Fortunately, the National Council on Aging (NCOA), a trusted nonprofit that has been helping older adults age with dignity and economic security for the last 70 years, is providing valuable information about coronavirus on its website, www.ncoa.org.

NCOA experts are regularly curating and updating resources that are of vital importance to older adults and their caregivers. You will find blogs, links, and videos that address a wide range of issues, including: 

Food 

If you or someone you care for needs meals delivered, NCOA offers links to Meals on Wheels and Feeding America with options to search in your zip code for local services. Feeding America and other food banks are adapting to the situation by setting up social distancing guidelines and smaller community drop-off points. For those who qualify, there is a link to apply for SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, which helps individuals pay for nutritious food. 

Finances 

Many older Americans, especially those living on a fixed income, are concerned that COVID-19 will impact their financial situation now and in the future. In fact, many federal, state, and local benefits programs are available to older adults for help with financial challenges, including utility payments, medication costs, rent, and other expenses.

NCOA's companion website, www.BenefitsCheckUp.org, offers information about eligibility and how to apply for billions of dollars in benefits.

In addition, although older Americans are advised to avoid non-essential travel, older adults can find options for critical transportation for essential medical visits or to pick up food and medication. NCOA provides a link to Eldercare Locator to help find local transportation services, and also offers information about navigating telemedicine visits, which are becoming easier and more commonplace.

Those concerned about Medicare benefits in the COVID-19 health care environment can use NCOA's links to state and government sites for the latest information. 

Feelings 

The stress and isolation of the coronavirus pandemic is taking a toll on everyone's emotions. While NCOA urges older adults to follow physical isolation guidelines to remain physically healthy, it also offers tips for older adults, their caregivers, and families to use technology to stay in touch with loved ones and friends, and remain emotionally healthy as well.

Visit www.ncoa.org for what older adults should know about COVID-19, as well as other information about healthy aging. It's a treasure trove of valuable resources for older adults and their caregivers.

In fact, proposed plans calling for 20,000 to 30,000 megawatts (MW) of offshore wind capacity to be operational by 2030 include projections for up to 83,000 American-based jobs, according to a report from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA).

"Offshore wind is key to the future of clean energy development in the U.S. and will add to a thriving wind power industry that already represents the largest source of renewable energy in the country," says AWEA CEO Tom Kiernan.

"The offshore wind industry will create tens of thousands of jobs and provide billions of dollars to the economy, while delivering on its enormous untapp sed potential to power major population centers, such as up and down the East Coast."

The offshore wind industry is positioned to follow in the footsteps of the successful growth experienced by land-based wind. Currently, onshore and offshore wind support more than 500 manufacturing facilities and account for more than 120,000 jobs in the United States.

Wind technician is ranked as the second-fastest-growing job in the country, and building and maintaining offshore wind farms will require a diverse workforce, including wind technicians, electricians, welders, longshoremen, and vessel operators. Many job skills used in other fields, such as the oil and gas industry, are transferrable to working on offshore wind turbines, according to AWEA.

In addition, the economic impact of offshore wind will reach beyond the East Coast, as more facilities are needed to build supplies for the growing wind industry.

Also, the benefits of offshore wind power extend beyond job creation to improving and stabilizing utility costs for millions of Americans through an affordable, clean energy source.

Currently, Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia have set targets for developing offshore wind farms as part of their clean energy commitments, according to AWEA.

State governors and other local officials recognize the potential of offshore wind, but they need to hear from the public as well, according to AWEA.

For more information about the possibilities and benefits offshore wind brings to the economy and environment, and to voice your support, visit supportoffshorewind.org.

However, many people, including students contemplating future options and individuals contemplating career changes, are unaware of the opportunities and the potential for success in transportation technology and repair.

