Senior Citizen Alerts

Free Generic Antibiotic Prescription Program Announced by Food Chain

Giant Food pharmacies will continue the program through March 21

Jan. 2, 2009 – More good news for senior citizens burdened with cost of prescription drugs – a supermarket chain, Giant Food, has announced a program of free generics for prescribed antibiotics. It covers 36 generic antibiotics in nine basic categories. The program began today, January 2, and runs through March 21 at all Giant pharmacies. Read more...

FDA Approves First Prostate Cancer Drug in Years: Degarelix for Men with Advanced Cases

Company waiting for a trade name before beginning marketing in U.S.

Dec. 31, 2008 – An injectable drug, degarelix, became the first new drug approved in several years by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of prostate cancer. Degarelix, however, is intended to treat patients with advanced prostate cancer. Read more...

Senior Citizens Need to Exercise Extreme Caution if Shoveling Snow

Consumer Reports offers tips on making snow removal safer

Dec. 22, 2008 - The intense exertion of shoveling snow, combined with the freezing cold, can make your heart rate and blood pressure soar – a severe danger for senior citizens. Yet, every year seniors die giving it a try. Read more...

Recorded Telephone Sales Pitches Now Required to Provide Way to Opt-Out

FTC opt-out must work both for consumers who answer the call in person and answering machines

Dec. 2, 2008 – There are few calls more irritating to most senior citizens than the pre-recorded sales pitch. A new regulation took effect yesterday, however, that should help. Now, any telemarketing call that delivers a prerecorded message must include a quick and easy way to opt-out of receiving future calls. Read more...

Helping Senior Citizen Navigate the Change to Digital Television Gets $2.7 Million Funding

Chair of senate aging committee cheers action funding local agencies to help

Nov. 19, 2008 – Concern about senior citizens being prepared for the nation’s switch to all-digital television transmission received some relief yesterday when it was announced that the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) will award $2.7 million to the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) to help seniors navigate the change coming next February. Read more...

Taking Plavix with Popular GI Medications Increases Risk for Stroke, Heart Attack by 50%

Medco Health issues warning about second most popular drug in the world and it’s reaction to proton pump inhibitors

Nov. 11, 2008 – A report issued today warns that taking the drug clopidogrel (brand name: Plavix), the second most popular drug in the world, with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can increase the risk for major cardiovascular problems by 50 percent and of having a heart attack by 74 percent.. Medco Health Solutions, Inc. presented the study at the 2008 Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association. Read more...

FDA Tells Bayer to Stop Illegal Marketing of Aspirin Brands for Pain, Heart, Osteoporosis

Action involves Bayer Aspirin with Heart Advantage and Bayer Women’s Low Dose Aspirin + Calcium

Oct. 29, 2008 - The Food and Drug Administration yesterday sent Warning Letters to Bayer HealthCare concerning two unlawful, over-the-counter (OTC) aspirin products - Bayer Women's Low Dose Aspirin + Calcium (Bayer Women's) and Bayer Aspirin with Heart Advantage (Bayer Heart Advantage). Both are potentially popular with senior citizens because... Read more...

Seniors Should Say No to Con Artists Claiming to Be with FTC, Promising Sweepstakes Prize

Scammers just want you to send money for the “taxes” and “insurance”

Oct. 17, 2008 – Senior citizens are most often the target of con artists and the Federal Trade Commission has just issued a warning that scammers, claiming to work for the Federal Trade Commission are calling consumers and claiming that they have won a lottery or sweepstakes. They just need to send money to pay for taxes and insurance. Do not fall for it. Read more...

HHS Releases $5 Billion from Low Income Energy Assistance Program for Winter

LIHEAP funds will help low-income households meet heating and other energy needs, critical for many seniors

Oct. 17, 2008 – A federal program that has been critical to low-income senior citizens during the severe winters that increase their need for heating fuel, has just released $5.1 billion to assist states, territories, tribal areas and the District of Columbia with addressing their energy needs. Read more...

