tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76689976573463870142024-03-15T18:11:32.782-07:00Society of Certified Senior AdvisorsThe Certified Senior Advisors Blog educates and informs professionals in the fields of aging.Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03704394971740291433noreply@blogger.comBlogger1085125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-82929292699022570452024-03-14T14:55:00.000-07:002024-03-14T14:55:33.042-07:0010 Spring DIY Crafts to Enjoy with Your Kids or Grandkids<p>As the flowers start to bloom and the weather becomes more inviting, it's the perfect time to channel your inner creativity and engage in some delightful spring DIY crafts with your kids or grandkids. From vibrant paper flowers to adorable bird feeders, these projects are not only fun but also an excellent way to bond with your little ones. Let's dive into 10 spring-inspired DIY crafts that will bring a burst of color and joy into your home.</p><p>1. Paper Plate Butterflies:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Z8lUdccCSXyYHABTubPI4gv5sRipVVAB4xa4kAhJXQXmX36DZdo4dpDDuyd-CIJJ26eRWb5mtIeXji8XqxRNLP7Th_OhinyvbUO_s2aAzJXI4XbNfqfnxXM2ZZSZvgqEQVVSjpOP0mM4ZgNEvMzdKXV8L6LvGemMZO0S2CPINXjAu5vQ86_5In1ToMI/s500/craft%20paper%20butterly.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="500" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Z8lUdccCSXyYHABTubPI4gv5sRipVVAB4xa4kAhJXQXmX36DZdo4dpDDuyd-CIJJ26eRWb5mtIeXji8XqxRNLP7Th_OhinyvbUO_s2aAzJXI4XbNfqfnxXM2ZZSZvgqEQVVSjpOP0mM4ZgNEvMzdKXV8L6LvGemMZO0S2CPINXjAu5vQ86_5In1ToMI/s320/craft%20paper%20butterly.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Transform ordinary paper plates into beautiful butterflies with a splash of paint, some googly eyes, rhinestones, and pipe cleaners. Let your kids or grandkids mix and match colors to create a kaleidoscope of fluttering creatures that will brighten up any room.</p><p><br /></p><p>2. Egg Carton Flower Wreath:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYZDEj6E31akUxxfV8vONi9cwoG-2yagssu6zU-rkIA4mCLCODUWb0256cvk_fX0IoEebuK77J_s3S7Sy-VLLBkGH6IAu1O3ldsNrn-rq_86Lx3cv-uE_SVvH3sQzoF-Yw80IRTqwbpJrIpcPzTRQk9uSgF7NhcHOkAkV17qAb9M3ODeSkCmV3ho6CD8/s500/wreath%20craft.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYZDEj6E31akUxxfV8vONi9cwoG-2yagssu6zU-rkIA4mCLCODUWb0256cvk_fX0IoEebuK77J_s3S7Sy-VLLBkGH6IAu1O3ldsNrn-rq_86Lx3cv-uE_SVvH3sQzoF-Yw80IRTqwbpJrIpcPzTRQk9uSgF7NhcHOkAkV17qAb9M3ODeSkCmV3ho6CD8/s320/wreath%20craft.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Repurpose empty egg cartons into a garden of blooming flowers. Cut the egg carton cups into different shapes, paint them in various hues, and attach them to a ring. Attach them with hot glue for a charming and everlasting bouquet.</p><p><br /></p><p>3. Nature Collage Frames:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiXukdoT4cUd-c5As3wkKZsiVvPeGVqWI33kzrzBi4fMyjPBO4z0-ivLsYS6zGnHGrMTl08y9g2X3UMV2Gls2LyhQ5tcKSzMNl5FU_mlYKMdW3yMXlJonSmwRYCAWu_MTE1R0-ww76a61-i-tJHHxu44h0ut3d-BbCSg993rOtB5ef9jIH1ZAHrrgQaI/s500/craft%20-%20nature%20frame.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="500" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGiXukdoT4cUd-c5As3wkKZsiVvPeGVqWI33kzrzBi4fMyjPBO4z0-ivLsYS6zGnHGrMTl08y9g2X3UMV2Gls2LyhQ5tcKSzMNl5FU_mlYKMdW3yMXlJonSmwRYCAWu_MTE1R0-ww76a61-i-tJHHxu44h0ut3d-BbCSg993rOtB5ef9jIH1ZAHrrgQaI/s320/craft%20-%20nature%20frame.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Take a nature walk with your little ones to collect leaves, flowers, and small twigs. Use these treasures to create beautiful collages within picture frames. This simple project not only showcases your child's creativity but also celebrates the wonders of the season.</p><p><br /></p><p>4. Rainbow Windsocks:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Y3ANzmT2PuTYa10tDIx8PuxR1O0bo_oR9pjzaVNU5yYz62TEb9xw8xCPv7gk9F-bnEDbJ6ZUa70nghZghNeNDPlBVR98AZU05EXOC3VmJiXpl2pXZHmNic2svTMdScAYihWL0wmxIutThwWiKWvpTSqiO74F70YUrKU7Ojrzh3hM56ASnP6bkQD01fk/s500/craft%20-%20wind%20thing.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="500" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Y3ANzmT2PuTYa10tDIx8PuxR1O0bo_oR9pjzaVNU5yYz62TEb9xw8xCPv7gk9F-bnEDbJ6ZUa70nghZghNeNDPlBVR98AZU05EXOC3VmJiXpl2pXZHmNic2svTMdScAYihWL0wmxIutThwWiKWvpTSqiO74F70YUrKU7Ojrzh3hM56ASnP6bkQD01fk/s320/craft%20-%20wind%20thing.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Celebrate the vibrant colors of spring by crafting rainbow windsocks. Use colored paper or fabric to create strips that can be attached to a paper towel roll. Hang these cheerful windsocks outside to dance in the spring breeze.</p><p><br /></p><p>5. Ladybug Rocks:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKI7kN8FZ0SR6CjfZeGOSsfRJxVHRJyx_SbC0gaxAYJYAhvWOqMAUVix-_AiQdBk7Pjjvzf5z7b_l6R17aC6CYKLrJdS6gS8Xq8WpKgY3cK857ZAsOVryjmkZxFUbo2WWsWmUGF36A6NylxOXXja_MNG-HDFXodqMIvS8cir9UctepdBHHcUnSzE48-UA/s500/craft%20-%20ladybug.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="500" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKI7kN8FZ0SR6CjfZeGOSsfRJxVHRJyx_SbC0gaxAYJYAhvWOqMAUVix-_AiQdBk7Pjjvzf5z7b_l6R17aC6CYKLrJdS6gS8Xq8WpKgY3cK857ZAsOVryjmkZxFUbo2WWsWmUGF36A6NylxOXXja_MNG-HDFXodqMIvS8cir9UctepdBHHcUnSzE48-UA/s320/craft%20-%20ladybug.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Transform ordinary rocks into adorable ladybugs with a bit of paint. Let your kids experiment with different colors and patterns to create a whole family of charming critters. These ladybug rocks can be scattered around the garden for a whimsical touch.</p><p><br /></p><p>6. Tissue Paper Cherry Blossoms:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hvNmmrCo7TJAIvzNqXM55quUrt4pIYMt3tOCWOUiTcIWensqYvGzoY1tZqwnyKiFnfjc5BcZP0IzXki4ZFtS6e6bofSzLrVUpCvRdKgfVP7Sv7U-BEoFHBIpTBn1U8Qn57TujNHs3OehAtdc1b9F49uBDpcSD-mAdY3H_xdJI7v8b5n7GWtI000NYp4/s520/craft%20tissue%20paper.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="372" data-original-width="520" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6hvNmmrCo7TJAIvzNqXM55quUrt4pIYMt3tOCWOUiTcIWensqYvGzoY1tZqwnyKiFnfjc5BcZP0IzXki4ZFtS6e6bofSzLrVUpCvRdKgfVP7Sv7U-BEoFHBIpTBn1U8Qn57TujNHs3OehAtdc1b9F49uBDpcSD-mAdY3H_xdJI7v8b5n7GWtI000NYp4/s320/craft%20tissue%20paper.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Create a stunning display of cherry blossoms using tissue paper. Cut pink and white tissue paper into small squares, crumple them, and attach them to tree branches using glue. Your kids or grandkids will love watching their blossoms come to life in a burst of color. <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/509891989078486178/">Check it out here!</a></p><p><br /></p><p>7. Butterfly Magnets</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aKX66udPoPWZXSkDbogk1YQjJ09aqUAp98rjyOgzTF7Q7n_qFgQ4HQ6-6vLu-qlrNFwvFQW6q3el5nRpjQ_szJWoQImeQx5dFICFBPZex7TzrUG5YB6vimjkCAZRrKbn6eK-Hj9aF0Y-QmWzZPuDudZBlbDojjlYafB47TkYXkD6lRjyhV53y2Ko9e0/s724/GettyImages-2032208943%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="483" data-original-width="724" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3aKX66udPoPWZXSkDbogk1YQjJ09aqUAp98rjyOgzTF7Q7n_qFgQ4HQ6-6vLu-qlrNFwvFQW6q3el5nRpjQ_szJWoQImeQx5dFICFBPZex7TzrUG5YB6vimjkCAZRrKbn6eK-Hj9aF0Y-QmWzZPuDudZBlbDojjlYafB47TkYXkD6lRjyhV53y2Ko9e0/s320/GettyImages-2032208943%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Bring the magic of butterflies indoors with this delightful magnet craft. Provide your kids with butterfly templates or let them create their own designs on colored paper. Attach a small magnet to the back, and voila! You'll have a collection of vibrant butterflies to add a touch of spring to your fridge or any magnetic surface. Watch as your little ones proudly showcase their fluttering creations.</p><p><br /></p><p>8. Springtime Sensory Jars:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYPm7L6RaEsClH8IX-qO7zMPgLaFuSQHHI75bwZlOco9hZcG0GPgmDWAFEq2Z1XCgdycdOxMPWHEO3UlwkPdpAHytwFP1U-1y_FrEH4RmpvoE-mZNtZgvBaVBajnMPRS39KxSQqGf45DTS1oEZuAWJkOw_3xREXskpI4bK1WQqrQ7wpu3Ddv5FuDD40w/s500/craft%20sensory%20jars.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="500" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzYPm7L6RaEsClH8IX-qO7zMPgLaFuSQHHI75bwZlOco9hZcG0GPgmDWAFEq2Z1XCgdycdOxMPWHEO3UlwkPdpAHytwFP1U-1y_FrEH4RmpvoE-mZNtZgvBaVBajnMPRS39KxSQqGf45DTS1oEZuAWJkOw_3xREXskpI4bK1WQqrQ7wpu3Ddv5FuDD40w/s320/craft%20sensory%20jars.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Engage your child's senses by creating spring-themed sensory jars. Fill clear jars with items like flower petals, grass, or even a drop of essential oil for a fragrant touch. Seal the jars and let your little ones explore the different textures and scents of spring.</p><p><br /></p><p>9. Fingerprint Cherry Blossom Tree:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-r_FO4cAAOYxHtlPgPk_qDX4UPVTRwqH_t8ylGA_bz5UY46L0dsCRkWgUkEmwJUmr4hyPIVN4KgX1JN9mEaiiWU3Nqa1ZX97Jq2GkcHXhCBHv1JZNLMrIZXIN5cIS24_Ne35qDlnafpSGzNZBlvsWaVBhvfShDkvVPqckc82IAVq25LFWUy4bPzJ1CKg/s500/craft%20finerpaint.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="500" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-r_FO4cAAOYxHtlPgPk_qDX4UPVTRwqH_t8ylGA_bz5UY46L0dsCRkWgUkEmwJUmr4hyPIVN4KgX1JN9mEaiiWU3Nqa1ZX97Jq2GkcHXhCBHv1JZNLMrIZXIN5cIS24_Ne35qDlnafpSGzNZBlvsWaVBhvfShDkvVPqckc82IAVq25LFWUy4bPzJ1CKg/s320/craft%20finerpaint.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Capture the essence of spring with a fingerprint cherry blossom tree. Use brown paint for the tree trunk and let your child create delicate blossoms by dipping their fingertips in pink paint. This craft not only produces a beautiful piece of art but also makes for a cherished keepsake.</p><p><br /></p><p>10. Bird Feeder Craft:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgho4AGj0u4-drC4a_2iy1xNwttABBXuBOZojDaTwsdtpaHgctjf1FrJ4LfAlogKF_iqA5hBuxdnzIhJHaMLj2SeTAzZIKMbthU3zBu3zw2xdy5ckbOxJ0m64Vh75PHUhWv39PP3jIRFixJLhT6yfEs_iAXEj0UigMkRPHa7cASYjIX1Agnbu2FZ535vUQ/s500/craft%20birdfeeer.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="500" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgho4AGj0u4-drC4a_2iy1xNwttABBXuBOZojDaTwsdtpaHgctjf1FrJ4LfAlogKF_iqA5hBuxdnzIhJHaMLj2SeTAzZIKMbthU3zBu3zw2xdy5ckbOxJ0m64Vh75PHUhWv39PP3jIRFixJLhT6yfEs_iAXEj0UigMkRPHa7cASYjIX1Agnbu2FZ535vUQ/s320/craft%20birdfeeer.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Encourage a love for nature by crafting simple bird feeders. Coat pinecones in peanut butter and roll them in birdseed. Hang these tasty treats in your backyard and watch as colorful birds flock to enjoy a springtime feast.</p><p><br /></p><p>Spring is the perfect season to embrace creativity and spend quality time with your little ones through DIY crafts. These 10 projects not only bring a burst of color and joy into your home but also provide an opportunity to learn, bond and appreciate the beauty of nature. So, grab your crafting supplies and let the springtime creativity bloom!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i>Brought to you by Tara Schumann, Digital Media Specialist for The Society of Certified Senior Advisors.</i></p>Tara Schumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02347861504842502685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-45339306694774597582024-03-13T08:57:00.000-07:002024-03-14T09:26:45.918-07:00Beyond Fosamax: Options for Osteoporosis <h3>
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<h3>Osteoporosis is widespread in the senior community, and there is no cure. What options are available to someone looking for more than the usual prescribed drug?</h3>
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<div><div>Half of Americans aged 50 and up have low bone density (osteopenia) or full-blown osteoporosis. It’s more common in women (especially after menopause), but guys, you are not immune. A man is more likely to break a bone due to osteoporosis than to get prostate cancer, according to the Bone Health and Osteoporosis Foundation. In fact, the disease causes two million broken bones every year.</div><div><br /></div><div>Currently, there is no cure. Patients are most often prescribed Fosamax, a biophosphonate that can slow bone loss. However, it has a host of potential <a href="https://www.drugs.com/fosamax.html" target="_blank"><b>side effects</b></a> including problems with your esophagus and stomach. In rare cases, it may actually cause bone loss in the jaw or femur. </div></div><div><br /></div>
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<tr><td><h3>How is Bone Density Measured? </h3><div><div>There’s a simple way to measure bone density called a DEXA scan. It’s an imaging test that uses very low-level x-rays to show bone health. It’s quick, lasting about 25 minutes, painless and low-cost. Medicare will pay for a DEXA scan every two years, or more if you have special circumstances.</div><div><br /></div></div>
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</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div>Many older adults with bone loss understandably look further afield for ways to stop the progression of this common disease. Two regimes that are widely supported within the medical community concern diet and exercise. We also examine jump exercise, the use of a weighted vest, aqua therapy, and the use of a vibration plate. Lastly, we look at OsteoStrong clinics.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Osteoporosis Diet</h3><div>Foods that are good for bone health include dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese. Fatty fish like salmon and tuna rate highly, as do many fruits and vegetables. Go <a href="https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/patients/treatment/nutrition/" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a> for a complete list. There is some research suggesting that olive oil, blueberries, soybeans and foods containing a lot of omega-3s, such as fish oil and flaxseed oil, provide benefits. </div><div><br /></div><div>Foods to be aware of include beans, which contain phytates that can interfere with calcium absorption. And while getting enough protein is important, special high-meat diets can cause your body to lose calcium. Eating too much salt can also cause your body to leach calcium, so aim for a maximum of less than 2,300 mg per day. Oddly, 100% wheat bran decreases calcium absorption. If you eat bran cereal as a “healthy” breakfast option, be aware that it’s preventing your bones from using much of the calcium in the milk you pour over it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Not surprisingly, heavy drinking is not advised for those with bone loss since it can result in further erosion. Coffee, tea, and soft drinks can decrease calcium absorption. Although the carbonation in soda isn’t harmful, it appears the caffeine and phosphorous (listed as “phosphate” or “phosphoric acid”) can be. Some studies show that colas, and not other soft drinks, are the culprit. Finally, it may just be that replacing milk and other calcium-fortified beverages is the root problem.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Osteo Supplements</h3><div>Whenever you consider supplements, it’s important to get your doctor’s advice. They can interfere with other drugs, and may worsen certain conditions, such as kidney stones. When you do choose appropriate supplements, make sure what’s in them is what’s on the label. Getting supplements certified by the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) means they have been tested for ingredients and contaminants.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Bone Workout</h3><div>Two types of exercise are particularly helpful for anyone with osteoporosis: weight bearing and muscle strengthening. Weight-bearing exercise includes what you do standing up, such as hiking, dancing, walking upstairs and jogging. Low-impact weight-bearing exercise is done using elliptical or stair-step machines, fast walking on treadmills or outside, and low-impact aerobics.</div><div><br /></div><div>Muscle strengthening is done with free weights or weight machines, using elastic bands or by lifting your own bodyweight. Check <a href="https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/?s=exercise" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a> for more information as well as links to exercise videos.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, not all exercises are appropriate for all people, especially since stress fractures can occur. A growing trend, especially online, is to have specialist osteo coaches and osteo physical therapists. One to try who is highly regarded is <a href="https://learn.melioguide.com/individual-coaching-60-minutes" target="_blank"><b>Margaret Martin</b></a> of Canada. You can also find someone you might like by searching for “osteo workout” on youTube. Be sure to get your doctor’s approval before you begin.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30341594/" target="_blank"><b>Jumping exercise</b></a> is something easy to do at home, and it offers greater bone-building benefits than jogging, according to a study in the American Journal of Health Promotion. In <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30341594/" target="_blank"><b>various studies</b></a>, jumping was done straight up from the floor, off of a low box, from side to side and from front to back. Some had participants jump 10 times, twice per day. Others had more varied jump workouts, with protocols such as waiting at least 10 seconds between jumps. Ask your doctor before starting a jumping workout; it’s not advised for those with very brittle bones. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Weighted Vest</h3><div>One <a href="https://academic.oup.com/biomedgerontology/article/55/9/M489/2948038?login=false" target="_blank"><b>study</b></a> showed that postmenopausal women who wore a weighted vest while jumping three days per week arrested bone loss in the hip area. Participants continued the regime for more than five years, showing strong compliance. It’s simple to do at home, and a weighted vest is easy to order off the internet. </div><div><br /></div><div>At Wake Forest University, Dr. Kristen Beavers is wrapping up a years-long study this April on the benefit of wearing a weighted vest to maintain bone health while losing weight. A pilot study had participants wear a two-pound vest about 6.5 hours a day, adding weight in two-ounce increments to the vest as participants lost it from their body. “With the weighted vest, you’re keeping yourself at an equal load while you lose weight,” Dr. Beavers said. “We know that not all, but a lot, of bone loss that occurs when you drop pounds is because of this ‘unloading effect.’” People who wore the vest in the pilot study reduced loss of hip bone dramatically.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Aquatic Exercise</h3><div>A meta-analysis of <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8955208/" target="_blank"><b>aquatic exercises for people with osteoarthritis</b></a> may be useful for osteoporosis patients who experience joint pain and dysfunction, or those who are unable to exercise on a hard surface. The buoyancy of water can be particularly helpful for people with excess weight, since the water helps support their bulk. Hydrotherapy can improve gait and posture with minimal joint stress. Go to Hydroworx https://www.hydroworx.com/research-education/additional-resources/aquatic-exercises-for-seniors/ for specific exercises including warmup and strength training. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Vibrating Therapy Plates</h3><div><a href="https://marodyne.btt-health.com/" target="_blank"><b>Marodyne low-intensity vibration (LiV)</b></a> and the similar US-made <a href="https://www.juvent.com/" target="_blank"><b>Juvent</b></a> micro-impact platform are non-drug interventions used to treat osteoporosis. Developed for astronauts, it works by standing on a plate that delivers vibration throughout your body. The companies claim their devices redevelop bone and muscle tissue while improving balance and mobility. </div><div><br /></div><div>These are different from high-vibrating machines that may be found in some gyms, which can worsen some problems, such as detached retinas. The Marodyne LiV has no contraindications and no known side effects and is a certified Class IIa (intermediate risk) medical device. The Juvent is a Class I (low risk) medical device whose claims have not been cleared by the FDA.</div><div><br /></div><div>The Marodyne LiV is available for about $3,000, while the Juvent product runs a cool $5,995. You may be able to find a location near you that has one or the other available for a small fee. Talk to your doctor about the risks or benefits of using one of these machines to determine if it is right for you.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">OsteoStrong Clinics</h3><div>Popping up like mushrooms after a rain, <a href="https://www.osteostrongpgh.com/resources/what-is-osteostrong" target="_blank"><b>OsteoStrong</b></a> clinics offer a four-device circuit that delivers low-impact exercise. The company claims that one 15-minute session per week is all it takes to improve strength, performance, balance and overall vitality. It uses a process called osteogenic loading to induce axial compression to simulate high impact forces in a safer environment. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some OsteoStrong members report improved bone density, balance and strength, as well as reduced joint pain. Some members of the healthcare community have taken issue with some of these results, especially concerning claims to reverse bone loss. Others find that OsteoStrong’s peer-reviewed, science-based program is a valid treatment. It’s worth discussing with your doctor if this treatment could help you.</div><div><br /></div><div>A growing number of older adults suffer from bone loss – and many don’t even know it until a fracture sends them to the hospital. Ask your doctor if you should get a bone scan. If you’re one of the many with this disease, evaluate your options carefully. There is a lot more you can do than just taking Fosamax. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/wp-content/uploads/Osteoporosis-Fast-Facts-2.pdf" target="_blank">https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/wp-content/uploads/Osteoporosis-Fast-Facts-2.pdf</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/patients/treatment/nutrition/" target="_blank">https://www.bonehealthandosteoporosis.org/patients/treatment/nutrition/</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/bone-health/nutrition-for-bones/are-there-any-foods-i-should-avoid/" target="_blank">https://theros.org.uk/information-and-support/bone-health/nutrition-for-bones/are-there-any-foods-i-should-avoid/</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.drugs.com/fosamax.html" target="_blank">https://www.drugs.com/fosamax.html</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/supplements-herbs/how-to-know-if-youre-buying-a-good-supplement-brand" target="_blank">https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/supplements-herbs/how-to-know-if-youre-buying-a-good-supplement-brand</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1817798#:~:text=There%20are%203%20classes%20of,devices%20are%20intermediate%2Drisk%20devices" target="_blank">https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/1817798#:~:text=There%20are%203%20classes%20of,devices%20are%20intermediate%2Drisk%20devices</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/10683-dexa-dxa-scan-bone-density-test" target="_blank">https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/10683-dexa-dxa-scan-bone-density-test</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30341594/" target="_blank">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30341594/</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://hes.wfu.edu/2020/01/24/dr-kristen-beavers-can-weighted-vests-help-maintain-bone-health-when-older-adults-slim-down/" target="_blank">https://hes.wfu.edu/2020/01/24/dr-kristen-beavers-can-weighted-vests-help-maintain-bone-health-when-older-adults-slim-down/</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1466&context=honorsprojects" target="_blank">https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1466&context=honorsprojects</a></u></span></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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</div>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-83976634365263795072024-03-12T08:17:00.000-07:002024-03-12T08:17:00.235-07:00Preparing Your Portfolio for Retirement<h3>
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<h3>Moving from saving mode to pulling money out of your retirement fund once you stop working necessitates re-evaluating how your portfolio is structured and what priorities to consider. </h3>
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<div><div>When you’ve been diligently putting money into your retirement portfolio for most of your life, it can be a shock transitioning to taking money out. Formerly bold investors can become timid, and frugal savers may suddenly go on a spending spree. The best way to avoid a bump in the road is to pull over several years ahead of retirement and create a plan with your financial advisor. </div><div><br /></div></div>
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<tr><td><h3>Does 100 Minus Your Age in Stocks Still Work?</h3><div><div>The old rule of thumb was to start with 100, then take away your age to arrive at what percentage of your portfolio should be invested in stocks. But with longer lifespans and better returns from stocks than bonds, professionals are rethinking the advice. </div><div><br /></div><div>"We don't use a hard and fast rule when applying the asset allocation," May says. "It's more important to understand one's risk tolerance, and then figure out the mix that works best for them. If you start to look at what your mix should be in retirement five years in advance, you can come up with a plan and then make adjustments to the plan and ensure that it's actually implemented two to three years prior to retirement.”</div></div><div><br /></div>
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</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div>“You start to re-analyze the portfolio and discuss with your advisor any strategic changes that need to be made, and ensure that those changes have been implemented two to three years before retirement,” says Brooke V. May, managing partner at Evans May Wealth in Carmel, Indiana. “If you start to look at what your mix should be in retirement five years in advance, you can come up with a plan and then make adjustments to the plan and ensure that it's actually implemented two to three years prior to retirement.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Here’s what you’ll want to consider:</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Shift your mindset from growth to preservation</b>. Take a look at how much of your portfolio is in more conservative assets like bonds, which tend to increase in value when stocks go down. They also don’t return as much as stocks over time. Assess your risk tolerance and make a plan for keeping a balanced portfolio.</li><li><b>Decide when withdrawals will begin</b>. Estimate when you plan to retire from the workforce, and if you’ll continue to work part-time afterward. It’s fine to change your mind later, but best to make a plan now based on your best guess. You may be able to delay withdrawals while you use other sources of income or continue working.</li><li><b>Estimate your withdrawal rate</b>. Check with your advisor to see how much you can reasonably withdraw, based on the value of your portfolio. Research based on past returns suggests a 4% rate is safe over 30 years with a 50/50 portfolio of stocks to bonds, but every situation is unique. </li><li><b>Put away enough cash for a year of expenses</b>. Having cash on hand will give you peace of mind if the market falls. You should have enough to pay for all of your needs, except what is covered by a pension, Social Security or other source of income.</li><li><b>Invest a few years’ worth of income in stable assets</b>. Put several years’ worth of income into bonds, a bond fund, or a CD ladder. This will allow you to hold stocks if the market takes a sustained hit, and not to sell when prices have dropped. Replenish this cushion as you spend it down.</li><li><b>Take another look at your diversification</b>. You may have become overloaded on assets that have done well recently, or on company stock, for example. Check over allocations on an annual basis and rebalance. </li><li><b>Consider switching from growth stocks to dividend producers</b>. When your goal is steady income, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S&P_500_Dividend_Aristocrats" target="_blank"><b>high-dividend stocks</b></a> have an advantage over growth stocks, which often offer no dividend or an extremely small one.</li><li><b>Plan to be tax-efficient</b>. You may be able to roll over assets from tax-deferred accounts to a Roth, or plan to take more income from taxable or tax-free accounts in certain years to control your income. You can also use charitable donations in your favor, especially at age 70 ½. </li><li><b>Check for fees</b>. Now is a good time to check expense ratios on ETFs and funds. Assess whether you could get a similar product for less.</li><li><b>Start thinking about required minimum distributions (RMDs)</b>. They won’t start until <a href="https://www.nstp.org/article/secure-act-2-0-%E2%80%93-when-does-the-rmd-start#:~:text=Those%20who%20turned%2072%20in,late%20as%20April%201%2C%202025" target="_blank"><b>age 73</b></a> for most folks, but they are withdrawals stipulated by the government that will trigger ordinary income taxes on your tax-deferred accounts. </li><li><b>Continue to look at your plan annually</b>. Everything changes, from your health to your hobbies to taxes. A retirement plan has to be flexible to reflect your actual life, not the one you planned for last year or a decade ago. Update it every year to reflect the new you.</li></ul></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><i>This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional financial advice from a qualified financial advisor.</i></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://financebuzz.com/post-retirement-investment-tweaks" target="_blank">https://financebuzz.com/post-retirement-investment-tweaks</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/401ks/articles/how-to-rebalance-your-portfolio-after-retirement" target="_blank">https://money.usnews.com/money/retirement/401ks/articles/how-to-rebalance-your-portfolio-after-retirement</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://financebuzz.com/post-retirement-investment-tweaks" target="_blank">https://financebuzz.com/post-retirement-investment-tweaks</a></u></span></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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</div>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-42741479009811647672024-03-09T08:10:00.000-08:002024-03-09T08:10:13.734-08:00You Will Fall. Get Ready Now<h3>
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<h3>The death rate from falls among older adults is alarming. Act now to keep from becoming part of this statistic.</h3>
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<div><div>Americans 65 and older are dying from falls at more than double the rate they did just two decades ago, according to a <a href="https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2804614#:~:text=Between%201999%20and%202020,%20478,70.1)%20deaths%20per%20100%20000" target="_blank"><b>new study</b></a>. That makes falling a leading cause of injury death, and a huge cost burden on the healthcare system and seniors. About 800,000 older Americans wind up in the hospital after a fall, usually for a head injury or broken hip.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Falls are Devastating</h3><div>More than 60% of falls happen at home. Apart from the cost to our stretched healthcare system of over $50 billion every year, falls are often devastating on a personal level. It’s not just the financial hit, which can be substantial if, say, a hip fracture sends you to a managed care facility or causes you to need help at home temporarily or permanently. The healing and recovery process itself can be impactful.<br /></div></div><div><br /></div>
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<tr><td><h3>Assessing Your Risk</h3><div>The National Council on Aging offers a <a href="https://www.ncoa.org/age-well-planner/assessment/falls-free-checkup" target="_blank"><b>free risk assessment</b></a> online. The Council’s position is that falls are not a natural part of aging and we should be proactive about reducing risk. You’ll answer 13 easy questions to get your fall risk score and tips on how to reduce your likelihood of a fall.</div><div> </div><div><h3>Strength and Balance Exercises for Seniors</h3></div><div>Building strength and balance can be particularly helpful to avoid falls. Any exercise is better than none. One simple thing you can do is to stand on one leg for as long as you can, several times a day. For a great free video featuring fall-prevention exercises, google Johns Hopkins Medicine Fall Prevention Exercises on YouTube.</div>
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</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div>You may go from being a healthy, active adult to someone who needs months of rehab and therapy, perhaps with surgery. It’s time-consuming at best and may cause depression and despair. Many older adults must cut therapy short because only a certain amount is covered by health insurance. There’s no guarantee you’ll get back to your former activity level or be able to do the things you love, whether that’s traveling or playing with grandchildren. </div><div><br /></div><div>Writer Bill First and his wife <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/billfrist/2023/11/01/you-or-your-parents-are-going-to-fall-heres-what-you-must-know/?sh=172c94e22197" target="_blank"><b>found out the hard way</b></a>. First tumbled down his basement steps while carrying a large box and injured his back, requiring surgery and months of rehab. His wife, Tracy, suffered broken bones and a dislocated ankle when their exuberant border collie accidentally plowed into her when it was racing around outside. She, too, underwent surgery and physical therapy for months in a bid to get back to the long walks and horseback riding that had been a daily part of her life. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Why Do Seniors Fall?</h3><div>Our bodies lose muscle mass as we age. This leads to poor balance, a reduction in strength and a less steady gait. Our diet may worsen, with inadequate calcium and Vitamin D for bone strength when we’re at greatest risk for osteoporosis, or porous bones. Vision and hearing may be declining, along with reaction time. Our beloved pets cause about 87,000 falls annually, with dogs more than seven times as likely as cats to send a family member to the hospital.</div><div><br /></div><div>As we age, we take more medications. Antidepressants and sedatives make us drowsy, and diseases like Parkinson’s and hypertension add to the risk of falling. Blood thinners that inhibit clotting are a danger when someone taking them falls and hits their head.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you’re over 55, you’re going to fall sooner or later. But there are steps you can take to tilt the odds in your favor; to help you fall less and keep you out of the hospital. The good news is, these are things that will improve your health and wellbeing overall. </div><div><br /></div><div>Prevention is the Best Cure</div><div>Fortunately, there are precautions we can take to keep falls to a minimum:</div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your medications and supplements.</li><li>Get your hearing and eyesight checked.</li><li>Install grab bars in your bathroom.</li><li>Put rails on both sides of stairs.</li><li>Get rid of small throw rugs or secure them so they don’t slip.</li><li>Wear comfortable shoes with low or no heels and grippy soles.</li><li>Add lighting sources to your home and use bright bulbs.</li><li>Use night lights.</li><li>Use non-slip mats in showers and tubs.</li><li>Exercise often to keep agile. </li><li>Get enough calcium and vitamin D.</li><li>Add gripping tape to bare stairs.</li><li>Remove clutter from pathways around furniture.</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>After you’ve made your own home safer, pass on the knowledge to parents and other loved ones. We can reduce this epidemic and make Americans safer and healthier at the same time. </div></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/billfrist/2023/11/01/you-or-your-parents-are-going-to-fall-heres-what-you-must-know/?sh=5d02930c2197" target="_blank">https://www.forbes.com/sites/billfrist/2023/11/01/you-or-your-parents-are-going-to-fall-heres-what-you-must-know/?sh=5d02930c2197</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-05-12/rate-of-fatal-falls-among-u-s-seniors-doubled-in-20-years" target="_blank">https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2023-05-12/rate-of-fatal-falls-among-u-s-seniors-doubled-in-20-years</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-falls-prevention/falls-and-fractures-older-adults-causes-and-prevention" target="_blank">https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/falls-and-falls-prevention/falls-and-fractures-older-adults-causes-and-prevention</a></u></span></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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<div>Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors</div></div></div>
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</div><i></i>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-55883817897659823372024-03-08T07:55:00.000-08:002024-03-08T07:55:53.131-08:00Best Phone Plans for Seniors 2024<h3>
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<h3>One thing nearly all older adults have to spend money on is a phone plan. Here’s what to look for, including price, and some of the best options.</h3>
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<div><div>If you haven’t already reviewed your phone plan for 2024, it’s time to take a moment and make sure you’re getting the most bang for your buck. Don’t just keep the same plan year after year. Like home and car insurance, your phone plan is something you should review annually because your needs change, and so do plans and prices. Most every carrier now lets you keep your phone number, too.</div></div><div><br /></div>
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<tr><td><h3>How Much Data Do I Need?</h3><div><div>If you’re unsure about your data usage, here are some rough guidelines. </div><div><ul><li>Calling and texting only: no data needed</li><li>Emailing and messaging: less than 5G of data per month</li><li>Social media and browsing the Web: 5G per month</li><li>Streaming music: 10G a month</li><li>Streaming high-definition video: at least 10G per month</li></ul></div></div>
