Social media offers solace and support for boomers, aging parents,those with special needs

 Maury Middlebrooks is one of those boomers with a big heart and now she needs the outreach from others in selling our house so she can care for her mother full time.[/caption]

Carol Forsloff---At a time when the economy continues to splutter to regain viable footing for most middle class folk, baby boomers often struggle to save money for retirement, pay the mortgage, and plan for their own health care needs, and at the same time care for aging parents. It becomes especially complicated when that aging parent needs special care and requires the boomer to sell a home and move, as is happening with Maury Middlebrooks in Florida.



Maury represents a generation of folks whose obligations for caring for aging parents requires financial sacrifice. In this case, selling a house in an urgent manner might mean a financial loss and surely a struggle for someone who has personal needs and priorities that must be put aside to be a caregiver. But taking responsibility for her mother, whose health concerns are now paramount, is an important priority for Maury who believes in the values that for many people seem to be drifting away in favor of simply putting a parent in a nursing home or assisted living center.



The kind of difficulties Maury presently faces is similar to many other people who are faced with selling a home in one area to move to another to care for a family member. And like others, Maury has the foresight to use community resources; and in the world of the Internet, social media expands the community in such a way that help can often come from many directions and from people one may never have known personally but who form friendships that can make a difference when someone has a special need.



On Facebook, as an example, the woman with cancer describes her treatment, her pain, and the joys of seeing her family and being able to go home from the hospital as a celebration. While people read of her suffering, they also read of her courage and ability to share how she copes with some of the worst cancer symptoms by reaching out to others. And it is a social media platform like Facebook that can allow someone like Maury to reach out in the same way with her own dilemma, selling that house in Florida as quickly as possible in order to take care of her beloved mother.



The announcement on Facebook reflects the value of social media for people like Maury and the gentle Southern lady who offers her personal observations and thoughts while undergoing cancer treatment. Maury's mother also has cancer, so the sharing has a practical bent as well as letting people know the need for emotional support as well. The struggles faced by someone like Maury can bring people together in ways just as real as a neighborhood in a small town where people pull together to solve problems, which is why Maury's sharing touched the hearts of many of her friends with this request:

"I am trying to sell my house in Tallahassee, Fla. My mother in Pensacola, Fla. is living with stage 4 breast cancer and needs a full time caregiver (me). She does not want any other help at this time. That's fine with me but I have been driving back and forth for about 6 months now living between two places. My home in Tall. is about to fall apart, most my pets have been scattered different ( safe) places because I can't be everywhere at once. I am depending on people who have gone all out for me. But I am running out of steam and money --"-

While baby boomers like Maury work tirelessly to help a family member, many people are content to let someone else step in and manage the affairs of their parents, even in those situations where the parents cannot help themselves. It is the kind of society where the exigencies of the day require people to be 24/7 with almost everything, so it is difficult to fit in the care of an aging parent. So for those who are dedicated to providing the service, and putting their personal lives on hold while doing it, that extra support can be helpful.

A real estate agent and the combined efforts of readers and their friends and a hopeful heart can make a difference in someone's life, when there are difficulties like those facing Maury right now. It is testament to the value of social media---as well as the writer's pen---and the humanitarian nature of a magazine where hope literally springs eternal when there is someone in need. And for those who want a sweet home in the country in Florida, this just might be the right match as well.

For everyone there is a time when life seems more complicated than at other times and when a moment of support from a friend or a group of friends on social media can lend that helping hand. While many people consider social media like Facebook a boor, unnecessary drivel or simply a place to post pictures of one's pets, it's important to know that there is the kind of support one neighbor gives another right at one's fingertips, that might just make that world of difference someone needs.

And that sweet little house in the country can be seen right here:  Maury's House with a little peek from this picture:

Maury's home, just for the right person

Smart phone apps are available that could potentially save your life:Part 2

Smart Phone application

Ezra Boyd---(Reprint with permission) Our last post described a handful of helpful Android apps that you could install on an old phone and then use without an active data connection.  With these apps, any old smart phone could be an important part of your emergency kit in your car, boat, hiking pack, etc.  This post builds on the previous post by describing a handful of apps that bring additional functions when there is access to a cell and data connection.

