Sharing Spaces

A new Census Bureau report confirms what every re-feathered nest, caregiving combo, or extended family household knows: Following the recent recession, there were more combined householdsin 2010 (22 million – 18.7 percent of all households) than there were in 2007 (19.7 million.) And guess what else? Personal poverty rates are higher among the adults who live in these households.

The findings validate my favorite refrain: When finances get tough, families come together.  That includes opening our homes, cleaning out closets and making room for baby … and grandma …  and college graduate … and job-seeker … and those who’ve lost their homes … the list goes on and on.

The report, Sharing a Household: Household Composition and Economic well-Being: 2007-2010, looks at household composition and income data from the Annual Social and Economic Supplement of the Current Population Survey.

The most striking to me are the data on poverty rates among shared households;* clearly there are economic drivers causing millions of families to move in together. But the situation may not be what you think: It’s not all about financially secure householders taking in less fortunate family members. In fact, these householders are strapped too – they had higher poverty rates than those not living in shared homes.

• In 2010, personal poverty rates for these householders were higher than those not in shared households. But official (total family income) and household poverty rates were lower, suggesting that taking in other adults helps ease household finances.
• Between 2007 and 2010, additional adults in shared households increased to 15% of all adults, with more than 50% under the age of 35 (those ages 25-34 accounted for almost half to the increase.) They were more likely to live with relatives (almost half lived with parents) and personal and official poverty rates were higher than householders.

Regardless of the reason family members jump into multigenerational living, sharing expenses as well as space can be beneficial. But it doesn’t come without challenges. Here are a few tips to help things run smoothly (and remember to re-visit these issues regularly because circumstances can change rapidly):

• Create a shared budget.  Determine how you will divide household expenses such as groceries, home repair and cleaning supplies. You could as for equal cash contributions from all, base it on income or include household work in lieu of cash (such as cleaning, child care, cooking.)
• Find public benefits. Do a quick AARP Benefits QuickLINK screening to find out if individuals, families and households may qualify.
• Decide how to use space. If possible give each household member space – with a door. A place to cool off and recharge may ease tensions and prevent problems. All generations in a home have a need for personal space and alone time.
• Hold household conferences. Whether family members or not, those who share households benefit from regular conversations about concerns, what’s working and necessary changes. If you don’t schedule ongoing times for these discussions, you’ll be more likely to have building resentments and molehills can turn into family/household mountains!

Read the rest of the article here.

Taken from the AARP Blog.

LAST CHANCE to Shop and Support!

Macy’s Shop for a Cause event is almost here! Have you bought your Savings Pass yet?On Saturday, August 25, 2012, Macy’s will host its 7th annual Shop For A Cause benefiting charities nationwide.

For $5 each, you can purchase a Savings Pass.When you Shop for the Foster Grandparent Program on Saturday, August 25, 2012, you will receive 25% off* regular, sale and clearance merchandise, including designer brands you love, throughout the store, as well as 10% off furniture, mattresses and area rugs. And you will be eligible to win a $500 gift card, no purchase necessary.  These passes are good at Macy’s stores worldwide!

 To buy your Saving Passes online now, click here.  

But we also need your help!

Because of your support we have been invited to set up a table. This Saturday, August 25, we are looking for volunteers to sell tickets and spread the word about our great programs.  For volunteering, you will receive a savings pass, which is good for 25% off everything in store on that day only.

This Saturday, August 25, 2012

 Macy’s

First Floor Mall Entrance

The Mall at Millenia

4200 Conroy Road, Orlando

Volunteers needed in minimum of 2 hour shifts between 

10 am and 10 pm

 

10 am – 12 pm

12 pm – 2 pm

2 pm – 4 pm

4 pm – 6 pm

6 pm – 8 pm

8 pm – 10 pm

For more information or to sign up for a shift, please contact Charlotte Merritt at 407-298-4180 or CMerritt@fgpcfl.org

Leave a Legacy of Learning

It’s hard to say how much my grandmother impacted my life. Not because I can’t find the words, but because I can only imagine what my life would be like without her. And some of those imagined outcomes can be a little scary.

First of all, my grandmother…well, actually we call her Mawmaw, and my grandfather, Emmitt, changed the way their family trees were headed. They planted their relationship in the nourishing soil of love and spread their roots deep in faith and compassion. They are the firm foundation of my dad’s side of the family.

But second of all, Mawmaw instilled in me my love for words. She’s an author (still published in several compilation books per year and featured in the local newspaper), and I believe my interest in writing stems from her. She was also who first introduced me to and taught me Spanish, something else that became a great interest in my life. I remember sitting down with a pen and paper and writing poetry and stories with her, in English and Spanish.

