Energy shots are pocket-sized bottles with names like 6 Hour Power, Nitro2Go and ZipFizz that are packed with caffeine, stimulants and blends of vitamins and herbs. They claim to keep those who drink them amped up for hours. Their makers pitch them as a youthful tonic when coffee just isn't enough.
Some teens down the shots to focus and stay awake while studying. For truckers, the two-ounce serving size means fewer pit stops.
Now, the shots are appealing to a growing number of people over 60 who aren't ready to slow down with age. At the Raleigh Costco, cases of energy shots are stacked beside Ensure nutrition shakes and across from tubes of wrinkle cream.
Living Essentials of Farmington Hills, Mich., which makes 5-Hour Energy, initially built sales by targeting students and people who work long hours, like cops. But when CEO Manoj Bhargava heard that aging Baby Boomers were increasingly buying energy shots, he looked to them for the company's next sales jolt.
Last October, the company handed out thousands of samples at the annual AARP convention in Orlando. The company was amazing to see the number of people who took it right there and then.
In January, 5-Hour began running full-page ads in the AARP Bulletin, which is delivered to 22 million households. The ad shows John Ratzenberger, best known as postman Cliff Clavin on "Cheers," holding a bicycle. "Getting older is fine," says the 64-year-old Mr. Ratzenberger. "But not having the energy to do the things I enjoy isn't."
5-Hour sales teams call on doctors, giving them coupons to pass out to older patients. Staffers tells physicians that 5-Hour's main ingredients appear naturally in foods and include niacin, often prescribed to lower cholesterol, and citicoline, used in some countries to fight dementia.
5-Hour Energy created the energy shot trend seven years ago and dominates the market, with a nearly 80% share. Annual sales of 5-Hour Energy total about $1 billion.
Mr. Bhargava says he isn't worried about the brand losing its cachet with young people, since it has always had cheesy commercials and a non-cool name.
NVE Pharmaceuticals, the market's second-biggest player with a 5% share, is also reaching out to older adults by advertising on the Learning Channel and the Discovery Channel instead of just MTV and Comedy Central.
Sold as dietary supplements, energy shots don't require Food and Drug Administration approval. A study in the journal Pediatrics in February warned that consumption of too many energy drinks can give children heart palpitations, seizures and other problems.
AARP says its health consultants vetted 5-Hour before allowing the company to advertise at its convention and in its publications. AARP refuses ads for controversial products such as reverse mortgages and tobacco, but found nothing worrisome about 5-hour Energy.
Energy-shot makers generally don't confirm the precise amount of caffeine in their shots, but a recent review found a 5-Hour shot has 207 milligrams of caffeine, while a tall-sized Starbucks coffee has about 260 milligrams. Another report said the caffeine would likely provide a lift but there was little if any research showing the other ingredients would help.
One geriatrician says she's a skeptic. Most adults get more than enough of the B vitamins and other nutrients found in energy shots, so any extras are just excreted from the body, she says. She claims medically and physiologically that it doesn't hold water.
Other skeptics say that older adults can get more energy by eating right and exercising, not by guzzling excessive amounts of caffeine. A well balanced diet will give you extended energy where the energy drinks just give you a caffeine rush.
Showing posts with label Senior Citizens. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Senior Citizens. Show all posts
19 November 2009
Disabled Riders Want Former Transit Provider Back
Detroit Free Press
People with disabilities and senior citizens called on Detroit leaders Wednesday to reverse an apparent decision to switch providers of specialized MetroLift rides that serve those who have trouble using regular buses.
The city announced earlier this month that Veolia Transportation would no longer be a provider of paratransit services. Officials said Veolia terminated its contract with the city Nov. 6.
But Veolia officials said Wednesday that the city stopped making payments in February, started contracting with other companies and has refused to discuss the issue. Veolia has provided paratransit services for the Detroit Department of Transportation since 1999 and was contracted through 2011.
Veolia has sued the city in U.S. District Court in Detroit, seeking nearly $10 million for breach of contract.
At a news conference Wednesday, representatives from Veolia and groups including the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit & Vicinity and the RainbowPUSH Coalition urged Mayor Dave Bing to reverse DDOT's decision on Veolia.
"We're hoping Mayor Bing will call a meeting, bring the parties together and try to resolve it," said Isaac Robinson, political director for the Michigan Teamsters Joint Council No. 43, which represents Veolia drivers.
Bing's office released a statement saying the city will continue to provide paratransit service but not commenting on Veolia's allegations.
