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Alliance for Retired Americans Friday Alert, Sept. 19, 2014

Washington, DC–(ENEWSPF)–September 19, 2014.

Rally at U.S. Capitol Fires up Seniors

On Thursday, the Alliance for Retired Americans, Americans United for Change and allies held a rally at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC to say, “Hands off Social Security and Medicare!” Additional event co-sponsors included AFSCME, the AFL-CIO, the American Federation of Teachers (AFT); Communications Workers of America; the National Education Association; Social Security Works; Granny off the Cliff; SEIU, and several others. The rally attracted busloads of Alliance members form the Mid-Atlantic area, as well as many elected officials and union leaders. Speakers included Sen. Elizabeth Warren (MA), House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA), and Reps. Bruce Braley (IA), Keith Ellison (MN), Joe Garcia (FL), Rick Nolan (MN), Jan Schakowsky (IL), Dina Titus (NV), Paul Tonko (NY), AFT President Randi Weingarten, andthe Koch Sisters (http://tinyurl.com/nkafww6). Maryland/DC Alliance member Diane Fleming spoke on behalf of the Alliance. Rep. Pelosi complimented the Alliance’s role in protecting Social Security and Medicare in her remarks. Video footage is at http://tinyurl.com/l3ozbsh. Photos from the day are at http://tinyurl.com/k7s2bf7.

Alliance President Emeritus George Kourpias is Honored in Iowa, Missouri

Alliance President Barbara J. Easterling traveled to Altoona, Iowa to join Iowa Alliance members in honoring Alliance President Emeritus George J. Kourpias with a tribute on Wednesday. Kourpias, who is from Iowa, led the Alliance at its launch and built it into a 3.5 million member organization before handing the reigns over to Ms. Easterling. “George, you created something that is bigger than you. A movement. And not a lot of people can say that,” said Ms. Easterling. Photos from the tribute are at http://tinyurl.com/pezt2mc.

Just to the south, the neighboring Missouri Alliance held their convention on Tuesday. Attendees there also honored Mr. Kourpias and thanked him for his leadership in launching and leading the Alliance. Missouri Alliance members elected officers for the next two years:  David Meinell, President; Steve Quinlin, Secretary; and Ken Bougeno; Treasurer. Speakers included Tom Buffenbarger, President of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAMAW); Jake Hummel, Secretary Treasurer of the Missouri AFL-CIO; and Luke Canfora, Regional AFL-CIO Campaign Director.

Alliance Launches Massachusetts Chapter

Alliance Executive Director Richard Fiesta traveled to Hyannis, Massachusetts to speak at the launching of the Massachusetts Alliance for Retired Americans on Tuesday. This is the 34th state to be chartered by the Alliance, and an enthusiastic crowd of fifty people attended. The new leadership consists of President Carlos Visinho (NEJB [New England Joint Board] UNITE-HERE); Treasurer David A. Craven (United Steel Workers); and Recording Secretary Marianne (Mickie) Dumont (United Teachers of Lowell [AFT]). Photos are at http://tinyurl.com/lun6vkn.

“I want to thank Massachusetts AFL-CIO President Steve Tolman, AFL-CIO Regional Director Jim Snow and their staffs for making this possible,” said Fiesta. “Thank you also to Jenny Kenny, who has been the Alliance point person on the ground to get us to this point.”

World Alzheimer’s Day – September 21st

This Sunday, September 21st, is World Alzheimer’s Day, a day when advocates, caregivers and researchers come together to raise awareness of the disease and the hard work going on around the world to bring it to a halt. The Alzheimer’s Prevention Registry (http://tinyurl.com/o8e44zz) is an online community of people dedicated to ending Alzheimer’s. Members are sent opportunities to participate in prevention research and kept up-to-date on the latest Alzheimer’s news. One of the biggest misconceptions about clinical trials is that researchers mostly study people who already suffer from the disease. On the contrary, much of the Alzheimer’s research on the horizon needs individuals without symptoms. And, because most trials require specific criteria for participation, scientists must consider thousands of potential participants, which can delay research significantly.

As World Alzheimer’s Day approaches, it is a somber reminder that we must do more to find an answer to this disease that currently steals the lives of more than 5.2 million Americans and impacts more than 15 million caregivers in the United States.

“Many of us know a relative or a friend who has grappled with Alzheimer’s. I urge everyone to learn more about it and take steps to improve your memory as you age,” said Ruben Burks, Secretary-Treasurer of the Alliance. Go to http://tinyurl.com/pvos482 for four simple ways to improve your memory.

Older New Yorkers Navigate Unique Housing Issues

According to New York City’s Department for the Aging, the city’s 60-plus population increased 12.4 percent between 2000 and 2010. By 2030, it is projected to grow by 35.3 percent to 1.84 million. But with older New Yorkers growing in number, landlords, resident managers and co-op boards are confronting a host of new issues, and sorting out how best to address them. While some building managers are looking for ways to accommodate aging residents, others are — for liability reasons — ordering staff to keep their distance. Younger residents often make up the majority of building co-op boards, and the needs of older residents in the buildings are not always met.

Dean Feldman, an associate broker at Halstead Property said, “I know that co-ops aren’t social service agencies. But we can all do a lot to support all the elderly people in our buildings.” This could include designating “floor captains” who would take note of newspapers piling up in front of a door and of mail uncollected.

Added Mr. Fiesta, “It is critical that older Americans are able to really enjoy their retirement years. It is my hope that urban residential facilities in cities like New York can ensure that older residents have solid safety and quality of life protections in place. People shouldn’t have to risk falling down multiple flights of stairs to do everyday tasks.” Go to http://tinyurl.com/n5m5sjk for more from The New York Times.

Source: http://retiredamericans.org

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