Often underestimated as "blue collar" or "grease monkey" jobs transportation technicians are in fact high-tech "new collar" jobs that depend on computer skills and fluency with the latest in digital engineering. Transportation technicians are in high demand and critical to maintaining and restoring America's economy during the pandemic and beyond. These skilled workers literally keep America rolling by ensuring that the trucks delivering food, medicine, and other supplies get to their destinations as efficiently as possible, and that emergency responders' vehicles transport them quickly and safely.

In addition, many people are choosing to repair and maintain older vehicles instead of buying new ones, which adds to the demand for skilled transportation technicians.

Recent surveys show an increased interest in transportation technology work, both among younger students and career changers whose jobs may have been lost or furloughed because of the pandemic. Surveys of high school students show that more than half are open to something other than a four-year degree, and 70 percent want to follow their own educational path.

"Despite record rates of unemployment, there continues to be strong demand for our graduates," says Jerome Grant, CEO of Universal Technical Institute. "Employers need skilled technicians to fill essential jobs and, as many in our nation look for new paths to prosperity, we're seeing growing interest in our programs and in technical careers."

Transportation technology appeals to hands-on learners with an interest in and enthusiasm for the state-of-the art engineering.

"A NASA space shuttle has approximately 400 thousand lines of code, but a modern car has approximately 100 million lines of code," according to Mike Pressendo, chief marketing and strategy officer of the TechForce Foundation, a nonprofit organization that supports students through their education into successful careers as professional technicians. "These are skilled, well-paying, technical jobs."

The TechForce Foundation reaches out to both young students and career changers with a career guide, available at techforce.org/careerguide, and a "Because I'm a Tech" promotional campaign, in which technicians share their stories of successful and secure skilled technician careers.

For additional information about secure, successful careers in transportation technology, visit techforce.org.

With COVID-19, there are added complications, notably physical separation. Some people are supporting older relatives who live far away while others may be close by, but are maintaining a safe distance. The goal is to maintain social closeness while also practicing physical distance.

"As the primary caregiver to my parents, I know well that the ways we support the older adults in our lives have changed," says Ray Spoljaric, CEO and Co-Founder of Aloe Care. "Caregivers are resilient, committed people and will go to any lengths to provide for those they care for. Now more than ever, communication and collaboration are key to providing the highest level of care."

If you're a new caregiver, or concerned about COVID-19 for someone you support, consider these five tips from nationally recognized expert Amy Goyer:

* Establish a Care Circle - Identify the people who can help. It may be a combination of professionals, family members, and/or friends.

Collect names, phone numbers, and email addresses of everyone in your Care Circle. This is also a good place to store elders' information, particularly what you would need in case of an emergency (i.e., medications, pre-existing conditions, home access details).

* Stay Connected - Next, establish regular check-ins.

With new physical distancing guidelines, social connection is more important than ever. Prepare a schedule of remote check-ins by the Care Circle. Consider leveraging technology in a solution like Aloe Care, which facilitates easy check-ins and care collaboration.

* Maintain Medical Care and Support - Telehealth is a rapidly advancing option for safe care. In fact, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently expanded coverage and loosened policies and regulations regarding telehealth.

Many pharmacies have mail- order options and are expanding support for caregivers to manage medications.

* Cover the Essentials - Assess the food, household, and personal supplies the elders have at home and what they need to keep in stock.

Many grocery stores now offer contactless delivery or pick-up. A quick online search should reveal the best local option. Additionally, the Area Agency on Aging's Eldercare Locator is a great resource, as is Meals on Wheels.

* Well-Rounded Health - While it may take some creativity during COVID-19, everyone needs stimulation physically, cognitively, and emotionally to maintain their well-being (including you, dear caregiver). Find ways to keep your loved ones and yourself active with technology, puzzles, letter-writing, exercises and more.

For more advice and resources about remote caregiving, please refer to the complete "Apart, Not Alone" guide by Amy Goyer.

"Crepiness is a concern we address with many of our patients," says Dr. Melissa Kanchanapoomi Levin, board-certified New York dermatologist and founder of Entiere Dermatology. Proper exfoliation is key to improving the appearance of skin crepiness, and exfoliation also prepares the skin to receive the maximum benefits from moisturization.

