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Thursday, June 12, 2025

How to Recycle a Phone or Computer with Care

  



When it’s time to say goodbye to a phone or computer, take steps to protect both your data and the environment. 


We hold our devices close. On average, we spend more than half our days on screens. According to one report by Nielsen, Americans ages 50-64 actually spend more time on screens than younger folks. It can feel like our devices are part of our bodies.

But at a certain point, those devices brick that is, due to hardware or software failures, they inevitably reach the end of their lifespan and become as useful as a brick. At that point, how do we bid farewell to these beloved objects in a way that protects both our privacy and the Earth? It takes a bit more care than just chucking them in the trash.

Protect Your Data
Before recycling your phone, tablet, or computer, it's crucial to take a few steps to ensure your personal data stays safe. You can either perform this process yourself or find a local service to do it for you.

If you’re lucky and your device hasn’t bricked–if it still has some life left in it–start by backing up any data you want to keep. This includes photos, contacts, documents, and other important files, which you can store in cloud services like Google Drive, iCloud, or OneDrive, or transfer to an external hard drive or USB stick. Once your data is safely backed up, make sure to sign out of all accounts associated with the device: your email, social media accounts, cloud services, and any apps that are synced to your identity. 

Next, perform a factory reset of the device. On smartphones, this process is typically found under system settings, and it will erase all user data, apps, and personal settings. Computers require a similar process. If you’re extra concerned about security, and especially if you can’t get the device to turn on, you can even physically destroy the drive by drilling holes or smashing it. 

Finally, remove any physical components that might store data, such as SIM cards or SD cards. These contain contacts, messages, or other personal information and should either be destroyed or reused securely. You can still remove these when the phone has completely failed and you’re unable to log in to perform any of the steps above. If you were using a newer eSIM, a digital version of a SIM card, be sure to contact your carrier to have them lock the eSIM and eventually transfer it to your new device.

Protect the Planet

Once your device is cleaned of all your data, it’s time to either recycle, donate, or sell it. By doing so, you’re keeping toxic substances like mercury and cadmium out of landfills, along with the reusable materials in the device like metal, plastic, and glass. Plus, 25 states have passed laws related to e-waste. 

  • Manufacturer Take Back Programs. All major manufacturers have take back or buy back programs (partly because they’re required to by those state laws). Apple, for example, will recycle your device for you for free. Of course, first check if you’re eligible for a trade-in instead. With most companies, you can either mail in your device or take it to your local store.
  • The Arc. A national charity with local branches in most states, The Arc supports people with developmental disabilities and their families. Some locations, including The Arc of Alachua County, Florida, accept unwanted devices for free or a small fee. They’ll even wipe and destroy your hard drive for you. Check your local organization’s drop-off policies and fees.
  • Best Buy. The retailer supports customers in wiping and recycling old devices of all kinds. They also offer a Trade-In Calculator to help you understand if your device has any trade-in value.
  • Donate. If your device isn’t bricked, consider donating it to a charity that will refurbish it and get it into the hands of people who need it. Check for local organizations, or go international with a group like World Computer Exchange, who will accept all devices newer than seven years old via mail, clean them, and send them to schools in need around the world.
  • Recycle locally. If mailing in your device seems like a hassle, there’s surely a recycling center near you that accepts drop-offs of e-waste. Check out Call2Recycle, where you can plug in your zip code and find local centers that will accept as many devices as you can bring them.

Our devices provided us with many hours of entertainment in their working days; it seems only right that we take a little care with them when it’s time to say goodbye. And with e-waste the fastest-growing waste stream, expected to hit 82 million metric tons per year worldwide by 2030, recycling those devices only grows more important for the planet every year.



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Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

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Wednesday, June 11, 2025

Observation vs. Admittance: It's Not Covered Unless...

  






Medicare coverage varies widely depending on whether you were admitted to the hospital or just there under observation.  

If you’re staying overnight in the hospital, you’re an inpatient. If you’re at the hospital receiving care for the day, you’re an outpatient. Right? 

Wrong. Those common-sense definitions aren’t the ones Medicare uses. Knowing what Medicare actually considers inpatient vs. outpatient could save you thousands of dollars. 

