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And the Winners Are … Behind the Scenes at the 2017 NYS 50+ Senior Idol Contest The Best and Biggest Showcase Ever! he NYS 50+ Senior Idol Show took place LIVE on Sunday, November 12, 2017, in Huntington, LI, NY. The 20 finalists – from the over 70 entrants competing came from all over Long Island and the Metro area. This talent-studded group included singers, dancers and comedians who played to a packed house. The finalists were: (Continued on page 11)
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Want to be the next 50+ Senior Idol? Co-Producers: Frank C Trotta, Publisher 50 Plus Lifestyles and Marleen Schuss, Ms. NYS Senior America
Send your name, address, phone number and talent to: admin@50plusny.com. or call 631-286-0058 ext 112 Understanding Your Medicare Part B Premiums
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Hear Better, Live Better – What You Should Consider
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First Place Winners: The Tribunes of Hicksville
50+ Senior Idol Judges: Chiara Klein, Diane Giattino and Leeana Costa
A Crisis Is Brewing for Family Caregivers Caused by the Shortage Of Certified Geriatric Doctors! ..................................... page 6
The 4 P’s of Choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan
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Second Place Winner: Celeste Belletti from The Bronx
Third Place Winner: Henry Simpkins from Elmont
Former Senior Idol winner and current Ms. New York Senior America Lee Ann Brill
Are You Avoiding The Dentist For Fear Of The Cost?
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Preventing Back Pain
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Understanding Your Medicare Part B Premiums
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t is important for those enrolling, or already enrolled, in Medicare to understand how the premiums work and when they may be adjusted. All beneficiaries of Medicare Part B are required to pay a monthly premium. The standard Part B premium in 2017 was $134 monthly; however, the premium rises when the beneficiary’s income passes certain thresholds. The standard Part B premium applies to beneficiaries with a Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) of $85,000 or less ($170,000 if married and filing a joint return), but the premium can rise by an additional $294.60 for beneficiaries that have a MAGI of $214,000 or more ($428,000 if married and filing a joint return). Medicare refers to these higher premiums as Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMA A). The Social Security Administration uses the MAGI reported on a beneficiary’s IRS tax return two years prior to determine whether he or she must pay a premium surcharge. Thus, the income reported on a beneficiary’s 2015 tax return determines the 2017 premium. Most beneficiaries of Medicare Part B pay the standard premium; however, an issue arises when a beneficiary who is paying a premium surcharge experiences a life event or change in circumstances that results in a significant drop in income. The Social Security Administration allows a beneficiary to request a review of his or her income when the individual experiences any of the following circumstances: • The individual is married, divorced or became widowed; • The individual or his/her spouse has stopped working or reduced his/her work hours; • The individual or his/her spouse has lost income-producing property because of a disaster or other event beyond his or her control; • The individual or spouse has experienced a scheduled cessation, termination or reorganization of an employer’s pension plan;
• The individual or his/her spouse has received a settlement from an employer or former employer because of the employer’s closure, bankruptcy or reorganization. Ronald A. Fatoullah, Esq. is the principal of Ronald Fatoullah & Associates, a law firm that concentrates in elder law, estate planning, Medicaid planning, guardianships, estate administration, trusts, wills, and real estate. The firm has helped individuals and families through some of the most challenging aspects of their lives, and have done so with compassion and dedication. In The law firm can be reached at 718-261-1700, 516-466-4422, or toll-free at 877-ELDER-LAW or visit Elderlaw-NewYork.com 50+
EDLER CARE UPDATE 2018 ESTATE PLANNING - MEDICAID PLANNING - ASSET PROTECTION How To Protect Your Assets & Provide For Your Loved Ones Security!
NY elder law attorney Ronald Fatoullah, is a frequent speaker on the lecture circuit, offering insightful and helpful elder law and estate planning information his presentations are said to be informative, easy-to-understand and entertaining.
Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island
• Wills, Trusts & Estates - The Do’s and Most Importantly the Dont’s. • Medical Eligabilty & Applications – vs Long Term Insurance Options. • Special Needs Planning, Guadianships, Planning for Veterans & Others. • Nursing Home Issues, Older LGBT, Blended Families & More. • Start off The New Year Right - Get Actionable Answers To Your Questions.
