encyclopedias. I suppose they are on the Internet now. Let’s google it and see what happens!

Jane Booras is Editor of the Campus Times Newsletter for Computer School for Seniors (www.cs4seniors.com)

Lifelong Learning Thursday

Nancy Merz Nordstrom, author of Learning Later, Living Greater: The Secret of Making the Most of Your After 50 Years will share the benefits of Lifelong Learning on Thursdays.

LEARNING LATER, LIVING GREATER:
The Secret for Making the Most of Your After-50 Years.

Lifelong Learning in Your Later Years…
A Health Club for Your Mind, Body, and Spirit!

Last week we looked at some facts about lifelong learning programs. This week let’s look at the participants themselves. They personify lifelong learning at its best.

The camaraderie at a program fills the classrooms and spills into the halls, the cafeteria, and even out in the parking lot. Stimulating discussions echo in the air. Laughter, intensity and a real joie de vie envelop everyone involved. To an outsider at first glance it might seem like a group of young people intent on comparing the latest rock bands. But a second look would show these students are special: they’ve experienced life and all it has to offer. They are truly living!

Closer study shows that participants are self-motivated learners, intent on making their later years the very best they can be. They come from all walks of life. Some have college degrees. Others do not. In the types of programs we are discussing, it’s a level playing field.

Members are dedicated students of retirement age, whose common bonds are intellectual curiosity and generational experiences. They share opinions, knowledge, and expertise with humor, creativity, mutual respect and an intense vitality. The volunteer work each member does at a program helps create a well-run learning environment full of diversity, insight, wisdom and intellectual and cultural stimulation. At the same time, they get to share in the joys of learning and friendship while being challenged to broaden their horizons.

In other words, everyone is there to keep their brains active and alert. Everyone is there for the sheer joy of learning. Everyone has something to contribute because all members have life experiences that have shaped and formed them. Life experience is experiential learning at its very best!

All members bring their experiences to the classroom. Give and take between the members and the course facilitators is a hallmark of lifelong learning programs. The facilitator learns as much from the participants as the participants do from the facilitator.

Unless it’s a special lecture, most of the time you will not find “talking heads” in these classes. Rather you will find facilitators anxious to guide participants on a journey of self-discovery, finding a new way to look at an old topic, listening to both sides of an issue, exploring the world of something new and exciting in a relaxed and stimulating environment. In other words, these lifelong learning programs are the perfect learning venue.




THURSDAY’S THOUGHT…
Mortimer Adler, American philosopher, educator and author said, “The purpose of learning is growth, and our minds, unlike our bodies, can continue growing as we continue to live.” This is exactly what those who participate in lifelong learning programs are doing - they are continuing to live, and not letting their ages interfere with living life to the fullest.

For more information on Learning Later, Living Greater visit www.learninglater.com

You can purchase Learning Later, Living Greater at www.amazon.com

Till Next Time…

Nancy Merz Nordstrom is Director of the Lifelong Learning Department at Computer School for Seniors (www.cs4seniors.com)

Computer School for Seniors will be sharing her insightful research on how seniors can safely and successfully live independent lives in the home of their choice.

Why Adults Have Fed Twitter’s Growth

By Claire Cain Miller

The tech industry has been perplexed by the fact that Twitter has grown extraordinarily quickly even though young people do not tweet nearly as much as their elders do.
Perhaps the most interesting phenomenon to observe is not what teenagers are not doing, but what adults are doing.

A report on the reach of social technologies, published recently by Forrester Research, said that in the last year, young people almost universally used social media. (Only 3 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds do not use social tools online.) These people have been using social media for a long time, though, and they are not driving its growth.

More intriguing is a look at what older adults are doing online. According to Forrester, use of social media among those 35 to 54 jumped 60 percent in the last year. Half of online adults in the United States interact on social networks and more than three-fourths used social media in the last month.

Most of the adults online regularly visit sites with user-generated content, like blogs and Google’s YouTube, Forrester found. Only a quarter actually post stories or upload video, though that is growing with easy-to-use online tools. The number of adults who joined social networks last year grew almost 50 percent from the year before. Today, only 18 percent of online adults do not use social tools, down from 25 percent last year.

