Today, fifty-seven percent of fraud in the United States is perpetrated on people over the age of fifty. Senior scams are not generally very complicated. They rely on intimidation and fast talking. The combination costs seniors millions of dollars every month.

So how can seniors protect themselves? By having common sense and being stubborn. Here are some of the main types of senior scams, and some tips on how to defend yourself.

1) Scams over the Phone

How to avoid Phone Scams:

Handyman Scams

These are very common in sunny weather. It can start with “Ma’am, you need to fix your roof, or it’s going to cause major damage. I can do it cheap…” and then they give ridiculously inflated prices. And the roof was probably fine in the first place. The do this with stuff outside or inside the home, and they might even start before you have signed anything.

Here’s how you can avoid the Handyman Scam

Don’t ever let someone be pushy and start doing work for you that you haven’t authorized. If they persist in starting to fix something you might get billed for, just tell them to leave. If they don’t, call the police.

We will continue to discuss senior fraud and elderly activities throughout the spring and summer, so be sure to check back. In the mean time, here is a more in depth look at some of these elderly scam tactics from Caregiver.com.

Seniors who live in Houston not only have a ton of senior housing options, but they also have many, many elderly activities to choose from. Let’s start with Senior Centers.

Houston Senior Centers

Here is a short list to get you started if you’re looking for some Senior Centers in Houston:

Alexander Deussen Senior Center
12303 Sonnier Street
Houston, TX 77044

Neighborhood Centers Inc
2805 Winbern St
Houston, TX 77004
713-526-2641

Golden Age Hobby House
2805 Winbern Street
Houston, TX 77004
(713) 526-2641

Hardy Road Senior Center
11901 West Hardy Road, Houston
(281) 260-6772

Greater Northside Houston Sr. Center
2500 Campbell Street
Houston 77026
(713) 228-7543

Heritage Hall Senior Citizens Center
10201 Challenger 7 Drive
Houston 77029
(713) 75-4487

Outdoor Elderly Activities in Houston

There are some great outdoor spring activities for seniors and their families in Houston.

Bear Creek Park

Bear Creek Park, sometimes referred to as Harris Count Bear Creek Park, is a large Houston park. It is more than 2,000 acres in size, and has a ton of opportunities for seniors and their families to enjoy the Texas outdoors. it has multiple playgrounds, sports fields, many, many picnic areas (including some pavilions), and much mor. There is a duck pond, and even a small zoo! This park has something for everyone in the family.

The park also has walking trails, an equestrian trail, a small zoo (including buffalos, an ostrich, and emus) and aviary, playgrounds, soccer fields, little league and softball fields, four lighted tennis courts, eight picnic pavilions, horseshoe courts, and hundreds of picnic tables and grills. Near the aviary ducks can been seen walking freely around a pond. The park also has restrooms all around the park and drinking water fountains. The park is open all week from 7:00 am until 10:00 pm (local time). There is no cost to enter the park but pavilions must be reserved before use. Picnic tables and grills do not need to be reserved. The park has no stores and visitors must bring their own food if they plan on eating or drinking.

Houston Audubon Society

Seniors can enroll in some of the various courses available at the conservation, including hawk identification, introduction to bird watching and sparrow identification. The center also offers volunteer opportunities for seniors who want to lend a hand to the conservation and ensure its continued operation.

Deussen Alexander Park
12303 Sonnier St
Houston, TX 77044
(281) 454-7057

Deussen Alexander Park is a large park with a lake and ample space to play and picnic. You might even see some deer and buffalo!

Houston Golf Courses

Houston has some outstanding golf courses in the region. Experienced seniors and rank amateurs alike will love spending an afternoon getting some exercise and soaking in the scenery. Here are a few examples:

Memorial Park Golf Course

In an ambitious effort to enhance parks across the city, the Parks and Recreation Department began construction to turn the 9-hole course into an illustrious 18-hole golf course. In July of the following year, the first ball was teed off on what architect John Bredemus called his “greatest golf course ever.”
Through the years, Memorial Park Golf Course hosted many famous golfers such as Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Jimmy Demaret. It was also the home of the Houston Open from 1951 to 1963.