FDA Introduces New Web Page with Links to Key Safety Information on Prescription Drugs

Senior citizens may find it useful avoid drug errors and dangerous drugs

Oct. 17, 2008 – Senior citizens, the heaviest users of prescription drugs, and the most common victims of drug errors, can find help with making decisions about the drugs they take at a new Website created by the Food and Drug Administration. The FDA says healthcare professionals, too, will find it a useful page to find a wide variety of safety information about prescription drugs. Read more...

Deadline for Economic Stimulus Payment for Retirees, Disabled Vets Just Hours Away

As many as 4.3 million Social Security and Veterans Affairs have not claimed their stimulus payments - must file by Oct. 15

Oct. 13, 2008 - Only hours remain until the Oct. 15 deadline for retirees and disabled veterans to file an income tax return that will allow them to receive an economic stimulus payment this year.

Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors

Dementia Won’t Improve for Older People by Taking Procaine but Health Might Suffer

A topical anesthetic, normally, procaine has been touted as anti-aging drug that might prevent or even reverse dementia

Oct. 9, 2008 - Procaine, a medication that is normally used as a topical anesthetic , has been touted as an anti-aging drug that might prevent or even reverse dementia. A new Cochrane Review, however, suggests that the risks of bad side effects outweigh any benefit. Procaine is also known as novocaine. Read more...

Seniors Need to Act Now to Get $40 Discount on TV Converter Box for New Digital Signals

Commerce Department says orders should be made before end of year as broadcast TV becomes digital-only on February 17

Oct. 1, 2008 – Most senior citizens have paid little attention to the nation’s switch to digital television due on February 17, although, seniors will constitute the greatest portion of those affected by the digital transition - particularly low income, fixed income, disabled, homebound, minority and rural seniors. Those who want to continue to use their TV sets with “over-the-air” reception will need to buy a converter box and the government is offering a discount coupon to help with the purchase. Read more...

FTC’s Cyber Security Website Gets an Upgrade with Help of 22 Organizations

Makeover marks National Cyber Security Awareness Month starting today

Oct. 1, 2008 - The Federal Trade Commission’s Website that helps senior citizens and other consumers stay on guard against Internet fraud is revamping – with the help of 22 other agencies and groups - to provide extra tools for cyber safety. The FTC’s announcement of the newly designed and improved site comes on the first day of October, which is National Cyber Security Awareness Month. Read more...

FDA Demands Halt to Drug Products Designed to Treat Common Senior Citizen Problems

Warns companies to stop marketing unapproved ophthalmic balanced salt solution products and topical drug ointments containing papain after serious adverse events

Sept. 24, 2008 – Unapproved drug products designed to treat conditions faced by many seniors citizens – ointments containing papain and ophthalmic balanced salt solutions – must stop manufacturing and marketing these products or face enforcement action by the Food and Drug Administration. Read more...

Medicare News

Senate Bill Would End Practice of Placing Social Security Numbers on Medicare Cards

Durbin, Bingaman, Kohl introduce bill to protect Medicare card holders from identity theft

Sept. 17, 2008 – Congress may demand the government removed Social Security numbers from Medicare identification cards and communications to beneficiaries as part of the battle against identity theft. Three Democrats introduced a bill in the Senate today to mandate these changes, which have been recommended by the Social Security Administration but ignored by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Read more...

Senior Citizen Alerts

Drugs for Rheumatoid Arthritis Must Warn of Fungal Infection Risk

FDA invokes new authorities to alert patients and prescribers to risk of Humira, Cimzia, Enbrel, and Remicade

Sept. 5, 2008 – Millions of senior citizens fight against their own immune systems. Four of the drugs used by many in this battle against some autoimmune diseases, primarily rheumatoid arthritis, have been identified by the Food and Drug Administration as a possible risk factor in deadly fungal infections. Read more...

Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors

New Reason Seniors May Need to Avoid Grapefruit, Other Juices with Medications

Consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medications with grapefruit juice or other fruits and juices

Life-saving drugs may become ineffective, if patient consumes grapefruit or even other common fruit juices, including orange and apple

Aug. 19, 2008 – Drugs often prescribed for senior citizens fighting life threatening conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, organ-transplant rejection and infection, may become ineffective if the patient consumes grapefruit or even other common fruit juices, including orange and apple. Read more...

