According to a recent article by AARP.org, more and more employees over the age of 50 are being bullied in the workplace. Taunts like “stupid old woman,” “too old to keep up,” and “You should just retire,” are being hurled at by bosses, co-workers and even customers.
Just how bad is it? A 2011 survey by CareerBuilder found that 29 percent of workers age 55 and older said they’d been bullied on the job, compared with 25 percent for the 35-44 group.
Think about your own behavior. When was the last time you complained about how slow someone "older" was when it came to helping you?
The AARP offers some tips of how you can fight back against workplace bullying:
Write it down. Keep track of what was said or done and who was present.
Do your homework. Research state and federal legal options.
Talk to an attorney. Look for internal company policies (for example, zero tolerance of harassment or violence) that may have been violated.
Compile numbers. Gather data about the economic impact that the bullying behavior has on the company.
Update your résumé. You may have to find a new job. It can’t hurt to start searching.
For more information on bullying in the workplace, check out the complete article by AARP:
http://www.aarp.org/work/on-the-job/info-03-2012/workplace-bullying.1.html
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Friday, March 30, 2012
How to Cure an Aging Baby Boomer Voice
Cosmetic surgery has allowed some baby boomers to turn back the aging clock. Now there's apparently a treatment that will keep your voice from aging.
An increasing number of patients are seeking help from the University of North Carolina Voice Center and other medical facilities.
Dr. Robert Buckmire, a UNC otolaryngologist says a person recorded at age 30 and again at age 70 will sound noticeably different because of the diminished bulk of the vocal cords. Lung capacity also tends to diminish with passing years, leading to a weaker voice. Sometimes a singer or speaker will produce a breathy sound through vocal cords that aren’t closing properly.
Changes in the brain can bring tremors and other signs of aging.
TIPS FOR PRESERVING SPEECH FOR A LIFETIME
According the National Center for Voice and Speech, most behaviors recommended for general health also keep people’s voices in good shape.
The research and teaching organization adds the following tips:
—Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day to maintain hydration.
—Support the voice from abdominal muscles when speaking or singing.
—Avoid “vocally abusive” activities such as yelling, screaming, coughing and throat-clearing.
—Warm up the voice before using it.
—Don’t talk or sing at unnatural pitches.
—Stay away from over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, which thin the blood and increase the risk of bleeding of the vocal folds.
—Drinks including caffeine and alcohol remove moisture from your system and should each be counteracted with an equal-sized glass of water.
FYI: An otolaryngolgist is a surgeon who diagnoses and treats disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck.
An increasing number of patients are seeking help from the University of North Carolina Voice Center and other medical facilities.
Dr. Robert Buckmire, a UNC otolaryngologist says a person recorded at age 30 and again at age 70 will sound noticeably different because of the diminished bulk of the vocal cords. Lung capacity also tends to diminish with passing years, leading to a weaker voice. Sometimes a singer or speaker will produce a breathy sound through vocal cords that aren’t closing properly.
Changes in the brain can bring tremors and other signs of aging.
TIPS FOR PRESERVING SPEECH FOR A LIFETIME
According the National Center for Voice and Speech, most behaviors recommended for general health also keep people’s voices in good shape.
The research and teaching organization adds the following tips:
—Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day to maintain hydration.
—Support the voice from abdominal muscles when speaking or singing.
—Avoid “vocally abusive” activities such as yelling, screaming, coughing and throat-clearing.
—Warm up the voice before using it.
—Don’t talk or sing at unnatural pitches.
—Stay away from over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, which thin the blood and increase the risk of bleeding of the vocal folds.
—Drinks including caffeine and alcohol remove moisture from your system and should each be counteracted with an equal-sized glass of water.
FYI: An otolaryngolgist is a surgeon who diagnoses and treats disorders of the ear, nose, throat, and related structures of the head and neck.
Friday, March 02, 2012
Baby Boomers Needed for Migraine Study
If you're one of those people who suffer from migrane headaches, you may be interested in participating in an online study that may (or may not) give you some relief.
Quincy Bioscience is now enrolling participants in a migraine trial to evaluate a safe and natural supplement. There is no cost to participate and no travel is required. All participation is completed online.
Call 877 359-6197 to learn more.
The Online Migraine Trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study that is conducted online using migraine assessment surveys. All study supplies are shipped directly to participants. The trial will last 90 days. HOPE Trials is the research arm of Quincy Bioscience and has pioneered a form of trial research called ‘patient reported outcomes’ testing. You can read about their work here: http://www.centerwatch.com/news-online/article/917/site-less-pi-less-trials.