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</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div>Some carriers do offer plans specifically for seniors. However, you’ll have to do your homework to see if that’s best for you. They may only be offered in one state, or another plan may better fit your needs. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">How to Pick a Plan</h3><div>There are four criteria to consider before choosing the plan that’s right for you:</div><div><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Usage</b>. Do you use your phone for calls and texts only, or are you checking social media and diving into apps away from home? If you’re out of Wi-Fi range, you’ll need a data allowance for playing games, using your news app, browsing the internet and a whole lot more. Check your current plan to find out how much data you use per month.</li><li><b>Coverage</b>. There are three major carriers for service: Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. Almost every plan is from one of these, even if they pony off their network. It’s important to know which one has the best coverage in your area, especially if you’re in a more rural place. Ask your neighbors which one they use and if they’re happy with the service. You can also check local coverage below. Most networks are 4G, but major cities often offer 5G, which is a bit faster. To use 5G, you must have a compatible phone.</li><ul><li><a href="https://www.verizon.com/support/knowledge-base-16455/" target="_blank"><b>Verizon</b></a></li><li><a href="https://www.att.com/maps/wireless-coverage.html" target="_blank"><b>AT&T</b></a></li><li><a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/coverage/coverage-map" target="_blank"><b>T-Mobile</b></a></li></ul><li><b>Budget</b>. While it’s somewhat true that you get what you pay for, there are a couple of caveats. First, you may not really need an unlimited data plan. Most seniors don’t, and you’ll just be paying for something you don’t use. Additionally, there are plenty of companies that piggyback off of the Big 3 for a lower price. Don’t be afraid to use one of them if it can save you money.</li><li><b>Bundling</b>. Alas, nothing is easy these days and that includes some phone plans, but it could be to your advantage. Many companies offer bundled plans, or phone plans that may include streaming services, possibly a discount on internet service and even a medical alert service. One plan below promises to block spam and robocalls. Check out these options and compare prices.</li></ol></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Best Phone Plans for Seniors</h3><div>Now that you know what you’re looking for, here are seven great phone companies with plans to appeal to older adults.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.mintmobile.com/plans/" target="_blank"><b>Mint Mobile</b></a> uses the T-Mobile network to save you a lot of money. Six-month plans range from $15 per month for 5G of data to $30 per month for unlimited data. They also offer several more plans between these two price points. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://tello.com/" target="_blank"><b>Tello</b></a> works off the T-Mobile network and offers 35G of high-speed data with free hotspot and Wi-Fi calling for just $25 a month. Their 2G plan is just $10, and 5G is $15 per month. Plus, they don’t require a contract; just pay month by month.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.usmobile.com/" target="_blank"><b>US Mobile</b></a> runs on the Verizon and T-Mobile networks, and has unlimited data, talk and text starting at $23 a month, taxes and fees included. You could also elect the 2G of shared data plan with unlimited talk and text for $10 per month. US Mobile also offers unlimited US and international calling on your existing landline for $9.99 per month.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.lively.com/plans/" target="_blank"><b>Jitterbug</b></a> is a phone network and flip phone specifically for older adults. The hardware features bigger buttons, while you can opt for a medical alert feature (some people may already have this on their smartphone or smart watch). Jitterbug also partners with ride-sharing company <a href="https://www.lyft.com/" target="_blank"><b>Lyft</b></a> to make getting a ride super simple. Cost ranges from $19.99 to $49.99 per month.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.verizon.com/plans/unlimited/" target="_blank"><b>Verizon Unlimited</b></a> offers phone plans on the largest network bundled with various movies, songs, and sports providers. For instance, for $55 a line you get unlimited service bundled with Netflix and Max if you need 4 lines. They even have plans that will save on your internet in some areas. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.verizon.com/plans/prepaid/" target="_blank"><b>Verizon Prepaid</b></a> is perfect for the senior who wants to be on the Verizon network and doesn’t mind setting up autopay (to save $10 per month). For just $35 you can get 15G of data, unlimited talk and text, and you can use your phone as a mobile hotspot. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.visible.com/plans" target="_blank"><b>Visible Wireless</b></a> piggybacks onto the Verizon network. For $25 per month, you’ll get unlimited data, talk and text with spam and robocall blocking, unlimited use of your phone as a mobile hotspot, and unlimited talk and text to Mexico and Canada. The spam block may be worth $25 all by itself, especially for older folks.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.mintmobile.com/plans/" target="_blank">https://www.mintmobile.com/plans/</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.seniorliving.org/cell-phone/jitterbug/" target="_blank">https://www.seniorliving.org/cell-phone/jitterbug/</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans/unlimited-55-senior-discount-plans" target="_blank">https://www.t-mobile.com/cell-phone-plans/unlimited-55-senior-discount-plans</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/best-senior-phone-plans/" target="_blank">https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/best-senior-phone-plans/</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.techradar.com/deals/best-cell-phone-plans-for-seniors" target="_blank">https://www.techradar.com/deals/best-cell-phone-plans-for-seniors</a></u></span></div></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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<div>Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors</div></div></div>
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</div>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-64350858033167540552024-03-04T08:25:00.000-08:002024-03-04T08:25:00.120-08:00Seniors and Weight-Loss Drugs<h3>
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<h3>Finally, we have weight-loss drugs that really work. But should older adults be taking them?</h3>
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<div><div>Seniors hailed the recent introduction of effective weight-loss drugs to the market. Injectable semaglutide Ozempic was approved by the FDA for diabetes treatment in 2017. Weight-loss drug Wegovy, which is identical to Ozempic, was approved in 2021. Mounjaro, with active ingredient tirazepatide, got approval for diabetes in 2022. Other drugs are in development.</div><div><br /></div><div>But are they safe for older adults? Reported side effects include nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, and stomach pain. The drugs are recommended for people with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or more and at least one obesity-related condition like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes. No guidelines exist for people 65 and up. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Who Needs to Lose Weight?</h3><div>BMI is calculated by weight and height – but it can either overestimate or underestimate actual fat percentage, the most problematic feature of obesity, according to Rodolfo Galindo, director of the Comprehensive Diabetes Center at the University of Miami Health System.</div></div><div><br /></div>
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<tr><td><h3>Is There a Generic Form of Semaglutide? </h3><div><div><div>Taking weight-loss drugs is expensive, so it’s no wonder people are asking when a generic version will become available. Novo Nordisk was the first drugmaker to patent semaglutide, and patents typically run for 20 years. Unfortunately, the earliest we can expect a generic is December 5, 2031 when their patent expires. </div><div><br /></div><div>Novo Nordisk may get marketing exclusivity, allowing them to extend the patent protection, usually for three to seven years. Competing pharmaceutical companies could challenge the patent, leading to earlier generic versions. However, the US Patent Office has not looked favorably on two recent claims, so optimism isn’t warranted.</div></div><div><br /></div></div>
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</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>What we really should be looking at in older people is waist circumference, suggests Dennis Kerrigan, director of weight management at Henry Ford Health in Michigan. It’s abdominal fat that carries more risk as you get older. He says that men should measure no more than 40 inches at the waist. For women, the number is 35 inches.</div><div><br /></div><div>The drugs are “best suited for older patients who have clinical evidence of obesity,” according to Fatima Stanford, an obesity medicine scientist at Massachusetts General Hospital. This would include those with elevated cholesterol or high blood sugar, osteoarthritis, or heart disease. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Cost of Weight-Loss Drugs</h3><div>At about $1,000 per month, the drugs are not cheap. Medicare will not cover them unless a patient has diabetes. Some lawmakers have tried to change that, but it’s unlikely the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act has much of a chance of passing. The problem is, 42% of older adults are obese, according to the CDC. If all the clinically obese Medicare beneficiaries began taking semaglutide, the cost would exceed what Medicare spends on the Part D drug program, which amounted to $145 billion in 2019. </div><div><br /></div><div>But many wonder if that will change in the future, as the beneficial effects of the drugs on livers, hearts and more are beginning to be released. Could the cost saved on treatments for other diseases outweigh the cost of the drugs themselves at some point? </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Seniors At More Risk</h3><div>The problem is that when people lose weight – and it doesn’t matter if the loss is from medication, dieting or bariatric surgery – they lose more than fat. Normally, about a quarter of the weight shed is from lean mass, such as muscle and bone. And older adults need all the muscle and bone they can get, since bones weaken and muscles shrink with age. </div><div><br /></div><div>Seniors must keep as much muscle mass as possible for strength and mobility. The loss of muscle strength in older adults is a leading factor in falls, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Waning bone strength puts seniors at risk of fractures. </div><div><br /></div><div>“While there may be many important benefits of weight loss metabolically, we need, particularly in older adults, to think about muscle and how important it is for the older adult population,” says John Batsis, a clinician and professor of geriatric medicine and nutrition at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. “Losing muscle mass and strength with aging is a natural phenomenon. Everyone, though, has a threshold where it causes a problem.”</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">More Research Needed</h3><div>The problem is, not enough research has been done on the older population with these drugs to see if seniors may lose a greater proportion of fat and muscle than their younger cohorts. One study that looked at semaglutide use in older patients with diabetes found that they reported more side effects than younger patients. </div><div><br /></div><div>“My concern is that administering a medication without concurrent behavioral strategies may promote the development of loss of muscle mass and function,” says Batsis.</div><div><br /></div><div>In the meantime, older adults should exercise caution when considering taking the drugs. Consult with your doctor about a concurrent exercise program to counter muscle loss. And check out the article in this month’s Senior Spirit about treatments for bone loss. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-09-27/weight-loss-drugs-may-be-riskier-for-older-adults-experts-say" target="_blank">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-09-27/weight-loss-drugs-may-be-riskier-for-older-adults-experts-say</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.ucihealth.org/blog/2023/07/weight-loss-drugs-for-seniors" target="_blank">https://www.ucihealth.org/blog/2023/07/weight-loss-drugs-for-seniors</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/07/18/aging-weight-loss-semaglutide/" target="_blank">https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2023/07/18/aging-weight-loss-semaglutide/</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://ro.co/weight-loss/generic-ozempic/" target="_blank">https://ro.co/weight-loss/generic-ozempic/</a></u></span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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</div>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-2566861876028366982024-03-03T05:25:00.000-08:002024-03-15T06:56:18.289-07:00Famous & 65<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<h2>Look who's turning 65 this month</h2><div style="text-align: left;">Find out which celebrities are turning 65 this month!</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span>March 7 - Tom Lehman, golfer<span> <span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></h3>
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<div><div><div>Although not the winningest golfer of his day, Tom Lehman holds the honor of being the only golfer ever to be awarded the Player of the Year for all three PGA tours: the regular PGA Tour, the Web.com Tour, and the PGA Tour Champions. </div><div><br /></div><div>Lehman got his business degree at the University of Minnesota, then hit the tour circuit. Unfortunately, he struggled from 1983 to 1985, and had to go overseas to continue his golf career. He came back to the US on the Ben Hogan Tour, where he topped the 1991 money list for his ticket back to the PGA. This time, he secured his place and was even named PGA Tour Player of the Year in 1996.</div><div><br /></div><div>But although he played well, victory was often elusive. He held the lead at the US Open in 1995, 1996 and 1997, but failed to bring home the trophy. He did, however, win his sole major championship to that point and held No. 1 in the Official World Golf Ranking … for one week. He did earn a reputation for consistency, coming in second in tour events 19 times between 1992 and 2006. </div><div><br /></div><div>Lehman and his wife reside in Scottsdale, Arizona. The couple has two sons and two daughters. </div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="BodyA"><div class="BodyA"><div class="BodyA"><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Lester_Holt_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/220px-Lester_Holt_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Lester_Holt_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/220px-Lester_Holt_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Source: <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/20/Lester_Holt_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg/220px-Lester_Holt_by_Gage_Skidmore.jpg">Wikipedia</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><h3>March 8 - Lester Holt, journalist and news anchor</h3><div><div>Since June of 2015, Lester Holt has anchored the weekday edition of “NBC Nightly News”, “NBC Nightly News Kids Edition” and “Dateline NBC“. The most trusted TV news anchor in America, according to a 2018 poll, Holt also was praised for his job moderating the first presidential debate of 2016. </div><div><br /></div><div>Holt’s father served in the Air Force. Holt was born on Hamilton Air Force Base in California and wound up in Alaska when his dad was sent to Elmendorf Air Force Base during the Vietnam War. Holt’s older brother, a DJ in Anchorage, showed him the broadcasting ropes. Doing the news was a by-product of needing work.</div><div><br /></div><div>"My first on-air job was actually as a disc jockey at a Country and Western station,” Holt says. “The only time I could land a full-time gig was if I was willing to report the news." And so he did all through his time at college. He went on to be a reporter, anchor and international correspondent for CBS, a relationship that endured for 19 years. Holt reported from hotspots such as Iraq, Northern Ireland, Somalia, El Salvador, and Haiti. </div><div><br /></div><div>Married with two sons, Holt lives in Manhattan with his wife, Carol. Son Stefan is currently the 10pm anchor at NBC affiliate WMAQ in Chicago, following in the footsteps of his famous dad. You can catch Holt off-air on upright bass in the band Rough Cuts.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Kathy_Hilton.jpg/220px-Kathy_Hilton.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Kathy_Hilton.jpg/220px-Kathy_Hilton.jpg" width="169" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Source: <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Kathy_Hilton.jpg/220px-Kathy_Hilton.jpg">Wikipedia</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><h3>March 13 - Kathy Hilton, socialite, actress and fashion designer</h3><div><div><div>How do the “one percent” live? You might ask Kathy Hilton, mother to Paris and Nicky, wife of hotel heir Richard Hilton, and a talented and successful actress and designer in her own right.</div><div>She started life as a child actor, appearing on shows you’ll remember, such as “Nanny and the Professor”, “Bewitched”, “Family Affair”, and “Happy Days.” </div><div><br /></div><div>Hilton graduated from Montclair College Preparatory School in LA, where one of her besties was … did you guess? Michael Jackson! At age 20, she married Richard, and the pair produced four children: Paris, Nicky, Barron Hilton Nicholas II and Conrad Hughes Hilton III. However, you would never know it by looking at her. </div><div><br /></div><div>And you may certainly have seen her, perhaps on “Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”, where her half-sisters, Kim and Kyle Richards, are regulars. Or maybe on the December 2020 edition of Vogue, where she and her daughters modeled the Valentino resort collection. You could have even caught her live on Sunset Plaza in LA back in the 80s and early 90s when she had a gift and antiques store called The Staircase.</div><div><br /></div><div>A savvy businesswoman, Hilton does not rest on her laurels (or her bank accounts). The entrepreneur has her own skincare line and a signature perfume, “My Secret.” And in 2012 she debuted her group of party dresses, the Kathy Hilton Collection. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><div class="BodyA"><div class="BodyA"><div class="BodyA"><div><br /></div>
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In this blog post, we will explore the importance of supporting Black-owned businesses and highlight some incredible ventures that deserve recognition. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirE4pA9pCJa5-s79o_GIMwAN51SekfVnoG0AirFJ3IZYqZXCRfkHbJMbycWEbMJvObApPF7ZteUoxGjx88yaYnV3prSBEcYhp7z9RFA9e0fIeQgc27qXmiTPj_ON9pKa75OVjlYB4tFDe30jrgIVyzW0bQnissZGi1GUtDcnm7x1Jumc0xq9263udueRc/s500/black%20history%20month%20image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="334" data-original-width="500" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirE4pA9pCJa5-s79o_GIMwAN51SekfVnoG0AirFJ3IZYqZXCRfkHbJMbycWEbMJvObApPF7ZteUoxGjx88yaYnV3prSBEcYhp7z9RFA9e0fIeQgc27qXmiTPj_ON9pKa75OVjlYB4tFDe30jrgIVyzW0bQnissZGi1GUtDcnm7x1Jumc0xq9263udueRc/w523-h350/black%20history%20month%20image.jpg" width="523" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Economic Impact of Supporting Black-Owned Businesses: </div><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Wealth Redistribution:</b> Supporting Black-owned businesses helps address historical economic disparities by redistributing wealth within the Black community. This, in turn, contributes to closing the wealth gap that has persisted for generations. </div></blockquote><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Job Creation:</b> Black entrepreneurs often prioritize hiring individuals from their communities, fostering local economic growth and reducing unemployment rates. By supporting these businesses, you are indirectly contributing to job creation and community development. </div></blockquote><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><b>Entrepreneurial Spirit:</b> Celebrating and supporting Black-owned businesses encourages an entrepreneurial spirit within the Black community. This, in turn, inspires future generations to pursue their dreams and contribute to the business landscape. </div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few black-owned businesses you might consider supporting. Not only are they known for their exceptional products and services, they also are committed to prioritizing inclusivity, diversity and social responsibility: </div><div><b><br /></b></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=https://thelipbar.com/&sa=D&source=docs&ust=1708105161488634&usg=AOvVaw1KR8XD8xiaDQwNb15DHi1C" target="_blank">The Lip Bar:</a> Founded by Melissa Butler, The Lip Bar offers a diverse range of inclusive and cruelty-free beauty products. Their mission is to challenge traditional beauty standards and make quality cosmetics accessible to everyone. </div></blockquote><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blkandbold.com/" target="_blank">BLK & Bold</a>: Within the coffee industry, BLK & Bold is a Black-owned business founded by Rod Johnson and Pernell Cezar. Not only do they provide exceptional coffee blends, but they also donate 5% of their profits to initiatives aimed at improving the lives of at-risk youth. </div></blockquote><div><a href="https://talleyandtwine.com/"><br /></a></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://talleyandtwine.com/" target="_blank">Talley & Twine:</a> This Black-owned watch company, founded by Randy D. Williams, combines style and sophistication. Talley & Twine creates timepieces that celebrate individuality and cultural pride, making a statement with every tick. </div></blockquote><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.solerebels.com/" target="_blank">Sole Rebels:</a> Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu founded Sole Rebels with a commitment to sustainability and fair employment. This Ethiopian footwear company produces eco-friendly shoes with traditional craftsmanship, providing jobs and preserving cultural heritage. </div></blockquote><div><br /></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0px 0px 0px 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://essiespice.com/" target="_blank">Essie Spice:</a> Founded by Essie Bartels, Essie Spice offers a range of Afro-fusion gourmet sauces and spices. By infusing African flavors into everyday meals, Essie Spice not only enhances culinary experiences but also supports sustainable farming practices. </div></blockquote><div><br /></div><div>This Black History Month, let us celebrate the achievements and resilience of the Black community by actively supporting Black-owned businesses. By doing this small act, we contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society, fostering economic empowerment and promoting diversity in the marketplace. As we reflect on the past, let us also shape a future where Black-owned businesses thrive, leaving a positive impact on the global business landscape.