The difference for Medicare hinges on whether a patient is admitted to the hospital or simply there for observation. According to Medicare.gov, “You're an inpatient starting when you're formally admitted to the hospital with a doctor's order.” You’re an outpatient if you’re receiving services in the hospital–including ER care, observation services, outpatient surgery, lab tests, and any other care–when “the doctor hasn't written an order to admit you to a hospital as an inpatient. In these cases, you're an outpatient even if you spend the night in the hospital.” 

“The distinction between observation and admission has clinical and ethical implications for patients and practices,” according to Dr. Laura Haselden and Dr. Sabrina Rahman in a 2023 article in the AMA Journal of Ethics called “Cheating the Rules of Admission with ‘Observation.’” For physicians, there’s often no meaningful difference between a patient who needs care for at least two midnights, and one who likely needs care for more than two midnights. The former should be admitted, while the latter can remain under simple observation. And yet when doctors make that key call, they’re initiating potentially major financial consequences for the patient. 

While patient advocates fight to make this process more transparent for everyone, protect your own finances by understanding the difference between admittance and observation.


What Medicare Does and Doesn’t Cover

Even when the actual services rendered look exactly the same, Medicare coverage differs greatly based on whether the patient has been admitted as an inpatient or is being observed as an outpatient. Medicare Part A pays for inpatient services, but not for outpatient services. Part B will usually cover outpatient care, but the patient will pay more than they would for an inpatient stay covered under Part A. And for those who don’t have Part B coverage, the observation (outpatient) services will likely have to come out of pocket. 

Importantly, Medicare will only cover care at a skilled nursing facility (SNF) if the patient was admitted to a hospital (i.e., as an inpatient) for at least three days and then discharged to the SNF.

Unfortunately, there’s incentive for hospitals to lean toward observation rather than admittance. Under the Medicare Fee for Service Recovery Audit Program, hospitals might lose their reimbursement if Medicare finds that they admitted someone who didn’t medically need to be admitted. As a result, hospitals tend to err on the side of observing patients if there’s initial doubt that they need to be admitted. 

According to Medicare, “The decision for inpatient hospital admission is a complex medical decision based on your doctor’s judgment and your need for medically necessary hospital care.” However, Dr. Haselden and Dr. Rahman counter, “Although observation status is intended as a clinical decision-making tool, it has become more of an all-purpose loophole to artificially improve hospital metrics and pose barriers to inpatient care.” 


New Policies Up Patient Protection

The thing is, patients don’t always know when they’ve been admitted versus when they’re just being observed. Even worse, a hospital can change a patient’s status without notifying the patient–even retroactively, after they’ve left the hospital.

Thankfully, in recent years, advocates have won protections for patients that make the question of admittance versus observation more transparent. As of 2017, hospitals must use a form called a MOON (Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice) to notify all patients who are under observation for more than 24 hours what that status means and what Medicare will and will not cover. Staff must provide written and oral notice within 36 hours of the patient entering care. However, since that notice period might be longer than the observation period itself, a patient could still go home after an overnight hospital stay thinking their stay was covered when it wasn’t.

Late last year, the Center for Medicare Advocacy won additional rights for patients in a case against Medicare. The new policies  require hospitals to inform patients when their status changes from admittance to observation. Even better, the new rules allow patients to appeal changes of status that caused their stay at an SNF not to be covered by Medicare. The ability to appeal applies retroactively to patients who were affected by a change of status since 2009. Looking ahead, the Medicare Rights Center and others are fighting to eliminate the three-day inpatient stay requirement for SNF care coverage. 

For now, as an individual, stay aware that an outpatient stay can look just like an inpatient stay, with a very different price tag. Ask hospital staff about the status of yourself or loved one, and request a copy of their policies on changes in admission status. 




This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional financial advice from a qualified financial advisor.


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In Sickness and in Health: Aging Together with Different Needs

   



Couples are looking for ways to live together at every level of care. 


Just like a career or a marriage, how we enter older age is personal: no two experiences of aging are the same. For couples, differing care needs can spark hard choices about how to age together in the same place. Continuing care retirement communities are thinking with residents and families about how to make these choices easier.

