Infotainment for Americans 50+
Plano/Richardson daily on Time Warner Cable Channel A-14 at
Mon, 2:30pm — Tues, 8:00pm — Wed, 6:00pm — Thur, 8:30pm — Fri,
6:30pm
1-800-955-9080
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JUNE 2002 Edition PRIME TIME PRODUCTION’S YOUR VOICE OF CHOICE FOR AGING ADULTS FEATURING "SIZZLIN’ SENIORS" TELEVISION PROGRAMMING "SIZZLIN’ SENIORS" WILL BEGIN SEEKING ADVERTISERS Our research has begun to seek out advertisers to help us bring our television programming into a larger market in Texas. So hang in there, if you can’t view us we may appear on your home set yet. Here are some truths about you we found in our research. The Truth about Brand loyalty Among Americans 50+ ***************** In the May 2002 Advertising Age Magazine's key survey contradicts many long-held assumptions about brand loyalty and mature Americans, it confirms that adults 50+ are thoughtful, and aware consumers who make smart purchase decisions. Actually, we are more receptive to ads than the younger generation as long as they aren’t "t far out." . Most 50+ agree they care mostly about value then money, to brand name. (91%) . Past experience with a brand is most important in whether to purchase that brand again. (71%) . Quality also looms large in selecting a brand. (61%) . Most 45-55 year olds will typically research different brands.(68%) . Seven out of ten 50+ will try a brand if a friend recommends it, but not necessarily switch because it was recommended. . About half of Americans 50+ are always looking for better products indicating brand loyalty is not first priority. . There is less brand loyalty when it comes to motor vehicles, Stereos, computers, cell phones, athletic footwear, and career wear among the 50+ set. . Like younger consumers, we appreciate humor and exciting presentations in advertising…..if they aren’t too weird. Also reported in the Advertising age Magazine in May, there was an indication there are turn signals in consumer confidence and are still upbeat about a recovery later this year. So, with that in mind we are laying down our marketing plan to find advertisers to help us take our show to a larger market. Pills and Politics from Washington, D.C. About Prescription Drugs Congress has heard the message that voters expect action on a prescription drug benefit before the fall elections. There are a number of competing prescription drug plans being developed in the House and the Senate, but they are all the same as reported by the grass roots organization for seniors in our nation’s capitol, the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. They have examined all the plans being developed by our government people and have declared, "Seniors need a prescription drug benefit similar to plans enjoyed by members of the Congress. We need a plan that is affordable (at least 50% of drug costs covered), comprehensive (no large gaps in coverage with no out of pocket drug coverage), seniors should not have to pay for a benefit they don’t need, and not a "drug only" plan or an option for seniors who enroll in Medicare HMOs. The House Bill calls for private insurance companies to offer drug only plans which will provide little guarantee that the coverage will be there in the future when real serious, long term illnesses strike." There is a Senate bill, sponsored by the Democratic leadership that may be good. It provides us with comprehensive coverage and low out of pocket costs, has no deductible and has a tiered co-payment of $10, $40 or $60 depending on whether you are using a generic drug, a branded drug that is part of a formulary or branded drug that is off-formulary. Out of pocket costs above $4000 would be completely covered by Medicare. The premium would cost $25 per month. Another decent bill proposed by the House minority leadership would cover 80% of the first $10,000 in out of pocket drug costs and 100 percent thereafter with a $25 per month premium and a $100 deductible. Creating a prescription drug benefit will be a high priority for Congress now. You must get yourself educated about this issue and understand the difference of each proposed bill. You can get more information by visiting this website: www.ncpssm.org/RxPlans.html or call the National Committee phone staff at 1-800-966-1935 and ask how you can get involved in this issue. Got Joint or Back Pain? Put lots of Water in Your Diet Here’s why We all know that water is important but I have never seen it written down like this before. 75% of us are chronically dehydrated. In 37% of us the thirst mechanism is so weak that it is often mistaken for hunger. (Wow, wake up there.) Even mild dehydration will slow down one’s metabolism as much as 3%. One glass of water will shut down midnight hunger pangs for almost 100% of the dieters studied in a University of Washington’s medical study. Lack of water is also the #1 trigger of daytime fatigue. (Now I know.) Preliminary studies indicates that 8-10 glasses of water a day could significantly ease your back and joint pain for up to 80% of sufferers. (No, I am not selling water on this site.) A mere 2% drop in body water can trigger fuzzy short-term memory, trouble with basic things like math, and difficulty focusing on the computer screen or on a printed page. (And you thought you were just getting old, didn’t you?) Drinking 5 glasses of water daily decreases the risk of colon cancer by 45%, plus it can slash the risk of breast cancer by 79%, and one is 50% less likely to get bladder cancer. (This is good news for women 50+.) So, I