Medicare News

Senior Citizens May Avoid Medicare Marketing Fraud by Knowing the Rules

Medicare private plans must follow certain rules and you should know what is allowed

Aug. 13, 2008 – With a huge market to exploit – abut 36 million senior citizens on Medicare – the hucksters stay busy, according to congressional reports. The Medicare Rights Center has produced some tips for older Americans on the rules that must be followed to market these plans. Sales people who violate these rules should be suspect. Read more...

Senior Citizen Alerts

New Spam Using CNN Headlines to Lead Victims to Virus-Laden Sites

University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Spam Data Mine offers video, Website help

Aug. 6, 2008 - Throughout July and into August, spam messages using fake news headlines have been luring visitors to virus-laden Web sites that will infect the unwary Websurfer with a simple clink on any of the links. Beginning last night a new twist has made it much more likely that visitors will fall prey, according to the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s Spam Data Mine, which has quickly released a video (see link below) to help people understand how to avoid the threat. Read more...

Effort Grows to Protect Seniors by Removing Social Security Number from Medicare Card

Social Security frustrated with refusal to change by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services

June 27, 2008 - Social Security says don’t carry your card on you, someone could get the number and use it to steal your identity. Medicare tells senior citizen to always carry their Medicare card, even though it has their Social Security number prominently displayed. Social Security has been trying to get Medicare to come up with a new card and identification system and, finally, they are getting some help in this effort to protect older Americans from identification theft. Read more...

FDA Tells 23 U.S. Firms to Stop Selling Fake Cancer Cures

Internet has provided a mechanism for bogus cancer 'cures' to flourish

June 18, 2008 - Warning Letters were sent yesterday to 23 U.S. companies and two foreign individuals marketing a wide range of products fraudulently claiming to prevent and cure cancer, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA also warns North American consumers against using or purchasing the products, which include tablets, teas, tonics, black salves, and creams, and are sold under various names on the Internet. Read more...

Older Americans Must be Ready to Stay Connected as Nation Goes to Digital TV

Senior citizens must vulnerable live alone, in remote areas, low income, non-English speakers

By Josefina G. Carbonell, Administration on Aging

May 12, 2008 - Television as we know it is about to change.  On February 17, 2009, full-power television broadcasting will change from analog to 100% digital, bringing with it a host of benefits.  If you use “rabbit ears” or a rooftop antenna with an analog television, your television will not work after this transition date without taking some action. Read more...

Senior Citizens Can Expect to be Targets of Tax Rebate Scammers

Fake emails, phone calls supposedly from IRS will want your personal financial info.

April 18, 2008 - The Internet thieves are having a field day with the economic stimulus refunds that will soon be sent to taxpayers in an effort to bolster the sagging economy. But, they have also started their usual barrage of fake IRS refund emails, like the one pictured on this page. Senior citizens, in particular, are targets of a number of scams using the stimulus payments and IRS refunds as ways to steal personal financial information. The email pictured on this page was recently received be the editor of SeniorJournal.com. Read more...

Shady Sales Tactics Pushing Indexed Annuities on Seniors Exposed by Dateline

'When those agents go into the seniors' homes, it is literally the wolf among the lambs'

April 15, 2008 - With an estimated 15 trillion dollars under their control American senior citizens have become more of a sales target than ever for insurance agents seeking to sell them annuities. Last Sunday, April 13, NBC's Dateline went undercover in "Tricks of the Trade" - a hidden camera investigation revealing what some insurance agents say, and what they don't say, when they think they are alone with a senior. In his signature style, Chris Hansen then confronts agents about their questionable sales pitches. Read more...

Senior Citizen Health & Medicine

New CPR Recommendation Takes Little Training – Just Push Hard and Fast

Mouth-to-mouth no longer recommended for bystanders trying to save lives

March 31, 2008 - Chest compressions alone, or Hands-Only Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), can save lives and can be used to help an adult who suddenly collapses, according to a new American Heart Association scientific statement posted on the Web site today. Read more...

