Medicare Advantage plans are more popular than ever. With Medicare Annual Election Period coming soon, we are expecting even more seniors to choose this type of coverage than ever before. Low- or even no-premium plans are the most popular and some plans even offer a “giveback,” a credit to your Social Security benefit, rather than… Read more »
We all look down too much. Our modern culture has us frequently looking down at devices, keyboards, papers and books. However, our neck is designed for us to be looking in the opposite direction. All the muscles in the back of the neck are erector muscles; our hunter-gatherer bodies should be looking forward and up. … Read more »
John* had been living on Mimosa Street* in the desert for nearly 30 years and had grown to love it. He had lived alone since his partner passed away, remaining in the same house, with the same neighbors and the same memories. However, as John aged, it became more and more difficult for him to… Read more »
In the heart of Palm Desert, a remarkable eight-week program is quietly making a profound impact on the lives of older adults and college students alike. The Sages & Seekers program, created and administered by the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at the California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) Palm Desert Campus, offers a unique… Read more »
YMCA of the Desert (Y) is working to bring senior fitness to our community by hosting Vitality Forever’s Senior Classes three days per week in their space at The Shops at Palm Desert (formerly Westfield Mall). The classes are open to any person 55+ whose goal is to move and feel better. The classes, which… Read more »
“Don’t tell lies.” It’s a lesson your parents likely taught you at a young age. And yet, compassionate communication when interacting with someone with memory loss sometimes necessitates the need for “therapeutic lying.” Therapeutic lying or fibbing, as it is sometimes called, is when you tell a fib or bend the truth to fit the… Read more »
Imagine eating dinner with friends and struggling to chew your baked potato, giving a presentation at work when suddenly you start slurring your words or walking up the stairs of your home and finding yourself out of breath. Your legs don’t want to lift the way they should, and when you reach the middle step,… Read more »
Hair loss is one of the most significant concerns for both men and women and affects over 50 million men and 30 million women each year.1 Male pattern baldness accounts for 95% of hair loss, especially in those over 50 years of age.2 It is estimated that men alone spend nearly $4 billion on hair… Read more »
When you think of hospice care, what comes to mind? For many, it is associated with the end of life – a time when a loved one is close to death and receiving special care in their final days or weeks. However, hospice care can also be received long before the final days of life.… Read more »
If you are a caregiver for a loved one, it is important to know that you are not alone. The daily toll of personally taking care of – and worrying for – your loved one can induce stress, burnout and have taxing effects on your mental and physical health. To combat these issues, building a… Read more »
Your doctor walks into the room with your test results. She looks concerned. The symptoms you’ve been worried about indicate a serious problem and she wants you to start a regimen immediately. You can’t think, your heart is racing and your first instinct is just to follow orders. On the contrary, consider this: your doctor… Read more »
Whether you are turning 65 soon or already enrolled, there are some simple points to remember as you plan your Medicare coverage. Turning 65? DO set up an online account with SSA.GOV. This will be your “mySSA” account. Register at least four months before your 65th birthday. Your Medicare effective date is the first day… Read more »
As a 501(c)3 organization, Alzheimers Coachella Valley (ACV) is dedicated to providing charitable services and support for persons with impaired cognition and their caregivers. It is in keeping with this mission that ACV is excited to announce the opening of a screening center for Alzheimer’s and other dementias on November 1. Staffed by a geriatric… Read more »
Vacation plans were set, and Kate had a UTI (urinary tract infection) starting. Her doctor prescribed an antibiotic, and the family hit the road. Day three of the trip, she developed a fever and felt light-headed with lower-than-normal blood pressure. Since she also has diabetes, her doctor sent her to the emergency room – she… Read more »
Each year, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), under the Federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), sets new pricing for Medicare. This involves more than just your Medicare premium, but deductibles, co-pays and reimbursement levels for providers. Fortunately, there is good news for the year ahead. The 2022 Medicare Part B premium… Read more »
“Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.” Benjamin Franklin Aging. A rite of passage. Ah, yes. Waking up to the aches and pains, looking in the mirror and not fully comprehending who’s looking back. I not so fondly remember standing in the checkout line at the supermarket and the… Read more »
Talking about end-of-life care can be difficult and sometimes overwhelming, especially when someone has been recently diagnosed with a terminal-illness. From the start of a diagnosis, there is so much information, from doctors to personal family opinions; it’s a lot to process. Knowing the facts and understanding the basics of hospice can help you and… Read more »
After an injury, medical procedure or extended hospital stay, an important step in the recovery process may be a period of rehabilitation. Choosing the right rehab facility can be daunting, especially if this is your first time needing services or you are new to the community. Following are some important tips to help choose a… Read more »
Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plans can be complicated, but once you understand them, you can make them work in your favor. The two main factors that affect the price of your prescription medications are drug tier and coverage stage. Drug tiers 1-5 are the levels of pricing for medications on a specified formulary. Each… Read more »
Contrary to popular belief, most older Americans with advancing dementia remain in their own homes. With that said, home safety is important for everyone, but especially those with Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Falls are a leading cause of broken hips and other serious injuries in the elderly, and individuals with Alzheimer’s are twice as… Read more »