</div>Tara Schumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02347861504842502685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-49624307761789046712024-02-12T07:15:00.000-08:002024-02-12T07:15:00.208-08:00Ozempic Will Change Healthcare as We Know It<h3>
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<h3><span style="font-size: 18.72px;">The appearance on the market (finally!) of a weight-loss drug with relatively few side effects is a huge deal. It has changed peoples’ lives, the healthcare industry and has even generated repercussions in the business world, with more to come.</span></h3>
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<div><div><div>A number of studies have begun to highlight the broad ranging benefits offered by Ozempic and similar drugs, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists. Apart from the ability to induce weight loss and thus reduce the risk of associated ailments, the medicine seems to offer benefits to the heart, liver, and kidneys. GLP-1 receptor agonists (semaglutide) appear to help combat substance abuse and fight the neuroinflammation and oxidative stress that contribute to <a href="https://www.biospace.com/article/coveted-glp-1-drugs-show-early-promise-in-alzheimer-s-disease-/#:~:text=GLP%2D1%20receptor%20agonists%20have,verified%20by%20further%20clinical%20trials" target="_blank"><b>Alzheimer’s</b></a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>“I don’t think any of us had the vision that, 40 years later, we would be thinking about all of these different actions of GLP-1,” says Daniel Drucker, a University of Toronto professor who helped discover how the drugs work. “It took a tremendous amount of work over decades to really get us to where we are now.”</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Other Uses Have Unexpected Effects</h3><div>A mere six years after its introduction, Ozempic has become the top-selling prescription drug in the US. The more uses that are found for the drug while it’s still on patent, the better for maker Novo Nordisk. But it’s not a boon for all companies. When Ozempic was found to be so effective at fighting kidney disease that a trial was stopped early, the stock of dialysis providers Fresnius Medical Care AG and DaVita Inc. took a $3.6 billion hit. </div><div><br /></div><div>“The market has reached a point of near peak hysteria regarding the impact of GLP-1s,” wrote Matthew Taylor, an analyst who covers medical-device stocks for Jefferies LLC. “The carnage in medtech has been notable, and broad, almost indiscriminate, impacting names that seemingly have no perceived linkage to GLP-1s.”</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Heart Disease</h3><div>Take cardiovascular disease as one example. Americans dole out around $250 billion per year for blood pressure drugs, bypass surgery, and implantable cardiac devices like pacemakers. Recent studies have shown that semaglutide therapy improved symptoms “significantly” in participants who were obese. </div><div><br /></div><div>“We’re now at the precipice of this avalanche of data that really point us in the direction saying obesity is what’s causing these complications. In order for us to effectively manage these complications, we have to address obesity, we have to target obesity,” says Dr. Mikhail Kosiborod, a cardiologist, vice president of research at Saint Luke’s Health System, and lead author of the study. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Changing Appetite</h3><div>Other industries have noted changes as well. Semaglutide decreases hunger, and there are so many people using them that major food retailers are seeing changes in patterns of consumption. </div><div><br /></div><div>"We definitely do see a slight change compared to the total population, we do see a slight pullback in overall basket," says Walmart U.S. CEO John Furner. "Just less units, slightly less calories."</div><div><br /></div><div>It looks like the number of people taking the drug is only going up. In a recent report, Morgan Stanley Research analysts estimate that 24 million people, or 7% of the US population, will be on the drug by 2035. </div><div><br /></div><div>“The food, beverage and restaurant industries could see softer demand, particularly for unhealthier foods and high-fat, sweet and salty options," notes Morgan Stanley tobacco and packaged food analyst Pamela Kaufman. “We acknowledge that the impact in the near term is likely to be limited given drug adoption will grow gradually over time, but we could see a longer-term impact as drug prevalence increases. Moreover, we expect companies to adapt to changes in consumer behavior through innovation and portfolio reshaping efforts."</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Exercise Jumps</h3><div>While pizza chains may become scarce, other industries could benefit. Morgan Stanley Research found that GLP-1 users exercised more than before they were taking the drug. In fact, the number who exercised on a weekly basis fully doubled. </div><div><br /></div><div>“Perhaps as patients lose weight, they simply feel both more physically able and more mentally motivated to exercise more to compound the benefits they are seeing from weight loss medications," writes Morgan Stanley analyst Brian Harbour.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Curbing Cravings</h3><div>It’s not only food cravings that seem to be kept in check by semaglutide. People taking the drug are reporting that they’re no longer interested in alcohol, that they’ve stopped smoking, that their impulse to shop has gone away and they’re no longer biting their nails. Researchers have a trio of theories about why this may be happening.</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A change in the sense of smell and taste</li><li>A change in the part of the brain linked to pleasure and reward</li><li>An increased avoidance of certain chemicals such as those found in alcohol and cigarettes</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>To date, not much research has been done on the subject. And scientists theorize that the effect may dissipate and disappear when someone quits taking the drug. </div><div><br /></div><div>“Unless the emotional issues are addressed, removing the substance will do little more than create a dry drunk,” says Laura Lee Wright, a sober living coach. “It’s dangerous to suggest there is a magic pill that can make an addict well.” She recommends group therapy, mental and emotional counseling, and residential rehab to treat addiction. </div><div><br /></div><div>Perhaps semaglutide will be used in future to kickstart a more traditional program of drug therapy. And if a significant portion of the population is on it, will liquor stores feel the pinch? Will the opioid crisis finally die out? Will shopping as a whole go down? </div><div><br /></div><div>The answers to these questions, like so many with the new weight-loss drugs, are yet to be seen. But there is reason for optimism on many fronts.</div></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-10-18/ozempic-mounjaro-and-glp-1s-alternate-uses-and-drugmaker-implications" target="_blank">https://www.bloomberg.com/news/newsletters/2023-10-18/ozempic-mounjaro-and-glp-1s-alternate-uses-and-drugmaker-implications</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/weight-loss-ozempic-drugs-consumer-demand-restaurants-food/" target="_blank">https://www.cbsnews.com/news/weight-loss-ozempic-drugs-consumer-demand-restaurants-food/</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/semaglutide-wegovy-ozempic-weight-loss-healthcare-airlines-economy-productivity-2023-11" target="_blank">https://www.businessinsider.com/semaglutide-wegovy-ozempic-weight-loss-healthcare-airlines-economy-productivity-2023-11</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/semaglutide-reduces-heart-attack-stroke-risk#GLP-1-drugs-help-treat-diabetes,-obesity,-and-heart-disease" target="_blank">https://www.healthline.com/health-news/semaglutide-reduces-heart-attack-stroke-risk#GLP-1-drugs-help-treat-diabetes,-obesity,-and-heart-disease</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2023/05/ozempic-addictive-behavior-drinking-smoking/674098/" target="_blank">https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2023/05/ozempic-addictive-behavior-drinking-smoking/674098/</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ozempic-could-help-treat-addiction#:~:text=" target="_blank">https://www.healthline.com/health-news/ozempic-could-help-treat-addiction#:~:text=</a></u></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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</div>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-73123585543938153662024-02-11T10:32:00.000-08:002024-02-11T10:32:00.118-08:00Seniors, Earn Pocket Money From Home<h3>
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<h3>It’s always nice to have a little extra money to pad your budget or pay an unexpected bill. What kind of little jobs can you get paid to do without leaving home?</h3>
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<div><div>Welcome to retirement … and fixed income. The meaning of that really sinks in when you have to say no to a dinner invitation or the car suddenly has a heart condition. Maybe you need money for a vacation or to get your dream car. Whatever – you want some income but you’re loath to start driving for Lyft or Doordash, and the thought of retail is far too committed. Senior Spirit has scoured the internet (and our friends!) and we’ve come up with some options that you might find interesting. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Research Opportunities</h3><div><a href="https://www.campos.com/" target="_blank"><b>Campos</b></a> pays people to be on their research panels. Click on the “Participate in paid research” button at the bottom right of the page to sign up. You may find yourself doing a survey, joining focus groups, or testing new products and giving your feedback. You can find out more about their <a href="https://www.campos.com/resources" target="_blank"><b>research projects</b></a>, which are varied and may require some background knowledge. <br /></div></div><div><br /></div>
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<tr><td><h3>Taxes for the Gig Worker</h3><div>Uncle Sam still has his hand out for a piece of your financial pie, retirement or no retirement. If you’re earning a significant amount of money (more than a few hundred dollars) in the gig economy, make sure you’re considering the tax bite. You may also want to make <a href="https://www.irs.gov/businesses/small-businesses-self-employed/estimated-taxes" target="_blank"><b>estimated quarterly payments</b></a>, which the IRS recommends for anyone expected to owe $1,000 or more. If you’re unsure what to put aside or how to pay, contact your tax professional. </div>
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</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div>Located in Pittsburgh, the company pays well for your time. If you refer a friend who signs up to do research for Campos, you’ll even be entered in a monthly drawing for $100. </div><div><br /></div><div>Other companies that are looking for research participants are:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.uriux.com/participate/" target="_blank"><b>User Research International</b></a> </li><li><a href="https://www.iths.org/participate/studies/" target="_blank"><b>Institute of Translational Health Sciences</b></a> </li><li><a href="https://www.respondent.io/become-a-participant" target="_blank"><b>Respondent</b></a> </li><li><a href="https://www.paidstudies.com/" target="_blank"><b>Paid Studies</b></a> </li><li><a href="https://www.userinterviews.com/" target="_blank"><b>User Interviews</b></a> </li><li><a href="https://rarepatientvoice.com/" target="_blank"><b>Rare Patient Voice</b></a> </li><li><a href="https://www.prolific.com/" target="_blank"><b>Prolific</b></a></li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Some of these are looking specifically for caregivers and people with disabilities as well as many others. Check them out online to see what people are saying about them and what they pay. All of these come with recommendations, but you’ll want to find out exactly what each job entails and how much it pays. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">AI Model Training</h3><div>We all know that artificial intelligence (AI) is the new buzzword in tech, but were you aware that it needs to be trained? Turns out, there’s something called data annotation that involves labeling content with relevant tags to help computers make sense of and interpret it. The data being labeled can be images, text, audio, or video. Some of this work pays in the $20 to $25 an hour range. </div><div><br /></div><div>These companies are looking for people with a high level of accuracy. Some companies that hire data annotators:</div><div>●<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.dataannotation.tech/" target="_blank"><b>DataAnnotation</b></a> </div><div>●<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.upwork.com/" target="_blank"><b>Upwork</b></a></div><div>●<span style="white-space: pre;"> </span><a href="https://www.toptal.com/" target="_blank"><b>Toptal</b></a></div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Other Work-From-Home Opportunities</h3><div>If you’re still looking for ideas, we’ve got a few more to consider. Seniors with strong writing skills or specific job knowledge can bid on projects at <a href="https://www.freelancer.com/" target="_blank"><b>Freelancer</b></a>. You’ll find a wide array of writing jobs that vary in length and expertise required. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you want to make a little money on purchases you’ve already made, try cash-back</div><div>apps <a href="https://fetch.com/" target="_blank"><b>Fetch</b></a> and <a href="https://home.ibotta.com/" target="_blank"><b>Ibotta</b></a>. You take a photo of your receipts, then redeem them for gift cards and other offers. Not a big money-maker, but it could help save on shopping. </div><div><br /></div><div>Everybody needs or wants a little extra pocket money sooner or later. Maybe you’d just like to be involved in a survey or research project. Whatever the case, one or more of these ideas should help you achieve your goal.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><i>This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional financial advice from a qualified financial advisor.</i></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://research.aimultiple.com/data-annotation/" target="_blank">https://research.aimultiple.com/data-annotation/</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.sidehustlenation.com/consumer-research-companies-online-focus-groups/" target="_blank">https://www.sidehustlenation.com/consumer-research-companies-online-focus-groups/</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://research.aimultiple.com/data-annotation/" target="_blank">https://research.aimultiple.com/data-annotation/</a></u></span></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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<div>Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors</div></div></div>
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</div>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-56105203301337240382024-02-10T08:29:00.000-08:002024-02-10T08:29:18.815-08:00Solo Seniors: What to Travel With<h3>
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<h3>Singleton seniors have money to spend and they’re traveling both near and far. Tips on how to do it safely while still having a blast, whether you’re a timid traveler or ready to backpack across Mongolia.</h3>
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<div><div>Nearly a third of all seniors live alone, according to <a href="https://www.census.gov/library/stories/2023/06/more-than-a-quarter-all-households-have-one-person.html" target="_blank"><b>stats from the US Census Bureau</b></a>, and many of them are taking off on solo adventures. Many more choose to travel alone due to a spouse’s disinterest or inability to explore. For many, the beauty of traveling alone is doing exactly what you want, when you want, where you want. Go to Rome and skip the museums, or island-hop through the Caribbean. Explore the Nordic countries … just for the exotic restaurants. Bike through Vietnam at your own pace. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Newbie Senior Solo Travelers</h3><div>If you’re new to solo travel, you might want to start by checking out a nearby city or tourist town. You’ll have cell coverage and a hotel or Airbnb base, Google maps can guide your way, and you can easily research where you want to explore. Maybe you’ll go to Santa Fe for the art and amazing food, or drive to Saint Louis to explore the crazy but wonderful <a href="https://www.citymuseum.org/" target="_blank"><b>city museum</b></a>.<br /></div></div><div><br /></div>
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<tr><td><h3>What to Carry to Stay Safe</h3><div><div><ol><li>Sling pack. The <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Travelon-Anti-Theft-Classic-Sling-Black/dp/B00W9BUDFU/ref=sr_1_3?crid=22NS9FM6GFIYB&keywords=travelon%2Banti-theft%2Bsling%2Bbag&qid=1702697592&sprefix=travelon%2Banti-theft%2Bsling%2Caps%2C135&sr=8-3&th=1" target="_blank"><b>Travelon Anti-Theft Sling Bag</b></a> works well. It can be worn on your chest or your back and keeps valuables close. </li><li>RFID blocking wallet or card. This will ensure that your contactless credit cards are not compromised. </li><li>Tag for keeping track of your luggage, wallet and you. Try <a href="https://www.apple.com/airtag/" target="_blank"><b>Apple AirTag</b></a> or <a href="https://www.tile.com/en-us" target="_blank"><b>Tile</b></a>.</li><li>Portable phone charger. </li><li>Mini flashlight so you don’t have to run down your phone battery.</li><li>Personal alarm. The <a href="ihttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B08TT47Y99/?tag=travelandleisure-syndication-20&ascsubtag=8386014%7C%7C%7C%7Cyahoo&th=1" target="_blank"><b>birdie</b></a> is simple and works well. This one is essential for all women, but guys, it’s a good idea for you to have one, too. </li></ol></div></div><div><br /></div>
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</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>You can also choose to travel only to countries where the native language is English, at least to start with. You’ll feel more comfortable, but there are many countries in the world (such as Costa Rica and most of Western Europe) where it’s fairly easy to find English speakers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Another way to dip your toe into the world of traveling alone is to have a ready-made group around you. <a href="https://solotravelerworld.com/" target="_blank"><b>Solo Traveler World</b></a> specializes in those of us traveling by ourselves, whether men or women, young or old. Here, you’ll find organized trips just for single travelers, with the opportunity to meet other like-minded people online. There’s a mountain of articles on where to go and what to do, with helpful comments from a community who has been there and done that. </div><div><br /></div><div>Solo Traveler World searches out trips where the dreaded “supplement” - a surcharge for a single person booking a room or cabin that can hold two - is 20% or less, and very often zero. Some recent topics from their library of articles include: Why women should travel alone, how to enjoy Sydney on a budget, and how to book a trip at the last minute. </div><div><br /></div><div>It may be true that there is nothing new under the sun, and Solo World Traveler has the resources to guide your wanderlusting footsteps with the expertise of many who have gone there (wherever it is you want to go!) before. If you prefer safety in numbers, you may want to try one of their recommended cruises, including ones that are for singles. </div><div><br /></div><div>They also have a Facebook group so you can chat away with your new buddies, find others who are going where you are, you name it. Oh, and did we say they have a group for older adults?</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Hosted Stays for Seniors</h3><div>Another way to find your people is to enroll in the <a href="https://earlybird.freebirdclub.com/" target="_blank"><b>Freebird Club</b></a>, an organization for people over 50. They’ll connect you with other members who live where you want to go so you can chat about the best pub in Dublin, what areas to avoid, or where you can catch a local bus. </div><div><br /></div><div>Plus, many members offer homestays all across the globe that have a social element. Your host will take you out on a nearby footpath, tell you local legend or introduce you to a few friends at their favorite hangout. Or maybe they’ll just sit with you over a glass of wine and tell you their favorite things to do in the area. The “pay what you think is fair” fee to join the Freebird Club is a wonderful way for the service to be affordable to all. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Travel Tips for Older Adults</h3><div>There are a few ideas to keep in mind before you embark on your next trip. Number one is packing. Everything you need will fit in a small overhead-size suitcase, no matter where you’re going. You want to be able to manage your luggage on your own, without straining. Keep it small and light. A backpack may work even better for outdoor trips. <a href="https://www.rei.com/" target="_blank"><b>REI</b></a> is a great place to find outdoor gear, with clerks who can make recommendations based on experience. </div><div><br /></div><div>Don’t be hesitant to stay at a hostel. There are often older people and families there, and even the younger crowd will get a kick out of talking to you about your journey. Find a hostel at <a href="https://www.hostelworld.com/" target="_blank"><b>Hostelworld</b></a>. Stay away from those that talk about a party atmosphere, unless that’s what you want. Book directly with the hostel to ensure there are no misunderstandings. </div><div><br /></div><div>Use <a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/" target="_blank"><b>WhatsApp</b></a> for free international calls and texting. Download it before you leave. Just do it. You’ll be glad you did.</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://support.google.com/maps/answer/6291838?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS" target="_blank"><b>Download maps</b></a> for any foreign countries you’ll be traveling to while you’re in the US. You’ll still be able to use Google Maps for navigation, even when you’re offline. </div><div><br /></div><div>Go out and have fun! Be aware of your physical limitations, but otherwise the sky’s the limit. Train travel is generally excellent in other countries. People are almost universally kind and helpful, especially since you’ve got a few silver hairs. Get cozy with <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.apps.translate&hl=en_US&gl=US" target="_blank"><b>Google Translate</b></a> and you can talk to anyone. Try to memorize a few key phrases in the native language of your destination, and people will appreciate it. Be a kind traveler, and you’ll find you’re treated very well.</div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u>https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/ive-30-solo-trips-always-040000207.html </u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u>https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/senior-travel/senior-travel-mistakes-to-avoid</u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u>https://solotravelerworld.com/senior-solo-travel-dont-let-a-number-hold-you-back/</u></span></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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<div>Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors</div></div></div>
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</div>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-44248202376124757782024-02-08T06:12:00.000-08:002024-02-08T06:12:43.213-08:00$1000 Test Can Detect Cancer in People Over 50<h3>
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<h3><span style="font-size: 18.72px;">A new kind of cancer test uses a blood sample to check for more than 50 types of cancer. It may help find cancer, even some types for which there is currently no test, earlier. This could save lives.</span></h3>