Many couples with different care needs live in the same communities but in separate buildings or apartments. For example, one spouse lives in memory care, and another has their own home in independent living. While this kind of arrangement still works well for many couples, the pandemic has led others to rethink the risks. A video of one British couple went viral in 2021 when, after a months-long isolation during which the husband needed medical care, the two were finally reunited at the wife’s assisted living community when he moved in. In different continuing care communities worldwide during COVID, many married couples experienced this kind of separation from each other when units were shut down to visitors.

Even during normal times, the more independent spouse often wants to be more than a visitor, while also not becoming a full-time caregiver. Becoming a care partner for a spouse with Alzheimer’s disease or other conditions can be both rewarding and incredibly difficult. “These are fundamentally individual choices that people need to make,” Dr. Vincent Mor of Brown University’s Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research told AARP. “If the well spouse is able to and wants to continue to take care of their loved one, that should be their decision.” Communities are starting to offer more ways for the more independent spouse to continue to support their partner, with support.  

Continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs), also called Life Plan communities, offer a continuum of care, usually described as: 
  • Independent living: People 55 and up live in their own homes or apartments, independently or as a couple, with minimal or no assistance. Amenities might include shared meals, activities, common spaces, and transportation.
  • Assisted living: Individuals or couples live on their own with some support with activities of daily living in the home.
  • Memory care: In a residential setting, people with Alzheimer’s disease or other memory loss have access to the latest therapies and specially trained staff.
  • Skilled nursing care: 24/7 care for all medical needs. 
Individuals may transition into and out of these different levels of care. For couples, that may mean that one partner may have a stint in skilled nursing while the other remains in assisted or independent living, and then the spouse moves back in after a recovery. This flexibility makes them a good choice for couples looking to maximize their time together.

Most CCRCs have a three-type pay structure: 
  • Life Care (Type A): Higher upfront fee, but predictable costs even as care needs increase. Sometimes called a lifecare contract.
  • Modified (Type B): Some services included, but others cost extra
  • Fee-for-Service (Type C): Lower entry cost, but you pay market rates as care needs increase. Sometimes called a fee-for-service contract.

For couples, according to senior living specialist Brad Breeder, there are pros and cons to each choice. If a couple moves into the CCRC together and chooses a Type C contract when they’re both in independent living, then if one spouse needs to move to memory care, for example, the couple will start to pay both a single occupancy rate and for memory care. If they chose Plan A, they’d still be paying the double occupancy rate, but the memory care would be included. 

Other fees, of course, may apply–it’s important to read and talk through the contract before committing to one type of payment. Placement specialists can assist with assessing your and your partner’s needs, budget, and preferences to recommend communities and payment options that could be a good fit for both of you. 

Questions to Ask

If living together is a priority, when considering different communities, make sure to talk about that priority with staff. Here are some questions to ask.
  • Can both partners stay in the same unit with care services brought in for one of them?
  • Is there flexibility in meal plans, care staffing, and daily routines to support one partner needing more assistance?
  • How does the community and staff support the partner who’s acting as a caregiver for the other?
  • Are there additional costs for higher levels of care? How does the pricing structure work?
  • What happens if one spouse eventually needs memory care and the other doesn't? How do staff support residents and their families during that transition?
  • If one partner dies or moves to a different level of care, can the healthy partner stay in their current unit? 

If the couple decide they will live in separate areas of the community but want to maintain as close a connection as possible, ask:
  • Are there shared activities both can attend, regardless of ability?
  • How often and easily can they visit each other?
  • Are there structured programs or staff support to keep them connected, including couples’ counseling or support groups?
  • What are your policies for visitors and overnight stays?





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Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors


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Tuesday, June 10, 2025

Are New Weight Loss Drugs Safe for Older Adults?

 




Drugs like Wegovy promise dramatic weight loss--but muscle and bone are part of that weight lost. 


In 2017, semaglutide–brand name Ozempic–debuted as a treatment for Type 2 diabetes. When semaglutide hit the weight loss market in 2021 as Wegovy, it was hailed as a miracle drug. Both semaglutide and tirzepatide (Zepbound) have the effect of making people feel more full with less food, and also tend to make fatty foods less appealing. 

In the past several years, these drugs have changed the landscape of weight loss for doctors, patients, and drug makers. For some people who have long struggled with weight loss, it’s been life-changing. Kimberly DelRosso, 57 and just over 5 feet tall, told AARP that she lost 50 pounds on Wegovy. “Plus, I no longer have sleep apnea, my A1c and blood pressure are normal, and my arthritis has improved. My intense cravings are gone. After 27 years of yo-yo dieting, this medication has finally helped me lose weight and get healthy.” 