Obviously, communications, as the most basic function of a mobile phone, would be a priority.  If you have a cell connection and you need emergency help, then it goes without saying that you’ll use phone to call for help.  Calling 911 is an obvious first choice, but there are situations where that may not be possible or is not enough.  For example, if you are trapped in a valley you might have a weak signal that can’t support a phone call but could support other methods of communication.  In such situations, it’s important to keep in mind that text messages sometimes go through when voice calls can’t.  However, text-to-911 still isn’t fully implemented, so you’ll likely have to text friends and/or family!!!   In addition, the third medium of communication — social networks such as Facebook and Twitter — let you reach a large audience with an emergency message and they have technologies that let you post messages via texting.

When you get into the realm of communicating a personal emergency via social networks, one could imagine wanting a simple method to post an emergency message with your precise location information on your social networks.  One such app, GPS Status & Toolbox, provides a relatively straightforward method for going so.  While it is a full-on GPS app with lots of technical information that most users will likely find confusing, it is good to know that it’s ‘Share’ feature is easy to find.  Once you press the share button, it gives you the usual options for sharing — email, text, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Skype, LinkedIn, etc.  Figure 1 below shows the results of sharing my location and call for help via text and Facebook.  It’s hard to imagine a more effective way to letting your friends and family know that you urgently need their help and where you need that help.  If you get nothing else out of this blog post, then just take a good look at this app.

[caption id="attachment_350" align="aligncenter" width="238"] App for phone that could save your life.[/caption]

Now that you’ve gotten your message out there, you might want to sit tight and wait for help… unless there is hazardous weather on the way.  That’s just one reason why it’s a good idea to have a good weather app installed on your phone.  In our experience,Wunderground Weather App and WeatherBug are both useful and feature rich apps, though that doesn’t mean the others aren’t good.  One point to keep in mind — in addition to the major, national weather apps you might want to also install the weather app from one of your local news channels.

Finally, never forget that with internet access you gain access to a web of online guides to help you through just about any and all emergencies.  While the offline guides described last time provide alot of information, the web provides endless information.  For medical emergencies, apps like WebMD and the Red’s Cross First Aid App (both apps work offline but have additional capabilities when online).  And, of course, there’s always YouTube, where you can find videos on repairing your immobile auto, boat, or bike or how to stabilize an injury.  In closing and  just for fun, here’s a video of McGyvor rescuing a hostage from a jungle camp by making a plane out of bamboo and duct tape.  But, before you try that at home or anywhere else, make sure you first watch the Myth Busters test the concept.

***

Ezra Boyd is a hazards geographer and a co-founder of DisasterMap.net. He has a Ph.D. in geography with a minor in disaster science from Louisiana State University.  He has taught geography at Southern University of New Orleans and disaster management at LSU.

Science validates a style of dying and rebirth that honors some religious beliefs

Reincarnation now validated by some science

Many people believe that after they die they will go to heaven or hell depending on their beliefs, essential goodness and behavior.  Some people, however, believe people may go on to another life where they will have different and unique experiences.  It is not just the traditions of ceremony and belief about life, but also beliefs about death that divide religions, even though those who don't believe in reincarnation once did not long before their founding.

Reincarnation means to live again a different life in a different form, according to those who believe that the soul becomes alive again to learn new ways and behaviors.  For some religions one continues to be reincarnated until one reaches a level of perfection to move on to paradise.

While reincarnation is considered to be a topic primarily for religion, scientists have examined the beliefs and possible phenomenon as well.  Many of the research studies have examined life stories of people who claim they lived a life before the contemporary one and are able to recall some of the details about their previous lives.

National Public Radio offered a program that looked at reincarnation as viewed by science during an interview with Jim Tucker, a psychiatrist at the University of Virginia who has studied hundreds of cases of people who claim they have lived previous lives.  He would hear those stories, then perform research to determine the veracity of them.  Tucker observes he has been doing that since the 1990's.

Tucker relates the story of a boy from Louisiana who at age 2 recalled being shot down while serving as a pilot.  He told his father the name of the boat and gave the name of someone who had been on the boat where his airplane had been before taking off on the mission where he was killed.  The story came about when the child became terrified after getting a toy plane as a gift and began experiencing nightmares.  Research of the facts found the names of the pilot and the man on the boat corresponded with the names given by the child at the age of 2.

From stories like this, Tucker maintains, "Well, I've certainly become more persuaded that there is more than just the physical reality. I do think it's quite likely that if we do survive, that there's not just one experience that everyone has; that the afterlife may be as varied as life in this world.  And many people agree with Tucker that the afterlife is different for people, that some may live on in another form while others may go to paradise or hell, as a place of reward or punishment.

