
FRIDAY JUNE 2, 2023
Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“The sense of love should not like coffee,
which only gives pleasure to the enjoy.
But it must be like oranges which not only give pleasure
but also freshness.”
― Isra

McCarthy suggests new commission
could look at Social Security
and Medicare cuts

By Sarah K. Burris
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) announced Wednesday he was launching a commission tasked with looking at budget cuts – and he suggested Social Security and Medicare could come under his scalpel.
His pledge came just months after vowing such cuts to mandatory spending programs were off the table.
In February, President Joe Biden spoke before a joint session of Congress, telling Americans the GOP wanted to cut the programs they had paid into their whole lives. "Instead of making the wealthy pay their fair share, some Republicans want Medicare and Social Security to sunset every five years," he said.
"That means those programs will go away if Congress doesn’t vote to keep them. Other Republicans say if we don’t cut Social Security and Medicare, they’ll let America default on its debt for the first time in our history."
Why are so many seniors
homeless in America?
People over 60 are quickly becoming the largest share of America's unhoused population Homeless person and tents

BY PETER WEBER
The baby boomers are "the wealthiest generation" and currently the most powerful — three of the last five presidents were all born in the summer of 1946, after all. They also have the largest slice of the U.S. real estate wealth, 44%, even though they make up just 28% of the adult population, NPR's Planet Money reported. On the flip side, boomers are quickly becoming the largest share of America's homeless population.
People over 60 are "now arguably the fastest rising group" within the homeless population, Dennis Culhane, a professor of social policy at the University of Pennsylvania, told PBS NewsHour. He and colleagues predicted in a widely cited 2019 paper that the population of homeless seniors 65 and older in New York City, Los Angeles County and Boston will probably triple by 2030. And that was before the Covid-19 pandemic upended the lives of seniors living on the edge of poverty.
"It's in crisis proportions. It's in your face," Culhane told The Washington Post. "Average citizens can see people in wheelchairs, people in walkers, people with incontinence and colostomy bags making their living out of a tent."
Gallstones Symptoms:
9 Unusual Signs Your Body
May Show Up When Your
Gallbladder Is At Risk
Fighting Back Against Gallstones: Diet and Lifestyle Strategies for Prevention
What are gallstones? Gallstones are hardened collections of bile materials that develop in your gallbladder.

By Satata Karmakar
Our gallbladder plays a very important role in storing and concentrating bile from the liver. This bile juice helps in the digestive process, thus keeping the body's metabolism rate high and digestive issues at bay. This bile juice is released into the first section of the small intestine (the duodenum), where it helps your body to break down and absorb fats from food. But have you ever thought, about what may happen inside your body when the gallbladder is not functioning properly? Our gallbladder is one of those organs that you probably don't think too much about unless something goes wrong. Today, in this article, we will talk about one of the most common illnesses related to gallbladder ---- gallstones.
We spoke to Dr Parvesh Jain, Prof and Head, Medical Gastroenterology, Apollo Hospitals, Sheshadripuram, to understand more about gallstones and how one can prevent them. Scroll down to know what the doctor wants you all to keep an eye on.
Symptoms of Gallstones
Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in your gallbladder. When a gallstone causes a persistent blockage or an infection, the patient may notice symptoms of acute inflammation. This may include:
U.S. Census shows
that older adults
outnumber children
for the
first time in a century
The 2020 census reveals that the demographics of the United States are changing in historical ways— how will this affect the country’s future?

By Ashley Nash
As the U.S. Census Bureau releases data from the 2020 census, a clearer picture of the demographics of our country begins to emerge. Based on the latest findings, the bureau revealed that for the first time in a century the number of adults over 60 in the U.S. is greater than the number of children under 10 years old, per the American Enterprise Institute.
Crunching the numbers: Census data showed that as of 2020 there were about 39.5 million people in their 60s and about 38.5 million people under the age of 10.
In 2020, the older population of U.S. adults over 60 reached 55.8 million, or 16.8% of the population, growing at a rate of nearly five times faster from 1920 to 2020 than it did in the century before, the Bureau said.

MOVING TO NEW HOME
LATER IN LIFE:
THINKING IT THROUGH

BY PETER KEERS
We all come to a stage in life when we ponder the possibility of moving to a new home. However, before committing to such a big step, consider what is driving this idea.
How many of us, during our working years, have dreamed of living in a mild climate and enjoying all life has to offer? Yet, as we age, the realities of such a decision come to the forefront. Practical questions like “Exactly where would I like to move” and “Can I afford it?” arise. These and other important questions need to be thoroughly addressed before forging ahead.
Empty Nest
If you are a parent, your life changes significantly once the kids leave the house. Perhaps now the family home feels a bit too large for your needs. On the other hand, you may love your home and prefer to remodel it to meet your new situation. Such remodeling may need to include accessories like grab bars and handicap-accessible spaces if you plan this to be your “forever home.”
Learn more >> https://sixtyandme.com/moving-to-new-home/
WHAT IS LIKE
TO BE OLD
IN AMERICA?
(Written by a “friend”)

"Being old in America is a unique experience that is shaped by a combination of factors, including social, economic, and cultural aspects. As individuals advance in age, they often encounter a range of challenges and opportunities that define their senior years.
One of the primary concerns for older Americans is health. Aging often brings with it a higher likelihood of developing chronic conditions and facing physical limitations. Access to quality healthcare becomes crucial, as medical expenses can be burdensome, especially for those without adequate insurance coverage. Furthermore, older individuals may find it difficult to navigate the complex healthcare system and deal with the emotional toll of managing their health.
Economic security is another major aspect of aging in America. Many seniors rely on fixed incomes, such as Social Security, pensions, and retirement savings, to sustain their lifestyles. However, rising costs of living, including housing, healthcare, and basic necessities, can strain their financial resources. Some older adults may need to continue working beyond the traditional retirement age to make ends meet, while others may face financial insecurity and struggle to maintain a decent standard of living.
Social isolation is a prevalent issue among the elderly in America. As individuals age, they may experience the loss of friends, family members, and spouses, leading to feelings of loneliness and isolation. Limited mobility and declining health can further restrict social interactions, making it challenging to engage in community activities and maintain a robust social network. This isolation can have detrimental effects on mental health, contributing to depression and anxiety.
However, it's important to recognize that being old in America is not solely defined by challenges. Older adults possess a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and life experience that can be valuable to their families, communities, and society at large. Many seniors find fulfillment through intergenerational connections, volunteering, pursuing hobbies, and sharing their expertise with others. Organizations and initiatives aimed at promoting healthy aging and age-friendly communities are striving to address the needs of older Americans and tap into their potential.
Ultimately, the experience of being old in America is multifaceted, with a mixture of joys and difficulties. While some seniors face significant obstacles, others are able to enjoy a fulfilling and active lifestyle. Recognizing the unique needs and contributions of older adults is essential for fostering a society that respects and supports the dignity of aging individuals".......A.I.

REASONS TO LOVE ORANGES
There are numerous reasons to love oranges! Here are ten of them:
1. Rich in Vitamin C: Oranges are renowned for their high vitamin C content. Just one medium-sized orange can fulfill your daily vitamin C requirement, which is essential for a healthy immune system, collagen production, and antioxidant protection.
2. Refreshing Flavor: Oranges have a delightful tangy-sweet taste that is both refreshing and satisfying. Their juicy flesh bursts with flavor, making them a delightful snack or addition to various dishes and beverages.
3. Abundant Fiber: Oranges are an excellent source of dietary fiber. Including oranges in your diet can aid digestion, promote bowel regularity, and contribute to a healthy gut.
4. Hydration Support: With their high water content, oranges can help keep you hydrated. Consuming oranges is an effective way to supplement your daily fluid intake, particularly during hot weather or physical activity.
5. Antioxidant Powerhouse: Oranges contain a wide array of antioxidants, including vitamin C, flavonoids, and beta-carotene. These antioxidants protect your cells from damage caused by harmful free radicals, reducing the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and certain cancers.
6. Heart Health: Oranges are heart-friendly fruits. Their high fiber content, combined with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, helps maintain healthy blood pressure levels, reduces cholesterol, and supports overall cardiovascular health.
7. Nutrient Dense: Oranges offer a range of essential nutrients in a low-calorie package. They provide vitamins like A, B vitamins (thiamin and folate), and minerals like potassium and magnesium, contributing to overall wellness.
8. Versatile Culinary Ingredient: Oranges are incredibly versatile in the kitchen. They can be enjoyed fresh, juiced, or used as an ingredient in both sweet and savory dishes. From salads to marinades, cakes to salsas, oranges add a burst of flavor and brightness.
9. Natural Energy Boost: Oranges are a fantastic source of natural energy due to their carbohydrate content and natural sugars. They provide a quick pick-me-up and can be an excellent alternative to sugary snacks or energy drinks.
10. Seasonal Variety: Oranges come in a wide range of varieties, each with its unique characteristics and flavors. From sweet navel oranges to tangy blood oranges, you can explore different varieties throughout the year, adding diversity to your diet.
Remember, these reasons to love oranges are not exhaustive, as they offer numerous other health benefits, culinary possibilities, and overall enjoyment.

NEXT BLOG
WEEKEND EDITION , JUNE 3 - 4, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

THURSDAY JUNE 1, 2023
Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“It is not summer, England doesn’t have summer,
it has continuous autumn with a
fortnight’s variation here and there.”
– Natasha Pulley

In the past year,
American Senior Citizens l
ost over $1 billion US dollars
to crypto scams

By Emily Sherlock
Last year, the FBI reported that American Senior Citizens lost over $1 billion US dollars to crypto scams. The figure is a troubling 78% increase on 2021’s figure and a jaw-dropping 95% increase on 2020’s $55,056,091 loss. It seems that cryptocurrency crimes are well and truly on the rise, but with more than half of all over 60s in the United States admitting that they know next to nothing about crypto, what can silver surfers do to avoid falling victim?
Whether you are a senior citizen yourself or simply have a family member who has shown an interest in bitcoin and cryptoassets, it is important to stay safe and we at BanklessTimes.com have looked at the points you should consider before making a transfer. We’ve also explored some of the red flags that might suggest that a cryptocurrency crime is taking place. With a fourfold increase in crypto crime over the past 12 months alone, let’s hope that 2023 is the year that we stay savvy and beat these scammers at their game.
Cryptocurrency scams take many guises, from dodgy tech support salesmen demanding cryptocurrency to fix non-existent internet issues, to ransomware attacks when a senior citizen may find their computer files encrypted until a bitcoin ransom has been paid.
Low Back Pain:
Spine Surgeon Busts Myths
About Spinal Surgery
Treatment for low back pain varies depending on the cause and severity. Know when one may need spinal surgery for low back pain.

By Longjam Dineshwori
Have you ever felt a dull and achy pain while sitting in your chair all day working? You're not alone. Many people experience low back pain, and the causes can vary from person to person. The low back is made up of important structures that are crucial to understand when trying to figure out the source of the pain. These structures include five vertebral bodies, intervertebral discs, nerves, adjacent joints, muscles, as well as blood vessels and ligaments. Low back pain is a common problem that affects people of all ages and backgrounds. The pain can be acute, starting suddenly, or it can be chronic, lasting for a long time.
Talking to the HealthSite, Dr. Abhilash Bansal, Senior Consultant Neurosurgeon and Spine Surgeon, SPARSH Hospital, explained the causes of low back pain and available treatment options. He also busted some myths about spine surgery. Excerpts follow:
Q. What causes lower back pain?
Gene Therapy Reverses
Age-Related Hearing Loss

Summary: Researchers successfully demonstrated the efficacy of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vectors in reversing genetic hearing loss in aged animal models. The scientists developed a mature mouse model with a mutation similar to the human TMPRSS3 gene defect, which typically results in progressive hearing loss.
Upon injecting these mice with an AAV carrying a healthy TMPRSS3 gene, a notable restoration of hearing was observed. This advancement suggests the potential of gene therapies to treat genetic hearing loss, even in advanced age.
Key Facts:
The study demonstrates for the first time the effectiveness of AAV vector-mediated gene therapy in reversing hearing loss in aged mice, opening possibilities for similar treatment in humans.
This research successfully developed a mouse model with a mutation equivalent to the human TMPRSS3 gene defect, known to cause progressive hearing loss.
The possibility of combining this gene therapy with cochlear implants could potentially treat genetic hearing loss.
The cost of long-term care in the U.S.
is outpacing the income and
savings of older adults

Previous research has shown that increasing the time with certified nursing assistants markedly improves the quality of care.
Despite increases in assets among middle-class Americans in recent years, 80 percent of older adults would be unable to afford two years of long-term care, according to data from the National Council on Aging.
A new report shows that eight in 10 Americans are unprepared to cover the cost of long-term care, like living at a nursing facility.
“As Americans turn age 65 and start to retire, a question arises about whether or not [they] have enough resources to ensure that they can live comfortably during their retirement,” Cohen said. “And there are a couple of things that we found from this report.”
Read more >> https://wusfnews.wusf.usf.edu/economy-business/2023-05-30/cost-long-term-care-outpacing-income-savings-older-adults

50 Sweet and Savory
Berry Recipes
You Need to Try
This Summer

By Katie Bandurski
Take your love of berries to new heights with these sweet, savory and surprising recipes.
Jalapeno Cornbread Filled with Blueberry Quick Jam
Fresh jalapenos and blueberry quick jam make the perfect blend of sweet and spicy in this special cornbread. Once you eat one piece, you won’t be able to resist going back for another. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Honey Berry Sheet Cake
I adapted a traditional honey cake recipe for this dessert. I wanted something that would show off all our amazing local honey as well as tasty summer berries. This also works perfectly as a Fourth of July cake, with the blueberries in the top corner and the raspberries in stripes—you wouldn’t need as many blueberries, but you would need more raspberries. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah



NEXT BLOG
FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

WEDNESDAY MAY 31, 2023
Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“If you'd ever shaken hands with an earthquake you'd understand
I'm an entity of trembling infinities beneath everything you see.”
― Curtis Tyrone Jones

How to Manage
Rising Food Costs
Tips for coping with the sunsetting of pandemic food benefits just when inflation is accelerating to the fastest pace in a generation

By Rosie Wolf Williams
Gudrun Fortner has felt the sting of inflation. She is on a fixed income, and although her mobile home is paid for, the 73-year-old Florida resident says rising costs of living — particularly the rising cost of eating — have made it difficult for her and other older adults to make ends meet.
The Seniors Farmers' Market Nutrition Program is available for qualified older Americans who are 60 years of age or older. The program offers fresh, locally grown produce and can be used to supplement the SNAP benefits or other local food assistance programs.
"Without my little food stamps and church, I would be in deep trouble," she says.
Others share her concern. Benefits that are known colloquially as food stamps and issued under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, were raised during the COVID-19 pandemic to help people who could not work because they or their employers were quarantined, and to help low-income people have a healthier diet to ward off the COVID virus.
Read more >> click here
Senior Living:
When older parents resist
help or advice,
use these tips to cope

By JUDITH GRAHAM
It was a regrettable mistake. But Kim Sylvester thought she was doing the right thing at the time.
Her 80-year-old mother, Harriet Burkel, had fallen at her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, fractured her pelvis and gone to a rehabilitation center to recover. It was only days after the death of Burkel’s 82-year-old husband, who’d moved into a memory care facility three years before.
With growing distress, Sylvester had watched her mother, who had emphysema and peripheral artery disease, become increasingly frail and isolated.
“I would say, ‘Can I help you?’” Sylvester told me. “And my mother would say, ‘No, I can do this myself. I don’t need anything. I can handle it.’”
Read more >> https://www.ocregister.com/2023/05/29/senior-living-when-older-parents-resist-help-or-advice-use-these-tips-to-cope/
WANT TO FEEL
MORE BALANCED?
START WITH YOUR FEET!

BY BRITTANY DENIS
Did you know that 25% of your bones and muscles are located below the ankle? And yet our feet tend to be one of the most overlooked parts of our body, at least as far as proactive care goes. No one thinks about their feet until there’s a problem.
Due to the volume of joints and muscles in the feet, stiffness in this area of the body is one of the biggest contributors to balance problems. Your feet play a major role in the intricate systems that keep you balanced. The more rigid your feet, the more difficult it is to balance.
One of the best places you can start to improve your balance is to improve the mobility of your feet. The more impact from the environment your feet absorb, the less work the rest of your body has to do to keep you balanced.
High Uric Acid:
5 Foods To Add
In Your Diet
To Lower Uric Acid Levels
Naturally

By Satata Karmakar
Uric acid is a waste product which is found in the blood. It is produced when the body breaks down chemicals called purines. Most of the uric acid gets dissolved in the blood and flushed out of the body as a part of the urine. However, in rare cases, excessive presence of uric acid in the body can lead to complications as not all of it gets flushed out of the body. If you are also suffering from high uric acid, make these 5 foods a part of your daily diet, and see how it helps in reducing your uric acid levels naturally.
Foods For Uric Acid
If you are suffering from high uric acid, try to all these 5 foods to your daily diet. Consuming these foods in a limited quantity can help in lowering uric acid levels naturally.
Banana
Bananas are low in purines and they come packed with vitamin C, which makes these yellow fruits the best food to eat when someone is suffering from gout. Adding bananas to your diet when suffering from high uric acid, one must switch to low-purine foods to lower the amount of uric acid in the blood and reduce the risk of recurrent gout attacks.

Toenail Trimming Tips
for Seniors

Dear Savvy Senior,
Can you recommend some good toenail clipping solutions for seniors? My toenails have gotten increasingly thick since I’ve gotten older and have become very difficult for me to reach down and cut.
Almost 80
Dear Almost,
Trimming your toenails is a task that most people don’t think much about, but as we get older, it can become very challenging. For many older adults like yourself, toenails can become thicker and harder to cut, and reduced flexibility can make it more difficult to even get into the right position to cut them. Fortunately, there are solutions available that can make this job a little easier.
One of the simplest tricks for cutting thick toenails is to simply take a bath or shower, or soak your feet in warm water, prior to cutting them. The water helps soften them for easier cutting.

NOSTALGIA

Monday was Memorial day or, as many refer to it, the unofficial first day of Summer. However, if you were a kid growing up in Brooklyn, Summer did not officially arrive until the afternoon of the last day of school. Somewhere around June 30th. Also, for some of us, the next day meant me, my dad and mom were on the move to our summer home. No, it wasn’t a secluded cabin at Lake Tahoe, or a chalet in the Swiss Alps. For us and the thousands of other middle-class families who wanted to escape the sweltering un-air conditioned city, our vacation home was a bungalow in our very own version of the Alps, The Catskills.
For those who are not familiar with bungalow colonies, a short explanation follows.

A bungalow colony in the Catskills refers to a type of vacation retreat or residential community that became popular in the mid-20th century, primarily among Jewish families from New York City and surrounding areas. The Catskill Mountains, located in upstate New York, provided a picturesque and serene setting for these colonies.
A bungalow colony typically consisted of a cluster of small, freestanding cottages or bungalows, often arranged around a central communal area. These colonies were designed to accommodate multiple families or groups, providing a sense of community and shared amenities. Each bungalow offered basic living quarters with bedrooms, a living area, a kitchenette, and a bathroom.
Families would rent a bungalow for the season or a portion of it, often staying for weeks or months at a time. Many of these colonies had shared facilities, such as swimming pools, sports courts, picnic areas, and entertainment halls. Residents would gather for communal meals, dances, talent shows, and other social events. It became a place where families could connect, build friendships, and create lasting memories.
Unfortunately, while it might have been a paradise for us kids, it may not have been so great for the moms who had to do mostly the same chores she did at home. Cook, clean and take care of me. The dads had to work, therefor they stayed in the city all week only to fight the Friday afternoon traffic on route 17 just so they could spend Saturday and part of Sunday away from the city. For my mom it meant having to cook and clean for one extra person. I think my mother might actually have been glad when summer was over.
One year, when I was six, we broke from tradition and decided the seashore would be nicer, and a lot closer. So it was off to the Jewish Riviera. Not in the south of France but in the south of Queens. The Rockaways.

The Rockaway Peninsula, commonly referred to as The Rockaways or Rockaway, is a peninsula at the southern edge of the New York City borough of Queens on Long Island, New York. Relatively isolated from Manhattan and other more urban parts of the city, Rockaway became a popular summer retreat in the 1830s. It has since become a mixture of lower, middle, and upper-class neighborhoods. In the 2010s, it became one of the city's most quickly gentrifying areas. This is where my folks rented a small bungalow just feet from the beach. It was much the sane as the Catskills, but without to trees. My dad however, could come out every evening via the A train. I don’t know how much he enjoyed it. It was a very long subway ride from the city.
As I grew older and became more independent, we no longer took vacations away from home. But that didn’t mean I had nothing to do. City kids will always find something interesting to occupy their time. I had my bike, Prospect Park and most of my friends who could organize a stickball game in a matter of minutes.
Sadly, those two magical months went all too quick. September meant the start of another school year. It also meant a trip downtown for squeaky new shows, new pants and a shirt or two. For my mom, I suppose it was the start of her vacation. A few short hours of peace and solitude until 3pm……


Facts about earthquakes in the U.S.
1. The United States experiences thousands of earthquakes each year, but most of them are relatively small and go unnoticed by people. On average, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) records about 20,000 earthquakes annually.
2. The state of California is the most seismically active region in the United States due to the presence of the San Andreas Fault, which stretches for about 800 miles (1,300 kilometers) through the state. California experiences hundreds of thousands of small earthquakes each year.
3. The largest earthquake ever recorded in the United States was the Great Alaska Earthquake, which occurred on March 27, 1964. It had a magnitude of 9.2 and caused widespread damage and loss of life in Alaska.
4. The New Madrid Seismic Zone, located in the central United States, is another significant seismic area. In 1811 and 1812, a series of powerful earthquakes struck the region, causing the Mississippi River to flow backward and resulting in significant damage to structures.
5. The 1906 San Francisco earthquake is one of the most well-known earthquakes in U.S. history. It had a magnitude of 7.9 and resulted in the destruction of much of San Francisco, with fires causing additional damage.
6. Earthquakes can occur in unexpected places within the United States. For example, in August 2011, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck near Mineral, Virginia, surprising many people in the eastern U.S. who are not accustomed to frequent seismic activity.
7. The USGS monitors and studies earthquakes in the United States through a network of seismometers and other instruments. This information helps scientists better understand earthquake patterns and potential hazards.
8. The "Richter scale" is often used to measure the magnitude of an earthquake. However, the USGS now primarily uses the moment magnitude scale (Mw), which provides a more accurate measure of the energy released by an earthquake.
9. Earthquakes can trigger other natural disasters, such as tsunamis and landslides. The 1964 Alaska earthquake, for example, generated a series of tsunamis that affected coastal areas throughout the Pacific Ocean.
10. Building codes and regulations have been developed and improved over time to mitigate the impact of earthquakes on structures. Areas prone to seismic activity, such as California, have implemented stricter construction standards to ensure buildings can withstand earthquakes to a certain extent.

NEXT BLOG
THURSDAY, JUNE 1, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

TUESDAY MAY 30, 2023
Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“If leeches ate peaches instead of my blood,
then I would be free to drink tea in the mud!”
― Emilie Autumn

Are Retirees Too Confident
About Social Security?

By Kailey Hagen
There's a lot we still don't know about what the future holds for the program.
Today's workers are pretty skeptical about Social Security's future. Only about half say they are at least somewhat confident the program will maintain its current value, according to a recent Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) survey. But for retirees, it's a different story.
Nearly 7 in 10 retirees believe their future Social Security benefits will provide an equal value to their current benefits, the EBRI survey says. But this is one of those situations where being too optimistic could come back to bite them. Here's why.
Read more >> https://www.fool.com/retirement/2023/05/28/retirees-too-confident-about-social-security/
Balance declines with age,
but exercise can help stave off
some of the risk of falling

My wife and I were in the grocery store recently when we noticed an older woman reaching above her head for some produce. As she stretched out her hand, she lost her balance and began falling forward. Fortunately, she leaned into her grocery cart, which prevented her from falling to the ground.
Each year, about 1 in every 4 older adults experience a fall. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injuries in adults ages 65 and older. Falls are the most common cause of hip fractures and traumatic brain injuries.
Injuries like those are also risk factors for placement in a nursing home, where the fall risk is nearly three times higher than for people living in the community.
Read more >> https://kiowacountypress.net/content/balance-declines-age-exercise-can-help-stave-some-risk-%C2%A0falling
Do You Have Back Pain?
Over 800 Mn People
Will Be Living
With Low Back Pain
In 2050

By Longjam Dineshwori
Back pain is a very common problem among adults worldwide. There are several factors that can cause back pain, such as age, lack of exercise, excess weight, injury and certain health conditions. A new study has raised concern regarding the increasing number of cases of low back pain, which is the leading cause of disability globally.
The new Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study, recently published in Lancet Rheumatology, estimated that by 2050, 843 million people will be living with low back pain. This would be an increase of 36 per cent from 2020, when there were approximately 619 million cases of back pain.
The calculation has been made based on the analysis of over 30 years of data (from 1990 to 2020) from over 204 countries and territories. Population growth and ageing of populations are mainly driving the number of low back pain cases globally, it stated.
What Is
Hospice Care at Home?

Hospice care is a type of health care that patients with terminally ill conditions rely on at the end of their lives. This type of care focuses on pain management and emotional, spiritual, and familial support for patients nearing the end of their lives.
There are several options for receiving hospice care, including being cared for at home. The type of intimate care a patient receives while in hospice is more conducive to being received at the patient’s home. This becomes a team effort, and it helps to have a peaceful environment when receiving care.
Who Can Benefit From This Type of Care?
Patients with serious illnesses like cancer, heart disease, dementia, kidney failure, or other fatal conditions benefit from hospice care. This type of care can help the patient live a more comfortable life while decreasing the emotional burden of grief for families by preparing them for the loss of their loved one.
Read more >> click here

WHAT TECHNOLOGY CAN MAKE
LIVING ALONE LESS SCARY
FOR SENIORS?
EXPLORE THESE 4 OPTIONS

BY JUDI JACOBS
They say there is safety in numbers. But that isn’t always possible, especially as we age. Fortunately, over the past decade, technology has evolved to help make living alone safer for seniors.
There are many apps and devices available that can provide an extra level of personal safety and make life a little easier. Knowledge of the availability of such options is vital, and often the limiting factor. Honestly, being prepared means setting yourself up with these tools before they are “needed.”
Daily Check-Ins
For seniors living alone, daily check-ins can relieve a lot of tension or pressure. That is where Snug Safety comes in.

TEN FACTS ABOUT TEA
1. Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world, after water. It is enjoyed by people of various cultures and has a rich history dating back thousands of years.
2. Tea is derived from the leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant. The different types of tea, such as green, black, white, oolong, and pu-erh, are produced through variations in processing methods.
3. The legend of tea's discovery dates back to ancient China in 2737 BC when Emperor Shen Nong was boiling water, and some tea leaves accidentally fell into his pot, creating a delightful aroma and taste.
4. Green tea is known for its high concentration of antioxidants, particularly catechins, which are believed to have numerous health benefits. It has been associated with improved brain function, weight loss, and reduced risk of heart disease and certain types of cancer.
5. Black tea, the most widely consumed type of tea, is known for its robust flavor and is often enjoyed with milk and sugar. It contains less caffeine than coffee but can still provide an energy boost.
6. White tea is the least processed type of tea and is made from young tea leaves and buds. It has a delicate flavor and is known for its high concentration of antioxidants and potential health benefits.
7. Oolong tea is partially fermented, giving it a flavor profile that falls between green and black tea. It is popular in China and Taiwan and is prized for its complex flavors and aroma.
8. Pu-erh tea is a fermented tea from the Yunnan province in China. It undergoes a unique aging process, which can last for several years or even decades, resulting in a rich and earthy flavor. Pu-erh is often associated with digestive benefits.
9. Herbal teas, such as chamomile, peppermint, and rooibos, are not technically tea, as they are not made from the Camellia sinensis plant. Instead, they are infusions made from various plant materials and are often enjoyed for their soothing and calming properties.
10. Tea plays an essential role in various cultures and ceremonies worldwide. For example, Japanese tea ceremonies, British afternoon tea, and Moroccan mint tea rituals highlight the cultural significance and traditions associated with tea consumption.
These facts provide a brief overview of the vast world of tea, its varieties, and its cultural significance.

NEXT BLOG
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-
MEMORIAL DAY, 2023

MONDAY MAY 29, 2023
“This is the way of air travel:
fellow passengers applaud
because they didn't die,
and then they cut in front of you
so they can exit four seconds earlier.”
― Vendela Vida,

America aged rapidly
in the last decade
as baby boomers grew older
and births dropped

By MIKE SCHNEIDER
The United States grew older, faster, last decade.
The share of residents 65 or older grew by more than a third from 2010 to 2020 and at the fastest rate of any decade in 130 years, while the share of children declined, according to new figures from the most recent census.
The declining percentage of children under age 5 was particularly noteworthy in the figures from the 2020 head count released Thursday. Combined, the trends mean the median age in the U.S. jumped from 37.2 to 38.8 over the decade.
America’s two largest age groups propelled the changes: more baby boomers turning 65 or older and millennials who became adults or pushed further into their 20s and early 30s. Also, fewer children were born between 2010 and 2020, according to numbers from the once-a-decade head count of every U.S. resident. The decline stems from women delaying having babies until later in life, in many cases to focus on education and careers, according to experts, who noted that birth rates never recovered following the Great Recession of 2007-2009.
Read more >> https://apnews.com/article/census-demographics-population-age-race-ethnicity-3bf63785a69db2a96a13eb70767c5f5e
Senior living’s premise
even more promising today

By Kimberly Bonvissuto
The premise and promise of senior living communities is more valuable than ever, according to the results of a new retirement survey.
Age Wave and Edward Jones, in partnership with The Harris Poll, in January surveyed more than 12,000 adults across five generations about retirement resilience. They found that most (93%) respondents agreed that preparation, flexibility and adaptability are key to retirement success.
“Resilient Choices: Trade-Offs, Adjustments and Course Corrections to Thrive in Retirement” explored more than 50 individuals course corrections and other tips to thrive across the four pillars of the new retirement: health, family, purpose and finances.
Read more >> https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/home/news/senior-livings-premise-even-more-promising-today/
Older Americans Agree
Smiling Could Make
Them Feel Happier,
But Many Are Held Back by a
Self-Perpetuating Cycle of
Poor Oral and Mental Health

Delta Dental's first Senior Mental and Oral Health Survey reveals a harmful feedback loop between poor oral health and mouth pain, and depression, anxiety, and low self-image for Americans 50 and up.
Mental health challenges contribute to the neglect of oral health care for many Americans 50 years of age and older, and mouth pain intensifies their feelings of depression or hopelessness, according to Delta Dental's 2023 Senior Mental and Oral Health Report.
The survey asked more than 1,000 Americans 50 and older about their oral health habits and stratified their self-reported indications of mental wellbeing.
Nursing homes in state
could see more oversight

By Kara Burnett
Rebecca Silva is always by her grandfather’s side, to keep him company and be a voice when he is not able to advocate for himself.
"It was hopeless. I was legitimately that day watching my grandfather die in front of my face," said Silva.
This past February, her 92-year-old grandfather was rushed to the hospital following a brief stay at Collar City Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. He was originally checked in for physical therapy for knee pain. But Rebecca says between unsanitary conditions, short staffing, and a lack of attention to care, she watched her grandfather’s condition decline rapidly.
"He's diabetic and he takes a bunch of medications per day. And I know that he has to have them at a certain time per day, and he hadn't had them yet," said Silva.
Read more >> https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/health/2023/05/23/nursing-home-concerns-new-york

Unraveling
a hidden cause of UTIs —
plus how to prevent them

By Allison Aubrey
If you've had a urinary tract infection, you're in good company. About 60% of women will develop one in their lifetime. UTIs lead to more than a million emergency room visits each year and more than $2 billion in medical costs.
Many of these infections are caused by common strains of E. coli bacteria that humans have lived with for millennia. But now researchers are investigating an unsettling source of some of the illness: the meat supply.
UTIs make urinating painful or difficult and can interfere with sex, sleep and exercise. Sometimes they can cause fever or chills. But since they can be treated with antibiotics, they've been considered more of a nuisance than a public health problem. Recently though, multi-drug resistance to some of the bacteria, including strains of E. coli, that cause UTIs has become an increasing worry.
Learn more >> https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2023/04/23/1171428486/uti-infection-prevent-treat


It’s Memorial Day in America. Officially, “It's a day of reflection and remembrance of those who died while serving in the U.S. military'', according to the Congressional Research Service. The holiday is observed in part by the National Moment of Remembrance, which encourages all Americans to pause at 3 p.m. for a moment of silence. Unofficially, it’s a day when Americans huddle around a kettle filled with hot coals to watch meat burn. There is also a lot of beer drinking, parades, music, traffic jams, screaming kids and the only ‘pausing’ done is frequent trips to the toilet. Did I mention beer drinking?

We here at the A.L.F. celebrate Memorial Day very much like the rest of America, minus the parade, traffic jams, the beer and the screaming kids. Frequent trips to the bathroom is a given.
We will have a BBQ today. And if it’s anything like BBQ’s past, it will be a disaster. Invariably, the burgers will be overcooked, the ribs under-cooked and any of the side dishes served too late to enjoy. The watermelon slices will be small and mostly rind vs. the red part and the chances of getting seconds on anything are slim to none. Despite their hard work, it was impossible to properly cook the necessary quantity of food for two hundred people. BBQs work best when the group is small, the food can be cooked to order and, most important of all, IF I DO THE COOKING.
I don’t purport to be a grill-master. But I follow some rudimentary steps to insure the burgers will, at least, be edible. BTW, hardly any of these ‘tips’ are used by our food staff.
Form the patties correctly: Handle the ground beef gently to avoid overworking it, which can result in a dense and tough burger. Form the patties into even shapes, about ¾ to 1 inch thick, and make a slight indentation in the center with your thumb. This helps the burger cook evenly and prevents it from puffing up in the middle.Season generously: Season the patties liberally with salt and pepper on both sides just before placing them on the grill. You can also add additional seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or your favorite herbs and spices for extra flavor.Don't press or flip too often: Avoid the temptation to press down on the patties with a spatula while grilling. This can squeeze out the juices and lead to a drier burger. Flip the patties only once during cooking to develop a nice crust on both sides. Use a spatula or tongs to handle the burgers gently to avoid losing the flavorful juices.Control the heat: Aim for medium-high heat on the grill. This allows the burgers to cook through without burning the outside. Adjust the heat as needed during the grilling process to ensure even cooking.Use a meat thermometer: For perfectly cooked burgers, use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature. For medium-rare, aim for 130-135°F (55-57°C), medium 140-145°F (60-63°C), and well-done 160°F (71°C).Rest before serving: Once the burgers reach the desired doneness, remove them from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes. This allows the juices to redistribute within the meat, resulting in a juicier burger.Toast the buns: Take your burger to the next level by toasting the buns on the grill. This adds a nice texture and enhances the overall flavor of the burger.
It's understandable that they prohibit us from cooking our own food, even if we purchase it ourselves. This precaution is likely wise considering our general lack of coordination and tendency to forget things. However, on a rare occasion before I depart to the afterlife's grand BBQ event, I would love to experience the warmth of the flames on my face and indulge in the aroma of that perfectly charred burger, especially for my uncle who believes that consuming anything less than well-done meat is uncivilized.
Have a great Memorial Day, and arrive home safely……………….


Best US airlines of 2023
1. Delta Air Lines.
2. United Airlines.
3. Alaska Airlines.
4. American Airlines.
5. Southwest Airlines.
6. Hawaiian Airlines.
7. JetBlue Airways.
8. Spirit Airlines.
9. Allegiant Air.
10. Frontier Airlines.
Keep reading for a full analysis of this year’s data that landed Delta in the top spot for the fifth year in a row.

NEXT BLOG
TUESDAY, MAY 30, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

FRIDAY MAY 26, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“Just for the record, the weather today is calm and sunny,
but the air is full of bullshit.”
― Chuck Palahniuk

Social Security Is Failing Seniors.
Do This so It Doesn't
Wreck Your Retirement.

By Maurie Backman
The program's cost-of-living adjustments have failed to keep pace with inflation.
This year, Social Security recipients got what was hailed as a very generous 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA. Since inflation has cooled off steadily month after month in 2023, it might be reasonable to say that Social Security recipients are faring pretty well, based on their most recent raise. While this year's COLA may have helped seniors regain some buying power, it's not enough to compensate for 23 years of lost buying power.
Social Security is letting seniors down
Between January 2000 and February 2023, Social Security COLAs raised seniors' benefits by 78%, averaging out to a yearly increase of 3.4%, according to the nonpartisan Senior Citizens League. But the cost of goods and services has risen at a much faster clip than that.
Read more >> https://www.fool.com/retirement/2023/05/25/social-security-is-failing-seniors-do-this-so-it-d/
Why Medicaid Shouldn’t Be
Your Long-Term Care Plan

By Bob Carlson
There’s a small industry of professionals who offer to help people of a certain age restructure their affairs so they’ll qualify for Medicaid. The goal is to have Medicaid pay for any nursing home care they might need.
The strategy isn’t a good one for many people.
First, let’s make a distinction clear. Medicare is the program that pays most of the medical expenses of those ages 65 and older. But it doesn’t pay for long-term care, except for up t0 100 days needed for rehabilitation after a hospital stay of at least three days. In short, Medicare doesn’t pay for custodial long-term care, such as extended stays in a nursing home or assisted living residence or home care.
Medicaid is the program that pays many medical expenses of those with low incomes and net worths. It will pay for nursing home care for beneficiaries who need it and for some limited home care.
Read more >> https://www.forbes.com/sites/bobcarlson/2023/05/23/why-medicaid-shouldnt-be-your-long-term-care-plan/?sh=722701b029ce
Daily Multivitamin
Improves Memory
in Older Adults,
Study Shows

By Shawn Radcliffe
A daily multivitamin may offer a modest benefit to cognitive function, according to new research.
The three-year study showed an improvement in memory among subjects who took a daily multivitamin.
Study subjects with cardiovascular disease who took a daily multivitamin saw the greatest improvement in cognition.
More rigorous research is needed to determine the brain-boosting benefits of multivitamins over the long term.
A daily multivitamin or multi-mineral supplement improved memory in older adults over a three-year period, a new study shows.
If supported by future research, the findings could provide an easy and inexpensive way to slow age-related memory decline, according to researchers.
Read more >> https://www.healthline.com/health-news/daily-multivitamin-improves-memory-in-older-adults-study-shows
Extreme Dehydration:
What Happens
Inside Your Body
When There Is
A Lack Of Water?

By Satata Karmakar
Heatwave in India: Several states in the country is witnessing a sudden rise in the temperature. Extreme heat in the hot summer weather can take a toll on our overall health. Dehydration is one of the most common diseases one may be prone to during summer. The term dehydration refers to a severe lack of water in the body. In this article, we take a look at how extreme dehydration affects babies and how as a parent you can avoid the further health complications that it can invite. To learn more about dehydration and its symptoms, we spoke to Dr Nidhi Rawal, Lead Consultant, Paediatric Gastroenterologist, Department of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, Madhukar Rainbow Children's Hospital, Malviya Nagar. Scroll down to know what the doctor wants you to know.
Dehydration-Related Health Issues
Dehydration is one of the leading reasons for hospitalisation in children. Dehydration happens when enough water has been lost from our body and it cannot function well anymore. Dehydration is caused when the body is not able to consume plenty of Liquids due to an infection, fever, cough, breathing difficulty or vomiting.

