I signed up for an email service that promised to send headlines and links to news that would be of interest to “seniors.”

I’ll take my blog ideas from anywhere, so I gave them a shot.

Look at this junk they sent out this week. It’s same drivel that is carried on a a gob of different websites and in magazines. I didn’t link because they don’t deserve it. I did leave the original source so you can see my point. It’s already been published and probably aggregated by hundreds of sites.

So this is a big ole’ long post. Let me know if there is anything here that you haven’t read before (and then seen even more.)

ARGH!

Here’s a summary:

• They may cure cancer
• There is a link between diabetes and heart disease
• People are living longer
• Whole grain foods are better
• Eat your spinach
• Take your vitamins
• Prostrate: you’ll die it’s just a matter of when
• New drug has risks and benefits
• Another new drug has risks and benefits
• Mediterranean Diet may help Alzheimer’s, but you won’t know it.
• Medicare may not be enough
• Some people can’t afford meds
• Medicare is expensive
• Insurance companies rip off Medicare
• Medicare plan is hype
• The bank will give you free money to live on
• Older Americans love debt
• Living someplace is better than the alternative
• Don’t worry if your 401(k) sucks, just keep working
• When you retire you may get sick

blah, blah, blah…
Health:
Genetics Hold Promise, Challenges for Cancer Care: Discoveries are exciting but roadblocks remain, experts say.  HealthDay News, Sept. 16, 2007,
Campaign Highlights the Link Between Diabetes and Cardiovascular Disease: Heart disease & stroke account for about 65% of deaths in people with diabetes. Senior Journal, Sept. 14, 2007,
U.S. Life Expectancy Hits New High: Drops in deaths from heart disease, cancer and stroke fuel the trend. HealthDay News, Sept. 12, 2007,
Why Whole Grain Foods are Better for Older Adults: Only whole grains, not refined, reduce the risk of several major diseases: Guide to Senior Living, Sept. 12, 2007,
Age-Related Macular Degeneration Risk Lowered by Lutein and Zeaxanthin: Pigment found in spinach, egg yolk, corn protect the macula from blue light. Senior Journal, Sept. 12, 2007,
Vitamin D Supplements May Lengthen Life: They could fight cancer, heart disease, researchers say. HealthDay News, Sept. 10, 2007,
Prostate Cancer’s Prognosis: New therapies exist, but men still face a tough call: get treated now, or wait. U.S. News and World Report, Sept. 9, 2007,

Medicine:
FDA Approves Osteoporosis Drug to Cut Breast Cancer Risk: Manufacturer calls Evista a valuable tool, but critics say its heart risks outweigh benefits. HealthDay News, Sept. 14, 2007,
More Studies Cast Doubt on Safety of Diabetes Drug: Two more studies published in yet another prominent medical journal have raised questions about the safety of Avandia, a once-popular diabetes medicine. The New York Times, September 12, 2007,
Injuries, Deaths Tied to Consumer Drugs Rise Sharply: ‘Adverse events’ more than doubled between 1998 and 2005. HealthDay News, Sept. 10, 2007,

Mental Health:
Mediterranean Diet May Boost Alzheimer’s Survival: Patients eating most greens, grains, olive oil lived 4 years longer, study found. HealthDay News, Sept. 10, 2007,

Medicare:
Medicare May Not Be Enough: Even with Medicare, you’ll end up paying nearly half of your health-care expenses, so if you don’t have retiree coverage from your employer, you may want supplemental insurance. Make sure you have what you need. The Washington Post, September 12, 2007,
Medicare Spending Caps Cause Seniors to Stop Meds: In many cases, patients never take these important medications again, study finds. HealthDay News, Sept. 11, 2007,
Medicare plans could cut prescription costs: Seniors enrolled in Medicare plans that charge higher copayments for brand name or non-preferred medications could spend less and fill fewer prescriptions, thereby lowering drug spending, say the authors of a new study. Sun-Sentinel, September 11, 2007,
Audit Cites Overpaid Medicare Insurers: Private insurance companies participating in Medicare have been allowed to keep tens of millions of dollars that should have gone to consumers, and the Bush administration did not properly audit the companies or try to recover money paid in error, Congressional investigators say in a new report. The New York Times, September 10, 2007,
Don’t Believe the Hype on Medicare Part D: You can tell a lot about a product by the way it’s sold, and the Bush administration has hawked Medicare’s prescription-drug benefit — “Part D” — almost as honestly as it rolled out the Iraq war. SmartMoney, September 10, 2007,

