When the dog days of summer deliver hot temperatures and high humidity, the American Red Cross urges the public to take precautions against the heat. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 400 Americans die each year due to summer's heat and humidity. Furthermore, the National Weather Service declares that excessive heat was the number one weather-related killer, causing more fatalities per year than floods, lightning, tornadoes, hurricanes, winter storms and extreme cold from 1994 to 2003.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are giving "Healthy Aging" grants to support programs that promote increasing physical activity and improving nutrition for seniors in Michigan.

Ron Gebhardtsbauer, the senior pension fellow of the American Academy of Actuaries, today told Congress that an additional raising of the normal retirement age would reduce the Social Security solvency shortfall by approximately 36 percent. Representing the U.S. actuarial profession before the U.S. House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security, Gebhardtsbauer said retirement age already is being raised by an act of Congress passed in the 1983 amendments.

The first estimate of the worldwide direct costs of Alzheimer's disease and dementia care was released today at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on the Prevention of Dementia. As a result, scientists, advocates and those affected by the disease are calling for increased funding for research and support services.

AARP members in Pennsylvania realize the time has come to focus on finding bipartisan and workable solutions to help ensure that Social Security remains strong for future generations. Making moderate changes to Social Security now, will provide a strong financial foundation for future retirees. Tough, sensible decisions must be made to ensure that the changes we make to Social Security will benefit all Americans. "While we appreciate the fact that the President has pushed Social Security to the top of the nation's domestic issue agenda, we disagree strongly with his support for private accounts. Private accounts that drain money out of Social Security clearly are not a solvency option. They would cut guaranteed benefits, create a mountain of debt, and pass a huge bill on to future generations," said Desiree Petrus, Associate State Director for Advocacy, AARP Pennsylvania.

Social Security is perhaps the most important issue facing the U.S. economy. Future generations of Americans deserve a Social Security program that ensures that benefits remain adequate and secure.

A number of innovative treatment possibilities -- including a new version of an established pain drug, a combination of traditional Chinese herbs, and what may be the next chapter in the Alzheimer vaccine story -- all show some promise for Alzheimer's disease as demonstrated by five new research studies reported today at the first Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Prevention of Dementia.

There are significant differences in awareness and beliefs about Alzheimer's disease among ethnic groups, and health education programs should be tailored to account for these different understandings, according to new research presented today at the first Alzheimer's Association International Conference on the Prevention of Dementia

A series of new research studies -- examining topics including level of social activity, heart disease risk factors, education, consumption of fruit and vegetable juices, exercise, and alcohol intake -- add to the growing body of scientific evidence that lifestyle habits are closely linked to risk of Alzheimer's disease and dementia, according to reports presented today at the first Alzheimer's Association's International Conference on the Prevention of Dementia in Washington.

Seniors and persons with disabilities can still apply for the $450 Medicare prescription drug credit, but time is running short for those who want to receive the full benefit. After June 30, eligible seniors will still receive a portion of the prescription drug credit, but those who apply before the June deadline will receive the full $450 credit for 2005.

Pharmacists and their customers could benefit from having more information to help them understand and compare the costs of prescription drugs, according to a new AARP study that looks at attitudes and practices regarding the use of generic drugs.

"Baby boomers are choosing to make their vacation or second home their dream home, rather than their primary residence. Many buyers are operating on this delayed gratification principle and setting up their ultimate nest egg now, while the getting is good," according to Pamela O'Connor, CEO and president of RELO®/Leading Real Estate Companies of the World (www.RELO.com), the largest network of independent residential real estate firms.

Pennsylvania Secretary of Aging Nora Dowd Eisenhower today unveiled "Pennsylvania Grandparents Raising Grandchildren," an online resource guide to assist grandparents who serve as the primary caregivers for their grandchildren

Leaders from both parties met with college students today on Capitol Hill to discuss the future of Social Security and current reform options. Participants included Senator Rick Santorum (PA), Congressmen Jim Kolbe (AZ), Congressman Sam Johnson (TX), as well as former Congressman Jim Slattery (KS). The event was hosted by former Congressmen Tim Penny (MN) and Charlie Stenholm (TX), senior advisors to For Our Grandchildren, a nonpartisan Social Security reform and education project.

For the second time in less than six months, AARP and its 775,000 Maryland members, in addition to other community advocates are urging Governor Robert L. Ehrlich to restore $500,000 and fully fund Senior Nutrition.