Older Men Should Not Use Blue Steel or Hero for Erectile Dysfunction

FDA says products are illegal drugs and pose serious health risks

March 27, 2008 – Older men, the Americans most likely to be interested in products marketed for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED) and sexual enhancement, are being warned by the Food and Drug Administration not to purchase or use "Blue Steel" or "Hero" products marketed as dietary supplements. The FDA says they are considered unapproved drugs and have not been proven to be safe or effective. Read more....

 Free Eye Exams Available to Senior Citizens in March to Fight AMD

National campaign to raise awareness about Age-related Macular Degeneration

March 3, 2008 – Promoting free eye exams for senior citizens during March, the Macular Degeneration Partnership is asking, "Do You See What I See?" For seniors who suffer with an eye disease known as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) the answer is always, "No." Read more...

 IRS Helps Low-Income Senior Citizens Qualify for Economic Stimulus Payments

A special version of a Form 1040A highlights the simple, specific sections to be filled out by low-income seniors, veterans

Feb. 19, 2008 – For many Americans the few hundreds bucks they get as an economic stimulus payment from the government in May is nothing to get excited about. But for millions of lower-income senior citizens and veterans it is a substantial windfall. The problem is that it is not going to “just happen” for many of these seniors. They must file a tax return for 2007 are they will not be included. Read more...

Senior Citizens Most Likely to be Targeted by Foreclosure Rescue Scams

Senate Special Committee on Aging hears testimony on sub-prime crisis

Feb. 13, 2008 – It should be no surprise that senior citizens are the target of the latest financial scam – foreclosure rescue scams. At a hearing yesterday of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, Chairman Herb Kohl said seniors are three times more likely to have sub-prime mortgage loans than younger borrowers and these loans have driven the large increase in foreclosures. Read more...

Senior Citizens Are Primary Target of U.S. Information Blitz About Digital TV

TV broadcasters alert Americans all broadcast to be digital in 2009

Feb. 12, 2008 – An extraordinary effort kicked off yesterday to alert all Americans – but senior citizens in particular – that this country will transition all television broadcasting to digital on February 17, 2009. Those who rely on a broadcast signal will no longer be able to receive programming with a digital television set. Read more...

FDA Notifies Public of Adverse Reactions, Deaths Linked to Botox Use

Ongoing safety review of Botox, Botox Cosmetic and Myobloc taking place

Feb. 8, 2008 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today said that Botox and Botox Cosmetic (Botulinum toxin Type A) and Myobloc (Botulinum toxin Type B) have been linked in some cases to adverse reactions, including respiratory failure and death, following treatment of a variety of conditions using a wide range of doses. Read more...

Senior Citizens Should Be On Alert for Email Scam Offering IRS Refund

Scammers may try to take advantage of economic stimulus program

Jan. 29, 2008 – Senior citizens should be on the alert for an email scam back on the Internet that claims to be from the Internal Revenue Service and promises a tax refund check, if you will just submit the tax refund request. Some may confuse this to be a part of the government’s economic stimulus program, which may be why it has emerged again. Part of the economic plan's discussion includes checks to senior citizens on Social Security. Read more...

FDA Launches Free E-mail Alert Service Providing Updated Information

Alerts and warnings from FDA can drop right into your email box

Dec. 5, 2007 - The Food and Drug Administration has announced a new e-mail service that alerts subscribers whenever information is updated on certain FDA Web pages. An example is the MedWatch Saftery Alerts featuring medical product safety alerts, Class I recalls, market withdrawals, and public health advisories. Read more...

Medicare Drug Program News

Senior Citizens Not Reviewing Medicare Drug Plans May Get Shock in 2008

Medicare has cut 1,500 drugs from last year’s list eligible for formularies

"Changes are occurring at all levels of the Medicare drug benefit – from significant movements in monthly premiums, to the composition and copayment structure of formularies."

Dec. 5, 2007 – The evidence continues to be exposed showing senior citizens are facing major changes in the Medicare drug plans for 2008, including news that the largest stand-alone plans will reduce the drugs they cover by the hundreds. A major reason, says consulting company Avalere Health, is that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services decided to drop more than 1,500 drug codes from last year’s list of formulary-approvable drugs, including some that lack FDA approval. Read more...