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rk WHERE: New Yo 016 New York, NY 10 188 Madison Ave 17 December 12, 20 WHEN: Tuesday, TIME: 6:00 PM
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Elder Law • Trusts & Estates • Probate • Guardianships Medicaid Eligibility & Applications • Preparation of Wills Special Needs Planning • Estate Litigation
www.elderlaw-newyork.com 50+ LifeStyles November 2017 Metro Edition • www.50PlusNY.com
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LifeStyles
Winner of 10 National Awards
Sudoku Solution from page 12
LifeStyles Puzzle Solution from page 12
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Hear Better, Live Better – What You Should Consider
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hile there are different types of hearing loss, the most common occurs in people who are 55 and older. Exposure to loud noises also contributes to many with hearing damage. Genetics, birth defects, infections of the head or ear, excessive earwax (temporary hearing loss issue), and reactions to drugs are all triggers for hearing loss. While you cannot reverse most types of hearing loss, there are options to improve your hearing. About 20 percent of Americans, 48 million, report some degree of hearing loss. In roughly 30% of the population with type 2 diabetes some degree of hearing loss is also found. Are you experiencing any of these common signs of hearing loss? • Having trouble hearing women's and children's voices? • Having trouble hearing on the telephone? • Asking others to repeat themselves? • Turning up the TV or radio to volume levels others find loud? • Having difficulty following a fast-moving conversation? • Missing important information in meetings? • Having trouble understanding conversation in noisy places? • Feeling like other people mumble or slur their words? If so, you should schedule an exam and have your hearing tested and ears checked by the experienced audiologists of Long Island Audiology. Dr. Glasser, Au.D, owner of Long Island Audiology, PC has been pro-
viding exceptional hearing healthcare services on Long Island and the surrounding Metropolitan area since 1999. Dr. Glasser listens to his patients, discusses their concerns with them, and provides a hearing healthcare plan with the utmost compassion and understanding for their unique hearing needs. At Long Island Audiology, PC you can receive a complete hearing exam and demonstration of hearing aids. We have has been serving the hearing healthcare needs of Nassau County and the five boroughs for over 15 years. We are New York State licensed and Board Certified Doctors of Audiology. An award-winning practice, we have received the "Best Of" Long Island award for Audiology and Hearing Aids for 7 consecutive years. You have questions and we have answers. Please call us at 516-441-0043 or visit us on the web LongIslandaudiology.com 50+
Dr. Stephen Glasser Au.D.
50+ LifeStyles November 2017 Metro Edition • www.50PlusNY.com
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A Crisis Is Brewing for Family Caregivers Caused by the Shortage Of Certified Geriatric Doctors!
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geriatric physician, is a medical doctor that is board certified, usually in either family medicine or internal medicine, and have received additional training and certification in the treatment of older adult: such as pain, falls, memory loss, incontinence (involuntary loss of urine), and medication side effects. Another important aspect of geriatric medicine is evaluating an elderly patient's ability to care for him- or herself (e.g., prepare and eat meals, bathe, dress etc) Primary care physicians may provide medical care for elderly patients who do not have serious health concerns. However, when an older adult experiences physical, mental, or emotional illnesses or disabilities that lead to a dependence on assistance from others, or when his or her condition causes stress on caregivers a geriatric physician should be consulted. Unfortunately there is just not enough certified geriatricians for New York family caregivers to consult easily with to receive information
based on an accurate 360 view of their senior loved ones medical records! The situation results from the fact that Americans are living longer and accumulating more diseases and disabilities, coupled with scarcity of certified and experienced geriatricians available and the inability of the medical community to attract anywhere near the number of certified physicians the patient population requires. Simply put few medical students are choosing geriatrics as a specialty. A career focused on caring for older adults is unattractive to physicians carrying large medical school debts and where financial reimbursements are mainly through Medicare and Medicaid. Currently there are about 7,500 certified geriatric physicians in the U.S. 17,000 are need to care for some 12 million older Americans today alone! By 2030 approximately 30,000 geriatricians will be needed. Thanks to the experience and the innovative talent of one of New York’s leading and most experienced geriatric physician, Dr. Nathanael De-
50+ LifeStyles November 2017 Metro Edition • www.50PlusNY.com
