City of Arlington Holiday Closings

In case you’re wondering what will and won’t be open over the next few days, the City of Arlington has published a list to help you out  Here are the highlights:

All City of Arlington municipal offices will be closed on Wednesday, December 24 and Thursday, December 25.  

Regular office hours and service schedules will resume Friday, December 26.

CHRISTMAS EVE - Wednesday, December 24, 2014

What’s Open:

• All municipal golf courses
• Cliff Nelson Recreation Center – 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Dottie Lynn Recreation Center – 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Hugh Smith Recreation Center – 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon
• Elzie Odom Athletic Center –  6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Eunice Activity Center – closes at 3:00 p.m.
• Curbside garbage and recycling collection will occur as scheduled.

CHRISTMAS DAY - Thursday, December 25, 2014

All city offices and recreation centers are closed.  There will be no trash or recycling pickup.   There will be a makeup recycling collection day on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014, however, there will be no makeup day for trash pickup.

Friday, December 26, 2015

Most city offices and recreation centers resume normal business hours.  Only the Senior Recreation Center on New York Ave. will be closed.

For more Arlington, Texas news and tips, visit our website.

 

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Senior Cohousing–New Options for Retirement Living

A new option for seniors who wish to “age in place” is Senior Cohousing.  Cohousing usually consists of developments of smaller homes clustered together around a shared community space.

In these communities, residents have their own private home but can also enjoy the benefits of a common house which can include things like community gardens, libraries, guest rooms for visitors, laundry facilities, kitchens for common meals and room for get-togethers.  Some also have fitness facilities, media rooms, office space or workshops.

Social interaction is a great benefit – residents always have a buddy for walks, shopping excursions or a visit to the movie theater – but they still have the option of their own private space when they want time to themselves.

While these communities are geared toward the senior population, many “boomers” have chosen the cohousing life as well.  Some are opting to move into these communities while they are still in good health, planning ahead for times when they might need more assistance from their neighbors and friends. 

Cohousing is a growing trend, but is not yet available everywhere.  For more information about cohousing options in your area, visit The Cohousing Association of the United States.

Find more great senior tips and information on our website.

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Avoid Tech Support Phone Scams

If you receive a phone call from a Microsoft security 'expert' offering to fix your PC - it's a scam.  Even if they know your name and happen to guess what Windows operating system you are using, don’t be fooled.  Microsoft never makes unsolicited calls to their customers.  Here are some tips to help you avoid tech support phone scams:

• Do not trust unsolicited calls. Do not provide any personal information.
• Do not purchase any software or services.
• Ask if there is a fee or subscription associated with the "service." If there is, hang up.
• Never give control of your computer to a third party unless you can confirm that it is a legitimate representative of a computer support team with whom you are already a customer.
• Take the caller's information down and immediately report it to your local authorities.
• Never provide your credit card or financial information to someone claiming to be from Microsoft tech support.
• Don’t give out your user name or password or install software that will let them access your computer to fix it. Once you do this, your computer and your personal information are vulnerable.

What to do if you think you have been a victim of a scam

If you suspect that you've been a victim of a phishing scam with personal or financial information, here are some things you can do to minimize the damage:

• Change your computer password as well as the passwords or PINs on all your online accounts that might have been compromised including your email and financial accounts.
• Place a fraud alert on your credit reports. Check with your bank or financial advisor if you're not sure how to do this.
• Contact your bank or online merchants directly. Do not follow email links as they could be fraudulent.
• Routinely review your bank and credit card statements monthly for unexplained charges.  If your accounts have been compromised, cancel them immediately.
• Scan your computer with a reliable virus scan software.  There are many free options available including Microsoft Safety Scanner, Avast, Malware Bytes and AVG.

Technorati Tags: Microsoft,Phone Scams,Seniors

Arlington Will Waive Animal Adoption Fees for Seniors

Age-Friendly Arlington reports that Arlington Animal Shelter Manager Chris Huff  has said finances would not stand in the way of seniors who want to adopt a companion from the shelter. Arlington will waive animal adoption fees for seniors and offer other help as well. 

Mr. Huff said Arlington Animal Services will assist older adults with pet deposits required by local landlords if they cannot afford to pay it, provide free or low-cost veterinary care, and even provide free pet food and kitty litter from the shelter's food pantry.

If you are a senior and would like a pet for companionship but are not able to pay, contact Mr. Huff by phone (817) 459-6269 or email chris.huff@arlingtontx.gov to discuss your options.

You can view the shelter’s available pets by visiting http://www.arlington-tx.gov/animals.

For more great information and tips, visit our website.

Technorati Tags: Seniors,Arlington,Animal Adoption,Pets

Stay Healthy During the Holidays

The Holidays are a time for gatherings with family and friends.  Unfortunately, this time of the year is also the time for colds and flu, injuries from slips and falls, and the “winter blues.”  Here a few tips to help you stay healthy this holiday season:

Wash Your Hands Often – Washing your hands is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of the germs that cause colds and flu.  Use soap and clean running water, rubbing your hands together for at least 20 seconds.