At first glance, Ozempic and similar drugs present major potential health benefits for older Americans. About 39% of Americans over 60 fall into the medical category of “obese,” and about 29% of people over 65 have diabetes. And last March, semaglutide was approved as a preventive drug for people at risk of heart attack, after studies showed that it lowers some people’s risk of a cardiovascular event by up to 20%. 

As more and more people over 60 are prescribed these drugs or seek them out, researchers are still working to understand the risks and benefits for older adults. 

Special Considerations for Older People

Providers can prescribe Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound to adults of any age. Older people will want to talk to their doctor about special concerns including muscle loss and adequate nutrition. Perhaps the biggest concern among doctors when prescribing these weight loss drugs to older adults is that muscle loss and fat loss go hand-in-hand. 

When we lose weight, a portion of every pound we lose is muscle and bone–so everyone taking these drugs, but especially those at risk of osteoporosis, must incorporate strength training into their routine. Older people are already more susceptible to muscle loss, and a sudden drop in muscle strength could translate into a higher risk of falls. 

Older adults also should be especially aware of taking in adequate nutrients while on these medications. Eating less will easily translate into taking in fewer vitamins and minerals, which could lead to nutrient deficiencies–to which older adults are also more susceptible than younger folks. It’s also important for all adults to increase protein intake while taking the drug. 

A sudden loss of weight could also set up an older person with fewer reserves to weather a long-term illness. 

All these considerations are in addition to the regular side effects of the drugs, which may include nausea, diarrhea, gastrointestinal discomfort, and vomiting. Unfortunately, these side effects appear to occur more severely in older adults. Gastrointestinal issues increase the importance of carefully monitoring nutrition. Some patients have also reported increased depression and suicidal ideation as side effects.

The Cost

A single injection of Ozempic or Wegovy costs upwards of $1,000 out of pocket. Since it must be taken weekly, that price tag puts the drug way out of reach for most Americans. Medicare Part D will cover the cost if the drug is prescribed for Type 2 diabetes or heart disease, but not to treat obesity alone. (In April, the CDC rejected a proposed change that would have allowed Medicare to cover these drugs solely for weight loss.) For those who take the drug for Type 2 diabetes or to prevent the risk of cardiovascular events, a Medicare copay will range from $0 to over $300 per dose until the deductible is met. 

Just in the past few months, generic versions of semaglutide and tirzepatide have become less available. After a period of scarcity, the FDA determined that supplies of the drugs are stabilizing and ordered compounding pharmacies to stop making them. The decision is controversial: while some advocates say that many patients won’t be able to access the drugs under the new rules, the FDA and others contest that the ban is necessary to protect consumers from substandard products. 

The Big Picture

There are many reasons to celebrate the advent of semaglutide: for those with Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular risk, the benefits may easily outweigh the risks. And some older adults who have long struggled with health issues related to obesity are finally finding relief. 

Just keep in mind that there’s no “miracle” here–during and after taking Wegovy for weight loss, nutrition and exercise will be as important as ever. According to one study, people who stopped using the drug regained two-thirds of the weight they lost in just one year. For older adults in particular, a careful nutrition plan and strength-training routine are absolutely essential to mitigating the side effects of anti-obesity drugs. As always, talk to your provider about the trade-offs when considering starting any medication for weight loss. 



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Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors

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Volunteering in the Arts

  



Give back to your community and get your culture fix at the same time. 


If you like to click on headlines about health and self-improvement, you’ve probably heard the news: volunteering is good for you. Helping others in your community gets you moving, boosts your mood, and can even lower your blood pressure. What if you could combine the benefits of volunteering with the lift you get from music, art, and culture? All it takes is a little inspiration and local research.

Here are a few volunteer roles that seniors are taking on to support the arts in their communities. 

Usher at a Local Theater

Community theater is alive and well across the country, thanks in part to the volunteers you meet when you arrive at the door. Small local theaters rely on volunteer ushers to greet ticket holders, hand them playbills, and direct them to their seats. Thevolunteers  schedule can involve both evening shows and matinees, and ushers generally get to watch the shows for free. 