Medicare Drug Program News

Senior Citizens Seeking New Medicare Drug Plan Finding Fewer Drugs Covered

Size of the formulary is becoming more aligned with utilization patterns, consumer preferences, health outcomes and value for consumers, says Humana

Dec. 4, 2007 – While shopping around for a new Medicare drug plan, many senior citizens may be getting a shock to find many drugs no longer covered. A new analysis finds a gigantic drop in the number of drugs covered in 2008. What is called the “Open Enrollment” period, a time when seniors can change drug plans, opened on Nov. 15 and closes on Dec. 31. Seniors are advised to also check their existing plan to see if drugs they need have been dropped. Read more...

Senior Citizen Health & Medicine

Senior Citizens Must Join Campaign to Require Hospitals Report Staph Infections

Consumers Union urges Congress to enact HR 1174 (Murphy) to spur hospitals to reduce deadly infections

By Tucker Sutherland, Editor & Publisher

“Every day, fifty Americans die from MRSA because hospitals aren’t doing enough to protect patients from these deadly infections,” - Lisa McGiffert, Director of Consumers Union’s Stop Hospital Infections campaign

Nov. 8, 2007 – The news that nearly 19,000 Americans died in 2005 from antibiotic-resistant staph infections – mostly acquired in health care facilities – and that it has increased 10 fold since 1995, should be shocking and extremely alarming to senior citizens, the most frequent visitors to healthcare settings. What is even more shocking is that most states allow hospitals to keep information about these infections secret, which has allowed the infection to spread rapidly with little public notice or protection. Seniors need to demand changes. Read more...

FDA Asks Recall of True Man, Energy Max 'Alternatives' for Erectile Dysfunction

Those with either product should stop using it immediately

Nov. 5, 2007 – Products that are often billed as ``all natural'' alternatives to approved erectile dysfunction drugs, could interact with medications and cause dangerously low blood pressure, says the Food and Drug Administration. The agency has requested a recall of True Man Sexual Energy Nutrient Capsules and Energy Max Energy Supplement Men's Formula Capsules, illegal drug products that contain potentially harmful, undeclared ingredients. Read more...

FTC Will Not Drop Numbers from Do Not Call Registry Until Congress Decides if Renewals Necessary

Original plan called for a five-year re-registration to clean list, which now has over 145 million phone numbers

Oct. 23, 2007 – If your telephone number is about to reach the limit of the five years that it can be on the National Do Not Call Registry (DNC), don’t worry about it. Federal Trade Commission Director Lydia Parnes, director of the Federal Trade Commission’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said today that no numbers will be dropped from the list until Congress decides if they want to make registration permanent, rather than require renewal every five years. Read more...

FDA Has More Dietary Supplements Seized in Florida: Charantea Targeted

Products said to violate new drug and misbranding provisions of Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act

Oct. 13, 2007 - At the request of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Marshals seized on Tuesday approximately $71,000 of goods from FulLife Natural Options, Inc., of Boca Raton, Fla., which marketed and distributed Charantea Ampalaya Capsules and Charantea Ampalaya Tea. This follows a seizure in August of capsules by Charron Nutrition of Tallahassee, Fla., promoted  for use in treating diabetes, arthritis, and other serious health conditions. Read more...

FTC Wants All to Know the Truth About Cell Phones and Do Not Call Registry

You do not need to register cell phone in do not call registry

Oct. 12, 2007 - The Federal Trade Commission today reiterated that despite the claims made in e-mails circulating on the Internet, consumers should not be concerned that their cell phone numbers will be released to telemarketers in the near future, and that it is not necessary to register cell phone numbers on the National Do Not Call (DNC) Registry to be protected from most telemarketing calls to cell phones. Read more...

Senior Citizen and Internet

iGuard Drug Safety Alert is Newest Reason Senior Citizens, Caregivers Must Use Web

Provides patients & physicians with immediate, personalized, free drug safety information

Oct. 9, 2007 – Almost weekly there is a new and compelling reason why senior citizens or their caregivers should be active on the Internet. One significant new tool to launch on the Web, which promises potentially life-saving help to seniors, is iGuard. This is a free service to access current information about the risk profile of their medications and receive personal drug safety alerts. Read more...