In her younger years, she was a great teacher that affected countless elementary school kids. As a retiree, she continued teaching her grandchildren.

That’s why I believe so strongly in Foster Grandparents. I know the effect my grandparents had in my life, an effect that will ripple throughout generations. But I also know not all children can be so lucky. Foster Grandparents provide children mentorship and support that can make all the difference in their world. They teach more than reading and writing—they teach life.

Thank you, Mawmaw, for your support, and thank you Foster Grandparents for all the amazing work you do.

 Guest Post written by Traci, 24, who is a copywriter at an ad agency.

Sleep longer and eat a more healthful diet

Those who have lived to be 100 have some advice for you young whipper-snappers in your 50s who want to reach the century mark: Sleep longer and eat a more healthful diet.

That’s the finding from Unitedhealthcare’s annual “100@100 Survey,” which for the first time looked not only at the century-old group, but also at boomers age 50 to 55.

As of 2010, the Census Bureau estimates there are 72,000 Americans who have lived 100 years or more. By 2050, the aging of the baby boom generation will bring that number to more than 600,000.

The survey found that in some ways, those at the century mark are very similar to those who are halfway there: Both age groups are equally dedicated to maintaining health through daily exercise, following some form of spiritual activity and being socially active.

Nearly 90 percent of both boomers and centenarians say they talk with a family member or friend every day; just over half of centenarians and about 60 percent of boomers say they exercise daily; and about 67 percent of 100-year-olds and 60 percent of the 50-somethings say they engage in spiritual activities, such as praying or meditating.

Among centenarians, nearly 45 percent cite walking as their favorite physical activity and 40 percent do exercises to strengthen their muscles.

Both age groups are nearly as likely to attend a social event (26 percent of boomers vs. 24 percent of centenarians) and find something amusing enough to make them laugh or giggle (87 percent of boomers vs. 80 percent of centenarians) nearly every day.

Read the rest of the article here.

Taken from the AARP Blog

Join us Tonight

You’re invited to attend a complimentary advanced screening of

THE ODD LIFE OF TIMOTHY GREEN 

Regal Waterford Lakes Stadium 20

541 N. Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL

TONIGHT, Thursday, August 9

7:00 PM 

Academy Award®-nominated director/writer Peter Hedges (“Dan in Real Life,” What’s Eating Gilbert Grape”) brings enchantment to the screen with “The Odd Life of Timothy Green.” It’s the inspiring, magical story of a happily married couple, Cindy and Jim Green (Jennifer Garner and Joel Edgerton), who can’t wait to start a family but can only dream about what their child would be like. When young Timothy (CJ Adams) shows up on their doorstep one stormy night, Cindy and Jim-and their small town of Stanleyville-learn that sometimes the unexpected can bring some of life’s greatest gifts.

Disney presents “The Odd Life of Timothy Green,” with Ahmet Zappa, Scott Sanders and Jim Whitaker producing, story by Ahmet Zappa and screenplay by Peter Hedges. “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” is slated for release on August 15, 2012 and is rated PG.

 In order to attend, you must print out the pass for admission.

Please arrive early as the theater is overbooked to ensure capacity.

Enjoy the show!

NO RECORDING

This screening will be monitored for unauthorized recording. By attending, you agree not to bring any recording device into the theatre and you consent to physical search of your belongings and person for recording devices. If you attempt to enter with a recording device, you will be denied admission.  If you attempt to use a recording device, you consent to your immediate removal from the theater and forfeiture of the device and its contents. Unauthorized recording will be reported to law enforcement and may subject you to criminal and civil liability.

Want to save money on your electric bill?

Join RSVP and the Orlando Utilities Commission

Tips on how to save money on your electric and water bill

Thursday, August 9, 2012 at 10 am

Marks Street Senior Center

99 E. Marks St.

Orlando, FL

 

Please join us for our next session in the Triple “E” Series to hear Gregory Sampson, Conservation Specialist with OUC, give a presentation on how to lower your utility bills.  Mr. Sampson has been with OUC for nearly 22 years and is an expert on energy conservation and residential energy audits.

Remember:  You do NOT have to be an OUC customer to attend this presentation.  This opportunity to learn more about saving money on your utility bill is open to the public.  All are welcome.  Lights refreshments will be served.

We are looking forward to seeing you then!

Super Seniors

Nationwide volunteers continue to give.  Age or circumstance doesn’t stop them, and we’re often told that it makes them feel better and live longer to keep active.

