“Spark’-ing ideas to keep our brains fit as we age – Lynn Kellogg – April 21, 2019
Sometimes it seems we go round and round on an issue just to discover answers go back to basics that were intuitive all along. John Ratey, M.D. is a Harvard Medical school professor and best-selling author who specializes in brain health. Landmark research published in the 1990’s looked at thousands of people across the world […]
Does Medicare cover emergency room visits when I’m traveling? – Sara Duris – March 24, 2019
Q. What does Medicare cover if I have to go to a hospital emergency room when I’m travelling? A. If you have Original Medicare, Part B covers emergency room (ER) services anywhere in the United States. Emergency room services are typically provided when you have a medical condition that requires immediate action, such as an […]
Lipstick and mascara are everywhere, so why do I hate wearing makeup? – Pat Arter – March 10, 2019
Makeup is a conundrum to me. I didn’t start wearing makeup regularly until I was in my mid-forties. That’s when those first light age spots showed up. I wore the minimum of cover-up and didn’t think much about it. When I stopped working from home and entered a more professional office environment, I began to […]
Information on oft-asked-about websites – Lynn Kellogg – April 14, 2019
With online searching now a norm on so many fronts, the AAA Generations column will periodically be devoted to frequently asked about or otherwise interesting websites. In that spirit I’ll point out a few. www.mmapinc.org MMAP is a key resource for Medicare information. MMAP is part of an army of volunteer counselors trained nationwide to […]
When can I start drawing Social Security; and how is hospice paid for? Sara Duris – April 28, 2019
Q. When can someone begin drawing Social Security retirement income? A. Most people can start to receive Social Security retirement benefits as early as age 62, or as late as age 70. It is important to know your “full retirement age” in order to determine what your benefits will be. Also known as “normal retirement […]
Free ombudsman services available to long-term care residents – Christine Vanlandingham – May 5, 2019
Residents of nursing homes are often at their most vulnerable stage in life. Entrusting a loved one to a long-term care facility can be a tough decision. Concerns about quality of care and feelings of guilt are common. High-quality nursing homes can deliver enormous benefit as places of comfort and healing and are an important […]
Physical touch can have cognitive, emotional benefits-but be sure to ask first – Pat Arter – May 12, 2019
Can I hug you? Not a question we hear very often, but in this day of social media, high public scrutiny and political correctness, people are increasingly nervous about initiating touch. Whether it be a handshake, an arm around a shoulder, or a full-blown hug, hesitating to reach out usually results in not reaching out […]
Dad is moving. Will his Medicare/Medicaid coverage transfer? – Sara Duris – June 2, 2019
Q: My father lives in another state and has Medicare and Medicaid coverage. We are moving him here to Michigan soon. Will his coverage automatically transfer? A: Original Medicare Parts A and B coverage are nationwide, however if you are moving to another state, there are steps that need to be taken to ensure your […]
What is this strange sensation? Oh, right, relaxation – Pat Arter – June 16, 2019
A very strange thing happened last weekend. It began as a normal camping trip. We set up Friday evening, enjoyed a simple dinner, listened to the Tigers game and fell asleep as the sun was going down. I slept in a bit Saturday. My husband always gets up early, takes the dog for a walk […]
Three easy ways to better health this summer – Lynn Kellogg – June 23, 2019
Summertime. Happy solstice weekend and the longest days of the year! Summer is perfect for three very easy, fun ways to better health. Dare I mention sunshine in times of much rain? I will. After all, long days bring better chances of actually getting some sunshine. While care is needed to protect skin from too […]