Cover Your Nose and Mouth When You Sneeze – Avoid using your hands.  Use a tissue when available or cough/sneeze into your elbow or shoulder.

Get Health Checkups and Vaccinations – Schedule a visit with your physician and discuss what vaccinations they would recommend for you based on your age, health, and travel plans.

Eat Healthy and Be Active – We all tend to overindulge during the holidays.  To stay healthy, try to limit fats, salt, and sugary foods. Be active for at least 2½ hours a week. Help kids and teens be active for at least 1 hour a day.

Handle and Prepare Food Safely - Wash your hands and kitchen surfaces often. Cook foods to the proper temperature. Refrigerate promptly. Avoid cross-contamination by keeping raw meat, poultry, seafood, and eggs away from ready-to-eat foods.

Manage Stress – Balance your responsibilities and keep your finances in check as best you can and make sure you get plenty of sleep to keep your stress levels down.

Stay Warm – Cold temperatures can lead to frostbite and hypothermia. According to the CDC, more than half of hypothermia-related deaths were of people over the age of 65. If you will be outside, wear warm socks, a heavy coat, a warm hat, gloves and a scarf. In very cold temperatures, cover all exposed skin. Use a scarf to cover your mouth and protect your lungs. If you’re staying in, don’t let your house get too cold.

Travel Safely – When traveling by car, always wear your seat belt and travel at safe speeds.  Don’t drink and drive and don’t let others drink and drive.  Get your car serviced before wintertime hits -- or ask a family member to bring it to a garage for you. Checking things like the oil, tires, battery and wipers can make a big difference on winter roads.  Best of all – avoid driving on ice and snow if at all possible.

Avoid Slipping on Ice - Falls are a common occurrence for senior citizens, especially during the winter months. Major injuries such as hip and wrist fractures, head trauma and major lacerations can occur.  To avoid a fall, wear shoes with good traction and non-skid soles, and stay inside if at all possible. Replace a worn cane tip to making walking easier. Take your shoes off when you go back inside to avoid slipping on water tracked from melted ice or snow on the soles of your shoes.

Fight Wintertime Depression  -  Depression is an issue for seniors since it can be more difficult for them to get around.  They may feel lonely or isolated.  Family members should check in on them as often as possible – even a phone call can make a difference if you don’t have time to visit in person. 

Prepare for Power Outages - Winter storms can lead to power outages. Make sure you have easy access to flashlights and a battery-powered radio. Know where you store your warm blankets. Keep non-perishable foods and bottled water on hand. If the power goes out, wear several layers of clothing, including a hat. Move around a lot to raise your body temperature.

Prevent Carbon Monoxide Poisoning - Don't use generators, grills, or other gasoline- or charcoal-burning devices inside your home or garage. Install a smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector in your home and test them once a month.  Replace the batteries twice a year – a good rule is to do it when the time change happens.

For more great information and tips, check out our website.

Technorati Tags: Holiday Safety Tips,Health,Safety,Seniors,Christmas

Salvation Army’s Angel Tree Project

It’s time once again for the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree project.  Their goal this holiday season is to collect around 300,000 gifts to distribute to an estimated 58,000 individuals. 

You might not realize that the Angel Tree is not just for kids.  Gift recipients also include senior citizens, veterans and disabled or special needs adults of any age who might otherwise miss out on the joys of Christmas.  Please consider adding one of these individuals  to your list as they are often overlooked. 

Angels can be adopted at DFWAngelTree.org or at any of these local malls:

NorthPark Center
Collin Creek Mall
Galleria Dallas
Ridgmar Mall
Town East Mall
North East Mall
Grapevine Mills Mall
Hulen Mall
Golden Triangle Mall
Parks at Arlington

The last date to return unwrapped gifts to each mall is Wednesday, December 10.

For more helpful information and tips, visit our website.

Technorati Tags: Angel Tree,Christmas,Seniors

November is American Diabetes Awareness Month

Diabetes affects about 30 million children and adults in the United States.  It is estimated that as many as one in three American adults will have diabetes by the year 2050.  November is designated as American Diabetes Awareness Month. 

Facts about diabetes:

• People with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to be hospitalized for a heart attack or stroke.
• Diabetes causes nearly 50% of all cases of kidney failure.
• More than half of all amputations in adults occur in people with diabetes.
• More than half a million American adults have advanced diabetic retinopathy, greatly increasing their risk for severe vision loss.
• About 60-70 percent of people with diabetes have mild to severe forms of nerve damage that could result in pain in the feet or hands, slowed digestion, sexual dysfunction and other nerve problems.

What are the symptoms of diabetes?

• Urinating often
• Feeling very thirsty
• Feeling very hungry - even though you are eating
• Extreme fatigue
• Blurry vision
• Cuts/bruises that are slow to heal
• Weight loss - even though you are eating more (type 1)
• Tingling, pain, or numbness in the hands/feet (type 2)

If you have any of these symptoms, see your doctor as soon as possible.  Early detection and treatment are the keys to prevent complications of diabetes.  More information on symptoms, treatments and living with diabetes are available from the American Diabetes Association.

For more great tips, visit our website.

Technorati Tags: diabetes awareness,diabetes

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