ELDER BULLYING

Dr. Fauci Deserved Tough Questions

—Not Personal Attacks

By Arthur Inglish

When Dr. Anthony Fauci testified before Congress, lawmakers had every right to ask difficult questions. Congressional oversight is an essential part of our democracy, especially after a public health crisis as devastating as the COVID-19 pandemic. Americans deserved answers about what worked, what didn't, and what lessons should be learned.

What they did not need to see was an 85-year-old man being verbally abused by a group of foul-mouthed Republican thugs whose main purpose was to demean the character and reputation of an American hero.

Continue reading...

Trump administration 

to end Medicare Part D 

subsidy program in 2027

By Michelle Stoddart and Arthur Jones II

Medicare Part D -- the government health insurance program's prescription drug benefit -- is used by tens of millions of older or disabled beneficiaries.

The Trump administration is ending a key health insurance subsidy program that aimed to keep premiums for seniors' prescription drug plans in check, claiming that it benefits corporate insurance companies, according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator Mehmet Oz.

Policymakers have taken steps to strengthen the nation’s aging system, which provides services to millions of older adults, people with disabilities, and family caregivers. However, progress has been slow, and the existing challenges are worsening as the baby boomer generation ages. Continued inaction will leave Americans without the supports they need to age with dignity, harming older adults and their families while driving up avoidable federal and state costs.

This legislation puts patient care and outcomes first. By passing the bipartisan Improving Seniors’ Timely Access to Care Act, we can make it easier for seniors to receive the care they are entitled to while alleviating unnecessary administrative burdens on physicians and hospitals. 

Go to story...  

How the 

Federal Fair Housing Act 

Protects Older Adults

By Lee Pruitt 

Although age is not a protected category under the federal Fair Housing Act (FHA), many older adults are protected from housing discrimination through the law’s disability protections. The FHA applies to many types of housing and prohibits discrimination, including denied reasonable accommodations, denied reasonable modifications, unequal treatment, and certain overly broad criminal-record policies.

Who and What the FHA Covers...

When we think about what it means to be an elder law attorney, many people think about drafting wills and trusts, preparing and signing advance directives, and navigating long-term care costs and care planning. This is certainly a part of what we do as elder law attorneys, but there is a deeper part that many people may not realize...

Seniors receive remote monitoring equipment never requested.

A provider offers "free" monthly telehealth not requested or needed.

Medicare claims for Chronic Care Management (CCM) are listed as telehealth services.

Medicare is billed monthly for services not recognized or weren't medically necessary

How Seniors Can Protect Themselves Against These Scams:

Go to story...  

Exploring the Connection 

Between Nutrients and 

Hearing Health 

in the Golden Years

By Keith Darrow 

If you’re over 60, you might already be familiar with how age-related hearing loss can creep up on you. This condition is pretty common, affecting roughly one-third of people aged 65 to 74 and about half of those older than 75.

But did you know that vitamins, specifically B-12 and folate, might play a role in this?

Clinicians can improve sleep in older adults by screening more carefully for sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) becomes more common with age and is associated with chronic conditions, yet the breathing disorder frequently goes unrecognized. Untreated OSA disrupts breathing during sleep, which leads to drops in oxygen levels and frequent awakenings. Over time, these disruptions increase the risk for cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes, cognitive problems, and daytime fatigue.

Go to story...  

How to make sure 

your end-of-life wishes 

are followed

By Jim Miller 

About 40 percent of older Americans have an advance directive. This usually includes a living will that spells out the care you want if you become incapacitated, and a health care power of attorney (or proxy) naming someone to make decisions for you.

To give your instructions more weight, talk with your doctor about completing a POLST (Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) – sometimes called MOLST (Medical Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment) or POST (Physician Orders for Scope of Treatment), depending on your state. 

The fear of becoming a burden can encompass far more than needing help with daily tasks, Irving added. Older adults often worry about the physical demands placed on family members, the financial costs of care and the prospect of losing control over their finances, medical decisions or conversations with doctors.

What they all had in common was wanting a home that fit the life they wanted today – not the one they had 20 years ago.

That’s why there isn’t a single “best” type of home. The right choice depends on your lifestyle, priorities, finances, health, family, and future plans.

Go to story...  

Does Medicare 

Cover Cannabis? 

A New Pilot Program Explained

By Tamara E. Holmes & Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

While Medicare historically has not covered cannabis, a pilot program that began in April 2026 allows some enrollees to receive up to $500 per year in hemp-derived products for medical purposes. Hemp is a type of cannabis plant. To qualify, Medicare enrollees must be 18 or older, healthy enough to participate, and have a prescription from a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. 

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

Read more:

- Your Body Chemistry – Mosquitoes are attracted to certain chemicals on your skin. People naturally produce different scents, and some are simply more appealing to mosquitoes.

- You Breathe Out More Carbon Dioxide – Mosquitoes can detect carbon dioxide from quite a distance. Larger adults, pregnant women, and people exercising tend to exhale more CO₂, making them easier targets.

- Your Body Temperature Is Higher – Warm bodies attract mosquitoes. If you've been exercising, have a fever, or naturally run warm, you're more likely to get bitten.

- You Have Type O Blood – Research suggests mosquitoes prefer people with Type O blood over those with Type A or Type B. They can even detect chemicals your body releases that hint at your blood type.

- You're Wearing Dark Clothing – Mosquitoes use their eyesight as well as their sense of smell. Dark colors like black, navy, and red make you stand out more, especially at dusk when mosquitoes are most active.