sire DO, CMD founder and director of Geriatric Physician Consultants through the use of a state of the art combination of a virtual platform and telemedicine families can now receive the compassionate and knowledgeable support that they and their senor loved one requires quickly, conveniently, and best of all at a low cost affordable for any family budget. Families who have questions about the loved one medical treatment can call (800) 285 – 2133 and schedule a FREE 20 minute – No obligation consult to discuss the program and the medical questions concerning their senior love one(s). 50+
GERIATRIC PHYSICIAN CONSULTANTS
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The 4 P’s of Choosing a Medicare Advantage Plan
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he Annual Election Period (AEP) for Medicare plans is from October 15 to December 7 for coverage beginning January 1, 2018. People can only change or enroll in Medicare plans during the AEP or during specific lifetime events, such as when they turn 65. Keep these 4 key areas in mind when comparing Medicare plans: 1. Price: The overall cost of a Medicare Advantage plan can vary, based on needs and income. Create a “health care budget” that outlines expected health needs, and compare overall costs. Key questions: What is the plan’s monthly premium? Is there a deductible you must meet first before coverage begins? Are there copays for doctor or specialist visits? 2. Products: Find out if the plan’s covered services will help lower the cost of managing your health conditions, or if you will need to pay out of pocket for certain health care needs. Sometimes, the least expensive Medicare plan (or even
the most expensive one!) may not necessarily be best. Key questions: Is there dental or vision coverage? Can members receive help managing their chronic conditions? Are in-home services or care covered? 3. Providers: A Medicare plan should ideally allow you to keep seeing the doctors you prefer. Many health plans require members to see doctors within a provider network. Other plans allow members to see any doctor, but these plans usually cost more. Key questions: Are preferred doctors “in network”? If the primary care provider is in network but specialists are not, is it possible to still get specialist visits covered by referral? How close to home are the nearest in-network doctors?
considered. A formulary is a list of medications covered by a health plan. Key questions: Which prescriptions do you need? Will the Medicare plan cover these prescriptions, or will they cost more? If any medications are not covered, is there an acceptable alternative in the formulary? Do you have questions or need more information? Fidelis Care’s Licensed Sales Representatives are available to meet with in the comfort of your own home or at one of our many community offices. To schedule an appointment or for more info, call 1-800-860-8707 (TTY: 1-800-6958544) or visit fideliscare.org/medicare. 50+
4. Prescription Drugs: It's important to know which medications are covered. Make a list of your medications, then check the Medicare prescription drug formularies of the plans being
50+ LifeStyles November 2017 Metro Edition • www.50PlusNY.com
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Are You Avoiding The Dentist For Fear Of The Cost?
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f you don’t have dental coverage or feel insurance is too restrictive and costly there is another option: the EDP Dental plan. Fortunately, there is an alternative to traditional dental insurance in the growing numbers of available dental plans that offer many advantages in convenience, savings, & procedures from top notch dentists. It is a great individual option and the industry is booming. Dentists and dental plan providers cooperate to make affordable dental care available to you and for more than 15 years EDP has helped thousands of Long Islanders get the dental care they need at an affordable price. Whether your kids need braces, you need a root canal, or if you just need your regularly scheduled check-up and cleaning, a family dental plan will save you money every time you go to the dentist. Typically, members will find their bills reduced by half and in some cases even more. At EDP Dental it is not uncommon for members to report an average savings for a family of four in excess of $1500 a year or MORE! With some of Long Island’s best dental care providers in their network, EDP members are saving up to 60% off the cost of their dental care every day!
The dentists that accept EDP are the same providers that take the big insurance company plans. However with EDP they can work directly with the patient for the best possible treatment at a reasonable cost. Best of all the discounts are applied to the patient right at the time of service, what’s easier than that? For only $99 a year you can have peace of mind that you have the best dental savings plan available when you need it and when you don’t. EDP will keep you smiling with our cost savings program that puts you in control of your dental care and money back in your pocket! Many people wonder how discount dental plans work. How can they be so cheap but still offer such significant savings? Almost everyone understands how traditional dental insurance works because it's been so common. But, this is not dental insurance. This is how we explain it at EDP Dental: Gain Access to In-Network Dentists Save on every visit with a dentist in our plan’s nationwide dental network. Dentists within our provider network have agreed to provide the same quality care for the discounted rates listed in the fee schedules. Discounts are exclusively accessible to discount dental plan members.