Note that Memorial Golf Course has a great senior rate for a round of golf: just $15. Check out their website for more information.

Hermann Golf Course
Here is another course seniors will love. It does not require a membership, and it has received some props from the likes of Golf Digest, which gave it 3 1/2 Stars!

Built in 1922, Hermann Park Golf Course is an oak-lined oasis in the heart of Houston, rated by Golf Digest Places to Play at 3 1/2 stars.

Hermann Park Golf Course is open seven days a week to the public and conveniently located for visitors to The Texas Medical Center, The Museum District, Rice University or Downtown Houston, with easy access to every other destination via major city thoroughfares.

Other Activities for Houston Seniors

Nasa’s Kennedy Space Center
No need for any explanation here, right? NASA continues to draw everyone, from kids looking for a cool outing, to seniors looking to relive some of the most exciting moments in American history. Come check it out!

Houston Asros Baseball
What better way to get out and enjoy spring than to go hang out with the boys of summer. The Houston Astros continue to be a popular attraction for young and old in Houston. Thankfully, they ditched their dome more than ten years ago, so you can go and truly enjoy the great outdoors. Here is a little more about the surroundings in Minute Maid Park.

A jewel in the crown of the majestic downtown Houston skyline, Minute Maid Park has become a welcome home for the Houston Astros and has ushered in a new era of Major League sports in the city. The downtown ballpark continues the proud tradition of visionary innovation in stadium construction, beginning with the club’s previous home – the Astrodome. Minute Maid Park’s retractable roof technology brought open-air baseball to Houston for the first time in 35 years, and the natural grass surface and classic architecture provided Minute Maid Park the atmosphere of the great ballparks of baseball’s Golden age.

What is the long term prognosis for Parkinson’s?
Parkinson’s is a progressive disease, but the rate of progression is different for each person, and the responsiveness to medication varies. If left untreated, Parkinson’s may lead to the deterioration of all brain functions and early death.

What causes Parkinson’s?
No one knows why the dopamine-producing nerve cells are gradually damaged and eventually destroyed. Sometimes Parkinson’s does run in families, especially when the age of onset is younger than 50, but most patients do not experience any symptoms of Parkinson’s until after the age of 50.

Symptoms may affect one or both sides of the body. Patients may not experience all of the above symptoms, but generally the severity and variety of symptoms increase as the disease progresses.

How is Parkinson’s diagnosed?
Doctors will look for the presence of symptoms to make a diagnosis. Because some of the same symptoms are found with other disorders, doctors may run tests to rule out other disorders.

How is Parkinson’s treated?
Because there is no known cure for Parkinson’s, the primary goal of treatment is to manage the symptoms and improve overall health and strength. Most symptoms are diminished with the use of medications that increase the level of dopamine in the brain, but as the medication wears off, symptoms return. Other medical care like therapy, exercise, or dietary improvements may help maintain muscle control and slow the advancement of Parkinson’s.

When medications are not effective, severe Parkinson’s patients may be recommended to undergo surgical procedures like Deep Brain Stimulation using electrical stimulation, or another more drastic surgery to destroy the effected brain tissues which cause the symptoms of Parkinson’s. None of the surgical procedures are considered a cure for Parkinson’s, but may help some patients with severe symptoms.

Who may be a part of the medical care team for a Parkinson’s patient?
Doctors will work to find the medications, dosage, and timing of doses that are most effective for each patient. Physical therapists will customize exercises to prevent muscle atrophy, and occupational therapists will help find exercises or adaptive equipment that will allow patients to remain as independent and functional in the home as long as possible. A speech therapist may offer helpful exercises to maintain clear speech. A nutritionist may also be on call to adjust diet to improve overall health and meet the specific needs of patients.

For more information on elderly services and other helpful information for seniors, check back here often.

The Dallas, TX metroplex is home to more than five and a half million people. Inside the city limits, there are more than one millions, and eight percent of those are senior citizens. So, if you are a senior living either at home or in a senior living community, what can you get out and do in a place like Dallas? Well, we have some ideas for you.

