Another Company Limits Its LTC Insurance Sales
Genworth Financial is taking several of its long-term care insurance options off the table.
As of July 29, they stopped selling: lifetime coverage policies for people with family histories of Alzheimer’s and other chronic conditions; 10-pay policies, which lets beneficiaries pay 10 bigger payments for a paid-up policy; and 40% spousal/partner discounts for couples who sign up together, the Chicago Sun Times reported.
Genworth is following the footsteps of Prudential and MetLife, both of which exited the LTC insurance market in recent months.åÊ
Analysts have urged consumers to buy policies while they still can rather than rely on Medicaid in the future.
This gets to be a hard decisions for some. I have heard some backlash in end of life discussions where, just at the time a benefit like this might kick in, is also the time when a person’s health has deteriorated to a point that they may choose less treatment not more. And so they opt out of wanting a policy.
By the way, there is an alternative called the Assurance Benefit where you can use value in your life insurance policy to pay for long term care needs.
Pill Bottle Warnings Go Unnoticed
A study by Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich. showed that when groups were tested on their ability to notice information on their prescriptions, just 54% of the older group fixed their gaze on the prescription warning labels, compared with 91.8% of the younger participants.
The researchers tested two age groups for their ability to notice the information on the vials, using eye-tracking technology and to see how well they remembered what they read.
The vials had different-colored warning labels, a white pharmacy label, and a cap with opening instructions.
- The color of the label had no effect on the probability that participants would notice it.
åÊ - 100% of both groups looked at the white pharmacy label.
To test recall, participants were presented with a sheet of 10 warning labels and asked which had been on the five vials they had examined, The probability of correctly identifying the warning labels were 68.5% for the younger group and 53.6% for the older participants.
- When participants fixated on the warning labels, recognition rates were 61.7% for young adults and 54.0% for the older group.
- When they failed to fixate on the labels, rates were low — 23.9% for the younger group and 9.5% for the older volunteers.
Researchers concluded that the first step in getting warning messages across is to design labels that will attract attention, and only after that should wording and content be tweaked.
Check out the photo of the pill bottle in this post.
Visual arts graduate student Deborah Adler designed it after her grandmother Helen took pills belonging to her grandfather, Herman. They took the same medication, with different dosages. Adler said she realized the traditional pill bottles could be improved. She discovered that its last big change had been the addition of safety caps in the 1970s.
She first took her design to the Food and Drug Administration
with an eye toward adopting a national standard. But the FDA regulates little about the bottle. So she went to Target. Target bought the design from Adler and kept her on as a consultant to tweak it.
Wonder how this bottle would test?
Ideal Outdoor Activities as You Age
Maintaining an active lifestyle is essential for seniors to keep their bodies healthy and away from all types of diseases that come along with aging.åÊ As you age exercising for some can be a bit strenuous due to physical limitations. The need to look for alternative activities to keep those muscles and joints in good condition is necessary.
Outdoor activities are good alternatives to keep an active lifestyle without exerting too much effort and physical strength.åÊ Outdoor activities that can stimulate the senses and help develop your physical stamina are ideal alternatives for exercising.
1. Hiking ÛÒ This outdoor activity is more enjoyable to do when done with your friends or family.åÊ
Photo Credit: Farm
Most common health benefits of hiking include lowering blood pressure, lowering cholesterol, reducing the risk of heart attack, losing excess weight, strengthening bones and muscles.åÊ Hiking allows you to appreciate and enjoy the beauty of nature while keeping tfit and healthy.åÊ If you are not that comfortable hiking difficult trails, hike in places with even or plain terrains.
2.åÊ Gardening ÛÒ A happier and calmer state of mind is one of the great benefits of gardening.åÊ
Photo Credit: Walter Baxter
Gardening is a very enjoyable hobby especially for retirees who are staying at home and canÛªt go out due to physical limitations.åÊ Its benefits are more than the beautiful flowers and fresh veggies in the backyard.åÊ Gardening has bone building benefits, increases joint flexibility and strength, helps in burning calories, and provides a healthier and more nutritious food diet.åÊ Gardening also gives the sense of satisfaction.
3.åÊ Walking ÛÒ Walking is an ideal outdoor activity if you donÛªt want the hassle of going to the gym or going to the mountains for hiking.åÊ
Photo Credit: Walter Baxter
The following are some of the few health benefits of walking.
åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Lowers blood sugar
åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Reduces the risk of heart disease
åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Reduces body fat
åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Lessens stress and lengthens life span
åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Improves memory
åáåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊåÊ Reduces risk of disability
For beach bums, walking on the beach is also very enjoyable and walking in the sand actually adds some challenge to the walk.
4.åÊ Fishing ÛÒ Many who love to feel the adventure in the open sea, or love hanging out in ponds and lakes with their friends, usually find fishing a very desirable outdoor activity.åÊ
Photo Credit: Kintaiyo
Fishing is ideal if you want to relieve stress.åÊ This activity is a light exercise that doesnÛªt require too much force exertion.åÊ Aside from the enjoyment of catching fish, fishing is also good for the lungs and the skin.
Of course, seek your doctorÛªs advice and guidance before doing any of the mentioned activities.
About the Guest Author
Agnes Embile Jimenez is a professional blogger and writer. She helps promote awareness about better senior care and living through publishing informative articles on the net. This is along with the help of TopSeniorCaregivers, an online resource portal that offers free senior care information in Apple Valley. You may add her to your Google Circles.
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