Save Money with Fixed Prices - No matter what your dentist would normally charge for a procedure, with a discount plan, you pay the dollar amount listed in the fee schedule. Everyone Wins! - Dentists get more patients and keep their dental practice running and agree to the reduced fee schedule in return. With EDP, dental coverage also includes specialists, such as, oral surgeons, orthodontists, periodontists, endodontists, and prosthodontists. These visits are charged at a 25% reduction of participating specialist’s regular fees. Our user friendly website www.edpdental.com has been designed to help you locate a dentist, compare pricing and easily enroll online If you have questions and would like to speak with one of our customer care representatives you can reach us at 1.800.777.1085. 50+
VeteransNews To Our Vets By Gary P. Joyce; Editor, 50+ Lifestyles
This is excerpted from a piece I wrote on November 25, 2005 (Thanksgiving Day). As background, I’m a Viet Nam vet and spent 27 months in country from August 1968 to January 1971.
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y wife’s sleep-mumbling woke me, and the first thing I recalled on consciousness was standing up and firing on semiautomatic. My eyelids slapped open as the recollection took shape. That happened on November 16, 1968 – eight days and 37 years ago (49 years ago, now. How time flies!) – and I saw it as clearly as I can see the red “2:22” on the bedside clock. That’s ayem, Thanksgiving morning, 2005. But that’s war. It’s amazing how things stay with you. I’d thought much of what I recalled of that day was more an exaggerated memory or a conglomeration of memories, but I met one of my teammates at a gathering of ‘the clan’ years later who told the story to a group of peers while I stood
there unable to comment, other than to say, “yeah, yeah, that’s right.” How I remembered the event for some 30 years was how it transpired. There were four of us and we ambushed 20or-so of them. I saw faces as I shifted targets, and I saw people firing back. The story my partner told was more about my actions than what we did, but combat — the event, not the dying — is perceptual, he was a new guy and that’s what he recalled. I recalled killing people, monsoon, mud, brush, and a Montagnyard-cut field. I remembered swapping out magazines, slapping the new one on my thigh as I shoved it in my rifle. I can feel the magazine’s edge on the front of my thigh muscle today. Thirty-seven years and eight days later at 0222 on Thanksgiving Day morning a 56-year old, out-of-shape ex-LRRP remembered war as clear as if it happened earlier in the evening. Warriors pay the price for everyone else. The rest of us argue, discuss and debate the reasons why, how, where and when. Some of us support the warriors and some of us don’t. But it’s the warriors who carry the load, and who don’t get to sit down with their loved ones on Thanksgiving Day and debate esoterica.
Gary P. Joyce; Editor, 50+ Lifestyles Late 1968, somewhere in II Corps, RVN The dreams aren’t as vivid or come as often anymore, but every now and then something will trigger a memory, and some of the memories I live with are less than pleasant. That was one memory on one Thanksgiving. I spent three Thanksgivings, Christmases and birthdays at war. Today’s military do the same, whether they volunteered or not. Today, and through the upcoming holidays, remember them for what they do … they ask for no more than that. 50+
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SOCIAL SECURITY COLUMN
Paid Family Leave is Coming to New York
A Calculated Retirement
5 Things You Should Know About This Important Program
By John Biundo; Social Security Assistant District Manager in Patchogue
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alculating when you should retire requires evaluating all sources of your retirement income. There are many factors to consider, including your personal retirement goals. With multiple factors affecting your decision, sometimes it’s difficult to see the big retirement picture. Social Security secures your today and tomorrow by offering a webpage of calculators to help you plan your Social Security retirement benefits. You can access our online calculators by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/benefitcalculators.html to get started planning. Visit our calculator page and fine-tune your benefit estimate by using the Retirement Estimator if you have the required 40 work credits. Changes in your personal circumstances may cause changes in the number of years you work before you retire. Suppose you had planned to work an additional ten years before retiring, but now you are considering moving that up to the end of this year. How can you determine how much the difference in dollars in the monthly benefits will be? You can create one estimate with your projected earnings through this year and another