Hands to Help Seniors

Sadly, there are millions of baby boomers getting ready for retirement and research shows that the vast majority of them haven't saved enough for retirement.  On average, a typical working family headed by someone 55 to 64 years old has $104,000 saved for retirement, according to the Federal Reserve's Survey of Consumer Finances.  The Center for Retirement Research estimates that more than half of American households will not have enough retirement income to maintain the standards of living they are accustomed to, even if they work until 65 (which is two years longer than the average retirement age).  The Employee Benefit Research Institute has a more dire forecast, stating that 83% of baby boomers and Generation Xers in the bottom fourth of the income distribution scale will eventually run out of money.  More than a quarter in the middle of the income distribution and the 75% percentile will run short.  Hopefully the government can change the tax laws to make it more attractive for people to save more money for retirement.

Comments (0)     

There is a produce market for senior citizens which is being held from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at St. Paul's Episcopal Church at 1071 Pajaro Street in Salinas on March 4.  Go to their meeting hall for fresh fruit and vegetables which are sold at cost.  There's also a food demonstration and snacks.  For more information, call 424-7331.

Comments (0)     

Novartis AG has had to change the way it is doing its drug trial on a promising new heart drug after doctors speculated that the medication may be giving some recipients Alzheimer's disease.  What a horrible side effect!  Although there is no evidence that LCZ696 (which is designed to treat chronic heart failure) causes Alzheimer's, a paper published in the European Heart Journal cautioned that previous studies suggest that this class of drug (called a neprilysin inhibitor) could accelerate the progression of Alzheimer's disease.  One neurologist, however, said that patients with chronic heart failure are already at heightened risk for Alzheimer's disease so it may just be a coincidence.  However, more studies are needed.  Patrice Matchaba, the head of development for Novartis's critical care franchise said the drug saves lives and keeps patients out of the hospital.  "But we need to provide an answer to the scientific community," she said

Comments (0)     

Community Hospital Of The Monterey Peninsula will hold their new “HealthFest” in the Rocky Han Community Center at 211 Hillcrest Avenue in Marina on Saturday, February 28 from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.  Hospital staff will offer free screenings and information on bone health, breast health, cancer prevention, healthy eating and more.

Comments (0)     

A short stack of buttermilk pancakes will be given to each restaurant goer for free on March 3 from 7:00 to 10:00 a.m. at the International House of Pancakes at 1075 North Davis Road in Salinas.  IHOP is celebrating a “Decade of Giving” to celebrate their support of charities like Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

Comments (0)