NewsUSA Seniors
Tue, 07 Feb 2012 09:24:05 +0100
Beyond 'The Number': Simple Ways to Save for Retirement
 (NewsUSA) - Remember when it was sort of fun to talk about The Number? The Number refers to the amount of money you'd need to retire comfortably, and it was borrowed from the title of a 2006 book by former Esquire editor Lee Eisenberg. Everywhere you went in those comparatively giddy pre-crash days, it seemed, people were tossing around figures -- $1 million, $5 million - and often acting like it'd be a cinch to get there if they just gave up one Grande Cafe Vanilla Frappuccino a week. Needless to say, times have changed since then. But unless you like your 1-in-175 million odds of winning Power Ball, the need to soak away as much money as possible - as fast as possible, in the case of aging Baby Boomers - has only become more imperative. "One of the best pieces of advice we give clients is to keep it simple," says Elaine Smith, master tax advisor at H&R Block, the giant tax preparation firm (www.hrblock.com). How simple? Read on:* Make automatic contributions to 401(k)s. We now know what can happen if you let market fluctuations spook your use of this convenient savings vehicle. According to a study by Fidelity Investments of millions of their accounts, investors who dumped all their allocations in stocks between October 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009 (the market crash), and stayed out of stocks through last June 30, 2011 (a big upswing), saw an average increase in account balances of only 2 percent. That compares to an average 50 percent increase for those who rode things out with a continuous allocation strategy that included stocks.* Don't squander your raise. Consulting firm Hay Group says the average raise last year was 2.8 percent. Say your salary's $50,000. That's a $1,400 increase, or $26.92 a week. If you put that money into an IRA, in 10 years it would've grown to $3,108, based on an 8 percent average annual return. "It's all about delaying immediate rewards on things like your fifth pair of designer jeans," says Smith. * Invest your tax refund. The average refund last year was $2,913. Even the interest rate on savings accounts beats the free loan you essentially gave the government. * Take advantage of new fee disclosures. A new law is set to require much more transparency in most 401(k) plans. But why wait? Financial websites let you compare fund expense ratios, and the difference between an actively managed mutual fund charging 1.75 percent and an index fund charging only 0.07 percent -- especially if the former's performance is sub-par -- adds up.
Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 EST
Don't Wait for Symptoms, Ask About PAD Now
 (NewsUSA) - One out of every 20 Americans over age 50 is diagnosed with Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD). The worst part of this reality is that most people with PAD don't experience any symptoms. PAD is dangerous, especially when there are no warning signs.Peripheral Arterial Disease is a progressive disease commonly called clogged arteries in the legs, poor circulation or a hardening of the arteries.People have PAD when the arteries in their legs become narrowed or clogged with fatty deposits, or plaque. The buildup of plaque causes the arteries to harden and narrow, which is called atherosclerosis. This reduces blood flow to the legs and feet.The severity of the disease depends on how early it's diagnosed as well as pre-existing health issues. PAD's primary symptom is an intermittent cramping of leg muscles during walks or hikes. For some, the pain may feel more like numbness, weakness or heaviness. Whether or not you have symptoms, having PAD means that you're at a higher risk for heart attack, stroke and even death.Many people don't get tested for PAD because they have no symptoms and never feel a thing. The good news is that proper treatment saves lives. If you're over 50, talk to your health care provider about getting tested for PAD.The test for PAD is called the "ABI" or ankle-brachial index. It's a comparison of blood pressure measurements taken at the arms and ankles. It can also assess the severity of the disease.Despite the presence or lack of symptoms, individuals are their own first line of defense. When face time with actual doctors is limited, it's helpful to have a list of prepared questions on hand.The Vascular Disease Foundation (VDF), a non-profit dedicated to public awareness and education regarding vascular health, has compiled some questions to ask doctors about PAD:* Does my medical history raise my risk for PAD?* What can I do to reduce my blood sugar level if it's too high or if I have diabetes?* What do you recommend to quit smoking?For more information, or to get a free Heart and Sole kit, go to www.vdf.org or 1-866-PADINFO (1-866-723-4636).
Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST
Prescription Discount Card: Easy, Valuable and Free
 (NewsUSA) - Evelyn Webster of Brazos County, Texas, was devastated when she learned that her sister had been diagnosed with stomach cancer. As a result of the radiation and chemotherapy treatments, her big sister, Deborah Bryant, was unable to work and lost her health insurance.
"So therein lies the problem: no insurance, no medication, no money to buy the medication," Webster told CBS affiliate KBTX-TV in Bryan/College Station, Texas.
The family learned of a free prescription discount card available through Brazos County, where Webster works in the District Clerk's office.
"Without the NACo card, unfortunately, we would not have been able to buy all of [my sister's] medicines," she said. "The discount card is one of the best things to ever happen in Brazos County."