Dallas Senior Centers

Senior Centers are usually where elderly activities begin. Not only do they have information on senior care facilities and government programs all around the city, they also have their own gatherings. And if you’re thinking that just means shuffle board and bingo, think again. There are tons of activities that are varied and exciting. Senior Centers are the hub of the elderly community in almost any US city. In Dallas, there are tons of options. We’ll give you a few below, and there are a lot more up on the map!

Elmwood Senior Center
1315 Berkley
Dallas, TX
(214) 330-7144

Jefferson Senior Center
1617 West Jefferson
Dallas, TX
(214) 943-3304

Jewish Community Center
7900 Northhaven Road
Dallas
(214) 739-2737

Juanita Craft Senior Center
4500 Spring Avenue
Dallas
(214) 670-8203

King/New Beginning Senior Center
114 West Hobson
Dallas
(214) 670-7595

M.L.K. Senior Center
2901 Pennsylvania
Dallas
(214) 670-0355

Mountain View Senior Center
4849 West Illinois
Dallas
(214) 860-8816

Outdoor Elderly Activities

Parks

The Dallas Arboretum

The Dallas Arboretum, one of the most beautiful outdoor attractions in Dallas, features
66-acres of spectacular display gardens that showcase incredible seasonal flowers, ornamental shrubs, trees and plant collections in a serene setting on White Rock Lake.

The Arboretum is home to seasonal outdoor festivals, concerts, art shows and more. Throughout the year, guests enjoy both indoor and outdoor dining in either Restaurant DeGolyer by Wendy Krispin Caterer in our historic DeGolyer House or on the Lula Mae Slaughter Dining Terrace overlooking downtown Dallas.

The Dallas Zoo

The Dallas Zoo is not just for children. Now the largest zoological park in Texas is reaching out to the silver set with Senior Safari Wednesdays. Senior citizens age 65 and better receive discounted admission of $5 per person to the Dallas Zoo every Wednesday. The program kicks off on Wednesday, March 23, at 10 a.m. with a reception at the Zoofari Food Court deck overlooking the flamingo pond. The Dallas Banjo Band will perform and special zookeeper encounters will be available. The Zoo will recognize Marietta Janak, an active volunteer with the longest record of service to the organization. Former zookeepers and volunteers also will be recognized at the event.
(From Dallaszoo.com)

Golf Courses

The Dallas metroplex is notoriously spread out. This is great for golfers, because it means there are lots of courses around the region. Beautiful ones, too! Here is a quick sampling for elderly golfers:

Tenison Golf Course
3501 Samuell Boulevard
Dallas, TX 75223
(214) 670-1402

Dallas Country Club
4100 Beverly Dr
Dallas, Texas 75205
(214) 521-2151

Lakewood Country Club
6430 Gaston Avenue
Dallas, TX 75214-4097

Baseball, anyone?

Dallas has always been a football town. But when the Cowboys slumped last fall and the Rangers made it to the World Series for the first time in club history, the city fully embraced their boys of summer. You can catch a Rangers game for a good price all throughout the spring and summer (and dare we hope… fall again?) For a full schedule of Texas Rangers home games, click here. The Balpark in Arlington is a beautiful, family friendly environment. It is a joy for baseball fans of all ages, including those who remember “the old days.”

Coming Events for the Elderly

Dallas Discovery Gardens Mother’s Day Concert

This is a lovely park and a great event for seniors and families. This is a one hour concert on Mother’s Day at 3 pm. The Dallas Women’s Choir will perform a concert, and then there will be a huge butterfly release. Check out the website for mor information.

For more information on elderly activities throughout Texas, visit this site.

Here’s what I’m referring to. The new chairwoman of theDemocratic National Committee Debbie Wasserman-Schultz said that Rep. Paul Ryan’s budget proposal would “literally be a death trap for seniors.”

This remdins me of a routine by comedian Brian Regan. He was talking about how politicians make the most outrageous claims against eachother. For example, Regan saw a local political ad where one candidate accused his opponent of wanting to taser seven year olds. Ridiculous. The accused candidate scoffed that he had signed a bill talking about disarming a person with a weapon by tasing them. That included a teenager or even a child who was about to do serious damage with a weapon. The commercial was completely insane.