Dr. Ian Stevenson's life work has been on validating reincarnation.  His mission, he says in studying reincarnation, has been to establish scientific proof that life goes on in a different body after death.  As a medical doctor he was interested in paranormal research and was the former head of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Virginia.

Omni Magazine interviewed Stevenson in 1988, and it was this interview where Stevenson spelled out the results of his many years of study and research on the topic of reincarnation.

Stevenson's research methods are similar to many of those who have studied the stories of people who recall events from previous lives.  He first examines the stories, obtaining the details about the person's present life and the time the story was first recalled.  He included in his research stories and recollections given by children.  Then he would research the recalled facts, from decades if not centuries, in the era in which the story's events had taken place.  Then he would match the facts of both.  He was considered to be "fiercely objective" by his colleagues and those who reviewed his research.

What Stevenson learned has been documented in books published by the University of Virginia.  He included such details as birthmarks and scars that the person had in one life that were described in the details of an earlier life.  Stevenson found many adult recollections were questionable, but that cases involving children seemed to be more enlightening and to produce some scientifically objective evidence of reincarnation.

Much of Stevenson's work in India is covered in his research and writings, but he has this to say to people who believe children may be making up stories they hear about a deceased person and are not really remembering a former life.  He said, "Obviously children are too young to have absorbed a great deal of information, especially about deceased people in some distant town. In the better cases, they couldn't have known about them. In many of our cases in northwest North America and Burma, people in the same family or village are involved. So there's a likelihood that some adult or older child has talked about a deceased person and the child has absorbed the information, as our questioning makes clear. This is not, however, an issue in most cases I cite in India, many of which involve long distances, twenty-five to fifty kilometers or more, with no contact between the villages. Often the child has quite precise details."

Stevenson's work is considered to be among the most reliable sources about reincarnation from the scientific community.  Do most people believe in reincarnation?  Around the world anywhere between 12% to 44% of people, depending on the country, believe in life after death is possible in a different form.  That includes 20% who are Americans.

For Buddhists, reincarnation is a basic belief of their faith.  But what about Christians?

Modern Christian churches don't believe people will reincarnate in different bodies after death.  Instead there is a perspective of reward and punishment, of hell and damnation, of closeness or distance from God that are the varieties of belief.  There are also those, like the Jehovah's Witnesses, who believe the dead will literally rise from their graves on the day of Judgment to join Christ in a paradise on earth.  Most Christians accept that when a person dies the soul lives on in some form.  The same is true of Muslim and Jewish beliefs.

While some religious scholars maintain that early Christians believed in reincarnation, a thinktank maintains that it was only a heretical, gnostic sect that had this belief, with an emphasis on the fact that these were not mainstream Christians with beliefs ordinarily held by the early Christians.

Reincarnation remains a topic of interest in conversations among people, some of whom laughingly speak of "having been here before" while regaling others with stories of themselves here and there.  But science says adults seldom remember the recollections of past lives they may have had as children, and that the best validation comes from stories from the very young.  Nevertheless, it is a topic that offers some hope for the future and an afterlife that some believe might be better than the one they have right now, as science validates a style of dying and rebirth that honors that belief.

Creationism remains alive, well and ranks above evolution in Christendom

Charles Darwin, scientist of thesis, theory of evolution

More than one hundred fifty years ago, Charles Darwin published his thesis regarding the creation and evolution of the world, with the far-reaching theory of evolution.  Yet despite the number of years that have past, and the number of people who have advanced the theory of evolution through continuing research and scientific assessments of all kinds, there remain many people who don't believe in evolution but prefer the literal Biblical interpretation or creationism .

Despite the famous Scopes trial, where the theory of evolution and the notions of creationism met head to head in a courtroom, the fundamentalist view of how the world was created remains just as it was in 1925.  The trial "starred" William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow as opposing attorneys.  Both were famous men, known for their oratory and strong political and social opinions.

Bryan was a third-time Presidential nominee, former Secretary of State and life-long Presbyterian with strong religious views.  He was the hero of the creationists at the Scopes trial, while Clarence Darrow, an agnostic, defended the young teacher, who had been accused of violating the Butler Act, a law in Tennessee which held that it was unlawful to teach the new theory of evolution that had been put forth by Darwin.

The Scopes trial attracted a great deal of publicity, as it pitched the modernists against the creationists.  Scopes lost his case and was found guilty, although he was only fined $100, yet the verdict was subsequently overturned on a technicality.  Despite the issues surrounding the trial, and the many articles, books and screenplays that have been written about the famous trial, there remain many people who are still unconvinced that evolution is a viable theory.

