National Highlights

Highlights are interesting and informative news, events, resources and other links. New information valuable to boomers, older adults, caregivers and providers is featured regularly.

Featured Highlights:

  • What is 211 and how can it help you?
    2-1-1 is an easy to remember telephone number and where available connects people with community resources, services and volunteer opportunities. United Way of America and the Alliance for Information and Referral Systems (AIRS) strongly support federal funding so that all Americans have access to this service.
  • Official Handbook for Medicare 2008 Benefits is Online
    The official government handbook for Medicare for 2008 is available online. The pdf covers 2008 costs, What's covered, Preventive services, health plans, prescription drugs and citizen's rights and appeal process.
  • TV Converter Box Program
    Remember the Date - Midnight on February 17, 2009. The switchover from analog to Digital television transmission (DTV) will be completed on this night, as set by Congress. Television stations have been preparing for this transition since the late 1990s and you will need to take action before that date if you currently watch TV on an analog TV set.

Save the Date!

  • AARP National Convention
    Where: Washington, D.C.
    When: September 4 - 6, 2008
    Big event for members and friends visits a new city each year. In 2008, Washington, D.C. will host Life@50+, AARP's National Event & Expo from September 4 - 6, marking the grand finale of AARP's 50th Anniversary Celebration Tour
  • 2008 AAHSA Annual Meeting & Exposition
    Where: Philadelphia, PA
    When: October 12-15, 2008, Philadelphia, PA
    AAHSA's 2008 Annual Meeting theme, ONE VOICE will deliver more than 200 education sessions addressing today's innovations and challenges.
  • ALFA 2008 Conference & Expo
    Where: Gaylord Palms Resort, Orlando
    When: May 29-31, 2008.
    The Most Important Industry Event for Senior Living Executives
  • Komen National Race for the Cure®
    Where: Washington, DC
    When: June 2, 2007
    On June 2, 2007, more than 50,000 people hit the streets of our nation's capital helping to fight breast cancer one step at a time at this annual event.
  • n4a's 33rd Annual Conference & Tradeshow
    Where: Renaissance Nashville Hotel/Nashville Convention Center, Nashville, TN
    When: July 20 - 23, 2008

Additional Highlights

  • The Red Hat Society
    The Red Hat Society is a worldwide sisterhood across the U.S. in all 50 states and in more than 25 foreign countries. It has grown "FUNominally" fast! Learn how The Red Hat Society began and evolved into one of the largest women's movements worldwide changing the perception of aging women.
  • Alzheimer's Disease emerges from Obscurity
    The National Institute on Aging has prepared a booklet that explains what Alzheimer's disease is and what is known to date. This 65 page pdf reviews the research, function of the brain, diagnose, treatments and support.
  • Checkups, Tests, and Shots - Which Ones You Need?
    Checkups and tests, such as vision tests or cholesterol tests, help find diseases or conditions early, when they are easier to treat. Shots (immunizations) protect you from different diseases. The Pocket Guide to Staying Healthy at 50+ contains a section that gives the 50+ adult information on why and when you may need different checkups, tests, and shots.
  • Current Health Related News Articles
    MedlinePlus®, a service of U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health provide health-related news articles on their website along with recent press announcements from major medical organizations.
  • Get the Medicare Basics
    Medicare has a printable pdf Medicare Basics resource posted online. The guide assists families and friends of people with Medicare learn the important factors in making their health decisions. The guide is directed to issues for the elderly but also can assist younger people with disabilities in identifying services.
  • Health Resource from the U.S. Government
    MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information from NLM, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations with extensive information about drugs, an illustrated medical encyclopedia, interactive tutorials, the latest health news, and surgery videos.
  • Impact of Adults Living to Advanced Old Age
    Learn more about how the United States is faced with profound challenges associated with dramatic increases in the numbers of people living to an advanced old age. This 21st Century phenomenon, shared by many nations, can be attributed to advances in science, technology and medicine leading to reductions in infant and maternal mortality, infectious and parasitic diseases and improvements in nutrition.
  • Just in Case - Emergency Readiness
    Just in Case is an informative pdf about Emergency Readiness directed to Older Adults and Caregivers. The pdf has valuable forms to help with organizing personal information and presents citizens with easy to understand instructions and ideas on how to be prepared for an emergency.
  • Looking for your Local Social Security Office?
    If you live in the United States and want information and directions to a local Social Security office that serves your area, just enter your U.S. Postal Service five-digit ZIP code below and select Locate. You'll get information about your local Social Security office and other agencies in your area that may be able to help you.
  • Official Handbook for Medicare 2008 Benefits is Online
    The official government handbook for Medicare for 2008 is available online. The pdf covers 2008 costs, What's covered, Preventive services, health plans, prescription drugs and citizen's rights and appeal process.
  • Preventive Services for a Healthier US
    Medicare has a web page devoted to links about preventive services that are available to people with Medicare. Prevention is the first step in staying healthy and Medicare pays for many preventive services such as cardiovascular screening, cancer tests, smoking cessation, some shots and other preventive measures.
  • Remember the Date - Midnight on February 17, 2009
    The switchover from analog to Digital television transmission (DTV) will be completed on February 17, 2009, as set by Congress. Television stations have been preparing for this transition since the late 1990s and you will need to take action before February 17, 2009 if you currently watch TV on an analog TV set.
  • What Is an Influenza Pandemic?
    A pandemic is a global disease outbreak and education and outreach are critical to preparing for a pandemic. Understanding what a pandemic is, what needs to be done at all levels to prepare for pandemic influenza, and what could happen during a pandemic helps us make informed decisions both as individuals and as a nation.