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Social Security and You: Repeat After Me: 'SSI and Social Security Are Not the Same Thing!'

Repeat After Me: 'SSI and Social Security Are Not the Same Thing!'

I can tell from my emails that it's time for me to trot out another version of my "SSI and Social Security Are Not the Same Thing" column. Despite my preaching over the years, I continue to get emails from readers getting Social Security benefits that say things like this: "My ...Read more

103-year-old retired judge keeps Pittsburgh’s jazz tradition alive

PITTSBURGH -- On a mostly sunny Saturday, an estimated 3,000 spectators turned out with their lawn chairs and blankets for what might have been a jazz performance for the record books.

On Sept. 5, 103-year-old retired Judge Warren Watson took the stage at the Monroeville Jazz Festival with Court in Session, the ensemble that grew out of jam ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

3 common drugs older adults might be overusing

The scenario often unfolds like this: Medical researchers investigate a frequently used drug and report that it’s less effective for older patients than previously thought, or that its risks outweigh its benefits in older adults. More studies follow, confirming those findings.

After a few years, medical associations revise their guidelines, ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

3 common drugs older adults might be overusing

The scenario often unfolds like this: Medical researchers investigate a frequently used drug and report that it’s less effective for older patients than previously thought, or that its risks outweigh its benefits in older adults. More studies follow, confirming those findings.

After a few years, medical associations revise their guidelines, ...Read more

103-year-old retired judge keeps Pittsburgh's jazz tradition alive

PITTSBURGH -- On a mostly sunny Saturday, an estimated 3,000 spectators turned out with their lawn chairs and blankets for what might have been a jazz performance for the record books.

On Sept. 5, 103-year-old retired Judge Warren Watson took the stage at the Monroeville Jazz Festival with Court in Session, the ensemble that grew out of jam ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

New California law eases path to permanent jury duty exemption for seniors 80 and older

SAN JOSE, Calif. — For years, former Santa Clara County Supervisor Dianne McKenna helped older friends and family navigate the process of seeking an excuse from jury duty — an experience she eventually brought to her state lawmaker.

Last week, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed the bill McKenna inspired — beginning Jan. 1, 2028, people 80 and older...Read more

DREAMSTIME/TNS

When a friend becomes a caregiver

For several years, Nicole Straight and Patricia Wood, who lived across the street from each other in Sausalito, California, were more neighbors than friends, exchanging sociable greetings and occasionally having coffee.

Then, last October, Wood took a fall, broke her neck, and spent three months in rehabilitation. When she returned to the house...Read more

DREAMSTIME/TNS

When a friend becomes a caregiver

For several years, Nicole Straight and Patricia Wood, who lived across the street from each other in Sausalito, California, were more neighbors than friends, exchanging sociable greetings and occasionally having coffee.

Then, last October, Wood took a fall, broke her neck, and spent three months in rehabilitation. When she returned to the house...Read more

Medicare's Open Enrollment Period runs Oct. 15 through Dec. 7, every year. (Dreamstime/TNS)

Toni Says: Medicare Open Enrollment is almost here ... What should I do?

Senior Living / Toni Says /

Toni,

This is my first Medicare Open Enrollment Period, and a few weeks ago I read your article explaining what the fall enrollment time is about. I’m still confused about what I need to do.

I don't know anything about the open enrollment process or how I can make a change. How do I find out which options are right for me? I have health ...Read more

Social Security and You: Bad Husbands and Social Security

I've talked about the issue of bad husbands and Social Security before. But if my emails are any indication, there still are a lot of rotten husbands out there! That's why I keep telling my wife she should fall down on her knees every day and thank her lucky stars that she got one of the good guys. OK, I really don't do that. In fact, if I did ...Read more

Gregg Segal/Stanford University School of Medicine/TNS

A tiny fish’s behavior suggests aging may happen in stages, study finds

A tiny fish that lives only four to eight months is revealing that aging may unfold in distinct biological stages rather than as a slow, continuous decline — findings that could help scientists better understand how people can age better.

By tracking how more than 700 African turquoise killifish swim, sleep and feed — and how that behavior ...Read more

Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/TNS

Chicago woman shows it’s never too late to reach a goal, especially when it comes to education

CHICAGO -- Englewood neighborhood native Deniece Rogers didn’t celebrate her 2011 bachelor’s degree, or her 2015 master’s degree. But when she crossed the finish line with her doctorate, she threw a party for herself because “that one, she felt.”

At 75, the Near North Side resident earned her Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational ...Read more

Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune/TNS

Chicago woman shows it's never too late to reach a goal, especially when it comes to education

CHICAGO -- Englewood neighborhood native Deniece Rogers didn’t celebrate her 2011 bachelor’s degree, or her 2015 master’s degree. But when she crossed the finish line with her doctorate, she threw a party for herself because “that one, she felt.”

At 75, the Near North Side resident earned her Doctorate of Philosophy in Educational ...Read more

Kaspars Grinvalds/Dreamstime.com/TNS

People can sense mental decline, says new research powered by smartwatches

SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Older adults may be better judges of their moment-to-moment mental sharpness than scientists once assumed, according to a UC Davis study — which relied on familiar technology: the smartwatch.

The study found that when an individual rated their mental sharpness below their own average, their performance on the objective ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

Why older pedestrians fare worse in car crashes

On an August morning two years ago, Meredith Melville was crossing Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, California, to meet a friend at a cafe. While in the crosswalk, she noticed a car some distance away.

Perhaps she misjudged its speed, she said, because she’d walked only partway across the street when the car, a Toyota sedan, came bearing down on ...Read more

Dreamstime/Dreamstime/TNS

Why older pedestrians fare worse in car crashes

On an August morning two years ago, Meredith Melville was crossing Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, California, to meet a friend at a cafe. While in the crosswalk, she noticed a car some distance away.

Perhaps she misjudged its speed, she said, because she’d walked only partway across the street when the car, a Toyota sedan, came bearing down on ...Read more

Enrolling in Medicare Part B the right way is crucial because, if done the wrong way when leaving employer benefits, it can cause you not to qualify medically for the Medicare Supplement you desire. (Udo Weber/Dreamstime/TNS)

Toni Says: Qualifying for a Medicare Supplement guaranteed issue policy

Senior Living / Toni Says /

Dear Toni:

I have decided to retire in October when I turn 65 and will need to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. My husband, Paul, is 76 and was enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B on March 1, 2011, when he qualified for Social Security disability due to a Parkinson’s issue. He has remained on my company benefits due to his ...Read more

Social Security and You: Meet Tom, Dick and Harry

Meet Tom, Dick and Harry

There is no question I am asked more frequently than this one: "When should I file for my Social Security?' And then they will frequently follow that up with these additional questions: "Should I take it at 62? Or wait until my full retirement age?" And others will add one more age to the mix. They ask: "Or should I ...Read more

Belmont Village Senior Living/Belmont Village Senior Living/TNS

A bird-watching video game could improve dementia patients' memory

DALLAS — Can a bird-watching video game help train dementia patients' memory? A recent training program suggests it could.

Bird Watch, a neuroscience-based cognitive training game developed by a University of Texas at Dallas neuroscientist, was recently launched across three Texas senior living communities through a partnership between the ...Read more

Doug Duran/Bay Area News Group/TNS

Grab bars can help older adults avoid falls. Why won’t Medicare cover them?

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Grab bars are commonly recommended to help older adults avoid potentially life-altering falls, but basic Medicare does not cover them — a policy a new lobbying campaign hopes to change.

Grab bars — rails attached to walls, particularly in bathrooms — help provide balance and prevent falls, preventing serious injuries,...Read more

 

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