There are many reasons that teenagers use Twitter less than adults do, including fundamental differences between what teenagers and adults want online and between Twitter and other sites like Facebook.

But one big reason for the disparity is simple: When Twitter became popular, teenagers already had their favorite Web sites for communicating, so they were not interested in a new one. The people who discovered Twitter were adults who were new to social networking.

For more information, visit Laurie at http://www.ageinplacetech.com/ Place Technology Department at http://www.cs4seniors.com/

Tuesday's Treasures

On Tuesdays we provide our Faculty an opportunity to feature the talented work of some of our students and friends. You may see a display of creative Photoshop work, their beautiful photographs or an interesting story about an individual’s meaningful contribution to his or her community, country or the world.If you have memories, old or new, you would like to share, send them to me at mxw8110@yahoo.com.


Creative Montage

I am so fortunate to be part of the creative efforts of my students. It is my belief that seniors create in an especially powerful way, because of their innate talent which is enhanced by years of life experience.

Below you see a perfect example of what I'm talking about. Linda Baker has a great eye and strong Photoshop skills which is a combination that is hard to beat. I always look forward to viewing what she comes up with.

Here you see the Baker boys--the men in her family:

Using special effects with travel photos gives them extra zip that will have people doing double-takes! Here is a photo Linda took while traveling in Egypt:

And this one is from Singapore:

And last but certainly not least, a very cool collage from Ireland:

Getting older doesn't mean you should stop with your creative efforts...it means you should increase them!! It is such a productive way to be strong!!

George Bernard Shaw said, "Imagination is the beginning of creation. You imagine what you desire, you will what you imagine and at last you create what you will."

Thanks so much to Linda for sharing these great images!

Make it Happen Monday

All over the USA, Seniors are using their years of experience and knowledge in a servant leadership capacity in their communities. They are volunteering their services when needed. On Mondays we are looking forward to sharing the stories of some of these "make it happen" senior volunteers along with interesting volunteering opportunities.

NJ Woman Celebrates
100th Birthday--
at Work!

This article appeared in Yahoo news and of course is exactly what Make it Happen Monday is all about!!

PARSIPPANY, N.J. – Astrid Thoenig got dressed, went to work and sat at her desk smiling Thursday as she slid her finger gently under the envelope flap of yet another identical birthday card. They don't make that many that say "Happy 100th."

Thoenig was interrupted by a steady stream of deliverymen bringing bouquets, chocolate-dipped strawberries and stacks of cards to the Thornton Insurance Co. in Parsippany where she's been answering phones, keeping financial records, handling payroll and typing up documents for more than 30 years.

"It's another day — it's hard to explain," Thoenig said of turning 100. "I don't feel old, and I don't think old."

Born Sept. 24, 1909, in Bloomfield, N.J., Thoenig turns 100 this month. Her grandson, 43-year-old Peter Thornton, said she couldn't have picked a better era.

"If you had to pick a dramatic century to live, it has to be Astrid's," he said. "The invention of the automobile and the airplane, television and computers, the moon landing and two world wars. 1780 to 1880 would have seen changes from a musket to a rifle."

Thoenig says "thinking young" has helped her take a century's worth of technological changes in stride. The daughter of Swedish immigrants, she credits her strong constitution, a wonderful family and getting up every day to get dressed and go to work with keeping her mind sharp.

Thoenig once sewed all her own clothes and still dresses elegantly, accenting with gold jewelry, colorful glasses and a full head of blond hair that makes her look decades younger. Her strong, agile hands come from a lifetime of typing, knitting and embroidering.

Married twice — her first husband died from injuries that earned him a Purple Heart in World War II — Thoenig started working shortly after high school, and has held positions at banks, lawyer's offices and for the borough of Caldwell.

Her current job is her favorite — working alongside her son, John Thornton, and grandson Peter at the family-owned insurance company.

"I'm 67, and one of our jokes is: 'How can I retire before my mother does?'" John Thornton said. He says his mother is a meticulous worker, reviewing contracts, preparing the payroll, making sure bills are paid, and is always pleasant company.