And this is insane, too. Are we really to believe that Paul Ryan and his republican colleagues hate senior citizens and want to kill them? Ridiculous. But the scare tactics always seem to come up when the budget is being discussed. Fifteen years ago, it was widely reported that one party wanted to “starve children” at school. And Ed Asner came on strong shortly after that with the then current tactics to frighten senior citizens into voting for his man.

I know, I know. Both sides do it. Neither one should. Let’s face it: whether you agree with his plan or disagree, it is clear Rep. Ryan is attempting to do something that, at least in his mind and the minds of his colleagues, will save the financial future of this nation. Entitlement programs cost this nation trillions of dollars, and they need to be restructured. That includes Medicare and Medicaid. His proposal would allow states to accept block funds for the programs and use them at their own local discretion, essentially.

Now, the chairwoman apparently disagrees. Fine. You don’t like his budget proposal. But don’t call it a “literal death trap” for seniors. I’m sure Rep. Paul Ryan has parents and grandparents. I’m sure he likes elderly folks just fine. And I’m sure he would like to be one in twenty years. So, just to play it safe, I’m guessing he does not want to kill seniors any more than he wants to tase seven year olds.

I think we all need to grow up a little. Seriously. Ryan could easily counter that if the nation does not cut back on its spending, then Medicare and Medicaid will collapse in a few short years, and there will not be any money available for seniors in nursing homes. And that would be an even bigger “death trap.” Yes, everyone can play this game…

Anyway, I am just tired of it. I am tired of the political roller coaster. I’m tired of people pandering so much to groups. I’m tired of fear tactics. Medicare, Medicaid, and other elder care services have to be reformed somehow if they are going to stay afloat. Maybe Ryan’s budget goes about it all wrong. Maybe he’s cutting too much too fast. If that’s what you think, that’s what you should say.

But don’t try to scare seniors into action. It’s insulting to your opponent, and condescending to seniors who rely on those funds and want them to be there for their grandchildren.

The issue came up when scientists began experimenting with embryonic stem cells and implanting them into patients with Parkinson’s, and began to see some results. They wanted to do more testing. Broader testing. Because if you sense you might be on to something, you don’t want to be hampered with unnecessary restrictions. After all, we’re talking about lives here.

The issue went round and round, and probably peaked when actor Michael J. Fox appeared before congress to talk about his Parkinson’s, and to lobby for stem cell research. Mr. Fox was shaking visibly throughout his testimony. I am told that he had intentionally not taken his medication in order to show the country the full effects of the disease. And the country was blown away. After all, this wasn’t just any actor. This was Michael J. Fox. Mary McFly. He was the symbol of youth and vibrance in America, and to see him like that was difficult. The emotional impact swung in favor or the Stem Cell Research proponents.

So who was in the right in this debate?

Researchers, I believe, are right to look at all angles and do their best to come up with a cure to any disease. Parkinson’s is ravaging the senior community. Again, my own father in law was crippled by the disease for years, and finally died of it. I know we, as a family, would have done almost anything to see him get well.

But we would never have taken the life of someone else in order to do it. Let me tell you where I stand on the issue at the risk of making some people upset. The question of the life of the fetus IS the issue. It is the crux of the matter. Are we taking lives when we are harvesting embryonic stem cells? Are we taking lives when we abort a child? Every other debate here is a side issue. If a fetus is a living person, than the debate is over. All the other stuff flying around the aisles is just noise at that point. After all, who would advocate killing one young person to save another?

So what if an embryo is not a living baby? Well then, that is a different story, and the debate on that point is over. We still need to deal with the “are we living in a scary sci fi movie where we harvest organs” type of issues, but as soon as we see our loved ones shaking like that, the debate would be over.

