Lula Hale, was honored for 2,023 volunteer hours at Rapides Regional Medical Center in 2011.



Burnadette Edwards (top) volunteered 1,254 hours at Rapides Senior Citizens Center in Ball.
Catheryne E. Guin (bottom) volunteered 1115 hours at Rapides Senior Citizens Center in Ball.

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LULA HALE TO BE HONORED AT AWARDS BANQUET FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE
Mrs. Lula Hale, volunteer at Rapides Regional Medical Center, will be honored at the Louisiana Time Savings Bank Volunteer Program   Awards Banquet, on January 11, 2012 at the SAI Conference Center, 2301 North MacArthur Drive, Alexandria.  She will receive a Proclamation from Gov. Bobby Jindal setting aside a day in Louisiana to acknowledge   her 2,023 hours of volunteer service in 2011.  Rapides Council On Aging will present a Certificate of Appreciation and a check for $250. 

Second place winner is Burnidette B. Edwards, who will receive a Certificate and a check for $200 for her volunteer service of 1,254 volunteer hours at Ball Senior Citizens Center. Third place winner is Cathryne W. Guin, who will receive a Certificate and a check for $150 for her volunteer service of 1,115 hours at Ball Senior Citizens Center.

RETIREMENT AGE: 80 IS THE NEW 65
According to a recent study Americans find themselves at 60 with practically no savings for retirement. Factors such as no growth in the stock market has prevented investing for retirement and employment at record lows have prevented confidence in investing  and plunging real estate values have undermined the sale of a home as a financial safety net.

The idea of retirement has become increasing distant.  Respondents aged 40 to 75 in a new study were significantly less confident in their ability to retire as planned. More than 1,500 middle-class Americans declared when it comes to retirement 80 is the new 65 with 74% expecting to work past the traditional retirement age and most expect to work after 80 to achieve a comfortable retirement.  There was one small ray of hope in the numbers – 35% said they expect to work past 65 because they want to – not because they need to.

FCC TURNS DOWN VOLUME ON TV COMMERCIALS
For years television watchers have been bombarded by commercials twice as loud as the programs. On December 14, the FCC announced plans to implement the 2010 Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation Act or CALM Act that gives the Commission the authority to end excessively loud commercials.

It will be the job of broadcasters, cable, telecommunication companies, satellite and other TV providers to ensure that the volume  doesn’t spike when programs are interrupted by commercials.

DIRECTORY OF SERVICES AND PROGRAMS - by Lisa LaCour
If you need a copy of a birth or death certificate an application can be obtained at the Rapides Parish Health Unit, 5604-B coliseum Blvd., Alexandria, or online at www.dhhlouisiana.gov. 

Mail the application with a copy of photo identification and the fee to: Vital Records Registry, P. O. Box 60630, New Orleans, 70160. or call the local Health Unit at 487-5282.

AARP DRIVERS SAFETY PROGRAM
AARP and Rapides Westside Library, 5416 Provine Place, Alexandria, will host a one-day, four-hour refresher course for those 50 of age and older.  The class is also open to those under the age of 50, but they may not be eligible for the Insurance Discount unless their insurance company offers that benefit.

Participants in the course are asked to park in the lot behind the Library.  Class will begin at 9 a.m.  Cost of class is $14 for Non-AARP members and $12 for AARP members.  Please bring a check or money order payable to AARP to cover the cost of the course.  Bring your AARP card to verify your membership and to receive the $2 discount.  Call Anita Wooley at 473-2936 to pre-register.

AARP has offered the classroom course for 25 years.  The course is designed to help drivers tune up their driving skills, update their knowledge of the rules of the road and learn about age-related physical changes and how to adjust their driving to allow for those changes.

YOU CAN BE A NEW PERSON – THANKS TO MEDICAL SCIENCE
Remarkable advances in medical technology will enable us to  replace and even regenerate body parts – from head to toe.  Here’s what’s new and when you can get it:

*Partial vision has been restored by means of a tiny camera and a transmitter mounted on a pair of glasses.  Tests are being conducted at several universities and technology should be available within a year.

*A nasal vaccine can activate brain cells and melt plaque from blood vessels. Tests have been successful in mice and human testing will begin in 2014.
               
*Muscle growth has been achieved by myostatin, a protein that affects muscle growth. Tests in patients with muscular diseases are being conducted now.  
               
*The FDA has recently approved a new artificial ankle that allows for natural movement. These prosthetic joints are being used today as ankle replacements.

INHERITANCE: KEEP IT SIMPLE
People worry about saving enough money for living expenses after retirement, but few worry about what happens to their money after their death.

An important consideration when dealing with inheritances isto keep your retirement account beneficiary form up-to-date because your designation will override any instructions in your will about who will inherit your IRA or employer-sponsored retirement plan.