Personal Finance:
Seniors finding reverse mortgage program beneficial: A growing number of area senior citizens who have found themselves strapped for cash or in debt are turning to a program that could be their salvation. The Flint Journal, September 11, 2007,
More Senior Citizens Looking to Their Homes to Help Fund Their Retirement: Survey finds older Americans carrying surprising amount of debt. Senior Journal, Sept. 10, 2007, Don’t panic if your 401(k) plan stinks: Several ways to overcome a lineup of expensive, lackluster mutual funds. MarketWatch, Sept 10, 2007,

Retirement:
Most Americans Want to Live by Beach but Senior Citizens Seem to Want it Most: Older folks pick Oregon as number five state to live in, others pick Colorado in Harris Poll. Senior Journal, Sept. 14, 2006,
Can Retirees Afford This Much Risk? Public pensions may have grown addicted to high-risk alternative investments. Business Week, September 17, 2007,
Retiring? Be sure to include health care costs in plans: One thing that might not be in your retirement plans: an annual cashectomy. That’s the amount you’ll have to shell out each year for medical care. USA Today, September 13, 2007,
How Do I… Retire: Small business owners face huge challenges when preparing for a secure retirement since the burden of savings likely rests entirely on them. The Washington Post, Sept. 13, 2007,
Retirement And Marriage: Research has shown some common threads about the effects of retirement and working (or not working) on couples. Forbes, Sept. 12, 2007,

Investing:
Market Forecast: Weekly Insight on the Trends that Affect Your Finances. The Complete Investor, Sept. 11, 2007,

Social Security:
When to start collecting Social Security: Many of us are eager to start collecting Social Security benefits as soon as we become eligible. But is it really wise to begin collecting at the age of 62? The short answer: Maybe yes, maybe no. It depends on the individual. MarketWatch, Sept. 10, 2007,
Social Security for the Divorced and Widowed: Unmarried divorced spouses can receive the same benefits as a widow or widower, as long as the marriage lasted for ten years or more. Kiplinger’s, September 10, 2007,

Fraud Alert:
How Seniors Get Scammed: Americans as a whole, are a very trusting nation, especially older Americans. CBS News, September 11, 2007,

Grandparenting:
Gifts that keep giving: Being able to spend money on your grandchildren is truly one of life’s great pleasures, according to a new survey by the AARP. Reuters, Sept. 12, 2007,

Housing:
Why Older Adults Need Improved Shower and Bathtub Safety: Many seniors use unsafe bathroom features even with safety features available. Guide to Senior Living, Sept. 12, 2007,

Caregiving:
Keep a Job While Caring for Older Relative: Employees Can Be Open With Bosses About Their Needs. ABC News, Sept. 11, 2007,

Travel:
Travel Agencies that Target Senior Citizens May Best Meet Special Travel Needs: Vantage explains advantages; says median age of their customers is 71. Senior Journal, Sept. 10, 2007,
6 RV Travel Tips for Beginner and Seasoned RV Enthusiasts: These RV travel tips will make your first–or 50th–RV trip safer and more fun. Guide to Senior Living, September 11, 2007,

Work:
Aging workers delay retiring, census finds: Health coverage, income are factors. The Courier-Journal, September 12, 2007,

Xtra!
Senior sex raises eyebrows: The news that sexual interest and activity doesn’t wane with the years may have shocked the kids and grandkids, but there are knowing nods and a few grumbles among the senior set and those who work with them. USA Today, Sept. 13, 2007,

U.S. deaths rise by 50,000 in 2005: The number of deaths in the United States rose in 2005 after a sharp decline the year earlier, a disappointing reversal that suggests the 2004 numbers were a fluke. Cancer deaths were also up. Associated Press, Sept. 13, 2007, Aging Is Inevitable, but Boomers Put ‘Old’ on Hold: The cliche that “60 is the new 40” may be overdoing it, but it captures a sense that Americans — particularly the 78 million baby boomers born from 1946 through 1964 — are approaching their later years with different plans and expectations than their parents and grandparents did. Washington Post, September 12, 2007,
The Graying of the Web: Technology investors and entrepreneurs, long obsessed with connecting to teenagers and 20-somethings, are starting a host of new social networking sites aimed at baby boomers and graying computer users. The New York Times, September 12, 2007,
Race Matters in Nursing Home Quality: Racial Segregation Still Figures Big in Elder Care. ABC News, Sept. 11, 2007,
Millions could live to see the big 100: Centenarians are the fastest-growing population group. Dallas Morning News, September 9, 2007,