European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 7, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Paga 4 a a the stars and stripes wednesday november 7,1990study says elderly can still be healthy Washington apr life May or May not begin it 40, but a new Federal study says getting on in years docs not mean a person has to get old in the sense of getting sick and frail. A committee of the Institute of Medicine said in a report released monday that research health promotion and education can head off much of the illness and disability associated with aging. Quot our misplaced pessimism gives Rise to the particularly troubling consequence that Many More individuals who could experience a fulfilling maturity Are denied the Chance by these stereotypes Quot the committee report said. Quot we should not let pessimism become an obstacle to the introduction of new research on interventions to restore and maintain function among physically or mentally impaired older  since american society is gradually aging the report said the medical Community should promote healthy lifestyles not Only for the Young but for All Ages. The committee made recommendations in 13 areas a High blood pressure since High blood pressure often precedes stroke and heart attack the committee said there should be programs of education detection and treatment among those Over age 50. It said medi damages limited in wrongful death suits for seamen Washington apr the families of american seamen killed while on the Job cannot sue Over lost future earnings or Force payment for the survivors a loss of society Quot the supreme court ruled tuesday. By an 8-0 vote the court said wrongful death lawsuits May be filed in such cases but added that any damages recovered cannot include those for loss of society or for lost future earnings. The decision yielding the first signed opinion of the courts 1990-91 term was a defeat for the Mother of a Seaman murdered while his ship was docked in Vancouver wash., six years ago. Quot we sail in occupied Waters. Maritime tort Law is now Domino cd by Federal statute and we arc not free to expand remedies at will simply because it might work to the Benefit of seamen and those dependent upon them Quot Justice Sandra Day o Connor wrote for the court. Justice David h. Souter who joined the court after the Case was argued last month did not participate in the decision. Ludwick Torregano 24, was killed aboard the Archon on july 18, 1984. Fellow Crew member Clifford Melrose stabbed Torregano at least 62 times. Melrose later was convicted of second degree murder. Torr Gano smother a Creedel Miles sued the shipowners and operators in Federal court in new Orleans contending that their negligence in hiring an unfit crewman caused her songs death. Miles was awarded $140,000 for the pain and suffering Torregano experienced prior to his death and $7,800 for the loss of her songs support. But the jury refused to award additional damages for the loss of Torregano s future income or for the loss of society by both Miles and the Seaman a father Joseph Torregano. Loss of society is defined As a Broad Range of Mutual benefits family members receive from each other including love affection care attention companionship Comfort and  activist says care and private insurance should reimburse the expense of doctor visits to evaluate blood pressure and that More research is needed on treating hypertension in the  medications age should be taken into account in testing drugs. Health care workers and elderly patients should be More aware of the combined effects possible from combinations of medications. A infectious diseases All people Over 50 should be immunized against pneumonia and influenza. Better infection controls should be used in hospitals and nursing Homes. A osteoporosis older people should be instructed about measures to prevent thinning of the Bones such As adequate Calcium and Vitamin d intake and the need to maintain physical activity. More researches needed about How to Best treat fractures caused by osteoporosis. A sensory loss better services should be provided to those losing sight and hearing and Public and private insurers Shoula cover More of these costs. A Oral health More research is needed to achieve and maintain dental health among the elderly. Dental loss now is largely preventable in the elderly. A cancer screening More aggressive cancer Check  should be instituted among the elderly. A nutrition further research is  the minimum nutrition requirements of the elderly. A smoking even the elderly should be encouraged to Stop. Advertising of tobacco products should be banned a depression doctors should be trained to recognize and treat depression among the elderly and some limitations on medicare and insurance reimbursements for psychiatric care should be removed. A physical inactivity sedentary lifestyles can damage health. Health care workers should promote programs to encourage elderly to get regular exercise. A social isolation isolated individuals should be identified and Means found to give them More social Contact. Loneliness the report said can play an important role in development of disease and disability. A Falls a Falls among the elderly Are a major cause of mortality morbidity and disability a the report said. It recommends More research on methods of preventing Falls and studies on How Best to treat injuries that result from Falls. The Institute of Medicine is associated with the National Academy of sciences which is a private organization chartered by Congress to be an adviser to the Federal government. Peaceful reflections tame horses Trot around a Lake in the Hector . National Forest free to roam without fear. The Federal government has a program that allows owners to Graze their horses and cattle on the land for a monthly fee. By Janet Howells Tierney Washington Bureau Washington a supreme court ruling that allows an admitted homosexual to rejoin the army Points to the Absurdity of the services ban on homosexuals a Gay rights activist said tuesday a we View the decision As another step Down the Road to getting rid of the army polity a said Urvashi Vaid executive director of the National Gay and lesbian task Force in Washington. A the Best reason to get rid of the polity is it does no to make sense. The Issue of sex Ual orientation has no relationship to a person s ability to  in reaction to the ruling a Pentagon statement noted that the court did not consider the legality of the ban which has been consistently upheld by the Federal courts. The statements grew out of the High courts ruling monday that allows Peny Watkins to re enlist in the army despite his admitted homosexuality. By deciding not to review the Case the supreme court let stand a May 3,1989, finding by the 9th . Court of appeals in san Francisco. The appeals court held that the army unfairly denied Watkins re enlistment because the service had allowed him to re enlist in past years with full knowledge of his sexual preference a Pentagon statement said. Watkins who spent More than 15 years in the army never denied his homosexuality. In 1981, staff sgt. Watkins was not allowed to re enlist and was honorable discharged because of his sexual preference. Later a court order reinstated him for a Short time. Since the final discharge Watkins has fought the decision on the basis that he admitted his homosexuality on his initial application and repeatedly throughout his service. Watkins served As a chaplain s assistant a personnel specialist and a company clerk during his time in the army. He consistently received excellent performance ratings. Watkins who lives in Tacoma wash., told the new York times that he plans to re enlist immediately. He has held several government jobs during the past six years and is currently a service representative with the social Security administration the times reported