Much of the passion for creationism arose from the publication of a book written by a conservative Christian John Whitcomb and Bible teacher, Henry M. Morris in 1961.  Subsequently a number of anti-evolution books were written and the more famous book called The Genesis Flood,  by Whitcomb and Morris.  Morris went on afterward to put together an Institute for Creation Research that has advanced the continuing criticism of the theory of evolution while extolling the values put forth by creationism.  There is also a Creation Museum in Petersburg, Kentucky founded by evangelist Ken Ham.

While there are many who believe in creationism, it depends on the particular religious community one belongs to as to whether or not a believer holds the fundamentalist view or a mixed perspective that combines evolution and creationism.  The Jehovah's Witnesses and Mormons are reported to be the ones who hold the creationism view in high percentages.  On the other hand, Unity Church, the Presbyterians and the Episcopalians as well as others believe that whereas man was created by God, the creation took place by some intelligent design that could have lasted millions of years as opposed to a few thousand years.

The Pew Forum surveyed Americans and found more than 60% believe in some form of creationism.  Yet despite the fact that the believers of creationism are numerous and encompass many Christian groups, this particular belief has not been accepted as part of scientific theories or beliefs, in spite of the fact there are places in the United States that holds creationism as a theory on par with evolution and therefore worthy of inclusion in the science curriculum.  Texas is one of those states that made this part of law, as did Louisiana.  In fact schoolchildren in the charter schools find their texts proclaim evolution merely as an unproven theory.  Some of the workbooks declare scientists themselves are unsure of the theory of evolution.

Here's how to turn your old smart phone into a potentially life-savingdevice

Ezra Boyd----If you do not know it already, at very least take note of the fact that you can make 911 calls on nearly all modern phones regardless of whether that phone is connected to an a active service plan.  If the phone can connect to the cell networks, that’s all you need to make an emergency call.  But, if you read on, you will see there are many potential life saving functions that your old smart phone could fulfill.  In fact, some apps can help you get out of a bind without even when your stuck in a remote location without a data connection.  With the offline apps described below, an old smart phone left in your glove box or backpack or tackle box could be the one tool that helps you get out a dangerous, life threatening situation.

There are a number of apps that provide various functions useful in a personal emergency without needing a data connection.  Probably one of the most important functions to finding your way out of a difficult situation is knowing and mapping your location.  Most Androids and iPhones have excellent GPS capabilities, but the standard apps either require an active data connection or do not give the user straightforward control over offline maps.

Figure 1: Screenshot of the OSMAnd location map using offline maps that I had previously saved to my device. It looks like I got off the hiking trail (the dashed line) at some point, but if I
keep walking forward I will be back on it in about 500 ft.

 However, a great little app calledOSMAnd Maps and Navigationprovides superb GPS functions and easy to use offline maps.  In fact, it was this app, my old phone, and my girlfriend’s glove compartment that got me thinking and eventually inspired this article.  It is an excellent and powerful app.  If you have not installed it yet, I hope you do soon.  And, make sure to go ahead and download the offline maps for the states that you frequent the most.  The free version of the app lets you download and save for offline use the Open Street Maps for up to 10 states.  Based on user submitted data, Open Street Maps includes decent (but improving) coverage of hiking trails, and so it certainly has place in any hiker’s emergency kit.  By the way, if you want to help build Open Street Maps coverage OSMAnd makes it easy to contribute your GPS tracks to Open Street Maps.

Figure 2: OSMAnd Screenshot of the coordinates for my current location.

Beyond knowing your location, your particular emergency may require skills specific to that situation.  Because you cannot remember all the emergency guidebooks out there, it is a good thing that are tons of offline apps for that.

For some reason, the Army Survival Guide app was actually one of the first apps that I remember installing when I got my first Android a few years ago.  (I guess I was looking for something exciting to read.)  This app, provided by third party app developer Appopus.com, reproduces the “U.S. Army Field Manual 3-05.70: Survival” and includes important survival skills such as shelter, fire, food, and water.

Figure 3: U.S. Army Survival Guide figure showing how the apply a pressure dressing to an
injury.
Figure 4: U.S. Army Survival Guide figure showing how to make a shelter in a desert location.
Figure 5: U.S. Army Survival Guide figures illustrating methods to use a signal mirror to help
search teams find you.