including the next ten years. These are estimates, but they will give you an approximation for each retirement age to help you make your decision. You can also use our Online Calculator if you don’t have 40 work credits. You need to enter all of your earnings manually, but you can project future earnings through your potential retirement date. Again, this is an estimate based on your future estimated earnings, but it provides you with planning numbers. These three calculators will meet almost everyone’s pre-retirement planning needs. But, wait, there’s more. Use the Life Expectancy Calculator for a rough estimate of how long you might live. The Retirement Age Calculator determines your full retirement age and shows the differences when benefits are taken early. The Early or Late Retirement Calculator can show the differences in benefit amount if you file early or wait until later to start benefits. You can use the Benefits for Spouse Calculator to find out how your spouse’s benefit changes if taken early. You can access all of these at www.socialsecurity.gov/planners/benefitcalculators.html. Another great planning tool is the Social Security Statement. Get yours today with a my Social Security account at www.socialsecurity.gov/myaccount. With our calculators doing all the number crunching, we make the big picture easier to see. The road to retirement is in the viewfinder and you have your resources ready. Now that you know which calculator to use, you can start figuring your best retirement option for a calculated retirement. 50+
By Bernard Macias, AARP Long Island
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f you have ever needed to take time away from work to care for a loved one, you know how nerve-wracking it can be to give up your salary or wonder if your job will be there when you return. A ARP New York and the Paid Family Leave Coalition fought for the Paid Family Leave program because family caregivers who work shouldn’t have to choose between caring for a loved one and losing their jobs. And beginning in January, New York State will launch one of the strongest Paid Family Leave laws in the nation. Here are five things you should know about New York’s upcoming Paid Family Leave program: 1) What is paid family leave? Under a new state law, working New Yorkers will be able to take time off to care for a loved one while still receiving a portion of their salary and without worrying about whether they will lose their jobs. 2) When does the program begin? The program will be available on January 1, 2018. At the beginning, employees will be able to take up to eight weeks of leave at up to 50 percent of their salaries. These amounts will gradually increase until 2021 when they can take up to 12 weeks of leave at up to 67 percent of their salaries. 3) Am I eligible? Most private-sector employees in New York State will be eligible for Paid Family Leave. Employees with a regular schedule of 20 or more hours per week are eligible after 26 weeks of employment. Employees with a regular schedule of less than 20 hours per week are eligible after 175 days worked. 4) Who can I care for while taking paid leave? Paid family leave will be available for: • Caring for a close relative with a serious health condition, including a spouse, domestic partner, child, parent, parent-in-law, grandparent or grandchild • Maternity and paternity leave, whether you are a parent expecting, fostering or adopting a child • When a spouse, domestic partner, child or parent is on active military duty or has been notified of an impending call or order of active duty 5) Where can I get more information about Paid Family Leave and caregiving? A ARP New York has more information and resources available at aarp.org/nypaidleave. 50+
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Cover Story - 50+ Senior Idol Finals: From Blue Point to the Bronx 20 Compete
The Tribunes of Hicksville Celeste Belletti of the Bronx Teri George of Medford Richard Lanna of Dix Hills Darie Ehrlich of Babylon Pamela Merrill of Laurelton Henry Simpkins of Elmont Laura Lorenzo of Mastic Beach Ernest Cannava of Blue Point li James DiNapoli of Merrick iNapo D s e Mary Malloy of East Rockaway m Ja Dolores Brown of Wyandanch Theresa Walton of East Norwich Sean Farrell of Wantagh Tony Tufariello of Copiague Debra Holly of East Northport Jerrold Fuller of Brentwood Robert Alvey of Garden City Kathie Bondhus of Rockaway Park Larry Dubin of East Meadow Judges Diane Giattino (founder Alvey of the Stage Door School of Dance), obert R Chiara Klein (Managing Artistic Director at MainStage Shakespeare) and Leeana Costa (Radio and TV host and personality) had a difficult time winnowing down the 20 contestants.
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WANT TO BE THE NEXT 50+ SENIOR IDOL? Send your name, address, phone number and talent to: admin@50plusny.com, or call 631-286-0058 ext 112.