What a great example of just this: Super Seniors Serving To 100 And Beyond

Join us on Voucherry

We are excited to announce that we have launched a rewards and loyalty program, by partnering with Voucherry.com Voucherry’s Social Commerce Network rewards users and their favorite Causes, while also generating business in the local economy.  It gives our supporters a channel to help us while also saving money, enjoying highly discounted offers and winning significant prizes all while putting money back in your pocket for every dollar you spend!

How it Works:

It’s easy!  Simply follow this link: www.voucherry.com/invitation/floridaseniorprograms  and sign up as a user.   That way Florida Senior Programs will receive credits for every dollar that you spend through the Voucherry channel and so will you! When you shop online through Voucherry you can feel good about every purchase you make! These credits can be cashed out, donated, gifted or used as credits towards all or part of a purchase.

Featured Categories:

• Groupon: yes, that’s right; all the great Groupon Daily Deals are now on Voucherry.
• Fashion – shop known brands such as Prada, Balenciaga, Gucci, Nike, Adidas, Jordan, Reebok, Pacific Sunwear, more!
• Car Supplies – The Tire Rack, Auto Anything, etc…
• Electronics – Apple products (IPods, IPads, and accessories), DELL computers, IBM components, Logitech etc…
• Software: Adobe, AVG Technologies, etc…
• Sporting Goods -REI, Altrec.com, etc…
• Vitamins, Diet & Special Food – (gluten free, diabetes, etc) Weight Watchers, Medifast Diet, etc…
• Miscellaneous: Coca Cola products, jewelry, diamonds, glasses, sunglasses, furniture, and much more!

For any questions you may have about Voucherry.com, don’t hesitate to contact us  or you can email the Voucherry team direct at support@voucherry.com

We hope that you will accept our Voucherry Invitation today and help us make a difference!

 www.voucherry.com/invitation/FloridaSeniorPrograms

Anti-Bully

Each month every Foster Grandparent volunteer attends four hours of in-service training to update them on any changes, and make sure they have the knowledge to be the best volunteer they can!  Foster Grandparents volunteer 20 hours a week one on one with special needs children, and one of the issues they are likely to encounter is Bullying.

This month, we decided to focus on Bullying.

The following article is featured in their monthly newsletter (which can be read in full by clicking here) and was found at the National Crime Prevention Council’s website which has some great information and resources.

A big, tough kid stops a smaller kid on his way to school and threatens to hurt him unless he hands over his homework. The popular girls at school won’t let anyone sit at their lunch table except their friends. These two bullying scenarios that happen more often than most adults realize. Seventy-four percent of kids say teasing and bullying happen at their school.

But what exactly is bullying?

Bullying is:

• Fighting, threatening, name-calling, teasing, or excluding someone repeatedly
• An imbalance of power, such as size or popularityPhysical, social, and emotional harm
• Hurting another person to get something

Kids who are bullied are more likely to:

• Do poorly in school
• Have low self-esteem
• Be depressed
• Turn to violent behavior to protect themselves or get revenge on their bullies

A caring adult like you can play a central role to preventing and stopping bullying.

Here are a few things you can do:Teach kids to solve problems without using violence and praise when they do.

• Give children positive feedback when they behave well to help their self-esteem.
• Give them the self-confidence to stand up for what they believe in.
• Ask children about their day and listen to them talk about school, social events, their classmates, and any problems.
• Take bullying seriously. Many kids are embarrassed to say they have been bullied. You may only have one chance to step in and help.
• If you see bullying, stop it right away
• Don’t bully children or others in front of them.
• Many times kids who are bullied react by bullying other kids. If your children see you hit, ridicule, or gossip about someone else, they are also more likely to do so themselves.

Nominate Today!

Today is your last chance to nominate “Florida Senior Programs, Inc.” to receive funds through Chase Community Giving.  Click here to nominate!

“Nominations: June 12, 2012 – July 9, 2012*

First we need to find out which charities mean the most to you. That’s where you’ve got an amazing opportunity to make your voice heard. Starting June 12, 2012, we need you, our customers and employees, to tell us which local charities you want to have a chance to share in the grants. Find out more about nominating a charity.

Voting: September 6 – 19, 2012*

Then, we’ll move to a voting phase. Chase customers will get to vote for their favorite charities in 2 places. First vote here, and then again on Facebook. That means you’ll have an even bigger voice in helping to decide where the grants go. The charities with the most votes will share in $5 million in grants from Chase!

Nominate your favorite charities now.

To keep up-to-date with the program, don’t forget to visit us on Facebook.

 

*Nominations will end on July 9, 2012 at 11:59:59 PM, ET. Voting will end September 19, 2012 at 11:59:59 PM, ET.”