"The City of Detroit is required by Federal Transit Administration regulations to provide paratransit service. Veolia was one of the vendors who provided this service until Nov. 6, when Veolia terminated their contract," Edward L. Cardenas, Bing's spokesman said. "Representatives of DDOT, including members of the mayor's staff, have had several meetings with Veolia and its lawyers in an attempt to resolve this dispute. The matter is now in court.
"There has been no interruption in services as DDOT continues to provide paratransit service to nearly 1,200 riders daily through licensed and certified vendors operating over 400 vehicles."
Robinson said 125 unionized drivers will lose their jobs if the city stands by its decision, and the people they served in senior housing in Wayne County, worry that the new contractors aren't providing service that meets Americans with Disabilities Act mandates.
Quintin Williams, 49, of Detroit, who is paraplegic and a disability volunteer coordinator for the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, said riders have been complaining about bad service.
"The program is not meeting the needs of the disability community or the senior citizens who use it," Williams said.
The city announced earlier this month that Veolia Transportation would no longer be a provider of paratransit services. Officials said Veolia terminated its contract with the city Nov. 6.
But Veolia officials said Wednesday that the city stopped making payments in February, started contracting with other companies and has refused to discuss the issue. Veolia has provided paratransit services for the Detroit Department of Transportation since 1999 and was contracted through 2011.
Veolia has sued the city in U.S. District Court in Detroit, seeking nearly $10 million for breach of contract.
At a news conference Wednesday, representatives from Veolia and groups including the Council of Baptist Pastors of Detroit & Vicinity and the RainbowPUSH Coalition urged Mayor Dave Bing to reverse DDOT's decision on Veolia.
"We're hoping Mayor Bing will call a meeting, bring the parties together and try to resolve it," said Isaac Robinson, political director for the Michigan Teamsters Joint Council No. 43, which represents Veolia drivers.
Bing's office released a statement saying the city will continue to provide paratransit service but not commenting on Veolia's allegations.
"The City of Detroit is required by Federal Transit Administration regulations to provide paratransit service. Veolia was one of the vendors who provided this service until Nov. 6, when Veolia terminated their contract," Edward L. Cardenas, Bing's spokesman said. "Representatives of DDOT, including members of the mayor's staff, have had several meetings with Veolia and its lawyers in an attempt to resolve this dispute. The matter is now in court.
"There has been no interruption in services as DDOT continues to provide paratransit service to nearly 1,200 riders daily through licensed and certified vendors operating over 400 vehicles."
Robinson said 125 unionized drivers will lose their jobs if the city stands by its decision, and the people they served in senior housing in Wayne County, worry that the new contractors aren't providing service that meets Americans with Disabilities Act mandates.
Quintin Williams, 49, of Detroit, who is paraplegic and a disability volunteer coordinator for the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization, said riders have been complaining about bad service.
"The program is not meeting the needs of the disability community or the senior citizens who use it," Williams said.
17 November 2009
State Legislation To Protect Seniors
AO Newspapers of Michigan
Through their work, active community involvement, and the role they play in raising their families, our senior citizens serve a vital purpose in our communities.
They paved the way for you and I, and we now follow in their footsteps raising our own families and working on our own careers. We owe Michigan’s senior citizens our gratitude and our help to ensure that their golden years are safe, productive and happy.
It is our job to make certain that our seniors are treated with respect and care, and that they are both physically and financially safe. To do this I have introduced Senate Bill 907, which would impose tougher penalties for crimes committed against the elderly.
Sadly, there are an estimated 73,000 victims of elder abuse in Michigan. Abuse can include anything from physical abuse to financial exploitation, and can happen at the hands of those entrusted with their
care: health care workers, guardians, and even family members.
In 2005, Governor Granholm created the Michigan Task Force on Elder Abuse to look into ways that we can better protect Michigan’s senior citizens and provide Michigan health insurance. During the last legislative session, my Democratic colleagues and I introduced the “Save Our Seniors” package of bills that would have implemented recommendations in the task force report. That legislation was sent to the Senate Committee on Government Operations and died in committee at the end of the 2007-2008 legislative session.
Because elder abuse is such an important issue and demands our attention, my colleagues and I are starting to introduce these bills again this session. Senate Bill 907, which I introduced as SB 1295 in the previous session, would implement some of the recommendations from the governor’s task force. Senate Bill 907 was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, where I hope it will receive prompt and deliberative action.