“It’s such a joy to be able to help people enjoy live theatre. What a pleasure to work in a historical theatre with all the people that are here!” says Betsey Cooley, a volunteer usher at the Hippodrome Theater in Baltimore. Most theaters with volunteer usher programs have dedicated volunteer coordinators and training requirements, so you’re likely to feel well-prepared before starting your first shift. If your heart has always lifted when the lights go down, becoming an usher could be an exciting and rewarding way to continue to support local show business. 

Museum Docent

For those who are a tad more extroverted, volunteering as a museum docent is a way to learn and share your knowledge. Different museums require differing levels of volunteer training, but in general, you need not have any background in the subject before you start as a volunteer. At The Modern museum of art in Dallas, docents enroll in a class to learn about the museum’s collections and how docents interact with the public. At the Tampa Museum of Art, https://tampamuseum.org/about/volunteer/ Gallery Educator volunteers lead tours for school groups and help visitors connect with exhibits. Some museums may also be looking for (more introverted) volunteers who prefer to wander the galleries keeping an eye on the exhibits and offering directions to visitors. If you have a favorite local museum, consider starting there and asking if they have a volunteer program.

Community Artist

Whether or not you think of yourself as an artist, consider that your community might need more art. The nonprofit Art with a Heart accepts volunteers as individuals and groups to support in manifesting large-scale art projects commissioned by Maryland non-profits. Volunteers can work for an hour or a day at the Art with a Heart studio, contributing to mosaics or paintings that local artists have designed. 

Historic Fife and Drum Corps Member

Yes, this one’s here to make the point that, no matter what your artistic or musical interest is, there’s a volunteer opportunity out there for you! The Minnesota Historical Society lists many open volunteer opportunities, among them Garden Associate, Field Trip Greeter, History Day Judge, and member of the Historic Fort Snelling Fifes and Drums. The intergenerational corps performs at historic sites and community events across Minnesota from May to October and welcomes volunteers with basic musical knowledge. The Minnesota Historical Society brings history to life through music–and they need volunteers to do it. 

Ask and Google around to find your perfect artistic volunteer role. You might end up sharing your expertise, and you’ll most likely learn something completely new in the process. And that’s good for your health and your community.


Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors



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Monday, June 9, 2025

Famous & 65

 

Look who's turning 65 this month

Find out which celebrities are turning 65 this month!

June 11 

This Turkish-American cardiothoracic surgeon rose to fame as a frequent guest on The Oprah Winfrey Show, where his engaging explanations of medical topics earned him the nickname “America’s Doctor.” In 2009, he launched his own daytime talk show where he blended health advice and celebrity interviews into a popular, and sometimes controversial, format. Known for promoting alternative health remedies alongside mainstream medical information, he sparked debates within the scientific and medical communities. In 2022, he shifted from television to politics, running as the Republican nominee for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania. He ultimately lost the election to John Fetterman. Earlier this year, he was appointed by President Trump as the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Answer: Who is…. (click here to reveal)?



June 17

This Texas-born actor began his career in the early 1990s with a breakout role as the dim-witted but lovable Lowell Mather on the sitcom Wings. He later transitioned into film: early on, he appeared as the villain Lyle van de Groot in George of the Jungle (1997). Not long after, he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Jack, a charming but troubled groom-to-be, in the 2004 indie hit Sideways. Known for his rugged voice and understated delivery, he’s often cast as a villain–he played Flint Marko, a.k.a. Sandman, in Spider-Man 3 (2007) and Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). Beyond acting, he’s also worked behind the camera as a director and writer and spends much of his time on his ranch in Texas. Answer: Who is…. (click here to reveal)?



June 22

Despite a lack of any formal legal training, this environmental activist became a national figure in the 1990s after helping build a groundbreaking case against Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for contaminating the water supply in Hinkley, California. Working as a legal assistant, she uncovered documents and rallied residents, ultimately leading to a historic $333 million settlement, the largest of its kind at the time. Her story inspired a 2000 film starring Julia Roberts, who won an Academy Award for portraying her. Since then, she’s continued to speak out on environmental and public health issues across the U.S. Answer: Who is…. (click here to reveal)?





Source:

Wikipedia




Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors
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