Surveying the Senior Landscape with Lisa Stockdale

Thank you for reading this blog and listening to Senior Agenda. A great deal of research and thought go into each post and program.  We are working to survey the senior landscape in an effort to provide you with relevant information and raise awareness about senior issues and concerns.  It is reassuring to know that you care.

In the coming days, I will be offering a weekly commentary called "Surveying the Senior Landscape with Lisa Stockdale."  In other words, I will be offering my opinion.  If there is a particular topic you would like to see discussed, please let me know.  My ears are always open.  I welcome your comments, criticisms and maybe even the occasional amen.  Stay tuned.  

Jimmie Sue Swilling's Miracle

Every now and then we just need to be reminded that good people, places and things still exist.  We live in a troubled time where uncertainly, turmoil and violence seem to rule the day. Taking the high road is often seen as ineffective or self-defeating.  Operating in love is perceived as weakness.  If you take the time to listen, people assume you have nothing to say or contribute.  If you lift your voice as an advocate, folks characterize you as a trouble maker.  Listen to this episode of Senior Agenda to be encouraged.  Listen here.  Feel free to tell us what you think.  You can make a comment here or email us at senioragendawithlisa@gmail.com.  

Hilarious Voicemail Proves You Shouldn't Mess with Seniors

Senior Scams Exposed and Professional Advice Offered

Seniors are often targeted because they have resources, strong credit ratings, live alone and are generally too trusting. Types of scams discussed on Senior Agenda included the grandparent scam, the contractor scam, identity theft, sweepstakes scams, tax scams, money transfer scams and more. The panel of professionals included a representative from the Ohio Attorney General's Office and two detectives from the Columbus City Police Department.  They were able to provide a wide array of advice both in terms of how to avoid the scams and also what to do if you suspect you might be a target or victim.  

Listen to Senior Agenda - Scams against Seniors here.  To learn more about scams against seniors in general visit this Federal Bureau of Investigation website.

Members of the community including neighbors, church members and especially bank tellers were encouraged to get involved and report suspected scams against seniors to the authorities.  Seniors were encouraged to take action the minute they suspect something is amiss.  Call your local police department for more information and advice. Columbus City Police Department Detective Jacqueline Fofana directed residents of Columbus to call 614-645-2045.  

We are reminded of the familiar adage, "If it sounds to good to be true, it is."  

There is a Right Way and a Wrong Way - It Matters to Seniors

One of my dearest friends lovingly calls me Jiminy Cricket. I couldn't be the beautiful Blue Fairy or even the cute puppet whose only desire is to be loved.  Nope - I have to be the munchkin green cricket with a big mouth and lots of unsolicited advice. Now that I think about it, I can see why she calls me Jiminy Cricket.  Anyway, today I am wishing that I could make the words of the song - When You Wish Upon a Star - sung by Jiminy in Walt Disney's Pinocchio truth.

When you wish upon a star.
Makes no difference who you are.
Anything your heart desires.
Will come to you.

Regrettably, I am wiser than Jiminy and I know that it does make a difference who you are.  In fact, all of the qualifiers that we use to identify ourselves like age, race, religion, gender, national origin, and so on make a difference. I also know that we cannot look to wishful, magical, mystical solutions as we seek peace, justice, understanding and truth.  It isn't enough to wish it so.  We have to work to make it so.  The work is taxing and can be unforgiving at times.  The really disenchanting realization is that not every one wants peace, justice, understanding or truth.  Some folks are easily pacified and others just don't care.  Still others seem to be in pursuit of oppositional concepts like war, injustice, confusion and deceit. And what is it that folks desire?  At the most fundamental level, I am guessing that we desire to be free and safe. But many are not free and most are not safe.  I am not feeling too much like Jiminy right about now.   

But wait, Jiminy also says the following: 

"There's two ways to do anything.  The right way and the wrong way.  If you want to be right, do things the right way.  Because if you do things the wrong way, that's the foolish way.  And only fools do the things the foolish way, which is the wrong way - right!"  

