911 Survivor's New Career Focus: Helping Seniors

After surviving the collapse of the Twin Towers, this former financial trader changed careers to helping seniors.

A decade after the collapse of the World Trade Center Michael Fineo, who was in one of the towers when the planes hit on 9/11, started a new career with a focus on helping prevent people from falling. Fineo installed his anti-slip floor treatment at the Palms of Largo. "I always wanted to do something on my own with my wife...My parents were aging (fall prevention) made perfect sense. It really sparked my interest. My father was falling all the time. It was one other way to do something I was really proud of," Fineo said. Fineo was in Tower 1 on Sept. 11, 2001, working as a money market broker on the 25th Floor. "As I stepped out of the subway that Tuesday morning, I was greeted by a perfect fall day... It was business as usual. Then, just…

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Largo Approves Senior Tax Exemption Increase

State Constitutional Amendment 11, which passed in November, allowed cities to provide an additional senior tax exemption.

Largo recently approved a senior tax exemption increase aimed at saving local seniors more money. The change comes after Florida voters approved three constitutional amendments that effect property taxes. Amendment 11 allowed cities to give senior citizens an additonal tax exemption. Now seniors who qualify can apply for an additional $25,000 homestead property tax exemption. This savings is on top of the $50,000 homestead exemption, available to eligible Florida residents. The increase provides Largo seniors with a $10,000 increase from the previous senior homestead exemption established in 2007, a city report states.   The new exemption requires individuals to be permanent Largo residents, qualify for homestead exemption, be 65 years of …

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Don't Call It Exercise; It's Too Much Fun

Gardening, chair-exercises, and balloon volleyball are a few of the exercise options available for seniors.

The New Year is a time when many people start thinking about getting fit and exercising and it’s no different for seniors. As seniors age, remaining active becomes increasingly important. Senior living communities and caregivers should consider looking beyond traditional physical therapy options to keep seniors engaged and active.              Seniors are most receptive to physical therapy when caregivers and their therapists develop individualized plans that fit both their lifestyle and interests. Research shows that it is difficult to motivate seniors to begin to exercise if it hasn’t previously been a priority. Integrating modified, low-impact activities, like yoga, into seniors’ exercise plans increases the likelihood that they will …

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Senior Sandwich: A Toolbox for Caregivers and Seniors

Tips for Helping Seniors Recognize and Fight Holiday Blues

Attending holiday gatherings, helping others, and conversations are ways to help fight the blues, according to a local senior care expert.

The holidays are usually expected to be filled with happiness, friendliness, fellowship and harmony, but for many seniors it is far cry from reality. For many, feelings of sadness, loneliness and isolation are their holiday companions. There are many different factors that can contribute to seniors being at particular risk of suffering from the "holiday blues," including: To help make the holidays more enjoyable for seniors, The American Geriatrics Society recently published a list of activities to help cope with the holiday blues.  Seniors are encouraged to: Many older people don’t realize they are depressed or blue. If you suspect that an older loved one, or someone you know, is depressed, there are some things you can do to help: It is …

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Senior Sandwich: A Toolbox for Caregivers and Seniors

Should Your Senior Still Be Driving?

Several evaluations are available to help make the decision when and if its time to stop driving.

Americans love their cars – and that’s a love affair that extends from the youngest drivers to the oldest.  Unfortunately, these two groups also account for a high percentage of auto accidents. It is predicted that more than 25 percent of all automobile accidents will be caused by individuals older than 65 by 2030. A number of factors can hinder seniors’ driving capabilities such as medications, sleep and memory loss.  Caregivers often see these signs and begin to wonder if it’s time for their favorite senior to hang up the car keys, but are concerned about how to initiate this discussion.  When they do, seniors may be in denial about the safety risk they may pose, and resist giving up the car keys. This sort of resistance is to be …

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Missing Woman Found Dead

After being reported missing Monday morning, 86-year-old Lydia Jermann was found in a creek near the nursing home where she lived.

