May is Older Americans Month – an occasion to think about our society’s senior citizens and the roles they play in society. Many seniors over the age of 60 are still employed. Some work to keep active, while others because they’ve got no choice and need the money. WGCU’s Matthew Kay reports.

AARP Florida says seniors in the Sunshine State did not fare well in the 66-billion dollar budget now awaiting Governor Charlie Crist’s signature. WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

It’s no secret the price of groceries and gasoline has gone up significantly in the last year. The economic news is gloomy and seems to get worse every day. And for many people, including senior citizens living on fixed incomes in Southwest Florida – the reality of the economic downturn has filtered into their day to day lives. WGCU’s Valerie Alker prepared this report.

The Lee Memorial Health System has been recognized by the AARP as one of Best Employers one of the best employers in the country of workers fifty and older. Of the fifty employers named – Lee Memorial ranked 2nd in the way it treats older workers. About 35 percent of the health care providers’ workforce is 50 or older – that’s about 24 hundred employees. Human Resources Director Jon Cecil says that includes 14 employees over the age of 80. These folks work part-time as patient sitters.

“They sit with patients that need additional attention while they’re in the hospital so when the nurse isn’t in the room someone is with the patient all the time.”

Cecil says its win-win position for the workers – who get a little bit of income – and also get of the house and into a stimulating environment. Lee Memorial also provides flex time and job sharing for older workers. Part-time employees are also eligible for health-care and pension benefits.

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Lee Memorial Health Care is one the best places in the country to work for people aged fifty or older. That’s according the AARP which began making the annual designation six years ago. Human Resources Director Jon Cecil says Lee Memorial is very pleased by the AARP’s endorsement. And he says older employees are a valuable resource.

“We see an exodus of a tremendous amount of experience, knowledge wisdom and maturity, and these are individuals that were typically serve as mentors and coaches for our younger force – so anything we can do to retain that older workforce is very important and vital to our ability to provide the highest quality patient care.”

The AARP selected Lee Memorial as one the top employers of workers 50 and older because of its flexible work options, job sharing, phased retirement and employee health and pension benefits. The Hospital system has 14 workers over the age of 80.

Sunday marks the 2nd anniversary of Hurricane Charley. The category 4 storm made landfall in Charlotte County and damaged half the homes and businesses. According to a new study, the psychological damage remains, especially among seniors.

Mental Health researchers at the University of South Florida began tracking the number of depressed and anxious elderly people in Charlotte County before Hurricane Charley. The number, about 4 percent, was typical of any elderly population. After the hurricane the number jumped to 15 percent. Researcher Lisa Brown attributes the increase to prolonged stress.

“a lot of people indicated they are still concerned are have worries about home repairs, not only having the money for home repairs but finding reliable people to repair their home – just having disrupted lives andnot planning on such a prolonged period of having to put everything back together”.

Brown also says there’s a certain amount of grieving involved – for lost trees, a lost way of life – and for friends who moved away from Charlotte County after Hurricane Charley.
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A new study finds Charlotte County seniors are still stressed from Hurricane Charley...two years after the fact. Mental Health Researchers at the University of South Florida measured depression and anxiety in about 15 percent of seniors - the average in that population is a fraction of that. U-S-F researcher Lisa Brown says those numbers may not come down anytime soon.

“when you think about the fact that we live in a state that has a six month hurricane season that reoccurs every year it takes it toll on people and there’s a sense of waiting for the shoe to drop. Maybe it doesn’t happen this year – maybe it will happen next year”

But Brown says seniors can take some steps to help alleviate anxiety and depression. Most important, she says, is making a hurricane checklist that includes people – both local and out of state. She says a safety net that includes caring friends and relatives can do a lot to relieve stress.

Graduate students in Gerontology at Florida Gulf Coast University have been using the real world as their laboratory. Working with Senior Friendship Centers of Lee County – they’ve produced a report aimed at helping the non-profit do its job more effectively. WGCU’s Valerie Alker reports.

The Florida House votes this week on a bill that would earmark 15 million dollars a year over the next four years for Alzheimer’s research. The Senate is considering a similar bill. The need is great. The average life expectancy in this country is now 77.6 years. By age 75, more than 12 percent of people will have developed Alzheimers – by age 85 – it’s more like 50 percent. WGCU’s Valerie Alker spoke to one of Southwest Florida’s leading Alzheimer’s researchers and has this report.

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Almost 200 people turned out today in Port Charlotte for a Caregivers Conference - hosted by the AARP. The event was along the lines of a two hour pep-rally. Seniors, struggling to care for ailing partners, heard from motivational speakers. Topping the list was Dr. William H. Thomas, a gerontologist who promotes holistic approaches to aging, and the care of older people. He’s also the author of “What are old people for? How elders will save the world”. He spoke to WGCU’s Valerie Alker.