A1. HOW YOUR INTERNET USAGE STACKS UP
Ever wonder how your internet usage compares to other of your age group?
A recent study by Pew Research Center sheds some light on this matter.
In their study they divide the population into the following groups.
| Group |
Age Range |
| Teens |
12-17 |
| Gen Y |
18-32 |
| Gen X |
33-44 |
| Younger Boomers |
45-54 |
| Older Boomers |
55-63 |
| Silent Generation |
64-72 |
| G.I. Generation |
73+ |
The study summarizes the online activities of the various generations.
Extracted below is a portion of the study findings. (Generations
Online in 2009 by Sydney Jones, Research Assistant and Susannah Fox, Associate
Director, Pew Internet & American Life Project January 28, 2009)
Older generations use the internet as a tool for research, shopping
and banking
Compared with teens and Generation Y, older generations use the internet
less for socializing and entertainment and more as a tool for information
searches, emailing, and buying products. In particular, older internet
users are significantly more likely than younger generations to look online
for health information. Health questions drive internet users age 73 and
older to the internet just as frequently as they drive Generation Y users,
outpacing teens by a significant margin. Researching health information
is the third most popular online activity with the most senior age group,
after email and online search.
Internet users ages 33-72 are also significantly more likely than younger
users to look online for religious information and they are more likely
to visit government websites in search of information.
Generation X (internet users ages 33-44) continues to lead in online
shopping. Fully 80% of Generation X internet users buy products online,
compared with 71% of internet users ages 18-32. Interest in online shopping
is significantly lower among the youngest and oldest groups; 38% of online
teens buy products online, as do 56% of internet users ages 64-72 and
47% of internet users age 73 and older.
Generation X internet users have also maintained their edge in online
banking, as they are significantly more likely than any other generation
to do their banking online (67%). As Generation Y users grow older, however,
they have become much more likely to bank online as well: The percentage
of online Generation Y who do banking online rose from 38% in 2005 to
57% in 2008. There has been no significant growth among older generations
when it comes to banking online.
Video downloads, online travel reservations and work-related research
are now pursued more equally by young and old
A few online activities previously dominated by either older generations
or younger generations are now being done more equally across all generations
under 73 years old. One such activity is downloading videos, an activity
that in 2005 was significantly more popular with teens and Generation
Y than with any other generation. Generation X is catching up, as 31%
of that generation claim to download videos as of 2007, compared with
38% of Generation Y. Generations on the oldest end of the spectrum also
became significantly more likely than they had been two years before to
download videos. Some 13% of G.I.
Generation internet users (age 73+) reported downloading videos, up from
1% in 2005, and another 13% of the online Silent Generation (ages 64-72)
say they download videos, up from 8% in 2005.
Perhaps less surprisingly, Generation Y is also gaining significant ground
in some activities previously dominated by Generation X and older. In
addition to becoming more likely to do banking online, Generation Y has
also grown more likely to make travel reservations online. In 2005, half
(50%) of Generation Y internet users had booked travel arrangements online
and in 2008 that number rose to 65%. During the same period, the percentages
of Generation X and older generations to make online travel reservations
remained about the same.
The workplace online network is expanding to include more Generation
Y users.5 Internet users 18-32 are going online more than ever to do research
for their jobs. In 2007, 51% said they used the internet for their jobs
other than for email, compared with 44% of the same group in 2005.
Table: Generational Difference in Internet Usage
Find related information for seniors about the Aging Process at:
http://www.seniorresource.com/ageproc.htm
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A2. FACING THE FEAR AND ANXIETY OF THE UNKNOWN By
Stanley Popovich
Almost everybody worries about what will happen in the future. The
prospect of not knowing if something good or bad will happen to you in
the near future can produce a lot of fear and anxiety. As a result, here
is a list of techniques and suggestions on how to manage this fear of
dealing with the unknown.