A missing elderly woman with slight dementia who was reported missing Monday morning was found dead later in the day near the nursing home where she lives.  The staff at the Highland Terrace Assisted Living Facility reported Lydia Jermann, 86, missing at 1:56 p.m., according to Clearwater Police. After an extensive search including patrol officers, detectives, police volunteers, Americorps members and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Eagle helicoptor, Jermann was found dead at 4:34 p.m. in a creek west of the nursing home near 1550 Lotus Path, police said.  Jermann was last seen at 3:30 a.m. in bed at the nursing home at 1520 Jeffords St, according to police. The home is not a lockdown facility, according to police. Police were …

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Senior Sandwich: A Toolbox for Caregivers and Seniors

Put Some Heart into Your Health this February

Hearts and February usually remind people of Valentine’s Day. But the second month of the year is also American Heart Health Month, as recognized by the American Heart Association.

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States. Cardiovascular disease generally refers to conditions that involve narrowed or blocked blood vessels that can lead to a heart attack, chest pain or stroke. Other heart conditions, such as infections and conditions that affect your heart's muscle, valves or beating rhythm, also are considered forms of heart disease. While some conditions may be congenital or hereditary, many forms of cardiovascular disease can be prevented or treated with healthy lifestyle choices.  Here is some helpful information and healthier living tips from the American Heart Assocation: Exercise Daily exercise can reduce the risk of fatal heart disease. Physical activity …

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Senior Sandwich: A Toolbox for Caregivers and Seniors

Housing Assistance Available for Veterans and Families

There is assistance available for veterans and their families needing housing help. It can help ease some of the stress of caregiving.

Largo, Fla. - Caring for aging parents and loved ones can be difficult under any circumstance, but challenges often multiply when dealing with a unique population segment – veterans. The National Alliance for Caregivers states that caregivers of veterans are twice as likely to remain a caregiver for 10 years or longer, and are often unable to retain a job while providing adequate care for their veteran. With stress and pressure stacking up, these caregivers, often the adult children or even grandchildren, may wonder where to turn for assistance, and may be unaware of resources that are available for veterans.  For caregivers who are no longer able to provide the amount and quality of care their loved ones need, the Aid and Attendance …

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City Proposes Affordable Housing Project for Seniors

The City of Largo is seeking Commission approval to fund a housing development in Largo that would consist of 100% affordable units.

Times are tough for many families. Many are struggling to get by, and seniors are no exception. Well, seniors earning less than the area median income (AMI), an averaged figure based on the number of individuals per household, may get to experience relief on rent and utilities if they plan on living in Largo next year and into the beginning of 2013. Per Largo’s most recent City Commission meeting on Nov. 15, the City of Largo is seeking a Commission approval of commitment for $100,000 in affordable housing development funding for the creation of Arrington Oaks Apartments, a property consisting of about 1.62 acres of land located west of Clearwater-Largo Road. The property includes frontage on Nineth Avenue NW, 10th Street NW and …

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Hip Hop Performance Hopes to Pay it Forward

There will be a hip-hop performance inspired by caregiving at the first annual New Age of Caregiving Symposium is being held on Friday at Ruth Eckerd Hall for caregivers and locals in the community to learn more about and raise awareness of caregiving.

When Linda Burhans wrote an article on random acts of kindness she had no idea it would inspire a hip-hop artist in New York to write a song about it. But that’s exactly what happened. Hip-hop artist Chad Harper read the article on HelpOthers.org and was moved. He was further inspired by Burhans’ book, “Good Night and God Bless,” a memoir she wrote about her experiences as a caregiver for her mother, that he wanted to meet her. Together they wrote “Perfect Harmony,” a song about caregivers. The song relates to family members, neighbors and friends who offer their loved ones care, but may deny themselves that same care, he said. Harper will perform the song at the close of the first annual New Age of Caregiving Symposium on Friday at Ruth …

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Linda Burhans

8:50 pm on Monday, April 22, 2013

Chad Harper ROCKS!   more ›