Foodservice Is a Differentiator
for Senior Living Communities

By Mark Hamstra
Foodservice is the heartbeat of senior living communities and will continue to be a key factor in determining where consumers choose to spend their golden years.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has brought business-as-usual to a screeching halt, for the time being, the importance of high-quality, diverse, and vibrant dining services in independent and assisted living facilities will always be a priority.
According to research firm Datassential, nearly eight in ten residents (79%) of senior living communities and long-term care facilities have stated that food offerings are important. In addition, 83% of operators say dining is a high point in the day for their residents.
“The world revolves around being in the kitchen,” says Harris Ader, founder and CEO of the Senior Dining Association, which seeks to advance the senior living foodservice industry through shared ideas and best practices. “When you have a party in the house, where does everyone go? The kitchen. It’s no different for retirement living.”
Learn more >> https://us.sodexo.com/inspired-thinking/all-insights/foodservice-is-a-differentiator.html


The [CONSERVATIVE] Supreme Court
I have to admit, I’ve gone through most of my life not giving much thought to the Supreme Court of the U.S. (SCOTUS) or what they do or the cases they decide. I’ll bet most of you did likewise. I did care, I just figured the best legal minds would always make the right decision, especially when it came to our citizens' lives and wellbeing. But recent rulings by those who are supposed to defend our Constitution make me wonder who they're really looking out for.
We’re all aware of the recent ruling overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade case legalizing safe abortions in the U.S., despite that, a 61% majority of U.S. adults say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 37% think abortion should be illegal in all or most cases.[1] But there is a more recent case that has me concerned.
This is from a story which appeared in the N.Y. Times yesterday…[2]
"The Supreme Court on Thursday curtailed the Environmental Protection Agency’s authority to police millions of acres of wetlands, delivering another setback to the agency’s ability to combat pollution.Writing for five justices, Justice Samuel A. Alito Jr. said that the Clean Water Act does not allow the agency to regulate discharges into wetlands near bodies of water unless they have “a continuous surface connection” to those waters.The decision was a second major blow to the E.P.A.’s authority and to the power of administrative agencies generally. Last year, the court limited the E.P.A.’s power to address climate change under the Clean Air Act.Experts in environmental law said the decision would leave many wetlands subject to pollution without penalty, sharply undercutting the E.P.A.’s authority to protect them under the Clean Water Act.”As a 78-year-old, abortion rights may not be my top priority, but I am adamant that every woman should have the right to decide what to do with her own body. However, what does concern me, and should concern every American, is the water we drink and the air we breathe. If not for ourselves, then for our children and grandchildren. The decisions made by this predominantly Conservative court on matters concerning the environment reflect the recurring anti-science thinking that is often expressed by supporters of Trump and the MAGA movement whenever an opportunity arises.Consider this when we choose our next president: Trump and his administration appointed three associate justices to the Supreme Court of the United States and 54 judges to the United States courts of appeals. This illustrates the importance of looking beyond economic policies, border walls, and gun control. We should bear in mind that U.S. Supreme Court justices hold lifelong positions, not just for our lifetime but for theirs. Furthermore, the impact of their decisions lasts for decades, shaping the lives of future generations…….......
[1] source: Pew Research Center

The 10 Most Trusted Brands
in the United States
Brands are ranked based on their net trust rating
(the share who say they trust each brand to do
the right thing minus the share who don’t trust the brand).


NEXT BLOG WEEKEND MAY 27-28, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

THURSDAY MAY 25, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“I'm fed up to the ears with old men
dreaming up wars for young men to die in.”
― George McGovern

How To Minimize Ageism
Through The Use Of AI

By Sylvain Moreno
Artificial intelligence (AI) holds great promise in the fight against ageism, and future technologies powered by AI can be a first step to ensure older adults are fully involved in the processes, systems and, ultimately, services that will affect them throughout the aging journey.
Healthcare providers, governments, academia, not-for-profits and businesses can ensure that AI is not only strengthening healthcare for older adults but also empowering them to meet their individual needs.
At the same time, there are also significant risks stemming from well-intentioned but badly implemented AI systems that have increasing importance on social decision-making. Biases, behavioral manipulation and economic and employability factors are all risks stemming from the incorrect development or deployment of AI systems.
Aging in place can benefit seniors,
but also can come with costs

Aging in place comes with benefits for seniors, but one expert says people should be aware of issues with mobility and social isolation
By Chris Clow
Aging in place can come with a lot of benefits for seniors who are at or near retirement. In addition to being the major preference for older people, remaining at home can also come with cost savings for seniors when compared with an assisted living facility or nursing home.
However, the friends, family and other loved ones of a senior should remember the dangers that can come from social isolation, and work to avoid the pitfalls whenever possible, Eric Litwiller, the director of development and communications at the Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas, wrote in a recent column published by National Public Radio (NPR) affiliate KMUW in Wichita.
“Many are seeking to age in place, staying in their home for as long as possible rather than relocate to a senior care home,” Litwiller said. “And while the appeal of such a decision is obvious, the logistic challenges merit consideration.”
Read more >> https://reversemortgagedaily.com/articles/aging-in-place-can-benefit-seniors-but-also-can-come-with-costs/
Social Security Horror Stories

Alarming clawback letters, erroneous benefits calculations and overworked and under-trained call-center workers leave many retirees fuming
By Laurence J. Kotlikoff and Terry Savage
Here's a shocking fact about Social Security: It often makes huge mistakes in calculating our Social Security benefits. Even worse, it can take years for the agency to discover its own mistakes.
But once this happens, the bureaucracy offers no apology, shows no remorse. Instead, its computers start firing off menacing clawback letters demanding immediate repayment under threat of recouping their mistakes by taking the money out of workers' future benefits.
If you don't repay, your Social Security checks stop coming, just as threatened.
Read more >> click here
AGEISM – ARE OLD WOMEN
THEIR OWN WORST ENEMIES?

BY MAUREEN ATKINSON
We have all seen commercials like this one before… Three older women in an empty restaurant, confused and asking, “Where is the bacon?” I wanted to shout, “Where’s the representation?” Is that how companies think older women should look and behave? As an older woman, I was pissed off! This is another offensive commercial!
Age Representation
It’s no secret that ageism is the last big prejudice that’s socially acceptable. I’ve seen women labeled as stupid, but this ad just goes to show how unrealistic the advertising world is and how completely out of touch the people behind it are. I think it’s a result of forced retirement, which is degrading to seniors, especially when they have no say in it.
Read more >> https://sixtyandme.com/ageism-older-women/

Spate of evictions
shows need for reforms
to protect America’s elderly

America’s system of caring for elderly people who need long-term care is strained to the breaking point. While bureaucrats and businesses argue over finances, people in their twilight years may become collateral damage, finding themselves suddenly without a home.
Assisted-living facilities and the federal-state Medicaid system that’s supposed to provide medical insurance for low-income people are at odds over reimbursement rates — how much the facilities should receive for caring for people whose bills are paid by Medicaid.
People whose nursing home bills are paid by Medicaid are protected by federal law from eviction, but assisted-living facilities aren’t similarly regulated. Maybe it’s time they were.
Learn more >> click here

Seniors can’t join
the active military.
The Department of Defense said they aren’t running any ads on social media calling on seniors for military service.
Congress sets age limits to enlist in active duty, and U.S. laws states you can be no younger than 17 and no older than 42. So, high school seniors can join but the law does not allow a senior citizen to enlist in the active military.
At one time, the maximum age was 35, but the National Defense Authorization Act that passed in 2006 increased the age to 42 to help with military recruitment.
While there are rare examples of individuals outside of that age range serving, these are rare. According to its website, the Army can lift some age restrictions depending on need.
And the AARP website features several seniors who switched careers following the September 11 attacks, such as Col. Frederick Lough. He left the Army in 1987 only to join the U.S. Army Medical Corps Reserves at the age of 58. He was deployed as a surgeon to Afghanistan.
However, most positions for seniors in the military are, in fact, civilian jobs. The Department of Defense said there are no age restrictions when it comes to those positions.
So we can Verify that, in general, seniors can’t join the active military. Any opportunities for the country’s older population related to the military would be civilian jobs.

NEXT BLOG FRIDAY MAY 26, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

WEDNESDAY MAY 24, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“If you receive a ‘certified’ message in a bottle with an audit notice,
be sure to have the most complete records and do not forget those
receipts before the IRS boards your vessel for inspection.”
― Jeffrey Schneider , Author
Now What? I Got a Tax Notice from the IRS.

First Drug Approved
For Hot Flashes:
Know What Causes Them?

By Kashish Sharma
You might be in a comfortable environment and suddenly you feel a feeling of intense heat passing through your body which is essentially not due to any external trigger. This is understood as a hot flash. As per experts, it is some disruption in the thermoregulation of the body which can be hormone-driven. It is usually experienced as a sudden feeling of warmth sometimes accompanied by sweating and blushing of the face, neck and chest.
Hot flashes are a common symptom of the menopause transition. However, it is also experienced with some other health conditions like thyroid problems, diabetes and some problems associated with ovarian function.
What causes hot flashes?
Hot flashes are commonly experienced by women heading towards menopause or those who might have already. As per reports, changing estrogen levels in the blood can sometimes disrupt the thermoregulation of the body. As a result of which there are sudden moments of temperature rise a person might experience. This is often followed by a sudden cooling sensation. Hence, sometimes contradictory sensations can make people confused or feel dizzy. Researchers are unsure why this happens.
Read more >> https://www.thehealthsite.com/diseases-conditions/first-drug-approved-for-hot-flashes-know-what-causes-them-979162/
Face masks are still
a good idea
at the doctor’s office,
study says

By Jen Christensen
Signs urging everyone to mask up have largely disappeared from places like grocery stores and schools in the third year of the Covid-19 pandemic. But they remain in many medical offices, and a study published Monday says they might still be a good idea.
Even after the expiration of the US public health emergency declaration and with many Americans moving away from pandemic precautions, masks continue to offer some protection, reducing your risk of catching Covid-19 in a community setting like in a close doctor and patient interaction, according to the study, which reviewed the latest science on the protective quality of masks.
The study, published in the journal the Annals of Internal Medicine, also found that there wasn’t a significant difference in protection between surgical masks and N95 respirators in a health care setting. N95s may be slightly more beneficial, but that wasn’t completely clear from the research.
6 Proposed Solutions
to the Social Security Crisis:
Which Would Actually Work?

By Jamela Adam
Recently, the Social Security Board of Trustees released a report that said its cash reserves are expected to run out by 2033. When that happens, the program will only be able to pay for 77% of scheduled benefits. In other words, if Congress doesn’t act quickly to address Social Security’s pending shortfall, millions of Americans’ Social Security checks could shrink drastically a decade from now.
To prevent a Social Security crisis, policymakers and experts have put forward countless ideas hoping to address the issue. But with so many options on the table, which solutions would actually work?
8 Things to Have the Doctor Check
After an Aging Person Falls

By Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH
If you want to prevent dangerous falls in an aging adult, here’s one of the very best things you can do: be proactive about getting the right kind of medical assessment after a fall.
Why? There are three major reasons for this:
A fall can be a sign of a new and serious medical problem that needs treatment. For instance, an older person can be weakened and fall because of illnesses such as dehydration, or a serious urinary tract infection.
Older adults who have fallen are at higher risk for a future fall. Although it’s a good idea for any older person to be proactive about identifying and reducing fall risk factors, it’s vital to do this well after a fall.
Busy doctors may not be thorough unless caregivers are proactive about asking questions. Most doctors have the best intentions, but studies have shown that older patients often don’t get recommended care. By being politely proactive, you can make sure that certain things aren’t overlooked (such as medications that worsen balance).
All too often, a medical visit after a fall is mainly about addressing any injuries that the older person may have suffered.
Read more >> click here

DASH diet ranked No. 1
for heart health, report says

By Tadiwos Abedje & Nick Iannelli
'This is really about making healthy choices,' cardiologist Dr. Ameya Kulkarni says
The American Heart Association did a ranking of the 10 most popular diets for heart health and found that the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension or DASH diet was ranked No. 1 with a score of 100.
The association looked at existing diets and “measured them against the standards that we use,” said Dr. Ameya Kulkarni, a cardiologist with Kaiser Permanente, one of the largest nonprofit healthcare providers in the nation.
Specifically, researchers examined 10 common diets and split them into tiers based on the positive impact they had on overall heart health.
Learn more >> https://wtop.com/health-fitness/2023/05/dash-diet-ranked-no-1-for-heart-health-report-says/
The Cloud Hanging Over
Assisted Living Facilities

I have expressed my fear of being homeless here many times. The thought of me not having a clean, safe place to live sends shivers up my spine. The one bill I have always paid first was my rent. I figured I could put up with many things, but living on the street or in a shelter, was not one of them.
I have never been homeless, but I have come close.
When told I would have to leave the nursing home where I was a patient for two years, I had no place to go. Having given up my apartment, I was, technically, homeless. Fortunately, I had the help of some dedicated social workers who helped me find my current accommodations here at the A.L.F. Now, the roof over my head and the bed I sleep in for the past 10 years are being threatened by what’s going on in Washington.
Currently, I'm starting to feel uneasy about the situation at the A.L.F. since my Social Security Benefits cover the expenses for my room and board, which are at risk due to Congress failing to reach a compromise on the debt ceiling. And I’m not the only one. Practically all of the residents here depend nearly 100% on those benefits to live. Not only for rent but for all of the necessities of daily life. And not only will we (residents) be in trouble but the facility as well. They depend on a regular source of income to pay their bills as well. What happens if the government defaults and those Social Security benefits are delayed? It’s scary to think.
Because they don’t get our rent money the facility can’t pay their bills like utility, food and, most important, the salaries of the 100 or so employees that take care of us. All of that could end which would make eviction the least of our problems.
Since the pandemic, this, and many other long-term care facilities, have been living hand to mouth. A lot of the reparations the government said they'd give for the extra PPE used during the protocols haven't arrived, leaving many facilities in a bind. We see it every day. Food portions and quality have gone down and some much needed maintenance has been put on hold, as well as many of the planned recreational activities. Any delay in payment by the government, even for a short time, would be a disaster for hundreds of thousands of older Americans.
While I have confidence the debt ceiling crisis will be settled in time, what happens in the future? Will we have to go through this every year? How come Social Security, which comes from our hard labor, be so reliant on a budget that includes military spending and new curtains for the White House?…………….


HOW LONG SHOULD YOU KEEP
PERSONAL AND FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS?
The length of time you should keep personal and financial documents can vary depending on the type of document and the jurisdiction you're in. However, here are some general guidelines for common types of documents:
1. Tax returns and supporting documents: It is generally recommended to keep your tax returns and any supporting documents for at least seven years. This includes receipts, W-2 forms, 1099 forms, and other documents related to income, deductions, or credits claimed on your tax returns.
2. Bank statements and canceled checks: Most financial institutions provide online access to statements, so keeping paper copies may not be necessary. However, if you prefer to keep physical copies, it is generally recommended to keep them for at least one year, unless they are needed for tax purposes or as proof of payment for important transactions.
3. Investment records: Keep records of purchases, sales, and other transactions related to investments for as long as you own the investment and at least seven years after you sell them. This will help you calculate capital gains or losses when you file your taxes.
4. Insurance policies: Keep your insurance policies and any related documents as long as the policy is in effect and until any claims or issues related to the policy have been resolved. It's also a good idea to keep copies of past policies, especially if they provide coverage history or proof of claims.
5. Loan and mortgage documents: Keep loan and mortgage documents, including promissory notes, deeds of trust, and related paperwork, for as long as the loan or mortgage is active. After you've paid off the loan or mortgage, keep the documents for at least seven years for potential future reference.
6. Warranties and receipts: Keep warranties for major purchases, such as appliances or electronics, as long as the warranty is valid. Keep receipts for items that may require returns, exchanges, or warranty claims until the return/exchange period has passed or the warranty expires.
7. Personal identification documents: Documents like birth certificates, passports, Social Security cards, and marriage certificates should be kept in a safe and secure place for as long as they are valid. It's also a good idea to keep copies in case the originals are lost or stolen.
Remember, these are general guidelines, and you should always consider your specific circumstances and consult with legal or financial professionals for advice tailored to your situation. Additionally, consider using digital storage options and keeping backups of important documents in a secure manner to minimize the risk of loss or damage.

NEXT BLOGTHURSDAY MAY 25, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

TUESDAY MAY 23, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“We need to get rid of the debt ceiling law.
It's anachronistic and it's a problem.”
Mark Zandi

SSI Benefits Expected
To Rise Next Year

By Shaun Heasley
Social Security and Supplemental Security Income checks are likely to grow again in 2024, according to a new analysis, though not by nearly as much as this year.
A projection this month from The Senior Citizens League, a nonprofit that advocates for seniors, suggests that benefits will increase by around 3.1% starting in January.
By contrast, monthly payments from the Social Security Administration rose 8.7% this year, the most since 1981.
The increase is due to an automatic cost-of-living adjustment, known as COLA, which is triggered by inflation.
Read more >> https://www.disabilityscoop.com/2023/05/22/ssi-benefits-expected-to-rise-next-year/30393/
‘We Need A Younger Guy’:
Senior Citizens Say Biden
Is Too Old To Run Again

By MARY LOU MASTERS
Senior citizens in President Joe Biden’s hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, believe he is too old to run for a second term in 2024, according to The Messenger.
Biden‘s age has raised concerns regarding his viability in his reelection campaign, as he would be 86 years old by the end of his second term and is already the oldest U.S. president in history. In Scranton, which leans Democrat, many elderly citizens expressed skepticism over Biden’s ability to run for reelection and serve a second term, according to The Messenger.
“Don’t compare me with him,” 82-year-old Ike Mielo told The Messenger. “You start to lose your mind after a certain age. I see myself, you know. I think we need a younger guy.”
UNRAVELING
MEDICARE’S
HOME HEALTHCARE
COVERAGE

BY JAMES CRUZ
When it comes to healthcare, we all want to be in control of our own lives – but sometimes, health issues can make that seem impossible. Luckily, Medicare offers coverage for home healthcare, which can help you or your loved ones maintain independence and quality of life. So, if you’re interested in learning more about how Medicare can cover home healthcare, keep reading!
Home healthcare differs a bit from more commonly known types of care like respite care, hospice care, or inpatient care in the sense that it’s a medical service provided in the comfort of one’s home. Still, it’s primarily focused on assisting individuals recovering from an illness or injury or managing a chronic condition that requires ongoing medical attention.
Some general things you can expect to see included with home health services are:
Where are the inspectors?
How a lack of
nursing home
oversight is
endangering residents.

By Jayme Fraser
A new congressional investigation released Thursday found that most states have nursing home inspection backlogs largely because federal oversight funding has stalled, leaving them with fewer inspectors.
State inspectors are on the front line of protecting the quality of care for and the rights of more than 1 million Americans who live in nursing homes, either because of aging, illness or disability, or who have short-term stays for rehabilitation.
The report from the U.S. Senate Committee on Aging found 31 states and the District of Columbia had inspection staff vacancy rates above 20% on average; nine were short-staffed by half or more. The highest rates were in Kentucky (83%), Alabama (80%) and Idaho (71%).

Doctor, 102, who still works and
has a 10-year plan
offers simple tips for long life

By A. Pawlowski
Dr. Gladys McGarey defines young people as anyone under 99.
At 102, she’s a little bit older but is still working as a consulting doctor, exercising daily and living mostly independently at her home in Scottsdale, Arizona.
As a physician and holistic medicine pioneer, McGarey has plenty of wisdom to share after a long life that’s provided lots of joy, but also many setbacks along the way.
She’s a cancer survivor, endured the death of a daughter and went through a divorce when she was almost 70.
That breakup happened after her husband of 46 years and clinic partner left her to be with another woman — one of the hardest phases of her life, she writes in her new book, “The Well-Lived Life: A 102-Year-Old Doctor’s Six Secrets to Health and Happiness at Every Age.”
Learn more >> click here

THE DEBT CEILING CRISIS
IN SIMPLE TERMS
The debt ceiling crisis occurs when the government reaches its borrowing limit set by Congress. It's like having a credit card with a maximum spending limit. When the government hits that limit, it cannot borrow any more money to pay its bills or fulfill its financial obligations. This situation can lead to a government shutdown or defaulting on its debts, which can have serious consequences for the economy. To avoid this, Congress needs to raise the debt ceiling, allowing the government to borrow more money and continue its operations.

NEXT BLOG
WEDNESDAY MAY 24, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

MONDAY MAY 22, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“If I save my insight,
I don’t attend to weakness of eyesight.”
― Socrates

1 in 5 older adults
skipped or delayed medications
last year because of cost

By Berkeley Lovelace Jr
A growing number of older adults say they can’t afford their prescription medications, a study published Thursday in JAMA Network Open found.
About 1 in 5 adults ages 65 and up either skipped, delayed, took less medication than was prescribed, or took someone else’s medication last year because of concerns about cost, according to the study.
“That was pretty surprising,” said lead study author Stacie Dusetzina, a health policy professor at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. A study published in the journal Medical Care found that in 2016 about 1 in 7 older adults were not taking their medication as prescribed because of cost.
Read more >> https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/1-5-older-adults-skipped-delayed-medications-last-year-cost-rcna84750
Chronic pain is substantially
more common
in the US than diabetes,
depression
and high blood pressure

By Katherine Dillinger
There are more new cases of chronic pain among US adults than other common long-term conditions like diabetes, depression and high blood pressure, according to a new study.
The researchers say their findings “emphasize the high disease burden of chronic pain in the US adult population and the need for early management of pain.”
Research published last month in the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report estimated that more than 51 million people – more than 20% of US adults – have chronic pain and 17 million – almost 7% of adults – have high-impact chronic pain.
America is
youth-obsessed.
Why do people
hate the elderly?

Timothy E. Findley Jr.
The obsession with staying young has reached fetishized levels. At the expense of this obsession, our elderly are commonly removed from community, effectively sent away and disregarded.
In African culture the rich heritage and tradition of passing down stories and beliefs from older adults to the younger, often in the form of oral storytelling is essential to a healthy community. These oral traditions typically teach socially acceptable behaviors and values within families and entire communities.
In China, there are strict laws in place regarding treatment of the elderly. Adult children are bound by law to not “snub or neglect” their parents as they grow old.
In Singapore, elderly parents can actually sue their adult children for an “allowance,” and non-compliance results in jail time.
Social Security Beneficiaries:
Groceries, Dental Visits and the
10 Fastest Growing Costs
Due to Inflation

By Vance Cariaga
The 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) that Social Security beneficiaries are getting in 2023 is mostly great news — except when they buy eggs or apples, visit the dentist, have their cars repaired or pay their electricity bills.
Social Security: Proposal for $2,400 Extra in Checks Expanded and Reintroduced in Congress
Each of those items has seen prices rise in double digits over the past year even as the overall inflation rate has declined to 4.9%, its lowest point since April 2021. For Social Security recipients, it means that while their higher 2023 payments offset inflation on many items, they still come out behind on several consumer essentials.
Sadly, this is something Social Security beneficiaries have gotten used to over the years. As previously reported by GOBankingRates, seniors who retired before 2000 have lost 36% of their buying power since the turn of the century because of inflation, according to a new study from The Senior Citizens League, a non-partisan seniors advocacy group.
Read more >> https://finance.yahoo.com/news/social-security-beneficiaries-groceries-dental-110524345.html

Helping Your Aging Parents
With Their Finances?
Here’s How To Start

By Bernadette Joy
Cultural and generational differences can cause friction between you and your parents.
At the beginning of my personal finance journey in 2016, the best I could do to help my family was pay for groceries or a few medical bills. Since then, my husband and I have saved $1 million for retirement and become completely debt-free. This affords us the ability to navigate the financial challenges of the “sandwich generation”: supporting aging parents, the next generation and ourselves.
If you’re feeling the pressure of caring for aging parents, here are five ways you can start to provide support without putting your own financial future at risk.


This week, I am reflecting on the 14 years since I began my new life journey. Unbeknownst to me, May 19th, 2009 was the last time I'd feel the rumble of a car engine under my feet, the pleasure of cooking my own meals, or the comfort of my own apartment. I was unwillingly thrust into the complex world of the American health care system, and I could feel my life changing.
Without getting in to details and to put it simply, I got sick, very sick. On that day, I called an ambulance, put to bed, treated medically and surgically, and had the feeling of a new lease on life when the illness that threatened my life had passed. I spent months in the sterile hospitals and then spent years in a never-ending cycle of nursing homes, rehab facilities, and more hospitals, until I finally arrived at the assisted living facility I now call home. Life changing events do one thing very well, they turn your life around. Which, believe it or not, may have been a good thing.

While I know that I have lost much, I have also gained much.
I had to get rid of many of my possessions due to lack of space, and I also had to use a large portion of my savings to pay for medical bills that weren't covered before I had Medicare. Nursing homes cost up to $13,000 per month. You do the math. However, as much as I have lost, I have gained a lot more.
I have new respect for social workers who found places for me to live when I was in no position to do it for myself. I had my love for RNs bolstered when they became the only people I could turn to when I was in pain. It was they who convinced the doctors that I needed more morphine and Percocet.
On top of that, I'm way more compassionate and understanding now. I feel other people’s pain and care about others more than I ever had before. I have become more assertive, especially where my own health and well-being is concerned. I follow my own instincts more than I used to. And, in a way, although much of my coveted independence has been lost, I may actually be more independent than ever. I have a clearer perspective of what is in store for me for the rest of my life. And, though I cannot predict the future, I know that much of it will be on my own terms........

FYI

EYE FACTS
1. The eyes are one of the most complex organs in the human body, responsible for vision and perceiving light.
2. Each eye is approximately one inch in diameter and weighs about 7.5 grams.
3. The eye is composed of several parts, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, retina, and optic nerve.
4. The cornea is the transparent outermost layer of the eye that helps focus incoming light.
5. The iris is the colored part of the eye and controls the size of the pupil, which regulates the amount of light entering the eye.
6. The lens is located behind the iris and focuses light onto the retina, adjusting its shape to allow for clear vision at various distances.
7. The retina is a thin layer of tissue lining the back of the eye that contains millions of light-sensitive cells called rods and cones, which convert light into electrical signals.
8. The optic nerve carries these electrical signals from the retina to the brain, where they are processed and interpreted as visual information.
9. Humans have binocular vision, which means the brain combines the images received from both eyes to perceive depth and three-dimensional objects.
10.Eye color is determined by the amount and distribution of melanin in the iris, with variations ranging from brown, blue, green, and gray. Eye color can change naturally over time, especially in infants.

NEXT BLOG
TUESDAY MAY 23, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

FRIDAY MAY 19, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
"Credit cards can be a double-edged sword—
empowering when managed responsibly,
but a slippery slope when wielded carelessly."
____Created using AI

Brokerage firm lured politically
right-leaning seniors
into gold coin scam

By Brett ArendsFollow
Sean Kelly and his Red Rock Secured firm played on fears of inflation and government policy to sell gold and silver coins at vastly inflated prices, SEC claims.
A finance company boasting hundreds of apparently glowing online “customer reviews” and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau was this week civilly charged with cheating over 700 investors—many of them senior citizens—out of more than $30 million over 5 years.
California-based Red Rock Secured and its controlling Chief Executive Sean Kelly were accused by the Securities and Exchange Commission of playing on the retirement and tax fears of older investors to sell them gold and silver coins at vastly inflated prices to hold in self-directed IRAs.
Drug Shortages
Near an All-Time High,
Leading to Rationing
A worrisome scarcity of cancer drugs has heightened concerns about the troubled generic drug industry. Congress and the White House are seeking ways to address widespread supply problems.

By Christina Jewett
Thousands of patients are facing delays in getting treatments for cancer and other life-threatening diseases, with drug shortages in the United States approaching record levels.
Hospitals are scouring shelves for supplies of a drug that reverses lead poisoning and for a sterile fluid needed to stop the heart for bypass surgery. Some antibiotics are still scarce following the winter flu season when doctors and patients frantically chased medicines for ailments like strep throat. Even children’s Tylenol was hard to find.
5 Things Your Kidneys
Will Thank You for Doing
YOU CAN BOOST YOUR KIDNEY
HEALTH IN A FEW SIMPLE STEPS.

By LAUREN GRAY
Your kidneys perform several essential functions: Not only do they remove waste from the bloodstream, they also help regulate your blood pressure, make red blood cells, promote bone health, and more. According to the American Kidney Fund, "kidney disease is growing at an alarming rate." They say that right now, 37 million Americans are living with kidney disease, and roughly 807,000 Americans are living with kidney failure. To make matters worse, nine out of 10 individuals with early stage kidney disease are unaware they have it.
However, this doesn't mean getting kidney disease is a foregone conclusion. There are many impactful ways to enhance your kidney health and stave off kidney conditions. Read on to learn about five things your kidneys will thank you for doing, according to experts in the field.
One of the best things you can do to help promote kidney health is to maintain a healthy diet. "Eat a diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables, and high in fiber," advises S. Adam Ramin, MD, a urologic surgeon and medical director of Urology Cancer Specialists in Los Angeles, California. He adds that you should "avoid processed foods—they make your kidneys work harder than they already do."
Read more >> click here
A third of people who notice signs
of dementia in themselves
or a loved one
keep their fears hidden
for more than a month

By VICTORIA ALLEN
A third of people who notice signs of dementia in themselves or a loved one keep their fears to themselves for longer than a month.
Just 15 per cent speak to someone else about the issue straight away, despite the benefits of early diagnosis for managing the condition, which leaves them facing fears for the future alone.
Alzheimer's Society surveyed 1,137 adults up to the age of 85, who had diagnosed dementia, were carers for someone with a dementia, or were worried they or someone they loved may have the condition.
Read more >> https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12083503/Third-people-notice-signs-dementia-fears-hidden-month.html

Hooters Sets Its Sights
on Senior Citizens

By Marnie Shure
We’ve previously discussed how Hooters became an unlikely pandemic success story. The casual buffalo wing joint with its pioneering service model spent 2020 leaning on digital brands, takeout, and delivery to make it through COVID restrictions not only unscathed, but growing. Now in its 40th year, Hooters is expanding, building six new restaurants in partnership with the brand’s original owners. Three of those locations will be built in a very particular type of place: The Villages in Florida.
If you haven’t heard of The Villages, it’s possible you don’t know many folks over age 55. For them, The Villages has almost mythic significance: Established in the early 1990s, this neighborhood—not a city, exactly, but technically a “census-designated place”—has steadily expanded to an area larger than Manhattan housing nearly 80,000 residents, the vast majority of whom are retirees. As a thriving retirement community, the area boasts amenities like golf courses, rec centers, and social clubs. Currently, however, it lacks any outpost of America’s number-one breastaurant; the nearest Hooters is 25 miles away in Ocala.
See more >> https://thetakeout.com/hooters-locations-florida-villages-new-restaurant-vegas-1850444444


Stress can have various effects on the body, including increased heart rate, elevated blood pressure, and accelerated breathing. It can also lead to muscle tension, headaches, digestive issues, and a weakened immune system. Chronic stress may contribute to long-term health problems such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.
Who among us has not experienced some stress in their lives?
When you were young, you could shrug off stressful situations as just another bump on the rocky road of life. Unfortunately, us older folks don’t have the luxury of youth, or time, on our side. Now, even the most benign problems can cause unnecessary, and certainly unwanted, stress in our lives.

After living a stress-filled life including job-related stress, financial difficulties, relationship conflicts, major life changes, loss of a loved one, health problems, and traumatic events, I may have found the perfect way to alleviate stress in later life. However, it may not be for everyone.
Essentially, it begins with getting rid of almost everything. Home, car, furniture, clothing and money, whoosh, gone. I didn't plan this and wouldn't have said yes if I had a choice, but it's worked out great at reducing my stress. And living here, at the A.L.F., has done much to assure I live a stress-free life.
Think about it. Imagine a life free of the stress of worrying about rent, utility bills, food prices, car and home insurance, medical bills, and the hassle of making doctor’s appointments. That’s what it’s like if you are living at an assisted living facility. And, while there’s not much in the way of amenities, I go to sleep each night with little or nothing to worry about. And at this point in my life, that’s exactly what I need.
Granted, I’ve missed much of what retirement should be. The plans I had for my life-after-work have gone down the drain. But that’s something I don’t dwell on. There was nothing I could have done to foresee what happened to me and I consider myself fortunate to have had the help of professional social service workers who helped me over the hurdles and vagaries of finding benefits available to people in my situation.
I don’t know what my life will be like except that there is less of it ahead than behind. But whatever the future, at least I know the chance of stress being part of it is less than if I were somewhere else……………….


CREDIT CARD STATS
1. Credit card ownership: As of 2020, there were approximately 1.06 billion credit cards in circulation worldwide.
2. Global credit card debt: The total global credit card debt reached around $1.07 trillion in 2020, highlighting the significant financial impact of credit card usage.
3. Average credit card debt per household: In the United States, the average credit card debt per household was approximately $7,800 as of 2020.
4. Credit card interest rates: Credit card interest rates can vary widely, but the average annual percentage rate (APR) for credit cards in the U.S. is typically around 16% to 17%.
5. Credit card rewards: Many credit cards offer rewards programs, such as cash back, airline miles, or points that can be redeemed for various goods or services. These rewards can incentivize credit card usage.
6. Fraud protection: Credit cards often come with built-in fraud protection measures, such as zero-liability policies, which limit cardholder liability for unauthorized transactions.
7. Credit utilization ratio: The credit utilization ratio measures the amount of credit card debt a person carries relative to their credit limit. It is recommended to keep this ratio below 30% to maintain a good credit score.
8. Late payment fees: If credit cardholders fail to make their minimum payments on time, they may be subject to late payment fees, which can range from $25 to $40 or more, depending on the credit card issuer.
9. Credit card benefits: In addition to rewards programs, credit cards may offer additional benefits like travel insurance, extended warranties on purchases, price protection, and access to exclusive events or offers.
10.Impact on credit score: Credit card usage and payment history are key factors that influence credit scores. Responsible credit card use, including timely payments and low credit utilization, can help build and maintain a good credit score.
Source: chat.openai.com

NEXT BLOG
WEEKEN MAY 20-21, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

THURSDAY MAY 18, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“If you want an interesting party sometime,
combine cocktails
and a fresh box of crayons for everyone.”
____Robert Fulghum

Beware:
Social Security benefits
can be garnished
to pay some old debts

By Terri Williams
In 2021, the latest year with full data, 70 million people received benefits from programs administered by the Social Security Administration. The biggest groups of recipients are retired and disabled workers. Many spouses and children of those workers also are beneficiaries.
For most retirees, Social Security accounts for more than half of their income, according to the Census Bureau — and for some, it makes up most or almost all, of their income.
What happens when people receiving Social Security benefits have unpaid debt? Can those Social Security benefits be withheld, or garnished, to settle those debts?
Read more >> click here
Older Adults
Hospitalized With Heart Failure
Are More Likely
To Experience Frailty

By Erin Hunter
Diagnosing risk of frailty in patients hospitalized with heart failure is a safe and effective means of improving patient management.
Investigators created a dynamic online nomogram that predicts risk of frailty in patients hospitalized with heart failure (HF), according to a study published in the International Journal of Nursing Sciences. Mechanisms of HF and frailty overlap, and patients with HF could have a 3-times greater risk of becoming frail compared to patients without HF.
“Our dynamic nomograph is equivalent to a web calculator,” wrote study authors in the article. “By inputting the corresponding variable value, we can get the risk of frailty.” Diagnosing frailty can facilitate effective and multidisciplinary interventions to reduce hospital burden and improve the clinical impact of patient management.
Read more >> https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/older-adults-hospitalized-with-heart-failure-are-more-likely-to-experience-frailty
Reality Check:
of Social Security
and What You Can Do
Now to Prepare

By Katie Brockman
KEY POINTS
- Social Security is a major source of income for many retirees.
- But benefits aren't as reliable as they used to be, which could spell trouble in retirement.
- By taking steps to prepare now, you can avoid any future surprises.
Your benefits may not go as far as you think in retirement.
Social Security can make or break retirement for millions of Americans, so it pays to make the most of your monthly checks.
But the program may have some difficult times ahead, and it could affect your payments. If you're expecting to depend on Social Security in retirement, then it may be time for a reality check.
While nobody knows for certain what the future holds, the more time you can give yourself to prepare, the better. And there are three tough truths to start taking in now.
Read more >> https://www.fool.com/retirement/2023/05/13/reality-check-3-brutal-realities-of-social-securit/
‘The Golden Bachelor’
for senior citizens
is coming this fall

The new dating competition show is "one for the golden years," featuring contestants of retirement age.
After years and years of teasing it would happen, ABC has finally given the greenlight to its long-awaited senior citizen season of “The Bachelor.”
This fall, one lucky older man will embark on a journey to find love, flipping the formula of “The Bachelor” franchise, which for more than two decades has starred 20-something and barely 30-something singles.
The new series will be called “The Golden Bachelor.” The leading man has yet to be announced, and his cast of female suitors will be announced at a late date.
Read more >> https://www.today.com/popculture/tv/-golden-bachelor-senior-citizens-coming-fall-rcna84768

Dispelling Myths
About Natural Remedies

By Edwin B. Smith
Dietary supplements come with a disclaimer that they are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent diseases. Still, a University of Mississippi pharmacy expert advises users to know exactly what they can and cannot do.
Hayley Prescott, instructional assistant professor of pharmacy, said that she advocates for being the most informed consumer you can.
“Three key nonprofits – our own National Center for Natural Products Research, the American Botanical Council and the American Herbal Pharmacopeia – work constantly to provide scientific evidence, guidance to industry and education opportunities in this area,” she said.
“Even though dietary supplements are regulated by the FDA, they do not have the authority to approve their effectiveness or safety before being sold to consumers. Not all products are created equally, and your due diligence regarding an ingredient or the company you purchase from can go a long way.
“If something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”
Learn more >> https://www.hottytoddy.com/2023/05/12/news-you-can-use-dispelling-myths-about-natural-remedies/

The Difference Between
Club Soda, Seltzer,
and Sparkling Water
Club Soda
Club soda is just water with a few add-ins: carbon dioxide for carbonation and “mineral-like” ingredients such as sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, and potassium sulfate. It’s unflavored, other than the slightly mineral-y taste, which is why club soda is a great cocktail mixer.
Seltzer
Like club soda, seltzer is also just plain water with carbon dioxide added for carbonation, but without the mineral additions. Unlike club soda, seltzer can be sweetened and flavored, often with citrus or other fruits.
Sparkling Water
Sparkling mineral water usually comes from a natural spring or well, which may provide natural carbonation. There’s also sparkling water that isn’t mineral based and doesn’t come from a spring; it's simply carbonated water, sometimes flavored.
BONUS: Tonic Water
Tonic water is also—wait for it—carbonated water. The big difference is the addition of quinine, an ingredient found in the bark of the South American cinchona tree. Quinine was originally used as malaria medicine

NEXT BLOG
FRIDAY MAY 19, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

WEDNESDAY MAY 17, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“The gambling known as business looks with austere disfavor
upon the business known as gambling.”
― Ambrose Bierce

Rate of Fatal Falls
Among U.S. Seniors
Doubled in 20 Years

By Amy Norton
Older Americans are dying of falls at more than double the rate of 20 years ago -- with women, men and all racial groups showing increases, according to a new study.
Adjusted for age, those numbers translated into a more than twofold increase in the rate of fall-related deaths among older Americans: from 29 per 100,000 in 1999, to 69 per 100,000 in 2020.
It's well known that falls are the leading cause of injury death among older Americans, and that the problem is growing.
The new findings underscore that, and show that no demographic is unaffected, according to researcher Alexis Santos-Lozada, an assistant professor of human development and family studies at Pennsylvania State University.
Read more >> https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-05-12/rate-of-fatal-falls-among-u-s-seniors-doubled-in-20-years
How to Manage Stress
as You Age

By Sam Thompson
Stress is a fact of life. There are different stressors as you go through life. When we’re younger we find being a teenager stressful. Our jobs can cause stress. Through the years as our families grow there are numerous circumstances that can be stressful. But by the time we become older adults and enter our seniors years, most of us feel we should have less stress in our lives. This isn’t always true. Becoming a senior and entering retirement can have its own set of stressors. No longer working and possibly not having income is stressful. We may have parents still living who need to be looked after and/or older or adult children who come to us for help. Managing stress as we age is important since stress affects our bodies differently than when we were young. When under stress our brain releases cortisol and adrenaline, which can be harmful in large amounts.
How should we deal with stress as we age?
Get rid of bad habits. Drink less alcohol and quit smoking. Increase your intake of vegetables, fruits and other healthy foods. Move more. It will help you sleep better at night. Lack of sleep rates high on the list of items that seniors mention when they see their doctors.
Here's Why Oct. 12
Is Social Security's
Most Important
Day of the Year

By Sean Williams
KEY POINTS
For the past 20 years, between 80% and 90% of retirees have relied on their Social Security income, in some capacity, to cover their expenses.
In less than five months, the Bureau of Labor Statistics will unveil the last inflation report needed to calculate the 2024 cost-of-living adjustment (COLA).
No matter how big a "raise" awaits in 2024, the program's COLA has been shortchanging seniors for decades.
This announcement affects every one of the program's more than 66 million beneficiaries.
For a majority of the more than 49 million retired workers who receive a Social Security check each month, this payout is an absolute necessity. Over the past 20 years, national pollster Gallup has conducted annual surveys and found that between 80% and 90% of retired workers lean on their monthly benefit check to some degree to make ends meet.
Considering how important Social Security income is for seniors during their golden years, it should come as no surprise that the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is the most anticipated Social Security announcement each year.
Read more >> https://www.fool.com/retirement/2023/05/14/why-oct-12-is-social-security-most-important-day/
Hard of hearing?
Answering questions
about
over-the-counter
hearing aids

By Brenda Lyle
The FDA has issued new rules for over-the-counter hearing aids.
Q: I have hearing problems. What about over-the-counter hearing aids?
A: According to the National Institutes on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, 25% of Americans aged 65 to 74 have a hearing loss significant enough to affect their daily life.
Due to expense, many people wait years to address their hearing loss. Others live with hearing issues unresolved — for a lifetime.
The FDA has recently allowed over-the-counter (OTC) sales of hearing aids.
Great, right? Well ... let's look at the pros and cons to an OTC purchase.