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<div><div>Technology is enabling astounding advances in health care, and this month Senior Spirit is sharing news about a groundbreaking way to test for cancer. Multi-cancer early detection (MCED) tests work with a single sample of blood. The test searches for specific pieces of DNA or proteins shed by cancer cells. </div><div><br /></div><div>There is currently one such test, <a href="https://www.galleri.com/" target="_blank"><b>Galleri by GRAIL</b></a>, that is available now with a doctor’s prescription. The company recommends the test for those who are at higher risk of cancer, such as folks over the age of 50.</div><div><br /></div><div>Currently in the US, we have screening tests for five cancers:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Mammograms check for breast cancer.</li><li>HPV and PAP tests are used to screen for cervical cancer.</li><li>Colonoscopies check for colorectal cancer.</li><li>Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests check for prostate cancer. </li><li>Low-dose CT scans check for signs of lung cancer.</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>But what about other cancers, such as pancreatic or ovarian? </div><div><br /></div><div>“Currently, we don’t detect the majority of cancers, including highly lethal ones, such as pancreatic or ovarian cancer, until symptoms are present,” says Dr. Klein, Emeritus Chair of the Glickman Urological Kidney Institute. “But Galleri can find those cancers at a time when they’re in an earlier stage and before symptoms appear.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Galleri also checks for certain rare cancers for which there is currently no test. These include ampullary cancer and certain kinds of soft tissue sarcoma. Galleri also tests for: </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Anal cancer</li><li>Breast cancer</li><li>Cervical cancer</li><li>Esophageal cancer</li><li>Kidney cancer</li><li>Leukemia</li><li>Liver cancer</li><li>Mesothelioma</li><li>Oral cancer</li><li>Pancreatic cancer</li><li>Stomach cancer</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Using Next Generation DNA Sequencing and machine learning, MCED tests can use a biological process known as methylation to look for patterns in your DNA to both identify likely cancer and find where it originates. </div><div><br /></div><div>“It’s like fingerprints and how fingerprints tell the difference between two people,” explains Dr. Klein. “The methylation patterns are fingerprints that are characteristic of each kind of cancer. They look one way for lung cancer and different for colon cancer.”</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Galleri Test Accuracy</h3><div>A 2021 <a href="https://www.annalsofoncology.org/article/S0923-7534(21)02046-9/fulltext" target="_blank"><b>validation study</b></a> reported that the Galleri test had a false positive rate of 0.5% (versus 10% to 40% for traditional screening) indicating extremely high accuracy for finding when someone does not show signs of cancer. In other words, a false positive is very unlikely. It correctly identified greater than half of people with cancer-related signals in their blood.</div><div><br /></div><div>“Twelve cancers, including anal, bladder, colorectal, esophageal, head and neck, liver/bile-duct, lung, lymphoma, ovary, pancreatic, plasma-cell neoplasm and stomach cancer, account for about two-thirds of all cancer deaths in the US,” says Dr. Klein. “For these 12, Galleri finds about 40% of stage I cancers, 67% of stage II cancers, 80% of stage III cancers and 95% of stage IV cancers.”</div><div><br /></div><div>As you can see, the ability of the Galleri test to detect cancer became greater as the cancer advanced. Overall, the Galleri test was 88.7% accurate in detecting the site of the cancer in those people with a positive test result who had cancer. </div><div><br /></div><div>Should Everyone Use an MCED Test?</div><div>At this time, the Galleri test is intended to be used in addition to traditional screening, not as a replacement. A large clinical trial https://www.nhs-galleri.org/ of 140,000 people is currently underway in the United Kingdom. The National Cancer Institute has a pilot study on the horizon. Researchers want to find definitive answers to these questions:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>How good are MCED tests at detecting cancer?</li><li>If MCED tests are accurate at finding specific cancer, how much earlier can they find it compared to when it would be found after symptoms start?</li><li>If MCED tests find cancers earlier, do people have better outcomes compared to people whose cancers were found after symptoms developed? In particular, does this test save lives, and, if so, by how much?</li><li>What about false-positive results from MCED tests? </li><li>What about false-negative results from MCED tests? </li><li>Who should be tested? </li><li>How often should the test be done?</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>The good news is, your doctor can order a Galleri test for you right now. Check with him or her to see if that may be a good idea for you. On the downside, most insurance, including Medicare, does not cover the nearly $1,000 test. However, select individual employers may pay for all or a portion of the cost.</div><div><br /></div><div>One day, we may look for all cancers by using a blood sample alone. In the meantime, it’s important to keep abreast of new developments.<br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u>https://www.cancer.org/cancer/screening/multi-cancer-early-detection-tests.html</u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u>https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-galleri-test</u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u>https://www.healthline.com/health/cancer/galleri-cancer-test</u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u>https://grail.com/galleri-test/</u></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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</div>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-21456924579443512812024-02-07T10:28:00.000-08:002024-02-07T10:28:05.463-08:00Living Legend William Shatner<h3>
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<h3><span style="font-size: 18.72px;">Actor, director, singer and author William Shatner will be 93 next month, and he’s hardly slowed down. What’s his secret?</span></h3>
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<div><div>William “Bill” Shatner will turn 93 on March 22. He’s had an amazing life, from playing Captain Kirk on Star Trek and winning a Golden Globe and two Emmy Awards to becoming the oldest person to rocket into space at age 90. He’s also been broke at times, and spent a year living in a camper with his dog. How does Shatner stay engaged and relevant after nine decades?</div><div><br /></div><div>His own advice on how to have a long life is simple. “Don’t die. That’s it; that’s the secret” he says, tongue-in-cheek, in his book, “Live Long and ….” “Simply keep living and try not to slow down.” But there’s a lot more to it than that, from exercise to stem cell treatments. First, let’s review his work history.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Star Trek and Much More</h3><div>Shatner was born in Canada and got his big break when he was cast as Captain James T. Kirk in the Star Trek franchise. Although the television show only ran from 1966 to 1969, it eventually catapulted the actor into stardom. But in the near term, Shatner got typecast and struggled to find work, losing his home and finally living in a truck-bed camper. At the time, people in California’s San Fernando valley could hire him to make an appearance at their small party. </div><div><br /></div><div>To make ends meet, he appeared in a multitude of quiz shows and commercials. Then, in the late 70s, Paramount noticed that Trekkies were becoming a thing, and began producing Star Trek movies using the original actors. And like that, Shatner was in high demand at Comic Cons, late-night shows and much more for the next many decades.</div><div><br /></div><div>In 1982 he also snagged the title role of veteran police sergeant T.J. Hooker in a series that ran for five seasons. Toward the end of the series, Shatner tried his hand at directing while still hawking products like the VIC-20 home computer. </div><div><br /></div><div>But that wasn’t all. Shatner co-wrote or had a ghostwriter generate 47 books ranging in subject from Star Trek novels to nonfiction. And he has maintained a sort of singing career, creating eight albums that feature him reading lyrics from popular songs such as Elton John’s “Rocket Man”. Additionally, he is a breeder of champion Saddlebreds and reining Quarterhorses and rode one to an amateur World Champion title at the age of 89.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Keeping Active</h3><div>Phew! Almost anyone would be envious of those accomplishments, or just the ability to keep on creating for so many years. Unsurprisingly, it turns out that Shatner hews to a lifestyle that is heavy on healthy living. </div><div><br /></div><div>"I wake up every morning thinking, <i>I've got to keep myself in shape to ride horses</i>," Shatner says. "If I am not sitting on a horse at least once or twice a week, it feels detrimental to my heart."</div><div><br /></div><div>He also hops in a pool for half an hour every day, running in place and exercising his arms. He has kept strong throughout his eighties and nineties. Before he went into space, he had to run up seven flights of stairs in under a minute and a half to qualify for the flight.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Biking</h3><div>He found a new passion in his mid-eighties when he bought an electric bike. </div><div><br /></div><div>"The e-bike got me outside and got me fitter," he told the LA Times. "Going up the hills is not a problem. I've got an arthritic back from all the horseback riding, my muscles are tender, yet I go back to my car when the bike ride's over and I feel perfect."</div><div><br /></div><div>As an added bonus, Shatner’s extended family goes on regular rides with him. "A family that was always somewhat tight became a hugely cohesive group," he says. </div><div><br /></div><div>Shatner is well aware that socializing and keeping active is a big part of staying healthy. "Say yes to the opportunities life is offering. Say yes to life, yes to dinner, yes to going out, and yes to something new,” he says. “Because time is too short to lose one opportunity to sacrifice another."</div><div><br /></div><div>He also watches what he eats and is largely vegetarian. "I try to adhere to a more plant-based diet these days, with occasional exceptions, and if I am to fish, it must only be for food,” he says. “Never for sport."</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Stem Cell Therapy</h3><div>Shatner said yes to an intravenous infusion of stem cells before taking his historic space flight. Although the therapy hasn’t been approved by the FDA, it’s being tested on auto-immune disorders, metabolic diseases, and aging. </div><div><br /></div><div>Although it only lasted 10 minutes and 17 seconds, the space flight was demanding. The rocket ship hurtled through space at over 2,000 mph, exerting 5.5 Gs of force on its passengers, making it hard to move or even breathe. </div><div><br /></div><div>Shatner came through the physical aspect just fine, but he wasn’t prepared for how emotional the experience would be. "Going into space made me so aware of how fragile our lives are here on Earth, how we need each other, and need to continue to strengthen bonds that connect us to each other,” he says. “Because out there, there is no life. There is no us." </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Boldly Go</h3><div>That’s not to say that Shatner will quit exploring his limits. He has a mantra for living:</div><div>"If you allow yourself to be awed by life, to keep drinking in its limitless knowledge, to keep striving for answers, to enjoy the beauty around us at every moment, to never stagnate … well, then you might find yourself living for a very long time, and, ideally, prospering," says Shatner. "Or, in the absence of the longevity and self-defined prosperity you seek, you might well find meaning, or even better, happiness."</div><div><br /></div><div>If you’d like to know more about Shatner, check out his <a href="https://williamshatner.com/" target="_blank"><b>homepage</b></a> for links to his Facebook group, future appearances, blog, store, and fan club.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWctB4lBFgT_9q20DWokyeT2hJZktVIQn1KiAEbfv86_p__aCYxKvrKbxWYo2XHJqNrfvFm7uXZH5V1piRSsr9YK4vSweeULD0e1PbFEW-VqD5Zg5ZA0F72j2w0_WAOUQKsbfOSEV4VdDferdnxBWs5KVoNJuRKhxo5S31_anPrsDyVUrcRizg_E2P1M/s293/William_Shatner_Photo_Op_GalaxyCon_Richmond_2023.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="293" data-original-width="220" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkWctB4lBFgT_9q20DWokyeT2hJZktVIQn1KiAEbfv86_p__aCYxKvrKbxWYo2XHJqNrfvFm7uXZH5V1piRSsr9YK4vSweeULD0e1PbFEW-VqD5Zg5ZA0F72j2w0_WAOUQKsbfOSEV4VdDferdnxBWs5KVoNJuRKhxo5S31_anPrsDyVUrcRizg_E2P1M/s1600/William_Shatner_Photo_Op_GalaxyCon_Richmond_2023.jpg" width="220" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shatner" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Shatner</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/william-shatner-slams-star-trek-170121707.html" target="_blank">https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/william-shatner-slams-star-trek-170121707.html</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/authorpage/william-shatner.html" target="_blank">https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/authorpage/william-shatner.html</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2023/3/william-shatner-stem-cells-fight-aging#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20horseback%20riding,doing%20arm%20and%20leg%20exercises" target="_blank">https://www.lifeextension.com/magazine/2023/3/william-shatner-stem-cells-fight-aging#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20horseback%20riding,doing%20arm%20and%20leg%20exercises</a></u></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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</div>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-11251685106444709852024-02-02T09:30:00.000-08:002024-02-02T09:30:00.119-08:00Famous & 65<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<h2>Look who's turning 65 this month</h2><div style="text-align: left;">Find out which celebrities are turning 65 this month!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Source: <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/82/John_McEnroe_at_the_2009_US_Open_01a_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-John_McEnroe_at_the_2009_US_Open_01a_%28cropped%29.jpg">Wikipedia</a></span></td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span>February 16 - John McEnroe, tennis player<span> <span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></h3>
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<div><div>Known for his skill at shot-making, volleying, and yelling at umpires and tennis authorities, John McEnroe captivated the tennis world for a few brief years in the 1980s. A rival of Björn Borg and Jimmy Connors, he remains the sole male player to simultaneously hold the No. 1 rankings in singles and doubles titles since the ATP rankings were first generated in 1973. He still holds the record for best singles win record (82-3 in 1984) in the Open Era, besides holding the most combined singles (77) and doubles (78) titles in the Open Era.</div><div><br /></div><div>As if that weren’t enough, McEnroe is the only man to win over 70 titles in combined singles and doubles, including four at the US Open and three at Wimbledon, nine men’s doubles titles, and a Grand slam mixed doubles title. He also contributed to five Davis Cup wins for the US at a time when Connors had dismissed the event. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you want your grandchild to walk in his footsteps, start him or her in lessons at age eight, then enroll the child in the Eastern Lawn Tennis Association the following year. By the age of 12, your grandchild should rank seventh in their age group. Easy peasy. Evidently, a similar formula worked well for McEnroe’s brother Patrick, who was also a pro tennis player.</div><div><br /></div><div>These days, McEnroe is a seasoned sports commentator. He has made cameo appearances on television and written two autobiographical books. He remains married to rock singer Patty Smyth, with whom he has two children. He founded the John McEnroe Tennis Academy in New York. McEnroe remains active and fit.</div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="BodyA"><div class="BodyA"><div class="BodyA"><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Rowdy_Gaines_1983.jpg/220px-Rowdy_Gaines_1983.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Rowdy_Gaines_1983.jpg/220px-Rowdy_Gaines_1983.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Source: <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/46/Rowdy_Gaines_1983.jpg/220px-Rowdy_Gaines_1983.jpg">Wikipedia</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><h3>February 17 - Rowdy Gaines, swimmer</h3><div><div>Ambrose “Rowdy” Gaines didn’t find the sport of competitive swimming until he was a junior in high school, but he was a quick study. He got a scholarship and was a five-time NCAA champion at Auburn University.</div><div><br /></div><div>Gaines set 10 world records during his peak years, specializing in the 100-meter and 200-meter freestyle sprints. Although he won three gold medals for the 100-meter freestyle and a pair of relays at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, he always regretted the 1980 boycott of the Moscow Olympics. It came when he felt he was at his peak and could have achieved more. Gaines has shared of that time that he had “some real trouble post-Olympics, and...some big struggles, especially the year after.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Gaines is a familiar face offering commentary at Olympic swim events, and he keeps in shape entering Masters swim competitions, where he has set some age group records after age 50. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/RG_Ravens_V_Browns_%2853328383012%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-RG_Ravens_V_Browns_%2853328383012%29_%28cropped%29.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/RG_Ravens_V_Browns_%2853328383012%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-RG_Ravens_V_Browns_%2853328383012%29_%28cropped%29.jpg" width="169" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Source: <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/RG_Ravens_V_Browns_%2853328383012%29_%28cropped%29.jpg/220px-RG_Ravens_V_Browns_%2853328383012%29_%28cropped%29.jpg">Wikipedia</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><h3>February 19 Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner</h3><div><div><div>The son of New York Senator Charles Goodell, Roger Goodell was a standout athlete in high school. He captained his school’s football, basketball, and baseball teams as a senior, when he was named athlete of the year. But an injury kept him out of college athletics. He earned an economics degree and found another way to spend his life in sports.</div><div><br /></div><div>After an intensive letter-writing campaign, Goodell became an intern at the New York office for League Commissioner Pete Rozelle before moving to public relations. This would prove to be good experience for the challenges he faced later. As he moved up the office ladder, his business acumen rose, and he became COO. He succeeded Tagliabue as commissioner in the summer of 2006. </div><div><br /></div><div>Goodell has handled a multitude of public relations challenges during his tenure. Many were unpopular with players, coaches, the public or all three at one time or another. They include:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>In 2007 he announced a new Personal Conduct Policy after a series of scandals involving player behavior off the gridiron. </li><li>Fines for player conduct on the field, including for controversial hits. </li><li>A 2007 incident involving New England Patriots and coach Bill Belichick in “Spygate”, where the team illegally tried to record opponents’ defensive signals. </li><li>The 2011 lockout, where Goodell not only negotiated between the NFLPA for players and team owners, but also discussed the collective bargaining agreement with the object of keeping season ticket holders.</li><li>“Bountygate” in March 2011 when players and coaches of the New Orleans Saints were caught in a scheme where players were given bonuses for knocking opponents out of a game. </li><li>The 2012 referee lockout, where the NFL Referees Association and owners failed to come to an agreement, and refs were temporarily replaced with low-level college and high school officials.</li><li>Brain damage lawsuits brought by former players over head injuries sustained in the game.</li><li>Tom Brady and “Deflategate”, where the New England Patriots quarterback was accused of using a ball he knew had been partially deflated. </li><li>Handling of players kneeling during the US national anthem, before and after the murder of George Floyd.</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>For a guy who has a lot on his hands at work, his family life has been steady. Goodell has been married since 1997 to former Fox anchor Jane Skinner, with whom he has twin daughters.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><div class="BodyA"><div class="BodyA"><div class="BodyA"><div><br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL-vpeyYqjZJYZ1frgc-s7bMhwdhuWfuq0Cl8Aw4Sv8cWyVbgBJ21W46-ZLnByIvRoqvYXo6l0XQmBsJTkktheUxovz24EhFhI1Legn4m7G55Dy9qzn7LVM2629VyiiEr5e_riOeTla22MctWbHDIZ834-Bjkpbum44onOpa_4JAFrMxxW1lEV5TBwQ18/s800/GettyImages-1777668570.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="560" data-original-width="800" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaL-vpeyYqjZJYZ1frgc-s7bMhwdhuWfuq0Cl8Aw4Sv8cWyVbgBJ21W46-ZLnByIvRoqvYXo6l0XQmBsJTkktheUxovz24EhFhI1Legn4m7G55Dy9qzn7LVM2629VyiiEr5e_riOeTla22MctWbHDIZ834-Bjkpbum44onOpa_4JAFrMxxW1lEV5TBwQ18/s320/GettyImages-1777668570.jpg" width="320" /></a></div></div></div></div></div></h3><div><h3 style="text-align: left;"><br /></h3><div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Guest Blog by Nicole Rubin</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Tying the knot later in life has its unique challenges and blessings. This guide offers a well-rounded approach to maneuvering the various aspects of senior marriage, from fostering emotional intimacy to making well-informed choices in finance and healthcare. In this article, we focus on building a gratifying and secure life together, embracing this new phase with both wisdom and joy.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Foster Emotional Resilience</h3><div>Emotional resilience forms the cornerstone of any lasting relationship, more so when the couple is in their golden years. <a href="https://www.marriage.com/advice/relationship/tolerance-vs-acceptance-in-relationships/" target="_blank"><b>Compassion and acceptance</b></a> are virtues that become even more meaningful with age. For example, managing expectations. Acknowledge that both of you bring a wealth of experiences, and sometimes, emotional baggage into the relationship. Maturity can be your ally here, helping you navigate conflicts and differences with grace.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Prioritize Shared Experiences</h3><div>It becomes increasingly important to <a href="https://www.lovetoknow.com/life/relationships/fun-activities-couples" target="_blank"><b>invest in activities that you both enjoy</b></a>. Perhaps it's as simple as reading a book together or as engaging as traveling to a place neither of you has been before. Whatever the activity, it serves as a way to deepen your relationship. For instance, <a href="https://www.meetup.com/topics/communityorg/" target="_blank"><b>joining a community club through sites like Meetup</b></a> can not only be fulfilling but also opens doors to socialize as a couple. Another example could be learning a new skill together, like cooking or dancing, which not only enriches your lives but also strengthens your emotional connection.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Evaluate Housing Options</h3><div>When it comes to choosing where to live, researching home prices or rentals in your target area is a step that you can’t afford to skip. For example, if you’re interested in finding a rental to live closer to family, research <a href="https://www.redfin.com/" target="_blank"><b>housing prices in their vicinity</b></a>. If you’re both avid travelers, you might want to consider downsizing to a smaller home, which could free up funds for your adventures.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Navigate Financial Conversations</h3><div>Understanding the financial landscape is crucial when entering a late-life marriage. <a href="https://www.newyorklife.com/articles/merging-lives-and-money" target="_blank"><b>Money discussions should not be taboo</b></a>. For many, this may involve blending assets or discussing retirement plans. Take time to consult with a financial advisor to ensure both of you are on the same page. For example, if one partner has more assets than the other, it’s important to discuss how to handle these in a manner that is fair and agreeable to both.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Organize Digital Records</h3><div>Next, there's the often-overlooked aspect of managing your digital life. Thanks to mobile scanning apps, you can <a href="https://www.adobe.com/acrobat/mobile/scanner-app.html" target="_blank"><b>scan a document quickly</b></a>, thereby making record-keeping easier than ever. An example of this is storing your medical records digitally, so they're always easily accessible.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Optimize Health Coverage</h3><div>Your health is an invaluable asset. Therefore, <a href="https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2021/11/01/1050878727/6-tips-to-help-you-pick-the-right-health-insurance-plan" target="_blank"><b>reviewing your existing health coverage options</b></a> should be on your priority list. Whether you're switching to a joint health insurance policy or maintaining individual ones, ensure that you're adequately covered. For example, if one partner has specific medical needs, make sure those are accounted for in whichever policy you choose.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Engage in Legal Planning</h3><div>Legal matters, particularly concerning your estate and healthcare decisions, should not be overlooked. It’s advisable to <a href="https://smartasset.com/estate-planning/what-is-fair-in-a-second-marriage-and-estate-planning" target="_blank"><b>consult with an attorney</b></a> to make sure all your bases are covered. For instance, drafting a living will can help ensure your healthcare wishes are respected. Similarly, making your spouse the executor of your estate can help prevent potential legal tussles among family members.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Start a Business Together</h3><div>Embarking on a business venture as a senior couple can be an exciting and rewarding endeavor, turning years of experience into a profitable enterprise. It's a chance to work together, leverage your accumulated wisdom, and create a legacy that embodies your shared values and passions. Forming an LLC offers several benefits including limited personal liability, less administrative paperwork, and tax advantages. You can <a href="https://www.zenbusiness.com/llc/" target="_blank"><b>form a limited liability company through ZenBusiness</b></a> or hire an attorney.