Remember that no one can predict the future with one hundred percent
certainty. Even if the thing that you feared does happen there are circumstances
and factors that you can't predict which can be used to your advantage.
For instance, let's say at your place of work that you miss the deadline
for a project you have been working on for the last few months. Everything
you feared is coming true. Suddenly, your boss comes to your office and
tells you that the deadline is extended and that he forgot to tell you
the day before. This unknown factor changes everything. Remember: we may
be ninety-nine percent correct in predicting the future, but all it takes
is for that one percent to make a world of difference.
Learn to take it one day at a time. Instead of worrying about how you
will get through the rest of the week or coming month, try to focus on
today. Each day can provide us with different opportunities to learn new
things and that includes learning how to deal with your problems. When
the time comes, hopefully you will have learned the skills to deal with
your situation.
Sometimes, we can get anxious over a task that we will have to perform
in the near future. When this happens, visualize yourself doing the task
in your mind. For instance, you and your team have to play in the championship
volleyball game in front of a large group of people in the next few days.
Before the big day comes, imagine yourself playing the game in your mind.
Imagine that you're playing in front of a large audience. By playing the
game in your mind, you will be better prepared to perform for real when
the time comes. Self-Visualization is a great way to reduce the fear and
stress of a coming situation and increase your self-confidence.
Remember take a deep breath and try to find something to do to get your
mind off of you anxieties and stresses. A person could take a walk, listen
to some music, read the newspaper, watch TV, play on the computer or do
an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things. This will
distract you from your current worries.
A lot of times, our worrying can make the problem even worse. All the
worrying in the world will not change anything. All you can do is to do
your best each day, hope for the best, and when something does happen,
take it in stride. If you still have trouble managing your anxiety of
the future, then talking to a counselor or clergyman can be of great help.
There are ways to help manage your fear and all it takes is some effort
to find those answers.
Stan Popovich is the author of "A Layman's Guide
to Managing Fear Using Psychology, Christianity and Non Resistant Methods"
- an easy to read book that presents a general overview of techniques
that are effective in managing persistent fears and anxieties.
Additional health information for seniors can be found at:
http://www.seniorresource.com/health.htm
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B. DID YOU KNOW...?
1. Vacation and Retirement Guides
Want to try some no-cost sample issues of some of the consumer magazines
published by, Vacation Publications. Try an issue of Vacations, filled
with new vacation ideas for travelers of all ages, go to:
http://www.vacationsmagazine.com/index.cfm?source=cruisemm
For a no-cost issue of Travel 50 & Beyond, tips and best buys for
travelers over 50, go to:
http://www.travel50andbeyond.com/index.cfm?source=cruisemm#issue
Find additional retirement related book at http://www.seniorresource.com/SRBaz.htm#books
2. VA To Offer Health Care to Previously Ineligible Veterans
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced plans to re-open enrollment
in its health care system by July 2009 to about 265,000 veterans whose
incomes exceed current limits.
The change affects veterans whose incomes exceed the current VA means
test and geographic means test income thresholds by 10 percent or less.
Congress provided funds in VA's fiscal year 2009 budget to support the
new enrollment.
In 1996, Congress established a priority-based enrollment system for
VA and a uniform package of medical benefits for all enrollees. The legislation
opened enrollment in VA's health care system to all eligible veterans
and required that each year the Secretary of Veterans Affairs assess veterans'
demand for services and determine if the necessary resources are available
to provide timely, quality care to all enrollees.
Enrollment for the lowest priority of the eight groups-veterans who are
not being compensated for a military-related disability and who have incomes
above a set threshold-was suspended on January 18, 2003, although veterans
in that priority group who were already enrolled for care were permitted
to remain enrolled.
VA originally suspended enrollment for Priority 8 veterans because it
was unable to provide all enrolled veterans with timely access to its
health care due to a tremendous growth in the number of veterans then
seeking enrollment. VA now plans to reopen enrollment for a portion of
these veterans without compromising the Department's ability to provide
high quality health care services to all enrolled veterans who are eligible
for care.
