CASA VOLUNTEER TRAINING
Rapides CAS A was recently granted an Americorps/Vista grant through the VISTA (Volunteers in Service to America) program to assist with recruitment and community involvement.

BJ Ayers, a senior citizen retiree is the new volunteer recruiter for Rapides CASA.
Wade Bond, executive director says "We are grateful to have BJ join our team and she is available to speak at all organizations throughout the parish about volunteer opportunities and community awareness for the coming year." Ms. Ayers is planning to travel throughout the parish and she is scheduled to speak to all 19 senior citizen centers and other organizations.

There is a need for an additional 40 volunteers in our area to sufficiently take care of the children that are in foster care in Rapides Parish. "Since becoming a volunteer two years ago I've found that the best reward is helping children become successful. My hope is that by joining CASA as a VISTA volunteer I will help recruit others who want to make a difference. "

CASA- Court Appointed Special Advocates are volunteers appointed by the Ninth Judicial District Court judges to advocate for abused and neglected children in court.
Studies show that children in foster care who have a CASA volunteer leave the foster care system 6-12 months earlier than those who don't.

CASA volunteers are the voices of the court making independent objective recommendations regarding the child's best interest. Trained volunteers conduct independent investigations and submit formal reports advising the court about the best placement for a child and other needs he or she may have. Melissa Patterson, the training facilitator for Rapides CASA says "Taking ordinary people and giving them the skills to advocate on behalf of children is our goal."

The next training class for new volunteers starts April 26th. The Rapides CASA office is located at 2004 Jackson Street., Alexandria, or call 318 445-5678.

SITTING TOO MUCH COULD BE DEADLY
Scientists are warning that sitting for prolonged periods of time even if you exercise regularly could be bad for your health.  It doesn’t matter where the sitting is done – at the office, in school in the car, before a computer or television. But the number of hours you sit is very important.

Research is preliminary but several studies suggest people who spend most of their days sitting are more likely to be overweight, have a heart attack or die earlier than those who don’t.

Authorities are rethinking how they define physical activity to highlight the dangers of sitting too much.  Doctors say after four hours of sitting, the body starts to send harmful signals.  Genes regulating the amount of glucose and fat in the body start to shut down.  It is recommended that getting up at frequent intervals and walking could be helpful.

AARP DRIVER SAFETY PROGRAM
A one-day, four-hour refresher course for those 50 years of age and older will be held March 11 at the Power Shopping Center, 1804 MacArthur Drive, Alexandria, next to Office Deport.  Class begins at 8:30 am.  Cost is $14 with a $2 discount for AARP members.  Bring a check or money order payable to AARP to cover the cost of the course and your AARP membership card to verify your AARP membership number and to receive the $2 discount. Call 448-6970 to pre-register.

GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN CONFERENCE
Nearly 100 people attended a conference on support groups and other information available to grandparents who raise grandchildren.  According to a recent study Louisiana is the fourth highest percentage of children living with grandparents in the U. S.

Many grandparents never enjoy retirement because they have taken on the responsibility of grandchildren who are at risk due to many factors.  It is estimated that 10 percent of Louisiana grandchildren live with their grandparents.

The state’s foster care budget, about $5 million a year, would double  if only eight percent of grandparents now caring for grandchildren could no longer continue to provide care.

Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Support Group meets at 11 am on the third Thursday of each month at 3900 Lee Street, Alexandria.  Contaft Susan Freundlich at 445-5464 or at her website www.lagrg.gov.

THE AGE WAVE: IT’S COMING
The Census Bureau forecasts that the 65 and over population will rise from 38.7 in 2008 to 88.5 in 2050 and the 85 and over group will grow from 5.4 million to 19 million.

Priority One, expert agrees, is to keep older workers in the workforce. The Congressional Budget Office has predicted that the Social Security program would be giving out more than it takes in by 2020 A solution is an increased payroll tax from 12.4 percent tax to 13.7 percent.  Others recommend raising full retirement age to 70 years.

 
HOW TO LIVE LONGER

Everyone is born with genes that determine everything from height and the color of eyes, to the risk for heart disease. But science is finding that genes can be influenced  when it comes to aging. Newly discovered genes regulate the connections between the brain cells and it is those healthy connections that keep the neuron alive. There is no reason we can’t live to 100 with energy and good health.

Centenarians draw on a reserve that allows them to bounce back from health problems and remain relatively healthy until their final days. They do get sick, but they spend less time in intensive care and require less expensive treatments. 

Only about 30% of aging for most people is genetically based, which means the other variables can be controlled. Scientists are recommending daily exercise because it not only strengthens bones and the heart, but also maintains balance, critical in preventing falls that have become a leading cause of death as Americans age.

Doctors recommend at least 15 minutes of sun every day, choose foods that are unprocessed and as close to natural as possible.  Sleep more than seven hours.  Half of Americans have difficulty sleeping and all of them may pay a longevity penalty.

Finally, have a purpose in your life whether it is your work, a hobby or an interest. Do crossword puzzles, mind games and study something new. Scientists say there may be no better booster of a long life than simply wanting to live.