Page 2 June 1, 2017 (BPT) - Predicting the future can be a Herculean task in its own right, but when it comes to forecasting the growth of urban areas across the globe, research points strongly toward some new truths. One, urban areas will continue to grow. Two, with continued development of “smart’ technologies for homes, businesses and entire cities, there is expected to be a significant impact on the employment landscape. The Boom of Urban Areas Today, more than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas, according to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations’ estimates and projections data reported in the 2014 Revision of World Urbanization Prospects. And, that figure is only predicted to grow. In fact, experts estimate urban centers will be home to two-thirds or 66 percent of the world’s population by 2050. These same predictions also see more people flocking to larger cities. By today’s estimates, there are 28 megacities - locales with populations of more than 10 million people - across the globe. However, that number is expected to jump to 41 megacities as early as 2030. And as these cities continue to grow, managing that growth effectively becomes even more important. The Growth of Technology and the “Internet of Things” As cities continue to grow, experts forecast they will face challenges. There will be the need for infrastructure improvements to meet the challenges in housing, transportation, energy and employment to continue functioning successfully. As well as the ability to anticipate and prepare for future job skills Service from front page Like Us on Facebook (BPT) - What will your life be like when you turn 100? A century ago the question seemed almost flippant, a needless consideration for most people, but today it’s very real. The percentage of people living to 100 has grown almost 66 percent in the last 30 years, according to U.S. News and World Report. The MDVIP Health and Longevity Survey reveals that more than half of Baby Boomers and Generation Xers want to live past the age of 90. More than a quarter want to live beyond 100. The majority from both generations also believe advances in science and technology are going to keep more people alive past the age of 100. However, these findings come at a time when the life expectancy of Americans has declined for the first time in two decades and one in two adults is living with at least one chronic disease. “To reach their longevity goals, Americans can no longer afford to put their health on the back burner,” says Dr. Andrea Klemes, chief medical officer at MDVIP. “Most people don’t wait until they’re 60 to start saving for retirement. The same should go for their health, where making small investments today can pay big dividends many years down the road.” Many chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, are preventable through simple lifestyle changes. Still, nearly two out of three Boomers and Gen Xers admit they could be doing a better job of exercising regularly, eating well and maintaining a healthy weight. The key to greater longevity is prioritizing your health now - when you’re well - to prevent problems later on. Whether you’re age 38 or 68, arm yourself with the right Finance Job Opportunities Await in Tomorrow’s Expanded Urban Areas requirements. A key factor in addressing both of these dilemmas lies in the continued development of technology, including the Internet of Things (IoT), to help cities utilize resources more efficiently. IoT can be integral in helping to maintain efficiency in these ever-growing cities by transforming the existing infrastructure into a giant interactive network to include everything from air quality, transportation and energy to communication systems. Finding Professionals to Meet the Challenges of Change To prepare for the new economy, students can learn through coding bootcamps like those offered by DeVry University. Over a 10-week course period, these bootcamps offer attendees coding skills education that can be applied in the growing IoT economy. They also prepare students for the marketplace by helping them create a portfolio, develop an interviewing strategy and fine tune their social media presence. Students can feel more empowered to face the challenges that are ahead. “Innovative education is critical. To meet the needs and wants of today’s students, and of employers looking for professionals with targeted skill sets, we continuously explore new ways to deliver relevant educational offerings,” said Shantanu Bose, Ph.D., provost of DeVry University. “Bootcamps are accelerated learning opportunities to augment current knowledge or immerse oneself into new disciplines in a matter of weeks or months. And like degree and certificate programs, bootcamps can be impressive additions to resumes when aligned with the chosen field.” • Seniors Three Steps to Reach 100 Feeling Youthful and Healthy knowledge and tools to set realistic health goals and help you stay on track to achieving them. You can start today by asking three questions: What’s Your Number? When’s the last time you had your blood pressure or cholesterol levels checked? Maintain a current record of your vitals and lab results along with your family history. Make sure you discuss these details with your doctor, who can help identify your risk for certain conditions and suggest lifestyle changes based on the results. What’s Up, Doc? Going to the doctor is an essential component of maintaining good health but choosing the right doctor directly affects the benefit of each visit. It’s important to find a primary care doctor you trust, who makes you feel at ease and takes the time to know you and your medical history. What’s the Plan? Whether your goal is to lose 10 pounds or to lower your blood pressure, you need a plan to get you there. “I tell my patients to think of it as a business plan for their health,” says Dr. Steven Wilson, an MDVIP-affiliated family practitioner in Redlands, California. “First determine your health goals and make them the focus of your attention. Discuss your goals with your doctor who can help you formulate a health plan for the next year and beyond.” To learn more about MDVIP’s national network of more than 900 primary care physicians who deliver personalized care with an emphasis on prevention and a close doctorpatient relationship, visit MDVIP.com. • the opioid epidemic, helping seniors remain independent in their homes, and rebuilding communities following disasters,” McGrath with Senior Corps said. Not only are older Americans doing good for others, they’re also reaping the benefits of staying physically and socially active. The Senior Corp, which has 15,800 volunteers in California, says its community-service projects are a “great opportunity” to “meet critical community needs while contributing to longer, healthier lives.” A growing body of research points to mental and physical health benefits associated with volunteering, including lower mortality rates, increased strength and energy, decreased rates of depression, and fewer physical limitations, according to Senior Corps. Seniors are becoming more computer-literate and Internet-savvy, and the number of senior households with a computer was at 35 percent, based on 2015 Census data. Any older person looking for volunteer opportunities in the South Bay area will want to check the website volunteermatch.org. Nonprofits use this site to let interested volunteers know about staffing needs in these organizations. Now, older residents can match their interests with calls from volunteers from local nonprofits and organizations by checking the website, Volunteermatch.org. A search for volunteer opportunities in the South Bay found needs for tutors, caregivers and people to help homebound residents both young and old with errands and grocery shopping. If you think you don’t have anything to offer as a volunteer, think again. Here are a few of the local groups in need: South Bay Literacy Council needs tutors for its English as a Second Language program. The group also is looking for a computer tutor, an event planner, and people to help with grant writing, public relations and in the office. Hospice volunteers are needed at Silverado Hospice in Torrance. Volunteers visit patients in their homes or at a nursing facility, and read to them a newspaper or book, talk, listen to soothing music together, or share photos. Other ways to comfort hospice patients are with flowers from the garden. The Beach Cities Health District for Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo needs conversation companion volunteers for older and disabled adults with memory loss. Volunteers provide socialization and engagement through planned activities and are provided training and matched by the agency with a client. The Beach Cities Health District also needs in-home exercise volunteers to visit with older or disabled clients to perform basic exercises that maintain the homebound person’s body strength and flexibility. Volunteers also are needed to run routine errands, including grocery shopping and mailing letters and packages. Errand volunteers are needed 90 minutes per week, mostly between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. The Grandparents as Parents group in Inglewood is recruiting a facilitator for the local support group. Duties include leading meetings, collecting data about group members and doing follow-up work when needed to assist participants. •
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