Quincy Bioscience is now enrolling participants in a migraine trial to evaluate a safe and natural supplement. There is no cost to participate and no travel is required. All participation is completed online.
Call 877 359-6197 to learn more.
The Online Migraine Trial is a double-blind, placebo-controlled study that is conducted online using migraine assessment surveys. All study supplies are shipped directly to participants. The trial will last 90 days. HOPE Trials is the research arm of Quincy Bioscience and has pioneered a form of trial research called ‘patient reported outcomes’ testing. You can read about their work here: http://www.centerwatch.com/news-online/article/917/site-less-pi-less-trials.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Insurance Companies Killing Off Baby Boomers
During a recent visit with my cardiologist, she recommended I have an echocardiogram to see how my heart is functioning.
For those of you who aren't aware, I have been living with congestive heart failure since 1999. Although I believe my health has improved with a change in diet, medication and exercise, an echocardiogram is necessary to make sure. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to produce images of your heart. This commonly used test allows your doctor to see how your heart is beating and pumping blood. Your doctor can use the images from an echocardiogram to identify various abnormalities in the heart muscle and valves.
Now one would think an insurance company would be delighted to have a patient undergo such a test because good results can mean LESS DEPENDENCE on the company. But NOOOOOOOOOOOOO---my insurance company, Anthem, has denied the test. First, they said it was denied because the request did not come from my primary care physician, which makes no sense to me since she does not treat me for heart disease. But then, after my primary doctor sent over my medical records, I was denied again because the company said I was the one who had to give permission for any records to be released.
I think I can understand the need for the insurance company to see my medical records to make sure they're not being ripped off by paying thousands of dollars for an unnecessary test but requiring my signature to have them released is RIDICULOUS. Call me on the phone and ask my permission. Instead, they sent some paperwork for me to complete to give them a medical history---which is making me duplicate a job already done by both of my doctors.
I'm of the opinion that Anthem Insurance doesn't give a damn about whether I get better or not, which doesn't make any sense because the longer I go without that echocardiogram means I will be sucking them dry with medical expenses.
Perhaps this is an insurance company's way of killing off the baby boomers.
For those of you who aren't aware, I have been living with congestive heart failure since 1999. Although I believe my health has improved with a change in diet, medication and exercise, an echocardiogram is necessary to make sure. An echocardiogram uses sound waves to produce images of your heart. This commonly used test allows your doctor to see how your heart is beating and pumping blood. Your doctor can use the images from an echocardiogram to identify various abnormalities in the heart muscle and valves.
Now one would think an insurance company would be delighted to have a patient undergo such a test because good results can mean LESS DEPENDENCE on the company. But NOOOOOOOOOOOOO---my insurance company, Anthem, has denied the test. First, they said it was denied because the request did not come from my primary care physician, which makes no sense to me since she does not treat me for heart disease. But then, after my primary doctor sent over my medical records, I was denied again because the company said I was the one who had to give permission for any records to be released.
I think I can understand the need for the insurance company to see my medical records to make sure they're not being ripped off by paying thousands of dollars for an unnecessary test but requiring my signature to have them released is RIDICULOUS. Call me on the phone and ask my permission. Instead, they sent some paperwork for me to complete to give them a medical history---which is making me duplicate a job already done by both of my doctors.
I'm of the opinion that Anthem Insurance doesn't give a damn about whether I get better or not, which doesn't make any sense because the longer I go without that echocardiogram means I will be sucking them dry with medical expenses.
Perhaps this is an insurance company's way of killing off the baby boomers.
Friday, February 03, 2012
Leave Politics out of Womens Health Issues
The fallout over the recent decision by the Susan G. Komen Foundation not to fund Planned Parenthood spread far and wide like wildfire in very short period of time.
The outrage expressed by women has now forced executives to do an about face. Here is a letter from our Komen NC Triangle Affiliate:
We know it has been a very difficult week for our supporters. The news has been full of stories about the National grant policy.
TODAY, we are pleased to announce that Susan G. Komen National headquarters revised its GRANTS POLICY.
We heard the concerns from many of you and hundreds of community members and shared the messages with National. As an Affiliate, we were just as distressed as you were over the lack of clarity and facts originally given by National headquarters concerning the grant policy. We are continuing to work hard every day alongside our volunteers and community health grantees to educate, save lives, and support breast cancer survivors.
The policy change means that all eligible agencies may apply for health grants. Our grants process must be free of political influence.
The NC Triangle Affiliate LEADS with its MISSION to improve lives and end breast cancer through empowering women and ensure quality of care for all.
