(NAPS)—May is Older Americans Month! Staying connected to the community is a key ingredient to healthy and successful aging. But for many older adults, staying connected can be difficult. Fortunately, older adults and their caregivers can contact the Eldercare Locator to learn about local programs and resources that can help them stay engaged and active in their communities.
Programs funded through the Older Americans Act provide older adults with many ways to stay active and involved in the community. For example, exercise classes, educational programs, volunteer opportunities and other health and wellness activities are available to older adults in communities around the country. Continue reading
(NAPS)—When it comes to home entertainment, one of the latest innovations in TV viewing is really one of the oldest: the antenna—and budget-conscious consumers are thrilled.
How It Works
These days, with a new smart TV or inexpensive antenna, you can “cut the cord” and discover a vast array of shows and specials, new and nostalgic, via what’s called a diginet or digital subchannel. In 2009, the government changed the way that local stations broadcast their signals, moving them from old-fashioned “analog” signals to newer, more efficient “digital” signals.
That allowed every local broadcast channel to divide up its spectrum into multiple feeds—in the room that it used to take it to air just one channel, it can now air three or four additional digital channels (not just, say, Channel 4, but Channel 4.1, 4.2, 4.3 and so on), while still maintaining high picture quality. Continue reading
(NAPS)—If you’re like most people, changing the settings on your computer or smartphone can be a frustrating experience, full of technological jargon, confusing menus and complicated controls.
That’s why the digital advertising industry decided to create a simple and intuitive way for people to get information and make choices about certain types of online ads they get. It’s as easy as clicking a blue triangle.
In the corner of many online and mobile ads today, there’s a little blue triangle, sometimes labeled “AdChoices” or “Your AdChoices.” That triangle is known as the YourAdChoices icon, and it can be your gateway to trustworthy information and control over digital ads. Continue reading
(NAPSI)—Millions of Americans get Social Security disability benefits yet want to work. They may be glad to know about a federal program that can help them enter the workforce while maintaining access to benefits. Thanks to Social Security’s Ticket to Work program, free employment support services help people prepare for work, find jobs or progress in their careers.
Many of these people are concerned about what employment would mean for their Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits. There’s no need to worry. Social Security Work Incentives make it easier for adults with disabilities to explore work while continuing to receive benefits. Some of these incentives make it possible for people to test their ability to work without immediately losing Medicare or Medicaid coverage. Others let people whose disability interferes with employment start receiving benefits again without needing to submit a new application under certain conditions. Because everyone’s situation is different, job seekers are encouraged to talk with a professional Benefits Counselor. These are trained experts who help people make informed decisions about employment. To find one, call the Ticket to Work Help Line at 1 (866) 968-7842 or 1 (866) 833-2967 (TTY). Continue reading
(NAPS)—It’s a tragedy: Every day, 22 U.S. veterans take their own lives—a needless loss of 8,000 service members a year.
The Problem
Returning veterans may experience divorce, joblessness, homelessness and hopelessness.
The often-devastating effects of mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress (PTS), plus the loss of their military community support, can cause a downward spiral.
Symptoms of mTBI include headaches and problems with balance, sleep, vision and memory. Emotional signs include depression and anxiety. But today’s treatment approaches and therapeutic technologies offer hope for veterans feeling overwhelming physical and emotional pain from these invisible wounds of war. Continue reading
The Statewide Council on Human Trafficking was created to support human trafficking victims by enhancing available care options. The 15-member Council, chaired by Attorney General Moody, builds on existing state and local partnerships working to combat human trafficking.
Introduction
The 15-member Council chaired by Attorney General Moody, will build on existing state and local partnerships working to combat human trafficking.
Members include law enforcement officers, prosecutors, legislators, as well as experts in the fields of health, education and social services. The Council was created through legislation passed and signed into law in 2014.
About Human Trafficking
The International Labor Organization estimates that there are 20.9 million victims of trafficking around the world. Domestically, Florida continues to rank third in the nation in the number of calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. Continue reading
By Blanca Taylor
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist Social Security and Medicare are both programs that are household names, but do you know the true difference? Both programs help safeguard millions of Americans as well as improve the quality of life for their family and friends. While Social Security offers retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, Medicare provides health insurance.
Medicare is our country’s health insurance program for people age 65 or older and younger people receiving Social Security disability benefits. The program helps with the cost of health care, but it doesn’t cover all medical expenses or the cost of most long-term care.
When you first enroll in Medicare and during certain times of the year, you can choose how you get your Medicare coverage. There are 2 main ways to get Medicare: Continue reading
By Blanca Taylor
Social Security Public Affairs Specialist
Scammers have become more aggressive and sophisticated in the digital age. With millions of people relying on Social Security and Medicare, scammers target audiences who are looking for legitimate program and benefit information. Scammers sometimes try to scare people into giving out their personal information. Never give someone who called you any personal information unless you absolutely know who they are.
The law that addresses misleading Social Security and Medicare advertising prohibits people or non-government businesses from using words or emblems that mislead others. Their advertising can’t claim that they represent, are somehow affiliated with, or are endorsed or approved by Social Security or the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (Medicare). Continue reading
On August 19, 2019, in News Releases, by Staff
Fort Myers, Fla. — Today, Governor DeSantis announced that Hurricane Irma costs in Florida have reached $2.63 billion, triggering an increase in the federal cost share from 75 percent to 90 percent. Along with this announcement, Governor DeSantis submitted a letter to President Trump officially requesting this increase in the federal cost share, which will save the state and local governments more than $160 million. Read more at https://www.flgov.com/2019/08/19/governor-ron-desantis-announces-threshold-met-for-increased-federal-cost-share-for-hurricane-irma/
Tallahassee, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointments of Dr. Zachariah Zachariah, Dr. Scott Ackerman and Dr. David Diamond to the Florida Board of Medicine.
Dr. Zachariah Zachariah
Zachariah, of Fort Lauderdale, is a cardiologist and internal medicine doctor. He is the Medical Director at UHealth Cardiology, Fort Lauderdale and a member of the clinical faculty at the University of Miami. He received his medical degree from the Armed Forces Medical College in India and completed his residency at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center. He served as Chairman of the Florida Board of Medicine from 1990-1992, 2000-2001 and 2013-2014. Zachariah is appointed to a four-year term. Continue reading
