Senior Connections

Farmingdale Public Library

Newsletter Topic of the Month

January – February 2013

What is a Reverse Mortgage and is it Right for You?
Numerous advertisements are now playing on television concerning Reverse Mortgages. If you are 62 or older you may qualify for a federally insured loan and receive monthly payments with your home as equity, sounds like a good idea, but is it right for me?  Serious consideration should be given before you decide on a Reverse Mortgage.  How do I qualify? Can I remain in my home and for how long?  What is the difference between a Reverse Mortgage loan and a home equity loan?  What happens to my surviving spouse?
All of these questions and more may be answered by accessing the following web sites:
Reverse Mortgage     U.S. Dept. of Housing
Education Project     and Urban Development (HUD)
AARP Foundation     451 7th Street, SW
601 E Street, NW     Washington DC 20410
Washington DC20049     1-800-225-5342
1-800-209-8085     www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hecm/rmtopten.cfm
www.aarp.org/revmort
Federal Trade Commission
Consumer Response Center
600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC  20580
1-877-382-4357
www.ftc.gov/yourhome

SENIOR CONNECTIONS

Farmingdale Public Library

Newsletter Topic of the Month

November-December 2012

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ELECTIONS AND VOTING

This timely Topic of the Month focuses on elections and voting.  It covers elected officials, voting process including registration, major issues, presidential and legislative candidates on the ballot, and more.  A list of web sites providing answers to voting questions can be accessed via the Library home page by going to the bottom of the library home page and clicking on the “Voter Information” link, or by asking a reference librarian.  Some of the addressed questions are:

How do I get an absentee ballot?

Where do I vote?

What are the major national issues this year?

Am I registered?

What are my choices?

Knowing All About Your Renovated Library

Knowing All About Your Renovated Library

SENIOR CONNECTIONS
FARMINGDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Newsletter Topic of the Month
September-October 2012

The following is a listing of all library sections covered in this topic of month.  A full description of each section can be obtained at the reference desk in the library.  Printed brochures will be available in the near future.

Main Library                                                                
Circulation Desk
Audio/Video Area                                                       
Children's (Grandchildren's)  Library
Reading Lounge & Magazine Area                               
Reference Desk
Outreach Services Room                                              
Teachers' Center
Computer Center                                                          
 Teen Scene Room
Quiet Reading Room                                                      
Art Gallery
Meeting Rooms

Free Consumer Protection Publications

SENIOR CONNECTIONS
FARMINGDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Newsletter Topic of the Month
July-August 2012

“FREE CONSUMER PROTECTION PUBLICATIONS”

The Federal Citizen Information Center site offers important consumer
information and publications to help you make important life
decisions. You will find helpful tips about preventing identity
theft, avoiding scams and frauds, consumer purchasing problems, filing
consumer complaints, consumer protection laws, along with many other
useful topics.

The following is a list of 10 free consumer protection publications:

-2012 Consumer Action Handbook
-New Spring 2012 Consumer Information Catalog
-“Free Trials” – Aren’t Always True
-10 Things You Can Do To Avoid Fraud
-Billed For Merchandise You Never Received?- Here’s What To Do
-Online Banking, Bill Paying and Shopping—10 Ways To Protect You Money
-SaferProducts.gov: Keep Your Family Safe
-Service Contracts
-What You Need To Know: New Rules For Gift Cards

To order a publication, go to Publications.USA.gov. Then click on the
“publication title” to display that publication’s ordering
information.

Long Term Care

SENIOR CONNECTIONS

FARMINGDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY

NEWSLETTER TOPIC OF THE MONTH

MAY-JUNE 2012

LONG TERM CARE INSURANCE

Long Term Care

The greatest threat facing older people and their families today may be the financial, social, psychological and familial consequences of needing long term care.

• Learn about consumer protections and long term care insurance policies in New York State by accessing www.aging.ny.gov/LTC/LTCIEOP/nys.cfm

Long Term Care Insurance

Long term care insurance can help you:

• protect your family from the catastrophic costs of long term care;
• remain in control of your assets; and,
• maintain your own independence and dignity.

Private long term care insurance is a way to avoid spending all of your assets when long term care is needed.

Long term care in a New York State nursing home costs about $96,000 per year (more in the New York City area). The cost of long term care insurance depends on your age, the benefits you choose, the length of coverage and other factors.

Long term care insurance policies vary widely in the coverage they provide, and consumers are wise to do some research before purchasing any long term care insurance policy.

Insurance for Long Term Care Services in New York State

A variety of policies is available to cover long term care services. Insurance for Long Term Care Services in New York State describes the types of policies offered in New York State, covered services, State and federal tax benefits and the New York State Partnership for Long Term Care. It introduces insurance requirements and consumer protections and includes a directory of long term care insurers.

If you would like a packet of long term care insurance information, please call Plan Ahead NY at 1-866-950-PLAN [1-866-950-7526]

Knowing More About Nutrition For Seniors

SENIOR CONNECTIONS

FARMINGDALE PUBLIC LIBRARY

NEWSLETTER TOPIC OF THE MONTH

MARCH-APRIL 2012

Knowing More About Nutrition For Seniors

As we age, it is important to keep a diligent eye on proper nutrition and diet. Malnutrition among seniors is unfortunately far too rampant, and a balanced diet plays a crucial role in the health, independence, and quality of life for the elderly. Improper diet causes drastic weight loss, weakness, detriment to the immune system, increased frailty and debilitation.

Maybe navigating around your kitchen is getting difficult, or you are just not interested in cooking a big meal by yourself. In these instances a plethora of local services are in your area to keep your quality of life sustained during the year, and many of these food delivery services have wonderful stories of new friendships started among volunteers.

These two sites provide information on accessing meals:

1. Meals on Wheels

Summary: Provides volunteer blog, news, events, receive a meal, deliver a meal, and more.

URL: http://www.mealsonwheels.org

2. The INN (Interfaith Nutrition Network)

Summary: Serves hungry and homeless Long Islanders with dignity, respect, and love.

URL: http://www.the-inn.org

These three sites provide valuable nutritional information:

1. National Library of Medicine’s Nutrition for Seniors

Summary: Provides overviews of nutrition for seniors. The latest news regarding nutrition for seniors, videos, dictionaries, and tutorials to learn more about nutrition.

URL: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/nutritionforseniors.html

2. Nutrition.gov (Smart Nutrition Starts Here)

Summary: Users can browse by subject for information as varied as “What’s in Food?”, “Smart Nutrition 101”, learn how to “Eat Well As You Get Older”, and “Healthy Eating After 50”.

URL: http://www.nutrition.gov