Adults and Social Media

The Pew Internet and American Life Project has issued a report on older adults and their use of social networking online.

Report Overview: (From Pew Internet)
While social media use has grown dramatically across all age groups, older users have been especially enthusiastic over the past year about embracing new networking tools. Social networking use among internet users ages 50 and older nearly doubled—from 22% in April 2009 to 42% in May 2010.

• Between April 2009 and May 2010, social networking use among internet users ages 50-64 grew by 88%--from 25% to 47%.
• During the same period, use among those ages 65 and older grew 100%--from 13% to 26%.
• By comparison, social networking use among users ages 18-29 grew by 13%—from 76% to 86%.

“Young adults continue to be the heaviest users of social media, but their growth pales in comparison with recent gains made by older users,” explains Mary Madden, Senior Research Specialist and author of the report. “Email is still the primary way that older users maintain contact with friends, families and colleagues, but many older users now rely on social network platforms to help manage their daily communications.”

• One in five (20%) online adults ages 50-64 say they use social networking sites on a typical day, up from 10% one year ago.
• Among adults ages 65 and older, 13% log on to social networking sites on a typical day, compared with just 4% who did so in 2009.

At the same time, the use of status update services like Twitter has also grown—particularly among those ages 50-64. One in ten internet users ages 50 and older now say they use Twitter or another service to share updates about themselves or see updates about others.

For the full report, click here.

Partner Update: Consumer Health Coalition

From a recent update from the Consumer Health Coalition in CELEBRATION OF THE YEAR OF THE CAREGIVER!

Today we celebrate the Year of the Caregiver!

Why? Family caregivers play a crucial, often under-appreciated, role in our families, communities and in our health care system.

Caregivers are on the front lines.

They fight hard for the well-being of family members and friends who are patients, many of whom suffer from multiple chronic conditions. They navigate our fragmented, poorly coordinated health care system, often at great personal cost, to get the job done for those who need them. It’s no easy task!

Caregivers are our heroes.

So in this Year of the Caregiver, we simply want to say: Thank you. We appreciate you and all your hard work.

Caregivers also need our support.

It shouldn’t be so hard to ensure that our loved ones get the care they need and deserve. We know what would help: doctors and specialists working together as a team, medical records at our fingertips, and patients and their families no longer left to fend for themselves.

There is a better way. That’s what the Campaign for Better Care is all about – and that’s why we are proud supporters of this critical Campaign.

So, today, in honor of all the caregivers in our lives, let’s show our solidarity. Join Consumer Health Coalition and the PA Campaign for Better Care – and thousands of coalition organizations and activists across the country – and add your voice to the Campaign for Better Care’s tribute wall.

Take a moment and add your photo (or video) to this new interactive website “wall” and show support for caregivers and the Campaign that is fighting for them -- and fighting for the patients they support.

It’s easy. Go to www.CampaignforBetterCare.org/Wall and click “Add Your Voice.”

Kick off the Year of the Caregiver in (social media) style. Make your voice heard – help us fight for Better Care – participate in the tribute wall project today!

Thank you for your support.

Foster Grandparent Program Senior Expo

The Foster Grandparent Progam will be hosting a Senior Expo on Thursday, November 18 from 10AM to 2PM

• Speak with representatives from local agencies and health care providers
• Enjoy refreshments
• Enter for a chance to win door prize

The expo will be held at: 225 Boulevard of the Allies, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

For more information contact Michael Parker at 412-263-3168

Hosted by the Foster Grandparent Program, locally sponsored by the American Red Cross; in partnership with Unizon Health Plan, A United Group Company.

Tax Preparation Volunteers Needed

A message shared by the United Way of Allegheny County on behalf of the Money In Your Pocket Coalition:

Are you looking for a volunteer experience where you can make an immediate and measureable difference in someone’s life? 

The United Way of Allegheny County and the Money In Your Pocket Coalition need your help this tax season to provide free tax preparation assistance for low-income individuals and families in Allegheny County. 

Last year, more than 125 students, professionals, and retirees dedicated over 4,000 hours to Allegheny County’s free tax campaign.  Volunteers prepared 4,486 tax returns and helped return $7.8 million in tax refunds back to local residents, including $3.1 million in Earned Income Tax Credits. 

For the clients we serve, these tax refunds helped put food on the table, pay off debt, make rent or mortgage payments, and pay for heat and electricity during Pittsburgh’s winter months. Learn more about the free tax campaign at http://www.pghfreetaxes.org. 

Am I eligible to become a volunteer tax preparer? 

If you have experience doing your own tax returns (or just want to learn), we need you!  Tax preparation volunteers have basic computer skills, enjoy working with others, and successfully complete two days of tax training and IRS certification (provided by the MIYP Coalition free of charge). 

Time commitment:

Your short-term time commitment is 3 or more hours per week from January-April.  Scheduling is easy, and includes daytime, evening, or weekend hours.  

Training:

You choose one of the following tax training weekends:

January 8^th and 9^th from 9 am to 5 pm

January 15^th and 16^th from 9 am to 5 pm

January 22^nd and 23^rd from 9 am to 5 pm

 Free Tax Site Locations:

 South Side

 Monroeville

 Downtown

 East Liberty

 Lawrenceville

 North Side

We hope you will join us for the 2011 tax season, and ask that you:

• Fill out and save the attached volunteer application form

• Email it back to us as an attachment at freetaxes@uwac.org

• Or print it out and fax it to us at 412.456.6893

When we receive your application, we’ll register you for training and forward your application to your chosen site.  You will receive a confirmation email within one business day.  Please return your completed application by December 31, 2010.  If you have questions or need more information, email us at freetaxes@uwac.org or call 412.456.6785.    

Please pass this message along to your contacts and networks! The Money In Your Pocket Coalition includes Just Harvest, Family Resources, Goodwill of Southwestern PA, United Cerebral Palsy, Allegheny County Department of Human Services, Internal Revenue Service, and the United Way of Allegheny County.