Right!!! There is a right and a wrong way. These days everyone wants to straddle the fence.  No one wants to say what is right or wrong because that is too much like right.  It is easier to pretend to be somewhere in the middle or to claim to be neutral. Besides, no one wants to risk offending anyone.  Even if someone is wrong. Now I am starting to sound like Jiminy Cricket - right! 

When your heart is in your dreams.
No request is too extreme.

My heart is in my dreams so let me tell you what I am wishing for today:  

• To stop elder abuse, exploitation and neglect.  
• To provide better healthcare and housing options for seniors.
• To raise awareness and demand a cure for dementia and Alzheimer's. 
• To honor and protect the elderly. 
• To celebrate aging instead of practicing ageism.  
• To stop scams against seniors and to catch and punish those who prey on seniors. 
• To understand the aging process. 
• To refuse to allow seniors to live in poverty - or be homeless.  
• To listen to seniors and allow their voices to be heard.  
• To stop Medicare and Medicaid fraud. 
• To protect pensions and retirements funds.  
• To make Medicare more transparent.  
• To ensure that seniors get the same aggressive healthcare treatment as their younger counter-parts.   

These are my requests and I know they are not too extreme.  Please stand with us and work beside us as we drive Senior Agenda.  Get involved. Volunteer.  Make a difference.  Raise your voices.  Make demands of your politicians.  Donate your time and resources.  Be watchful and helpful and trustworthy.  Do right by our seniors and elderly.  Let our conscience be our guide.  It worked for Pinocchio.  

  

A Million Miles and A Trillion Tears Later - A Kidney is Found

For more than a year now, Larry Swilling has been walking the streets of South Carolina wearing a sandwich board sign indicating that he needed a kidney for his wife of 58 years - Jimmie Sue. Their story caught national attention and hundreds of people inquired about making a living kidney donation. Larry was interviewed on Senior Agenda and dozens of our own listeners and followers inquired about being the donor.  Time and again the would-be donors were disqualified. The number of potential donors seemed to be shrinking.  Larry believed anyway.   The family grew weary as they watched their parents struggle.  Larry believed anyway.  People made fun of Larry and called him unkind names and made disrespectful remarks as he walked the streets in search of a kidney.  He believed anyway.  Jimmie Sue's health continued to decline and the prospect of finding a kidney seemed to be getting more and more dismal.  Larry believed anyway.

Tomorrow in Charleston, Jimmie Sue Swilling will receive a kidney.  A kidney that it might seem Larry wished into existence, except we all know that what he did was to believe.  Don't ever underestimate the power of love.  Don't ever underestimate the power of faith.  Don't ever underestimate the power of God.  Please continue to pray that all goes well tomorrow.

UPDATE 

Jimmie Sue is reportedly doing well following yesterday's surgery.  

Larry Swilling Doesn't Need to Beg for a Kidney for his Wife Anymore

This was our report in July:

Larry and Jimmie Sue Swilling of Anderson, South Carolina are hoping for a miracle and you can help. Jimmie Sue needs a kidney soon. We were able to speak with Larry on the air on 7/18/2013 and he reports that his wife is getting weaker and weaker.  They are looking for a healthy individual with a kidney to spare and type 0 + blood type.  Larry continues to work nine hour shifts in order to keep their medical insurance in place and to cover the more than $4000 in monthly medication cost. The operation for the donor will be covered by their insurance.  

We are committed to following this story until a donor is found and a donation is made.  Look at older posts to learn more about this family and facts about making a living donation.  Follow the link below to hear the most recent interview with Larry and learn how to get tested locally. Let's work together to keep love alive.  

Listen to the complete interview with Larry on Senior Agenda.

This is our report today: 

A donor has been found.  A match has been made.  Jimmie Sue Swilling is about to receive a new kidney.  I just got off the phone with Larry and the surgery is scheduled for this Wednesday - September 11, 2013.  The family is already in Charleston at the Medical Center and we will report more when we know it.  

Don't ever underestimate the power of prayer and faith.  We serve a mighty God and now we are asking you all to pray for yet another miracle.  Please pray that all goes well on Wednesday.