The National Association of Counties (NACo) Prescription Discount Card Program, administered by CVS Caremark, is a free national program available for all residents of NACo-member counties.
The process is simple: there are no forms to fill out, and any county resident may use the cards regardless of age, income or health status.
In fact, the cards save an average of 24 percent off the full retail cost of prescription medications. They can be used by consumers who do not have health insurance or those whose prescription is not covered by their insurance. All prescriptions are eligible for a discount.
A national network of more than 60,000 retail pharmacies, including the major national chain drug stores and a majority of community-based pharmacies, honor the card.
Bryant is in remission, her sister said, and the family has saved hundreds of dollars on her medications.
For more information, or to print a card for immediate use, visit www.caremark.com/naco.
Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 EST
Better Diabetes Care, Fewer Complications
 (NewsUSA) - Diabetes is a serious condition that affects many Western New Yorkers. Just look at the numbers: adults with diabetes are two to four times more likely to die from heart disease. The rate of amputation for people with diabetes is 10 times higher than for those who don't have the condition. Finally, $12.8 billion was spent in 2006 on medical costs and lost productivity related to diabetes in the state of New York.
The P2 Collaborative of Western New York (WNY) -- an alliance of people who get, give and pay for care working to improve the quality of care that people get at the doctor's office and hospitals -- is working to help people with diabetes throughout the region understand their condition, learn about what they need to do to stay healthy and help them find doctors who provide the best care for diabetes.
On P2 Collaborative's website, they offer a guide to help people with diabetes live healthy, happy lives. It has tips to help you be a partner in your health care with your doctor. Simple things, like asking questions during your appointment if you don't understand a procedure or if you experienced difficulties with your condition in between visits, can make all the difference.
What your doctor should do every visit:
* Check your weight and blood pressure -- which should be less than 130/80.
* Look at your feet.
* Develop an action plan to manage your diabetes.
What your doctor should do every three to six months:
* Give you an A1C test to check your blood sugar levels.
* Review your action plan.
What your doctor should do at least once a year:
* Check your cholesterol levels.
* Check for problems with your kidneys.
* Schedule an eye exam.
Finally, one of the most important things a patient can do is to find a doctor who's the best fit for you and your family. One way to do this is to review doctor performance ratings that show which doctors provide high-quality care by following nationally recommended guidelines for the treatment of diabetes and other conditions. Western New Yorkers can visit Reaching for Excellence http://rx4excellence.org/diabetes/ to compare local doctors to find the one who works best for them and their families.
Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST
Grandparents, Grandkids Benefit From Better Hearing
 (NewsUSA) - Grandparents and grandchildren have much to learn from one another, and such valuable relationships should be cultivated. Oxford University research has shown that 'involved' grandparents contribute significantly to better-adjusted grandchildren.
The research suggests that children find unique acceptance in their relationships with grandparents, which benefits them emotionally and mentally. The grandparental bond is built on communication. In fact, most children studied did not identify distance as an important factor if communication was strong.
Unfortunately, hearing loss is the number-one challenge to communication. According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), age and hearing loss are strongly related -- 30 percent of seniors from 65 to 74 years old suffer from a hearing disability. For adults 75 years of age or older, hearing loss jumps to 47 percent.
"It doesn't take a PhD for my patients to understand the many costs of hearing loss," says Sreek Cherukuri, MD, a certified ear, nose and throat physician based in Chicago, Ill.
Beyond emotional well-being, even something simple like taking the grandkids to the pool can turn dangerous if grandma can't hear possible cries for help. Driving puts the children at risk if the grandparents cannot hear oncoming traffic or car horns.
The NIDCD reports that only one out of every five people who needs a hearing aid actually wears one. This is largely due to the extravagant cost of most hearing aids.
"I found that I saw too many patients with hearing loss going home without a solution because they couldn't afford hearing aid prices," says Dr. Cherukuri.
Cherukuri's response was to develop inexpensive but effective hearing aids. "With today's technology, a quality hearing aid shouldn't cost more than a digital camera or iPod," Cherukuri says.
MDHearingAid, found at www.mdhearingaid.com, isn't just a reliable source for affordable hearing aids, it's also a good source for expert consumer information.
"You should see a physician and get the best hearing aid you can afford. We offer an excellent choice for those who cannot afford a custom hearing aid." Seniors should enjoy the benefits of their ripe age. This includes plenty of quality time with grandchildren.
Get more info on hearing loss and cost-efficient alternatives at www.MDHearingAid.com .
Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST
Salga de la oscuridad con exámenes oculares regulares
 (NewsUSA) - Cada cinco segundos, alguien se queda ciego, pero en el 80 por ciento de los casos, la ceguera es prevenible. La ceguera por una enfermedad ocular a menudo tiene tratamiento, pero solo si se encuentra en una fase temprana mediante exámenes oculares regulares.
