Archives: October 2011

You Better Shop Around for Medicare

The National Council on Aging has published the results of a survey that shows that older adults, especially those struggling financially, need to receive expanded education on Medicare options All eligible seniors are allowed to make changes to their coverage during the Annual Enrollment Period from Oct. 15 äóñ Dec....

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Insulin Nasal Spray Could Delay Cognitive Function Decline

Studies have shown that insulin levels are lower in the central nervous systems of Alzheimer’s patients. A new study suggests that restoring insulin levels through the use of insulin nasal spray could delay the decline of cognitive function in those with Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment. Investigators from the University...

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Beers Criteria Cites Harmful Drugs for Elderly

Beers not Beer! Even though this list has been around, I have only recently become familiar with it. The Beers Criteria (or Beers List) is a list of specific medications that are generally considered inappropriate when given to elderly people. For a wide variety of individual reasons, the medications listed...

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Long Term Services and Supports Scorecard

This State Long-Term Services and Supports (LTSS) Scorecard is a multidimensional approach to measure state-level performance of LTSS systems that provide assistance to older people and adults with disabilities. Performance varies tremendously across the states with LTSS systems in leading states having markedly different characteristics than those in lagging states....

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401 Savings on the Rise – Keep It Up

Getty Images A USA Today story says that 401(k) investing, according to Fidelity Investments is at a 12-year high.ξ At the end of the first quarter, the average 401(k) balance hit $74,900, a 12% jump from a year ago. That marks the highest level since Fidelity started tracking account balances...

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Rent a Grandma

@Headhunters Through a company called Rent-a-Grandma, you can can rent grandmothers for long- or short-term, live in or live out. With 30 regular customers, a full-time rent-a-grandmother can make $500 a week. The company’s website, which promotes the tagline “You can trust our Grandmas,” also maintains a Twitter account Œæ...

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Statins Benefits Extend Beyond the Heart

New research suggests that Lipitor is not only successful at reducing the risk of coronary heart disease and heart attacks, but also reduces the risk of acquiring a potentially fatal infectious disease. The European Heart Journal published a study where researchers found that those taking the drug the longest had...

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Medicare Preventive Benefits

Did you know that Medicare covers over 20 different preventive benefits?ξ My Medicare Matters has a chart that can help you sort it out. . Get the chart.

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Greater Numbers Choosing Assisted Living / CCRC Over Nursing Homes

And that sounds like a great headline. However, many of these communities are taking on sicker patients/residents sometimes inappropriately. As a result this population has higher rates of hospitalization, a new report says. Approximately 38% of older Americans with moderate to severe disabilities live in nursing homes, compared to 58%...

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Flu Video Helpful As We Enter Season

Flu season and flu shots are here and there continues to be the debate of whether to get a flu shot or not. It is not just the fear of needle thing but also a fear that the side effects will be worse than the shot. Emmi Solutions, one of...

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