I remember one friend of mine sarcastically saying, “If only we could find stem cells in vending machines.” His point: it’s a tough issue, but we have to find the stem cells, and that’s where we get them. So let’s just make the tough call and get them. (Again, I would point out that if the embryo is a living baby, his argument is mute. He wouldn’t make the argument. Moreover, why is it a hard decision if you don’t think the baby is living? It wouldn’t be. There should be no person who ever says they are “personally” against abortion while still supporting its legality. Because why are you personally against it? But I digress…)

What my friend did not realize was this: stem cells are actually very available, and they don’t have to come from human embryos. They can come from adults. There have been a plethora of studies using adult stem cells to fight Parkinson’s, and the results have been just as promising.

And to me, that’s where we should be investing. There’s plenty of promise in adult stem cells. So let’s leave the embryos alone. Look, we all have people we love that are suffering, and we hate it. But if we don’t have a definitive answer on whether the search for a cure actually means killing children, then we should completely stop the presses until that question is definitively answered.

Anyway, I was just thinking about that this morning, and I thought I’d throw that out there. Let’s pray that we find a cure to Parkinson’s quickly. For more discussions on elder care services and elderly activities, visit our homepage.

As we have mentioned, this disease hits home for us here at iCare For Elders in a personal way, because my wife’s father suffered and died from it. (My wife wrote about this in this post last week.) And one of the most essential things that a family can do is find support from other families who are experiencing the disease. This is what her parents finally decided to do, and it really paid off.

Why do I mention Parkinson’s support groups again? Because the ADPA, in addition to its 54 centers around the country, also has more than a thousand Parkinson’s support groups! This is a wonderful thing. Many of those suffering with this disease either directly or indirectly can really benefit from these groups.

Anyway, the ADPA has some other events scheduled for this year, and especially throughout April. One cool trend we’re seeing is the “Walkathon” event, which is really becoming popular. This weekend, there are Walkathon’s in Asheville (North Carolina), San Diego (California), Las Vegas (Nevada), and Virginia Beach (Virginia) alone. Next month, there will be Walkathons in places like Los Angeles, CA and Madison, WI.

You can read about these and other evens on the ADPA website.

For more information about Parkinson’s disease, check out this site. For more information on elderly activities relating to Parkinson’s, etc, visit our homepage.

Elderly foks across the nation are happy for springtime activities too, and maybe even more happy than the rest of us. Senior care homes can, despite the best efforts of the staff, be lonely. And if you live in a cold climate like Minnesota, or a west one like the Pacific northwest, the result is the same: wintertime is oftentimes a gloomy indoor season of isolation.

But it’s mid April now, and all of that is behind us, praise God!

So with that in mind, I want to introduce some ideas for how senior citizens can get out and enjoy the outdoors. Seniors often know their towns better than other city residents so this isn’t rocket science. But there are often some unique ideas that are easily overlooked. And we want to help unearth some of those. We will look at senior activities in many of the larger cities across the United States, providing links, phone numbers and maps to those events when necessary. Our hope is that even if you don’t live in those cities, we might at least help spur on some outside of the box thinking in regards to getting outside and having a good time, whether you are a senior yourself or a caregiver of one.

So where should we start? Oregon, of course:) Here are some ideas for Elderly Activities in Portland

Senior Hiking

What better way for a senior to get some exercise, enjoy the beauty of the city, and make friends at the same time than by getting involved in senior hiking. There are many ways to do this, many groups out there who walk in a variety of Portland landscapes, from regular Portland neighborhoods to those who move up in elevation and hike the hills.

If you want to start with Senior Strolls, here is a brief description:

Senior Strolls is a program designed to offer seniors an easy, pleasant, social walking experience, and to give them the confidence to consider walking as a transportation option. Strolls range from 1.5 to 2.5 miles in length. The 2011 strolls will be held in North and Northeast Portland… Walking with other senior strollers provides the added benefits of a valuable support network and new friendships!

Contact Donna Green at 503-823-6114 for more information. (From Portland Online.)

Want something more challenging? Check out the Metro Movers. They go all over the place in search of beautiful panoramas, secluded forrests, rivers, and other Oregon scenes. Now they walk farther than the Strollers, and have some prerequisites. Namely, you need to be able to walk for a bit. If you can walk a twenty minute mile over uneven surfaces without being taxed too much in your breathing, you should be okay. They have scheduled walks often so check this website for more details.