Senate Bill 907 would impose tougher penalties for crimes committed against the elderly. The bill specifically targets crimes, such as interfering with an investigation, committed within licensed and unlicensed adult care facilities. Senate Bill 907 is important because critical evidence can be lost in abuse cases when someone obstructs an investigation. When that happens, justice is delayed and a successful prosecution of a case is made that much more difficult. By levying severe penalties for these crimes, I hope that we can discourage elder abuse and fraud. We need laws like this to protect our seniors with punishments that fit the crimes and send those who prey on the elderly to prison for a very long time.
A number of recent elder abuse cases across Michigan show the need for this kind of legislation.
In Ottawa County, a woman was sentenced to only four months in jail for neglecting her 87-year-old father and leaving him in unfit living conditions that ultimately caused his death. And right here in Wayne County, an 82-year-old man had $240,000 withdrawn from his account by his daughter, but he was told by police that he would have a tough time pressing charges since she was authorized to access the account.
Abuse and exploitation of any kind simply cannot be tolerated.
They paved the way for you and I, and we now follow in their footsteps raising our own families and working on our own careers. We owe Michigan’s senior citizens our gratitude and our help to ensure that their golden years are safe, productive and happy.
It is our job to make certain that our seniors are treated with respect and care, and that they are both physically and financially safe. To do this I have introduced Senate Bill 907, which would impose tougher penalties for crimes committed against the elderly.
Sadly, there are an estimated 73,000 victims of elder abuse in Michigan. Abuse can include anything from physical abuse to financial exploitation, and can happen at the hands of those entrusted with their
care: health care workers, guardians, and even family members.
In 2005, Governor Granholm created the Michigan Task Force on Elder Abuse to look into ways that we can better protect Michigan’s senior citizens and provide Michigan health insurance. During the last legislative session, my Democratic colleagues and I introduced the “Save Our Seniors” package of bills that would have implemented recommendations in the task force report. That legislation was sent to the Senate Committee on Government Operations and died in committee at the end of the 2007-2008 legislative session.
Because elder abuse is such an important issue and demands our attention, my colleagues and I are starting to introduce these bills again this session. Senate Bill 907, which I introduced as SB 1295 in the previous session, would implement some of the recommendations from the governor’s task force. Senate Bill 907 was referred to the Senate Committee on Judiciary, where I hope it will receive prompt and deliberative action.
Senate Bill 907 would impose tougher penalties for crimes committed against the elderly. The bill specifically targets crimes, such as interfering with an investigation, committed within licensed and unlicensed adult care facilities. Senate Bill 907 is important because critical evidence can be lost in abuse cases when someone obstructs an investigation. When that happens, justice is delayed and a successful prosecution of a case is made that much more difficult. By levying severe penalties for these crimes, I hope that we can discourage elder abuse and fraud. We need laws like this to protect our seniors with punishments that fit the crimes and send those who prey on the elderly to prison for a very long time.
A number of recent elder abuse cases across Michigan show the need for this kind of legislation.
In Ottawa County, a woman was sentenced to only four months in jail for neglecting her 87-year-old father and leaving him in unfit living conditions that ultimately caused his death. And right here in Wayne County, an 82-year-old man had $240,000 withdrawn from his account by his daughter, but he was told by police that he would have a tough time pressing charges since she was authorized to access the account.
Abuse and exploitation of any kind simply cannot be tolerated.
Legislators and communities are obligated to work together to protect the elderly and keep their best interests in mind whether we're talking about senior living in Dearborn or throughout the state. Through this legislation, I look forward to making Michigan a safer, more secure place for senior citizens and their families.
Sen. Hunter represents the 5th district, which is comprised of Northwest Detroit, Dearborn Heights and Inkster.
26 October 2009
State Cuts Program For Disabled Seniors
From Interlochen Public Radio
Older people with mental illnesses and disabilities no longer have a place to socialize together in Traverse City, thanks to state budget cuts. Friday was the last day of the Senior Support Program at Northern Lakes Community Mental Health, ending a 30-year tradition.
During the program's last days, 62-year-old William Combs talked about what he would miss.
"It gives me something to do two days out of the week," he said. "And every other Monday I have art class and we do art,drawing and stuff. I do my drawings with pencils and pastels and maybe sometimes ink pens. And I just don't want to see everything end abruptly. That would be hard."
Combs lives in Kingsley, at an adult foster care home. Since he can't drive, he spends a lot of time on his own. He often likes to walk, sometimes miles in a day. But a couple days a week he would hop the bus into Traverse City, and the senior program gave him a place to meet friends.
