Now Hear This: People, Trends and Ideas

Convent Care

Here’s an unconventional concept: on-site medical care for aging nuns at an Amityville, N.Y., convent. The program, also open to Medicaid recipients age 55 and older in the community, provides primary care, specialists and other services to about 50 sisters of the Order of St. Dominic. It is one of just a few convent-based programs serving both the religious and lay communities, says Kathleen Kadel of Comprehensive Care Management, which organized the program.

Money in the Bank

One of the newest attractions at Florida’s Walt Disney World Resort is all about the mighty dollar. The Great Piggy Bank Adventure at Epcot, sponsored by T. Rowe Price, brings to life important financial concepts such as setting goals, saving and spending smartly, and diversifying investments. An online game complements the Epcot exhibit. “Empowering parents to initiate discussion of the topics of saving and investing with their children is more important than ever before,” says Edward C. Bernard, vice chairman of T. Rowe Price Group.

Keeping Up With the Times

Who says older folks are clueless about technology? A recent poll of 105 healthy centenarians found otherwise. The “100@100” report—prepared for a division of UnitedHealthcare­—found that 3 percent use Twitter, 21 percent have Internet access and 10 percent use e-mail. They’re also a health-conscious lot, walking or hiking at least once a week (50 percent), gardening (33 percent) and eating organic food (28 percent).