Martha Stewart is the oldest
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit
cover model at 81.
She's encouraging older women
to 'look good, feel good.'
By Kerry Justich
Martha Stewart is a woman of many talents. Now, she can add Sports Illustrated Swimsuit cover model to the list.
The 81-year-old is one of the latest cover stars on the iconic magazine's 2023 issue, stealing the title of the oldest to pose for the publication from Maye Musk, who appeared on the 2022 cover at age 74.
"Usually I'm motivated by pay. But this time I was motivated by showing people that a woman my age could still look good, feel good, be good," Stewart said in conversation with Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. "I thought that this is kind of historic and that I better look really good."
See more >> click here


I hate talking on the phone.
Perhaps because I was a customer service rep for many years and spent 8 hours a day listening to complaints, or maybe I just don’t like the way people have a tendency to ramble on and on before getting to the point. Or maybe it’s just that I’m getting older and don’t have time to listen to all the BS. Enter the wonderful world of texting.
Emails saved me from having to listen to someone's long-winded complaining about how their order got messed up or why I couldn't send a courier to Ohio for a box of the wrong size staples. Email, with just a few words artfully crafted, can dismiss even the rudest, most obnoxious person with alacrity. And the more official you make an email sound, the more you can get away with. Much more than a phone conversation. That anonymity associated with an email can give the sender the stature and importance they could not achieve over the phone. And texting is even better.

Texting has all the immediacy of a phone call without the need for pleasantry.
Not only does the text recipient expect the message to be short, they are glad for it. It has been revealed that most people don't enjoy receiving calls as much as they don't relish making them. Add to that the complete lack of having to correctly spell, punctuate or know how to form complete sentences, and you have the perfect means of communication for today’s dumbed-down population.
There is one drawback.
As an older adult who has become used to tapping out messages on a standard keyboard using whatever method they learned, it’s almost impossible to hit the correct “keys” on an impossibly small smartphone on-screen keyboard that pops up out of nowhere. At least with any speed that is. I have watched, in amazement, as kids jump from one letter to the next using only their thumbs. I have tried to do that with little or no success. Just as we (seniors) are proficient in writing long-hand script, the kids have some secret way of writing using only their thumbs.[1] But that’s only a small stumbling block compared to the advantages of not having to converse with someone……….

[1] Anthropologists once thought man would evolved to a point where only an index finger (to push buttons with) would remain on the hand. I now believe it will be the thumb that survives.

SPORTS GAMBLING
Five years ago yesterday, the Supreme Court lifted a federal ban on sports gambling in the US, spawning a multibillion-dollar industry that’s transformed how Americans watch, talk about, and experience sports.
We plucked five numbers from the sports betting world to highlight five years of legalization.
$95 billion: That’s how much Americans bet on sports in legal jurisdictions with consumer protections last year, Sportico reported. It’s more money than the amount spent on ride sharing, coffee, or streaming.
71%: Two sports betting companies, DraftKings and FanDuel, control more than 70% of the US market, per gambling analytics firm Eilers & Krejcik. But despite taking in ~10% of wagers, these companies have struggled to turn a profit. FanDuel recorded its first quarterly profit last year, and DraftKings has yet to report a profitable quarter.
33: That’s the number of states that currently have legal sports betting (Washington, DC, has it too). Another four states have legalized sports wagering, but don’t have any sportsbooks operating yet.
3: The three most-populous US states—California, Texas, and Florida—have not legalized sports gambling. They account for 26% of all teams in the major North American pro leagues, according to Axios.
45%: The number of women joining sportsbook apps jumped 45% last year, marking the third straight year that new women users exceeded men. DraftKings said that bets on women’s sports had increased 61% annually last year.
source: /www.morningbrew.com

NEXT BLOG
THURSDAY MAY 18, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

TUESDAY MAY 16, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“Do you see this egg?
With this you can topple every theological theory,
every church or temple in the world.”
― Denis Diderot

This Expense Could Wreck
Your Retirement.
Here's How to Mitigate It

By Maurie Backman
KEY POINTS
The cost of long-term care can be astronomical.
If you don't put a contingency plan in place, you might end depleting your nest egg.
You may not have it on your radar -- but you should.
Many people know to set aside money to pay for healthcare expenses in retirement. After all, as we age, health issues tend to emerge. And anyone who does any reading on Medicare will know full well that the program is by no means free, and that even with minimal issues, your costs under it could be expensive.
But while you may be padding your IRA or socking extra funds away in an HSA to pay for healthcare during your senior years, there's a related expense you might be forgetting -- long-term care. Unfortunately, long-term care is something you might have to pay for completely out of pocket. And the sooner you recognize that and put a plan in place to cover that expense, the less at risk you'll be of depleting your savings later in life.
Read more >> https://www.fool.com/retirement/2023/05/14/this-expense-could-wreck-your-retirement-heres-how/
What Older Adults
should Know
About Money Management

As you get older, it is natural for your finances to change as well. Perhaps you have children moving out of the house or you are thinking about retiring soon. But it’s common for older adults to struggle with their money, and part of this could stem from mismanagement that is easily preventable. There are a few things you should know about.
You’ll Want to Educate Yourself
Financial literacy will help you manage your money better. Whether it’s understanding key skills or knowing how to spend your money, financial literacy will help you invest, pay your bills, and save money. If you aren’t confident in your skills, consider enrolling yourself in a program to help you learn the skills you need. If you ask your adult children for help, make sure you understand everything they are doing. One area to review is your current life insurance coverage. If you have life insurance already, you might be thinking about selling it if you no longer need it if your financial situation changes. Before deciding to go this route, take some time to review a guide with answers to important questions.
Read more >> https://theroanokestar.com/2023/05/13/what-older-adults-should-know-about-money-management/
Most effective treatment
for excessive daytime
sleepiness found

Reviewed by Emily Henderson
McMaster University researchers Dena Zeraatkar and Tyler Pitre have found that the drug solriamfetol is the most effective treatment for excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) for people with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
The standard treatment for OSA is a positive airway pressure (PAP) mask that uses compressed air to support lung airways during sleep. However, some people with OSA still experience EDS and may benefit from anti-fatigue medication.
Zeraatkar and Pitre published their results in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
The most important thing that people with OSA should do is use their PAP machine, but if they are still sleepy there are options in the form of medications that can reduce their tiredness."
Read more >> https://www.news-medical.net/news/20230509/Most-effective-treatment-for-excessive-daytime-sleepiness-found.aspx
Diabetics Are More Likely
To Develop Flu Complications:
How To Stay Protected

By Longjam Dineshwor
Being diabetic is a risk factor for many other conditions including heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure and kidney failure. People with diabetes (whether type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or even gestational diabetes) are also more susceptible to infections, such as influenza (flu), than the non-diabetic population. They are also at increased risk of serious flu complications, leading in hospitalization and even death.
The dangers of flu and diabetes combination: It is estimated that diabetics are six times more likely to be hospitalized due to flu complications than non-diabetics. Even when diabetes is well-managed, flu in diabetics can lead to bronchitis, sinus and ear infections, and pneumonia. Moreover, flu can make it harder to control their blood sugar levels.
The flu may trigger diabetic ketoacidosis (buildup of acids in the blood) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic nonketotic syndrome (marked by extremely high blood sugar, severe dehydration and confusion). Both are life-threatening emergencies that require immediate medical attention.

How to Grow Your Own Herbs
Indoors or Out

Add some taste and texture to recipes and save money
By Amy Brecount White
If you enjoy eating what you grow, consider planting an herb garden.
Even if you don’t have a green thumb, herbs are some of the least intimidating plants to grow. They’ll thrive in pots, window boxes or backyard gardens. They rarely get diseases and don’t require pesticides. And whatever your soil conditions, as long as you have sun, there’s an herb that will work.
“They’re usually less fussy than vegetables,” says Kim Roman, a Maryland-based author who has a forthcoming book on growing culinary herbs. “You don’t have to fertilize them. You give them really bad haircuts and they don’t mind.”
Growing your own herbs saves money, too. A bunch of fresh herbs may cost $3 to $5 at the grocery store, while a packet of seeds is usually $1.99. Even if you invest in a starter plant for $4 or $5, you’ll continue to harvest that one plant over and over, which will save money.
Learn more >> CLICK HERE

THE PRICE OF EGGS
Rejoice, lovers of affordable protein: Cheaper eggs are on the way.
Driving the news: The latest weekly egg report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture shows a sharp drop in the wholesale prices retailers are paying for eggs.
They fell to roughly 78 cents per dozen in the first week of May, from a peak of about $5.30 at the end of last year.
An outbreak of Avian influenza prompted the worst surge in egg prices since a similar outbreak hit in 1973.
Yes, but: As readers will hasten to say, they've not seen prices anywhere near that low. Remember these are wholesale prices, so you're still paying a markup.
But egg prices are indeed falling, if slowly. In the consumer price index data out Wednesday, they were down 0.3% in April, compared to March, though they were still up 21% from last year.
The bottom line: Lower prices are likely on the way for consumers too, but it'll take time.

NEXT BLOG
WEDNESDAY MAY 17, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

MONDAY MAY 15, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“Every newborn child brings with it;
new thoughts and new life paths.”
― Ehsan Sehgal

What happens to Social Security
if the U.S. breaches the debt ceiling?

BY AIMEE PICCHI
Time is running out to avoid the "X date," the fiscal limit when the U.S. will run out of money to pay its bills unless Congress raises or suspends the nation's debt ceiling. That may sound arcane, but it has very real implications for the 66 million people — retirees, disabled Americans and children — who receive Social Security benefits.
If the U.S. defaults on its obligations, Social Security recipients could see their checks delayed, according to experts. That could pose a financial hardship for many beneficiaries, especially the millions who rely on Social Security as their main source of income.
Still, the political uncertainty around the fight over the debt ceiling makes it hard to predict what would happen with Social Security, partly because of conflicting laws. And because the U.S. has never defaulted on its debt — a possibility that Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said would lead to an "an economic and financial catastrophe" — there are no precedents that offer a guide to how the situation could play out.
Read more >> https://www.cbsnews.com/news/social-security-debt-ceiling-breach-what-happens-to-payments/
House Republicans Propose
Exempting Social Security
Benefits From Income Tax

Social Security reform bills keep coming this Congress, and this one would remove Social Security payments from the calculation of gross income.
By Paul Mulholland
House Republicans proposed a bill on Thursday, the Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act, that would remove Social Security benefits from the calculation of gross earnings for income tax purposes.
The bill was first proposed by Representative Thomas Massie, R-Kentucky, and is co-sponsored by a total of 25 House members, all Republicans. It was referred on May 11 to the House Committee on Ways and Means. As none of the co-sponsors sit on the tax-writing panel, it is unclear if the bill will advance.
Massie has introduced this legislation in each Congress since 2012, when he first took office. The bill also states that other taxes could not be raised in order to offset the cost of the legislation, should it be passed, meaning other federal spending would likely have to be cut in order to cover the reduction in revenue to the federal Treasury.
Read more >> https://www.planadviser.com/house-republicans-propose-exempting-social-security-benefits-income-tax/
Traps for the unwary:
Nursing home admission agreements
and third-party liability

By Anna Anderson
Federal regulators have found serious fault with the nursing home industry’s collection practices against third parties, such as family members or close friends of nursing home residents. Attorneys should be aware of the potential ethical and legal consequences of seeking to hold someone liable for another person’s nursing home bill. In fact, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) concluded in September that nursing homes and debt collectors are flouting a law that prohibits facilities from requiring friends and family of nursing home residents to be responsible for their bills.
The CFPB found that friends and family members of nursing home residents have had to declare bankruptcy, had their wages garnished, and lost their homes after signing lengthy and confusing admission agreements with nursing facilities and being held liable as third parties for their loved ones’ nursing home stays.
The 1987 Nursing Home Reform Act (NHRA) is supposed to prevent facilities from requiring a person other than the resident to assume personal responsibility for any cost of the resident’s care. This federal law prohibits a nursing facility from requiring a third-party guarantee of payment to the facility as a condition of a resident’s admission. While the NHRA does expressly permit a nursing facility to require an individual who has legal access to a resident’s income or resources to sign a contract to provide payment from the resident’s income or resources for such care, the third party cannot incur personal liability in signing such a contract and cannot be required to sign a contract if they do not actually have legal access to the resident’s income or resources.
Assisted living reaching
‘breaking point,’
with 40 percent of providers
without sufficient staffing

By Kimberly Bonvissuto
Assisted living providers in Minnesota say that the workforce situation is bleak and getting worse as industry leaders advocate for more funding to ensure career-sustaining wages for caregivers.
A recent survey by the Minnesota Long-Term Care Imperative, a collaboration between the state’s two largest senior living and care providers associations — Care Providers of Minnesota, the state affiliate of the American Health Care Association / National Center for Assisted Living, and LeadingAge Minnesota, the state partner of LeadingAge national and Argentum — shows that caregivers in assisted living communities are “reaching their breaking point,” as are those working in nursing homes, according to the collaborative.
The survey showed that in March, 6,582 referrals to assisted living communities were rejected due to inadequate staffing levels, up from October 2022 levels.

HOW TO STOP OBSESSING
ABOUT FOOD
AND MAKE
CONSISTENTLY
HEALTHY CHOICES
AFTER 60

BY CASSIE CHRISTOPHER
Have you:
Been dieting for decades?
Felt like you know exactly what to eat?
Become exhausted by the constant chatter of food police in your mind?
And yet you struggle to make consistently healthy choices?
Whether your end goal is to lose weight, do everything in your power to prevent or treat a disease, or both, the anxiety of feeling stuck in patterns that don’t align with your values around health can be overwhelming.
Why Decades of Dieting Lead to Food Obsession (Spoiler Alert: It’s Not Your Fault)
The typical solution to eating struggles or weight gain is All or Nothing Dieting. Where you feel you either have to eat “perfectly” or “what’s the point?”


Getting old isn't going as planned.
I am aware that I cannot do the things I did in my youth.
I knew my steps would not be as quick or my stamina as forceful when I reached that certain age. However, I was not ready for the way I have been feeling lately. And that’s tired and rundown.
I have been dragging myself around the facility like, well, an old man. And It makes me angry. Angry at my body for failing me, and angry at myself for allowing it to do so.

I used to enjoy a good walk. And I was fortunate to live in one of the world’s best cities for walking. I made it a point to walk at least 10,000 steps a day [1]. Before I was stuck at my desk for 8 hours, I'd make sure to get off the train two stops early when I was on my way to work in the morning. And on weekends, I did the same. And, though I often overdid it and tired myself out, I felt exhilarated. I imagine it was those endorphins kicking in.
When I first arrived here at the A.L.F. nearly 10 years ago, I was in pain. I had just come off a difficult two years in a nursing home undergoing some strenuous physical therapy. But despite the difficulty I had getting around, I made sure I would get in my daily walk around the grounds. And it paid off. I ditched my Rollator for a cane, giving me more freedom to move around. And, I took advantage of it. I partook in many of the activities here and signed up for most of the trips outside the facility, like outings to the supermarket, the mall or to a restaurant. But now, I can hardly make it to breakfast.
I know much of this malaise has to do with getting old. The parts are getting worn out. My joints, my feet, my muscles and, my heart. But what frightens me more is that I may have just given up. It’s certainly easier to do nothing than to try to do something that will only cause me pain and discomfort.

I wish there were a magic elixir that would bring back that old vim and vigor. I’ve tried vitamins, extra cups of coffee, even breathing exercises. All to no avail. I’m reminded of an old Geritol commercial. It was a liquid and billed itself as being a cure for “Iron deficiency anemia”, or, “Tired blood” as they put it. However, after reading the list of ingredients, it’s little more than just a multivitamin plus some other stuff I.m not sure of like “Invert Sugar, Alcohol (12%) [2], Brewers Yeast, Ferric Ammonium Citrate, Caramel Color, Choline Bitartrate, Niacinamide, Citric Acid, DL-Methionine, Thiamine HCl, Riboflavin, D-Panthenol, Natural and Artificial Flavors, Benzoic Acid (Preservative), Sodium Hydroxide, Pyridoxine HCl.” that makes it sound very much like some 19th century “snake oil” pitched by traveling medicine men in the old West.
I’m going to have to think long and hard about where my life is going and how I want to live it. While the thought of being sedentary scares me, my inability to cope with it scares me more. It’s just something else to worry about…………..

[1] I bought one of those pedometers to measure my steps.
[2] That’s more than twice the alcohol in beer and equal to the alcohol content of most wine.


Source: CLICK HERE

NEXT BLOG
TUESDAY MAY 16, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

FRIDAY MAY 12, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“The goal of retirement is to live off your assets-not on them”
― Frank Eberhart

Doctors Warn Seniors
About Consuming
Too Much THC

More seniors are consuming cannabis,
presenting new issues and the need for education.
BY BENJAMIN M. ADAMS
Due to an uptick of incidents involving seniors consuming too much cannabis, doctors are warning older citizens about how to consume the plant correctly. Eating edibles in particular, without the proper guidance, is notorious for causing panic, though the risks are rarely physical.
KOMO News in Seattle reports that doctors want to inform seniors about ways to avoid panic and an unnecessary emergency room visit. This can be solved with simple education about the differences between edibles, topicals, and smokable products and how they affect us differently.
It’s the responsibility of any consumer to properly research before eating an edible, or consuming a high-THC product.
Fear, mistrust prevent residents
in Medicaid-funded
assisted living communities
from having their
mental health needs met

By Kimberly Bonvissuto
Fear of losing autonomy and mistrust of providers lead to unmet mental health needs of residents in Medicaid-funded assisted living communities, according to the results of a new study.
The researchers, from the Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York, concluded that changes in the legal, policy and financial sectors are necessary to address disparate structural factors that impede access to mental health services.
Specifically, they said, policymakers should support public financing of predominantly minority-supporting communities in racially and financially segregated neighborhoods. The researchers also recommended providing a living wage to ensure adequate staffing, expanding access to Medicaid waiver services and creating new avenues to improve mental health resources.
For These Seniors,
There’s No Such Thing As
Being Too Old
for Roommates

Online home-sharing platforms geared toward aging adults are
flipping the script on the idea that cohabitation in your golden years is limited to assisted living.
By Abby Carney
Welcome to Roommates Week, an exploration of the highs and lows of cohabitation.
While many older adults find themselves blindsided by the realities of aging, Sue Ronnenkamp has long been prepared for life’s autumn. The 66-year-old has had a successful career in aging services and health care, educating and coaching older adults on all aspects of their post-retirement lives. Ronnenkamp even started a business to help adults downsize their belongings as they transition to senior living. She was adroit at lightening her load years before she moved into her suite in Sue Larsen’s house on the outskirts of Denver.
Silvernest, the service Ronnenkamp and Larsen used to find each other, is a website where senior homeowners can list spare rooms in their homes to find like-minded renters, often peers. The basic service is free to use, but homeowners can pay $25 per month (and home-seekers $15) for Silvernest Plus, which includes unlimited messages and the ability for homeowners to initiate conversations, as opposed to only message replies with the free service. The paid option also comes with the choice to request and take background checks, as well as access to a legally binding lease alternative for defining expectations and setting ground rules between housemates.
Read more >> https://www.dwell.com/article/for-these-seniors-theres-no-such-thing-as-being-too-old-for-roommates-880c572d
7 Ways Seniors Benefit
From Hypnotherapy

By Samantha Lee
As individuals grow older, their physical and cognitive abilities may not be able to match those of their younger selves. However, this does not have to result in a decline in the quality of life for senior citizens. Hypnotherapy has proven to be a powerful technique that can assist older adults in maintaining their mental and physical well-being.
This article will explore how hypnotherapy benefits seniors and why it’s worth considering as part of their wellness routine.
What Is Hypnotherapy?
Hypnotherapy uses hypnosis to help people with their mental and emotional well-being. It can reduce stress, address negative behaviors, and even increase self-confidence. It works by putting the patient into an altered state of consciousness where they are more open.
Read more >> https://seniorslifestylemag.com/health-well-being/7-ways-seniors-benefit-from-hypnotherapy/

Average Retirement Savings Revealed:
Are You Normal?

Research behind how much Americans save, and who feels most confident about their plan.
Many Americans worry they’re not saving enough for retirement, and rightfully so.
A 2022 Northwestern Mutual study found that 62% of U.S. adults admit their financial planning needs improvement. However, only 35% of Americans work with a financial advisor.1
Retirement Planning Statistics
While the value of working with a financial advisor varies by person and advisors are legally prohibited from promising returns, research suggests people who work with a financial advisor:
See more >> click here


As of today, the state-ordered mandate on the use of face masks in long-term care facilities has ended.
Following the guidelines set forth by the CDC, which puts COVID-19 in a class with other communicable viruses like the flu, the N.Y. State DOH now says it’s optional whether a person wants to wear a face mask. Until now, the only places where masks were still mandatory were nursing homes, assisted living facilities and prisons. Simply, this means senior citizens will no longer be treated as outcasts and piranha.
As readers of this blog are aware, I have been a long-term supporter of removing face coverings in assisted living facilities (A.L.F.s). As my rationale, I'm citing the fact that both staff and residents have been vaccinated and are abiding by all the PPE regulations.

Older adults, particularly those living in a group setting, have been living under the most extreme pandemic restrictions for the last three years. Ever since early 2019, when we at the Asylum were informed that we had to go under lockdown as some of us were displaying symptoms similar to those of COVID, we have been required to have face masks on at all times when we are not in our rooms (except for mealtimes). This put an undue hardship on a group of people who, through no fault of their own, were forced to obey rules that nobody else in the state had to. This made many of us feel like “outcasts” or “unclean.” Not to mention the inconvenience of having to remember to carry a mask around all the time. Add to that the constant trolling by staff members who admonished any resident who did not have their mask in place. We were treated like naughty children who didn’t want to wear their mittens.
With luck, a sense of "normalcy" will return to our paradise-on-the-hill. Faces, heretofore hidden, will emerge smiling with the knowledge they are no longer outcasts. Once again, we’ll be able to see < and hear, our friends so long hidden and muffled by an anal-retentive bureaucracy. BTW; no official announcement on the new regulations have been forthcoming from management…….

Editor’s note: I will continue to mask up in places I consider to be unsafe like shopping malls and crowded stores or events. There still remains many people who were never vaccinated.

The 10 Fastest-Growing Costs f
or Seniors Since 2000
1. Medicare Part B (+195%): Medicare Part B monthly premiums have jumped from $45.50 in 2000 to $134 a month today.
2. Prescription drug costs (+184%): Annual out-of-pocket expenses for prescription drugs have skyrocketed from $1,102 in 2000 to $3,132 currently.
3. Homeowner's insurance (+154%): The national average annual cost to insure a home has risen from $508 in 2000 to $1,292 today.
4. Real estate taxes (+147%): The average annual real estate taxes paid on an owned home have risen from $690 in 2000 to $1,701.50 today.
5. Propane gas per gallon (+137%): Propane costs on a per-gallon basis have risen from $1.01 in 2000 to $2.39 today.
6. Heating oil per gallon (+130%): Since 2000, the price of heating oil per gallon has increased from $1.15 to $2.63.
7. Medigap supplemental insurance (+122%): The average monthly premium for a Medigap plan has jumped from $119 in 2000 to $264.45 as of today.
8. Pet/Veterinary services (+113%): Between 2000 and today, annual pet care and veterinary-related service costs clawed higher to $232.32 annually from $109.30.
9. Aggregate out-of-pocket medical expenses (+97%): For those aged 65 and up, out-of-pocket medical costs have jumped from $6,140 annually to $12,125.
10. Oranges, per pound (+95%): If you need your Vitamin C, then you've observed orange prices increase from $0.61 per pound in 2000 to $1.19 per pound today.
SOURCE: https://www.fool.com/retirement/2017/06/26/the-10-fastest-growing-costs-for-seniors-since-200.aspx

NEXT BLOG
WEEKEND EDITION
MAY 13/14, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

THURSDAY, MAY 11, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“Grief is like mending a knee.
You can mend the knee and make it function,
but the knee never actually heals.”
_____Jason Reynolds

VIEWS FROM THE NATION’S PRESS
Spate of evictions
shows need for reforms
to protect America’s elderly

America’s system of caring for elderly people who need long-term care is strained to the breaking point. While bureaucrats and businesses argue over finances, people in their twilight years may become collateral damage, finding themselves suddenly without a home.
Assisted-living facilities and the federal-state Medicaid system that’s supposed to provide medical insurance for low-income people are at odds over reimbursement rates — how much the facilities should receive for caring for people whose bills are paid by Medicaid.
People whose nursing home bills are paid by Medicaid are protected by federal law from eviction, but assisted-living facilities aren’t similarly regulated. Maybe it’s time they were.
According to a report in the Washington Post, there’s a disturbing trend of elderly people being unceremoniously evicted from facilities that have become their long-term homes.
Social Security benefits
have lost 36% of buying power
since 2000

By Tami Luhby, CNN
Inflation has eaten away more than one-third of Social Security benefits' buying power since 2000, a new analysis found.
Those who retired before 2000 have seen the purchasing power of their benefits drop by 36%, according to The Senior Citizens League. These folks would need a nearly $517 boost in their monthly benefits just to maintain the same level of buying power as in 2000.
Although Social Security recipients get an annual cost-of-living adjustment, the increases have not kept up with the rise in prices for years -- squeezing senior citizens, many of whom live on fixed incomes and depend heavily on their monthly Social Security payments.
The surge in inflation in recent years resulted in the largest annual adjustments since the early 1980s. Beneficiaries received an increase of 5.9% for 2022 and 8.7% for 2023.
Read more >> https://www.kten.com/story/48881930/social-security-benefits-have-lost-36-of-buying-power-since-2000
BRAIN HEALTH AND AGING:
HOW ARE THEY RELATED? (VIDEO)

BY RACHELLE BALLARD-CLAYTON
The brain is a fascinating and mysterious part of the human anatomy. There is still much we don’t know about how the brain functions in its many varied ways. We lose brain cells as we age, and the dilemma of dementia and Alzheimer’s is increasing, worldwide.
Research is of paramount importance in finding the causes of deteriorating cognitive functioning. In the meantime, we can help our brain maintain good health as we age.
Important Brain Facts
Did you know that:
Dementia is the second leading cause of death in Australia.
Females account for 64.5% of all dementia related deaths.
3 in 10 people over the age of 85 and almost 1 in 10 people over the age of 65 have dementia.
9 Topics to Tackle Now
to Survive Retirement
With Your Spouse

Retirement is a huge life transition.
Here's how to make sure you and your spouse are in alignment.
By Kathleen Coxwell
Before you got married, you probably discussed where you wanted to live, whether or not you would have kids, and your general hopes for the future.
Before you bought a house, you and your spouse talked about where would be best, what size home you hoped to acquire, and more.
Before you had kids, you hopefully discussed discipline philosophies, educational goals, and roles and responsibilities for raising them.
Read more >> https://www.moneytalksnews.com/slideshows/9-topics-to-tackle-now-to-survive-retirement-with-your-spouse/

4 QUICK HEALTHY BREAKFAST OPTIONS
TO GET YOUR DAY OFF TO A GREAT START

BY CAROL STANLEY
There is always a lot of chatter about what to eat for breakfast and the importance of starting the day with a healthy choice. Many people feel if they skip breakfast they will lose weight.
Though I am no expert on this subject, I had skipped breakfast for many years and never lost a pound. I have found that eating protein in the morning staves off hunger pangs until lunch.
My Mother’s Special Breakfast Bread
My mother never got up to make breakfast for us while growing up, but she always had a pan of this wonderful bread that she made. We coined the name ‘breakfast bread,’ because it was a very tasty morning treat.
See more >> https://sixtyandme.com/4-quick-healthy-breakfast-options-to-get-your-day-off-to-a-great-start/

KNEE REPLACEMENT SURGERY
Knee replacement surgery, also known as knee arthroplasty, is a medical procedure in which a damaged or worn out knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint made of metal, plastic or ceramic.
Knee replacement surgery is typically performed on patients who suffer from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis or other degenerative joint diseases that cause severe pain, stiffness and limited mobility.
Knee replacement surgery is one of the most common joint replacement surgeries performed in the United States, with over 600,000 procedures performed each year.
The procedure is usually performed under general anesthesia or regional anesthesia, and takes about 1-2 hours to complete.
During the surgery, the damaged portions of the knee joint are removed and replaced with artificial components, which are secured to the remaining bone with bone cement or other methods.
There are two main types of knee replacement surgery: total knee replacement and partial knee replacement. Total knee replacement involves replacing the entire knee joint, while partial knee replacement involves replacing only the damaged portion of the knee joint.
Recovery time after knee replacement surgery varies depending on the patient and the type of surgery performed, but typically involves a hospital stay of 1-3 days, followed by several weeks of physical therapy and rehabilitation.
Complications associated with knee replacement surgery can include infection, blood clots, nerve damage, implant failure, and allergic reactions to anesthesia or implant materials.
Knee replacement surgery can provide significant pain relief and improved mobility for patients who suffer from severe knee joint damage, but it is not suitable for everyone. Patients should discuss their individual medical history and treatment options with their doctor.
Regular exercise, weight management, and a healthy diet can help prolong the life of knee replacements and improve overall joint health. It is important for patients to follow their doctor's recommendations for post-surgery care and follow-up appointments.

NEXT BLOG
FRIDAY
MAY 12, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

WEDNESDAY MAY 10, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“Sadly, the news media has largely become propaganda,
not journalism. Journalists tell, not sell.
― Richie Norton

Apple Hearing Study Finds
Many Adults Are Exposed
to Risky Levels of Noise

About 1 in 3 adults are exposed to excessive noise, which can lead to hearing loss and more, according to a study Apple conducted using data from its Apple Watch.
By Jessica Rendall
We live in a noisy world, with an uneven volume depending on your community and your particular environment or job. Add to the background noise the current status quo of headphones, earphones and the constant stream of music and video straight into your ears, and you have ripe pickings for a population study on how noise will impact hearing over time.
Apple, which launched its health study initiatives in 2019 using health data collected from contributing users' iPhones and Apple Watches, released an update this week on its hearing research, which used data from about 130,000 participants between November 2019 and December 2022. The most recent study update, in partnership with the University of Michigan, looked at sound exposure across the US and Puerto Rico -- particularly noises above 70 decibels, which is the level that can increase risk of hearing loss over time.
According to the study, about 1 in 3 adults are exposed to "excessive" noise, or about 77 million adults. The highest percentage of participants in the study who live with excessive noise levels are in Puerto Rico, while the lowest percentage live in Washington, DC.
Read more >> https://www.cnet.com/health/medical/apple-hearing-study-finds-many-adults-are-exposed-to-risky-levels-of-noise/
Older adults are
much happier and
healthier than they were
30 years ago

By Eric Ralls
A recent study conducted at the Gerontology Research Center at the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences, University of Jyväskylä in Finland, has uncovered fascinating insights into the mental well-being of older adults.
The researchers set out to examine the differences in depressive symptoms and life satisfaction between two groups of 75- and 80-year-olds: those living in the 1990s and their contemporaries today.
The study revealed that today, older adults experience fewer depressive symptoms than their counterparts in the 1990s. This notable difference can be partly attributed to the better perceived health and higher education levels of the individuals born later.
Professor Taina Rantanen from the Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences explained: “In our previous comparisons, we found that older people today have significantly better physical and cognitive functioning at the same age compared to those born earlier. These new results complement these positive findings in terms of mental well-being.”
Read more >> https://www.earth.com/news/older-adults-are-much-happier-and-healthier-than-they-were-30-years-ago/
How to grow
your social network
as you age

By JUDITH GRAHAM
A touch on the arm, as one of them leans over to make a confiding comment.
A round of hugs before walking out the door.
For years, Carole Leskin, 78, enjoyed this close camaraderie with five women in Moorestown, New Jersey, a group that took classes together, gathered for lunch several times a week, celebrated holidays with one another and socialized frequently at their local synagogue.
Leskin was different from the other women — unmarried, living alone, several years younger — but they welcomed her warmly, and she basked in the feeling of belonging. Although she met people easily, Leskin had always been something of a loner and her intense involvement with this group was something new.
Then, just before the COVID-19 pandemic struck, it was over. Within two years, Marlene died of cancer. Lena had a fatal heart attack. Elaine succumbed to injuries after a car crash. Margie died of sepsis after an infection. Ruth died after an illness.
Read more >> https://www.dailynews.com/2023/05/08/senior-living-how-to-grow-your-social-network-as-you-age/
Daily internet use
may lower dementia risk
for older adults: study

By Jeanette Settembre
The internet, consumed in moderation, may contribute to better overall brain health for older Americans.
People who regularly engage with the internet were less likely to develop dementia, according to a study published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Researchers observed 18,154 adults aged 50 to 65 over an eight-year period.
The participants did not have dementia at the start of the study.
The study observed how long older adults were spending on the internet on a scale of never to upward of eight hours per day.
Read more >> https://nypost.com/2023/05/03/daily-internet-use-may-lower-older-adults-dementia-risk-study/

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Yesterday, May 9, marked the anniversary of my descent into hell. Not the one described by il signore Alighieri, but one found right here on Earth.
It was 13 years ago that I found myself in the ER of Forest Hills Hospital, wondering why I was bleeding from my bottom and why the pain in my lower left quadrant would not go away. That’s on top of the 104 degree temperature I was running. I was sick; I knew that. But I did not know that what I had would affect the rest of my life as drastically as it has
I’ll not bore you with the details. After a colonoscopy (one that I was awake for) I was diagnosed with UC, Ulcerative Colitis. UC affects the lining of the large intestine, the colon. Often, a round of medication will relieve the symptoms to a point where one can live a fairly normal life. Unfortunately, for me, that was not possible. After weeks in the hospital being treated with one medication after another, it was decided only surgery could cure me. Fortunately, the surgery went well. But it was what happened after that which changed my life forever. And it was mostly my fault.

First, it was my fault for putting off having a colonoscopy earlier when they might have discovered any irregularities before they became worse, therefore preventing any surgery. And, after surgery, had I listened to the doctors and nurses, I would have been up and out of bed sooner and not have lost my ability to walk. It only takes a two or three weeks on one’s back to weaken the leg and back muscles enough to make them useless.
While the hospitalization was bad enough, the real nightmare began when I was transferred to a nursing home for rehab. If you want to know what real hell is like, become a patient in a nursing home. Nothing about them is good. The smells, the food, the other patients, and the utter hopelessness of the situation. It’s enough to make one question their sanity. Day by day, I was slipping further into depression with no light at the end of the tunnel. It took over two years of being in different nursing homes, undergoing multiple surgeries, going through rehab, and taking anti-depressants before I could move to the assisted living facility I live in now.
While I’m not complaining (I’m where I need to be), I am furious. Not at anybody else but with myself. Looking back, there was so much I could have done that would have kept me out of the situation I’m in now. But, as they say, hindsight is 20 20, and I lost my glasses……………….


What news outlets do Americans
trust most for information?
How trustworthy do you rate the news reported by the following [broadcast, print or digital] media organizations? (Displaying the net trust score among U.S. adult citizens: the percentage point difference between the percentages of U.S. adult citizens who say each outlet is trustworthy or very trustworthy and the percentage who say it is untrustworthy or very untrustworthy)


NEXT BLOG
THURSDAY
MAY 11, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

TUESDAY, MAY 9, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“I would like to see anyone, prophet, king or God, convince
a thousand cats to do the same thing at the same time.”
― Neil Gaiman

Schumer:
Social Security payments could end
if Congress doesn’t raise
debt ceiling: Schumer

By Shant Shahrigian
Social Security payments may come to a halt if Congress doesn’t soon raise the national debt ceiling, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer warned Sunday.
It was his latest dire statement as lawmakers continue to struggle over increasing the federal government’s borrowing limit, with Republican pols insisting on including big spending cuts in any deal.
“There are so many bad, bad consequences to America falling on its debt,” Schumer, a New York Democrat, said at a Midtown press conference, “but one of the least noticed but most important is that it would stop the sending of Social Security checks to the tens of millions of seniors who depend on them.”
Read more >> CLICK HERE
Sen. Ron Johnson
again says
Social Security is a
Ponzi scheme
pic a

By Vanessa Swales
During his State of the Union address, and in the weeks since, President Joe Biden has called out Republicans, saying they are endangering Medicare and Social Security.
One of those Republicans — U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin — has suggested the programs be eliminated as entitlement spending, which would see the U.S. Congress instead consider appropriations for them on an annual basis.
In an April 24 Milwaukee Press Club Newsmaker Luncheon, Johnson made a claim that sounded familiar: Social Security is a "legal Ponzi scheme."
Read more >> https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2023/may/05/ron-johnson/sen-ron-johnson-again-says-social-security-is-a-po/
Older adults voice safety,
efficacy concerns
with COVID boosters
as fewer than half
take up the shots

By Jacqueline Renfrow
Older adults are expressing concerns for the bivalent COVID booster shots, according to a recent Health Canal survey.
Despite the recommendation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for older adults to have new bivalent mRNA COVID-19 vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer, which were launched last year, so far only 42.4% of that age group have received the booster.
Why? Patients are citing personal health and safety concerns (40.7%) as the top reasons for not getting the booster, according to the survey.
Retirement and Health Care Costs:
What You Need to Know

Every retiree or anyone who is in the process of retiring is concerned about the cost of health care. As reported in T. Rowe Price’s Retirement Savings and Spending Study…
BY JOHN RAMPTON
Every retiree or anyone who is in the process of retiring is concerned about the cost of health care. As reported in T. Rowe Price’s Retirement Savings and Spending Study (2021), retirees’ top three spending concerns are the following — in order of importance:
Paying for long-term care
The cost of health insurance
Out-of-pocket health care costs
According to some of the leading experts, retirement healthcare costs will be astronomical. As of 2022, the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI) estimates that 90% of employees will be able to cover all their health insurance premiums. Using that figure, a 65-year-old couple would need $296,000.
Read more >> https://www.entrepreneur.com/finance/retirement-and-health-care-costs-what-you-need-to-know/450991
Stroke Prevalence Stable
in US Over Past 20 Years

By Sue Hughes
The prevalence of stroke in community-dwelling individuals has remained stable in the US between 1999 and 2018, new figures have shown.
The data come from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES), a nationally representative database of the non-institutionalized civilian population of US adults aged 20 years and older.
Results show a small increase in stroke prevalence among men but in all other demographic groups (including those based on race, ethnicity, and age) overall stroke prevalence rates were stable.
Read more >> https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/991516

Taking A Road Trip As A Senior:
6 Top Tips For A Fun
And Relaxing Journey

By Ella Woodward
Taking a road trip
Getting older shouldn’t ever mean that you stop enjoying the fun of travel – in fact, it is often the best time to get out on the open road and see all the US has to offer. If you’re past retirement age, then the world is your oyster; you have all the time you could want to explore new places and have thrilling new experiences.
A road trip across the US is one of the best things you can do to make the most of your free time. America is filled with fascinating things to see and places to go, with countless major metropolises, quirky small towns, and breathtaking landscapes to take in. You’ll need to prepare properly to ensure that you have a safe as well as fun journey, but the effort will be well worth it.
Plan Your Route And Plenty Of Stops
An itinerary is an absolute must for anyone going on a road trip, along with plenty of planned stops along the way. This is essential for both your comfort and to see as much as you can as you drive. On some US roads, it can be a long way between rest stops, towns, or cities, so you’ll need to be prepared for whatever is to come and choose your routes accordingly. Stops can be a crucial time to stretch your legs, take a bathroom break and rest your eyes before you continue. Make sure that all the stopping places you choose have places to stay if you need a proper rest before you continue on.
Read more >> https://seniorslifestylemag.com/lifestyle/taking-a-road-trip-as-a-senior-6-top-tips-for-a-fun-and-relaxing-journey/

10 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT CATS
Cats are able to make more than 100 different vocal sounds, while dogs can make only about 10.
A cat’s brain is more similar to a human’s brain than to a dog’s brain.
The earliest known ancestor of the modern-day cat lived over 30 million years ago.
A group of cats is called a clowder.
Cats are able to jump up to six times their own length in a single bound.
Cats can run up to 30 miles per hour (48 km/h) over short distances.
The Egyptian Mau is the oldest breed of cat in the world, dating back to ancient Egypt.
The world’s richest cat is Blackie, who inherited a fortune of £7 million ($12.5 million) from his owner.
Cats spend an average of 2/3 of their lives sleeping.
Cats have a unique collarbone that allows them to move their front legs independently, giving them the ability to climb and squeeze through tight spaces.