"Exfoliation loosens and removes the top layers of dull dead skin cells and improves the skin's appearance," Dr. Levin says.

"Formulas that contain exfoliating acids, such as glycolic acid and lactic acid in combination with moisturizing ingredients, can be helpful. Since sun damage is the most common cause of crepey skin, wearing daily sunscreen and keeping the skin moisturized is a must," she emphasizes.

To help combat crepiness and foster a smoother, more youthful appearance, look for products that go beyond simply moisturizing, such as the Crepe Control line from StriVectin. The two-step skin care protocol includes Crepe Control Exfoliating Body Scrub and Crepe Control Tightening Body Cream.

- Smooth it Out. Crepe Control Exfoliating Body Scrub combines physical exfoliants such as rice powder with lactic and glycolic acids to help dissolve dead skin cells, promote skin brightening, and restore a softer appearance to the skin.

- Firm it Up. Crepe Control Tightening Body Cream is designed to improve the appearance of crepey skin and reduce the appearance of aging and environmental damage.

The cream includes not only murumuru seed butter as a key moisturizing ingredient, but also tripeptides to improve skin elasticity; caffeine and jojoba seed extract to facilitate firmer skin; and turmeric root extract to promote skin brightness and tone.

The scrub is designed for use on wet skin in the shower two to three times a week. And the cream can be used on areas of concern as often as twice a day.

Visit strivectin.com for more information about skin care and crepe control products.

"Her Eyes Underwater"
by Romona Simon

She's an unsuspecting university student. He's a stranger with a dark secret. Will she see past her infatuation before she becomes his next victim? During a chance encounter, Julia Strauss meets a captivating man. She is instantly attracted and pursues him obsessively. What she doesn't know is that behind all the charm, he has a secret agenda. 

Can Julia see beyond the haze of her infatuation before it's too late?

If you enjoy impassioned dark romance-thrillers full of suspense, then Her Eyes Underwater is for you. Set in the vast and pristine wilderness of 1970s Montana, this true-crime-inspired novel is a unique mix that will grab you from the first page. Purchase at https://amzn.to/31cyXbM. 

"Emergency Powers"
by James McCrone 

A ripped-from-the-headlines urgency: a fractious FBI, an undermined Attorney General, corruption, murder, and powerful people using all manner of treachery to maintain their hold on power.

The accidental president is no accident. When the president dies in office, FBI Agent Imogen Trager knows that the conspiracy she chased down a blind alley still has life- and she needs to get back in the hunt. The old case may be the key to stopping a brutal, false- flag terrorist attack meant to finalize the new puppet president's grip on power. Imogen doesn't know it yet, but she's running out of time. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2FtVvft. 

"Boop and Eve's Road Trip"
by Mary Helen Sheriff 

Eve is done - with college, with her mom, with guys, and with her dream of fashion design. But when her best friend goes MIA, Eve must gather the broken threads of her life and search for her.

When Eve's grandmother, Boop, a retiree with Southern charm, finds out about the trip, she hijacks her granddaughter's road trip. Boop knows healing Eve will require a lot. Nevertheless, Boop is frustrated when her efforts yield the same failure that her sulfur-laced sip from the Fountain of Youth wrought on her age. She knows sharing her 60-year secret might lessen Eve's depression - but at what cost? Purchase at https://amzn.to/2JMbncn. 

"Purple Lotus "
by Veena Rao 

Three years after her arranged marriage to tech executive Sanjay, Tara moves to the American South from Mangalore, India. Tara's memories of childhood abandonment and isolation mirror her present life of loneliness and escalating abuse at the hands of her husband.

Constantly pressured by her patriarchal family to make peace with her circumstances, Tara learns to confront the victim-shaming society she was raised within, finding strength, self-worth and support in kind-hearted strangers, new friends and her first love. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3flAv7i. 

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