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C. THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH
We present here some words from those with a birthday this month.
Claire Trevor -"What a holler would ensue if people had to pay
the minister as much to marry them as they have to pay a lawyer to get
them a divorce."
Ed McMahon -"You can grow without destroying the things that you
love."
Elizabeth Barrett Browning - "Who so loves believes the impossible."
Lynn Redgrave - "God always has another custard pie up his sleeve"
Willie Stargell - "You only have a few years to play this game
and you can't play it if you're all tied up in knots."
More "Thoughts" at: http://www.seniorresource.com/thought.htm
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D. SPECIAL SURFING SITES
1. Online Social Security Retirement Application
In order to handle the baby boomer surge , the Social Security Administration
has a new online retirement application can be completed in as little
as 15 minutes from the comfort of your home or office. Filing online means
there's no need to drive to a local Social Security office or wait for
an appointment with a Social Security representative. So when you decide
to retire, apply online for Social Security benefits at: http://www.socialsecurity.gov
To apply, go to http://www.socialsecurity.gov
and click on "Applying Online for Retirement Benefits." You
will be asked a brief series of questions about you and your work. Need
to look up some information? You don't have to complete the application
in one sitting. You can stop and restart the application without losing
any of the information entered. Have a question? There are convenient
"more info" links that you can click on to get an answer. And
when you're done, just click the "Sign Now" button to submit
the application. There are no paper forms to sign, and usually no additional
documents are required. If more information is needed, Social Security
will contact you.
Also learn more about Social Security at http://www.seniorresource.com/finance.htm#socsec
2. Finding Caregiver Support
There is a wealth of information on the Internet designed to assist family
members and caregivers of older adults. These websites provide information
on resources and publications for those individuals who are providing
care to others. Here are a few:
Alzheimer's Association CareFinder
This site provides assistance to those caring for someone who has Alzheimer's
disease.
Web site: http://www.alz.org/carefinder
Family Caregiver Alliance
The site contains a wide array of publications and services based on
caregiver needs, including a Family Care Navigator.
Web site: http://www.caregiver.org
Familycaregiving 101
This site provides caregivers with the basic tools, skills and information
they need to protect their own physical and mental health while they
provide high quality care to others..
Web site: http://www.familycaregiving101.org
National Alliance for Caregiving
The site contains publications and resources for caregivers, including
the Family Care Resource Connection, where you can find reviews and
ratings on over 1,000 books, videos, Web sites, and other materials
on care giving.
Web site: http://www.caregiving.org
National Family Caregivers Association
The site offers a virtual library of information and educational materials
for family caregivers.
Web site: http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org/caregiving_resources
Also learn more about Aging in Place at http://www.seniorresource.com/ageinpl.htm
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E. OH MY AGING FUNNY BONE
Oh to Be Irish 1
O'Malley worked in the lumber yard for twenty years, and all that time
he'd been stealing the wood and selling it. At last his conscience began
to bother him and he went to confession to repent.
"Father, it's been 15 years since my last confession, and I've been
stealing wood from the lumber yard all those years," he told the priest.
"I understand my son," says the priest. "Can you make a Novena?"
O'Malley said, "Father, if you have the plans, I've got the lumber."
Oh to Be Irish 2
Paddy was in New York. He was patiently waiting, and watching the traffic
cop on a busy street crossing.
The cop stopped the flow of traffic and shouted, "okay pedestrians."
Then he'd allow the traffic to pass. He'd done this several times,
and Paddy still stood on the sidewalk.
After the cop had shouted "Pedestrians" for the tenth time, Paddy went
over to him and said, "Is it not about time ye let the Catholics across?"
"Oh My Aging Funny Bone"
is at: http://www.seniorresource.com/jokes.htm
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This issue has been edited by Betsy Day (Betsyjday@aol.com).
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