NEXT BLOG
WEDNESDAY
MAY 10, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

MONDAY, MAY 8, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“About eighty percent of the food
on shelves of supermarkets today
didn't exist 100 years ago.”
― Larry McCleary MD

Assisted living held up
as solution to
‘loneliness epidemic’

By Kimberly Bonvissuto
The senior living industry is holding the assisted living model up as a solution to strengthening social connections for older adults in the wake of the US Surgeon General’s advisory on the public health crisis of loneliness.
“As the American population continues to age rapidly, policymakers must look to models of care that focus on the social determinants of health, including high levels of social interaction,” Argentum Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Maggie Elehwany said. “Assisted living is a home- and community-based shared care model that has the lowest incidence of loneliness of any form of long-term care, offering improved quality of life and better health outcomes for the more than 1 million older Amercians that call these communities home.”
Previous industry efforts also have touted the socialization-related benefits of senior living.
Read more >> https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/home/news/assisted-living-held-up-as-solution-to-loneliness-epidemic/
Risk of Stroke Surges
50% Worldwide –
What Can Be Done About It?

By CHAYIL CHAMPION
Since 2005, stroke incidence has increased by 50% globally, with one-in-four people expected to experience a stroke in their lifetime. As National Stroke Awareness Month begins, experts emphasize the role of modifiable risk factors, such as diet and lifestyle, in stroke prevention. While genetics and age are non-modifiable factors, 80% of strokes are preventable through changes in diet and lifestyle. With obesity on the rise and diets becoming poorer worldwide, adopting healthier diets like the Mediterranean diet and avoiding processed foods can significantly reduce stroke risk. The CDC also recommends not smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, exercising regularly, and monitoring blood pressure and blood sugar levels.
Stroke incidence has risen 50% since 2005, with diet and lifestyle playing key roles. Adopting healthier habits can prevent 80% of strokes, emphasizing the importance of National Stroke Awareness Month.
The Challenges of
Finding a New Doctor

I had a 12-year relationship with my primary care doctor, which abruptly ended late last year. Why the change? My doctor transitioned to a concierge-style practice that would require me to pay a membership fee of $1,600 per year.
My doctor transitioned to a concierge-style practice that would require me to pay a membership fee of $1,600 per year.
Since I'm healthy with no chronic conditions, I decided to pass on the membership. But, like many other patients, I didn't want to pay two fees — one for membership in the practice and my insurance premiums.
That decision left me with the challenge of looking for a new provider during a physician shortage, which is becoming increasingly complex, especially when looking for practices that accept Medicare patients.
Read more >>CLICK HERE
Hasbro revamps
3 board games
for older adults

Hasbro is revamping three of its iconic board games for older adults.
The toy giant is introducing new versions of Scrabble, Trivial Pursuit, and the Game of Life.
On Thursday, the company unveiled the re-tooled versions in partnership with Hasbro Brands Licensee Ageless Innovation.
That includes bigger game pieces that are easier to grasp, larger wording on the boards, and content that’s more relatable to an older demographic.

U.S. News & World Report, the global authority in hospital rankings and consumer advice, today revealed its 2023-2024 Best Senior Living ratings to assist seniors and their families with researching and choosing the best senior living community for them.
Now in its second year, U.S. News' Best Senior Living ratings evaluate nearly 4,000 communities in the U.S. in one or more of the following categories: independent living, assisted living, memory care and continuing care retirement.

"U.S. News provides in-depth information on multiple community types to help potential residents and their families find, in consultation with their doctors as needed, the best place to help meet their needs," said Zach Adams, senior health data engineer at U.S. News. "Communities that are highly rated excel in making residents feel safe, well cared for and highly satisfied by the services provided."
For the 2023-2024 ratings overall, 43% of all communities surveyed earned at least one "Best" recognition. Additionally, there are 17 senior living companies with more than 20 participating communities that received awards for more than half of those communities:
Read more >> https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/us-news-reveals-2023-2024-best-senior-living-ratings-301815366.html


Another mass shooting and Congress’s failure to even consider a ban on assault weapons has made me reconsider my stand on gun control. I’m now against it. Well, almost anyway. There are certain conditions.
First, all handguns must be prominently displayed. Basically, if you take your gun out of the house, you gotta wear it in a holster. No concealed weapons. Rifles must be slung over the shoulder, stock down. And that goes for the ammo as well. This'll show anyone who wants to challenge you, plus the cops your firepower and how long the fight might go on. These rules would extend to vehicles as well. Hand guns must be kept on the dashboard and rifles hung in the rear window.

Who gets to carry a weapon? I say, anybody over the age of 12. Since children are being indiscriminately slaughtered in their schools, playgrounds and shopping malls, they should have as much of an opportunity to defend themselves as anyone. And that goes for older adults as well.
Over the years, seniors have been the target of violence, and it's only getting worse. It’s time we had the wherewithal to fight back. Therefore, I urge Congress to pass a bill that would allow seniors to buy guns at a discount after showing they have the physical ability to carry, aim, and accurately shoot a weapon. Rifle ranges should be standard in all senior centers and long-term care facilities. It could be made part of Medicare. Part “G” for gun.
I know what you are thinking. “This guy is nuts.” But let’s face it. We all know the controlling party has the NRA so far up their asses that the prospect of any meaningful gun laws being passed is zero. And as long as the filibuster remains as a way of keeping such legislation bottled up forever, it becomes obvious guns will always be a part of how Americans settle their differences. So why not give the average citizen a chance to, not only to defend himself, but to defend the lives of those innocents around him?
Here’s a possible scenario.
It’s Saturday morning at Walmart. A senior citizen has finished her shopping and is next in line at the checkout counter. Naturally, she is painfully slow putting her purchases on the counter. She is also slow to get her wallet out of her purse. This makes the twenty-something guy behind her mad as heck. He's shouting at the old lady to get a move on. Eventually, he whips out a Glock-9 from its holster and points it at the old lady. The old lady, who has an old-style Remington rifle slung over her shoulder, is slow to see the gun. But not the other shoppers who are also armed to the teeth. Taking

exception of the young man pointing his weapon at the old lady, the other shoppers
begin to load their clips of ammo into their weapons. Hearing the “clicks” of the clips, the old lady removes the rifle from her shoulder and points it at the young man. Knowing he is outgunned, he lowers his weapon and moves to another checkout lane. Situation resolved.
Naturally, some of the details need to be worked-out. But all in all, I think it’s the way to go. So get your guns now before the price goes up and don’t forget to stock-up on ammo. Maybe you will start a new fashion trend by wearing bandoleers across your chest. Viva Zapata…………….bwc

SUPERMARKET FACTS
1. According to Statista, the global supermarket industry was valued at around 4.8 trillion U.S. dollars in 2020.
2. In the United States, the supermarket industry generated approximately 682 billion U.S. dollars in sales in 2020, according to the National Grocers Association.
3. The top 5 supermarket chains in the United States by market share are Kroger, Walmart, Albertsons Companies, Ahold Delhaize, and Publix Super Markets, according to Statista.
4. The average supermarket in the United States carries around 38,000 different products, according to the Food Marketing Institute.
5. Online grocery shopping has grown in popularity, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. In the United States, online grocery sales increased by 54% in 2020, according to a report by Mercatus and Incisiv.
6. The fresh produce section is one of the most popular areas of a supermarket. According to a survey by the Produce Marketing Association, 97% of shoppers purchase fresh produce at least once a month.
7. According to a report by Nielsen, 64% of shoppers in the United States consider price to be the most important factor when choosing a supermarket.
8. In the United Kingdom, Tesco is the largest supermarket chain by market share, followed by Sainsbury's, Asda, Morrisons, and Aldi, according to Statista.
9. The global organic food market is expected to reach 679.8 billion U.S. dollars by 2026, with supermarkets being a major distribution channel for organic products, according to a report by Grand View Research.
10. Supermarkets are increasingly using data and technology to improve the shopping experience. For example, some supermarkets are using artificial intelligence to predict demand and optimize inventory, according to a report by McKinsey & Company.

NEXT BLOG
TUESDAY
MAY 9, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

FRIDAY,
MAY 5, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“The loneliest moment in someone’s life is when they
are watching their whole world fall apart,
and all they can do is stare blankly.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald

Can a Kidney Transplant Drug
Keep You From Aging?

Longevity seekers are captivated by a transplant drug called rapamycin, but many doctors are wary
By Alex JaninFollow
A kidney transplant drug has become the latest fixation of people trying to fight aging.
Some people looking to extend their lifespan have for years turned to a decades-old diabetes drug, metformin. Now, rapamycin, an immunosuppressant medication, is capturing their attention because some aging researchers believe it holds more promise.
Rapamycin was originally approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to prevent organ rejection in kidney transplant patients. Scientists have studied its potential to fight aging, too, and animal studies of rapamycin have yielded encouraging results, although there is little evidence of its longevity benefits in humans.
Rapamycin’s antiaging potential has attracted more off-label users in the last five years, especially among self-described “biohackers” who relish data-driven experiments to optimize health, according to aging researchers and longevity doctors. Yet its side effects can be serious, and most doctors are wary of prescribing it off-label.
FDA approves first RSV vaccine
to protect older adults

BY ALEXANDER TIN
Older Americans this fall could get an RSV vaccine for the first time, after the Food and Drug Administration approved Wednesday a new shot from drugmaker GSK to guard against a virus that leads to thousands of hospitalizations and deaths in seniors.
"Today's approval of the first RSV vaccine is an important public health achievement to prevent a disease which can be life-threatening and reflects the FDA's continued commitment to facilitating the development of safe and effective vaccines for use in the United States," Dr. Peter Marks, director of the FDA's Center for Biologics Evaluation and Research, said in a statement.
The FDA's decision follows wide majority votes in favor of the safety and efficacy of GSK's Arexvy vaccine at an advisory meeting in March.
Rising Energy Costs
and the Effects on
Senior Citizens and
Those on Fixed Incomes

As prices surge in nearly every sector and area of the American economy due to inflation, the burden of these costs are having major effects on some of the country’s most vulnerable populations. Senior citizens and people on fixed incomes are struggling to get by as many only have a limited amount of revenue, mostly from their social security benefits. Unfortunately, it all ties in to the state of everything becoming more costly, which is also the result of higher energy costs.
How are the effects of energy costs impacting senior citizens and Americans on fixed incomes?
To explore this subject on the “Gasonomics” podcast, host Tim Snyder interviewed Jim Blythe, a certified senior advisor and mortgage expert, on how costs are challenging people who are seniors and retirees, and where the outcome of this situation could be headed.
The two also talked about social security income and how many retirees normally rely on it because it is their sole stream of income. Blythe also indicated that there is a lack of information regarding other social programs and vouchers that some seniors and veterans can qualify for but lack the knowledge to successfully apply.
Playing pickleball helps older adults
to reach the recommended
dose of physical activity

Pickleball isn't just fun and easy to play – it's also potentially heart healthy. Playing pickleball helped a small group of adults aged 65 years and older reach their recommend weekly dose of moderate to vigorous physical activity, according to a pilot study by North Carolina State University researchers.
"We know it's an enjoyable activity, but what we didn't know was: Are older adult participants getting enough moderate to high intensity activity to reach the level critical for cardiovascular health?" asked the study's lead author Jonathan Casper, associate professor of parks, recreation and tourism management at NC State. "This pilot study provides objective data to support that pickleball participation is an activity that promotes older adults' physical activity and helps participants meet CDC and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommendations."
In the study, published in Recreational Sports Journal, researchers tracked the physical activity of 33 adults aged 65 years and older who played pickleball at least two times per week. They tracked participants' steps and intensity of physical activity during a two-week period using Fitbits.
Foodservice Is a Differentiator
for Senior Living Communities

By Mark Hamstra
Foodservice is the heartbeat of senior living communities and will continue to be a key factor in determining where consumers choose to spend their golden years.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has brought business-as-usual to a screeching halt, for the time being, the importance of high-quality, diverse, and vibrant dining services in independent and assisted living facilities will always be a priority.
According to research firm Datassential, nearly eight in ten residents (79%) of senior living communities and long-term care facilities have stated that food offerings are important. In addition, 83% of operators say dining is a high point in the day for their residents.
Read more >> https://us.sodexo.com/inspired-thinking/all-insights/foodservice-is-a-differentiator.html

“Being around other people doesn't guarantee you won't feel lonely, since loneliness isn't always about who's close by. It is a subjective feeling that arises from a lack of meaningful social connections, and can be influenced by a variety of factors, including individual temperament, life experiences, and social circumstances.
When you don't feel like you fit in or don't know anyone, it can be lonesome in a big group of people. They may feel like they don’t belong or that they’re not understood, leading to a sense of isolation and disconnection.
Loneliness can also arise when people lack social support, such as close friends or family members. They may feel like they have nobody to turn to when they need help or support, even if they are surrounded by acquaintances or people they know.
Going through something like living alone, a divorce, or a huge life shakeup like retiring or moving can all make you feel pretty lonely.

Overall, loneliness is a complex and multi-dimensional phenomenon, and people can feel lonely even in a crowd for a variety of reasons”
Loneliness can come to anybody at any age. If you have ever moved to a new city, you know how isolated you can feel, although you may be surrounded by thousands of people. The same holds true for anyone who finds themselves in an assisted living facility.
Every time a new resident arrives at the facility, I can’t help but notice the anxiety in their eyes and the look of bewilderment on their faces. But what is not so noticeable is the loneliness they are feeling at that moment.
I don’t care who you are or how many friends and relatives you may have. When you enter a long-term care facility, the feeling of isolation can be overwhelming.
Older folks are not quick to fit in. They don’t make friends the same way, or as easily, as they did in their youth. Suspicion, confusion and a feeling of betrayal often overrides one’s ability to socialize the way we did when we were young. This is compounded by the way current residents treat the “newbies.” Many older, established residents often mistake the outward signs of experiencing something new as being anti-social and consequentially shunning them, which only adds to the alienation. Unfortunately, management does little to help new residents “fit in.” Remember your first day in kindergarten? Imagine that lasting for weeks or months……..

FYI
Isolation
The risk of premature death from being socially disconnected is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day and represents an even higher mortality impact than a lack of physical activity and obesity, according to US Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. In an advisory yesterday, he warned that being persistently alone presented “profound threats” to Americans’ health: Time spent with friends fell by 20 hours a month from 2003–2020…and that was before the pandemic kept all of us apart more.

NEXT BLOG
SATURDAY
MAY 6, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

THURSDAY,
MAY 4, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
Quote
“Smoking is indispensable if one has nothing to kiss”
― Sigmund Freud

Health officials warn
irritating symptom may be
returning with latest
COVID strain

BY WILL CONYBEARE AND ADDY BINK
A new coronavirus subvariant is starting to spread in the U.S. and, according to health experts, it could be causing an annoying symptom to return.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, roughly 10% of all COVID cases reported last week were determined to be from the omicron-related XBB.1.16 subvariant, being referred to by some as Arcturus.
After first being reported in January, the World Health Organization declared XBB.1.16 a variant of interest in mid-April, The Hill reports.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is warning residents that this omicron sub-strain of COVID-19 may come with an irritating symptom: conjunctivitis
Bipartisan attorneys general
call on
Medicare to cover
Alzheimer’s treatments

By Spencer Kimball
Democratic and Republican attorneys general in nearly half of U.S. states are calling on Medicare to provide unrestricted coverage of antibody treatments for Alzheimer’s disease, according to a letter released Monday.
The push by attorneys general from 23 states, the District of Columbia, and two U.S. territories adds to mounting pressure on the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, to end a controversial policy that severely restricts access to new drugs such as Eisai and Biogen’s Leqembi.
Twice-monthly infusions of Leqembi have shown promise in slowing progression of early Alzheimer’s to more advanced stages of the mind-wasting disease. Medicare’s decision to restrict coverage means only wealthy seniors can afford to pay $26,500 per year out of pocket.
Scientists may have
discovered
why hair turns grey

Results of stem cell research could lead to
treatment that halts or reverses the process
By Nadeem Badshah
Scientists believe they have discovered the mechanism for hair turning grey, which could help develop treatment to alter cells in order to reverse or halt the process.
A new study suggests stem cells may get stuck as hair ages and lose their ability to mature and maintain hair colour.
Certain stem cells – which are able to develop into many different cell types – have a unique ability to transition between growth compartments in follicles. These cells lose the ability to move with age, resulting in greyness.
Read more >> https://www.theguardian.com/science/2023/apr/19/scientists-may-have-discovered-why-hair-turns-grey
How Retirees Should Financially
Plan for Mental Health

One of your biggest concerns as a retiree is going to be
planning for the future of your physical health.
BY DEANNA RITCHIE
One of your biggest concerns as a retiree is going to be planning for the future of your physical health. Over time, your physical health will degrade and you’ll likely be less capable of doing things for yourself; as a result, your healthcare needs and expenses will increase.
But what about your mental health?
Unfortunately, many retirees neglect mental health planning when it should be one of your highest priorities.
So why is mental health so important for retirees? And how can you appropriately plan for it? Below, this article will answer your questions and offer tips to help you prioritize your mental wellbeing.
Read more >https://www.entrepreneur.com/finance/how-retirees-should-financially-plan-for-mental-health/450433

Super Easy Bread
Recipe for Beginners

By Elizabeth Yetter
This is an easy recipe for your first loaf of homemade yeast bread. Using basic ingredients that can be found in most kitchens, it produces a delicious white bread with a soft crust and moist center. With no preservatives and a great taste, you'll quickly find out why baking your own bread is so much better than buying it at the store.
Beginners will find this to be the perfect introduction to baking great bread. You can use it to learn about the essential ingredients that go into bread, practice kneading and other techniques, and discover the perfect baking time in your oven. There are lots of tips and tricks to help you along the way. Start with one loaf to see how it turns out. If needed, you can make slight adjustments the next time.
Experienced bakers will also find that this recipe is a great base for experimentation. If you're adventurous, feel free to alter and play with it to create your own bread recipes.

Cigarette Smoking Declines
The number of US adults who smoke cigarettes dropped to an all-time low last year, according to new data released yesterday from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Preliminary findings from a survey of more than 27,000 adults show 11%, or 1 in 9 adults, reported smoking in 2022, down from 12.5% in 2021 and in 2020.
Cigarette smoking—linked to cancer, heart disease, lung diseases, and more—has been declining since the mid-1960s when 42% of US adults identified as active smokers (see charts). Observers attribute the gradual drop in the rate to a variety of factors—increased costs and taxes (see state-by-state data), smoking bans in a wide range of public spaces, and increased health consciousness of consumers.
Meanwhile, the number of US adults who say they used e-cigarettes in 2022 rose to 6%, up from 4.5% in 2021. E-cigarettes, or electronic cigarettes, are battery powered devices that do not contain tobacco. See a visual guide to e-cigarettes here.

NEXT BLOG
FRIDAY
MAY 5, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

WEDNESDAY,
MAY 3, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“And the Republican Party especially associates the market
with the idea of progress,
goodness, family, and points us toward the mall as an
answer to all our personal dreams.”
____ Arlie Russell Hochschild

Alzheimer’s patients
may wait years to get
treated with new drugs,
putting them at risk of
more severe disease

By Spencer Kimball
A shortage of dementia specialists and testing capacity could result in significant wait times for new Alzheimer’s treatments as the U.S. population ages.
Patients could face wait times ranging from 18 months to four years to get diagnosed and then treated for Alzheimer’s disease, according to studies.
Time spent waiting only robs early Alzheimer’s patients of their memory and ability to live independently.
But there are innovations on the horizon that could make diagnosis and treatment much easier.
Seniors with early Alzheimer’s disease will face major hurdles to get treated even if promising new drugs roll out more broadly in the coming years, putting them at risk of developing more severe disease as they wait months or perhaps years for a diagnosis.
Read more >> https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/30/alzheimers-treatment-patients-may-wait-years-for-new-drugs.html
5 Early Warning Signs of Dementia:
How to Recognize Them
and What to Do

By ELIZABETH LAURA NELSON
When you misplace your phone, forget what day of the week it is, or find your reading glasses in the refrigerator (hey, it happens!), it's not unusual to wonder whether these lapses are a warning signs of something more serious than spaciness. But because there is no cure for Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia, and dementia with Lewy bodies—three of the most common causes of cognitive decline—many people may be reluctant to find out whether they might actually be developing dementia. But experts say that putting your head in the sand is a mistake.
"Getting a dementia diagnosis sooner rather than later has several advantages," says Peter Ross, founder and CEO of Senior Helpers, one of the nation's biggest and best providers of in-home senior care. "While there is no cure for dementia, early detection and treatment can help slow its progression and improve quality of life."
Bruce Albala, PhD, clinical professor of environmental and occupational health at the University of California, Irvine, notes that certain causes of dementia are treatable. "While AD is the most common cause for progressive dementia, many of the non-progressing forms of cognitive impairment are often the result of treatable conditions such as depression, hypothyroidism, folate (vitamin B) deficiency, etc. Even some of the progressive dementias are due to other neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease, which can be treated."
Read more >> click here
One-Time Endoscopic Treatment
Might Replace Insulin for People
With Type 2 Diabetes

By Denise Mann
Could a one-hour procedure that involves zapping a part of the intestines mean no more insulin for millions of folks with type 2 diabetes?
The new minimally invasive procedure used controlled electrical pulses to change the lining of the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum). This improved blood sugar control and eliminated the need for insulin for at least one year among people with type 2 diabetes, the researchers said.
People with type 2 diabetes don’t use the insulin in their body properly, and as a result, their blood sugar, or glucose, can build up. Some of these patients will need to take synthetic insulin to keep their blood sugar in check.
"This might be a game changer in the management of type 2 diabetes," said study co-author Dr. Jacques Bergman, a professor of gastrointestinal endoscopy at Amsterdam University Medical Center in the Netherlands. A single outpatient intervention "was suggested to have a pretty long therapeutic effect,” he added during a media briefing.
Long-Term Care Facilities:
What to Expect When
the COVID-19 PHE Ends

By Jacob Harper, Kathleen McDermott,
Jonathan York, Morgan Lewis
Key provisions that provided flexibility to long-term care providers and helped alleviate administrative burdens will expire May 11, 2023.
Long-term care facilities (LTCs), skilled nursing facilities (SNF), and nursing facilities (together, LTC providers) were at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic. In the United States, LTC providers faced uncertainty and risked their health and well-being to deliver care to the most vulnerable population in a climate of regulatory uncertainty and scrutiny, and, for a time, dealt with the absence of protective gear.
During the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) addressed challenges for the delivery of care with diligence and agility. CMS implemented an array of waivers and flexibilities to ensure LTC patients could access preventive, routine, chronic, and acute care needs. LTC providers were able to use these regulatory flexibilities to alleviate administrative burdens in providing care to their residents. While LTCs have adapted to many of these flexibilities being rolled back over the last two years, many more are set to expire on May 11, 2023, when the PHE officially ends.
Read more >> click here

Sensor system could
decrease fall risk
for older adults

Lower health care costs, greater patient autonomy are goals of project
Knowing how to avoid falls could help adults 65 and older fend off costly health care bills and live in their homes longer.
A team of Rice University engineering students designed a fall-risk assessment system that enables doctors to create personalized risk-management strategies for patients based on their individual movement patterns at home.
The Three Seasons team — “because with us, there is no fall,” said member Vanessa Garlepp — is one of 69 competing in this year’s Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen showcase April 13 at the Ion. Charlie Gorton, Chris Heuser, Fadeel Khan and Ahalya Lettenberger round out the team.

Supermarkets are created to help make grocery shopping simpler and less stressful.
Ideally, you should be able to walk (or drive) to your favorite market, select the items you want, pay and go home. And that’s how it is for most people. But lately a new way of grocery shopping has taken hold as an easier way to shop, supposedly.

I’m referring to the online shopping services like Instacart, Amazon, Fresh Direct and others.
Shopping for groceries online has become more and more common over the past few years because it's so easy and convenient. However, shoppers should be conscious of certain drawbacks associated with this kind of shopping:
It can be tricky to get an accurate idea of the product you are buying when you shop online. Product descriptions and images may not always match the actual product, which can be frustrating for shoppers.
Though having your groceries brought directly to your door may be convenient, the deliveries may be late due to traffic, weather, or staffing. One online service so much as stated, the amount of the tip you are giving may have a factor in determining how fast you get your order. Shopper/drivers choose which “jobs” they want based on the amount of tip they will get.
This is the one that really bothers me. Online grocery shopping often involves additional fees, such as delivery fees and service fees. These fees can add up and make online shopping more expensive than shopping in-store. I understand having to pay a delivery fee. Gas is expensive as is someone’s time and effort. But recently something else has been added to the mix. The ambiguous “service fee.” Are we not already paying a fee for the service? WTF?

The last time I shopped in a supermarket, I had no problem finding everything I wanted. There was an abundance of brands to choose from. However, recently many of the items I had no problem finding have been unavailable or out-of-stock when I order online. Is the shortage of items linked to the pandemic or inflation, or is something else causing it?
Because I have problems getting around, I have become very dependent on online shopping for the things I need. But I have to admit, my frustration level has gone way up as of late. I’m never sure if what I ordered will actually be delivered…………


Shopping Mall Statistics
1. 25% Of Shopping Malls Expected To Close Within 5 Years
2. There Are 1,000 Shopping Malls Left In America
3. Mall Of America Is The Biggest Shopping Mall
4. At The End Of 2021, Malls Had The Highest Vacancy Rate At 8.3%
5. Malls Most At Risk For Closing Are B-, C-, and D- Rated Malls
(Malls considered B-, C-, and D- are the most at risk of closing down
within the next few years because the sales per
square foot of these malls are significantly less.)
6. There Are 380 C- And D- Shopping Malls In America
7. American Dream Is The Second-Largest Shopping Mall
8. Malls Are Transforming Into More Of A Community Space
9. Simon Property Group Is the Biggest Operator Of Malls In America
10. Ala Moana Center Had 50 Million Visitors In 2019
In Hawaii, the Ala Moana Center had the most visitors to any mall
in 2019, with over 50 million visitors,
which is a huge and surprising statistic.

NEXT BLOG
THURSDAY
MAY 4, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

TUESDAY,
MAY 2, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“Never ask a woman who is eating ice cream
straight from the carton how she’s doing.”
― Nitya Prakash

A 94-Year Old Grandmother
Fights Back After Government
Sold Her Home—
And Kept The Profit

Geraldine Tyler’s case, now before the Supreme Court, could change tax seizure practices in more than a dozen states. It would be a big win for elderly and poor homeowners.
By Kelly Phillips Erb
In1999, Geraldine Tyler, then a 70-year-old retired county worker, bought her own apartment—a modest one-bedroom condo in Minneapolis, Minnesota, near a park and public transit. She lived there for a decade, dutifully paying her real estate taxes, until worries about rising crime and an incident involving a neighbor led her to make a hasty move across town to a senior community in a safer neighborhood.
The move was good for her peace of mind but not for her pocketbook. She couldn't keep up with the bills for both places and by 2015 had accrued $2,311 in unpaid property taxes on the condo plus interest, costs, and penalties totaling nearly $13,000. Eventually, Hennepin County seized Tyler's condo and sold it for $40,000. But rather than keep the $15,000 it was owed and refund Geraldine the $25,000 sale surplus, the county kept the whole $40,000.
That’s perfectly legal in Minnesota–at least for now. When it comes to collecting property taxes and some other government debts, local governments in Minnesota take what's called absolute title, meaning that they can keep all proceeds from a sale, no matter how much the windfall exceeds the amount they’re owed.
SHOULD I HIRE
A FINANCIAL ADVISOR?

BY BEVERLY BOWERS
With turmoil in the financial world – inflation, bank bankruptcies, recession concerns, etc. – you may have reached the point that you want to check in with a professional advisor. If nothing else, it may calm any anxiety about your future.
Common questions I hear as I speak to audiences across the nation are: Am I on track? Will my savings last through retirement? Do I need to adjust my investment mix? How do I address unknown risks? Am I spending too much?
No matter your age or your accumulated assets, getting help and insight from a professional is a good idea, especially if your concerns are taking a toll on your quality of life.
Read more >> https://sixtyandme.com/hire-financial-advisor/
UF College of Medicine
study finds sleep apnea
in older adults needs
more attention

By: Bill Levesque
Obstructive sleep apnea, which can reduce life expectancy and cause significant health problems, often is undiagnosed and unaddressed in adults ages 50 and over, a study led by a University of Florida College of Medicine researcher suggests.
Lead author Christopher Kaufmann, Ph.D., M.H.S., an assistant professor in the college’s department of health outcomes and biomedical informatics, said the study reveals a need to identify strategies that could address this inequity nationally.
“That we’re finding undiagnosed and thus untreated obstructive sleep apnea in this population is especially concerning,” said Kaufmann, who is also a faculty member in the UF Institute on Aging. “Older adults have greater risk for many different adverse health outcomes.”
Read more >> https://ufhealth.org/news/2023/uf-college-medicine-study-finds-sleep-apnea-older-adults-needs-more-attention
Navigating Life Events:
Divorced Spouse Resources

Almost every aspect of your life changes following a divorce, including your finances. Benefits.gov has resources to help. In this article you’ll learn about Divorced Spouse Benefits you may be eligible for and divorce tax relief that may help lessen financial strain.
Social Security Divorced Spouse Benefits
The U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA) offers Divorced Spouse Benefits to people who are eligible to receive Social Security. If you are divorced, you can receive monetary benefits based on your spouse’s record, if you meet the following criteria:
Your marriage lasted 10 years or longer.
Your ex-spouse is 62 or older.
The benefits that your ex-spouse is entitled to receive based on their own work are less than the benefit they would receive based on your work.

How to Dine Outdoors,
Minus the Bugs

An entomologist’s advice for bug-free backyard barbecues
By Amy McCarthy
Once the food is prepared, the table is set, and the candles are lit, it’s easy to get in the mood for a great meal. But when you’re dining outdoors, few things can kill that mood as instantly as creepy-crawly (or annoyingly airborne) insect visitors. Bugs are, unfortunately, a natural part of eating outside. They didn’t ask for you to host a picnic next to their nest, but now that you have, you might as well learn how to deal.
The internet is positively bursting with tips, tricks, and hacks to keep your backyard picnic bug-free, ranging from citronella candles and tiki torches to DIY options like apple cider vinegar and essential oils. But many of these hacks are old wives’ tales at best, or marketing gimmicks that aren’t actually effective.
According to University of Nebraska entomologist Kait Chapman, there are three types of bugs you have to worry about at an outdoor meal: bugs that want to bite or sting you, bugs that buzz around and annoy your guests, and bugs that want to eat your food. Different types of bugs mean different mechanisms for coping with them, so we asked Chapman to share her expert tips for keeping your outdoor picnics and backyard barbecues bug-free.

ICE CREAM FACTS
Industrial production of ice cream begun in 1851 in Boston, United States.
The largest worldwide consumption of ice cream is in United States. There, one average person consumes 48 pints of ice cream per year.90% of American households eat ice cream.
Ice cream recipe came to North America 250 years after it was discovered by Christopher Columbus.
The most popular flavor of ice cream is vanilla. After it come chocolates, strawberry, cookies n’ cream, and others.
Ice cream cones were invented during 1904 World's Fair in St. Louis, when large demand forced ice cream vendor to find help from nearby waffle vendor. Together they made history.
Over her entire lifetime, one daily cow can produce enough milk for 9,000 gallons of ice cream!
United States produces most ice cream in the world.
Market analysts confirmed that ice cream sales increase many times during times of recession or wars.
Most favorite ice cream topping is chocolate syrup.
One cone of ice cream can be finished off in 50 licks.
California is the larger producer of ice cream in United States. During 2003 they alone made 121 million gallons of this cold treat.
It takes 12 gallons of milk to create one gallon of ice cream.
Ice cream “Brain Freeze” effect is triggered when cold ice touches the roof of your mouth, which causes blood vessels in the head to dilate.
There is 273 calories in one cup of vanilla ice cream.

NEXT BLOG
WEDNESDAY
MAY 3, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

MONDAY, MAY 1, 2023

Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“Irony of the day: arthritis medication with a cap
that old people can't get off, because of their arthritis.”
― Kelli Jae Baeli

Older Adults With
Middle Incomes
Are Trapped In
The Affordable Housing Gap

By Kerri Fivecoat-Campbell
Deb Morgan, 74, made the decision in 2021 to sell her home in Aiken, South Carolina, and move closer to her son in Cincinnati. While the booming real estate market helped her get more for her Aiken home than she imagined, the market also worked against her when finding a new place to live.
Morgan didn't want to pay an inflated home price and she wasn't even sure she wanted to own another home. "I called two senior apartment complexes and they both had income requirements for the maximum amount I could make," Morgan said.
Morgan learned she earns $1,000 per year too much to qualify to live in what is considered low-income housing. She declined to disclose her exact income, saying only that it is less than $3,000 per month.
Are We Ready to Care
for Our Aging Population?
There’s a seismic shift of Americans going into retirement by 2030. They’ll need more medical care as they age — and the resources to pay for it.

BY SARAH JORDAN
Of all our fears about aging, the greatest may be our fear of losing control. Having your driver’s license revoked, being forced into a nursing home — it’s unspeakably depressing to contemplate relinquishing agency over your most basic activities and independence, even when it’s for the best. In Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End, Atul Gawande describes philosopher Ronald Dworkin’s observation about autonomy and how it applies to the aging process: “Whatever the limits and travails we face, we want to retain the autonomy — the freedom — to be the authors of our lives.”
This human instinct for authority over our own lives will soon be tested by more Americans than ever. Have we taken the necessary steps to prepare for this graying of the nation? Not only do we have an unprecedented cohort of Americans entering their golden years with associated medical needs; we also have increasing life expectancy. Is Philadelphia, one of the poorest cities in America, ready to take care of its growing numbers of aging adults?
As 'deprescribing' medicines
for older adults catches on,
poll shows need for
patient-provider dialogue

As the movement toward "deprescribing" medications among older adults grows, a new poll shows strong interest in this idea.
A full 80% of adults aged 50 to 80 would be open to stopping one or more of the prescription medicines they've been taking for more than a year, if a health care provider said it was possible. Already, 26% said they have done so in the past two years.
Of those willing to stop a medicine, 67% said they would likely ask for advice about doing so at their next visit with a provider, according to the new findings from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging.
But the poll also shows the importance of communication between patients and providers when deprescribing—a concept that includes both decreasing and stopping a medication because a temporary health condition has resolved, the medicine might clash with others, or the overall benefits and risks of taking it have changed.
Poll finds 1 in 3 adults
age 50-80 feel
socially isolated

Chronic loneliness has adverse health effects such as memory loss, loss of physical exercise and general health
By Nargis Rahman
The National Poll on Healthy Aging released new findings in a report of trends in loneliness and isolation among older adults 50-80 years old, between 2018-2023.
The study was conducted between 2018-2023. According to its findings, 34% of participants felt isolated from others, a significant decrease from the 56% in 2020, but still higher than pre-COVID levels.
Dr. Preeti Malani, professor of medicine at the University of Michigan and a member of the National Poll on Healthy Aging, says many older adults are less lonely than during the COVID pandemic, but those with mental and physical challenges are facing higher rates of loneliness.
“Loneliness and isolation is not the same for everyone, and these feelings are more common in people who report in either ‘fair or poor mental health’ or ‘fair or poor physical health,’” Malani says.
Read more >> https://wdet.org/2023/04/21/u-m-aging-poll-2023/

How to Share the Wealth with
Your Kids Responsibly

By Alex Gauthier
Having recently become a father, this Tax Day has been a little different for me than in previous years. Intergenerational wealth – or the wealth that parents will pass on to their children one day – is top-of-mind.
So, I decided to talk to my company’s tax team about any potential tax implications that come with an intergenerational transfer of wealth. The conversation was eye-opening, to say the least. The landscape of tax exemptions and laws has shifted considerably in the U.S. over the last decade, especially when it comes to estate settlement.
Being aware of taxation laws and contribution limits is one of the best ways to provide financial security and support for your children without excessive tax deductions. We call this our “tax-smart” approach.
Read more >> https://seniorslifestylemag.com/retirement/financial/how-to-share-the-wealth-with-your-kids-responsibly/


I’m not ashamed to admit, I like to eat. I’ll eat almost anything as long as it’s cooked well and properly seasoned. I find ethnic peasant food particularly interesting not only for its flavor but also for the skill it takes to make a tasty, nourishing meal out of locally grown, simple ingredients.
I was raised mostly on Jewish style cuisine and Americanized versions of “foreign” food. None of which resembled their authentic roots. But it was good, and my mom only used real food purchased from neighborhood merchants who she knew and they knew her. Unfortunately, we don’t have that anymore. Everything comes from a supermarket or big box store. Where they get their meats and produce is anybody’s guess. But what’s even more discouraging is people don’t care. The art of shopping for food has all but faded from memory. When was the last time you bought fruits and vegetables from a greengrocer or meat from a stand-alone butcher shop or fresh fish from a fishmonger? If you can find them. Even bakeries are slowly disappearing. And worse, except for a few good restaurants and skilled home chefs, cooking a meal from scratch has become a lost art. And there is no better example of the dumbed-down kitchen than here at the A.L.F.

The unique thing about assisted living facilities is the divide between the residents and the staff. In most cases, this is necessary. Nobody would expect an elderly, infirm person to clean their rooms, make the bed, or fix the toilet. Those duties are best handled by the younger members of the staff . However, where this age difference becomes a problem is in the kitchen.
Simply, today’s youth do not know how to cook. This is in stark contrast to the people they serve, mostly elderly residents who have been cooking for themselves and their families for years. People who know what real food is supposed to taste like and how it should be cooked. The art or skill of being able to prepare a meal from start to finish using basic components is a mystery with today’s younger generation. And we have only ourselves to blame. It’s us baby-boomers who have ruined it for everybody. With the rise of fast food, takeout, and pre-packaged meals, many people choose to prioritize convenience over cooking their own meals. This can be due to busy schedules, lack of time, or simply a preference for quick and easy options.

Also, not everyone grows up in a household where cooking is emphasized or taught, and some people may not have had the opportunity to learn basic cooking skills. Additionally, with the decline of home economics classes in schools, there are fewer opportunities for young people to learn how to cook. As people's lifestyles and priorities have changed over time, cooking may not hold the same importance that it once did.
I know I am putting too much emphasis on food. Almost to the point of obsessing about it. But, except for a few occasions, I haven’t eaten a home-cooked meal for over ten years. Think about how fortunate you are the next time you crack a couple of eggs in a skillet or roll a meatball in your hands……………


Things You Should Know About Arthritis
From Wear and Tear to Weather
1. Arthritis is painful.
Arthritis is the inflammation of one or more of your joints, causing chronic pain as well as swelling and stiffness and loss of motion. Flare-ups can be unpredictable.
2. It affects more than just your hands.
Osteoarthritis may also affect your hips, knees and back and even your shoulders. The pain can limit your everyday activities, including the ability to work.
3. Arthritis is complex.
With more than 100 forms, arthritis is far from simple. The most common types are osteoarthritis, rheumatoid, psoriatic and gout, and although they share a common symptom, their causes can vary.
“Osteoarthritis is the wear and tear on your body that occurs over time, whereas rheumatoid arthritis and the others are autoimmune disorders in which the immune system attacks the body’s own tissues and organs,” explains Dr. Mochel, who is also an orthopaedist with Northwestern Medicine Regional Medical Group.
4. There is no cure, but early diagnosis and treatment is essential.
The first step in osteoarthritis treatment is managing your pain, followed by gaining strength through physical therapy and addressing other lifestyle issues, such as a healthy body weight and smoking cessation. Surgery is another option, which is especially effective for patients with hip and knee issues.
5. Movement is good.
“People who remain active are far better off than those who lead a sedentary lifestyle,” says Dr. Mochel. “This can be challenging when you’re in pain, but it doesn’t take much.” Aquatic exercise, a short bike ride or walking every day can be enough.
6. Weather makes a difference.
The climate may contribute to your pain. In fact, when the atmospheric pressure changes, your arthritis might flare up. That’s a good time to use ibuprofen, apply ice and begin stretching for relief from the cold weather.
7. Relief can be hot and cold.
If your joints are aching, apply a covered ice pack to decrease the initial inflammation, and then, after 48 hours, switch to heat to open up the blood vessels for added relief.
8. Injuries may affect your risk of arthritis.
Young adults with knee injuries have six times the risk of developing osteoarthritis in that joint by age 65 years. Those with hip injuries are three times more likely. That said, the importance of exercise at any age far outweighs the chance of injury, says Dr. Mochel.
9. It’s not just for adults.
Children get arthritis, too. In fact, almost 300,000 children in the United States under the age of 18 years suffer from rheumatoid arthritis, affecting girls more often than boys.
10. Juvenile arthritis is difficult to diagnose.
As with osteoarthritis in adults, there is no screening for juvenile arthritis. Symptoms may include constant joint pain or swelling, unexplained skin rashes, a fever with swelling of the lymph nodes or inflammation of other organs in the body. Be sure to tell your pediatrician about your child’s symptoms.

NEXT BLOG
TUESDAY
MAY 2, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

FRIDAY, APRIL 28 2023
Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“Baseball is like church.
Many attend, few understand.”
― Leo Durocher

Bill to protect seniors against
financial fraud heads to Senate

By Doug Bailey
As older Americans are increasingly the target of financial fraud, a bill to project against senior scams is headed to the Senate for a vote after having been passed by the House.
By some estimates, one in five seniors 60 and older will be victimized by financial exploitation, though many adults aren’t on the lookout for scams and many, for a variety of reasons, don’t report they’ve been swindled.
“Financial exploitation of seniors is elder abuse and, tragically, about twenty percent of senior investors fall prey to financial fraud, losing an estimated $2.9 billion annually,” said Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO), chair of the Financial Services subcommittee on Capital Markets.
Read more >> https://insurancenewsnet.com/innarticle/bill-to-protect-seniors-against-financial-fraud-heads-to-senate
Why are rent prices still so high?
And are these rental boogeymen
actually to blame?

By Lillian Stone and Matty Merritt
To rent an apartment in 2023, it feels like you need positive references from 600 past landlords, at least 30 zeroes in your monthly take-home pay, and a horde of well-muscled movers on call. OK, that’s an exaggeration, but it’s tough out there for renters. Rent growth is 17% higher than 2021 levels, despite beginning to moderate in September, according to Rent.com.
In the March consumer price index report, rents jumped almost 9% from last year, far outpacing the overall inflation rate of 5%. “The index for shelter was by far the largest contributor to the monthly all items increase,” the Bureau of Labor Statistics wrote.
The issue: Rent is still rising, and it’s bringing inflation with it.
Americans are reaching deep into their bank accounts to make rent. More than half of US renter households still struggle to pay for housing, and about one-third of US households spend more than 30% of their income—the “golden ratio” for measuring housing affordability—on housing.
Read more >> click here
The Future of Adult Gerontology
Acute Care:
The Increasing Need
for DNP AGACNPs

By Nikki Gabriel
As the global population continues to age, there is an increasing need for specialized care for older adults, particularly those with acute or complex medical needs. In response to this growing demand, nurse practitioners with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) in Adult-Gerontology Acute Care (AGACNP) are emerging as a vital component of the healthcare workforce.
These highly trained professionals possess advanced clinical and leadership skills and are equipped to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care in a variety of acute care settings.
In this article, we will explore the future of adult gerontology acute care and the increasing need for DNP AGACNPs to address the healthcare needs of older adults.
The Increasing Aging....
Tweaking Medicaid eligibility criteria
would benefit vulnerable
older adults ‘tremendously’

By Kimberly Bonvissuto
Findings from new research at the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston dispel policymaker fears that adding more recipients to the Medicaid program by using alternative eligibility criteria would bankrupt the program. Those newly eligible individuals would benefit “tremendously” from coverage, the researchers wrote in sharing findings recently in the Journal of Aging & Social Policy.
“We’re not talking about a massive number of additional people,” the researchers said.
Medicaid’s eligibility rules rely on income standards based on the federal poverty level, with stringent limits on financial assets that exclude many older adults who are financially and and physically vulnerable.
To quantify how many more people could be helped with varying eligibility standards, the researchers used data from the Health and Retirement Study to look at five alternative criteria:

Foodservice Is a Differentiator
for Senior Living Communities

By Mark Hamstra
Foodservice is the heartbeat of senior living communities and will continue to be a key factor in determining where consumers choose to spend their golden years.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has brought business-as-usual to a screeching halt, for the time being, the importance of high-quality, diverse, and vibrant dining services in independent and assisted living facilities will always be a priority.
According to research firm Datassential, nearly eight in ten residents (79%) of senior living communities and long-term care facilities have stated that food offerings are important. In addition, 83% of operators say dining is a high point in the day for their residents.
Read more >> https://us.sodexo.com/inspired-thinking/all-insights/foodservice-is-a-differentiator.html


It’s only Thursday and already Tucker Carlson’s firing from Fox is old news.
Personally, I don’t give a flying f**k about Carlson or Fox news. I can proudly say I never watched any of his show. I only know what I have seen in news stories that followed the lawsuit against his boss. Those clips showed him to be a bold-faced liar, conspiracy promoter and so-called supporter of a man even he thought wasn’t fit to be president. He knew none of the lies he was telling were true, but he kept telling them anyway, just to give his audience what they wanted to hear. And it’s those listeners who I have the biggest problem with.
Carlson garnered an audience of over 3 million viewers. The most on cable. Today, many of those viewers are threatening to cancel their Fox subscriptions or tuning out Fox completely because of Carlson’s firing. How sad is that? How sad is it that hundreds of thousands or even millions of people don’t care if their onetime hero is a phony as they come? Even after making disparaging remarks about the very people who watch Fox news. But that’s the way it is with Trump’s minions. “Don’t confuse me with the facts, my mind's made up.” Normally, such blind faith would not mean much. But these people tell other people who tell others, etc. And they vote. Scary as that may seem. And even scarier are the Republican legislators who think that the wacky fringe of MAGAs represents the whole party………………


BASEBALL FACTS
The first pro baseball game ever to be aired on television was on August 26, 1939, it was a double-header between Brooklyn and Cincinnati.
Each MLB ball has 108 stitches. (The first and last stitches are hidden.)
A ball is only used for six pitches and then it’s retired.
During a typical game, approximately 70 balls are used.
The oldest player to hit a home run was Julio Franco. He was 47 years and 240 days old when he hit a home run for the Mets in 2006.
The longest baseball game in history (between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Braves) lasted 26 innings and nearly four hours.
The youngest pitcher in major league baseball history is Joe Nuxhall who was just 15 years old when he pitched for Cincinnati Reds.
.
Aside from the United States, Taiwan, Venezuela, Cuba, and the Dominican Republic also consider baseball as their de facto national sport.
In Major League Baseball, special mud is used to rub baseballs before each game to reduce their luster and make them easier to grip as per MLB Rule 4.01(c). This mud comes from a secret location in Jersey.

NEXT BLOG
SATURDAY
APRIL 29, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

THURSDAY, APRIL 27, 2023
Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“If bees die, people will die.
Only ignorance never dies!
("Why step out of nature ?")”
― Erik Pevernagie

SCIENTISTS MAY HAVE FIGURED
OUT HOW TO REGENERATE
LOST HEARING
THEY CLAIM TO HAVE FOUND
THE "HOLY GRAIL" OF
THE HEARING LOSS FIELD.

A team of Harvard Medical School scientists say they've come up with a new drug cocktail of molecules that they say can successfully regenerate the hair cells in the inner ear that enable hearing — a potentially groundbreaking treatment for hearing loss.
As detailed in a new paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the researchers coaxed the hair cells to regrow in mice by reprogramming genetic pathways in the inner ear.
They're now hoping the study could lay the groundwork for future clinical trials to develop a treatment for humans suffering from hearing loss. It's a big "if," sure, but also a tantalizing ray of hope for people struggling with their hearing.
Falls happen to senior citizens,
but you can reduce your risk.
Here's how.

By Lisa Conway
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in four older adults falls each year, and one in five falls causes serious injury, such as broken bones or a head injury.
Q: I know falling is dangerous for older people. How can falls be prevented?
A: According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each year millions of people 65 and older fall. While 25% of seniors fall each year, less than half report it to their physician. Studies demonstrate that falling once doubles your chance of falling again.
Many risk factors contribute to falls in the elderly.
Some factors include vitamin D deficiency, medications that may cause dizziness or drowsiness, vision problems, foot pain or ill-fitting footwear, lower body weakness, inner ear and sinus infections and numerous other conditions.
5 Types of Allergies
That Can Become
More Common With Age
Reactions to foods, medications, pollen and insects can develop later in life

By Barbara Sadick
Fifty million Americans suffer from allergies, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and some expert groups estimate the number is even higher. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic illness in the U.S.
While most allergic reactions develop in childhood or young adulthood, an estimated 5 to 10 percent of Americans over the age of 65 are either living with chronic allergic reactions or experiencing allergic reactions for the first time. As the population ages — by 2030, 20 percent of Americans will be over 65 — the number of older Americans with allergies should continue to increase.
What is an allergy?
An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies a typically harmless substance, or allergen, as an intruder. Those substances can include dust mites, pollen, mold, pet dander, insect stings, medicines or foods that don’t cause a reaction in most other people. The immune system responds to these allergens by trying to fight them off as it would a germ or virus. However, with most allergic reactions, it’s responding to a false alarm.
Read more >> Click here
Drug interactions are
a growing threat
to older adults

BY BILL MOTCHAN
Memory loss. Difficulty breathing. Impaired vision. Rapid heart rate. Nausea.
Those are just a few medical issues faced by older adults — after taking medication. These side effects are all too common if two or more medications interact with each other and, in the process, do more harm than good.
About one-third of older adults who take prescription drugs experience problems caused by the interaction of medications. And most older adults take multiple prescription medications. Nearly 19 million adults ages 65 and older take five or more medications a day. Even over the counter medications have the potential to interact with prescription drugs and create new medical conditions.
This problem is growing as pharmaceutical companies develop new treatments and doctors prescribe them, said Hedva Barenholtz Levy, a geriatrics specialist who consults with older adults and their caregivers.
Read more >> https://stljewishlight.org/news/news-local/drug-interactions-are-a-growing-threat-to-older-adults/
Study indicates link between
tech use, anxiety, depression
in older adults


Using data collected from the National Health and Aging Trends Study, Harvard Medical School researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital explored the various communication patterns that adults age 65 and older reported having with friends, family, and health care providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
They examined the relationship between different communication modes and reported feelings of anxiety and depression about the pandemic as well as incidence of loneliness. Data were derived from the responses of more than 3,100 study participants to a supplemental survey administered as part of the study between June and October 2020.
Researchers found that in-person interactions with friends, family, and health care providers were associated with fewer mental health concerns. In contrast, interactions using digital technologies, including emails and video calls, were associated with feelings of depression and anxiety about COVID-19.
Read more >> click here

Insects With the Most Painful Sting
(From Least to Most)
Southern Fire Ants
Fire Ants are fairly low on the pain scale (level one), but this only considers one fire ant bite. Oftentimes, people will stumble upon a nest and anger multiple fire ants, which multiplies the pain when they all decide to sting you. This is why some people believe fire ants have the most painful sting!
Bald-Faced Hornet
These large, aggressive hornets are found throughout the United States and other parts of North America. They will sting if their nest area is invaded, and can even spray venom into their victims’ eyes. It was rated a pain level two.
Yellow Jacket Wasp
You might not have recognized the previous insects, but you likely have seen Yellow Jackets flying around your home in summertime. Perhaps you’ve even been stung by one! Although their sting is definitely painful, Schmidt rated it as a level two on his scale. Most other bees, wasps, and ants are in the level two category of pain.
Red Harvester Ant
Typically only found in New Mexico and Arizona, these ants are rated a three on the Schmidt Sting Pain Index. Their sting can inflame your nerves for hours and is pretty painful. They’re often confused with fire ants due to their physical similarities, but the two aren’t related.
Paper Wasp
This common species of wasp often pop up under porch areas during summertime. Their sting is painful (rated a three), but luckily, it starts to fade after about 15 minutes.
Tarantula Hawk
The Tarantula Hawk is rated a level four on the Schmidt Sting Pain Index. This species is a large spider wasp that preys on Tarantulas. Eighteen species of Tarantula Hawks can be found in the United States (primarily in the deserts and Southwestern states), as well as throughout other areas of the world. There are 250 species in South America.
Bullet Ant
Schmidt rated the Bullet Ant at the very top of his list. This ant lives in the South American rainforest and delivers an intense, venomous sting. The immediate pain lasts anywhere from 12–24 hours in full force. Luckily, you won’t find this type of ant hiding in your backyard.
Executioner Wasp
This newly discovered wasp was likely named after its sting. Since it was a new species that hadn’t been analyzed by Justin Schmidt, a wildlife expert named Coyote Peterson followed in Schmidt’s footsteps to seek out the species. He was stung by it and described it as far worse than the Bullet Ant. Not only was it excruciatingly painful, it burned a hole in his arm – no insect had done that to him before. This wasp is located in Central America and South America.

NEXT BLOG
FRIDAY
APRIL 28, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

WEDNESDAY,
APRIL 26, 2023
Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“A nation that continues year after year to
spend more money on military defense
than on programs of social uplift
is approaching spiritual doom.”
― Martin Luther King Jr.
SENIOR NEWS HEADER

Joe Biden Wants to Make
This Big Social Security Change --
and Most Americans Could
Be on Board With It

By Keith Speights
Social Security is in trouble. You know it. I know it. The program's trustees definitely know it, recently reporting that Social Security will become insolvent one year earlier than previously forecast.
The president is also aware that something needs to be done to preserve Social Security. While his administration hasn't proposed major reforms to Social Security yet, Joe Biden wants to make a big Social Security change based on his previous statements. And there's reason to believe that most Americans could be on board with it.
Biden's big change
When Biden campaigned for president in 2016, he proposed several benefit increases for Social Security recipients. For example, he wanted to boost the benefits for older Americans who had been retired for at least 20 years. He also sought to increase the minimum benefit, allow surviving spouses to receive higher benefits, and eliminate penalties for public-sector workers.
Older adults may achieve
same cognition as undergrads

Learning multiple tasks led to cognition improvements that got better with the passage of time
By J.D. WARREN
A set of recent studies demonstrates for the first time that learning multiple new tasks carries benefits for cognition long after the learning has been completed.
The finding affirms a long-held assertion of the lead researcher, Rachel Wu, who is an associate professor of psychology at UC Riverside. That is, older adults can learn new tasks and improve their cognition in the process, if they approach learning as a child does.
“Our findings provide evidence that simultaneously learning real-world skills can lead to long-term improvements in cognition during older adulthood,” Wu and her colleagues wrote in a recently published paper in the journal Aging and Mental Health. “Overall, our findings promote the benefits of lifelong learning, namely, to improve cognitive abilities in older adulthood.”
Read more >> https://news.ucr.edu/articles/2023/04/18/older-adults-may-achieve-same-cognition-undergrads
Nearly 9 million
older Americans
still have student loan debt

Nearly 9 million Americans 50 and older still have student debt, either from loans they took out to pay for their own education or for their kids’ educations, according to new data out this month from the Department of Education. And the total amount of debt they owe is growing faster than for any other age group.
Most of the conversation about student debt tends to center on younger people in their 20s or 30s, said Betsy Mayotte, president of the Institute of Student Loan Advisors. But about 20% of those who still owe student loans are 50 or older, “and the fastest growing population of U.S. citizens carrying student loan debt are the over-65s.”
One reason is that more people are going to college and graduate school, said Anqi Chen, an economist at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College. “And then there’s also been an increase in parents taking on either co-signing or getting a parent PLUS loan for their kids,” Chen said.
Read more >> https://www.marketplace.org/2021/06/21/nearly-9-million-older-americans-still-have-student-loan-debt/
It’s official:
Nursing homes are the enemy

By John O'Connor
A few lawmakers broke out the hitting sticks during a union-backed event Thursday.
And the target was pretty clear from the get go.
“We know who the opposition is,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). She specifically cited the American Health Care Association. But make no mistake, the moniker was meant for any owner or operator who doesn’t actively support the push for staffing mandates.
So in case the message isn’t clear, let me spell it out. Nursing homes are bad. Bad, bad, bad.
Read more >> https://www.mcknights.com/daily-editors-notes/its-official-nursing-homes-are-the-enemy/

Growing US Senior Population
Faces Unmet Legal Needs

By Daniel Connolly
Megan Wood has seen a lot during her years as a staff attorney with Prairie State Legal Services, an organization that provides civil representation to low-income people in Illinois, but there are a few cases that stand out.
One involved a client who was nearly 80 years old and was experiencing memory loss. Extremely hard of hearing but unable to afford hearing aids, he relied on family to make phone calls for him. He lived in a mobile home with a daughter who was supposed to help him — but instead, the daughter signed the title to the trailer over to herself and evicted her father.
The man's sister and a private attorney connected him to the legal services agency.
Learn more >> https://www.law360.com/access-to-justice/articles/1599108/growing-us-senior-population-faces-unmet-legal-needs


SORE Feet
And
Resignation
I told you last week how much my feet have been aching lately and how my podiatrist ordered x-rays which came back negative. I also said it was a letdown that there wasn't a solution and that I had to accept the pain. Well, I’m here to tell you there was something to help relieve my agony and why it’s best to leave treatment up to the professionals to prescribe the right meds.
Just as you shouldn’t try to fix the automatic transmission on your car yourself, you should not try to self-medicate when you have foot pain. Both should be left up to the pros. And where feet are concerned there is no one better than a podiatrist to diagnose and prescribe the right treatment. In my case it is arthritis that is giving me all this trouble. I didn’t know one could even get arthritis in the feet. However, my podiatrist diagnosed it immediately and prescribed a medication I never heard of. It’s called Diclofenac and it comes in a topical gel which I apply to each foot daily. And the results are nothing less than amazing.

After just two days, I can already feel the difference. The pain I had with each step has almost disappeared, as have some of the numbness. I’m not saying it’s perfect by at least I can walk with far less pain. The results, according to the literature, will get even better after a week or more.
_____
On Monday, we held our monthly residents’ meeting. It was also my last as a council member and as the council president. After nearly 5 years in the job, I resigned. I felt I had brought all I could to job, and it’s time for new people with new ideas. I’ll miss chairing the meetings. I honestly enjoy public speaking, but I’ve had enough. Of course, I could be persuaded to return under the right circumstances and with a little “incentive.” BTW, there was no applause, not even a “thank you” for a job well done from the assembly. Such is life at the A.L.F……………


MILITARY SPENDING
Global military spending hit an unprecedented high of $2.2 trillion last year, thanks in part to the war in Ukraine and the ambitions of China, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. But nobody spends on the military like the US spends. The US’ $877 billion expenditure was three times bigger than the country with the next largest budget, China—and amounted to more cash than the next 10 biggest spenders paid out combined (including China).

NEXT BLOG
THURSDAY
APRIL 27, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

TUESDAY,
APRIL 25, 2023
Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“Folks are usually about as happy
as they make their minds up to be.”
― Abraham Lincoln

Why Medicaid is for
the middle class

By Brett Arends
If you make it to 65 the chances are slightly more than 50% that you will end up needing long-term care and support services
Attention, middle-class Americans: Thank your lucky stars for Medicaid.
Most middle-class Americans think of it, dismissively, as only as the medical insurance program for the poor. They figure they'll never need it.
Think again.
It is Medicaid, not Medicare, that will provide us with a nursing home if we are elderly and run out of money. And as new data remind us, that is likely to affect a lot more among us than many realize.
Read more >> https://www.morningstar.com/news/marketwatch/20230422348/why-medicaid-is-for-the-middle-class
Many retirees
aren't prepared
for how Medicare
costs 'can add up'

By Kerry Hannon
Most Americans don’t have a clue about what their health care expenses will add up to in retirement. Many may even think once they reach age 65, Medicare will cover most, if not all, of their medical bills.
But a new analysis by the AARP Public Policy Institute puts that myth to rest.
Stay ahead of the market
In 2019, half of the 35 million older adults and younger persons with disabilities with traditional Medicare spent at least 16% of their income on out-of-pocket health care costs, according to the report. Overall, for the annual period reviewed, people with traditional Medicare spent an average of $6,663 on insurance premiums and medical services.
The annual out-of-pocket medical expenditures that many older Americans face in retirement underscores the need for workers to double-down either on ways to cut those costs or tap every tool to save up enough to cover future health care bills that may be considerably higher than expected.
Read more >> https://finance.yahoo.com/news/many-retirees-arent-prepared-for-how-medicare-costs-can-add-up-173854180.html
Why Older Adults'
Best Investment
Might Just Be A Puppy

Owning a pet can help people age better and keep their minds sharp.
BY YVETTE C. HAMMETT
Having a pet is not only fun for older adults–it can actually benefit your health. There’s evidence that people experience aging better when interacting with animals.
“Scientifically documented benefits of the human-animal bond include decreased blood pressure, reduced anxiety, and enhanced feelings of well-being,” reports the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI). “Positive human-animal interaction appears to be related to changes in physiological variables both in humans and animals, particularly dogs.”
Darlene Klotz, 71, of Florence, Miss., agrees. She found a new dog, Mollie, an eight-year-old schnauzer mix, a year ago—after she was first turned down by a shelter.
Read more >> https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/why-older-adults-best-investment-might-just-be-a-puppy
Are You Too Old
to Buy Property?
Here are 5 Factors
to Consider

By Claire Ward
Do you think you are too old to buy a property? Let us say that you have clocked sixty years and want to buy a new home. Should you assume that everything will work the same way compared to buying the same property in your thirties?
Well, the truth is that you are supposed to think differently compared to a thirty-year-old when buying a property at an older age. You have a small margin for error at this age, and the chances of recovering from a poor financial decision are minimal.
It might sound discouraging to you, but it is the truth. However, it does not mean you cannot buy a property at an older age. Instead, if you consider the factors discussed below, everything will work out well for you.
1. The Financial Impact
Did you know that a bigger percentage of people in old age buying properties always finance their purchases? Let us assume that you have gone on retirement or are about to, do you think that taking a mortgage would be a wise financial decision?
Read more >> https://seniorslifestylemag.com/health-well-being/are-you-too-old-to-buy-property-here-are-5-factors-to-consider/

Retiree Starts
A Nonprofit
That Brings Joy
To The Elderly

By Robin Ryan
When you retire, you will likely have over 9,000 days to fill! How will you spend them? What would make those days meaningful and enjoyable? These are the million-dollar questions you need to answer. Some retirees want to make a difference. They search for a cause or volunteer situation where they can help others. For Diane Zell, a simple idea to cheer up some elderly folks she saw in an assisted living center would propel her to start a nonprofit.
“It was very sad for me when I had to put my mom into an assisted living center. I’d visit and see all these elderly folks with long, glum faces. I wanted to do something to brighten those eyes,” said Zell. Her mom loved Diane’s sweet little Westie dog, named Spiffy, and she’d beg Diane to bring the dog to see her. “What started as just following my mother’s wishes turned into a fun service project for me,” notes Zell. “I dressed up Spiffy in the cutest costumes and outfits and would take her to see mom and visit with the other residents in her assisted living center. The residents and staff love that they can pet and hold the dog. Spiffy is always a big smile-getter.”
Zell stated, “Many elderly people are sad because they have been forgotten. Most residents are left in their tiny rooms staring at a TV most of the time unless they are fortunate enough to have a visitor. That’s what struck a chord with me. After my mom died, I had to do something to help change the situation of older people, which for many is a life full of loneliness and isolation. I keep asking myself, ‘How can we help them?’”
Learn more >> https://www.forbes.com/sites/robinryan/2023/04/11/retiree-starts-a-nonprofit-that-brings-joy-to-the-elderly/?sh=62c207db7e08

WHAT MAKES PEOPLE HAPPY?
What do very happy people have in common? The Wall Street Journal followed up with the 12% of respondents in a WSJ-NORC survey who called themselves “very happy” and asked them what they were all about. Here are the traits they share.
Companionship: 67% of the happiest people said that marriage was very important to them, compared to 43% of overall respondents.
Religion: Two-thirds of very happy people characterized themselves as moderately or very religious. The overall share: less than half.
Closer to death: People 60 and over accounted for 44% of the happiest group, but represented 30% of total survey respondents.
Gym rats: Fitness was a common interest among very happy people.

NEXT BLOG
WEDNESDAY
APRIL 26, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

MONDAY,
APRIL 24, 2023
Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
Think what a better world it would be if we all, the whole world,
had cookies and milk about three o'clock every afternoon
and then lay down on our blankets for a nap.
______ Barbara Jordan

WHAT THE CDC'S NEW COVID-19
VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS
MEAN FOR YOU

BY ALICE PARK
In an Apr. 19 meeting, the vaccine committee of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended that people ages 65 and older get a second bivalent mRNA booster. The panel also recommended additional boosters for people with weakened immune systems.
As a result of the new recommendations, the bivalent booster, which targets both the original and Omicron BA.4/5 viruses, also becomes the only mRNA COVID-19 vaccine available in the U.S., replacing the original shots that targeted only the original SARS-CoV-2 virus and were used to immunize people with their primary series of shots.
The updated guidelines are part of the CDC’s effort to streamline a confusing COVID-19 vaccine regimen. Currently, it includes different formulations of mRNA vaccines from both Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Under the latest guidelines, these will now all target the same viral strain, differing only by dosage for different age groups.
Senate committee examines
economic barriers
facing older Americans

By Samantha Manning
Americans are living longer and therefore often working longer.
On Thursday, members of the Senate Special Committee on Aging looked into ways the government can better empower older Americans in the workplace and during their retirement years.
“Many seniors seek to remain in the workforce to make ends meet or to regain income lost while caregiving,” said Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), Chair of the committee.
Sen. Casey pointed to data showing around 45 percent of Americans age 65 or older are now retired, compared to 58 percent in 2000.
They discussed economic barriers facing older Americans and their options for employment.
“Many elderly may want to do something that has great flexibility,” said Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN), Ranking Member of the committee.
Many Older Americans
Haven’t Saved Anything
for Retirement

Anew survey finds 27% of people aged 59 and older have no money set aside for their later years.
By Paulina Cachero
More than a quarter of Americans have no money saved for retirement.
That’s according to a new survey from personal finance site Credit Karma, which found older respondents are even less prepared by some measures than their younger counterparts. Nearly one in five people aged 59 and older said they didn’t have a retirement account and 27% of respondents said they haven’t set anything aside for their later years. That compared to a quarter of Gen X respondents.
For those aging Americans who do have retirement accounts, persistent inflation has thwarted their plans, worsening the $7 trillion retirement-savings shortfall. Among baby boomers who are employed and saving for retirement, 17% said they’ve decreased their contributions to their retirement accounts as a result of inflation. Another 5% of respondents aged 59 and older said they can’t afford to contribute to their retirement account at all.
Read more >> https://www.wealthmanagement.com/retirement-planning/many-older-americans-haven-t-saved-anything-retirement
Experts warn of STI
epidemic in
Retirement Homes:

Infection rates among seniors have quadrupled in some states over last decade — as doctors blame elderly DATING APPS, care-free attitudes and ease of access to Viagra
STI doctors said they have seen frail seniors come into clinics with oxygen tanks
Rates have doubled nationally among elderly in past decade - some states 4x
By CAITLIN TILLEY
For a lot of people, the thought of an elderly relative getting it on in the retirement home might be a bit disturbing.
But doctors say they are seeing a surge in the number of patients in their 60s, 70s and beyond coming into clinics with sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Dr Shannon Dowler, a sexual health expert, told DailyMail.com the average patient in her clinic in North Carolina was now well above middle age.
'Once I had someone coming in dragging their oxygen tank behind them and I thought, "What in the world?", but it's not uncommon to see people in their 60s at all.'
Read more >> https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-11969897/Frisky-seniors-Experts-warn-STI-epidemic-RETIREMENT-HOMES.html

5 HOME MAINTENANCE REPAIRS
YOU CAN DO YOURSELF

BY C. COLES
DIY home maintenance can be intimidating. Especially if you’re like me and don’t consider yourself a particularly “handy” person. But the truth is, some home maintenance tasks are actually pretty simple and with practice you can perform these yourself with ease and precision.
I’m not talking about major home remodeling, although if you want to take this on, more power to you! (I recommend getting a cost and safety consultation from a licensed professional.) I’m referring to one-off tasks that could help out in an emergency, save you money in the long run, and generally leave you feeling more empowered to care for one of your largest investments, your home.
Remember, these maintenance tasks should be simple to complete after you get the hang of it. If anything looks amiss always seek the assistance of a licensed professional. Now, roll up your sleeves and get ready to tackle these five home maintenance repairs yourself. You can definitely do this!
Learn more >> https://sixtyandme.com/home-maintenance-repairs/


Allow me to preface this post by saying I would vote for Joe Biden at any age rather than vote for any Republican.
Sometime this week, Joe Biden is expected to formally announce he will run for a second term for President of the United States. By the end of his second term, at 87, Biden will be the oldest man to hold the office. Coming in a close second in the age department, is the front-running rival, Donald Trump, who would be 76 should he win in 2024.

Science is making impressive advances in the realm of life extension. People are living longer. However, that does not mean people are living better. There is no way to restore lost mobility, reflexes, eyesight or hearing to what it was in one’s 30s. The same goes for the cognitive process. I’m 78. Even though I consider myself to be of a clear mind and able to make rational decisions, I don’t always remember everything or think things through as quickly as I used to. It's quite extraordinary for someone of 87 years of age to be able to make decisions that are valid, justified, and rational.
I’m sure the people close to the President know he is not the same man he was 10 years ago. But how do you tell a man who has given his entire life to public service he’s no longer capable of doing just that? And who is there to run against him? Quite a few, actually. All would make good candidates if they were not running against Trump.
Among the front-runners are Marianne Williamson, who was the first Democrat to jump into the 2024 race, with a formal campaign launch in March. Anti-vaccine activist Robert F Kennedy Jr has filed paperwork to run for the White House and will launch his campaign later in April. But Mr Kennedy, 69, has been publicly shunned by much of his family over what they call his “tragically wrong” conspiracy theories about vaccines. Mr Kennedy’s vaccine scepticism long predated Covid-19, but he found a new audience during the pandemic, when revenues to the anti-vaccine non-profit he founded in 2011 doubled.
Perhaps nobody should benefit more from an aging president stepping aside than his deputy Kamala Harris. But the vice-president’s supporters insist she is unfairly maligned with misogynistic and sexist slander, and the White House has recently stepped up efforts to push back against the attacks.
Others are: California Governor Gavin Newsom, Bernie Sanders, Amy Klobuchar and Gretchen Whitmer, to name a few.

As readers of this blog know, I am a rabid anti-ageist. Being surrounded by the elderly all the time has made me aware that age does not hinder one’s sound judgement or the power to make solid choices. But, every elderly person, no matter what his physical condition, will eventually succumb to the ravages of time and what it does to a body. I know that any man in his mid-80s will have difficulty keeping up the vigorous day-to-day routine that comes with running a country. Some of those limitations are already visible, like the hesitating gate and faltering speech. Both of which do not instill confidence in a population where people value youth and vitality more than anything.
In my opinion, Biden shouldn't be the Democrats' nominee in 2024. I would prefer to see a woman in that position. I think it’s time. But I have reservations about Kamala Harris. Not in her ability to run the nation, but with her being able to beat Trump. Republicans opposed to Trump, who may be considering a switch in allegiance think that she is too extreme and too much of an African-American, which is also the outlook of long-standing Democrats who would prefer Amy Klobucher to take on a Republican candidate. What America really needs are two candidates who can rationally explain their views on the future of this country. I don’t see that in either of the two front-runners……..


COOKIE FACTS
Americans consume over 2 billion cookies a year … about 300 cookies for each person.The average American eats 35,000 cookies in a lifetime.95.2 percent of U.S. households consume cookies.Half the cookies baked in American homes each year are chocolate chip.Baking burns 168 – 348 calories an hour, (according the Livestrong Foundation and My Fitness Pal.)Santa Claus eats an estimated 336,150,386 cookies on Christmas Eve.Tallest cookie tower: The tallest tower of cookies measured 1.83 meters tall (6 ft 1/8 inches) and was constructed by the Girl Scouts of Nassau County on January 9, 2010 at the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City, New York. Sixty Girl Scouts used 22,800 cookies to build the tower.Most cookies baked: Hassett’s Bakery (Cork, Ireland) holds the world record for the most cookies baked in one hour: 4,695.54 different animals have been represented in Animal Crackers.The Oreo was the best-selling cookie of the 20th century. Americans spend $550 million on Oreos each year.Little Debbie cookies, produced by McKee Foods, were branded in the 1960s after owners O.D. and Ruth McKee’s granddaughter, Debbie, then four years old.Girl Scouts sell 200 million boxes of cookies a year.

NEXT BLOG
TUESDAY
APRIL 25, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

FRIDAY,
APRIL 21, 2023
Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“A diamond doesn't start out polished and shining.
It once was nothing special, but with enough pressure and time,
becomes spectacular. I'm that diamond.”
― Solange Nicole

Senior Groups Tell Kevin McCarthy
to 'Release His Hostage' and
Back Clean Debt Ceiling Hike

BY JAKE JOHNSON
"He is endangering the benefits that seniors rely on to survive, just to score political points," said Alex Lawson of Social Security Works.
An alliance of senior advocacy groups, progressive organizations, and labor unions demanded Wednesday that Congress quickly approve legislation to increase the debt limit without any conditions, warning the House GOP's pursuit of steep spending cuts is risking an "economic calamity" and imperiling key benefits.
In a letter shared exclusively with Common Dreams, Social Security Works, MoveOn, Indivisible, and nearly 30 other organizations implored Democratic and Republican congressional leaders "in the strongest possible terms to swiftly pass a clean debt limit bill."
"There are real disagreements among elected officials about the role of government, budgetary matters, and tax policy," the letter reads. "We understand that and welcome a robust debate and seeing where the American people stand. There's a time and place for that debate. This is not that time. The entire economy and the financial security of every working family is at stake."
Ageism, stigma hinders
response to senior
alcohol use disorder

By Jessie Hellmann
Problem is poised to get worse as the population ages: By 2040, some 20.5 percent of the U.S. will be 65 or older
Older adults are increasingly drinking excessively and dying of alcohol-related deaths, and the problem has been compounded by ageism, stigma, a lack of interest from policymakers and health care providers and few age-appropriate treatment options, experts say.
“There is such a need to help this population,” said Nicole MacFarland, the executive director of Senior Hope Counseling, the only freestanding outpatient clinic in New York that exclusively treats people 50 and older. The nonprofit specializes in geriatric addiction, leading group sessions focused on trauma, finding purpose later in life, and other issues geared toward older adults. They also connect patients with local services and entitlement programs.
Programs like MacFarland's are rare, despite evidence that age-specific treatment can be beneficial: Only 25 percent of facilities surveyed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration have programs that specialize in older adults.
Read more >> https://rollcall.com/2023/04/20/ageism-stigma-hinders-response-to-senior-alcohol-use-disorder/
Up to 80 percent of older adults
unable to afford 4 years
of assisted living: study

By Kimberly Bonvissuto
Up to 80% of older adults have modest assets and would be unable to afford four years in an assisted living community or more than two years of nursing home care, according to a new study.
A new analysis by the National Council on Aging and the LeadingAge LTSS Center @UMass Boston of data from the Health and Retirement Study compared the cost of long-term care services and supports with the total net value of all assets of people aged 60 or more years. What they found is that 80% — 47 million — of older adults don’t have the financial resources to cover the care they may need down the road.
Although the value of financial assets marginally increased or stayed the same for most older adults between 2016 and 2018, the analysis found that on top of lacking the resources to pay for long-term care, 60% of older adults would be unable to afford two years of in-home LTSS.
Read more >>click here
With Assistive Devices,
Good Design Matters

By Jenny Wisniewsk
Two innovators raise the bar on aesthetics for medical alert devices and rollators
At 80, Joan Hall resurrected "the look" that she would flash her daughter, Jean Anne Booth, when she was a teen. Most of us remember it well from our childhood — the one that tells you that you are in trouble and is likely accompanied by the slow enunciation of your full first and middle names.
Booth's offense? She had suggested to her stylish mother, who had modeled most of her life, that she wear a medical alert device.
These items become extensions of ourselves and express our identities. Wearable medical alerts are no exception.
Items we wear on our bodies —clothing, jewelry or other accessories— do more than serve a utilitarian function. In some ways, these items become extensions of ourselves and express our identities. Wearable medical alerts are no exception.
Yet, with many medical alerts, aesthetics take a backseat to function. Conflicting color matching, poor material quality, or an unusual shape are a few of the design challenges with wearable medical alerts cited by authors of a 2020 International Journal of Design article.
Read more >> click here

5 Ways Assisted Living Facility
Lawyers
Help Victims Receive
Fair Compensation

You have a legal right to pursue personal injury compensation through an assisted living facility attorney in case of neglect.
Assisted living facilities across the U.S. are a place of refuge and comfort for the 800,000 old and ailing residents residing there. The facilities provide residents with comfortable living quarters, feed them, ensure their safety, and provide necessary services to keep their clients as comfortable as possible.
However, some facilities neglect their duty of care toward the residents leading to personal injuries. You have a legal right to pursue personal injury compensation through an assisted living facility attorney in case of neglect. An assisted living facility lawyer will file your claim and pursue it until settlement.
Below are five ways an assisted living facility lawyer can get you fair compensation.


My feet hurt. And that’s unusual for me.
As a native New Yorker, I depended on my feet for transportation as much as my car, the bus or the subway. New Yorkers are walkers. And it starts at an early age. Most children who live in NYC walk to school. They walk to stores; they walk to their friends’ houses and they walk to parks and recreation areas. And, when they are old enough, most do at least some walking to the job. In fact, NYC has been voted the best city to walk in America. Therefore, when I lost my ability to walk without a mobility aid, it hit me hard. But I did the best with what I had. I looked forward to my daily walks around the grounds here at the A.L.F., but recently I've been in pain in my feet.
Fortunately, I had someone to whom to turn.
Every 5 weeks I have an appointment with our in-house podiatrist. For years I have had my toenails trimmed by him or one of his interns. Usually that’s all. It takes about 10 minutes and I’m out. This time, I mentioned my pain. He did a cursory exam and ordered x-rays. That same evening, an x-ray technician with portable equipment came to my room and took a series of scans. Wednesday, I visited the doctor and what he told me was disappointing.
“The x-rays showed nothing,” he said. “Maybe a little arthritis. I’ll prescribe some gel to put on your feet. That should help.”
I had hoped for more. Something that could be corrected by some nice new custom shoes or inserts. Alas, that is not to be. Now, all I have to look forward to is slathering on some gooey gel. Maybe I’ll just go barefoot………………


DIAMOND FACTS
- Diamonds are the earth’s hardest natural substance. The only thing that can scratch a diamond is another diamond!
- Diamonds form approximately 100 miles under the earth and are carried to the surface by volcanic activity.
- Diamonds are the only gems made of one element. They are made of pure carbon.
- Diamonds are found in every color of the rainbow. The rarest natural diamond colors are blue, green, orange, and red.
- The word diamond comes from the Greek word “adamas.” It means invincible or indestructible.
- Many ancient cultures had beliefs about diamonds. Some believed diamonds gave their wearers courage and strength in battle.
- In the Middle Ages, many believed diamonds had healing properties.
- In 1905, the world’s largest rough diamond was found. It was named the Cullinan diamond and weighed 3,106 carats! It was later cut into many diamonds (9 large ones and 100 smaller ones).
- Only about 30 percent of diamonds mined around the world are gem quality.
- Before the 18th century, most of the world’s diamonds were found in India.
Source: https://www.koserjewelers.com/blog-post/interesting-facts-about-diamonds

NEXT BLOG
SATURDAY
APRIL 22, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

THURSDAY,
APRIL 20, 2023
Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
"Nothing matters more than your health.
Healthy living is priceless.
What millionaire wouldn't pay dearly for an
extra 10 or 20 years of healthy aging?"
_____________Peter Diamandis

Elder fraud trending
at alarming rate

By Alece Courville
Statistics show that an alarming number of people are falling victim to scams.
Statistics show that an alarming number of people are falling victim to scams. One group particularly affected by this issue is the elderly.
From 2021 to 2022, monetary losses increased by over 80%.
“It doesn’t surprise me. People have this attitude that it will never happen to them. Anybody can be a victim if the time is right,” Carmen Million, with the Better Business Bureau, explained.
She said there is not a day that goes by where her phone does not ring with an elderly victim or their family on the other line.
“People need to understand that scammers are intelligent. They know what to say and how to say it,” added Million.
Older adults’ location preferences
similar to general population
until they reach their 80s

By Lois A. Bowers
Adults aged 75 or more years — often the point at which senior living providers start thinking of them as prospective residents — generally are attracted to the same destinations to live as people of all ages, and places that are unpopular with them also are unpopular with people of all ages, according to a new issue brief from the American Seniors Housing Association.
But things start to change when people reach their 80s, notes “Migration Trends of Older Adults.” The report, by Francesco “Frank” Rockwood, president of Rockwood Pacific, analyzed data mainly from the US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. The pandemic has not materially changed migration patterns, he found.
Some differences do exist between the preferences of the general population and those of adults aged 75 or more years. For instance, the brief noted, “Florida is a magnet, but even more so for seniors. Many flee California, but seniors are more likely to stay.”
How Old Is Too Old
to Start Strength Training?

By Sean Hyson
Aging is one of the greatest threats to your freedom and independence you’ll ever know, only because of what it does to your muscles.
The body’s hormones that are responsible for maintaining muscle mass decline with age. And, since older adults tend to be less active and eat less protein, which is important to keep muscles strong, we face more challenges as we get older, said Brandon Grubbs, PhD, an assistant professor of exercise science and co-leader of the Positive Aging Consortium at Middle Tennessee State University.
Not only that, but the “satellite cells” responsible for muscle repair become less responsive, Grubbs said, and the muscle fibers hold on to fewer of them. So growing muscle gets harder, too.
Make These Renovations
Before Retirement If You
Plan to Stay in Your Home

By Jeff Somers
Aging is something we all have to deal with—financially, spiritually, and physically. That last part means taking stock of your living situation. While many people plan to move to a different home, relocate to a senior community, or bunk down with family, some would rather stay in their current house after retirement—a choice known as “aging in place.”
There are a lot of benefits to aging in place. For one thing, you get to keep your connection to a community where you’ve put down roots, maintaining friendships and activities that have been meaningful to you. You can foster a sense of independence while saving money, as assisted care or senior living facilities aren’t cheap—costs vary dramatically depending on where you live, but they can be as high as $8,000 a month (or more). Staying in a house you’ve paid for might make the most financial sense.
But if you’re planning to age in place, you should star planning some changes to your house now. No matter how healthy you are today, old age brings ever-increasing odds that you’ll be challenged by everyday activities, and the time to renovate your age-in-place home in order to mitigate those challenges is before you face them. The good news? Not all of the changes you should consider are expensive or difficult. Here are some you should consider.
Read more >> https://lifehacker.com/make-these-renovations-before-retirement-if-you-plan-to-1850337333

ALL ABOUT MEDICARE
PART D –
PRESCRIPTION DRUG COVERAGE

BY PETER KEERS
Although Medicare debuted in 1965, prescription drugs were not covered until 2003 when Medicare Part D was rolled out. Here are a few things to know before you decide if you need a Part D plan, and if so, how to choose a plan.
What Part D Covers
Unlike Parts A and B, Medicare Part D coverage is optional and obtained from private companies. The drugs covered by a company’s plan are listed in its “formulary.” Formularies change over time because new drugs become available, companies adjust prices or generic versions of brand-name drugs hit the market.
Drug Pricing Tiers
Part D plans categorize their formularies by “tiers” with differing coinsurance and copayments. Plans use tiers to manage costs by incenting enrollees to use less expensive medications.
Learn more >> https://sixtyandme.com/medicare-part-d/

MILLIONAIRES IN AMERICA


NEXT BLOG
FRIDAY
APRIL 21, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

WEDNESDAY,
APRIL 19, 2023
Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“Anyone who thinks sitting in church can make you a Christian
must also think that sitting in a garage can make you a car.”
― Garrison Keillor

Florida is still tops,
as retirees flock to
warm weather
and tax-free locales

By Jessica Hall
Warm climates and tax-free havens top the list for the fastest-growing population of retirees.
Florida was still the top state for retirees overall, but among cities with the biggest growth in older population, Mesa, Ariz., took the lead.
According to a new report from SmartAsset, which looked at U.S. Census Bureau migration data, older Americans are increasingly leaving higher tax states in favor of more affordable parts of the country. SmartAsset looked at migration data for 146 of the largest cities in the U.S.
Mesa, Ariz., topped the list for the nation’s highest net gain of seniors for the third consecutive time. In fact, the influx of retirees more than doubled that of the second place city of Henderson, Nev. The cities of San Antonio; North Las Vegas, Nev.; and Boise, Idaho rounded out the top five cities.
save to pocket.com to read this article for free
Vaccines for cancer
and other diseases
could be ready by 2030

By Loukia Papadopoulos
The pandemic sped up the process of these treatments.
A pharmaceutical company announced on Saturday that vaccines for cancer, cardiovascular and autoimmune diseases, and other conditions could be ready by 2030, according to an article published by The Guardian.
Dr Paul Burton, the chief medical officer of pharmaceutical company Moderna, told the news outlet he is confident the firm will be able to offer such options for “all sorts of disease areas” in as little as five years.
“We will have that vaccine and it will be highly effective, and it will save many hundreds of thousands, if not millions of lives. I think we will be able to offer personalised cancer vaccines against multiple different tumour types to people around the world,” Burton said.
Inadequate reimbursement
threatens
older adult access
to assisted living

By Michael S. Pochowski
Earlier this month, The Washington Post published an article under the headline “Assisted-living homes are rejecting Medicaid and evicting seniors.” Unfortunately, the article provided an incomplete view of the reality facing assisted living providers.
As the article points out, 4.4 million Americans have some form of long-term care paid for by Medicaid, the state and federal program that pays for health care and long-term care services to eligible low-income individuals. Reimbursement to providers (including skilled nursing facilities and residential settings such as assisted living), however, has been a chronic problem, leading to fewer and fewer providers accepting Medicaid residents.
A 2021 Genworth Cost of Care survey calculated monthly costs for long-term care at an assisted living community at $4,500 (though costs will vary due to local market rates) $9,034 in a nursing home and $19,656 for around-the-clock care in a home health setting. Costs have only increased since then, due to workforce shortages driving up labor costs, general price inflation and inflation for healthcare services and supplies. Provider reimbursement has not kept pace, and although state reimbursement levels will vary, the national average is roughly $3,000, well below the cost of care.
Fatigue is common
among older adults,
and it has many
possible causes

By Judith Graham
Nothing prepared Linda C. Johnson of Indianapolis for the fatigue that descended on her after a diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer in early 2020.
Initially, Johnson, now 77, thought she was depressed. She could barely summon the energy to get dressed in the morning. Some days, she couldn’t get out of bed.
But as she began to get her affairs in order, Johnson realized something else was going on. However long she slept the night before, she woke up exhausted. She felt depleted, even if she didn’t do much during the day.
“People would tell me, ‘You know, you’re getting old.’ And that wasn’t helpful at all. Because then you feel there’s nothing you can do mentally or physically to deal with this,” she told me.
Read more >> https://www.inquirer.com/health/fatigue-older-adults-symptom-other-conditions-20230411.html?utm_source=pocket_saves

HOW TO LOOK AFTER
YOUR TEETH AFTER 60

BY SOPHIE CHUNG
Keeping up with your dental hygiene can be tricky in our busy, modern lives. Maintaining teeth and gums’ health can feel like an uphill battle. However, with the right preventative steps, maintaining good oral hygiene doesn’t have to be such a struggle.
As we get older – and especially as we pass 60 – it’s common to start to worry more about the state of our teeth and gums. However, maintaining a healthy smile is not only important in terms of oral hygiene, but it can also help to improve your overall health as well.
So, how can we ensure that our teeth are being taken care of and what steps should you be taking to make sure that trips to the dentist aren’t something you dread? Below, I’ve outlined five simple ways that you can take to look after your teeth after 60.
Learn more >> https://sixtyandme.com/healthy-teeth/


Just minutes before what was billed as the libel trial of the century was to begin in a Delaware courtroom, the judge announced a settlement had been reached between the two parties. Dominion, a company that makes voting machines and depends on the integrity of its hardware and software to stay in business, “won” over $787m from Fox News.
Although Dominion was suing for a billion and a half dollars, $787 million is nothing to sneeze at. So, monetarily speaking, it was a victory for Dominion. But who is the real loser here? It’s not Fox and its Hearst wannabe owner, Rupert Murdoch. Seven eighty-seven million dollars is a few month’s earnings for Newscorp, which owns The Wall Street Journal, New York Post, and many other media outlets in television, radio, and newspapers. But more important, it was not a win for journalism, America, and the truth. Avoiding a trial, which would have exonerated Murdoch and all the Fox news commentators who publicly accused Dominion of inaccurately counting votes in favor of the Democrats in the 2020 Presidential election, means that the unfortunate folks who get their news from Fox won't get to hear the truth from the liars themselves.

They will never hear and see the likes of Maria Bartiromo, Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity, and Laura Ingraham explain how they were told to make up stories about election fraud as dictated by their boss Murdoch. That means business will go on as usual over at Fox with very little said about the lawsuit or the judgement. Fox listeners will continue to believe everything told to them. They will never know how their news-commentating “heros” really felt about the lies they were perpetuating.
We’ll probably never know why Dominion “caved in” at the last moment. I’ll be kind and say it was to save them the inconvenience of a long drawn-out trial. Despite Dominion's victory in court, it appears to me that their reputation for trustworthiness has been damaged, particularly among those who are convinced Joe Biden and the Democrats did not win legitimately. And that, my friends, is the true loser here. ……


RELIGION IN THE U.S.A.
The breakdown
Protestantism (26%)
Catholicism (21%)
"Just Christian" (20%)
Mormonism (1%)
Unitarianism (1%)
Judaism (2%)
Buddhism (2%)
Something else (2%)
Protestants no longer make up a majority of U.S. adults. Closely tied to the rise of the religious “nones” is the decline of Christians, including Protestants. The U.S. has a long history as a majority Protestant nation, and, as recently as the 2007 Pew Research Center Religious Landscape Study, more than half of U.S. adults (51.3%) identified as Protestants. But that figure has fallen, and our 2014 study found that 46.5% of Americans are now Protestants.
Christians continue to make up an overwhelming majority of members of Congress (92%), compared with 71% of the general public (as of 2014). At the same time, while 23% of U.S. adults are religiously unaffiliated, only one member of Congress (Rep. Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz.), or 0.2% of that body, claims no religious affiliation.

NEXT BLOG
THURSDAY
APRIL 20, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

TUESDAY,
APRIL 18, 2023
Email:
TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“Federal and state laws (should) be changed to no longer
make it a crime to possess marijuana for private use.”
― Richard Nixon

People Who Think Positively
About Aging
Are More Likely to
Recover Memory

Summary: Older people with mild cognitive impairment who have positive beliefs about aging are 30% more likely to regain normal cognitive function than those who are more pessimistic.
A Yale School of Public Health study has found that older persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a common type of memory loss, were 30% more likely to regain normal cognition if they had taken in positive beliefs about aging from their culture, compared to those who had taken in negative beliefs.
Researchers also found that these positive beliefs also enabled participants to recover their cognition up to two years earlier than those with negative age beliefs. This cognitive recovery advantage was found regardless of baseline MCI severity.
4 WAYS TO EMBRACE
YOUR AGE WITH
STYLE AND GRACE

BY SUSAN COX APRIL
I believe that small changes or in many cases, being aware of what you love and honoring who you are makes a tremendous difference in how you feel. Style is way beyond what you wear, lovelies, it’s how you wear what you love and the image you are portraying.
Here are four ways to embrace your age with not only style, but grace:
Practice an Ageless Mindset
We are bombarded with labels once we hit middle age, and it doesn’t let up as we enjoy more birthdays. This is why I founded Fiercely50ish. Our age doesn’t dictate who we are, and believe me, I will not allow people who have not experienced what I have, and in many instances are decades younger than me, tell me how I should act.
Read more >> https://sixtyandme.com/embrace-age/
“Choosing Hospice Care:
An Option, Not a Diagnosis”

Though many people think hospice means giving up, it is more about looking at goals of care and adjusting your care to fit them. When treatment has not proven effective or when there is no cure, hospice works to manage symptoms, like pain and anxiety, in the privacy of your home. It can help give you and your caregivers the tools and training so you can live comfortably and have the best days possible, whether you are in your own home, or in a nursing home/assisted living facility.
Hospice takes care of patients and their loved ones, providing physical, emotional, and spiritual support. Hospice also provides equipment, supplies, and most prescription medications related to hospice diagnosis. The patient’s care is directed by their personal physician and the hospice medical director, then carried out by the hospice nurses and staff.
One of the advantages of being enrolled in hospice care is the patient does not have to go back and forth to the hospital, emergency room, or multiple doctor’s appointments. Hospice nurses have scheduled visits with the patients in their home, plus are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year for emergencies that may arise. For example, a patient may suddenly experience shortness of breath, spike a fever, or sudden onset of pain. The nurse will come to you. Many things that can be done in an emergency room or clinic to treat pain and symptoms can instead be accomplished in the comfort of your home. Often, the hospice nurse can arrive, get the crisis or symptom managed, and the patient be more comfortable in much less time than the patient being transported to and treated in the emergency room.
The Problem With the
Retirement Age Is
That It’s Too High

By Annie Lowrey
The richest society in human history should prioritize earlier eligibility for Social Security.
As France is wracked by furious protests over President Emmanuel Macron’s plan for pension cuts, a bipartisan group of legislators on Capitol Hill is discussing how to make Social Security available to a smaller group of workers. People are living longer, the argument goes, and benefit programs are running out of money. Shifting the retirement age higher is a reasonable, desirable, and necessary fix.
Except it is not reasonable. It is not desirable. And it is not necessary. Indeed, the opposite is true: Politicians should let Americans retire with security and dignity by making retirement benefits more generous and by promising to lower the retirement age.
Lifting the age at which retirees can receive their full Social Security benefits is one of those policies that sound sober and prudent on the face of it. The Congressional Budget Office projects that the Social Security trust fund will run out of money 10 years from now in part because current beneficiaries got such a large cost-of-living adjustment this year. The ostensibly obvious solution is to have Americans work a little longer before they can access their full benefits—something that will help the country avoid turning into Japan, whose productivity and GDP have sagged as the elderly make up an ever larger share of the population.
Read more >> https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/04/social-security-benefits-france-pension-protests/673733/
[Use "Save to Pocket.com" extension to read this article for free]

AARP Calls on
Video Game Developers
to Create Challenges for
Adults 50 and Older

By Linda Dono
Nearly half of people age 50 and older played video games at least once a month in 2022, according to a new AARP Research report that will be released at the AARP Games Summit. Almost half of those who play say they do it every day.
This translates to more than 52 million older adults, AARP’s report says. And that’s about a quarter of all video game players nationwide when compared with overall figures from the Entertainment Software Association, the Washington-based trade association for the video game industry.
“We know that meaningful play is a healthy part of aging,” says Maura White, AARP’s senior director of gaming and community. “Playing video games can relieve stress, challenge you mentally, connect you with others and be just plain fun — all of which are important to longevity. Games can be a gateway to engaging with more technology. We want to encourage that on all levels.”
Learn more >> https://blog.aarp.org/video-games-summit

LEGALIZED MARIJUANA USE
IN THE U.S.A.
One thing the spread of marijuana legalization to many US states has taught us:Americans like cannabis.Last year, people across the US spent ~$30 billion on legal marijuana products—more than they shelled out for chocolate ($20 billion) and craft beer ($7.9 billion) combined,according to industry publication MJBizDaily.The publication did not provide figures for how many bags ofFlamin’ Hot Cheetos Americans bought after enjoying their cannabis purchases.

NEXT BLOG
WEDNESDAY
APRIL 19, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

MONDAY,
APRIL 17, 2023
Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“If heaven really exists: then heaven is the job,
hell is unemployment, while life is merely an interview.”
― Mokokoma Mokhonoana

6 Tax Deductions Seniors
Might Not Know About

The official tax filing day in the U.S. is Tuesday, April 18 this year. And if you’re trying to qualify for every deduction you can, you need to know what’s available to you before you drop your tax return in the mail or hit the “submit” button when you e-file.
The good news is that with age, you not only reach the glory days of retirement, but you can also qualify for additional tax deductions that can help you keep more of your nest egg to yourself. To help you reduce your tax liability and manage your expenses as a senior citizen, here are six tax deductions that you might not know about.
Higher Standard Deduction for Seniors
If you’re not planning to itemize your taxes when you file, the following might be of interest.
Taxpayers ages 65 and older qualify for an increased standard deduction, which will reduce their taxable income and overall tax liability, said Brad Paladini, tax attorney and owner of Paladini Law.
Read more >> https://www.gobankingrates.com/taxes/deductions/tax-deductions-seniors-might-not-know-about/
What Happens to Your Body
If You Sleep Less Than
6 Hours a Night

By LAUREN GRAY
HERE'S WHY GETTING A GOOD NIGHT'S REST IS ALWAYS A GOOD IDEA.
Getting enough high-quality sleep—a minimum of seven hours of sleep per night, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)—is essential to maintaining a healthy body and mind. Yet as the Cleveland Clinic points out, sleep deprivation is a common problem, affecting between 50 million to 70 million adults in the U.S. at any given time. "Virtually every human being experiences sleep deprivation at some point in their life," their experts write.
For those with suboptimal sleep, the health consequences can be severe and wide-ranging. In fact, studies have shown that getting less than the recommended amount of sleep can significantly increase your risk of death. Read on to learn what happens to your body if you sleep less than six hours a night, and to find out why a good night's rest is one of the very best things you can do for your health.
Getting less than the recommended amount of sleep can result in symptoms that range from mild to severe—and cardiovascular symptoms are some of the most dangerous among them, experts say.
Read more >> click here
Nearly three in four say
they can’t count on
Social Security benefits
when planning retirement income

Most Americans don’t feel they can depend on Social Security for retirement income and worry about their long-term financial stability, according to a new study from Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America.
Nearly three in four (74%) say they can’t count on Social Security benefits when planning retirement income. As a result, 88% believe they will need another source of guaranteed income beyond Social Security benefits in order to have a comfortable retirement.
“Politicians are saying we need to cut benefits, we need to change Social Security. It scares the heck out of people. All this news saying the trust funds will go dry … all that generates a lot of fear. All we’re hearing is that it’s past its prime rather than solutions, but it’s too important of a program to disappear,” said Kelly LaVigne, vice president of consumer insights at Allianz Life, a global financial services company that sells annuities among other types of financial products.
Why older Americans are
taking to the streets
for climate action

By Claire Elise Thompson
A few weeks ago, on March 21, climate activists staged more than 100 protests across the country, calling on big banks to stop investing in fossil fuels. But unlike the massive youth protests and school strikes of 2019, these events were led by people older than 60.
The protests were the first major demonstration coordinated by Third Act, a climate and pro-democracy organization for “experienced Americans.”
“It did begin at some point to bother me, the number of times I heard people say, ‘Oh, it’s up to the next generation to solve this problem,’” says the famed author and environmentalist Bill McKibben. After spending much of his career working with young people on the campus divestment movement and through 350.org, the advocacy group he cofounded, McKibben, who is also an emeritus board member at Grist, wanted to rally people his age to fight for their climate legacy.
Read more >> https://grist.org/looking-forward/why-older-americans-are-taking-to-the-streets-for-climate-action/

GOING THROUGH
THE EXPERIENCE
OF BEING SCAMMED

BY ANN RICHARDSON
Yikes! You feel foolish. You think you are so experienced, you will never be caught out by a scam. And then you are.
Nothing to be done but get to work. Change your passwords. Change your credit card. Whatever the scam, you just have to be ready to stop everything and get everything fixed. Do Not Pass Go, Do Not Collect $200. Just get it done.
Scams
There are so many scams these days.
I regularly get telephone calls from ‘my bank’ (never named) telling me that there have been some irregular purchases from my account, usually adding up to more than $1,000. I had one this morning. I just hang up. It isn’t even a real person.
They used to phone saying they were from the ‘technical department’ (of what company was never mentioned) and there was a problem with my computer’s internet connection. I never fell for that one either.
Then, just two days ago,.....
Learn more >> https://sixtyandme.com/being-scammed/
Presented as a public service
At The A.L.F. :

On average, 10,000 baby boomers reach the average retirement age every day. People who were born in the baby boomer generation are now either in retirement or fast approaching their golden years. In fact, roughly 10,000 baby boomers are turning 65 every day, and all baby boomers will have passed that age by 2030. While many of those people will age at home, many will not be that lucky. Illness, disabilities and other circumstances will force some old-timers to seek alternative places to live. Among those are 55-plus communities, group homes, and assisted living facilities. It’s the latter that I’ll focus on today.
Simply put, assisted living facilities or A.L.F.s are a bridge between spending your golden years at home or being sent to a skilled nursing facility (nursing home). A.L.F.s allowed residents to have a modicum of independence while enjoying the benefit of having many of the daily routine tasks (laundry, housekeeping, meals, etc.) done for them. Medical care is also available in many of these facilities.

Okay, I’ve given you the definition of what an A.L.F. is. Now I’d like to tell you what you can actually expect as a resident.
Whether you can afford one of the high-end assisted living facilities (the ones where you can pay up to $7,000 a month), or a subsidized facility, the one component that will be a constant are the residents. Every facility will have its eclectic share of seniors. Some will be sharp and active, while others will be sedentary, sullen and anti-social. Very much like you would find in any community, except here, they are lumped closely together in one mass of lethargic humanity.
I don’t use the word “lethargic” loosely. Besides Bingo, movie night or the occasional holiday party, the major activities at an A.L.F. are eating, sleeping and kvetching (complaining). Let’s explore these further.
Meals are prepared and served to residents three times a day, every day, at the same times. Like Pavlov’s dogs, residents are “trained” to show up at the dining room entrance for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. For many, mealtime is the highlight of the day. Not so much for the food, mind you, which can often be bland and repetitive, but for the chance to converse with their table-mates. At the A.L.F. you will eat with the same people every day, every meal. This alone, can make for some interesting encounters. Like families, not all residents get along with the people they eat with. Serious confrontations can break out among one or two people at the same table or other tables around them. Oddly, while these clashes can be distracting and upsetting for the other patrons, they can also be a source of amusement for those who just need a diversion from the monotony of their daily lives.
When not involved in one of the daily activities provided, residents can be found taking part in the second most enjoyed pastime, sleeping. Or more accurately, napping. Residents at an A.L.F. have made the nap into an art form.
Naps, unlike actual sleep, can be performed anywhere, and is. Residents will take a nap at the drop of a hat. Morning, afternoon or evening open-mouthed seniors can be found comatose, slumped in chairs or sofas in the library, day room or lobby. This condition is often because many residents are taking medications that cause drowsiness. But mostly it’s because they are awake most of the night watching Netflix.
This brings us to the number one pastime at A.L.F.s nationwide. Kvetching.
Kvetching differs from the dictionary definition (to complain) in that it’s more than just being dissatisfied with a particular facet of living in an A.L.F. or life itself. People who are always complaining do so because they have realized they have really screwed up their lives. Failed marriages. Estranged offspring and finances in the toilet. Chronic health problems of their own making, combined with a total loss of power or leverage and influence, cause many to bitch about everything constantly.
Every now and again, I like to give you an insight into the world of assisted living. While A.L.F.s are not for everyone, they provide a much needed service for many seniors facing a life alone or not in the best of health. A good facility should structure an individual care plan for each resident. Safety and security should be the number one priority, no matter where you go or how much or little you pay. If you are contemplating living in an assisted living environment, I urge you to take the obligatory tour and then have conversations with the people who live there. Most of them will give you honest answers to your questions. And don’t forget. I, as a ten-year resident here, will be available to answer any of your questions to the best of my ability. Just e-mail me…………….




NEXT BLOG
TUESDAY
APRIL 18, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

FRIDAY,
APRIL 14, 2023
Email:
TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“Income tax returns are the most
imaginative fiction being written today.”
― Herman Wouk

When it comes to technology to
monitor older adults,
ethical considerations are lacking

By Kimberly Bonvissuto
Technologic solutions to help combat the shortage of direct care workers are increasing. But a new study finds a lack of ethical considerations in the development and use of health-related smart home technologies for older adults.
Swiss researchers from the University of Basel reviewed 156 scientific articles published between 2014 and 2020 to determine whether and how ethical questions are discussed in the field of health-related smart home technologies in caregiving for older adults. What they found was no comment about ethics in technology development, research and deployment in more than one-third of the papers they reviewed.
Remote monitoring technologies have been viewed as novel ways to help older adults receive necessary medical support. Findings in the study, published recently in BMC Medical Ethics, however, prompted the researchers to recommend that principles of biomedical ethics — autonomy, justice, privacy and responsibility — need to be respected by both healthcare professionals and technology developers.
Falling Inflation May Be
Too Late for Retirees.
Here’s Where It’s
Still Hitting Hardest

By Elizabeth O'Brien
Cooling inflation is cold comfort to older adults who continue to struggle with the lasting impact of higher prices, a new survey finds.
Consumer prices rose a smaller-than-expected 5% over the past year, according to government data released Wednesday. Yet many older adults have already taken serious measures to cope with higher prices in recent years, making financial recovery difficult, according to The Senior Citizens League, the nonprofit organization that conducted the survey. Compounding the problem, the measure of inflation that’s used to calculate the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to Social Security benefits doesn’t accurately reflect seniors’ spending patterns, the survey noted.
Of 1,055 lower to middle-income retirees, 26% reported draining a retirement account over the past 12 months, up from 20% in the third quarter of 2022. The survey also found that 45% of respondents carried credit card debt for more than 90 days—more than in surveys conducted in 2022, and a particular concern given average credit card interest rates are now topping 20%.
Data shows older adults
more likely
to be denied mortgage loans

By Chris Clow
Older people are denied new mortgages at a higher rate while younger borrowers have higher HECM rejection rates: NYT
Older adults tend to have higher credit ratings than any other age group in the nation. However, older Americans are also more likely to be denied a mortgage for reasons directly associated with their age: low income in retirement, a higher likelihood of health complications and a higher likelihood of carrying more debt, according to a recent New York Times article.
The article, which cites data from recent studies by the Boston College Center for Retirement Research (CRR) and insight from other organizations like AARP and the Urban Institute, states that:
“[Mortgage application rejection] raises barriers for older Americans hoping to renovate or retrofit their homes, or to extract home equity as a buffer against medical expenses, widowhood or other crises. Much of older adults’ wealth is tied up in real estate. Among homeowners aged 65 to 74, home equity represented about 47% of their net worth in 2019, according to federal data; among those over 75, it was 55%. Among Black homeowners over 62, it accounted for almost three-quarters of their net worth.”
Read more >> https://reversemortgagedaily.com/articles/data-shows-older-adults-more-likely-to-be-denied-mortgage-loans/
Buy Now, Pay Later poses
a ‘true risk’ to older Americans —
why this attractive payment option
can also be
dangerous for your retirement savings

By Bethan Moorcraft
The short-term credit market is abuzz with excitement around buy now, pay later (BNPL) products after the launch of Apple’s long-anticipated Apple Pay Later purchasing system.
Apple’s not the only company to jump on this trend. Online shoppers may have seen BNPL options advertised at checkout by Amazon and other retailers. Finance options can be offered for even the smallest of purchases, letting you spread the cost over several payments interest free, assuming you pay on time.
But at a time when mortgage rates are hovering above 6%, inflation is driving up credit card debt and a record number of Americans paying at least $1,000 monthly for their car loans — is it really wise to add yet more debt to your balance sheet?
Even though BNPL typically involves small-dollar loans — with an average purchase price of $135, according to a new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) report — the payments can catch up to you fast, especially if you have multiple loans.

Scientists who study
centenarians say
they've found another
key to living beyond 100

It might sound counterintuitive, but scientists say one key to living beyond 100 is plenty of experience fighting off infections.
Researchers who studied the DNA of seven centenarians found they all shared one thing in common — they'd fought lots of bugs and viruses.
Their subjects had a high number of B cells, immune cells and antibodies needed to fight off old foes.
Scientists are trying to work out whether catching and beating infections is the key, or whether centenarians are just genetically stronger in the immune department.


Part 2
While climate change and technological advances will certainly be major factors in the long term future for America, the more pressing issues are happening right now. These include…
1- Political polarization:
The deepening divide between the two major political parties is likely to continue, with increasing polarization and gridlock in government. For the divide to remain, the Republican party must continue to pander to that group of Americans that want to take us back 70 years. This group believes they are patriots and, by denying certain Constitutionally assured rights to those groups who they consider anti-American leftists and whose only goal is to pollute the gene pool and make this country into a welfare state, they are willing take us back to a time when white, males were king and f**k the rest.

The MAGAs lack the knowledge (or refuse to face it) that America is gradually becoming more diverse, with a larger quantity of youth and minorities. This will have implications for political representation, social cohesion, and economic growth, and they are scared s**t. They may not realize it, but they are not thriving as they once were, not because minorities have taken away their jobs, but because the American worker has priced themselves out of the market. I’ll wager a lot of them were good union members who demanded higher salaries, without recognizing that unionization is a form of socialism.
2- Economic challenges:
America is facing significant economic challenges, including rising inequality and a shrinking middle class which has been shrinking in recent decades, as income inequality has increased and economic opportunities have become more concentrated among the wealthiest individuals and corporations. If you really want to know what’s wrong with this nation, all you have to do is look at the CEOs that make 800 times more than their employees.[1]
To some, my views may make you believe I am a Communist or, at the very least, a Socialist who would like to see America become a welfare state. Nothing could be farther from the truth. I believe in capitalism and think anybody should be able to earn all the money they can. But I also believe we need to be a compassionate society and recognize that not all of our citizens have had the opportunities that many of us had and we must do something about that. Only when every American has an equal chance of being successful, will we become the nation we are meant to be. ……

1-Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/markets/2015/08/05/ceos-paid-many-times-more/31148137/

INCOME TAX STATS
1. The lowest income tax rate is 10%.
2. The highest tax rate is 37%.
3. In 2017, all Americans paid, on average, a tax rate of 14.64%.
4. The bottom 50% of taxpayers had an average rate of just 4%.
5. The top 1% of earners had a tax rate averaging 26.8%.
6. Tax statistics 2018 show that billionaires paid 23% of their income in taxes.
7. In 2018, all other Americans paid 28% of their income in taxes.
8. For the first time in 2018, billionaires paid a lower percentage ever than the rest of the population.
9. The top 1% of Americans own 40% of the country’s wealth, grounded on income tax facts.
10. Income inequality remains at its highest ever level, with 0.486 Gini index of income inequality in 2018.

NEXT BLOG
SATURDAY
APRIL 15, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

THURSDAY,
APRIL 13, 2023
Email: TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“The wisest young is the young who can look at the world
through the eyes of the elderly!”
― Mehmet Murat ildan

Weight loss points to early death
in seniors, even if overweight: study

By Brooke Kato
Weight loss — often regarded as the first step to good health — could actually be a death sentence later in life.
A new study found that healthy older adults who lose considerable weight are more at risk of premature death from cancer, cardiovascular disease “and other life-limiting conditions,” authors wrote in a new report. Weight gain in later years, meanwhile, was not associated with increased mortality.
The link between shrinking waistlines and life spans was observed across all starting weights, as even those who were obese faced a higher risk of premature death if they dropped 5% or more of their body weight.
Read more >> https://nypost.com/2023/04/11/weight-loss-points-to-early-death-in-seniors-even-if-overweight-study/
7 Unusual Symptoms Of Parkinson's:
Expert Advice On Diagnosis And
Advances In Treatment

By Satata Karmakar
Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder that progressively affects the ability to move. It manifests through symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slow movement, and impaired balance. The disease results from the gradual loss of dopamine-producing cells in the brain, leading to insufficient dopamine levels, a neurotransmitter critical for regulating movement. Today, on World Parkinson's Day, we have Dr (Lt Gen) CS Narayanan Vsm, HOD And Consultant, Department of Neurology, HCMCT Manipal Hospital, Dwarka to tell us more about the unusual and often ignored symptoms of this condition and the various ways in which it can be treated.
Symptoms of Parkinson's disease usually develop slowly over time and can be different for each person. Some common signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease include:
Tremors
This is the most common symptom of Parkinson's disease. It usually starts in the hands or fingers and can spread to the arms, legs, and face. The tremors are often more noticeable when the person is at rest.
10 walkable cities
popular with seniors

The health benefits of walking are well known among all age groups, but they are even more pronounced for those aged 55 and up. Walking—as well as hiking, yoga, and other cardiovascular activities—can strengthen bones, lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease, and drastically improve mental health, to name just a few reasons everyone should walk more than they do.
Many people consider walkability an important factor when considering places to spend their older years. Especially in the wake of COVID-19, many senior citizens are increasingly considering the levels of fresh air and open space different housing options provide.
Because Market ranked 10 cities with walk scores of at least 60 and the highest shares of residents 65 and older, citing data from Walkscore and the U.S. Census Bureau. Cities are ranked by the percentage of their over-65 population, with walkability scores as tiebreakers. Walkscore ranks 130 cities throughout the U.S. and Canada, and this analysis is limited to U.S. cities with populations of at least 200,000.
Nine Habits to Live
Healthy for 100 Years

We all want to live long, healthy lives. In the early 2000s, a few demographers discovered several areas they claimed produced the highest concentration of healthy 100-year-olds in the world. According to their research, people in these areas were 10 times more likely to reach age 100 than people in the US. While some aspects of their work are speculative and partly outdated, their five so-called Blue Zones provide inspiration for developing a healthy lifestyle anywhere in the world. So what are the five zones, and what are the nine common denominators making them so healthy?
The Blue Zones
Ogliastra, Sardinia, Italy
The original research site out of which the Blue Zones project was born, the mountains of Sardinia at that time were inhabited by the highest concentration of centenarian men—due partly to a genetic marker linked to longevity, helped by the region’s geographic isolation.

The Secret of Longevity in
Traditional Japanese Cuisine,
From Ingredients to Preparation

By Ellen Wan
Japan has a consistently high life expectancy and is one of the world’s leading countries in terms of longevity. According to data from Japan’s Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, as of September 2022, there were 90,526 centenarians in Japan, an increase of 4,016 from 2021. The Japanese are known for their healthy and long lives, which is closely related to their food culture. Traditional Japanese cuisine, or washoku, embodies healthy principles and wisdom in ingredient selection, portioning, and cooking methods.
Healthful Elements of Traditional Japanese Cuisine
In 2013, washoku was added to UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list.
The foundation of washoku is ichiju-sansai, which means “one soup and three dishes.” The soup, called miso soup, is accompanied by one main dish and two side dishes. Rice and a small serving of pickles are also essential.
Learn more >> click here

ROLES BEST SUITED FOR SENIOR CITIZENS
IN THE WORKFORCE AND HOW
THE ECONOMY COULD BENEFIT FROM THEM.
Several Older workers are educated, have experience, have worked before, and have
faced work deadlines. This makes them highly skilled in their job as a result of The
fact that Age brings experience and if you are old, you have already made enough
faults which you won't ever repeat makes older people perform exceptionally in the
following jobs:
● Teaching
● Managerial roles
● Consultancy
● Adjudication
● Authorship
● Public speakers
● Preparers of homemade foods
● Vloggers.
SEE MORE : CLICK HERE

NEXT BLOG
FRIDAY
APRIL 14, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

WEDNESDAY,
APRIL 12, 2023
Email:
TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us.
Cats look down on us.
Pigs treat us as equals.”
― Winston S. Churchill

Senior citizens targeted
for bank card scams
at ATMs across NYC

By Janon Fisher
A crew of Citibank debit card scammers working across the five boroughs has been targeting elderly victims by distracting them and then stealing their ATM cards and thousands of dollars in cash, according to the NYPD.
The thieves, who appear to be middle age, approach the seniors as they withdraw money and divert their attention by asking them if they’ve dropped cash, police said Monday. Sometimes the grifters drop a twenty-dollar bill on the ground to take their mark’s attention away from the cash terminal.
While the victims are distracted, the suspects swap their ATM cards for dummy cards. Members of the crew scope out the victims and get their pin numbers from previous withdrawals. They then use the real cards to plunder the elderly victims’ accounts, according to cops.
7 Foods That Don't Mix
With Prescription Drugs

By: Stacey Colino
Certain fruits, veggies, snacks and drinks can be problematic when combined with some common medications
It’s routine to ask your doctor or pharmacist if a new prescription drug could interact with other medications you’re taking. But have you inquired about potentially problematic foods? It turns out, a handful of commonly consumed fruits, veggies, snacks and drinks can affect the way medicines are absorbed or metabolized in the body.
“It’s an issue that’s not on a lot of people’s radar screens. Honestly, it’s not on many doctors’ radar screens, either,” says Bethanne Brown, a professor of pharmacy practice at the J.L. Winkle College of Pharmacy at the University of Cincinnati. “This information can be found in the packet you receive when you pick up your prescription from the pharmacy, but it can get lost in all the written information provided.”
It’s especially important for older adults to be aware of potential food-drug interactions. Research from the Lown Institute shows that 42 percent of U.S. adults 65 and older take five or more prescription drugs per day and nearly 20 percent take 10 or more, complicating matters when it comes to remembering how to take each medication.
Read more >> click here
Congress Today Is Older
Than It's Ever Been

By Geoffrey Skelley
Older members of Congress are notorious for their lack of familiarity with modern technology. Late last month, at least three different representatives in a hearing on TikTok called the popular app “Tic Tac,” a breath mint available in many store checkout lines. This is only the latest in a long line of amusing tech-related congressional miscues: Back in 2006, Alaska Sen. Ted Stevens described the internet as “a series of tubes,” and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer copped to his struggles when in 2022 he held up his flip phone and said he was “not very tech-oriented” during a speech on the Senate floor.
Don’t expect such unfamiliarity to change anytime soon: As it turns out, Congress today is older than it’s ever been. Across all senators and representatives, the median age of the 118th Congress is 59 years old. The median senator is 65 years old, a record high; the median representative is about 58, for the fourth Congress in a row.1 Congress has notably aged since 2001: From 1919 to 1999, the median senator never eclipsed 60 years old and the median representative never surpassed 55.2
What’s behind these increasingly older Congresses? The country’s aging population as a whole is chiefly responsible, which is most apparent in the disproportionate influence the baby boomer generation has on Capitol Hill. Coupled with longer-running trends that have made it more likely for members of Congress to win reelection and stick around, this has all helped make Congress older than ever before. And the overrepresentation of boomers doesn’t just produce moments like those of the TikTok hearings — it also has real effects on the type of policies passed by the federal legislature.
OLDER ADULTS
ARE OBSESSED
WITH THESE
FIVE TECH TOPICS

By JULIE JARGON
Fitness wearables and password managers are among the hottest topics for people ages 50 and up
The residents of a retirement community in the heart of Amish country are proving what experts on ageing have been saying for years: Older adults are as keen on new technologies as anyone else.
Willow Valley Communities, a 2,600-resident campus in Lancaster, Pa., has a tech centre staffed by volunteers. People can drop in for tech help or get their computers fixed. It also has an active computer club and an Apple products group that offer resident-taught classes.
The challenges of the pandemic accelerated tech adoption among older adults who, initially, just needed ways to communicate with far-flung loved ones. People ages 50 and older each spent an average of $912 on technology last year, up from $394 in 2019, according to the AARP.
But barriers remain as older Americans go beyond the video call. There is a lack of training programs and a concern that products aren’t always designed for an ageing populace, the organisation says.

When Experience
Becomes a Barrier:
Ageism at Work

By Rosemary Scott
As the median age in the U.S. continues to rise, so has the number of older individuals in the workplace. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, by 2030, the amount of adults 65 and over in the workforce is expected to grow 96.5%.
With this growth comes increased opportunity for ageism—prejudice or discrimination due to a person’s age. In a 2021 poll conducted by AARP, 78% of U.S. employees 50 or older said they’ve seen or experienced age discrimination at work. This figure represents the highest recorded since the organization first asked this question in 2003.
This discrimination against older workers likely increases in competitive fields like the life sciences, where there is a large concentration of younger candidates applying for the same roles. In BioSpace’s 2022 Multigenerational Workplace report, 47% of respondents were under 34, compared to 22% two years prior.


I’ve been thinking a lot about the future lately. My future mostly. But also about the future of this nation, and both are depressing.
When you get to be my age, the future means any time between now and next Tuesday. As of now, I'm not thinking of any long-term plans. I don’t invest in 10-year-bonds and I certainly don't buy green bananas. Having passed my three score and ten, I know I’m living on borrowed time. But enough about me. My passing, except for a few people, will go unnoticed. What really worries me is the future of this country.
America has been advancing since its inception. We have gone from a fledgling group of disjointed colonies and become the most powerful nation on earth. Our goal, as a nation and a people, was to look to the future. We strove to leave the old, the tired, antiquated ways behind. We became the go-to nation to emulate. But something has happened. Suddenly, but not without warning, many Americans have decided the direction in which we are heading is not what they want. They are stuck in the past, unable to accept that the world has changed and that we must move forward.

America has always been a white, Christian nation. But we “tolerated” other cultures, not because we were in love with them, but because there were so few of them they were of little or no consequence. And that’s the way it was until shortly after the turn of the last century. Suddenly, everybody wanted to be American. People of all cultures, races and religions wanted a piece of the pie. And that pie was the American dream. And still we did not mind. We welcomed them, not because we wanted to become a haven for the poor and downtrodden, but because we needed workers for our ever-booming economy. Low-cost labor from immigrants who would accept low wages for a day’s work. And it worked well, for a while. Then something happened. All those non-white, non-Christians began to assimilate. They went to school. They become titans of industry and some, became legislators. They were making the laws. Many of which went against the status quo. Women and black people were given the vote. And they wanted the one thing the white male dominated society feared most. Equality. Unanticipated, the snowey white future was looking way too “colorful.”
More on this Friday in part 2…………………..




NEXT BLOG
THURSDAY
APRIL 13, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

TUESDAY,
APRIL 11, 2023
Email:
TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“Wine can be a better teacher than ink,
and banter is often better than books”
― Stephen Fry

Elder Fraud During Tax Season:
Schemes, Red Flags and Prevention Methods
to Protect Your Loved Ones
& Their Bank Accounts

By David Burroughs
“Rejected.” Your pulse quickens as you read the letter your mother received from the IRS after filing her tax return. Someone else filed her taxes before you and collected her refund. You were hoping that money would help with her expenses you’ve been struggling to keep up now that she’s on a fixed income. You have been the only one helping with her taxes for the last three years, so who else could have filed it? How did they get her information? What are you going to do?
The IRS provides resources on what to do after something like this occurs, including filling out a Form 14039, also known as an Identity Theft Affidavit. But what could have been done to help prevent this disaster in the first place?
Tax season is upon us, and the looming threat of elder fraud is rapidly increasing. Predators actively target this community, exploiting elderly citizens and their families. In 2021, there were 92,371 reported victims of Elder Fraud which accounted for $1.7 billion in losses, a shocking 74% increase from 2020 according to the FBI. These scams are increasingly effective, given the surge in technology and resources available to predators. Recognizing common schemes through identifying red flags and implementing prevention methods will help mitigate the risk of your loved ones becoming another statistic.
Tax Scams...
Pfizer RSV vaccine for older adults
should be monitored for
nervous system condition Guillain-Barre,
scientists say

By Spencer Kimball
People who receive Pfizer’s RSV vaccine for older adults should be monitored for Guillain-Barre syndrome, after two people developed the nervous system disorder after they received the shot, scientists said in clinical trial results published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
The scientists concluded the vaccine was effective in preventing lower respiratory tract illness in adults ages 60 and older without any evident safety concerns. But they flagged the Guillain-Barre cases as a potential cause for concern moving forward.
“If RSVpreF vaccine is approved and recommended, these adverse events warrant close monitoring in future studies and with real-world data and postmarketing surveillance,” the scientists wrote. The study, which published Wednesday, was supported by Pfizer.
Read more >> https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/06/rsv-adult-vaccine-pfizer-shot-monitored-for-guillain-barre.html
Elon Musk Wants to Cut
Your Social Security Because
He Doesn’t Understand Math

By Jon Schwarz
No, Elon, Japan is not a “leading indicator” just because of your billionaire vibes.
IF THERE’S ONE thing you can say for sure about Elon Musk, it’s that he has a huge number of opinions and loves to share them at high volume with the world. The problem here is that his opinions are often stunningly wrong.
Generally, these stunningly wrong opinions are the conventional wisdom among the ultra-right and ultra-rich.
In particular, like most of the ultra-right ultra-rich, Musk is desperately concerned that the U.S. is about to be overwhelmed by the costs of Social Security and Medicare.
He’s previously tweeted — in response to the Christian evangelical humor site Babylon Bee — that “True national debt, including unfunded entitlements, is at least $60 trillion.” On the one hand, this is arguably true. On the other hand, you will understand it’s not a problem if you are familiar with 1) this subject and 2) basic math.
Most Americans oppose
Social Security, Medicare cuts

Most U.S. adults are opposed to proposals that would cut into Medicare or Social Security benefits, and a majority support raising taxes on the nation’s highest earners to keep Medicare running as is.
The new findings, revealed in a March poll by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research, come as both safety net programs are poised to run out of enough cash to pay out full benefits within the next decade.
Few Americans would be OK with some ways politicians have suggested to shore up the programs: 79 percent say they oppose reducing the size of Social Security benefits and 67 percent are against raising monthly premiums for Medicare. About 65 million older and disabled people access government-sponsored health insurance through Medicare and rely on monthly payments from Social Security.
Read more >> https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/most-americans-oppose-social-security-medicare-cuts-ap-norc-poll-says

How to Regrow
Green Onions From Scraps

By Vanessa Greaves
Don't throw it. Regrow it!
Green onions, aka scallions or spring onions, are sold with a root end that you always trim off before using the green stalks and slim white bulb in recipes. But did you know you can encourage those root ends to regrow new green onions? I'll show you how easy it is to regrow an (almost) endless supply of fresh green onions from kitchen scraps. All you need is a starter bunch of green onions, a jar, and fresh water.
Why regrow green onions?
Save money. I haven't bought green onions in two years (except to demo this tip).
Save time. You'll get a continuous source of recipe ingredients or garnishes right when you need them.
Reduce waste. You'll never have to toss out a half-used bunch of green onions that you forgot in the fridge.
Wow the world. It's a foolproof project that'll impress kids and adults alike with your mad green-thumb skills.
How to regrow green onions
Here's how easy it is to upcycle this common food scrap you used to throw away.
Learn more >>


source:

NEXT BLOG
WEDNESDAY
APRIL 12, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

MONDAY,
APRIL 10, 2023
Email:
TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“If you talk to a man in a language he understands,
that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language,
that goes to his heart.”
― Nelson Mandela

Assisted-living homes are rejecting
Medicaid and evicting seniors

By Christopher Rowland
Shirley Holtz, 91, used a walker to get around. She had dementia and was enrolled in hospice care. Despite her age and infirmity, Holtz was evicted from the assisted-living facility she called home for four years because she relied on government health insurance for low-income seniors.
Holtz was one of 15 residents told to vacate Emerald Bay Retirement Community near Green Bay, Wis., after the facility stopped accepting payment from a state-sponsored Medicaid program. And Emerald Bay is not alone. A recent spate of evictions has ousted dozens of assisted-living residents in Wisconsin who depended on Medicaid to pay their bills - an increasingly common practice, according to industry representatives.
The evictions highlight the pitfalls of the U.S. long-term care system, which is showing fractures from the pandemic just as a wave of 73 million baby boomers is hitting an age where they are likely to need more day-to-day care. About 4.4 million Americans have some form of long-term care paid for by Medicaid, the state-federal health system for the poor, a patchy safety net that industry representatives say pays facilities too little.
5 tax tips for older adults

By KATE ASHFORD
More than half of older taxpayers (57%) are worried they’ll have to pay more taxes this year because of the 5.9% Social Security cost-of-living adjustment in 2022, according to a January survey by The Senior Citizens League, a nonpartisan seniors group.
Taxes for the over-65 set can feel more complicated for a variety of reasons: There are often multiple streams of income, some retirees still work part time, and people may be managing required minimum distributions from retirement accounts.
“It can happen that people have more income in their later life than they did when they were working,” says Barbara O’Neill, a certified financial planner in Ocala, Florida, and the author of “Flipping a Switch : Your Guide to Happiness and Financial Security in Later Life.”
Read more >> https://www.smdailyjournal.com/business/5-tax-tips-for-older-adults/article_723292ed-266a-5391-b73e-59807002b966.html
National organizations
band together to support
‘robust funding’ for
affordable senior housing

By Kimberly Bonvissuto
A coalition of national organizations is calling on Congress to support “robust funding” to meet the affordable housing needs of older adults.
In a letter to House and Senate appropriations committee members, groups including LeadingAge, SAGE and the National Council on Aging called for full and timely renewal funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s fiscal year 2024 funding bill.
Meeting housing needs for 1.9 million older adults households in HUD’s Section 202 Supportive House for the Elderly, Project-Based Rental Assistance, public housing and Housing Choice voucher programs is “of utmost importance,” they said.
Tips for a Smooth Recovery
After Surgery

By Kayla Keena
Surgery can be a great thing for those who need it. However, while surgery can help you in so many ways, recovery is another matter entirely. It takes a while to get back to normal, but with some simple post-surgery recovery tips, you’ll be back on your feet in no time.
Get the Right Foods and Liquids
If you’ll be able to eat and drink like normal after your surgery, it’s time to do some prepping. You can eat normally, but cooking or getting food may be another challenge. Each surgery is different, so planning will look different for everyone. If you’re not going to be able to eat or drink the same, it’s smart to go ahead and get yourself the things you can consume.
If you won’t be able to cook or walk like normal after surgery, get the foods that you can eat and prep some meals beforehand. You can always make frozen meals so that you can eat good nutritious food without needing to cook or buy anything. If you think you can be somewhat on your feet, stock your pantry with all the good, nutrient-rich foods that you’ll need to recover.
Read more >> https://seniorslifestylemag.com/health-well-being/tips-for-a-smooth-recovery-after-surgery/

5 Age-Old Health Remedies
That Actually Work

By Jillian Wilson
Will you get sick if you go out without a jacket? Does eating chicken soup really help? Experts share the generational advice worth following.
Some of the health advice your grandparents gave you is worth following, experts say.
Many families have at-home health remedies they’ve sworn by for generations. In fact, for many people, these beliefs almost feel backed by science, even when they aren’t. (No, you won’t get sick from going outside without a jacket, according to experts.)
These concepts vary from family to family and from culture to culture, but all have the same goal in mind: keeping you healthy. And while many of the adages aren’t accurate ― at least from a research perspective ― some common advice for getting over a cold or preventing other types of illness is legitimate. Your grandparents may have been on to something.
At The A.L.F....
MIRACLES HAPPEN

They say there’s no such thing as a miracle. I’m here to say, It's true, miracles can and do happen.
Not necessarily of a biblical nature, but more of a type that can make life a bit better for the residents here, at the Asylum.
No, there were no bolts of lightning descending from the heavens. No millions of dollars given to us by an anonymous benefactor. The miracle that happened here last week was more subtle.
Before I tell you what that “miracle” was, a little background information is needed.
Everything that happens at an assisted living facility is guided by a strict set of rules and regulations. The state Department of Health dictates some regulations, and the remainder are “house rules” that are put in place to keep the residents safe and ensure everything goes smoothly between the staff and residents. Unfortunately, quality of life issues are being overlooked as people try to make improvements.
A. L.F.’s are unlike anything found in reality. Everyday scenarios become major concerns when it comes to elderly people. It's easy to understand why.
We have to accept it. Most old folks are not normal, compared to the majority of the population. Our reflexes are slower. We don’t move as fast and often; it takes us longer to make decisions or react to dangerous situations. This is why we are not permitted to have any heat-producing appliances in our rooms. That means no coffee makes, Crockpots, hair dryers and, of course, microwave ovens.

Microwave ovens have been around for nearly 70 years and are considered relatively safe. But, by definition, they are designed to heat-up food. And hot food, especially that which can come from a microwave, can be dangerously hot and can result in serious burns. It is for that reason that there was only one microwave oven available for use by residents. But it was located in an area that requires a long walk (both ways) from many of our resident’s rooms, making it difficult to heat-up leftovers, cook prepared meals, heat soup or coffee or tea. Simple things, for sure, but a big deal when you can’t do it.
Me, and about 25 other residents who live in an annex and far from the common area where the only microwave oven is located, have been petitioning for a microwave oven to be installed in our day room/activities area. We have been pleading for one for nearly five years and have been summarily dismissed by management every time I have brought it up at our resident’s monthly meeting.
I had all but given up when, to my surprise, my request was granted by our administrator. And, as of last Friday, the residents of the Franklin annex now have a brand new microwave oven to call our own. Just like normal people.
While I like to think this was all my doing, I would be amiss if I did not mention none of this would have come to fruition if it were not for the intervention by our activities director who made our case for us with our administrator.
We no longer have to feel like orphans. We can have a hot cup of coffee, tea, soup or heat food anytime we want and with only a short walk from our rooms. A miracle? Perhaps not for you. But for us, it’s positively divine………




NEXT BLOG
TUESDAY
APRIL 11, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

FRIDAY,
APRIL 7, 2023
Email:
TheSeniorLog@Protonmail.com
“The elimination diet:
Remove anger, regret, resentment, guilt, blame, and worry.
Then watch your health, and life, improve.”
― Charles F. Glassman

OPINION
The senior living industry
is on the verge of crisis
How can we support
the aging poor?
Our current eldercare infrastructure is woefully insufficient to accommodate the vast medical needs of the population
By Dick Clark

We are reaching a critical crossroads in the United States when it comes to senior living and eldercare. I am one of about 73 million baby boomers. We represent over 20% of the U.S. population. Among us are 14 million people who are currently receiving some form of long-term care. That number will double by 2050, according to estimates from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Our current eldercare infrastructure is woefully insufficient to accommodate the vast medical needs of the population boom. To cite just one example, last year the American Health Care Association’s survey found that 73% of nursing homes are concerned about having to close due to staffing shortages.
Aging boomers are unprepared for the significant financial costs of staying alive and well. Families are struggling to manage the medical needs of older parents or grandparents, both from a financial and a caregiver standpoint. And these financial challenges are only magnified for the poor. According to research from the Insured Retirement Institute, 45% of boomers have no retirement savings and more than a quarter of those who do have less than $100,000.
Read more >> https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/senior-living-elder-care-nursing-homes-baby-boomers-20230405.html
Understanding a Key Tax Break
at Senior Communities
Discover potential tax deductions that seniors may get in this helpful guide.
By Joanne Kaldy

Tax time is stressful for everyone – but there may be some good news for seniors receiving medical care in their homes, assisted living communities or skilled nursing settings. While not every expenditure is tax-deductible, there are some savings to be had.
“A misconception many people have is that anything related to senior living or care is tax-deductible,” says Jonathan Gassman, principal at Prager Metis CPAs in New York City. “To qualify for a deduction, an expense must be medically related, such as costs for diagnosis, cure, mitigation, treatment or prevention of disease or ailment and preferably prescribed or ordered by a physician but not always.”
There are no specific senior living-related tax breaks if you move into an independent living community. However, Gassman says, you may be able to deduct the cost for home care services you engage there, but only if these, as mentioned, are medically related.
For instance, if you have a caregiver who helps with activities of daily living, like dressing, bathing, medication management or physical therapy exercises, these aspects of care are deductible. However, only the payment for their time to provide medical care is deductible. That means that you may need to apportion their wages if they do other tasks, such as pet sit or drive you to the mall.
Read more >> https://health.usnews.com/senior-care/articles/understanding-a-key-tax-break-at-senior-communities
6 REASONS TO DITCH
THE BOOZE AFTER 60
BY JANET GOURAND

Many of us have looked forward to retirement during those busy years of managing a career and bringing up a family. It’s easy to glide into retirement forgetting that it’s a major life transition.
It’s very easy to fall into the trap of drinking more alcohol at this stage in our lives. In fact, studies have shown that these days Baby Boomers are drinking more than younger people.
Why Retirement Can Lead to Alcohol Problems
We wake up one morning and everything has changed. It can feel a bit like “falling off a cliff” – no structure, no demands on our time, no children to distract us, no career highs or lows to keep us engaged. If we feel bored it can be easy to have a glass of wine with lunch and then another one with dinner and before we know it, we’ve got through a bottle.
Read more >> https://sixtyandme.com/ditch-the-booze/
Dupilumab improves atopic dermatitis symptoms,
quality of life in older adults
ByRob Volansky

Dupilumab, with or without topical steroids, improved atopic dermatitis symptoms and quality of life in adults aged 60 years or older.
No new safety events were observed.
Dupilumab was associated with improved clinical, safety and quality of life parameters in older patients with moderate to severe atopic dermatitis, according to findings from a post-hoc analysis of four studies.
In the analysis published in the American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, Jonathan I. Silverberg, MD, of The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, and colleagues aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of dupilumab (Dupixent, Sanofi/Regeneron) in patients aged 60 years or older who participated in the LIBERTY AD SOLO 1 and 2, LIBERTY AD CAFÉ, and LIBERTY AD CHRONOS randomized, placebo-controlled trials. Overall, there were 183 patients aged 60 years or older and 2,261 aged younger than 60 years.

The 5 Best Social Media Platforms for Seniors
BY BARBARA IVUSIC

You'll love interacting with like-minded people on these platforms.
It doesn't have to be difficult for seniors to start using more social platforms. In fact, there are platforms that make it easy, and most of all fun, to find like-minded communities, stay in touch with friends, and join discussions online. We'll take a look at which social media platforms are most suitable for seniors to forge connections.
1. Facebook
senior man and woman laughing in front of phone and laptop
As one of the older social platforms, Facebook has gained a lot of popularity among senior citizens. In a study conducted by the College of Communications of Pennsylvania State University and published on ScienceDirect, research examined what it was exactly that seniors get from Facebook.
From the online survey, 352 seniors over 60 revealed that their primary reasons for using the platform were social bonding, social bridging, responding to family and friends, as well as curiosity. Facebook provides seniors with online communities where they can interact with like-minded individuals.


It was inevitable. Old age and time have caught up with me.
There’s a requirement here at the ALF. We need to see our primary care physician regularly as part of our care plan. And that’s a good thing. As a man, the chances of me going to a doctor on a regular basis would be slim to none.
Us guys tend to avoid healthcare professionals out of fear of hearing bad news. Men, despite our rough demeanor, are sissies.
Yesterday, I had my quarterly visit with my in-house primary care doc. I’ve known him for over 5 years and trust his judgement.
Twice yearly, he requires a complete blood count (blood test) and a urine sample. Standard for anyone my age.
Usually, the results were also common for someone my age. Slightly elevated blood sugar, and PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) only a little above normal. Nothing out of the ordinary, until yesterday. It appears my blood sugar is borderline diabetic and my PSA has increased to a point where it becomes a concern. Not the news I wanted to hear.

I’m really not surprised. I knew it was just a matter of time before the ills that befall all men my age (78) manifested themselves. However, it still comes as a, not so much as a surprise, but more like a feeling of betrayal.
I could understand if I had abused my body. And, while I admit I’m not a health nut, I have tried always to treat my body with respect. Good food, no booze, no drug abuse, no smoking and as stress-free as possible. Evidently, that’s not good enough to keep this old model running maintenance-free. Now I need some good old-fashioned restoration. Not the ground-up kind (I’m not in that bad shape), but some fine tuning. The human equivalent of an oil change and exhaust system work. My doctor proposed a visit to a urologist and possibly a biopsy to figure out the source of the growing PSA numbers. I’ll go, under protest, mainly because I don’t want to die a painful death from something that has a good cure rate. We are hoping the procedure is as non-invasive as it can be (ultrasound is an option). I really don’t like people poking around down there………………



To determine which areas prioritize residents’ well-being, WalletHub compared more than 180 of the most populated U.S. cities across 43 key indicators of good health. Our data set ranges from the cost of a medical visit to fruit and vegetable consumption to the percentage of residents who are fully vaccinated.

NEXT BLOG
SATURDAY APRIL 8, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

THURSDAY,
APRIL 6, 2023
Email:
“Credit is a system whereby] a person who can't pay,
gets another person who can't pay,
to guarantee that he can pay.”
― Charles Dickens

Drug overdose fatalities
among US older adults
has quadrupled over 20 years
By Enrique Rivero

Overdose mortality among people age 65 and older quadrupled over 20 years, suggesting the need for greater mental health and substance use disorder policies addressed at curbing the trend, a new research paper finds.
The deaths stemmed from both suicides and accidental overdoses, with nearly three-fourths of the unintended fatalities involving illicit drugs such as synthetic opioids like fentanyl, heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines. Prescription opioids, antidepressants, benzodiazepines, antiepileptics and sedatives were used in 67% of intentional overdoses.
“The dramatic rise in overdose fatalities among adults over 65 years of age in the past two decades underscores how important it is for clinicians and policymakers to think of overdose as a problem across the lifespan,” said co-author Chelsea Shover, assistant professor of medicine in the division of general internal medicine and health services research at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. “Updating Medicare to cover evidence-based treatment for substance use disorders is crucial, as is providing harm reduction supplies such as naloxone to older adults.”
You may face a ‘stealth tax’
on Social Security benefits,
These steps can help
By Lorie Konish

KEY POINTS:
Social Security income thresholds that subject benefits to taxation have not been adjusted in decades.
Consequently, more beneficiaries are exposed to income taxes on their benefits.
But there are moves beneficiaries can make to avoid a tax surprise.
The reason: More of their Social Security benefits may be taxed following a higher 5.9% cost-of-living adjustment in 2022. This year’s record 8.7% cost-of-living adjustment may also prompt more benefits to be taxed, which retirees may see when they file next year.
Unlike other tax thresholds, the Social Security income levels have not been adjusted for inflation since taxation of benefits began in 1984.
Read more >> https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/05/social-security-benefit-income-may-lead-to-a-stealth-tax.html
Scientists Fear ‘Catastrophic’ COVID
Combination With Another Virus
By David Axe

The SARS-CoV-2 virus is highly contagious but the current dominant strains are not very lethal. Its much rarer cousin in the betacoronavirus family of pathogens, MERS-CoV, is highly lethal but not very contagious. Now imagine a blend of the two—a respiratory virus with the most dangerous qualities of both. Contagious and lethal.
It’s a real risk, according to a new study from China. And it’s a strong argument for a new, more widely effective vaccine.
Different viruses from the closely related families can combine through a process called “recombination” and produce hybrids called “recombinants.” This recombination requires the viruses to share an infection mechanism. For the first time, a team of scientists in China has identified the mechanism by which SARS and MERS could combine—by entering human cells via colocated receptors. Basically, the cells’ entry points for external molecules.
Fatigue Is Common
Among Older Adults,
and It Has Many
Possible Causes
By Judith Graham

Nothing prepared Linda C. Johnson of Indianapolis for the fatigue that descended on her after a diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer in early 2020.
About ‘Navigating Aging’
Navigating Aging focuses on medical issues and advice associated with aging and end-of-life care, helping America’s 45 million seniors and their families navigate the health care system.
Initially, Johnson, now 77, thought she was depressed. She could barely summon the energy to get dressed in the morning. Some days, she couldn’t get out of bed.
But as she began to get her affairs in order, Johnson realized something else was going on.

Alzheimer’s Association
Offers Helpful Roadmap
On Dementia

The Alzheimer’s Association, in its annual Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures, provides valuable information for lawyers, both planners and litigators. The Association released its 2023 report on March 15. I’ll share pertinent highlights in this post.
What is the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?
Facts and Figures explains that dementia is a group of symptoms relating to mental function, such as memory and problem-solving skills.
Alzheimer’s disease is one of many causes of dementia. Hallmarks of the disease are an accumulation of the protein beta-amyloid outside neurons and twisted strands of the protein tau inside neurons.

WHO'S CHECKING
YOUR CREDIT?
The following are examples of the types of companies that might be checking up on your credit.
1. Credit card companies
A credit card company can look at your credit report when you apply for a card. However, if you’re a customer, that company also can look at your credit report anytime, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
2. Insurance companies
The Fair Credit Reporting Act also allows credit reporting companies to release your credit report.
3. Employers
As part of a background check, employers can request a copy of your credit report.
4. Telecommunications companies
When you sign up for phone, TV or internet service, the service provider might check your credit.
5. Public utilities
Signing up for water, gas or electricity? You might need to submit to a credit check
6. Government agencies and courts
When you apply for government assistance, you might be subject to a credit check to see if you truly qualify.
7. Landlords
Looking for new digs? Your landlord-to-be might want a peek at your credit report
8. Assisted living facilities and nursing homes
Expect to be subject to a credit check when applying to live in an assisted-living facility or nursing home.

NEXT BLOG
FRIDAY
APRIL 7, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

WEDNESDAY,
APRIL 5, 2023
Email:
“Passover is the story of the liberation of body and spirit.
In it comes a lesson of humility that belief
in something larger than ourselves,
in this case God,
can free us from the bondage of our
primitive instincts and those of others.”
― Charles F. Glassman

“I Care a Lot"...about your money
- Financial Exploitation of the Elderly
By Stephanie Henrick

If you haven’t seen the Netflix film “I Care a Lot,” SPOILER ALERT!!!! – Rosamund Pike portrays a professional guardian who, with the help of a crooked doctor and oblivious judge, has elderly persons declared incapacitated, has herself appointed as legal guardian, and then proceeds to clean out their assets for her own personal gain.
As an attorney who regularly works in this field, representing family members, alleged incapacitated individuals, and guardians, nothing makes my blood boil more than discovering someone has taken advantage of an elderly or disabled individual.
Unfortunately, the exploitation of the vulnerable happens more than we care to admit. How does this happen in the legal world, you ask? Well, it doesn’t happen exactly like this. The writer takes serious liberties with the legal requirements, but this is a movie, not Guardianships 101, after all.
First, someone needs to file a petition for adjudication of incapacity and the appointment of guardian....
Read more >> click here
The Most Common Injuries
You Might Experience as a Senior
By John Moran

Ageing comes with several health challenges, which eventually affect mobility and cognition. With lower mobility and memory, seniors become highly vulnerable to accidents, leading to injuries, compromising their health and safety.
So, as a caregiver to a senior family member, you should put adequate measures to protect your loved ones from common injuries and accidents. Look for measures that keep them healthy and safe.
Here are the most common injuries among seniors and the relevant preventive measures.
Hip Dislocation
Bones become weaker over the years, making seniors highly susceptible to hip injuries. The primary cause of weaker bones among older adults includes regular intake of multiple medications.
Read more >> https://seniorslifestylemag.com/health-well-being/the-most-common-injuries-you-might-experience-as-a-senior/
How Social Security Statements
Help Retirement Planning
By Andy Markowitz

Americans nearing retirement age significantly underestimate how much money they’ll collect from Social Security but make more accurate forecasts when they get personalized information on their prospective benefits via Social Security statements, according to a new study.
The March 2023 paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) found that most people in their 50s and early 60s are on target in predicting the age they will claim Social Security but underestimate their future benefit income by 11.5 percent, or $1,896 a year, on average. A quarter of older adults are off by more than $5,100.
However, “receiving one or more Social Security statements reduces the forecast error in annual Social Security income by $344,” according to the report, which is based on data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), a long-running University of Michigan survey of older adults.
Read more >> click here
Where Are Older Generations
Moving To and From?

Members of Gen X, baby boomers, and the silent generation all tend to prefer warmer, Southern cities, according to the data. All three of the oldest generations showed significant movement to cities like Mesa, or Nashville. The top city for both baby boomers and the silent generation was Mesa. Gen X's top city to move to was Columbus, Georgia, but Scottsdale, Arizona, saw the second-highest net migration from Gen X.
In addition to the warmer climates and lower state income taxes in those states, there was a tendency for older generations to move out of larger cities as they retired. The cities that saw the most departures of these three oldest generations are all major metropolises. These cities include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Diego, Philadelphia, San Francisco, San Jose, and Seattle.
At the state level, the Southeast and other areas with low-income taxes and warm weather dominate the rankings among older generations. For Gen X, baby boomers, and the silent generation, the state that showed the highest net migration was Florida. Beyond that, results differed somewhat between generations, but states like Texas, North and South Carolina, Tennessee, and Arizona figured prominently in each generation's top ten lists.

The 4 expenses retirees
most underestimate,
and how advisors can help
By Nathan Place

Marianne Nolte knew that caring for her mother-in-law would be expensive, especially after the 94-year-old moved into an assisted living center. But there was one expense that caught Nolte's family off guard.
"One of the things that's just killing us is she's incontinent," said Nolte, a certified financial planner and the CEO of Imagine Financial Services in Fallbrook, California. "She changes her diapers five, six, eight times a day. And that's not covered by insurance, so it's out of pocket, and it's a real expense that people don't even think about."
Adult diapers, which can cost up to $47 for a pack of 10, are just one of many healthcare costs that are not typically covered by insurance. And they're also an example of something else: the many surprise expenses that creep up during retirement.
Learn more >> https://www.financial-planning.com/list/the-4-expenses-retirees-most-underestimate-and-how-financial-advisors-can-help


Clear blue sky and mild temperatures. A great day for an arraignment. Unless you are Donald Trump, that is. For Trump, it’s the day where he became the first U.S. president ever to be arrested and arraigned for breaking the law. Not just once or twice, mind you, but 34 times. Thirty-four felony counts for falsifying business records. To put it simply, it is alleged that he used money from his businesses to pay people to keep quiet about topics that would damage Trump's chances of being elected president. And this is not just hearsay. This actually happened, and the DA has proof. Paper trails and eye witnesses whom, I suppose we will see perhaps in a year from now, on the stand in a New York courtroom.
As a Never-Trump-r, I thought I would be more ecstatic about what transpired Tuesday. Instead, I feel sad. Not for Trump, but for our nation. How did we come to this? How could so many of us have been so blind? Were we taken in by his “in-your-face” rhetoric? Were we enamored by his ability to pick at the scab of racism and make it seem like it was part of America’s values? Was it his uncanny ability to find the worst in us and use it as part of his campaign platform? Or was it his propensity to lie to your face we found so charming as to want him as the 45th President of the United States? It’s all of that, and more. The “more” being ignorance, bitterness and hate.

In actuality, the proceedings in that building on Centre Street in downtown Manhattan, were more bittersweet than sad.
Sadly, we had a criminal as president and Leader Of The Free World. It makes no difference who you are. If you disobey the law, you will face consequences. And you have to feel good about that. Unfortunately, either way, America is tarnished forever. The system by which we elect our leaders and believed was infallible, let us down. It failed to filter out the scum. And now we have to depend on another possibly flawed system to correct the error. No, my friends. This is not a happy day for America. But it is a powerfully humbling one. And that is what we need to take away today…………….


PASSOVER FUN FACTS
Passover is an oldie. Judaism celebrates a lot of holidays. Some are fairly recent, such as Yom Ha’atzmaut, Israeli Independence Day, founded only 66 years ago when Israel was declared a state. But the oldest of them all? Passover! The very first Passover was celebrated in Egypt itself more than 3,300 years ago and marked the first holiday the Jews ever celebrated.The world’s biggest matzah ball was really big. You thought your mother made them well? Well she’s up against some competition. The world largest matzah ball was made in the heart of New York City in 2009. Chef Anthony Sylvestry managed to make a matzah ball measuring 22.9” wide and weighing a whopping 267 lbs!Sometimes there are seven foods on the seder plate. The traditional seder plate is a circular plate with six spots on it, each to hold a different symbolic food to be eaten during the Passover meal. In recent years, a new tradition has begun to form – a seder plate with seven spots instead of six. The new seventh food? An orange. The orange is said to signify fruitfulness, and the action of spitting out the seeds represents “spitting out” hate and discrimination in our communities.Passover is a day of commemoration. On Passover 2,000 years ago, a nation of Jews escaped Egypt through the splitting of the Red Sea. On Passover 149 years ago, Abraham Lincoln was assassinated at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. Many Jewish Americans were in synagogue at the time of the assassination, both to observe Passover and to celebrate the end of the Civil War, and the American Jewish Historical Society notes that synagogue bimahs "were quickly draped in black and, instead of Passover melodies, the congregations chanted Yom Kippur hymns."Nepal is home to the world’s largest Passover seder. The world’s largest Passover seder, boasting more than 1,000 participants, is held yearly in Kathmandu, Nepal. Why Nepal? The country is overflowing with young Israeli travelers who have recently finished their army service, and when it comes time for Passover, some want to be reminded of their mom’s chicken soup or experience the familiar crunch of matzah. Other attendees simply hear of this massive event and feel compelled to travel to Nepal to experience the holiday in such a unique way. Rabbis fly in to lead the seder, and tens of participants show up in advance to help prepare for the guests. Now that’s a lot of company!

NEXT BLOG
THURSDAY
APRIL 6, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

TUESDAY,
APRIL 4, 2023
Email:
“What glitters may not be gold; and even wolves may smile;
and fools will be led by promises to their deaths.”
― Lauren Oliver

Study Reveals
Older Adults
Under-report
Hearing Loss

A recently published study in the International Journal of Audiology has found that nearly 40% of those who recognized they had hearing loss did not inform a doctor or nurse. According to the researchers, not vocalizing this can lead to social isolation, depression, and reduced quality of life, with untreated hearing loss linked to an increased risk of dementia, falls, and other health issues.
The new study reveals the alarming extent of unaddressed hearing loss among older adults in England, particularly women, retirees, those with foreign education, lower education, smokers, and heavy drinkers—who were less likely to report their experiences.
Conducted by a team of experts led by a researcher from the University of Liverpool, the study used data from the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), a nationally representative database of information on the English population aged 50 and older.
Read more >> https://hearingreview.com/hearing-loss/study-reveals-older-adults-under-report-hearing-loss
Understanding the Risks
of Retiring in Place for Seniors
By Claire Ward

The term “retiring in place” can refer to two things.
It can be a slang term for employees who do not work very hard but who work just hard enough to not be fired so that they can be eligible for retirement benefits once they reach retirement age.
In this article, we will look at the risks of the latter.
While retiring in place is not always a negative thing, and indeed, the risks will depend on the specific circumstances of the senior, it can be a risky route to take for many older people.
Getting Around Can Be Problematic
As you become older, it can become more difficult to get around.
Read more >> https://seniorslifestylemag.com/retirement/understanding-the-risks-of-retiring-in-place-for-seniors/
4 POWERFUL WAYS
TO SUCCEED WHEN
AGING ALONE
BY ANTHONY CIRILLO

Carol Marak, one of the Sixty and Me bloggers, is a speaker on the issue of aging alone.
Carol earned a Fundamentals of Gerontology Certificate from the USC Davis School of Gerontology and advocates on behalf of older adults and family caregivers. She simplifies elder care research into doable know-how and steps for family caregivers.
The statistics is staggering – some 15 million people in the U.S. are what Carol calls elder orphans. It struck her particularly after her parents passed and she realized she was one of those orphans, with no partner and no children to take care of her.
“Certainly, there must be others out there,” she thought. Indeed, 19 percent of women between ages 40 and 45 have no children, and 27 percent of the 65+ population live alone in the U.S. Here are some ways Carol started preparing to age alone.
What is Male Menopause?
More accurately, it's called testosterone deficiency and symptoms may include low energy, depression and decreased concentration
By Debbie L. Miller

Is there such a thing as male menopause? "Male menopause is a catchy name but it is definitely not a medical diagnosis," Raevti Bole, MD, a urologist at the Cleveland Clinic, says.
"On average, testosterone levels in men drop about 1% per year after their 40s."
"In popular culture, it's used to refer to the symptoms of decreasing testosterone and general aging in men." However, since the term male menopause may be confusing and misleading, Bole says, "I recommend using testosterone deficiency, to be most accurate."
Low testosterone levels can cause low energy, decreased concentration, difficulty putting on muscle or losing fat, depression, low sex drive and worsening erections, Bole says.
Read more >> CLICK HERE

Aging Workers Are in Demand;
They Are Reliable
By, John Grimaldi

It’s a given that the state of the U.S. economy over the past several years has caused many elders in our population to go back to work or, for those who are already in the workplace, to keep their jobs as long as they can. The inflationary cycle triggered by the policies of the Biden administration didn’t make it easy for older workers to make ends meet. The cost of living has increased considerably over the past two years. But, according to a survey conducted by the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, “almost half of Baby Boomer workers (49 percent) expect to or already are working past age 70 or do not plan to retire. Their reasons for doing so are almost as likely to be healthy aging-related (78 percent) as financial-related (82 percent).”
The first boomers, those of us born between 1946 and 1964, celebrated our 65th birthdays in 2011 but many of them opted to keep working. The online employment agency, Indeed, says these aging workers are in demand. For one thing, “Baby boomers often aim to work as long as it takes to reach their goals and try to differentiate themselves by attaining the promotion, raise or acknowledgment they want…This generation has experienced the benefits of hard work and dedication, which is something they expect from their employer.”
What makes senior citizens particularly valued members of the American workforce? Reliability, maturity and professionalism. The senior services organization, Vantage Aging, says that this results “in a strong work ethic. With an older worker, you often find yourself with someone who works hard to get the job done right.
Learn more >> https://amac.us/aging-workers-are-in-demand-they-are-reliable-mature-and-professional/



NEXT BLOG
WEDNESDAY
APRIL 5, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

MONDAY,
APRIL 3, 2023
Email:
“The fascination of shooting as a sport depends almost wholly
on whether you are at the right or wrong end of the gun.”
― P.G. Wodehouse

Social Security, Medicare
face financial risk
Medicare's hospital insurance fund is projected to be solvent through 2031.
ByAlexandra Hutzler

The clock is ticking for lawmakers to address Social Security's financial shortfall before Americans begin to see their checks reduced.
The program is expected to run short of the funds needed to pay 100% of benefits in roughly a decade, according to an annual report from its board of trustees.
Social Security's combined trust funds for retirees, survivors and Americans with disabilities are estimated to run out by 2034 -- a year earlier than last year's projection. Without congressional action, the program's income would only be able to cover 80% of scheduled benefits.
Read more >> https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/social-security-run-cash-full-benefits-decade-report/story?id=98274483
Here is where the debate on
Social Security and Medicare
stands in Congress
BY JULIA MUELLER AND STEPHEN NEUKAM

As lawmakers approach a looming debt ceiling deadline, the fight over what to do about entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security has continued to play out across party lines.
Republicans have demanded commitments on spending cuts from Democrats in exchange for raising the debt limit but have said entitlement programs are not on the chopping block.
President Biden and Democrats have still sought to frame the GOP desire for spending slashes as a move to attack Medicare and Social Security. On the current trajectories, funding for Medicare is expected to hit a shortfall in 2028 with Social Security following in 2032.
Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid currently make up nearly half of the entire federal budget, with a total annual price tag of $2.7 trillion.
Why the U.S. Health Care System
Must Address the Shortage
of Geriatricians Now
A shift in the demographics of the population means that one in five Americans will be over 65 by 2030. The health care system needs to be prepared.
By Jeffrey D. Shahidullah

The U.S. health care system must address the shortage of geriatricians — and fast. The U.S. population is growing and aging, with an estimated 42% increase in those aged 65 and older between 2019 and 2034.
The shortage of primary care providers in the U.S. means 17,800 to 48,000 fewer doctors will be available than needed within the next decade. Where this shortage will surely be felt the most is with geriatric patients.
By 2030, one in five is projected to be over 65.
Currently, one in six Americans is over the age of 65. By 2030, one in five is projected to be over 65. By 2060, one in four are projected to be over 65. In addition, the U.S. Census Bureau's "The Graying of America" report projects more older adults than younger persons by 2035.
Living Longer, Not Necessarily Healthier
What's driving this demographic shift in the population? Several factors, including America's declining birthrates and medical advances, and reduced mortality from health conditions such as heart disease. The baby boomer generation now counts roughly half of its population in the 65 and older category.
Urinary Tract Infections
Linked to Bacteria in Meat
More than half a million urinary tract infections in the U.S. each year may be caused by E. coli found in a variety of meat products, a new study suggests.
By Lisa Rapaport

If you’re prone to urinary tract infections even when you do everything you can to prevent them from happening — like taking showers instead of baths, staying hydrated, and urinating after sex — it might be time to change up what you eat.
That’s because a new study suggests that more than half a million urinary tract infections (UTIs) in the United States each year might be caused by strains of E. coli bacteria found in meat.
“It's a pretty surprising finding, given that this kind of E. coli is not actively monitored in the food supply or among food-production animals by the USDA, FDA, or CDC in the United States,” says senior study author Lance Price, PhD, co-director of the Antibiotic Resistance Action Center and professor of environmental and occupational health at George Washington University in Washington, DC.
Read more >> https://www.everydayhealth.com/urinary-tract-infection/urinary-tract-infections-linked-to-bacteria-in-meat/

100-year-old sisters
share 4 tips for staying
mentally sharp as you age—
and they don’t say
crossword puzzles

Centenarian Ruth Sweedler has impressive recall and can make good conversation about what’s going on in the world. Over the years, strangers and family members alike have commented on it.
“My doctor loves to talk to me,” Sweedler says. “He’d say, ‘You’re amazing.’ And I’d say, ‘Because I’m old?’ And he’d say, ‘No! Because you’re sophisticated.’”
Sweedler, who lives in a retirement home in Connecticut, is proud of the way she’s retained her faculties: “I don’t talk like an old lady.”
It probably helps that she doesn’t think of herself that way: “I don’t feel that I’m old,” says Sweedler, who turned 103 in December.
Learn more >> https://www.cnbc.com/2023/03/27/100-year-old-sisters-share-tips-for-staying-mentally-sharp-as-you-age.html


It’s important to note that while some people are in favor of owning AR-15 style weapons, others believe that certain modifications and accessories for these firearms should be banned or restricted in order to prevent their use in mass shootings and other acts of violence. The regulation of firearms in the United States is a complex issue that involves a variety of factors, including legal, social, and political. I'm not here to argue these matters. All I can do is share my viewpoint as an old man who has seen too much gun violence in the US, and the government's failure to take any action.
Does the Second Amendment have any relevance in America today?

