Library Hosts Finding Health Information Online Workshop

In an effort to improve health literacy and help people utilize the internet to obtain accurate, up-to-date information about health issues, the Plymouth Public Library is offering a free workshop entitled Finding Health Information Online at 2 p.m., Thur

The workshop will take place at the Library’s Manomet Branch, located at 12 Strand Avenue in Manomet, and will be presented by Senior Services Librarian Sharon LaRosa. The internet has opened worlds of information to Americans, but using the internet to find health information carries substantial risks, especially regarding the accuracy and timeliness of information that may be posted on unreliable websites. When searching for health information online, people need to assess the quality of the information before making decisions related to their health care. Finding Health Information Online will explore the meaning and importance of health literacy, review some of the criteria for evaluating internet health information, and look at …

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Today in Plymouth

Five Things You Need to Know Today: Oct. 24

Things you ought to know about today.

1. Plymouth Seniors are invited to an educational forum regarding Plymouth's  The forum is hosted by the Plymouth Council on Aging at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Oct. 24, at the Aging Senior Center. The forum is intended to provide seniors, and all residents, with an understanding of the current state of solid waste management in Plymouth including the factors driving the solid waste management and the various solutions. 2. The South Shore Polar Express will ride the rails once again this year. The popular train ride will depart the Kingston MBTA station Saturday, Dec. 8, with readings of the Christmas story written by Chris Van Allsburg, a visit from Santa and fun for kids of all ages. Tickets are now on sale for this one-hour train ride on …

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Old Colony Elder Services Says Governor Planing $2.1 Million Cut In Elderly Home Care

A statewide elder advocacy group will testify this Friday that the Patrick Administration has proposed “unreasonable” rate cuts that will cut $2.1 million in support for home care for low-income seniors.

Al Norman, the Executive Director of Mass Home Care, will testify on Friday, September 7th before the Division of Health Care Finance and Policy in Boston, that its proposed rates are “unreasonable and inadequate.” “We should be investing more money to keep elders at home,” Norman said, “not less.” According to Mass Home Care, there are currently roughly 2,200 elders on home care waiting lists due to insufficient funding. This year, home care accounts are $15 million lower than in FY 2009. Old Colony Elder Services, the regional Aging Services Access Point covering Brockton and 22 surrounding communities, currently has 173 people on wait lists who cannot access needed services per Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director. The rate hearing Friday…

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Dehydration is a Serious Issue for Seniors

Dehydration is a serious concern for seniors during the summer months. Many infections in seniors have been linked to dehydration.

Should dehydration concern elders?  Yes, according to Old Colony Elder Services, the Brockton based regional elder services agency serving seniors, individuals with disabilities and caregivers throughout Plymouth County. "Dehydration is a major cause of elders being hospitalized. Many infections in elders have been linked to dehydration and, if not diagnosed early enough, the mortality rate can be as high as 50 percent. One of the factors that can cause loss of fluids is hot and humid summer weather," Diana DiGiorgi, Executive Director of OCES, said. Seniors have about 10 percent less fluid content in their bodies than younger adults. When the body doesn’t have enough water and electrolytes to carry out normal functions, dehydration is a …

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World War II Veteran Flies Helicopter at age 93

Russell Jalbert, 93, accomplished his dream of flying a helicopter.

By Dani Baldassare Public Affairs Manager, Linden Ponds Russell Jalbert had flown 18 kinds of aircraft by the time his military career ended in 1945.  But there was one aircraft he had not flown and has always wanted to; a helicopter. At age 93 he has finally accomplished that dream. “Flying means so much to me and I had never flown a helicopter and always wanted to,” said Jalbert.  “I figured, why not now!” Jalbert, a resident of Linden Ponds in Hingham and a World War II veteran, flew the helicopter at Plymouth Airport with Rick Smith, president of New England Helicopter Academy, for a two-hour flying lesson.  Jalbert's love of airplanes began when he heard on the radio that Charles Lindbergh had flown nonstop across the Atlantic. The …

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Plymouth Residents Rally Against Medicare Cuts

A group of Plymouth residents joined thousands in Boston to rally against proposed cuts in Social Security and Medicare.

A group of AARP members from Plymouth recently joined thousands of Massachusetts seniors and workers to rally against cuts to Social Security and Medicare. Packed into the Citi Performing Arts Center Wang Theatre in Boston, their message was straightforward: “We’re not budget numbers on a spreadsheet, and we’re not pushovers.  No cuts!”  The rally was organized to put pressure on the congressional Super Committee, which is charged with reducing the federal deficit by $1.2 trillion over ten years.  Massachusetts Senator John Kerry is part of the 12-member, bipartisan group.  AARP Massachusetts State Director Deborah Banda addressed rally participants, saying, “Medicare and Social Security aren’t luxuries; they aren’t fat to be trimmed.  …

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Question of the Day

POLL: Should Seniors Have to Take Annual Driving Tests?

An 89-year-old woman misjudged the entrance to Old Beach Road in Manomet and crashed into the corner of Sweet Lemons Tuesday evening, police said. The incident begs the question: Should the RMV require annual driving tests after you reach a certain age?

An 89-year-old woman misjudged the entrance to Old Beach Road in Manomet and crashed into the corner of Sweet Lemons Tuesday evening, police said. The incident begs the question: Should the RMV require annual driving tests after you reach a certain age? Take our poll or offer your opinion.

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Five Things You Need to Know Today: July 27

It's hump day on Patch.

Fiber + Artists Meeting at Manomet Library 01:00 pm Red Cross Blood Drive Eastern Mountain Sports 01:00 pm Parkinson's Support Group Comfort Keepers 02:00 pm COA Back, Neck, and Shoulder Massage Senior Center 09:00 am Open Mic Night T Bones Roadhouse 09:30 pm  

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Today in Plymouth

Five Things You Need to Know Today: July 6

Is it the weekend yet? No? Well it's hump day anyway and here are the facts.

Blood Pressure Clinic at Walgreen's 2:30pm Walgreens Pharmacy, 165 Samoset St. Student Athlete Training Program 8:00am–8:45am Seniority At the COA 3:30pm Plymouth Rock Lacrosse Boys Summer League 5:30pm–7:00pm Open Mic Night 9:30pm–12:30am

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Today in Plymouth

Five Things You Need to Know Today: June 30

It's the last day of June (what happened?)

 QuickBooks 2011 Training: Session FOUR  8:00am–12:00pm The Plymouth Area Chamber of Commerce Walking Club 9:30am Grandparents Raising Grandchildren at the COA 10:00am  Plymouth Farmer's Market 2:30pm–6:30pm at Stephens Field Kathy Hayden in Concert with "Accoustic Classics" 7:00pm–10:00pm Family

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