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Bo Kathie The Seasoned Steppers But the winner was The Tribunes (Mike Cuomo, Shelly Wengrovsky, Les Levine, Johnny Costello and Bert Archilla), an oldies a cappella group from Nassau County! Second place went to Celeste Belletti, a musical entertainer with a unique ability to sing and imitate instruments, from the Bronx, and third place to Henry Simpkins, a vocalist with an amazing range, from Elmont. The Senior Idol competition was started in 2005, as the brainchild of Marie Trotta of 50+ Lifestyles and Ethel Bennet of Ms. NYS Senior America. After a nine-year hiatus, and hundreds and hundreds of requests, the competition was re-staged this year. 50+
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50+ LifeStyles November 2017 Metro Edition • www.50PlusNY.com
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CROSSWORDS
ACROSS 1. Leg, old style 4. Rating system for competitors 7. Gym equipment 10. Honey (slang) 11. 4 p.m. drink 12. You may smell one 14. He reintroduced the Torah 15. Could be a cool one? 16. You might bet on or eat one 17. Josh 19. Dwells 21. Grazing land 23. Depot (abbr) 24. Affects not nicely 28. An ancestor? 31. Clark’s co-worker
(Solution on page 4) 32. Mrs. in Castile 33. Tell the truth 34. An extremity 35. They’ll be adults soon 37. Out with no bail (abbr) 38. CCLI x 2 39. Places for R&R 43. Stash 47. Rain hard 48. Not feeling so hot 50. Not here 51. Bristle 52. XIV halved 53. Prompter prefix 54. No SSN? Then this (abbr) 55. Typographic lengths 56. Pt. Jeff to Middle Isl. direction
DOWN 1. Stare 2. Magic opener 3. Spots all over 4. End of a list finisher 5. Goneril’s dad 6. Antarctica area (two words) 7. A most beautiful sound? 8. Yankee slugger 9. A long story 10. Wager 13. Net security protocol (abbr) 18. Poetically ever 20. A college dorm room? 22. Confident, aggressive 24. Height abbreviation 25. A salon job
26. Contest 27. Poetically earlier 28. Hail as per Ceasar 29. Each 30. Hesitations 33. Stir up 35. Rock outcrop 36. Maritime navigation system (abbr) 37. He uses 38 and 52 Across 39. Hwys. (abbr) 40. Yeti shoe size? 41. They look for Alfs perhaps (abbr) 42. Some chances are this 44. Needs to repay 45. Chest sound 46. Check out 49. Portugese airport (abbr)
50+ LifeStyles November 2017 Metro Edition • www.50PlusNY.com
National Diabetes Month: A Primer on Diabetes
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here are three main types of diabetes: Type 1 diabetes – Your body does not make insulin. This is a problem because you need insulin to take the sugar (glucose) from the foods you eat and turn it into energy for your body. You need to take insulin every day to live. Type 2 diabetes – Your body does not make or use insulin well. You may need to take pills or insulin to help control your diabetes. Type 2 is the most common type of diabetes. Gestational diabetes – Some get this kind of diabetes when they are pregnant. Most of the time, it goes away after the baby is born. But even if it goes away, these women and their children have a greater chance of getting diabetes later in life. Remember that you are the most important member of your health care team. You are the one who manages your diabetes day-by-day. Talk to your doctor or medical practitioners about how you can best care for your diabetes to stay healthy. It’s essential you learn more about diabetes and how to care for yourself in relation to it. Take classes to learn more about living with diabetes, join a support group — in-person or online — for peer support, and read about diabetes online. Go to National Diabetes Education Program (www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/communication-programs/ndep). For more info on every aspect of diabetes go to www.niddk.nih.gov and the American Diabetes Association at www.diabetes.org. 50+
(Solution on page 4)
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5 Steps to Getting Started With Medicare
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hether you’re new to Medicare, getting ready to turn 65, or preparing to retire, you’ll need to make several important decisions about your health coverage. If you wait to enroll, you may have to pay a penalty, and you may have a gap in coverage. Use these steps to gather information so you can make informed decisions about your Medicare: Step 1: Learn about the different parts of Medicare The different parts of Medicare help cover specific services. Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) covers inpatient hospital stays, care in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and some home health care. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services. Step 2: Find out when you can get Medicare There are only certain times when people can enroll in Medicare. Depending on the situation, some people may get Medicare automatically,
and others need to apply for Medicare. The first time you can enroll is called your Initial Enrollment Period. Your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period usually: • Begins 3 months before the month you turn 65 • Includes the month you turn 65 • Ends 3 months after the month you turn 65 If you don’t enroll when you’re first eligible, you may have to pay a Part B late enrollment penalty, and you may have a gap in coverage if you decide you want Part B later. Step 3: Decide if you want Part A and Part B Most people should enroll in Part A when they turn 65, even if they have health insurance from an employer. This is because most people paid Medicare taxes while they worked so they don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A. Certain people may choose to delay Part B. In most cases, it depends on the type of health coverage you may have. Everyone pays a monthly premium for Part B. The premium varies depending on your income and when you enroll in Part B. Most peo-
ple will pay the standard premium amount of $134 in 2017. Step 4: Choose your coverage If you decide you want Part A and Part B, there are 2 main ways to get your Medicare coverage— