State lawmakers have just a few days left to pass a budget before Washington state will experience a partial shutdown. While there’s only a small chance that such an event will occur, if they can’t reach a compromise by July 1, tens of thousands of state workers will be temporarily furloughed and services to older…
Life doesn’t occur in a bubble. Rarely does a move in one aspect of our lives not affect all the others to some degree or another. Why is it important to consider building strong relationships, creating a purpose for yourself and looking beyond today for your retirement? Because just as staying healthy costs less money…
Here’s a list of long-term effects of laughter. Laughter may: Improve your immune system. Laughter releases neuropeptides which in turn help fight stress and potentially more serious illnesses. Relieve pain. Laughter produces its own natural painkillers and breaks the pain-spasm cycle common to muscle disorders. Increase personal satisfaction. Laughter makes it easier to cope with…
Long Term Care Hospitals (LTCHs) are certified as acute care hospitals for patient with serious medical problems that require intense, special treatment usually for more than 25 days. Each year, Medicare sets thresholds for reimbursement for care based on five-sixths of the expected length of stay for a particular diagnosis. The thresholds vary by diagnosis…
When we think about estate planning, we tend to think of Wills, Powers of Attorney and related documents. But, what about you? If you are incapacitated and unable to speak for yourself, what do you want a caregiver know about your life? Most caregivers will want to do a good job of taking care of…
Many of the articles on this site look at women and aging. One, women live longer. Two, women are more likely to end up in poverty and someone should do something about that. Finally, I’m a woman. I’ve got more skin in this game. Still, if that suggests somehow that men have an easy go…
The 401(k) plan has become the single largest source of retirement savings for American workers. The program became popular in 1986 when Congress acted to replace the defined benefit plan for federal civilian workers with a less generous defined benefit plan and a generous 401(k)-type plan. The move was generally seen as an endorsement by…
Reduce your mortality risk from heart disease, cancer and other diseases by 23 percent with one simple food. A Dutch study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology found that eating nuts lowers mortality rates. The study, which looked at 120,852 men and women aged 55 to 69 years old followed study results for participants…
The following refers to Original Medicare. An individual with an Advantage Plan would likely find that the rules for ambulance transportation vary by plan while the costs, rights, protections and choices may be different. Those individuals with an Advantage Plan should read the plan material or call their plan for clarification. Medicare Part B (Medical…
Social Security announced several weeks ago a countdown to its 80th Anniversary celebration. Beginning yesterday and for the next 50 days, Medicaid too will countdown the days until its 50th Anniversary. This year is a big year for many programs including the 50th Anniversary of the Older Americans Act, the 25th Anniversary of the Americans…
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