Thoenig credits her son for giving her the job, taking her to work — although she still drove until age 98 when a botched hip operation made it difficult to get around — and always being patient.
The growing stack of birthday cards may have identical motifs, but the messages inside them each touched her in their own way. Some, sent by people she's never met, were from seniors who continue to work and are inspired by her example: "I'm at my job 37 years and still love it," someone wrote.

She took special delight in a bouquet from her dentist with the message: "This is only the beginning!"

Inspirational Sunday

Bill Witcher, co-founder of Computer School for Seniors will be sharing words of encouragement, inspiration and hope with you each Sunday.

“Who Is In Charge?"

I live in the Dallas area and the headlines the last few days have been filled with news about a terrorist plot to blow up one of our downtown office buildings. Very frightening.

You turn the page and the Health Care debate shakes your day. Accusation and threats spew forth from both sides. Who do you believe? Who can you trust? What is best for us seniors? Very confusing.

You get to the World section of the paper and you see where things are out of control in Afghanistan and Iran is very close to having a nuclear bomb. Suicide bombings are still killing our troops in Iraq. Very sad.

It makes you long for “the good ole’ days.” Back when you could buy a Coke for a nickel. Chase fireflys in the park at night. Walk to the corner drug store for an ice cream cone. You know, back when times were simpler.

But isn’t “simpler” a matter of one’s perspective. Maybe a certain time in our life was better than another but it did not mean the world did not have strife, pain and troubles.

Here’s an example from a national periodical:

“The world is too big for us. Too much going on, too many crimes, too much violence and excitement.”

Sound like a modern commentary? Wrong. It appeared over 170 years ago – June 16, 1833 – in the Atlanta Journal.

How about this headline that appeared in the Boston Globe in 1857… ENERGY CRISIS LOOMS...

The article told how the world may go dark due to a scarcity of whale blubber.

Changes, trouble and fear have always been with mankind. We deal with them, our ancestors dealt with them.

It is not mere chance or blind fate that determines the sweeping changes that impact every generation. Our sovereign God takes full responsibility. He is in charge. He tells us it is He who affects change. And the good news is this: when changes occur, they are never out of His control!

“My times are in thy hand…” - (Psalm 3:15)

If we truly believe that, that God is in control, changes will not be nearly as difficult to accept and deal with.

We must learn to trust and obey, there is no other way. Particularly during very frightening times.

Bill Witcher is co-founder of Computer School for Seniors . He can be reached at bill@cs4seniors.com

Saturdays with Dr. Roffman

Each Saturday, Dr. Joel Roffman, MD, a prominent Dallas cardiologist and author will share meaningful experiences he has had with patients who are dealing with a variety of physical and emotional issues. You will find the manner in which they deal with life’s problems to be practical, inspirational and uplifting.

Seeing Charity as Justice

Our synagogue has recently begun a program in which those who are ill or returning home from the hospital have meals provided by members of our congregation. One such family was in great need – the husband was undergoing treatment for cancer of the throat and was receiving chemotherapy, while the wife was receiving radiation, having had surgery for breast cancer. We provided meals for the couple for five weeks, until their respective treatments were essentially completed, and they were self-sufficient once again.

The Hebrew word for charity – tzedakah – is the same as the word for justice. In the Jewish world, what is charitable is regarded as acting as God’s proxy to insure that His justice is carried out. God creates divine justice, and we can’t know how and when this will play out. But God wants us to create human justice – to help others in need. If we knew how divine justice were ultimately meted out, we would understand God’s ways. But this would come at the cost of being human.

If we knew that all suffering would eventually be reconciled, if we saw things here on earth from God’s perspective, we might fail to help those in need, thinking that this illness or that need would ultimately be taken care of by God, or were divined specifically by Him. But that’s not our mission here on earth. Our job is to care for those in distress, ensuring that those less powerful have their interests and rights championed. Charity and justice are thus intertwined.

If you have a comment or question about this blog entry, email Dr. Roffman at drroffman@cs4seniors.com.

Dr. Joel Roffman has spoken to many church, synagogue and support groups. His book, Coping with Adversity: Judaism’s response to illness and other life struggles is enjoyable, uplifting and informative. It is meant for people of all faiths and can be viewed at www.copingwithadversity.com. It is available at Barnes and Noble, Borders, and Amazon.com.