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Establish Life Milestones</h3><div><a href="https://www.livewellplaytogether.com/setting-goals-with-your-spouse-2/" target="_blank"><b>Setting shared life goals</b></a> can give you both something to strive for in this new chapter. Whether it’s a goal to travel to new places or to spend more time with family, having a shared vision can add a layer of cohesion and purpose to your relationship. These goals can serve as a roadmap, guiding you and your partner through the adventure that your later years will surely be.</div><div><br /></div><div>Navigating marriage as a senior couple offers a unique blend of challenges and opportunities. It requires an integrated approach that melds emotional resilience with practical wisdom. By harmoniously blending these elements, senior couples can face this new chapter fortified with a sense of purpose and well-being.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><h3>About the Author</h3><div><i>Nicole Rubin worked in the health insurance industry for years, spending the majority of her time fielding questions from people concerning their coverage and medical bills. She created <a href="https://insureabilities.com/" target="_blank"><b>Insureabilities</b></a> to provide up-to-date information on the state of health insurance in the U.S.</i></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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</div>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-24321069531117383152024-01-18T10:49:00.000-08:002024-01-18T11:06:17.415-08:005 Ways to Stick to Your New Year's Resolution<h1 style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 22px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0.75em 0px 0px; position: relative; text-align: left;"><br /></h1><span id="docs-internal-guid-7a1b1d86-7fff-87fc-e6d7-c47fe7d92220"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The quest to fulfill New Year's resolutions is an admirable endeavor, but the path to success often has its challenges. In this blog, we will dive into essential strategies to help you enhance your resolution journey.</span></p><br /><br /><ol style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Surround yourself with the right people</span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Surrounding yourself with individuals who genuinely support and encourage your goals can make a huge difference in your journey towards achievement. A strong support network serves as a source of motivation during challenging times, offering both emotional and practical assistance. Whether it's friends, family, or like-minded individuals sharing similar aspirations, having a community that understands your vision provides a sense of accountability and camaraderie. These allies not only celebrate your victories but can also offer guidance and empathy when faced with setbacks.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 351px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"><img height="351" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/VglSdwahV7g2OcSHPJgbEPIw87BwNoxYLG4dtYKSEJ0nzyW0q7invG68uzV6XcxCHYNG2usnbkE9el2LLZsMPohYYOcOZ51eRCYa1ty4WJB6G8dxZ2IWv94Mg-_9VxuP6bSLhKrZLFDrdEpFhd6OiB0" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></span></span></p><br /><ol start="2" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #374151; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Embrace progress, not perfection</span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Embracing progress over perfection is a powerful mindset that fosters sustainable growth and self-compassion. Striving for perfection can often lead to discouragement and a sense of failure, making your journey to success more difficult. Celebrating small victories creates a positive atmosphere, motivating you to persist in your resolution journey. Embracing progress acknowledges setbacks as a natural part of growth, promoting a realistic and sustainable approach. This mindset values the journey, making the resolution experience not only achievable but also fulfilling.</span></p><br /><ol start="3" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #374151; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Journal your progress</span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Journaling is a great tool to use when aiming to achieve New Year's resolutions. It provides a tangible record of your journey, offering insights into successes and challenges. By documenting experiences and achievements, you gain a clearer understanding of your goals. Journaling fosters self-reflection, helping you identify patterns and celebrate milestones. Revisiting your journal during setbacks serves as motivation, showcasing progress and reinforcing your commitment. Whether digital or traditional, the practice becomes a valuable companion, guiding you with mindfulness and purpose.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="border: none; display: inline-block; height: 416px; overflow: hidden; width: 624px;"><img height="416" src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/sMRdW3L5hXHOz_MhvzM1mlMGEfs5VLDzP71VoVfbj51wioSeR0WbR6tIt9JhjF-uZM2sWE0mZ10oKj7kTgJ5LkidpMu-F6t7eP-31ha-jqlFjcbgRhPk2i0hYhlMY_g8UO8JUMtnBvO0CVK1qysNvuc" style="margin-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px;" width="624" /></span></span></p><br /><ol start="4" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #374151; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; list-style-type: decimal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-wrap: wrap; vertical-align: baseline;">Break down big resolutions into smaller steps</span></p></li></ol><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Breaking down big resolutions into small, manageable steps is a game-changer in achieving New Year's goals. This approach transforms overwhelming aspirations into bite-sized tasks, making the journey more attainable. Setting realistic milestones and tracking progress step by step fosters a sense of achievement and motivation. This incremental strategy not only propels individuals forward but also instills confidence, turning larger objectives into a series of achievable victories.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #374151; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #374151; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> 5. </span><span style="color: #374151; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Embrace setbacks</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #374151; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In the pursuit of New Year's resolutions, the ability to learn from setbacks and turn challenges into comebacks is a transformative skill. Setbacks are not roadblocks but rather opportunities for growth. By approaching obstacles with a mindset of learning and adaptation, individuals can learn valuable lessons from each experience. Understanding the root causes of setbacks allows for strategic adjustments and enhances problem-solving skills. Moreover, turning challenges into comebacks instills a sense of determination and perseverance. It's not about avoiding difficulties but navigating through them with a new and fresh perspective. </span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Remember, resolutions are not just about end results but the transformative process that unfolds along the way. Embrace the journey with a mindset that values progress over perfection, and you'll discover the resilience and determination needed to achieve your aspirations. Whether building a support system, recording your progress, or navigating setbacks with grace, these strategies collectively guide you towards a successful New Year's resolution. Here's to a year of growth, resilience, and the successful realization of your goals! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span face="Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: black; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic;">Brought to you by Tara Schumann, Digital Media Specialist for The Society of Certified Senior Advisors.</span></span></p><div><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="color: #374151; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div></span>Tara Schumannhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02347861504842502685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-14237180780880590962024-01-10T07:33:00.000-08:002024-01-10T07:33:00.126-08:00Improve Your Health — Without Hitting the Gym<h3>
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<h3>Going to the gym for an hour can’t compensate for sitting the rest of the day. What you do (or don’t do) throughout your waking time has a big impact on health.</h3>
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<div><div>We’ve been led to believe that if we hit the gym a few days a week, we can rest assured we’re doing okay on the exercise front. Not so, according to new research. The low-effort movements that you do throughout the day (think shopping for groceries, taking the stairs, tapping a foot to music, etc.) provide big benefits. </div><div><br /></div><div>These activities burn calories, a concept known as non-exercise activity thermogenesis, or NEAT. Every physical activity outside of eating, sleeping, or sports-like exercise counts. </div><div><br /></div><div><div>The body burns calories in three major ways:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Your basal metabolic rate (BMR) is how much energy you expend in a comfortable temperature after fasting 12 hours. In non-athletes, it accounts for 60 to 70% of energy expenditure. It’s how much your body needs to circulate blood, breathe, and maintain other vital functions.</li><li>Diet-induced thermogenesis is the energy needed to digest, absorb, and store food in the body. It makes up 10-12% of the energy expended in a non-athlete.</li><li>Physical activity is everything your body does to move, maintain posture, and contract muscles. It accounts for 6 to 10% of energy expenditure and can be further broken down into deliberate exercise and NEAT.</li></ul></div></div></div>
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<tr><td><h3>How to Add NEAT to Your Routine</h3><div><div><div><ul><li>Take the stairs</li><li>Park farther away than you need to</li><li>Walk or cycle to your destination</li><li>Do household chores</li><li>Do yard work</li><li>Stand up more than you sit</li><li>Take walking breaks</li><li>Dance to a video</li><li>Stand up and sit down 10 times</li></ul></div></div></div>
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</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><br /></div><div>Don’t be fooled into thinking that such a small fraction of energy use must have a correspondingly small impact on your well-being. People in Blue Zones, where longevity is at its peak, have been found to do a lot of NEAT activity and almost no gym exercise or sports. In fact, NEAT has been linked most strongly with longevity and body weight management. There is a strong link between the overall time spent sitting down and the risk of dying early.</div><div><br /></div><div>“Metabolic syndrome, poor blood sugar management, and type 2 diabetes are all related to large amounts of seated time, independent of how much someone exercises,” says Kelsey Graham, a professor in the Exercise Science Department of San Diego Mesa College and owner/founder of KBG Wellness.</div><div><br /></div><div>The average adult spends nine to 10 hours per day seated, according to the National Institutes of Health. Alarmingly, scientists have found higher levels of triglycerides, blood sugar, and C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation, in the blood of people who are very sedentary. </div><div><br /></div><div>“It's those heart health markers that are really concerning for people who are studying this,” says Sabrena Jo, director of science and research content for the American Council on Exercise (ACE). It doesn’t take long for the damage to start. After merely a single day of inactivity, HDL or good cholesterol begins to dip.</div><div><br /></div><div>But don’t your gym visits counteract these effects? “Thirty- or 60-minute workouts can't make up for the long unbroken periods of sedentary activities in terms of cardiometabolic health,” says Jo, while acknowledging that it will be “quite a mental shift" for Americans to accept that sweating it out for an hour isn’t enough. </div><div><br /></div><div>“Regular light movement is just as important for health as regimented exercise,” says Kelsey Graham, a professor in the Exercise Science Department of San Diego Mesa College and owner/founder of KBG Wellness.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">NEAT Burns Calories</h3><div>Dr. James Levine, an endocrinologist who pioneered research on NEAT while at the Mayo Clinic and now heads the nonprofit Foundation Ipsen, has been studying how NEAT movement affects our energy use, or how many calories we burn. </div><div><br /></div><div>Levine notes that sitting at a computer uses 5 to 7% more calories than lying down, but if he gets up to fold and iron clothes, that number goes up to 15%. “It all changes the moment I start to walk,” he says. Casually walking at the speed you might take while shopping can double your metabolic rate. Even chewing gum will burn about 20 calories an hour. </div><div><br /></div><div>While there are no guidelines yet on how much NEAT exercise is optimal, experts suggest standing or walking every 30 minutes for five minutes or more will bring positive benefits. You don’t have to do jumping jacks (although that will work); more modest exercise, like going to the kitchen for a cup of coffee, will do. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.wxxinews.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-07-22/theres-a-way-to-get-healthier-without-even-going-to-a-gym-its-called-neat" target="_blank">https://www.wxxinews.org/npr-news/npr-news/2023-07-22/theres-a-way-to-get-healthier-without-even-going-to-a-gym-its-called-neat</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.wellics.com/blog/how-to-increase-neat" target="_blank">https://www.wellics.com/blog/how-to-increase-neat</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12468415/#:~:text=Abstract,eating%20or%20sports%2Dlike%20exercise" target="_blank">https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12468415/#:~:text=Abstract,eating%20or%20sports%2Dlike%20exercise</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2019/non-exercise-activity-thermogenesis.html" target="_blank">https://www.aarp.org/health/healthy-living/info-2019/non-exercise-activity-thermogenesis.html</a></u></span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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<div>Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors</div></div></div>
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</div>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-3690987904115825542024-01-09T08:05:00.000-08:002024-01-09T08:05:00.120-08:00Your 2023 Taxes<h3>
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<h3>Tax season is here. We’ve got the numbers seniors need to know for 2023 limits and deductions. </h3>
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<div><div>January signals a new start … and a fresh tax season. Bah humbug! But you can prepare by going through the 2023 tax brackets, where income bumped up significantly due to inflation. You may also be able to find deductions in the <a href="https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/personal-finance/secure-act-2" target="_blank"><b>SECURE 2.0 Act</b></a> and <a href="https://www.whitehouse.gov/cleanenergy/inflation-reduction-act-guidebook/" target="_blank"><b>Inflation Reduction Act</b></a>.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Income Tax Brackets</h3><div>Let’s start with the basics. Tax brackets for earned income stayed the same while qualifying income got higher to keep in line with the inflation we saw, particularly at the beginning of last year. Those married filing separately share brackets with single filers.</div><div><br /></div><div>
<table align="center" bgcolor="black">
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<th>Tax Rate</th>
<th>Single Filers</th>
<th>Married Filing Jointly</th>
<th>Heads of Household</th>
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<td>10%</td>
<td>Less than $11,000</td>
<td>Less than $22,000</td>
<td>Less than $15,700</td>
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<td>12%</td>
<td>$11,000 - $44,725</td>
<td>$22,000 - $89,450</td>
<td>$15,700 - $59,850</td>
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<td>22%</td>
<td>$44,726 - $95,375</td>
<td>$89,451 - $190,750</td>
<td>$59,851 - $95,350</td>
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<td>24%</td>
<td>$95,376 - $182,100</td>
<td>$190,751 - $364,200</td>
<td>$95,351 - $182,100</td>
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<td>32%</td>
<td>$182,100 - $231,250</td>
<td>$364,200 - $462,500</td>
<td>$182,100 - $231,250</td>
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<tr bgcolor="white">
<td>35%</td>
<td>$231,251 - $578,125</td>
<td>$462,501 - $693,750</td>
<td>$231,251 - $578,100</td>
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<tr bgcolor="white">
<td>37%</td>
<td>$578,126 and up</td>
<td>$693,751 and up</td>
<td>$578,101 and up</td>
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</tbody></table></div><div><i> Source: Internal Revenue Service</i></div><div><br /></div><div>Long-term capital gains (on assets you own longer than a year) tax brackets stayed the same, while income to qualify for each went up. Married people filing individually have the same rate as singles.</div><div><br /></div><div>
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<tbody><tr bgcolor="lightgrey">
<th>Tax Rate</th>
<th>Single Filers</th>
<th>Married Filing Jointly</th>
<th>Heads of Household</th>
</tr>
<tr bgcolor="white">
<td>0%</td>
<td>Less than $44,625</td>
<td>Less than $89,250</td>
<td>Less than $59,750</td>
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<td>15%</td>
<td>$44,626 – $492,300</td>
<td>$89,251 – $553,850</td>
<td>$59,751 – $523,050</td>
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<td>20%</td>
<td>Over $492,300</td>
<td>Over $553,850</td>
<td>Over $523,050</td>
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</tbody></table></div><div><i> Source: Internal Revenue Service</i></div><div><br /></div>
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<tr><td><h3>Changes Coming in 2026</h3><div><div><div>Several estate and income tax provisions will sunset after 2025 unless Congress moves to extend them. Keep these in mind as you do your tax planning for the next few years. The lifetime estate and gift tax exemption will be cut approximately in half for estates (affecting high net-worth people), while it’s not clear what will happen to the gift tax exemption. </div><div><br /></div><div>Income tax brackets are expected to change for nearly all levels except the bottom two. What is now 22% will become 25%, 24% will become 28%, 32% will change to 33%, 35% will stay the same and 37% will become 39%.</div><div><br /></div><div>Standard deductions will revert back to lower levels, encouraging more tax filers to itemize. </div><div>The mortgage interest deduction limit will bump back up to $1 million. Read a full list of <a href="https://www.thinkadvisor.com/2023/11/22/these-tax-cuts-are-sunsetting-in-2026-are-your-clients-ready/" target="_blank"><b>projected changes</b></a> and talk over possible changes to your portfolio with your financial advisor and/or tax professional. </div></div><div><br /></div></div>
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</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div>The standard deduction amount went up across all categories. Singles may claim $13,850, married couples filing jointly get $27,700, and heads of households qualify for $20,800. Add $1,850 if you’re at least 65 or blind, and $3,700 if both of those apply to you. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Online Sellers</h3><div>Many older adults get extra income by online or small-scale selling, and they can breathe a sigh of relief. The IRS decided not to implement <a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/irs-1099-k-tax-change-for-online-selling" target="_blank"><b>new rules</b></a> this year requiring third-party settlement networks such as PayPal, Venmo, and Square Stubhub to send out Form 1099-K to clients who were paid more than $600 for goods and services. The reporting limit remains $20,000 for 2023. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Retirement Savings Rules</h3><div>Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) now start at age 73 for those who turned 72 in 2022. Your broker can help you determine the correct amount to withdraw from traditional IRAs, 401(k)s and other workplace plans. Seniors who turned 73 in 2023 must take a withdrawal by April 1, although if you are still working you can usually put off taking the withdrawal from the retirement plan at your current employer. </div><div><br /></div><div>The government lowered the penalty for folks who fail to take their RMD, although it’s still significant. The tax for such a lapse is now 25% (down from 50%) of the missing amount. Fix your mistake promptly and they’ll lower that to 10%.</div><div><br /></div><div>Still saving for retirement? The amounts you can tuck away have gone up. New limits on contributions for traditional IRAs and Roth accounts are $6,500, with an additional $1,000 added for people 50 and older. Roth IRA income limits are less than $153,000 for single filers and under $228,000 for people married, filing jointly. Check <a href="https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/investing/roth-ira-contribution-limits" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a> for details.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Alternative Minimum Tax</h3><div>If you may wind up paying the alternative minimum tax, you’ll be happy to know income limits have gone up for 2023. Single filers and heads of household must make at least $81,300, and married couples filing jointly start at $126,500. For specifics, check <a href="https://www.schwab.com/learn/story/beware-these-amt-triggers" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Other changes from 2023 include <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/residential-clean-energy-credit" target="_blank"><b>residential clean energy credit</b></a>, <a href="https://www.irs.gov/credits-deductions/energy-efficient-home-improvement-credit" target="_blank"><b>energy-efficient home improvement credit</b></a>, and a <a href="https://www.irs.gov/clean-vehicle-tax-credits" target="_blank"><b>clean vehicle credit</b></a>. Additionally, older adults who are still working can take advantage of <a href="https://www.fidelity.com/learning-center/smart-money/401k-contribution-limits#:~:text=Key%20takeaways,2024%2C%20this%20rises%20to%20%2423%2C000" target="_blank"><b>bumps in amounts they can add to retirement savings</b></a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>That’s a lot of good news that should translate to more and bigger tax refunds when you file. <br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div> </div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><i>This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional financial advice from a qualified financial advisor.</i></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/tax-law/603037/tax-changes-and-key-amounts" target="_blank">https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/tax-law/603037/tax-changes-and-key-amounts</a></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><div><a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/tax-deductions/602223/standard-deduction" target="_blank">https://www.kiplinger.com/taxes/tax-deductions/602223/standard-deduction</a></div></span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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<div>Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors</div></div></div>
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</div></div>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-36592860725324267762024-01-08T09:25:00.000-08:002024-01-08T09:25:00.249-08:00Should You Buy a Second Home?<h3>
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<h3><span style="font-size: 18.72px;">Seniors in the market for a vacation property have a lot to consider before making the leap, from location and cost to financing and use. Here’s the lowdown.</span></h3>