Recall of Topps Ground Beef Due to E Coli Now Includes 21.7 Million Pounds

 Currently 25 people are presumed ill from contamination

Oct. 1, 2007 – A voluntary recall of ground beef was expanded on Saturday to include 21.7 million pounds of products from the Topps Meat Company that may be contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The original recall by Topps on Sept. 25 is being expanded due to additional positive product sample reported by the New York Health Department, reported illnesses and findings from a food safety assessment conducted by the Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service at the establishment. (See complete recall list below.) Read more...

Fentora Cancer Pain Drug Draws FDA Warning of Potential Serious Side Effects

Concern due to reports of deaths, other adverse events from fentanyl buccal

Sept. 26, 2007 - The Food and Drug Administration is alerting health care professionals and consumers to concerns over the use of Fentora (fentanyl buccal) tablets after recent reports of deaths and other adverse events. Read more...

Senior Citizens May See National Do Not Call List Drop Their Number Next Year

Seniors need to be aware registrations are just for five years

Sept. 22, 2007 – Most senior citizens – well, probably most Americans – are not aware that to stay on the National Do Not Call list you have to re-register every five years. Those who jumped onboard in the first months of the Federal Trade Commission program will see their name drop off next year – unless they sign-up again, or a new bill passes to make registration permanent. Read more...

Senior Citizens Scammed by Fake Pain Relief Tape May Get Money Back

FTC gets settlement of $2.5 million in consumer refunds

Sept. 20, 2007 – Senior citizens who fell for the Biotape scam, an adhesive tape sold as a pain relief product, may be getting their money back. The Federal Trade Commission reached a settlement with the promoters that will provide up to $2.5 million in consumer refunds. Read more...

What Senior Citizens Need to Know About Transition to Digital TV to be Presented Next Week

Two government agencies will present programs about this major change in U.S.

Sept. 20, 2007 – A hearing yesterday by the Senate aging committee focused on the lack of information available to senior citizens pertaining to the mandatory transition from analog television broadcast to digital. A highlight of the hearing was the apparent confusion among federal agencies about who is responsible for educating the public. A good example is that there will be two major public meetings in Washington next week to explore all aspects of this major change in American life, but they are sponsored by different agencies. Read more...

Money, Insurance & Investments for Seniors

Dubious Credentials May Scam Seniors Out of Retirement Savings: Aging Committee

Senate aging committee looking at senior financial advisor titles

Aug. 31, 2007 – There seems to be reasonable doubt that some of the titles being used by people to show they are qualified to help senior citizens with their financial decisions are of little value. The chairman of the Senate’s aging committee will conduct a hearing on Wednesday, September 5, to examine some of the “questionable practices used by so-called financial investment specialists.” Read more...

Senior Citizen Alerts

Spammers Hit for Peddling HGH as Anti-Aging, Hoodia for Weight Loss

FTC says e-mails falsely claim HGH products reverse aging process

Aug. 24, 2007 – Once again the Federal Trade Commission is clamping down on a company selling human growth hormone (HGH) as an anti-aging product. This time, they are also halting the same spammers from sending "unwanted and illegal" e-mails about hoodia weight-loss products. A district court judge ordered a halt to the e-mails and to the claims that the FTC says are false and unsubstantiated. Read more...

Seniors Warned to Avoid Red Yeast Rice Sold Online to Treat High Cholesterol

FDA says tested products contain unauthorized drug, lovastatin

Aug. 10, 2007 – The millions of senior citizens battling against high cholesterol are warned by the Food and Drug Administration to stay away from three red yeast rice products promoted and sold on Websites as dietary supplements for treating high cholesterol. The products may contain an unauthorized drug, lovastatin, that could be harmful to health. Read more...

Senior Citizens Should be Wary of Prepaid Credit Cards Sold Online

FTC gets judge to shut down operation for unauthorized debiting bank accounts

Aug. 7, 2007 – Senior citizens should by wary of operations marketing prepaid Visa and MasterCard, primarily on the Internet. At the request of the Federal Trade Commission, a federal judge has halted the operations of at least one of these companies that was making unauthorized debits from consumers’ bank accounts. Read more...

Tips for Senior Citizens to Make Backyard Grilling Safer from Cancer

Only meat cooked on grill form cancer-causing chemicals - other foods pose no risk

Aug. 3, 2007 – It is those in the senior citizen generation that are probably the most accustomed to grilling hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken over a gray charcoal fire. No one told us as young adults fixing these backyard feasts that we were increasing the risk of cancer for our families. But, we were. There are, however, ways to make grilling safer. Read more...

Consumers Endangered by Confusing Food Safety Regulation, Communications

All recalled Castleberry’s products here from combining FDA, USDA and company recalls

By Tucker Sutherland, editor & publisher
SeniorJournal.com

July 25, 2007 - SeniorJournal.com has attempted to keep senior citizens well informed about the serious threat of botulism from canned food products manufactured by Castleberry’s Food Company, but the U.S. government’s system of monitoring food safety has made it difficult. Different recall lists have been issued by the Food and Drug Administration, Department of Agriculture and the company. It highlights what many see as a major weakness in the government’s responsibility to protect consumers from dangerous food products, and to keep them informed. Read more...

FDA Expands Castleberry’s Food Warning about Botulism - Adds Dog Food

Castleberry's Food canned meat recall grows to 90 products

July 23, 2007 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration today revised its warning to consumers about possible botulism contamination in meat products canned by Castleberry’s Food Company to include more products in the recall, including dog foods. The number of products being recalled has reached 90, including some dog foods. Read more...

More Canned Meat Products Added to Botulism Alert by Castleberry’s Food

USDA says it’s a CLASS I RECALL - HIGH HEALTH RISK; CDC joins investigation

July 23, 2007 – Last week a “Senior Alert” in SeniorJournal.com notified senior citizens of an FDA recall of three chili sauce products distributed by Castleberry's Food Company, and the company's recall of seven additional products. The company has now expanding its July 19 recall of canned meat products that may contain Clostridium botulinum that causes botulism -a rare but serious paralytic illness. The Centers for Disease Control has also joined the investigation. Read more...

Senior Citizens, Others Warned of Botulism Risk in Hot Dog Chili Sauce

Chili sauce, chili with beans, corned beef hash under several brands recalled after FDA alert

July 19, 2007 - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning yesterday for consumers not to eat 10 ounce cans of hot dog chili sauce marketed under three brand names and the manufacturer immediately issued a recall and added cans of corned beef hash and chili with beans to the list. The FDA says there is possible botulism contamination, which can be fatal, especially for senior citizens. Read more...

Fraud of Senior Citizens by Home Health Agencies is Target for Government Initiative

Initial efforts to focus on Greater Los Angeles and Houston areas

July 17, 2007 – An alarm about fraud of senior citizens by home health care providers was raised today by an announcement that Health and Human Services will begin an initiative designed to protect Medicare beneficiaries from fraudulent Home Health Agency (HHA) providers. Read more...

FDA Says Foreign Drugs Bought on Internet May Be More Expensive, Risky

Some buying foreign drugs to avoid getting a prescription from their doctor

July 13, 2007 - The Food and Drug Administration continues to warn the American public about the dangers of buying medications over the Internet. New FDA data show that consumers who are trying to save money on prescription drugs don’t need to take chances by buying prescription drugs from foreign Internet sites, because low-cost generic versions are available in the United States, according to an FDA press release. Read more...

Senior Citizen Investors Being Fooled by Titles Easily Obtained: New York Times

Fourth article in series by New York Times on how companies, people are trying to profit on wealthy elderly in America

July 9, 2007 – Every senior citizen that has money invested, or is considering investment, needs to read an article in the New York Times online. The primary warning in this article is that seniors should not be fooled by fancy sounding titles, like “Certified Senior Adviser.” Many are easily obtained by people who want to take advantage of the elderly in America, who own $15 trillion in assets. Read more...

