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How Climate Change and Natural Disasters Hurt Seniors More

How Climate Change and Natural Disasters Hurt Seniors More

How senior adults are at higher risk from climate change, natural disasters and loss of electricity.

Unless you have restricted mobility or care for someone who does, you may not realize the multitude of challenges senior adults living alone face, sometimes multiple times a day. When natural disasters strike or summer temperatures rise, older adults may be some of the most vulnerable.

For older adults with no support system in place or family to rely on, losing electricity in the winter or heat of summer can be fatal. The lack of mobility not just related to driving, but walking, loss of vision and neuropathy make day to day activities a challenge. One example is when electrical services go out and a phone won’t work without electricity. The senior has no way to let anyone know they may need help.

After water poured into lower Manhattan subway lines, two million Con Ed customers lost power and Breezy Point took a direct Hurricane Sandy hit.

In this video, Cornell University’s Elaine Wethington, Professor of human development, discusses the tolls major storms and climate change take on senior citizens. The talk is titled “Aging in the Age of Climate Change“.

As the climate changes, so does our understanding of old age

As the climate changes, so does our understanding of old age. As the devastation of hurricanes Sandy and Irene showed, older adults – some of whom have limited mobility or depend on home nurses for vital care – are among the most vulnerable when major weather events paralyze city and regional transportation systems, medical facilities and other key infrastructure.

Many seniors live alone, and with limited mobility makes them more likely to experience social isolation causing stress to their health. Elderly adults who and have disabilities may not be able to follow evacuation and possibly no way to communicate by telephone.

This video addresses how seniors respond to high-stress events, isolation and the impact it has on the mental and physical health of aging adults.

 

Ram Dass on Death & Dying

Ram Dass on Death & Dying

“Their karma is their dharma,” he says. (He often speaks in pithy little nuggets of wisdom.) “We go from here, ego,” he says, tapping his head, “to here.” He pats his heart. “What I call the soul, the spiritual heart. That’s the path. Then you can view your life with a sense of detachment.” He closes his eyes and places his hand on his heart. “I am loving awareness,” he whispers.”

Ram Dass (formerly Professor Richard Alpert) is well known as America’s most famous guru, the author of “Be Here Now” first written in 1971, and in the last couple of decades, a leader in the death with dignity movement.

For many of us, as we age thoughts of illness, dependency and death may become more prevalent. It’s important to consider our deaths but not dwell on it. In The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying For myself, I want to approach

In this article from tricycle, Andréa R. Vaucher spends time in Maui with Ram Dass’ at his permanent home. Together they talk about keeping space with the dying, and how to change our own thinking to accept our own inevitable death.

Years ago, Ram Dass and Stephen Levine started a dying hotline. People on their deathbeds could call in and be supported through the process—“pillow talk,” Ram Dass calls it

Is there a middle way? Are we either holding our hands to our ears singing La La La when the subject of death arises, or does it maintain a shadowy presence in the back your thoughts. Do you feel that you must find some way to handle “the situation” before it’s here, to prepare?

Be here now ram dass

How Many People in the U.S. are over 55 Years Old ?

Every year U.S. more citizens are turning 55, 60 and 65 and every day our number continue to grow. With such a large block of people, we need to organize and consolidate our power. We can do that with our votes, our voices, and our dollars.

2015 Census U. S. Population Over 55 Years

2015 Census U. S. Population Over 55 Years [OldRockers]