Internet Magic Friday

Jane Booras is the Editor of numerous newsletters including our Campus Times. She will be sharing how you can find whatever you need - photos, clipart, information, maps, phone numbers - on the Internet.

They say we’re a product of our environment and life experiences. So it happens that I believe in local loyalty. I was born and raised in a small town in northwest Iowa, where my dad owned a business on Main Street. Even though the town was only about 2,500 people, we “shopped at home,” because of course, we wanted people to shop at our store instead of driving to the bigger city just across the state line to spend their money. Our family members were expected to set an example, and shop in our home town.

I still believe in local loyalty. And if you look around your neighborhood or suburb today, you’ll see a lot of local businesses that, in this economy, are struggling to survive right along with the national chains.

The point is not so much local loyalty these days as it is just plain loyalty. We can help businesses where we shop and eat (large or small) survive and thrive by patronizing them.

At the same time, they often reward us with special discounts. This brings us back to the subject of coupons. Many businesses (both local and national chains) use coupons or “specials” to capture your loyalty. That loyalty is good for them, and it can be good for you too. A couple of examples:

At a local restaurant where we like to eat, we were invited to sign up for their specials by filling out a form which asked for our email address. Now they routinely email us special offers. For instance, on my birthday:

We also indulge in a great pizza now and then. Who doesn’t? We find that if we go to the website of our favorite pizzeria, we can click on “special and coupons” and always find a way to save money.

Of course the national chains do this too. I just signed up for the “Fresh Catch Club” at Red Lobster (redlobster.com). Members are notified of special events, receive a birthday “surprise” (probably a coupon), and are entered in a prize drawing. Point is, signing up for online “clubs” brings you up a notch as far as getting the best deal is concerned. Of course you have to exercise a degree of caution as to what you join online as you do anywhere else – in other words, read the fine print.

But membership does have its privileges, and if you click around on your favorite restaurant or shopping sites for opportunities to sign up for free membership, you can cash in on some of those privileges.

Jane Booras is Editor of the Campus Times Newsletter for Computer School for Seniors (www.cs4seniors.com)

Lifelong Learning Thursday

Nancy Merz Nordstrom, author of Learning Later, Living Greater: The Secret of Making the Most of Your After 50 Years will share the benefits of Lifelong Learning on Thursdays.

LEARNING LATER, LIVING GREATER:

The Secret for Making the Most of Your After-50 Years.

Lifelong Learning in Your Later Years…

A Health Club for Your Mind, Body, and Spirit!

This week let’s take a look at some details of lifelong learning institutes.

• Each LLI is a unique, self-sufficient entity with its own set of guidelines, courses and activities.
• Each LLI goes by its own name but all are Lifelong Learning Institutes or LLIs.
• Programs are well-run learning environments full of wisdom, diversity and intellectual and cultural stimulation.
• Each LLI has a strong sense of community among its members.
• All Institutes are very reasonably priced. Most have a small membership fee and/or course fees.
• A typical LLI has 200-400 members. But some have several thousand members.
• Classes are held during the day.
• During any one term, more than 5,000 courses are available at LLIs across the country.
• A typical program offers 20-40 courses per term, and has two or three terms each year.
• Most members take two or three courses per term.
• Classes can be held on college campuses and/or in local community facilities.
• Classes can be peer-led, facilitated by current or retired faculty, or led by outside experts.
• An atmosphere of shared experiences, not a lecture format, is prevalent in all classrooms.
• There is never any homework. There are no tests. Grades are not given.
• LLIs are open to anyone regardless of previous academic experiences.
• The only requirement to join is a desire to keep your mind active and stimulated.
• Social activities can include field trips, all types of social outings and group travel.
• Volunteers usually staff LLIs, although some have paid office staff.
• Members make up all the necessary committees such as Curriculum, Special Events and Long-range planning.
• Members staff the governing boards and make all decisions about the LLI.
• Members can and usually are active in service to their communities.

THURSDAY’S THOUGHT…

Although programs are set up a bit differently from one another, all have one big thing in common – they are made up of people who want to learn in order to keep their brains sharp, their bodies active, and their spirits fulfilled. It really is learning for the sheer joy of learning!