Para ayudar a prevenir una pérdida de visión evitable, EyeCare America, un programa de servicio público de la Fundación de la Academia Americana de Oftalmología, ofrece exámenes oculares gratuitos realizados por oftalmólogos voluntarios dedicados a una buena causa. Los oftalmólogos son los médicos que se especializan en los ojos y el cuidado de la visión, desde gafas a intervenciones quirúrgicas complejas.
"Más de 45 millones de personas en todo el mundo están ciegas", afirma el doctor Richard P. Mills. "En muchos casos, las enfermedades oculares más severas no ofrecen señales de aviso hasta que es demasiado tarde y la pérdida de la visión es irreversible. Pero exámenes regulares de los ojos le pueden ayudar a encontrar los problemas pronto, cuando todavía hay tiempo para tratar las enfermedades y evitar la pérdida permanente de la visión".
EyeCare America proporciona exámenes oculares durante todo el año a un costo accesible para las personas de 65 años o más. Los exámenes oculares son proporcionados por un cuerpo de casi 7.000 oftalmólogos de EyeCare America en todo EE.UU. y Puerto Rico.
Las personas interesadas en el programa pueden visitar www.eyecareamerica.org para comprobar si son elegibles. El centro de referencia online de la organización también permite a los amigos y miembros de la familia averiguar al instante si sus seres queridos son elegibles para asignarles un oftalmólogo.
Aunque algunas enfermedades de los ojos, como las cataratas, progresan muy lentamente y tienen síntomas, los problemas oculares serios, como el glaucoma, la degeneración macular por la edad (AMD) y la retinopatía diabética, ofrecen pocas o ninguna señal de alerta. Se pueden encontrar y tratar en las fases tempranas mediante un examen ocular médico cuando el cuidado preventivo todavía es posible. Para cuando estas enfermedades comienzan a mostrar síntomas, como visión borrosa o puntos negros en el campo de visión, la pérdida de visión es irreversible.
EyeCare America proporciona servicios a las personas mayores sin servicio médico y a aquellos que tienen un alto riesgo de enfermedades oculares. Desde su creación, EyeCare America ha ayudado a más de 1,5 millones de personas.
Mon, 7 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST
Long Term Care Industry Ranks as Nation's 10th Largest Employer
 (NewsUSA) - As Washington considers reworking Medicaid -- the healthcare program for the poor -- a crucial fact remains ignored: For every $45 billion spent in Medicaid every year by federal and state governments, long term care facilities are able to generate $529 billion in total economic activity, support and create over 5.4 million jobs, and return over $60 billion in taxes back to federal and state coffers."In this economic engine that is the American economy, long term care is one of the pistons, consistently firing even in the worst of hardships," stated Governor Mark Parkinson, president and CEO of the American Health Care Association and the National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL).According to a national economic impact analysis compiled by AHCA using Impact Analysis for Planning (IMPLAN) data software, the long term care profession ranks as the nation's 10th largest employer, above merchandise retail, food retail and both military and non-military federal government personnel. In 2010, these companies created 63,000 jobs while many other businesses struggled to stay afloat. Long term care facilities support industries and sectors statewide, from food services to private hospitals to insurance carriers.The report underscores the important role nursing facilities play in the U.S. economy. Parkinson hopes the report will convince lawmakers to protect the funding streams that ensure these facilities can continue to play an important role in the national economy, saying, "If states cut Medicaid, that will have direct and drastic implications on not only our profession, but more importantly our ability to serve the greatest generation. The potential for increased job growth -- a priority of every lawmaker in this country -- is huge. Our profession must receive the appropriate funding needed for us to meet the demand of baby boomers in the coming years."For more information, visit www.ahcancal.org.
Wed, 2 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST
Tips for Independent Living After 70
 (NewsUSA) - You love your home and don't want to leave it, but your children are concerned and keep mentioning assisted living. So, how can you maintain your independence while assuring your kids that you're fine on your own?Many people are capable of living on their own in their seventies and beyond -- with a few small adjustments to their lifestyles and living areas. Here are some suggestions:* Get prescription medications without leaving your home. Ordering medications through a mail service or online pharmacy can save you time and money, as well as help you avoid runs to the pharmacy. Just make sure that you receive medications from a reputable drugstore. Look for one that's located in the U.S., requires prescriptions and is licensed by its state's board of pharmacy. Your local drug store may also allow you to order online.* Get meals delivered. If shopping and cooking become a struggle, fresh-made meals delivered to your door can help you get affordable, nutritious food without relying on a caretaker. One service, Mom's Meals, can deliver to any location, from a city apartment to an isolated farmhouse, and offers personal attention on the phone.The company crafts dishes to please every palate and can accommodate diabetics and vegetarians, as well as others with special dietary needs. Special packaging ensures that meals, which range from mini pancakes with an omelet and turkey sausage to meat lasagna, remain fresh in the fridge for up to two weeks. Visit www.momsmeals.com or call 866-971-6667 to speak with a personal representative.* Make homes safer. Certain changes to the home can make it safer and more comfortable to navigate, such as installing hand grips in the bathroom to lend extra support. Door knobs can be replaced with levers, and cabinets and drawers can be given larger handles. Loose carpeting should be fixed, and clutter should be removed, as both can easily cause falls.