“The right to bear arms, as enshrined in the Second Amendment of the US Constitution, was included by the Founding Fathers for a variety of reasons.
One of the primary reasons was to ensure that citizens had the means to defend themselves and their property against potential threats, including foreign invaders, domestic criminals, and oppressive government.
Additionally, the Founding Fathers believed that an armed citizenry was necessary to protect against tyranny, and that the right to bear arms was a fundamental component of a free and democratic society.
At the time of the Constitution's drafting, many Americans had recently fought in the Revolutionary War and believed that their ability to bear arms was crucial to the success of the war and the establishment of the new nation. The Founding Fathers also drew inspiration from the English Bill of Rights of 1689, which guaranteed the right to bear arms for self-defense.
Overall, the right to bear arms was seen as an important protection against both external and internal threats to liberty, and as a means of ensuring that citizens could defend their rights and freedoms.”
I believe this to be true today as it was when the founding fathers drafted it. However, while the threat is no less great, the focus has shifted from the external to the internal. As we have witnessed on January 6th, the “crazies” are not gun-toting Islamic extremists or vodka-soaked Russian soldiers, but home-grown terrorists whose only interest is to keep the U.S. a white Christian male dominated country they think it should be.
Okay. It could be necessary for us to have armed civilians. But why do we need powerful assault rifles, something our forefathers could not have imagined would be in the hands of civilians?
A handful of people are proponents of owning an AR-15 style weapon for several motives.
Self-defense: Some people believe that owning an AR-15 style weapon is necessary for self-defense, as they may provide better protection than other firearms in certain situations.
Gun owners consider owning an AR-15 style weapon as a method of exercising their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms, as well as to guard themselves and their families.
Hunting: AR-15 style weapons can be used for hunting small game and varmints, as well as larger game such as deer and elk.
Recreation: Many people enjoy shooting sports and use AR-15 style weapons for target shooting and other recreational activities.
AR-15 style weapons are highly customizable, a feature that appeals to gun owners who like to modify and enhance their firearms.
Historical and cultural significance: Some people view AR-15 style weapons as an important part of American history and culture, as they were first developed for use by the military and have been used by law enforcement agencies and civilians alike for decades.
Why are many Americans opposed to selling or owning an AR-15 style rifle?
Many people have expressed that AR-15 style rifles are a danger to public safety due to their high rate of fire and capacity for use in mass shootings.
Limitations on Second Amendment rights: Some people believe that the sale and ownership of AR-15 style rifles should be restricted in order to protect public safety, but others argue that such restrictions would infringe upon their Second Amendment right to bear arms.

Opposition to firearms in general: Some people are opposed to the sale and ownership of firearms in general, and believe that AR-15 style rifles should be banned, along with other types of firearms.
Association with recent mass shootings: AR-15 style rifles have been used in several high-profile mass shootings in the United States, which has led some people to view them as particularly dangerous and to call for greater restrictions on their sale and ownership.
There are different opinions and perspectives on the issue of AR-15 style rifles, and that the debate often centers on balancing public safety concerns with Second Amendment rights. The real issue is why aren’t Republican lawmakers or even the gun manufacturers 100% in favor of stricter control over who can get these weapons? And what about the legitimate gun owners? Why are they not more in favor of keeping guns out of the hands of those who shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near a gun, or any sharp instrument for that matter? …..




NEXT BLOG
TUESDAY APRIL 4, 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

-30-

FRIDAY,
MARCH 31, 2023
Email:
“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading,
you can only think what everyone else is thinking.”
― Haruki Murakami

Healthy adults don’t need
annual COVID boosters,
WHO advisers say
The advice clashes with FDA's suggestion to treat COVID boosters like flu shots. The advice clashes with FDA's suggestion to treat
BY BETH MOLE

A vaccine advisory group for the World Health Organization said Tuesday that, at this point, it does not recommend additional, let alone annual, COVID-19 booster shots for people at low to medium risk of severe disease. It advised countries to focus on boosting those at high risk—including older people, pregnant people, and those with underlying medical conditions—every six to 12 months for the near- to mid-term.
The new advice contrasts with proposed plans by the US Food and Drug Administration, which has suggested treating COVID-19 boosters like annual flu shots for the foreseeable future. That is, agency officials have floated the idea of offering updated formulations each fall, possibly to everyone, including the young and healthy.
Annual? Bivalent? For all? Future of COVID shots murky after FDA deliberations
In a viewpoint published last May in JAMA, the FDA's top vaccine regulator, Peter Marks, along with FDA Commissioner Robert Califf and Principal Deputy Commissioner Janet Woodcock, argued that annual COVID booster campaigns in the fall, ahead of winter waves of respiratory infections—such as flu, COVID-19, and RSV—would protect health care systems from becoming overwhelmed
Read more >> https://arstechnica.com/science/2023/03/healthy-adults-dont-need-annual-covid-boosters-who-advisors-say/
New Omega-3 Supplement
Could Prevent Vision Loss
From Alzheimer’s, Diabetes,
and Other Diseases

Researchers have developed a new form of omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that can cross into the eye’s retina, potentially helping to prevent visual decline linked to Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, and other disorders. The newly created lysophospholipid form of DHA (LPC-DHA) was found to be more effective than the typical triacylglycerol (TAG) DHA in fish oil capsules, which cannot reach the eyes. In a study using mice, LPC-DHA increased DHA in the retina and reduced eye problems related to Alzheimer’s-like processes, suggesting a potential novel therapeutic approach for retinal dysfunction associated with Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes.
By crossing into the retina, a new DHA supplement achieves what previous ones could not.
For the first time, researchers have developed a form of the omega-3 fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) that is capable of crossing into the eye’s retina to ward off visual declines related to Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes ,and other disorders.
‘It’s baffling’: NYC proposes cuts
to senior programs despite
anticipated boom in population
By Giulia Heyward

The Adams administration is considering more than $16 million in cuts to resources it provides to senior citizens across the five boroughs in the city’s budget next year. These reductions are coming at the same time that the number of New Yorkers over 65 is expected to exponentially increase – more than any other age group – in the immediate future.
Brooklyn Councilmember Crystal Hudson, a Democrat who chairs the Committee on Aging, called the anticipated cuts both “baffling” and “unconscionable.” On March 14, Hudson led a preliminary hearing that examined potential cuts to the budget of the city's Department for the Aging that would affect New Yorkers 65 years and older.
“They’ve made the neighborhoods that everyone wants to live in hip and cool and attractive,” Hudson said. “And in turn, what we continue to say to them is, ‘We don’t value you, we don’t care about you. Good luck!’”
Read more >> https://gothamist.com/news/its-baffling-nyc-proposes-cuts-to-seniors-despite-an-anticipated-boom-in-population
Machine learning helps
identify older adults with
cancer at high risk
for adverse outcomes
ByJennifer Southall

Unsupervised machine learning helped identify older adults with advanced cancer who appeared more likely to experience unplanned hospitalization and death, according to study results published in JAMA Network Open.
Additional research is needed to validate the machine learning algorithm and assess the clinical utility of the algorithm in oncology practice, researchers concluded.
Rationale and methodology
“Older adults with advanced cancer often suffer from multiple symptoms due to cancer and other aging-related comorbidities,” Huiwen Xu, PhD, MHA, assistant professor in the department of population health and health disparities at University of Texas Medical Branch, told Healio. “The NCI Patient-Reported Outcomes version of the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [PRO-CTCAE] captures a wide range of patient-reported symptoms, but lacks a way to extract the summary information from the individual items. We believe unsupervised machine learning might be a solution to this issue.”.
4 POWER FOODS
THAT CAN LIFT
YOUR SPIRITS
AFTER 60
BY PEG DOYLE

Who among us hasn’t reached for a fatty bowl of ice cream or a double chocolate brownie when feeling down? We all know how good either of these can make us feel.
Those initial feelings of pure pleasure, the cool creaminess of the ice cream on your tongue, or the dense chocolate brownie watering your mouth, lift your spirits. It is Nirvana.
The problem is, we experience this euphoria with a mixture of regret if we do it too often. They can thicken the waist and add numbers to the scale, all for a few moments of pleasure.
The immediate sense of pleasure from these treats comes from two places. One is the reality that the ingredients in quality ice cream or a well-made brownie are truly delicious.
Learn more >> https://sixtyandme.com/4-power-foods-that-can-lift-your-spirits-after-60-say-bye-bye-to-gaining-weight/

The Trump Indictment
I had an entirely different post planned for today, but this was just too good not to comment on while it’s fresh.
Yesterday afternoon, the dreams, desires and hopes of millions of Americans came true. A New York Grand Jury formally indicted Donald J. Trump, former President of the United States. While the actual charges have not yet been published, in general, they are as a result he used campaign funds to pay off a hooker (Stormy Daniels).

I don’t care what or on whom Trump spends money on. I don't care if he spent campaign funds to laid. Anybody who would give money to that two-timing con man deserves to be taken to the cleaners. No, what I care about is whether America will have the courage to put a stop to this man who has done nothing to “Make America Great Again” and everything to divide a nation, that now more than ever, needs to come together.
Race relations, anti-Semitism and anti-immigrant sentiment have not been this rampant in years. The divide between the have’s and have-nots has never been wider. This country needs social reform. We need truly affordable healthcare for all. We need affordable housing for seniors and middle-class families. It should not be necessary for someone to spend more than half of their income on housing.
We need to have free or nearly free higher education. So much talent is wasted because brilliant, passionate students can’t afford to go to college. And, we need to take revamp our foreign policy. We can’t praise and lick the asses of the likes of despots like Putin, like POTUS 45 did.
The only thing I regret is that it took a case like the one in New York to get Trump indicted. The U.S. Justice Department should have wrapped up their Mar-a-Lago classified document stealing inquiry and slapped a federal indictment on him. It would be an easier case to win and for Americans to swallow.

Trump will be arraigned next week. I can’t wait to see the mug shot or (if the gods are looking down) a perp walk with Trump between two burly NYPD detectives being led off to court. [1]
Oh, BTW, is this all about politics? You bet your sweet ass it is. But that’s the way Trump wanted it. He makes everything political. But, to paraphrase one Mr. Michael Jagger. “You don’t always get what you want. But you get all you need………………….

[1] In actuality, mug shots don't have to be made public. Also, there is an underground tunnel entrance to the courthouse, so there goes the perp walk too.

The best books of all time,
chosen by people who love reading
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier
A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
The Moon and Sixpence by W. Somerset Maugham
The Bone People by Keri Hulme

NEXT BLOG
SATURDAY,
APRIL 1, 2023
©2023 Bruce Cooper


-30-

THURSDAY,
MARCH 30, 2023
Email:
“As much as I dislike utility companies,
I do like having electricity!”
― Steven Magee

Rising Inflation:
How Will Retirees Get
Through Life
BY CHRIS PORTEOUS

The U.S. has gone through massive crises that put a lot of households and businesses at rock bottom. It’s been over a decade since the Real Estate Bubble and the Great Recession. Yet their impact has been unforgettable. These are only two unforeseen events that sparked a surge of bankruptcies. And roughly a year before the pandemic, millions of Americans struggled to recover.
In 2020, the pandemic crisis transpired and scourged the U.S. economy. The restrictions led to limited operations across industries and overwhelming cash burns. In turn, millions of businesses had to shut down, either temporarily or permanently. It was most evident in the SME sector, with 9.4 million small businesses closing that year. Although the recession only lasted two months, the road to recovery was long and winding.
In the last two years, the economy has demonstrated a strong rebound. Thanks to easing restrictions that allowed business reopenings and increased operating capacity, unemployment was lowered, and the pent-up aggregate demand was fueled. At the end of 2021, GDP per capita reached $12,235, a 12 percent year-over-year growth. It even exceeded pre-pandemic levels with $11,300 on average.
Read more >> https://www.entrepreneur.com/finance/rising-inflation-how-will-retirees-get-through-life/448530
Understanding the Risks
of Retiring in Place for Seniors
By Claire Ward

The term “retiring in place” can refer to two things.
It can be a slang term for employees who do not work very hard but who work just hard enough to not be fired so that they can be eligible for retirement benefits once they reach retirement age.
In this article, we will look at the risks of the latter.
While retiring in place is not always a negative thing, and indeed, the risks will depend on the specific circumstances of the senior, it can be a risky route to take for many older people.
Read more >> https://seniorslifestylemag.com/retirement/understanding-the-risks-of-retiring-in-place-for-seniors/
Researchers find that
older adults
suffering from depression
age faster than their peers
by Kim Krieger

"These patients show evidence of accelerated biological aging, and poor physical and brain health," which are the main drivers of this association, says Breno Diniz, a UConn School of Medicine geriatric psychiatrist and author of the study, which appears in Nature Mental Health on March 22.
Diniz and colleagues from several other institutions looked at 426 people with late-in-life depression. They measured the levels of proteins associated with aging in each person's blood. When a cell gets old, it begins to function differently, less efficiently, than a "young" cell. It often produces proteins that promote inflammation or other unhealthy conditions, and those proteins can be measured in the blood. Diniz and the other researchers compared the levels of these proteins with measures of the participants' physical health, medical problems, brain function, and the severity of their depression.
To their surprise, the severity of a person's depression seemed unrelated to their level of accelerated aging. However, they did find that accelerated aging was associated with worse cardiovascular health overall. People with higher levels of aging-associated proteins were more likely to have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and multiple medical problems. The accelerated aging was also associated with worse performance on tests of brain health such as working memory and other cognitive skills.
What is life like
in assisted living?
By Morgan Poole

When it comes to assisted living for seniors, many people have preconceived notions about what is looks like. Some of these outdated beliefs include losing privacy, eating distasteful food, and not having any fun activities to participate in. Ben Leavell, Executive Director of Waterford Place at Sunset Senior Communities, debunks some of these myths by discussing the amenities and rewards of assisted living.
Regarding privacy, Ben says residents have all the privacy they need in their homes, however, assisted living staff are on the campus to assist residents with individual needs. On the topic of food and dining, Ben states their food is “scratch made fresh” and the menu is created to satisfy the resident’s palettes. He also says Waterford Place’s food service director is a certified chef, and residents have two great dining rooms to enjoy their daily meals.
Lastly, regarding having a social life, Ben says the options to have fun are endless. Special amenities at Waterford Place include having access to a swimming pool, a new fitness center, woodshops, educational classes, social gatherings, events, and much more!

Riding the digital wave:
how senior citizens can become
tech savvy in three easy steps

In 2023, technology is advancing each day. Between work-from-home opportunities that rely heavily on virtual meeting platforms to artificial intelligence, now is not the time to fall behind– especially if you are a senior citizen.
According to the Pew Research Center, in 2021, “96 percent of those 50 to 64 use the internet, compared with 75 percent of those 65 and older who report being internet users.”
As more senior citizens embrace technology, advocates are calling for engineers and developers to innovate with their elders in mind. According to a study published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, senior citizens are open to technology and all of the benefits–once they have overcome the learning barriers.
Learn more >> https://afro.com/riding-the-digital-wave-how-senior-citizens-can-becometech-savvy-in-three-easy-steps/

States With Expensive Utilities
AVERAGE COST PER MONTH


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FRIDAY,
MARCH 31 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

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WEDNESDAY,
MARCH 29, 2023
Email:
"I haven't reported my missing credit card to the police
because whoever stole it is spending less than my wife."
_______Ilie Nastase

Senior Climate Activists Rally
Across US to 'Stop Dirty Banks'
"We will not go to our graves quietly knowing that the financial institutions in our own communities continue to fund the climate crisis," said longtime environmentalist Bill McKibben.
BY KENNY STANCIL

Held 24 hours after United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres—citing the latest report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change—called for an end to fossil fuel financing, the "Stop Dirty Banks" national day of action was organized by Third Act, an alliance of activists over the age of 60 co-founded by veteran campaigner Bill McKibben, and more than 50 other progressive advocacy groups.
The first elderly-led mass climate demonstration in U.S. history, which featured more than 100 rallies around the country, aimed to pressure financial institutions to stop bankrolling the planet-heating pollution that scientists have linked to worsening extreme weather.
Are marijuana and seniors
a bad combination?

Geriatrician Jennifer Watt opened the elderly man’s file. She was doing a follow up appointment with him after he’d come to an emergency room with delirium, a type of confusion that’s common in the elderly, and been admitted to the hospital. The notes said the issue had resolved itself, and it wasn’t clear what set it off. “There are lots of different risk factors for delirium, and he had things that would put him at risk,” she explains. But the trigger was unclear – until they started discussing his drug use.
He’d been looking for pain relief, and sought out some marijuana himself. “He began taking it, and got confused,” she says. “He was very honest with me when I asked. It was just that no one had asked before.”
Gabriella Gobbi, a professor of psychiatry at McGill University and psychiatrist at McGill University Health Centre, says she’s also seen several elderly patients with delirium caused by cannabis use.
Alzheimer’s first signs
may appear in your eyes

The eyes are more than a window to the soul — they’re also a reflection of a person’s cognitive health.
“The eye is the window into the brain,” said ophthalmologist Dr. Christine Greer, director of medical education at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases in Boca Raton, Florida. “You can see directly into the nervous system by looking into the back of the eye, toward the optic nerve and retina.”
One day doctors may be able to use eye tests to identify cognitive decline soon after it begins.
Research has been exploring how the eye may help in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease before symptoms begin. The disease is well advanced by the time memory and behavior are affected.
“Alzheimer’s disease begins in the brain decades before the first symptoms of memory loss,” said Dr. Richard Isaacson, an Alzheimer’s preventive neurologist who is also at the Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases.
Read more >> https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/24/health/eye-early-alzheimers-diagnosis-wellness/index.html
Hospitalizations Linked
With RSV Likely
Underreported
in Older Adults
By Julia Bonavitacola

Associated hospitalization burden could be 2.2 times higher in older adults with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) than was previously estimated, according to a recent study.
Older adults hospitalized with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) have a higher associated hospitalization burden than has previously been reported, according to a review published in Infectious Diseases and Therapy.
Hospitalizations could be up to 2.2 times higher than previously thought.
RSV is an acute respiratory infection (ARI) that affects older adults aged more than 65 years. Disease burden has been reported in past reports but were based on studies that had various ways of testing for RSV, which could underestimate the true burden of RSV. This review aimed to “improve the understanding of RSV-associated ARI hospitalization burden in older adults in high-income countries by adjusting for case under-ascertainment…”
Read more >> https://www.ajmc.com/view/hospitalizations-linked-with-rsv-likely-underreported-in-older-adults

ARE YOU HYDRATING
FOR OPTIMAL HEALTH?
BY CINDY BOATMAN

Painful foot cramps recently reminded me of how important it is to stay hydrated. When I’m under-hydrating, I also see the telltale signs in my skin condition and the harsher-than-usual appearance of the fine lines under my eyes. Nothing like foot cramps and vanity to motivate me to drink more water!
So, What Does It Mean to Be Hydrated?
Hydration is the balance of fluids in the body, also known as water homeostasis.The body takes in and maintains a steady level of water in its tissues and organs, down to the level of the cell. When you use or lose more fluids than you take in, dehydration occurs.
Why is proper hydration important? Because our internal water supply serves many functions, including nourishing our cells, muscles, tissues, and skin. It lubricates our joints and helps us get rid of body waste. It also regulates our body temperature. The average percentage of water in the human body reports that we are mostly water, with an average of roughly 60%.
Learn more >> https://sixtyandme.com/hydrating-optimal-health/


Did you ever hear the axiom, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” It’s another way of saying, “Why mess with perfection?”
There are few perfect things in this world. The colors of the sky when the sun goes down. Watermelon, and your grandma’s chocolate chip cookies. Any sane person would not want to change any of those. So who in their right mind thought it was a good idea to mess with another perfect thing, baseball?

Baseball, an American tradition, has been around for more than two centuries. According to legend, the sport’s originator was U.S. Army officer Abner Doubleday (1819–1893), who was credited with inventing and naming the game in 1839, while he was attending school in Cooperstown, New York. And since that time, the rules have changed little. In fact, no major rule change was made until 1973 when the designated hitter rule went into effect. And then, only in the American league. That’s how much of a sacred cow the game of baseball was. Sacred, until this year that is when something called the “Major League Baseball competition committee”, voted to implement rule changes that began with training games this month.
The reason for the changes, according to the Commissioner of Baseball and others, is to “speed up the game.” SPEED UP THE GAME? Who the f**k wants to speed up the game? The very reason people like baseball is because the game is not governed by time limits. It’s an open-ended game. There’s no clock signaling the game is about to end. The beauty of baseball is there is no clear winner until the last man comes to bat. Because of that, baseball epitomizes the American spirit and its work ethic. Even if things seem to be against you, you can still succeed if you are diligent, work hard and play by the rules.
People go to baseball games not so much to see who wins, but to enjoy the spectacle. And that spectacle includes not looking at the clock. Baseball is purposely slow. It’s as much a psychological thriller as it is one of athletic skill. The pitcher's behavior of pacing, rubbing the ball, looking in to the catcher, stepping off the mound, licking his fingertips, and scratching his crotch is designed to disrupt the batter's focus. To upset his timing. The most difficult thing in professional sports is hitting a baseball thrown by a major league pitcher. The second is to throw that ball so as not to let a major league batter hit it into the bleachers. All that will change when the new rule requiring the pitcher to throw the ball within 15 seconds will change completely the nuance of the game.
With most other team sports, it’s all “hurry, before the clock runs out.” Pass, kick, shoot, or dunk that ball (or puck) before the buzzer.

Growing up in Brooklyn, in the shadow of Ebbet's field, I attended many Dodger games. And, though I wanted the Dodgers to win, what I went for was to see my favorite players in action there, in front of me, just feet from my seat. I didn’t care how long the game took. The more time I had to spend with my heroes, the better.
I lost my taste for baseball when my beloved Dodgers abandoned Brooklyn and moved to LA. It was then I learned that baseball was not about the game or the players, but about money. Today, some 50 years later, with the rule changes, I suspect it still is……..


Credit Card Facts and Statistics
- The average number of credit cards per person in the U.S. is 3.8.
- Gen Z holds the lowest average number of credit cards at 1.7.
- Adults with an income under $100,000 who have credit cards are more likely to use them to carry balances from month to month.
- 87% of white adults, 92% of Asian adults, 72% of Black adults, and 76% of Hispanic adults have credit cards.
- The 7 largest credit card issuers generated $3.517 trillion in purchase volume in 2021, up 25.6%. They accounted for 77.1% of the industry’s $4.564-trillion total.
- Studies show that shoppers with credit cards are willing to spend more on items, check out with bigger baskets, and focus on and remember more product benefits rather than costs.
- The average credit card debt per household is $8,590.
- Credit card debt was the most widely held type of debt as of 2019.
- Debit cards remain the most frequently used form of payment, accounting for 10 of the 35 payments made, and a 28% share of payments.
NEXT BLOG
THURSDAY,
MARCH 30 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

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TUESDAY,
MARCH 28, 2023
Email:
“My dog is worried about the economy because
Alpo is up to $3.00 a can.
That’s almost $21.00 in dog money.”
— Joe Weinstein

CMS ANNOUNCES PART B
PRESCRIPTION DRUGS WITH
LOWER COINSURANCE AMOUNTS
FOR Q2 2023
By: Stacy Cline Amin, Wendy C. Chow and Rachel Park

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 requires drug companies to pay rebates to Medicare when prescription drug prices increase faster than the rate of inflation for certain drugs. This inflation rebate applies to Medicare Part B rebatable drugs, which are single-source drugs and biological products, beginning January 1, 2023. See our previous blog post discussing CMS guidance on the Medicare Prescription Drug Inflation Rebate Program here.
Under the Rebate Program, the beneficiary coinsurance rate will be 20% of the inflation-adjusted payment amount for rebatable drugs and biologics, which will be less than what the beneficiary would pay in coinsurance otherwise. On March 15, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced 27 prescription Part B drugs which will have an adjusted coinsurance rate based on the inflation-adjusted payment amount. These adjusted coinsurance rates will apply for the time period of April 1 to June 30, 2023. You can find the list of the 27 prescription drugs here.
As information in the Average Sales Price (ASP) quarterly drug pricing files is updated, the price of Part B rebatable drugs with a coinsurance adjustment may vary over time. Starting on April 1, 2023, and for each quarter thereafter, CMS will specify whether a coinsurance adjustment applies to a Part B rebatable drug for a calendar quarter in the quarterly ASP public files on the CMS website. The ASP public files may be found here.
The Cost of Housing in America
Has Become Untenable
A permanent cohort of people without housing has come to seem like a natural part of American life.
By Rebecca Gordon

In 1937, the American folklorist Alan Lomax invited Louisiana folksinger Huddie Ledbetter (better known as Lead Belly) to record some of his songs for the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. Lead Belly and his wife, Martha, searched in vain for a place to spend a few nights nearby. But they were Black and no hotel would give them shelter, nor would any Black landlord let them in, because they were accompanied by Lomax, who was white. A white friend of Lomax’s finally agreed to put them up, although his landlord screamed abuse at him and threatened to call the police.
In response to this encounter with D.C.’s Jim Crow laws, Lead Belly wrote a song, “The Bourgeois Blues,” recounting his and Martha’s humiliation and warning Blacks to avoid the capital if they were looking for a place to live. The chorus goes,...
HOW TO PROTECT
YOUR HEALTH DURING
A HOSPITAL STAY
BY JOY STEPHENSON-LAWS

When you go to a hospital, you hope to leave in better health than when you arrived, but unfortunately, many of us end up getting sicker when we have a hospital stay. While this situation can confront any one of any age, our age group is at increased risk because we may have less robust immune systems that leave us more vulnerable to a variety of infections.
We also tend to visit the hospital more frequently than our younger counterparts. The longer the stay, the greater the chance something negative will happen.
I believe three hospital related illnesses or conditions pose the greatest health risks to boomers.
Read more >> https://sixtyandme.com/protect-health-hospital-stay/
7 Ways To Make
Assisted Living Facilities
More Affordable
By Jennifer Taylor

Your golden years should be a time to relax and enjoy life. However, many seniors cannot afford assisted living facilities, which allow them to get the care they need while still enjoying their independence — and this is a problem likely to only get worse.
By 2033, more than 11 million middle-income seniors — ages 75 and up — may not be able to afford assisted living facilities, according to researchers from NORC at the University of Chicago. This same group will also not likely qualify for Medicaid to pay for their long-term care needs, placing the burden entirely on them.
As of 2021, the average cost of assisted living is $4,500 per month, according to Genworth. Considering the average monthly Social Security benefit is $1,693.88 per month — as of February 2023 — seniors would need to come up with around $2,800 per month out-of-pocket to pay this expense.
If you’re struggling to afford an assisted living facility for yourself or a loved one, you’re likely feeling pretty frustrated. The sky-high costs attached to these

Tips for Seniors Traveling
With Mobility Issues –
Thoughtful Pre-planning
Will Ensure an Enjoyable Trip
By Justin Gagnon

Mobility and inclusivity are important aspects of travel, but crowded airports can pose significant challenges for those with mobility issues, especially when getting to a gate in time to board a flight. Here are some of the challenges that you may face in crowded airports, along with ways to take control of your travel experience:
Access to transportation: Getting to and from the airport can be a challenge for people with mobility issues. Solution: Many airports offer shuttle buses or other forms of transportation. These may not be accessible or may be crowded during peak travel times, so allow plenty of time to get to the airport. Newer models of power wheelchairs are foldable, lightweight, and make travel easier.
Navigating the airport: Busy airports can be difficult to navigate, especially if you have mobility issues. Long lines, crowded waiting areas, and confusing signage can make it challenging to get from one place to another. Solution: Allow extra time to navigate airports. Call ahead and reserve a push wheelchair service; while airports must provide these to passengers, be aware that a shortage of workers can cause delays in this service. Some airports have turned to innovative solutions like the WHILL Autonomous Mobility Service, which uses autonomous power chairs to transport passengers directly to their gates.


NEXT BLOG
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

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MONDAY,
MARCH 27, 2023
Email:
“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends;
they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors,
and the most patient of teachers.”
― Charles W. Eliot

Older Americans
reject more vaccines,
opt instead for
‘natural healing,'
says report
By Melissa Rudy

Many adults age 40 and older are opting to skip vaccine immunizations despite their general concerns about virus infections, as revealed in research that AARP has just published.
Among all adults who had not received a flu vaccine, only 32% said they would get the vaccination even if their doctor advised them to do so.
Among those who had not gotten the pneumonia vaccine, only 49% would get it if their doctor recommended it.
For the shingles vaccine, 56% of unvaccinated older adults would get the jab on their doctor’s advice.
Here’s What Retirement
With Less Than $1 Million
Looks Like in America
Five retirees open up about their financial lives
and how they spend their time and money
By Veronica Dagher and Anne Tergesen

Many Americans dream of saving $1 million for retirement. Most fall far short of that.
The typical family’s 401(k) and IRA-type accounts come to less than half that goal in the years approaching retirement age, according to the nonprofit Employee Benefit Research Institute. Total household balances in retirement accounts for those 55 to 64 years old are $413,814 on average, according to its estimates based on 2019 data, the most recent available.
There is nothing magical about $1 million, but the less one saves, the bigger the risk that unforeseen shocks or the setbacks of life can derail your plans. Retiring on less than $1 million can bring greater anxiety about outliving your money, say retirees and financial advisers.
“For many, the expectation of retirement doesn’t match the facts of their everyday financial lives,” said Larry Raffone, chief executive of Edelman Financial Engines.
Should You Rent
in Retirement?
By Liz Weston

Some people rent in retirement because they don’t have much choice; they can’t afford to own homes. But financial planners say renting can make more sense than owning in some circumstances, even for retirees who can afford the costs of homeownership.
Renting offers flexibility as well as freedom from all the chores and expenses of maintaining a home. Renting also may provide built-in communities for socializing, as well as accessible housing features such as one-floor living, which can help people age in place. People who are “house rich and cash poor” can sell their homes and use the equity to fund a more comfortable lifestyle.
“While retirees often don’t want to rent, it can be a smarter decision for a number of reasons,” says certified financial planner Lisa A.K. Kirchenbauer of Arlington, Virginia.
Read more >> https://www.sfgate.com/business/personalfinance/article/should-you-rent-in-retirement-17855753.php
Protect Your Elderly Parents
From Medicaid’s ‘Five-Year
Look-Back’ Rule
By Stephen Johnson

If your parents are “active seniors” spending their golden years taking helmet-less bike rides together like the smiling silver foxes in the above stock image, you’re probably not concerned with how they’ll pay for a nursing home—that’s years away. But making a plan early can protect their money, and that money could eventually be your money if your parents like you enough.
A single private room in a nursing home in the U.S. costs an average of $297 per day, or $9,034 per month. That eye-popping figure is out of reach for most, but it can be offset by Medicaid, which will generally pay 100% of nursing home costs for eligible people. But there’s a catch. The government generally expects people to give almost their entire income back to Medicaid, as well as spend their saved assets before the benefits kick in. In other words, in order to take full advantage of the program, you generally can’t have very much money. So if your parents built up a lifetime of capital, it could all go to a nursing home soon after Mom breaks her hip in a bike crash or dad comes down with dementia.
Read more >> https://lifehacker.com/protect-your-elderly-parents-from-medicaid-s-five-year-1850250694
11 Indoor Plants
That Are Hard to Kill
Expert advice to help you get in on this ‘green’ trend
By Susan Moeller

Jeanloz, 68, and her husband have almost two dozen indoor plants in their home in Chatham, Massachusetts, as well as a dozen or so in their antique shop.
“They have a lot of history and personality to them,” Jeanloz says of her plants, which include a 7-foot ficus tree. “The ones that are given to us have memories of the person who’s given it to us. … I’m proud to say that we have a couple of plants we’ve had for more than 40 years.”
Although Jeanloz has been growing plants indoors for years, she’s part of a hot trend. Even before COVID-19, houseplant sales had climbed 50 percent in the three years leading up to 2019, according to the National Gardening Association. Then came the pandemic, with its focus on home life, and suddenly it seemed that plant advice and hacks were all over Instagram, TikTok and other sites.
Read more >> CLICK HERE


Let me begin by saying I am not one of those septuagenarian technophobes who thinks any electronic device without vacuum tubes is useless. On the contrary. I embrace anything that makes my life simpler, has value, and is within my price range. I was an early PC user and cell phone subscriber. And I can’t wait to download new versions of software (or apps as they call it now). But even I have to admit that with all its convenience, futuristic design and portability, buying, subscribing, paying for and making a phone call has become more complicated. Let’s compare.

The Phone Company
Until 1984, there was only one telephone company. AT&T (or Ma Bell as it was affectionately called) was a true monopoly. If you wanted phone service, there was only one place to go. AT&T owned all the phone lines throughout the nation, as well as the cable that ran under the ocean to Europe and beyond. If you wanted a telephone installed in your home or office all you had to do is call or visit your local telephone company office, give them a small deposit and, in a day or two, a nice telephone installer would come to your place and do all the connectivity work needed to get you started. You would also be issued a phone number. If you were lucky, it was a number you could easily remember. My phone number, growing up in Brooklyn, was UL-6-1008. That was over 70 years ago and I still remember it. Nowadays, it is easy to get a phone, but hooking it up to service needs some considerations.
What company should I deal with? Which has the best deal? How many free calls do I get? What about data usage? Texts? These are problems we never had to deal with. Sometimes choice is good. Sometimes, not so much. Breaking up AT&T was supposed to bring in competition and thus, lower prices. In reality, it did just the opposite. Higher monthly costs and poorer service.
Making a call.
Because the phone company had few options, making a call was easy. Grab the receiver, wait for the dial tone and press the number you had memorized or one that you have put in alphabetical order in the phone book next to the phone. No “unlocking” your phone with a special PIN number. No contact list. No area codes. Just one 6 digit number. If the person you called wasn’t there, you called back later. If they were on the phone with someone else, you got a “busy signal” and, you called back later. No voice mail or answering machines. If you missed a call, you knew they would call back.
Also, if you weren’t home (or some place that had a public phone) you were out of touch. You were not always available, always in contactable. You could take the receiver “off the hook” and the person on the other end would know you did not want to be disturbed. Today, you almost feel obligated to answer the phone when it rings, or beeps, or plays Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata.
Billing.
I received my phone bill the other day, and was I surprised. My usual charge of about $29 had jumped to a whopping $212. An extra amount of money was due because I had exceeded my free data usage. I called customer service. I told them to look at my history. I never could have used so much data ever. They told me they would get back to me. After three days, they offered to decrease my bill by one-third. That would

lower the cost to approximately $150. Still too much. I told them I would not pay one cent of any data usage charge, and if they didn’t correct my entire bill, I would go elsewhere. I'm still waiting to hear from them. Back in the 1950s and 60s, the average price for a phone call from a private residence was 15 to 20 cents for a person to person call. And that was per call, not per minute. The more calls you made, the more your phone bill would be. No surprise extra charges.
Do I want to go back to the “good old days?” No. I enjoy having all the computing power I need right in my hands. And, as an older person who can’t get around like I used to, having a way to call for help is comforting. I just wish today’s service providers would simplify things more. Like having all providers offer a basic service for the same price. And, while they are at it, how about bringing back those nice telephone operators too?…………




NEXT BLOG
TUESDAY, MARCH 28 2023

©2023 Bruce Cooper

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FRIDAY,
MARCH 24, 2023
Email:
I went to a homeopath once,
but she just told me that I was allergic to everything that I liked.
____Richard Herring

Being ‘socially frail’
comes with health risks
for older adults
By Judith Graham

Consider three hypothetical women in their mid-70s, all living alone in identical economic circumstances with the same array of ailments: diabetes, arthritis and high blood pressure.
Ms. Green stays home most of the time and sometimes goes a week without seeing people. But she’s in frequent touch by phone with friends and relatives, and she takes a virtual class with a discussion group from a nearby college.
Ms. Smith also stays home but rarely talks to anyone. She has lost contact with friends, stopped going to church and spends most of her time watching TV.
Ms. Johnson has a wide circle of friends and a busy schedule. She walks with neighbors regularly, volunteers at a local school twice a week, goes to church and is in close touch with her children, who don’t live nearby.
Read more >> https://www.cnn.com/2023/03/21/health/navigating-aging-social-frailty-khn-partner-wellness/index.html
Report:
FDA Considers Authorizing
Another Round of Updated
COVID-19 Booster Shots
for Some
The agency is reportedly considering authorization of another shot for older Americans and others at high risk for severe COVID-19 within a matter of weeks.
By Cecelia Smith-Schoenwalder

The Food and Drug Administration is reportedly preparing a decision on whether another round of updated COVID-19 booster shots should be authorized for certain populations.
People familiar with the agency’s discussions told The Wall Street Journal that the decision, which would apply to the elderly and other Americans at high risk for severe COVID-19, could come within a few weeks.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the FDA is considering authorizing a second omicron-specific booster shot for people aged 65 and older or who have weakened immune systems. One source said that the decision is not yet final, noting that officials could change their minds.
An FDA spokesperson said in a statement to U.S. News that “we hope that simplifying the COVID-19 vaccine regimen in the not too distant future will lead to the vaccination of more individuals in the coming years as we learn to live alongside SARS-CoV-2 – potentially reducing serious outcomes, including hospitalization and death,” referring to the virus that causes COVID-19 by its scientific name.
U.S. plans major revamp
of troubled
organ transplant system
Seventeen people die every day
waiting for organ transplants in the U.S.
By Berkeley Lovelace Jr.

The federal government Wednesday outlined a plan to revamp the nation's organ transplant system, which has been plagued by problems, including damaged or discarded organs and long wait times.
Around 104,000 people in the United States are on the waiting list for an organ transplant, according to the Health Resources and Services Administration, an agency within the Department of Health and Human Services. Seventeen people die each day waiting for an organ transplant.
The current system, experts say, is ineffective and usually benefits affluent white people who have the means to travel where organs are available.
"There are multiple problems that need to be addressed," said Dr. Stuart Knechtle, a general surgeon at the Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, North Carolin