For more information on Learning Later, Living Greater visit www.learninglater.com

You can purchase Learning Later, Living Greater at www.amazon.com

Till Next Time…

Nancy Merz Nordstrom is Director of the Lifelong Learning Department at Computer School for Seniors (www.cs4seniors.com)

Age in Place Wednesday

Computer School for Seniors will be sharing her insightful research on how seniors can safely and successfully live independent lives in the home of their choice.

New Industry Analyst Report
Recommends Tech-Enabled
Home Health Care

Thursday - September 10th, 2009 - 11:40am EST by Brian Dolan
Port St. Lucie, FL. — September 9, 2009

Healthcare delivery needs to get serious about using technology, according to a new report by Aging in Place Technology Watch. “We have consensus that health care cost growth is unsustainable, but obvious technology-enabled solutions are both available and still largely ignored. But by 2020, consumers will insist on and care providers shift to a more tech-enabled process, says Laurie Orlov, principal analyst and author of the report “Calibrated Care is Closer to Home.”

Today home monitoring and telehealth technology markets, self-care technologies, retail clinics, and use of online websites help individuals and caregivers to more effectively manage chronic disease. By 2020, providers and patients will willingly participate in a process of calibrated care – matching the right level of care at the right time and right place – through lower-cost, technology-enabled and closer-to home interactions.

“With the 65+ population suffering from an average of two chronic conditions and likely to remain longer in their homes, now is the time to rethink the process for managing and monitoring health in the home,” said Orlov.

The recommendations are part of a new report “Calibrated Care is Closer to Home,” from Aging in Place Technology Watch. The document highlights technologies that support delivery of health care outside the walls of the hospital, doctor’s office, and emergency room.

“Says Mary Furlong, founder of SeniorNet and author of “Turning Silver into Gold: “With her March 2009 Market Overview, Laurie accurately analyzed and described the emerging technology landscape to help boomers and seniors age in place. I’m so pleased that she is critiquing the world of home health. In addition, by moving into this space from the IT sector, she is paving the way for others.”

Headquartered in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Aging in Place Technology Watch provides thought leadership, analysis and guidance about technologies and related services that enable boomers and seniors to remain longer in their home of choice. In addition to her technology background and years as a technology industry analyst, founder Laurie M. Orlov is certified in geriatric care management from the University of Florida, a long-term care ombudsman and the author of “When Your Parents Need Elder Care.”

Orlov spent more than 30 years in the technology industry, including 24 years in IT and nine years as a leading industry analyst at Forrester Research. While there, she was often the first in the industry to identify technology trends and management strategies which have survived the test of time. She has spoken regularly and delivered keynote speeches at forums, industry consortia, conferences, and symposia. In 1996, Laurie was named to McGraw-Hill/Open Computing’s list of the top 100 women in computing. Laurie is now a featured columnist on GilbertGuide and her blog is referenced on a growing number of websites, including SmartSilvers, RetirementHomes, Huffington Post, the New York Times, SilverPlanet, Mature Market Experts, and Computer School for Seniors.

Tuesday's Treasures

On Tuesdays we provide our Faculty an opportunity to feature the talented work of some of our students and friends. You may see a display of creative Photoshop work, their beautiful photographs or an interesting story about an individual’s meaningful contribution to his or her community, country or the world.If you have memories, old or new, you would like to share, send them to me at mxw8110@yahoo.com.


Creative Scrapbooking

My favorite part of teaching seniors is watching what they do once they have learned a technical skill. In our Collage Level 2 class we had a segment on scrapbooking where we created a couple of templates that could be used over and over.

As usual, I was delighted with the artistry of my students. With a bright mind and a well of creativity from life's experience some very special images will appear on that computer.

Here is an image from Linda Baker of her little Grandson. If you have young grandkids (or great grandkids) you know who Dora the Explorer is. She has a sidekick called Boots who you see featured in the image below. I love the way the character works with the child's picture!

This is an image done by Jane Kennedy of her daughter and son-in-law. She created the two ribbons and the background from scratch. Great eye, great image!

This one was done by Lana Davis of a precious niece. This child often appears in Lana's work. Having a charming little model like this helps any image! The simplicity used to create the image is such a great way to set it off.

Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort."

I am fortunate indeed to have the privilege of watching the creativity of my senior students play out on the computer screen every semester!