Wed, 2 Nov 2011 00:00:00 EST
Family Caregivers Month Highlights Parkinson's Disease
 (NewsUSA) - For the fifteenth year, November has been declared National Family Caregivers Month. Parkinson's disease (PD), which inhibits motor skill function and cognitive ability, affects not only the person diagnosed but also family and friends around them. Carolyn manages her PD with proper treatment, exercise and support from her husband and caregiver of 51 years, Joe.In his caregiver role, Joe says, "From day one, I had to accept the hand we were dealt and do what I could to ensure that Carolyn remained active and continued taking her medication as directed."After experiencing a slight tremor in her right thumb and persistent handwriting abnormalities for five years, Carolyn and Joe visited a neurologist who diagnosed her PD and prescribed AZILECT® (rasagiline tablets) and regular exercise to help manage her disease.While symptoms and treatment may vary among patients, Carolyn finds that having her husband, Joe, as a dedicated caregiver makes life easier. When asked his most important piece of advice for fellow caregivers, Joe replied, "Long-term planning for medical and financial security is essential." Additionally, he cites patience and understanding as two virtues that all caregivers must display.With Joe's care and her daily treatment, Carolyn has been able to continue enjoying the things she loves, like spending time with her grandchildren, traveling and enjoying water sports at a nearby lake.For more information about PD, please visit www.parkinsonshealth.com. IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION ABOUT AZILECT Patients should not take AZILECT if they are taking meperidine as it could result in a serious reaction such as coma or death. Also, patients should not take AZILECT with tramadol, methadone, propoxyphene, dextromethorphan, St. John's wort, or cyclobenzaprine. Patients also should not take AZILECT with other monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Patients should inform their physician if they are taking, or planning to take, any prescription or over-the-counter drugs, especially antidepressants and ciprofloxacin. If patients have moderate to severe liver disease, they should not take AZILECT. Patients should not exceed a dose of 1 mg per day of AZILECT in order to prevent a possibly dangerous increase in blood pressure. All PD patients should be monitored for melanoma (skin cancer) on a regular basis. Side effects seen with AZILECT alone are flu syndrome, joint pain, depression, and indigestion; and when taken with levodopa are uncontrolled movements (dyskinesia), accidental injury, weight loss, low blood pressure when standing, vomiting, anorexia, joint pain, abdominal pain, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, rash, abnormal dreams, and fall. You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088. See additional important information at http://azilect.com/Resources/PDFs/PrescribingInformation-pdf.aspx, or call 1-877-4-AZILECT.
Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST
Get Out of the Dark With Routine Eye Exams
 (NewsUSA) - Every five seconds, someone goes blind, but in 80 percent of the cases, the blindness is preventable. Blindness from eye disease is often treatable, but only if it's noticed early through routine eye exams.
To help prevent avoidable vision loss, EyeCare America, a public service program of the Foundation of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, is offering free eye exams by volunteer ophthalmologists dedicated to a worthy cause. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors who specialize in eye and vision care, from glasses to complex surgeries.
"More than 45 million people worldwide are blind," says Richard P. Mills, MD. "In many cases, the most severe eye diseases offer no warning signs, until it's too late and vision loss is irreversible. But regular eye exams can help you catch problems early, while there is still time to treat conditions and prevent permanent loss of sight."
EyeCare America provides year-round eye exams at no out-of-pocket cost to people age 65 and over. Eye exams are provided by a corps of nearly 7,000 EyeCare America ophthalmologists across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.
People who are interested
in the program can visit www.eyecareamerica.org to see if they are eligible. The organization's online referral center also enables friends and family members to find out instantly if their loved ones are eligible to be matched with an ophthalmologist.
While some eye diseases, such as cataracts, progress slowly and offer symptoms, serious eye problems, such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic retinopathy, often offer few or no warning signs. They can be caught and treated in the early stages through a medical eye exam when preventive care is still possible. By the time these conditions do begin to show symptoms, such as blurred vision or black spots across the field of vision, often vision loss is irreversible.
EyeCare America provides services to medically under-served seniors and those at a high risk for eye disease. Since its inception, EyeCare America has helped over 1.5 million people.
Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 EST
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