tell you all this to ask you, "Are you getting enough water everyday?" If not, start buying bottle water and carry a bottle with you everywhere you go so you don’t have to ever again look for a water fountain. (I tell my husband, "When my kids were babies I use to carry milk bottles in my bag and now at 66, I am carrying water bottles for me and Mylanta bottles for you." (Don’t you just love being a part of the aging generation?) My Community Activities for 2nd Quarter We started the 2nd Quarter out with a bang. On April 1 st we were notified by phone that we had received the first time ever presented national award called "The Creative Arts and Successful Aging Leadership 2002 Award" from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. They flew me up to Washington, D.C. and presented the award to me in a first class setting at the Wyndham Hotel in the heart of Washington, D.C. We also won "The Print Communicator Award 2002"for our website. Check it out at: sizzlinsen.org and the "Videographer 2002 Award" for the second year in a row. (We are cookin’.) I met with the Community Advisory Board for the Cooper Clinic research program In April; also attended the Ms Senior Texas Pageant, was present at the S.A.L.T. monthly meeting on fraud in the metroplex. I met with AT&T’s Vice President of Marketing to discuss how we can help reach more of the senior market (stay tuned); I attended the Women in Film program at the Trinity Arts Center to hear a local film writer talk about her experiences. (Ann Raff) Met with another senior writer, Patsy Johnson. She has written a story she wants to put on film about "Small Town America." She has offered me the opportunity to direct and produce it, but that is something I am praying about. In April, we did two shows: (1) Predatory Lending and (2) Understanding Social Security and Medicare. I also taught two bible classes at Cottonwood Retirement Home. In May, I attended the Collin County Committee on Aging’s 25th Award presentation in McKinney, Texas. I represented AARP at an International luncheon at the Dallas Intercontinental hotel in Dallas. I attended our bi-monthly Senior Advisory Board meeting for the city of Plano. We did an off-site shoot of Dr Godat for an up coming show on prescription drugs; I previewed a senior woman in her "coming out" Karoake show for a possible live show in the near future; I attended a senior meeting/luncheon of the Winner’s Circle in Plano. I attended a senior networking luncheon "It Takes a Town" at the Methodist Hospital in Dallas. I attended the monthly S.A. L.T. meeting on fraud to gather information for an article I was writing for Senior News Source Magazine; I attended a Senior Center Planning Meeting for "Art Outreach" for seniors. I took a friend to the hospital for a biopsy; I worked at the Mayfair Celebration in Dallas for Older American Month and represented AARP at the luncheon. I went to Washington to receive our award at a banquet (The Creative Arts and Successful Aging Leadership Award), then met with old friends in Maryland along with my daughter and her hubby. We also filmed two shows in the month of May, one on prescription drugs and one on To Do or Not to Do Plastic Surgery. I taught two bible classes at Cottonwood Retirement Home. June was now upon us and I traveled on to Ohio where I visited with children and grandchildren and enjoyed the first rest I had since I started the show in 1997. I then traveled on down to Tampa, Florida, for a friend’s wedding. I sent out a News Release for AARP on Prescription Drugs; was interviewed by Dallas Morning News for a story on the show and the award we had won in Washington. Spent 4 hours in a photographer shoot on Medical Equipment for pictures to be used with the DMN article to appear in Plano Sunday Section of the Dallas Morning Newspaper on June 16, 2002. We also filmed a holiday show for the 4th of July in June which was a musical. (This was one of two senior talent shows I do each year as part of our format called infotainment on "Sizzlin’ Seniors.") I spent much of June studying and preparing an introduction for advertisers. I taught two bible studies for seniors at Cottonwood Retirement Home. I met with the administrators from Metro Family Church to see how I can help to start a senior program there that will help families who are caring for their parents and to keep seniors informed too. I will need your prayers for the next quarter as we begin to put together our marketing package and go to market to find advertisers that will want to put their money in senior television. HERE IS YOUR TIP FOR YOUR GOLDEN YEARS Texas Roadside Assistance This is something that may be a good thing to know. The new Texas driver’s licenses have this number in small print on the back just above the bar code. 1-800-525-5555. This number is for assistance on the highway of Texas. Contrary to rumor, the service is NOT free. If you call for a service truck, you will have to pay for it and not the state. According to the Texas Department of Public Safety, the toll-free number can be used for reporting accidents, requesting roadside assistance and is also for reporting drug activities. Not for free towing, however.
Don’t forget to take a look at what is new on our "Products" page on the website at: www.sizzlinsen.org weekly and please order something to help us help you. It is greatly appreciated. Here is your thought for today: Think on that and until our next quarterly newsletter, I am Dee Taylor
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