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<div><div>For many older adults, part of the American dream is owning a second home. A recent Ameriprise Financial survey of financial advisors found an estimated two out of three high net worth clients (those with more than $1 million in investable wealth) own a second home, and a third of their clients who don’t are interested in having one in the future.</div><div><br /></div><div>Part of the reason the number is so high, of course, are the many years prior to March 2022 when interest rates, and thus mortgages, were at historic lows. Most buyers could afford to use the property as a vacation home.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Why Have a Second Home?</h3><div>“The data uncovered that the vast majority (81%) of affluent clients primarily use second homes as a vacation destination or a place to get away from the stresses of everyday life,” said Marcy Keckler, senior vice president of financial advice strategy at Ameriprise Financial. “Other common reasons were better weather (49%), rental income (41%), and having a venue for gatherings (25%) with family and friends.”</div><div><br /></div><div>A third of those surveyed had an ulterior motive for the purchase; they will move into their second home when they retire. </div><div><br /></div><div>“There can be an advantage to purchasing a second home before you’re done working so that you can pay off the mortgage before you officially retire,” Keckler said. “This strategy can make it easier to weather future economic downturns by eliminating or reducing a significant monthly expense.” </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Seniors Financing a Vacation Home</h3><div>If you can pay cash for that home on the lake, more power to you. You’ll have a more competitive offer. You may be able to borrow against investments. “Ask your advisor to help you weigh the pros and cons of different financing options, as well as how the additional outlay might affect your progress toward other important financial goals,” says Kathryn Thompson, a Merrill Financial Advisor in Albuquerque, New Mexico.</div><div><br /></div><div>But if you will be financing, prepare to meet more stringent underwriting requirements and contribute a heftier downpayment than with your primary home. Additionally, mortgages for second homes usually run 0.5% to 0.75% higher, although in some cases they may actually be less than listed rates if the home is not rented out.</div><div><br /></div><div>You’ll want to check your credit score, since a number below 640 will likely put you out of the running for traditional financing. However, if you have a lot of equity in your first home, you may be able to use it to buy your second.</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>A <b>cash-out refinance</b> is when you get a new mortgage on your home. Most lenders will finance up to 85% of the value of your home. But you’ll have closing costs and the interest is figured at today’s rates.</li><li>A <b>home equity loan</b> or <b>HELOC</b> uses your home as collateral to generate a second mortgage. Home equity loans are generally distributed as fixed-rate, lump sum loans. HELOCs, which have variable rates, are more often paid out for expenses over time. Both of these options may enable you to draw 85 to 90% of your home’s equity.</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Be aware that to meet most lender requirements to be classified as a vacation home you’ll have to keep it for your personal use and enjoyment at least six months of the year. It must be a single unit, and if you do short-term rentals, it can’t be managed by a property management company. It also must be at least 50 miles away from your primary residence. Check with individual lenders to verify their rules.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Is Owning Another Home Right for You?</h3><div>Consider all the implications of owning a second home before you buy. Would it be cheaper to rent a place and not have to worry if the air conditioner needs to be replaced or a tornado comes through? If you envision years of family gatherings, talk to your children first. They may prefer a ski vacation over a place on the water in Florida, for example. Will they want to come visit often?</div><div><br /></div><div>Don’t forget that another home comes with its own headaches no matter where it is located. Things break and wear out. Expenses for HOAs, property taxes and the like go up. You may decide you need to update, and who’s going to take care of the lawn?</div><div><br /></div><div>Make sure to visit the area several times before you commit. Go in the off season to experience the worst weather. Eat at the local restaurants, shop and stay for a while to see if you’re bored or enthralled. Would you have more fun choosing different areas to visit, making rental a lot more fun than being tied to one spot?</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Renting Out a Second Home</h3><div>One way to defray some of the costs of another house is to rent it out part of the year. First make sure the community and/or town doesn’t have restrictions against renters. Talk to a local real estate agent about what similar places are renting for.</div><div><br /></div><div>You may be able to deduct operating expenses, depreciation and repairs, mortgage interest, and property taxes, depending on how you are renting the home out. Talk to your tax professional about deductions and the guidelines around them.</div><div><br /></div><div>More people in the home will mean more headaches and more wear and tear on the place, including furnishings. You’ll need a reliable cleaner and someone to manage for you, unless you want to take on that considerable job. Management may cost about 10 to 12% of what you bring in. Additionally, you may find that the season when you want most to be at your vacation home is the same one when most of your rental profits can be made. </div><div><br /></div><div>Whatever you decide, be sure and consult financial, tax and real estate professionals before making up your mind. While real estate tends to appreciate over time, there are eras and situations when that has not occurred. Do your homework before you commit, and you may just find your dream (second) home.</div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.ml.com/articles/second-home-investment.html" target="_blank">https://www.ml.com/articles/second-home-investment.html</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/buying-a-second-home/" target="_blank">https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/buying-a-second-home/</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.gobankingrates.com/investing/real-estate/many-wealthy-americans-own-second-home-everyone-should-consider-this-investment/" target="_blank">https://www.gobankingrates.com/investing/real-estate/many-wealthy-americans-own-second-home-everyone-should-consider-this-investment/</a></u></span></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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<div>Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors</div></div></div>
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</div>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-2034106440093636932024-01-07T06:47:00.000-08:002024-01-07T06:47:47.949-08:00Seniors With Too Many Emails: Help Has Arrived!<h3>
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<h3>Are you embarrassed about the number of unread and old emails in your Gmail inbox? Read on to discover ways to organize, delete, and unsubscribe from emails to take back control.</h3>
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<div><div>Email can be a quick, effective way to transfer files, keep in touch with the people we love, and share information. But the truth is that many of you have inboxes stuffed with thousands of unread and old messages that you don’t need to keep. It winds up costing you every month for unneeded data storage. And you may not even want to open your inbox because it’s stuffed with junk mail.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">How to Organize in Gmail</h3><div>Most people use Gmail accounts for their email, so we’ll concentrate on it.</div><div><br /></div><div>Gmail uses <b>labels</b> instead of folders. You can put more than one label on an email, so they’re super flexible. You can even add color to labels to make it easier for old eyes to distinguish them quickly. Label and group every email you are keeping, and it will be a snap to find them again. </div></div><div><br /></div>
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<tr><td><h3>Gmail Add-ons and Extensions</h3><h3><div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The </span>Inbox Pause<span style="font-weight: 400;"> add-on lets you put a hold on new emails until you want to receive them. If you feel overwhelmed by constant emails coming in, just turn it on.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Chrome extension </span>Checker Plus<span style="font-weight: 400;"> for Gmail sends notifications of new emails instantly to your browser. That way, you can read and delete email without having to open it somewhere else, and you can use the text-to-speech engine to listen to emails instead of using them.</span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: 400;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span style="font-size: small;">Auto Text Expander<span style="font-weight: 400;"> allows you to use 4G artificial intelligence to avoid repetitive tasks. It will generate emails and chats that you can use again and again.</span></span></div><div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"><br /></div><div style="font-size: medium; font-weight: 400;"><br /></div></div></h3><h3>Apps for Email</h3><div><div>There are many apps to help you organize your email. Most are free with an enhanced version you must pony up for.</div><div><br /></div><div><ul><li><a href="https://sparkmailapp.com/" target="_blank"><b>Spark</b></a> keeps your inbox clean.</li><li><a href="https://tryshift.com/" target="_blank"><b>Shift</b></a> organizes and streamlines all your apps.</li><li><a href="http://Unroll.me" target="_blank"><b>Unroll.me</b></a> unenrolls you from spam email.</li><li><a href="https://www.followupthen.com/" target="_blank"><b>FollowUpThen</b></a> offers help dealing with your inbox. </li><li><a href="https://ifttt.com/email" target="_blank"><b>IFTTT</b></a> A play on “if this, then that” it will automate actions for your emails.</li></ul></div></div>
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</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div>Use <b>more than one email address</b>, then use the feature to group them all together, called <b>Multiple Inboxes</b>. Multiple inboxes will allow you to look at all of your inboxes in one place. </div><div><br /></div><div>Use the <b>archive</b> feature to hide emails you don’t need. You can still find them again by clicking on the All Mail label in the menu on the left.</div><div><br /></div><div>Make unread emails easier to find by always having them <b>go to the top</b> by changing a single setting. In the Inbox tab, change it from Default to <b>Unread First</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div>If you’d like to keep your brain sharp by learning something new, take a stab at memorizing all of Gmail’s <b>keyboard shortcuts</b>. There are 11 shortcuts to allow you to quickly do things like archive, report as spam, or put type in bold.</div><div><br /></div><div>Use <b>dots in your Gmail addresses</b>. Hot tip: Gmail doesn’t distinguish between </div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>seniorspirit@gmail.com</li><li>senior.spirit@gmail.com</li><li>s.e.n.i.o.r.s.p.i.r.i.t.@gmail.com </li></ul></div><div>So you can give different addresses to different people and companies instead of creating different inboxes. Google will still be aware of the difference, so you can create filters by assigning them different-colored labels and Google will sort them automatically.</div><div><br /></div><div>You can create <b>email aliases</b> by using a “+” sign after your Gmail username and then a descriptive word or two. For example:</div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>seniorspirit+ads@gmail.com</li><li>seniorspirit+articles@gmail.com</li><li>seniorspirit+futuretopics@gmail.com</li></ul></div><div>This way it becomes easy to filter emails from different senders. A bonus is that you can tell who has leaked your email if you suddenly get hit with spam. Just create a unique address each time you sign up for email ads online. </div><div><br /></div><div>You can <b>customize your inbox</b> by view and type. For example, you can make all of your starred emails show up first or let Google algorithms decide which email you want to see first. Change to compact view to see more emails on your screen at the same time. As a final step, you’ll want to click Settings, Inbox type, and then Customize. Google displays a tab for <i>Primary</i> (person-to-person conversations and those that don’t show up in another tab), a <i>Social</i> tab for conversations from your social networks, and a <i>Promotions</i> tab for advertising.</div><div><br /></div><div>Put <b>hashtags</b> inside the body of your email to further make it easy to retrieve and organize emails at a higher level. You can add them anywhere within the body, but it’s a lot less distracting if you insert them at the end of your communication. For instance, you could insert #gastrodelights, #favoriterecipe, #eggs. </div><div><br /></div><div>For explanations on how to do any of the above <a href="https://clean.email/organize-inbox-email-messages/how-to-organize-gmail" target="_blank"><b>gmail handling tips and tricks</b></a>, click the link. </div><div> </div></div><div> </div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.aarp.org/home-family/personal-technology/info-2021/declutter-email-inbox.html" target="_blank">https://www.aarp.org/home-family/personal-technology/info-2021/declutter-email-inbox.html</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/inbox-organization-tools" target="_blank">https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/inbox-organization-tools</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://clean.email/organize-inbox-email-messages/how-to-organize-gmail" target="_blank">https://clean.email/organize-inbox-email-messages/how-to-organize-gmail</a></u></span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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<div>Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors</div></div></div>
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</div>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-50603679304136878732024-01-06T10:24:00.000-08:002024-01-06T10:24:01.188-08:00Best Organizations for Seniors Donating to Veterans<h3>
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<h3>It’s always the right season to give back to our men and women in uniform and their families. <i>Senior Spirit</i> has found some worthy organizations you can feel proud to support. </h3>
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<div><div>Americans have been fighting and dying for their country ever since there was a United States. Most of us will never have to deal with the pain of losing friends and comrades to enemy fire or suffering a wound during combat. </div><div><br /></div><div>We won’t have to be separated from our family, sometimes for several repeated tours of combat, or face the daunting proposition of integrating back into civilian life with a missing leg, arm, or more. Our service members give to their country while knowing they may have to make the ultimate sacrifice. Surely older adults with disposable funds and/or time should take a hard look at giving back to these courageous men and women.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Multiple Organizations Serve Veterans</h3><div>Stalwart organizations such as the <b>Red Cross</b> and <b>Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW)</b> remain worthy recipients of your money. But a multitude of newer groups have sprouted to serve very specific needs of our men and women in uniform. </div></div><div><br /></div>
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<tr><td><h3>Tax-Efficient Donating </h3><div><div><div>Take a moment to consult your tax and/or financial advisor before making your charitable donations. He or she will best be able to help you make a plan for <a href="https://www.fidelitycharitable.org/guidance/charitable-tax-strategies/reduce-taxable-income.html" target="_blank"><b>tax-efficient donations</b></a>. One or more of the following strategies may enable you to give more and save on taxes: </div><div><ul><li>Donate appreciated securities</li><li>Combine cash and securities </li><li>Create a donor-advised fund</li><li>Offset alternative minimum taxes</li><li>Offset capital gains by rebalancing</li><li>Create a multi-year approach</li><li>Offset costs of Roth conversions</li><li>Complement a donor-advised fund with your private foundation, charitable remainder trust or charitable lead trust</li></ul></div></div><div><br /></div></div>
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</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div>One such organization is <a href="https://www.hfotusa.org/" target="_blank"><b>Homes for our Troops</b></a>, a nonprofit that has already built hundreds of homes for injured troops and is in the process of constructing dozens more. The homes exceed Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance standards, and feature lower counters, roll-in showers, wider hallways and doorways, and much more for veterans in wheelchairs. Interested seniors can even help build the homes. Homes for our Troops continues their support after veterans move in, providing a financial advisor for three years along with a mentoring program. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another worthy group is <a href="https://www.everyoneforveterans.org/" target="_blank"><b>Everyone for Veterans (E4V)</b></a>. Started in 2008 by a dentist who wanted to give back to vets in her own community, E4V helps veterans and their spouses who are experiencing financial hardship by offering comprehensive dental care. Only 8% of those using VA health care qualify for help with dental services, resulting in pain, embarrassment, and the loss of teeth. The group is always looking to expand with the help of dentists willing to offer their services pro bono. </div><div><br /></div><div>You might not immediately realize that <a href="https://puppiesbehindbars.com/" target="_blank"><b>Puppies Behind Bars</b></a> is dedicated to having prisoners train labrador retrievers for use as service dogs by injured veterans. (Dogs may also become service dogs for first responders, police department dogs and explosive-detection canines). It’s a win-win-win situation as inmates, the dogs, and veterans benefit. Inmates live with their dog for two years, teaching it more than 90 commands while contributing to society instead of the reverse. </div><div><br /></div><div>The group is proud of providing top-notch canines for 25 years. They offer follow-up support for five years to make sure their dogs provide exceptional service and that their owners understand how to integrate the canine into their life and work. Puppies Behind Bars operates in the New York City area. If you live nearby, you may also be able to help out by socializing a dog overnight in your home. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Picking an Organization</h3><div>There are literally hundreds of organizations providing help for veterans across the US. Most offer great value and utilize funds wisely. But any time you prepare to donate, it’s only smart to check out the organization. How, you may wonder, do I do that?</div><div><br /></div><div>Enter <a href="https://www.charitynavigator.org/" target="_blank"><b>Charity Navigator</b></a>, a trusted resource dedicated to making you an informed and impactful donor. Charity Navigator gives organizations a percentile ranking based on their evaluation. It also provides a complete list of <a href="https://www.charitynavigator.org/donor-basics/" target="_blank"><b>donor resources</b></a> to educate and inform about topics ranging from giving and taxes to <a href="https://www.charitynavigator.org/donor-basics/protect-your-giving/avoid-charity-scams/" target="_blank"><b>avoiding fraud</b></a>. </div><div><br /></div><div>Another tried-and-true resource is <a href="https://www.charitywatch.org/" target="_blank"><b>CharityWatch</b></a>. An independent watchdog, CharityWatch deep-dives to discover how efficiently each organization uses donations. The group also works to expose nonprofits that abuse the system. It also offers helpful tools to avoid giving to bogus organizations and scammers.</div><div><br /></div><div>Service members are always on duty around the world to protect the US. There are many ways to give back to them for their years of dedicated service and the sacrifices they make on the battlefield. <br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div> </div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><i>This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional financial advice from a qualified financial advisor.</i></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/veteran-nonprofit-organizations">https://donorbox.org/nonprofit-blog/veteran-nonprofit-organizations</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/veteran-service-member-charities/">https://www.charitynavigator.org/discover-charities/where-to-give/veteran-service-member-charities/</a></u></span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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<div>Blog posting provided by Society of Certified Senior Advisors</div></div></div>
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</div>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-5830875288791110302024-01-06T09:37:00.000-08:002024-01-06T09:37:33.203-08:00Famous & 65<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>
<h2>Look who's turning 65 this month</h2><div style="text-align: left;">Find out which celebrities are turning 65 this month!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Source: <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Chandra_Cheeseborough_1975.jpg/230px-Chandra_Cheeseborough_1975.jpg">Wikipedia</a></span></td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: left;"><span>January 10 - Chandra Cheeseborough<span>, sprinter <span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></span></span></h3>
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<div><div>Chandra Cheesborough earned her place in history by becoming only the second athlete (the other was Paavo Nurmi who competed 60 years earlier) to bring home gold in two different Olympic running events held on the same day. It was the 1984 Games, and Cheesborough became the first woman to win in two relays, which were held <i>less than an hour apart! </i></div><div><br /></div><div>As you might expect, her stellar achievement was predicated on an extraordinary running career that pushed her into the international spotlight at the age of 16 when she won two golds at the 1975 Pan American Games, including setting a new American record of 22.77 seconds in the 200m race. </div><div><br /></div><div>A year later, Cheesborough burned up the track at the US Olympic trials by coming in second at the 100m in a blazing 11.3 seconds. She took sixth place in the event at the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games. She also ranks No. 10 of all time for her time of 49.05 while earning a silver medal in the 400m at the Los Angeles Olympics. </div><div><br /></div><div>Cheeseborough retired from her career to become head coach for men and women at her alma mater, Tennessee State, leading the Tigerbelles to six Ohio Valley Conference championships. She was an assistant coach for America’s 2008 Olympic team and coached sprinters and hurdlers headed to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="BodyA"><div class="BodyA"><div class="BodyA"><div><br /></div><div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/Alan_Taylor_2013_crop.jpg/220px-Alan_Taylor_2013_crop.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/Alan_Taylor_2013_crop.jpg/220px-Alan_Taylor_2013_crop.jpg" width="157" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Source: <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/Alan_Taylor_2013_crop.jpg/220px-Alan_Taylor_2013_crop.jpg">Wikipedia</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><h3>January 13 - Alan Taylor<span>, television and film director, screenwriter, and TV producer</span></h3><div><div>With a career spanning decades, Alan Taylor may be most familiar to you for his work in television, which includes well-known series such as “The Sopranos”, “Sex and the City”, “Mad Men” and “Game of Thrones”. Less familiar may be the films he directed, which include “Palookaville”, “Thor: The Dark World”, “Terminator Genisys” and “The Many Saints of Newark”. </div><div><br /></div><div>Taylor grew up in Canada and spent his first college years studying history at the University of Toronto, later transferring to Columbia University before studying film at New York University. Fun fact: one of his instructors was Martin Scorsese. </div><div><br /></div><div>Taylor is a resident of Brooklyn, where he lives with wife Nicki Lederman, a talented make-up artist. The pair have three children. As eminent as Taylor is, it’s fun to check out his sister, Anna Domino, who’s an indie rock musician.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c7/Linda_Blair_2018_cropped.jpeg/220px-Linda_Blair_2018_cropped.jpeg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c7/Linda_Blair_2018_cropped.jpeg/220px-Linda_Blair_2018_cropped.jpeg" width="188" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Source: <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c7/Linda_Blair_2018_cropped.jpeg/220px-Linda_Blair_2018_cropped.jpeg">Wikipedia</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><h3>January 22 - Linda Blair<span>, actress</span></h3><div><div><div>Who can forget the head-spinning, terrifying performance of Linda Blair in the iconic 1973 horror film “The Exorcist”?! The actor’s portrayal of Regan MacNeil won her a Golden Globe Award and a nomination for Best Supporting Actress at the Academy Awards. Blair went on to become a scream queen and sex symbol.</div><div><br /></div><div>Her career in the limelight began as a virtual toddler; at age five she was posing for Sears, JC Penney and Macy’s catalogs. By age nine, she was a regular on the soap opera “Hidden Faces”. At 11, she had a part in a film, followed by a bit part in a comedy a year later. But 1972 was the big year; Blair won the role in “The Exorcist” from 600 other applicants. </div><div><br /></div><div>While her performance won critical acclaim, some viewers could not separate the part from the actor. She got dissed for appearing in a “blasphemous” film and even received death threats. The studio sent her out on an international press tour at the age of 14 to show the world that she was just a “normal teenager”. </div><div><br /></div><div>Today, the vegan actor continues to perform while advocating for her animal charity organization, the Linda Blair WorldHeart Foundation Rescue and Wellness Center.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Cris_Collinsworth_%2837045366070%29.jpg/220px-Cris_Collinsworth_%2837045366070%29.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Cris_Collinsworth_%2837045366070%29.jpg/220px-Cris_Collinsworth_%2837045366070%29.jpg" width="169" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Image Source: <a href="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/af/Cris_Collinsworth_%2837045366070%29.jpg/220px-Cris_Collinsworth_%2837045366070%29.jpg">Wikipedia</a></span></td></tr></tbody></table><h3>January 27 - Chris Collinsworth<span>, NFL wide receiver and TV sportscaster</span></h3><div><div><div>Spending his entire eight-season pro career with the Cincinnati Bengals NFL team, Collinsworth capped his achievements by catching a trio of passes for 40 yards in Super Bowl XXIII, his last time to walk out on the gridiron as a player. He could leave with his head held high and a record of 417 receptions for a total of 6,698 yards and 36 touchdowns over 107 games. </div><div><br /></div><div>The 6’5” Collinsworth could often use his height and speed to his advantage in games. He was always an athletic kid (his dad, Lincoln, was a standout basketball player and was part of the team that won the 1958 national championship for Kentucky) and competed in a number of sports in high school. In his senior year, Collinsworth was dubbed a high school All-American quarterback as well as winning a 100-yard dash at the 3A state championship meet. </div><div><br /></div><div>The Florida Gators recruited him out of high school to be a quarterback who would strengthen their running game. Ironically, Collinsworth passed for 99 yards and a touchdown in his first college outing, tying a record for longest touchdown pass in NCAA history. The next year, he got moved to wide receiver, where he found new enthusiasm and talent. Collinsworth spent the last game of his college career earning MVP honors at the 1980 Tangerine Bowl. </div><div><br /></div><div>His winning ways didn’t stop there. He transitioned quickly to broadcasting and appeared on a slew of sports shows with the biggest names in the business. Collinsworth was selected as a commentator at the 1980 Beijing Summer Olympics for NBC and has won 17 Sports Emmy Awards. No slouch at business, he is the majority owner of Pro Football Focus.</div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div><div class="BodyA"><div class="BodyA"><div class="BodyA"><div><br /></div>
