Confused about the Affordable Care Act? Join the majority of Americans. President Obama signed the healthcare reform law three years ago, and still most of us are unsure that we understand what it is. In fact, a whopping 41% didn’t even know that it was still the law. For whatever reason, the implementation seemed messy and many feel negatively about it. And bits of the law seem a bit murky. So, does the Affordable Care Act actually help seniors? To answer the question simply, yes. The new law reduces the risk of Medicare fraud. Many seniors have fallen prey to
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Monthly Archives May 2013
Fight the Risk of Dementia
The risk of dementia can be worrisome, not only for the senior but also for the family members caring for him or her. Although much of the research suggests that Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia may be out of our control, some studies are saying that there are ways to prevent the condition. Here are three ways to beat the odds of getting dementia: Work up a sweat. It has been found that the positive circulatory effects of light exercise can reduce the risk of dementia. Beginning a new exercise routine should be discussed with a medical provider first for
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Retirement Can Be Expensive
When saving for retirement, many grossly underestimate the amount they will need for medical expenses. If a senior is planning on using Medicare throughout retirement, he or she will need to save approximately $220,000 for co-payments, deductibles, and prescriptions. So, how does one prepare? First, talk to a financial planner. This planner can help to organize a retirement plan that includes medical bills. He or she can also suggest the best ways to save, specifically for healthcare costs. Second, begin a health savings account. People with high-deductible health plans usually begin contributing to these accounts when they are younger and healthier. The
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Caring for a Parent Comes with a Cost
People are living longer than ever and many older people find themselves caring for their parents. Someone who once dreamed of a retirement full of leisure may find him or herself instead caring for an elderly parent. Unfortunately, it can become a burden for a “child” to care for their parent and it comes with a cost. So the question is, what is the actual cost of this labor of love? Some justify it by saying, “They cared for me in my childhood, so I should be able to care for them in their old age.” But the financial cost
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Lack of Care in Nursing Homes
Health care workers from across Minnesota came to the capitol earlier this month to demand more money from the state. Much like Illinois, Minnesota has a lack of care in nursing homes throughout the state due to inadequate funds and lowered quality of skilled professionals in the industry. Skilled health professionals are beginning to leave nursing homes in favor of a bigger paycheck. And who can blame them? They haven’t seen a pay increase in five years. What this means is that the quality of the nursing homes relying on the money to pay their staff will decrease. This reduction
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The Key to Longevity Revealed
Well, the key to longevity may finally be revealed. A 94 year old man tells an incredibly inspiring story about how he was able to stay active in his old age by simply exercise routinely. It seems none of us have an excuse anymore, at least when it comes to regular exercise. Recent studies have shown that regular exercise has an even bigger impact on longevity than weight does. You read that right. According to the research, someone who maintains an active lifestyle will live years longer than those who do not. And it seems to not matter if you
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Senior Safety in Summertime
When you think of summer, thoughts of sunshine, swimming, and sitting on the porch with a cold ice tea in your hand may leap into your mind. You probably don’t think of the potential dangers related to summer. Summer weather, particularly in Illinois, really brings the heat. When we sweat, we lose precious water from our bodies causing dehydration if not replenished quickly. One of the early symptoms of dehydration is dizziness. If a senior is dehydrated and gets up too quickly, the resulting light-headedness can cause a dangerous fall. Keep in mind that if you feel thirsty, you are
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The Future of Senior Care: Robots?
Could robots really be the future of senior care? The Japanese certainly think so. Burdened with the problems of the ever-growing senior population and a shortage of healthcare workers, the Japanese government is putting money towards designing and building robots to help care for the elderly. According to Japan Daily Press, three types of robots are being tested at this time. Seniors who have difficulty with movement would use one type of robot to help them get up and down and help them get from place to place. This would alleviate some of the lifting that the caretakers would usually
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Creating a Dog Friendly Garden
Gardening is great exercise in the warm weather, but having a dog may make it more difficult. Make your garden dog-friendly, so that both you and your companion can enjoy the spring weather together. First, plan your garden space. Look for well-worn places in the yard where your dog regularly walks and avoid those areas for your garden. Take your dog’s needs into consideration when thinking of the size of the garden. If your pup is active, a smaller garden may be best to start. If he’s more of a sunbather than a runner, you can probably expand your plot
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Finding the Meaning of Life
What is the meaning of life? Everyone, from philosophers to theologians, has been asking this question for as long as humans have been in existence. Scientists are now taking a crack at it, and have come up with a few tips to help us find it. According to an article on Psych Central, the first step towards finding meaning is nature. People who are around nature often report having more meaning in their lives. Even just looking at pictures of nature can help. In one interesting study, groups were shown pictures of nature in the four seasons. People shown the seasons
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