In 2011, through support from the Race for the Cure, individual and corporate philanthropy, and other fundraising events, the NC Triangle Affiliate was able to invest $1 million in community health grants to fund 18 organizations throughout our 20 county service area.
Local community support helped to provide:
• 5,168 Mammograms
• 902 Diagnostic services
• 479 Clinical breast exams
• 95 Patient navigation services
• 85,782 Touched through outreach about breast health, symptoms, risk factors and regular screenings.
Thank you for your continuing support! We would not be able to accomplish everything we do without the support of our volunteers and donors. It is with you by our side that we move forward and continue toward our mission of a world without breast cancer.
Please help us spread the word and bring back those who left us over this issue.
Best regards,
Kathy Burns, Interim Executive Director
The outrage expressed by women has now forced executives to do an about face. Here is a letter from our Komen NC Triangle Affiliate:
We know it has been a very difficult week for our supporters. The news has been full of stories about the National grant policy.
TODAY, we are pleased to announce that Susan G. Komen National headquarters revised its GRANTS POLICY.
We heard the concerns from many of you and hundreds of community members and shared the messages with National. As an Affiliate, we were just as distressed as you were over the lack of clarity and facts originally given by National headquarters concerning the grant policy. We are continuing to work hard every day alongside our volunteers and community health grantees to educate, save lives, and support breast cancer survivors.
The policy change means that all eligible agencies may apply for health grants. Our grants process must be free of political influence.
The NC Triangle Affiliate LEADS with its MISSION to improve lives and end breast cancer through empowering women and ensure quality of care for all.
In 2011, through support from the Race for the Cure, individual and corporate philanthropy, and other fundraising events, the NC Triangle Affiliate was able to invest $1 million in community health grants to fund 18 organizations throughout our 20 county service area.
Local community support helped to provide:
• 5,168 Mammograms
• 902 Diagnostic services
• 479 Clinical breast exams
• 95 Patient navigation services
• 85,782 Touched through outreach about breast health, symptoms, risk factors and regular screenings.
Thank you for your continuing support! We would not be able to accomplish everything we do without the support of our volunteers and donors. It is with you by our side that we move forward and continue toward our mission of a world without breast cancer.
Please help us spread the word and bring back those who left us over this issue.
Best regards,
Kathy Burns, Interim Executive Director
Wednesday, February 01, 2012
Don Cornelius Put Future African American Baby Boomers on the Dance Map
If you're an African-American baby boomer, you grew up with Don Cornelius and the Soul Train gang.
I was 14-years-old when the show made its debut. Before that I was a fan of American Bandstand and a local dance show out of Cleveland, OH---even though there were very few black faces.
I remember how excited I was to see people who looked like me on Soul Train dancing to the music I heard on the radio. Hearing my hometown music heroes, The O'Jays, singing the theme song and seeing someone I knew from high school dancing on the show kept me glued to my TV set every Saturday at noon.
Don Cornelius and Soul Train not only showcased the big stars, but we were also introduced to the up and coming talent and the blue-eyed soul of acts like Hall and Oates and Average White Band.
Who could forget the soul train scramble board or the dance line, where everyone became a star with their own unique style of dance? Soul Train became so popular at one point that some whites started complaining that they were being discriminated against because none of them were represented on the show.
According to an article in the Los Angeles Times, Soul Train became the longest-running first-run nationally syndicated show in television history, bringing African American music and style to the world for 35 years.
Soul Train put future African-American baby boomers on the dance map in a mighty big way. I am sad to learn of the death of Don Cornelius but as he would say, "I'm Don Cornelius, and as always in parting, we wish you love, peace and SOOOOOUL!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Baby Boomer Obesity and Paula Deen
In case you haven't heard, baby boomers are becoming known for more than being the "greatest generation." According to the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, a unhealthy percentage of us are being treated for obesity. And who might we have to thank for that?
Some are now pointing their bellies, hips and thighs to the queen of southern cooking: Paula Deen. This week, Deen announced she has Type 2 Diabetes---even though she continues to promote her high fat, high calorie recipes as the "best tasting, finger-lickin' good" food you'd ever want to eat. It's no secret she has made millions off of non-suspecting baby boomers with her products and best selling book, Paula Deen's Southern Cooking Bible.
But now get this: Paula says she is now teaming up with Novo Nordisk to endorse the company's diabetes drug Victoza. Victoza is an injectable drug used with diet and exercise to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. She also claims she will be donating a portion to the American Diabetes Association.
I wonder if the portion she plans to donate will be as hefty as those southern "kill me with a heart attack, hypertension, diabetes" dishes she's served up to us gullible boomers.
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