Figure 6: A partial list of emergencies included in the Red Cross First Aid app.

To go along with the survival guide, numerous developers provide first aid guides. We suggest the First Aid app published by the American Red Cross because of the agency’s professionalism and reliability.

These are just two of the free emergency guidebook apps that are available.  We could certainly list plenty more free and low cost apps that provide guides on various specific emergency skills.  If you spend just a few minutes thinking about your daily activities, the hazards of your activity zone, and the potential things that could go wrong, I’m sure you will find that there is an app to help you get through that situation.  And, don’t forget that the various ebook merchant apps (Google Play Bookstore, Amazon, Kindle, etc.) include access to numerous free and low cost guidebooks.

Many emergency situations require some type of measurement, but it’s hard to know exactly what measurements in advance.  Luckily, the app developer Smart Tools provides a whole host of free apps that add a various measurement tools to your old Android. Their tools include a compass, a ruler, distance measurement, a vibration meter and a protractor.  Many of their apps are free, a few cost $.99, and for $2.50 you can purchase their Smart Tools Package.

Figure 8: A simple protractor is one of many tool apps included in the Smart Tools app selection. These apps are free or low cost and you never know what one will help get you to safety.

Finally, we have to mention that there are plenty of flashlight apps with emergency lighting and sound capabilities.  If your emergency has left you immobilized and your search party is close, bright flashing lights and emergency sounds may be what gets you noticed.  You or your kids have probably played around with those already.  Just keep in mind that those functions could save your life one day.

Naturally, other useful apps provide additional emergency functions when you do have a data connection.  Also, you will need certain accessories, particularly power, to make the most out of your old phone turned emergency device.  We’ll look into these topics soon with separate posts.  In meantime, we want to hear back from you and if you have any experience or advice feel free to leave a comment below.

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Dr. Ezra Boyd ,co-founder of DisasterMap.net, is a hazards geographer and disaster scientists who resides near New Orleans. He recently earned his PhD from Louisiana State University, and his dissertation presented a comprehensive assessment and analysis of deaths associated with Hurricane Katrina and the catastrophic failure of the Federal levee system for southeast Louisiana.  While at LSU, he participated in theTeam Louisiana report for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and co-authored the Health Care and Disaster Planning book for the Louisiana State Medical Society.  His research on the preparations, response, and impacts of Hurricane Katrina has been published in Risk Analysis, Public Performance and Management Review, andRisk, Hazards, and Crisis in Public Policy.

Merger of tablet and phone seen as a welcome affair

Nokia Lumia

While some industry experts have been concerned that the phablet, or hybrid telephone and tablet would not perform well in the market because of its bulk, assessment of sales of the new technology reveal that the merger of tablet and phone is seen as a welcome affair by the public.

In addition to public acceptance, the new phablets are becoming increasingly light-weight and thinner, therefore easier for people to carry around.

Researchers predict sales of phablets will outsell small tablets.  This comparison is made with those devices with screen sizes less than eight inches.  They estimate that in 2013 they will see sales of 175 million.  165 million of the non-mobile counterparts projected for the year shows the difference of 10 million sales will reveal the special popularity of phablets.

Technology experts have noticed people are scaling down sizes of portable devices from the larger tablets and computers to the smaller handheld devices, as portability and power levels are recognized as important to have in a fast-paced world.

Science brings 3-D printing to help those with mobility problems

3-d printing shop

The new technology of 3-D printing has enabled the printing of everything from houses to household items of various types.  It is also the fast-moving science that is enabling people who have hip injuries to walk again through 3-D printed hip implants.

It is the kind of futuristic technology reported by the cutting edge technology magazine called Gizmag that is being applauded by the medical profession as the aging of the population has brought about the need to prolong life and function.

An organization called Mobelife has enabled a young Swedish girl to walk who had been confined to a wheelchair much of her life.  She had a congenital disease that had developed on the peripheral nervous system, causing damage to the pelvis.  She required a hip plant, and doctors feared she would never walk again.  But a hip implant designed by Mobelife has brought mobility to the young girl, revealing the great value of the emerging technology of 3-D printing to people with disabilities.

Technology continues to be developed to help people with mobility issues.   This can be furniture, ramps, keyboard access and a host of devices.   Much of the work is done by universities, allowing the training and research necessary to develop new ways of helping people way and perform activities of daily living, thereby allowing independence to those who need to live at home and perform socially and in the workplace.