"It'll be hard on a lot of people, and me too," he said. "I've been so used to coming to it and I don't want it to go. There ain't too much else going on."
But as of Friday, the Senior Program - not supported by Michigan Priority medicare - is no more.
Typically more than 20 people would show up to spend some time with their peers.
"A lot of them they have no place else to go for socialization and connecting with others, so that's why we had this program," says Marybeth Kyro. She was the lead worker for the Northern Lakes' Senior Support.
Kyro is being reassigned within the community mental health agency.
She says activities in the Senior Program were fun, but they also had a larger purpose. They were designed to help with daily living skills, and they focused on specific issues that older adults often face such as mobility, and keeping the mind sharp.
"We were getting some funding from the state to do older adult services," she says. "Now we're getting nothing. So now we had to make some really tough decisions, and this was part of it, cutting this program. So it's extremely sad, we're very, very sad."
The state ended funding for senior services back in July, cutting the Northern Lake's budget mid-year by $118,000. The community mental health agency's chief executive officer, Greg Paffhouse, says he shifted money around to keep the day program afloat as long as he could. But, already into Fiscal Year 2010, Paffhouse has no idea what his budget will be for this year. Looming cuts could be as high as 12, or even 20, percent. And he can't keep taking the risk.
Paffhouse does say he hopes the hard decision to shutter the senior program will actually mean those who were once in the program will be less segregated from the rest of the community. He hopes his staff and other area caregivers will help disabled seniors join in on more activities open to all seniors and all people.
"At the same time, we recognize there are friendships within this group," he says. "Some of these folks have attended the programs a long time together and we're still trying to sort out how we might be able to retain at least some periodic social activity to allow persons to maintain those relationships."
Programs for seniors with mental illness started 30 years ago, as the Regional Psychiatric Hospital in Traverse City closed. Funding has dwindled over the years. This was once a robust five-day program, with more than 50 participants, designed for elderly former hospital patients, all of whom have all since passed away.
During the program's last days, 62-year-old William Combs talked about what he would miss.
"It gives me something to do two days out of the week," he said. "And every other Monday I have art class and we do art,drawing and stuff. I do my drawings with pencils and pastels and maybe sometimes ink pens. And I just don't want to see everything end abruptly. That would be hard."
Combs lives in Kingsley, at an adult foster care home. Since he can't drive, he spends a lot of time on his own. He often likes to walk, sometimes miles in a day. But a couple days a week he would hop the bus into Traverse City, and the senior program gave him a place to meet friends.
"It'll be hard on a lot of people, and me too," he said. "I've been so used to coming to it and I don't want it to go. There ain't too much else going on."
But as of Friday, the Senior Program - not supported by Michigan Priority medicare - is no more.
Typically more than 20 people would show up to spend some time with their peers.
"A lot of them they have no place else to go for socialization and connecting with others, so that's why we had this program," says Marybeth Kyro. She was the lead worker for the Northern Lakes' Senior Support.
Kyro is being reassigned within the community mental health agency.
She says activities in the Senior Program were fun, but they also had a larger purpose. They were designed to help with daily living skills, and they focused on specific issues that older adults often face such as mobility, and keeping the mind sharp.
"We were getting some funding from the state to do older adult services," she says. "Now we're getting nothing. So now we had to make some really tough decisions, and this was part of it, cutting this program. So it's extremely sad, we're very, very sad."
The state ended funding for senior services back in July, cutting the Northern Lake's budget mid-year by $118,000. The community mental health agency's chief executive officer, Greg Paffhouse, says he shifted money around to keep the day program afloat as long as he could. But, already into Fiscal Year 2010, Paffhouse has no idea what his budget will be for this year. Looming cuts could be as high as 12, or even 20, percent. And he can't keep taking the risk.
Paffhouse does say he hopes the hard decision to shutter the senior program will actually mean those who were once in the program will be less segregated from the rest of the community. He hopes his staff and other area caregivers will help disabled seniors join in on more activities open to all seniors and all people.
"At the same time, we recognize there are friendships within this group," he says. "Some of these folks have attended the programs a long time together and we're still trying to sort out how we might be able to retain at least some periodic social activity to allow persons to maintain those relationships."
Programs for seniors with mental illness started 30 years ago, as the Regional Psychiatric Hospital in Traverse City closed. Funding has dwindled over the years. This was once a robust five-day program, with more than 50 participants, designed for elderly former hospital patients, all of whom have all since passed away.
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