Epicurian Adventure:

Want to get some exercise in a more unique way? Try an “epicurian adventure.” What is that? Think of it as an extended progressive dinner that goes all around the city and stops at some phenomenal, exotic places. You start at one restaurant to sample some of their food, and then you get led by a walking tour guide around the city to some other unique places. You keep eating, but you keep walking. Exercise and food. Best of both worlds.

In Portland, this is particularly fun because the focus on local food and healthy living fosters an environment for outside the box eating. I just had some friends that did this and loved it, and I think it could be perfect for seniors who enjoy walking and who like to eat. Here is the Portland Walking Tours website to find out more information.

So fast forward to the present. Last week, a congressional report was released. It revealed that the AARP stands to gain more than $1 billion from the health care reform bill. This, of course, looks strikingly suspicious to many observers.

This video makes the case in stark terms:

Now, some members of congress are asking for an IRS inquiry into the AARP. But the AARP has shot back, defending themselves and the fact that they take such royalties. In an open letter, Lee Hammond, AARP President said this:

“Until that day comes, the royalties we receive from lending our name to products and services make it possible for us to advocate for the entire 50-plus population…”

This controversy is only beginning. With the massive budget battles that are already taking place around the country, and with the population aging so much already, senior services such as Medicare and Medicaid will be discussed all over the place. And you can be sure that the recent controversies with other subsidized non-profits such as NPR and Planned Parenthood, there will be a magnifying glass on the AARP to see whether or not there is any shady accounting going on, and to discover their motivations for supporting the legislation they do.

We will keep looking at this issue, and continue to talk about elder care services that affect the lives of seniors all around the country.

“Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder of the nervous system that affects movement. It develops gradually, often starting with a barely noticeable tremor in just one hand. But while tremor may be the most well-known sign of Parkinson’s disease, the disorder also commonly causes a slowing or freezing of movement.” -Source: Mayoclinic.com

The article goes on to say that the disease often begins in a subtle way: a person’s speech begins to slur a little, or their arms don’t swing back and forth like they normally did. Over time, however, the symptoms have a way of worsening over time.

Here’s another description, this time from WebMD:

“Symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include muscle rigidity, tremors, and changes in speech and gait. Parkinson’s causes are unknown but genetics, aging, and toxins are being researched” Source-WebMD.com

Parkinson’s was made famous years ago by actor Michael J. Fox. When Fox was diagnosed, people were shocked to see the young energetic superstar shaking like a leaf. It was a jolt to the nation. When Fox went before congress to testify, he had not taken his medication, and the effect was even more startling. Then last year, congress took another step in publicizing the awful effects of Parkinson’s by declaring April to be “National Parkinson’s Awareness Month.” To commemorate the month, there are a host of activities and events around the country that can help spread the word:

2011 Annual Parkinson Awareness Month Conference
This is being held in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. It is a two day conference features all kinds of helpful information on how to deal with the disease. It will also feature a session that is open to the public (general information on Parkinson’s) and a silent auction to raise money to fight the disease.

Parkinson’s Awareness Month Luncheon
This is a fundraiser luncheon held in Dallas, TX on April 7. Now obviously, it is far too late to expect people to fly from around the country for this event, but there is something worth mentioning about this event and the people who are putting it on. The featured speaker is a man named David Iverson who wrote and directed a PBS documentary on Parkinson’s disease entitled “My Father, My brother, and Me,” which chronicles his own attempt to learn about Parkinson’s in his own family.

But the main reason I mention this event is because it was put on by a group called the Texas Voice Project. This is a one of a kind group that helps Parkinson’s patients who have experienced loss of vocal control, swallowing, etc. They work with patients who are dealing with other neurological orders of the same kind as well. In the long run, improving in these areas can help reduce the risk of pneumonia that is brought on by these types of problems. Like I said, this is the only program like this in the nation, but their goal is to replicate this all throughout the country.

Anyway, like I said, we will continue to talk about Parkinson’s disease throughout this month, as well as other information on elder care services.