A TSA  Agent  recently told Pittsburgh News KDKA that “TSA officers don’t like the new aggressive pat-down of passengers either.”

He adds, “I truly feel that it is morally and ethically wrong to do it.”

Here’s  why some of us also think it’s wrong.

1. Could possibly be in violation of the 4th Amendment. 

We are not a police state.  According to the Constitution you can not take a person off the street and strip search him without  probable cause.  Why are seniors who have had hip replacements and knee replacements being targeted?  That is also happening according to the agent.  Since when is an elderly grandmother visiting her grandchildren a threat to national security?

2. Could the aggressive touching of passengers in areas where they do not want to be touched  possibly be considered a form of  sexual assault?

 The agent  states  “If you do it properly, you’re not touching the genitalia. But there is so much room for error, that’s where the problem comes because you’re in such close proximity of the areas that you are checking, it could happen.” 

It should not happen.  Period.

3. Exactly how are the x-ray machines being calibrated, or are we not supposed to ask? 

Do we know for certain that all the machines are calibrated correctly?  What happens if a mistake is made and a pregnant woman receives too much radiation?

What then?

4. What about the public revelation of a person’s private medical condition? 

We all know the horror story of 61-year old Thomas Sawyer, a bladder cancer survivor.  Could this be in violation of  HIPPA?  Why is it doctor’s offices have to tread so carefully with HIPPA and airport personal do not? In case you haven’t read about the public display of  Mr. Sawyer’s condition, here is the link to his story. 

5. Lastly, if these machines and pat-downs are so important for national security, why were the machines mysteriously turned off in many airports last week, during the Thanksgiving rush season?

Could that have been in response to the public’s complaints?  Or did the TSA suddenly receive the all clear signal?

There are lots of problems and questions about the new security measures.  Please note those of us who are questioning the wisdom and practicality of it all are not advocating passengers not be searched.  We are simply asking why other means  can not be explored.

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Your  most common dementia questions are being answered by Jan Yager, Ph.D for Consumer Affairs.

Dr. Yager explains the different types of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, mixed dementia and Lewy Body Dementia.

There are areas that can often be confusing as you try to figure out your aging parent’s condition.  Many boomers are finding themselves faced with elderly parents who are experiencing some of the symptoms.  This will greatly affect care giving.

The article is long but one of the most informative we’ve come across.

Read Boomers Come Face to Face with Alzheimer’s

More about dementia from The Net

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Sleep disturbances in dementia « Lancashire Care Library and …

Approximately one quarter of adults with dementia experience sleep disturbances. The purpose of this article is to (a) describe and define sleep disturbances in individuals with dementia, (b) describe techniques to assess for sleep …

Publish Date: 06/15/2010 18:02

http://lancashirecare.wordpress.com/2010/06/16/sleep-disturbances-in-dementia/

The Senior Reading Room: Dementia and the Eight Types of Dementia …

Different types of dementia are associated with distinct symptom patterns and distinguishing microscopic brain abnormalities. Common Types of Dementia and Their Typical Characteristics Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s Disease is the most …

Publish Date: 06/15/2010 12:21

http://dementia.comlu.com/the-senior-reading-room-dementia-and-the-eight-types-of-dementia/

Adult daughters have more difficulty caregiving than adult sons, mainly because women do most of the work taking care of the elderly.

A recent Canadian study simply states what many of us have known all along.  The daily grind of care giving for aging parents is not easy and relationships with those parents can become strained as you take on the role of mothering them.

Meanwhile, your brother lets you handle most of the work because, after all, you’re doing such a good job and he has his regular job and responsibilities, right?

This is one of the biggest issues of caregiving because a lot of resentment can weigh down the relationships.

Read Female Caregivers Face a Heavier Toll

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Many of us have the privilege of taking care of what has been named “The Greatest Generation.”  June 6th is always a day of remembrance for many of us because it is the D-day anniversary.  It was 66 years ago today that the invasion began early in the morning as many brave men landed on the beaches of Normandy.

My Uncle Charlie was one of them and he arrived on Utah Beach in one of the first troop waves.

It is hard to imagine what it was like because many of the survivors rarely talked about it.  What small snippets of information we got were short and not very detailed.  The men often did not want to re-live those horrible moments.

My uncle, who was a sergeant, did tell the story of a young boy in his outfit.  He described the boy as being so young he had never shaved.

“I ordered him to dig a hole and stay in it,” Uncle Charley said.  “He complied, and I was glad to see him alive and well after the battle.  I was afraid he would have been killed otherwise.”

Now it’s our turn to take care of them.  Many of them are now passing on, but we still have a few of our parents left who served in World War II.  Not only did they provide for us and take care of us but they also preserved freedom.  That’s a powerful legacy.

While I’m reminiscing about D-Day I’m also reminded of a story told of a woman in labor somewhere in England.  It was the night of June 5, 1944, and the first planes secretly heading toward Normandy were still hours away from the battle which would begin at dawn.

She kept telling the doctor she could hear planes.  The doctor later said he thought it was her imagination, because no one else heard them.  Later, after the baby’s birth and the invasion was revealed it was learned she had indeed heard planes.

These stories are so important to record. Get all the information you can now before it is too late.  Write down the memories and preserve them.  Your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren will be grateful.

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