Many Senior Citizens May Not Know What Is NOT Covered by Homeowners Insurance

Survey shows lack of awareness among consumers when it comes to their homeowners policies

June 13, 2007 - A large percentage of U.S. homeowners mistakenly believe that standard homeowners insurance protects them from a wide array of perils, according to new research by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). In fact, typical property and liability policies don’t cover home damage from floods, earthquakes, water line breaks, termites, mold and several other perils, large and small. Read more...

SEC Chair Uses Parents' Experience to Warn Senior Citizens about Scams

Christopher Cox says elderly parents barraged with sales ploys

April 23, 2007 - Christopher Cox, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, understands firsthand the issues seniors and their family members face in separating investing opportunities from investing scams. In this exclusive interview he explains how his elderly parents were barraged with sales ploys. Read more...

Anti-Wrinkle Compound Found to Cause Pathological Reaction in Skin Cells

Researchers call for more study to see if DMAE is safe

April 11, 2007 – Before you rub that next treatment of anti-wrinkle cream on your face, you may want to check the label to see if it contains DMAE. In a report on the study of how this compound commonly used in many anti-wrinkle products works, researchers have found a pathological reaction in skin cells and call for “serious research” to determine if it poses a health risk. Their conclusion about the mode of action of DMAE appears in the latest edition of the British Journal of Dermatology. Read more...

Zelnorm – Popular GI Drug – Stops Marketing, Says FDA

Company agrees to voluntary suspension due to heart risks but hopes for comeback

March 30, 2007 – The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced today it has requested, and Novartis Pharmaceuticals agreed, that marketing of Zelnorm (tegaserod) should be discontinued. Novartis said it would suspend marketing of the drug in the U.S. based on the recently identified finding of an increased risk of serious cardiovascular adverse events (heart problems) associated with use of the drug. Read more...

Parkinson's Treatment Drugs Being Withdrawn, Says FDA

Permax (pergolide) and two generic versions may damage heart valves

March 29, 2007 – Pergolide products used to treat Parkinson's disease is being withdrawn from the market, according to an announcement today from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The FDA said that manufacturers of pergolide drug products, which are used to treat Parkinson’s disease, will voluntarily remove these drugs from the market because of the risk of serious damage to patients’ heart valves. Read more...

Senior Citizens' Memory Problems May Be Due to Their Sleeping Pills

FDA wants stronger warnings on drugs for sleep disorders

March 16, 2007 – Senior citizens with memory problems may find it is not dementia, but the medicine they are taking for a sleep disorder that is causing them to forget. "Sleep-driving" - driving not fully awake after taking a sedative-hypnotic drug and then having no memory of the trip – is one of problems highlighted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in requesting manufacturers of these drugs add new warnings to their labels. Read more...

Senior Citizen Politics

Seniors Citizens Warned of Dangerous Drug Shipped to Online Buyers

FDA suspects powerful anti-psychotic substituted for order

Feb. 20, 2007 – Some Americans who ordered Ambien, Xanax, Lexapro, and Ativan over the Internet have received instead what appears to be the drug haloperidol, a powerful anti-psychotic drug, according to a warning for senior citizens and other consumers from the Food and Drug Administration. Read more...

Seniors Falling Prey to Aggressive Tactics of Private Insurers Says Report

Consumer advocates say lack of government oversight increases risk of losing access, paying more for health care

Feb. 6, 2007 - Insurance agents are pushing people with Medicare into private health plans that do not meet their health care or financial needs, according to a new report by consumer groups.  In its study, California Health Advocates and the Medicare Rights Center detail the "unscrupulous sales practices of insurers" and call for heightened government oversight of private insurers selling Medicare health and drug plans. Read more...

Great Ideas for Senior Citizens on Preventing Identity Theft

Limiting exposure of personal information is the best way to protect yourself from fraud

By Robert Valentine

October 5, 2006 - For the sixth consecutive year, identity theft surpassed construction, credit card and debt collection fraud as the most prevalent form of consumer fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission, which received 255,000 identity theft complaints last year. Read more...