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<h3>As a shortage of general practitioner physicians escalates, other healthcare professionals are stepping up to fill in the gap. But is seeing one of them the equivalent to meeting with a doc?</h3>
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<div><div>It’s becoming more difficult to find a physician for treatment in the US. The Association of American Medical Colleges released a <a href="https://www.aamc.org/media/54681/download" target="_blank"><b>report</b></a> that estimates a shortfall of somewhere between 37,800 to 124,000 physicians by 2034. Many of these (17,800 to 48,000) will be primary care physicians. </div><div><br /></div></div>
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<tr><td><h3>House Calls for Seniors</h3><div><div><div>You may have thought that house visits went out with the horse and buggy, but they’ve seen a welcome revival. Many healthcare groups offer the service, often to patients who are homebound or have limited ability to travel. They may also serve older populations at senior care facilities. Sometimes they serve to check on patients recently released by hospitals to check on follow-up care and reduce readmissions. </div><div><br /></div><div>These professionals are often nurse practitioners, although they may be doctors or physician assistants. Some practice independently specifically to travel to where their patients are living. If you’re interested, search “healthcare house calls near me” to check on availability in your area. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><h3>What is a D.O.?</h3><div>With so many acronyms floating about in the healthcare arena, it’s no wonder you may have questions about what less-familiar ones mean. That’s often the case with doctors who have “D.O.” behind their name. Both medical doctors (MDs) and doctors of osteopathic medicine (DOs) graduate from medical school, complete a residency program and can choose to specialize in an area of treatment. </div><div><br /></div><div>The difference lies in their philosophy of treatment. MDs are allopathic doctors who practice mainstream medicine. DOs, on the other hand, add holistic and preventive health to conventional medicine. Some DOs include manual techniques, such as hands-on work on joints and tissues, in their practice of medicine. They may become physicians or surgeons and have full medical and surgical practicing rights in all 50 states. </div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>
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</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div>As a consequence, more general health care is being handled by nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs). However, a recent <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6206361/" target="_blank"><b>survey</b></a> found a reluctance among the general public to see these healthcare experts, even for minor concerns. There is a broad lack of understanding regarding what these professionals are able to do, and the extent of their medical training. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Who’s Best for Senior Care</h3><div>Seniors have <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK215400/#:~:text=Over%20the%20coming%20decades%2C%20the,needs%20for%20health%20care%20services" target="_blank"><b>more healthcare needs</b></a> than other age groups. It’s particularly important that older adults can trust NPs and PAs with their care as more of these professionals are seeing patients, especially for routine care that might ordinarily be handled by a primary physician. </div></div><div><br /></div><div>Here’s a rundown of the different credentials and what they represent.</div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><b>Physician</b>. Medical doctors have eight years of education after high school and spend three to eight years in residency. Annual board certification maintenance is required. They need no supervision to prescribe medication, perform exams, order and interpret tests, perform surgeries, or diagnose and treat illness. </li><li><b>Nurse Practitioner</b>. With a Master’s Degree in Nursing, NPs spend a total of six to eight years in higher education, but none in residency. However, they are required to spend 1,000 hours in professional practice plus earn 12 continued education credits annually or opt to pass an exam every five years. Just like doctors, they can practice independently in many states, prescribe medication, perform exams, order and interpret tests, and diagnose and treat illness. They may also assist in surgeries. </li><li><b>Physician Assistant</b>. Every PA earns a Bachelor’s and a Master’s Degree in Physician Assistant studies and is physician assistant-certified. This schooling takes six to seven years to complete, with an optional one or two years in residency. PAs must complete 100 hours of additional education every two years and pass an exam every ten years. They must be supervised by a physician and can prescribe medication. Like nurse practitioners, physician assistants can perform exams, order and interpret tests, and diagnose and treat illness. They may also assist in surgeries. </li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Which one is best to handle your care? The truth is, it’s the provider who you feel is responsive to your needs. Each of these professionals is qualified and able to perform routine care. Nurse practitioners can specialize in areas including gerontology, mental health, and women’s health. With a more generalized education, PAs can specialize in areas such as emergency medicine, orthopedics, and general surgery. </div><div><br /></div><div>The bottom line is that there’s no reason not to see a Nurse Practitioner or PA for the majority of your healthcare needs. They are highly trained professionals who are becoming more prevalent in healthcare facilities across the country. When so much of satisfaction with a provider depends on trust, it’s worth getting to know a variety of professionals to find someone who fits well with your expectations. </div><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://nursejournal.org/resources/np-vs-physician-assistant/" target="_blank">https://nursejournal.org/resources/np-vs-physician-assistant/</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.munsonhealthcare.org/blog/md-do-pa-np-whats-the-difference" target="_blank">https://www.munsonhealthcare.org/blog/md-do-pa-np-whats-the-difference</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.cmmhealth.org/services/primary-care-family-medicine/choosing-your-provider" target="_blank">https://www.cmmhealth.org/services/primary-care-family-medicine/choosing-your-provider</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6206361/" target="_blank">https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6206361/</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u>https://www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/sustainability/doctor-shortages-are-here-and-they-ll-get-worse-if-we-don-t-act</u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://nursejournal.org/resources/np-vs-physician-assistant/#:~:text=NPs%20can%20specialize%20in%20several,%2C%20orthopedics%2C%20and%20general%20surgery" target="_blank">https://nursejournal.org/resources/np-vs-physician-assistant/#:~:text=NPs%20can%20specialize%20in%20several,%2C%20orthopedics%2C%20and%20general%20surgery</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/osteopathic-medicine/faq-20058168" target="_blank">https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/expert-answers/osteopathic-medicine/faq-20058168</a></u></span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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</div>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-44179433035252727022023-12-10T09:49:00.000-08:002023-12-10T09:49:00.125-08:00Can This Product End the Fear of Running Out of Money in Retirement? <h3>
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<h3>Top of the list of retirement fears for most seniors is the worry about running out of money. Can a longevity annuity take those demons away? </h3>
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<div><div>The greatest fear in retirement isn’t death, or even loss of mobility or cognition. It’s the fear of outliving your savings. Longer life expectancy is only compounding that worry. What if you found out there was a way to ensure you have adequate income throughout your last years?</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Guaranteed Income via Longevity Annuities</h3><div>Longevity annuities don’t start paying out until you reach a specified age, such as 70 or 80. </div><div>They will "kick in if you're still alive at a given age to ensure that no matter what's happened in your portfolio, you have some amount of money to live," says David Blanchett, Ph.D., who heads retirement research at PGIM DC Solutions, the global investment management business of Prudential Financial Inc. <br /></div></div><div><br /></div><div><div>Even people who are hugely overfunded for retirement may have a hard time spending down assets. A longevity annuity can create enough certainty around future income that they are able to enjoy the fruits of their labors without worry. </div><div><br /></div><div>"What annuities do, behaviorally," says Michael Finke, Ph.D., professor of wealth management at The American College of Financial Services, "is give the client a pathway to spending down the money that they've saved without the fear that they're going to run out."</div><div><br /></div><h3>How Longevity Annuities Function</h3><div>The way it works is that you use a lump sum to purchase a guaranteed “retirement paycheck” designed to cover essential expenses at least 13 months and up to 40 years in the future. Older adults can buy one or several annuity contracts that earn interest while the funds are maturing. A couple can purchase a contract to cover them both, paying out as long as one of them is living. </div></div><div><br /></div>
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<tr><td><h3>QLAC Pros and Cons</h3><div><div><div>There are many benefits to purchasing a QLAC:</div><div><ul><li>Guaranteed retirement income</li><li>Simple, understandable structure</li><li>Tax deferral benefits</li><li>Delayed required minimum distributions</li><li>Low risk</li><li>Can add second annuitant and/or death benefits</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div>Following are some of the downsides:</div><div><ul><li>Illiquidity</li><li>You get nothing if you die before payouts begin</li><li>No market exposure</li><li>Investment limits of $200,000</li><li>No inflation protection</li></ul></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>
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</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div>The insurance company keeps the money, which earns a specified amount of interest for the purchaser of the annuity contract. When you are buying an annuity, the rating of the company you buy it from should be top of mind. You should be willing to get slightly smaller payouts from a company with a sterling reputation. </div><div><br /></div><div>After all, you may be waiting decades for the payout and you don’t want the company to go bankrupt in the meantime. Go <a href="https://www.annuityadvantage.com/resources/insurance-company-ratings-explained/" target="_blank"><b>here</b></a> to find the top companies who rate insurers and their rating systems.</div><div><br /></div><div>Longevity annuities, also known as deferred income annuities or delayed income annuities, are a sound product for healthy seniors who can expect to live long enough to benefit from them when they begin, which is often at age 80 or 85. They are usually purchased by well-off older adults searching for a way to get assurance that they won’t be broke in their later years. </div><div><br /></div><div>However, they represent only a tiny fraction of the overall annuity market. Why? Many people have a hard time with the idea that they can’t touch their money until many years down the road. And some financial planners don’t have the software to compute the total impact on a client’s portfolio.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Qualified Longevity Annuity Contracts (QLACs)</h3><div>But if they are purchased with qualified assets, such as funds in an IRA, there are tax benefits to be reaped as well. The Secure 2.0 Act allows savers to use funds from qualified (pre-tax) retirement accounts to purchase up to $200,000 worth of qualified longevity annuity contracts (QLACs). You can even include a “return of premium” feature so a beneficiary gets the purchase amount, less any payouts, upon your death. However, this rider will reduce the guaranteed amount of your payout.</div><div><br /></div><div>The purchase price of a QLAC is removed from the required minimum distribution (RMD) until the purchaser turns 85, when income may be lower and taxes less. Combined with Social Security income, a longevity annuity can be just the product to provide peace of mind through a long retirement. </div></div><div><br /></div><div> </div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><i>This article is not intended to be a substitute for professional financial advice from a qualified financial advisor.</i></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/retirement-tax-break-qlac-annuity-contract-ee88fe4c" target="_blank">https://www.wsj.com/articles/retirement-tax-break-qlac-annuity-contract-ee88fe4c</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2023/may/longevity-annuities-why-clients-should-consider-them.html" target="_blank">https://www.journalofaccountancy.com/news/2023/may/longevity-annuities-why-clients-should-consider-them.html</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/22/longevity-annuities-can-be-a-good-deal-for-seniors-but-not-many-people-buy-them.html" target="_blank">https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/22/longevity-annuities-can-be-a-good-deal-for-seniors-but-not-many-people-buy-them.html</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.investopedia.com/terms/q/qualified-longevity-annuity-contract-qlac.asp" target="_blank">https://www.investopedia.com/terms/q/qualified-longevity-annuity-contract-qlac.asp</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/qlac-secure-act-gives-this-annuity-a-boost" target="_blank">https://www.kiplinger.com/retirement/qlac-secure-act-gives-this-annuity-a-boost</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.schwab.com/annuities/deferred-income-annuities" target="_blank">https://www.schwab.com/annuities/deferred-income-annuities</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://canvasannuity.com/blog/qlac-pros-and-cons" target="_blank">https://canvasannuity.com/blog/qlac-pros-and-cons</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.newretirement.com/retirement/the-3-greatest-retirement-fears-and-how-to-feel-more-confident-about-them/#:~:text=The%20most%20frequently%20cited%20retirement,financial%20needs%20of%20their%20household" target="_blank">https://www.newretirement.com/retirement/the-3-greatest-retirement-fears-and-how-to-feel-more-confident-about-them/#:~:text=The%20most%20frequently%20cited%20retirement,financial%20needs%20of%20their%20household</a></u></span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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</div>Society of Certified Senior Advisorshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02698949193269723260noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7668997657346387014.post-80359579221029981022023-12-09T09:42:00.000-08:002023-12-09T09:42:38.217-08:00Downsizing or Not, Increase Your Home’s Worth <h3>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlhorGXgIPU-Cx1aqTnvyQfGR8xoZ-XW8HO15a1c257GVS9D1PaeHKpPDtY-l0nhg2Pq3Xot4TUvbT40jrBW32HPhjKyIBDPCq0yLlwTkoCsg4_riY9H-WrDKEqt-7SQYatGKlPuij_sCNjvh9cnnYSXIM7dHHHBo3f0VdRYL0qBFlzUWypqVA5uFhffh/s800/GettyImages-1487729171.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJlhorGXgIPU-Cx1aqTnvyQfGR8xoZ-XW8HO15a1c257GVS9D1PaeHKpPDtY-l0nhg2Pq3Xot4TUvbT40jrBW32HPhjKyIBDPCq0yLlwTkoCsg4_riY9H-WrDKEqt-7SQYatGKlPuij_sCNjvh9cnnYSXIM7dHHHBo3f0VdRYL0qBFlzUWypqVA5uFhffh/s320/GettyImages-1487729171.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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<h3>Whether you’re gearing up to sell and you want to max out your price, or you just want to freshen up the appearance of your home, here are paint colors and suggestions from the pros.</h3>
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<div><div>Maybe you’re ready to sell and downsize, or you look around and realize your abode has grown a bit outdated, even dingy. It doesn’t cost an arm and a leg to get your place looking its best. Here are top tips from the experts.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Clean</h3><div>The first thing to do is clean the entire home from top to bottom. This includes baseboards, that space behind the toilet, and under every piece of furniture. If you’re selling, your competition is often brand new homes. Clean the inside of appliances, cupboards and drawers. Windows, appliances, the floor under your washer and dryer should all be spic and span. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now, do the same on the outside. Rent a power washer to get driveways and sidewalks free of dirt and do the same on your porch. If you have a path around to the back, clean it as well. Check that gutters are empty, and that your roof isn’t covered in tree litter.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Declutter</h3><div>If you’re selling, remove all your personal photos and mementos. Buyers want to come in and fall in love with the romantic notion of their new home, not yours. Clear tables and counters of everything that is not essential. Toss plastic plants. A good rule of thumb is to get rid of half of the things that are out, then reappraise and consider whether you need to dispose of or put away half again. <br /></div></div><div><br /></div>
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<tr><td><h3>Which Color Should You Choose?</h3><div><div><div>A recent survey by Opendoor verified that neutral colors are the most sought-out. Nearly a third (30%) of respondents picked gray as their most desirable shade, followed closely (26%) by beige. But getting the tone just right isn’t always easy just by looking at a color tag in the paint store. Here, experts in selling real estate share their favorite brands and colors. </div><div><ul><li><b>Sherwin-Williams Agreeable Gray (SW7029)</b>. This is a light, neutral “greige” (grayish beige) that works indoors or out. </li><li><b>Sherwin-Williams Alabaster (SW 7008)</b>. For a soft white that’s easy on the eye, try this shade that goes with everything.</li><li><b>Benjamin Moore Gray Mist (OC-30)</b>. If you want your home to have the current “greige” color scheme, take a look at this hue to warm up interiors or provide a neutral exterior.</li><li><b>Sherwin-Williams Iron Ore (SW 7069)</b>. Use this deep, dark gray sparingly. It’s great for shutters and exterior doors and accents, or try a bit on a wall inside to highlight white cupboards.</li><li><b>Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace (OC-65)</b>. A warm, refreshing white that is favored by many stagers inside and out.</li><li><b>Sherwin-Williams Accessible Beige (SW 7036)</b>. A warm gray that can cover interior walls to increase your home’s sale price.</li><li><b>Sherwin-Williams Snowbound (SW 7004)</b>. White exteriors are all the rage, and this color provides a lovely, pure surface that isn’t overly stark.</li></ul></div></div><div><br /></div></div>
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</tbody></table><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div>Nobody enjoys decluttering, but it’s essential for making your house look welcoming and open. Consider removing a piece or two of furniture if rooms have become over-stuffed. Your real estate agent or a friend can lend a fresh eye, or even suggest a way to rearrange what you have to fit the space better. If you’re selling, furniture in the home should be as neutral and slim as possible. </div><div><br /></div><div>If you’ll be moving out before the house hits the market, consider having the home staged professionally for a better price. This involves moving in (rented) furnishings that a designer will place in rooms to help buyers visualize how to use spaces. Rugs, pillows, and pictures warm up empty spaces.</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Repair</h3><div>Now’s the time to fix any cracks in the wall and refresh caulking around tubs and windows. Do you need to patch some drywall? Are there lights that don’t work or bulbs that are mismatched? Are shutters hanging evenly? Do any doors have to be lifted or pushed to shut? Do windows open and close easily? Have you lubricated the garage door opening machinery? Does the fireplace work? Is your house snug and tight in the winter?</div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Paint</h3><div>Fresh paint outside and in can make a huge difference in your home’s appearance. “Paint is a relatively affordable and easy change, yet it has an outsize impact on a buyer’s perception of the home,” says Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home-trend expert. “That first impression contributes to their overall feelings about a home and, ultimately, how much they’re willing to pay for it.”</div><div><br /></div><div>A recent survey of 4,700 prospective US homebuyers found that gray walls – in kitchens, living rooms, bathrooms and bedrooms – correlated with higher prices paid for homes. Gray has been the top color used in home improvement shows recently, which are often copied on social media feeds. But for good reason, since gray is the color of retreat and refuge, which our homes became during and after the Covid crisis.</div><div><br /></div><div>However, you don’t want to do the entire house in gray. Front doors painted black pulled in more money than gray ones, and prospective buyers would offer $3,365 less for a home with gray floors, according to Zillow’s research. And even though you spent weeks finding the perfect red accent paint to match your pillows, force yourself to paint over it. Buyers want to imagine their pops of color in the room, not yours. </div><div><br /></div><h3 style="text-align: left;">Refresh</h3><div>Finally, consider making some inexpensive purchases to spruce up your home. A new doormat with a pot or two of flowers on the porch does wonders for curb appeal. Inside, consider buying some fat, fluffy towels in neutrals to show off the bath. LED lights replace can lights with much better illumination for a small price. And lastly, if you’re having an open house some gingersnaps fresh out of the oven send a tempting, but not overwhelming, scent through the home. </div></div><div> </div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
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</h3><h3 style="text-align: left;"><b style="font-size: medium;">Sources:</b></h3><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/youd-be-surprised-which-paint-colors-could-make-your-home-sell-for-more" target="_blank">https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/youd-be-surprised-which-paint-colors-could-make-your-home-sell-for-more</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.southernliving.com/home/colors/paint-colors-that-increase-home-value" target="_blank">https://www.southernliving.com/home/colors/paint-colors-that-increase-home-value</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgages-real-estate/08/staging-home.asp" target="_blank">https://www.investopedia.com/articles/mortgages-real-estate/08/staging-home.asp</a></u></span></div><div><span style="color: #0000ee;"><u><a href="https://hermoney.com/invest/real-estate/tricks-for-selling-your-house-above-asking-price/" target="_blank">https://hermoney.com/invest/real-estate/tricks-for-selling-your-house-above-asking-price/</a></u></span></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><div style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div><br /></div>
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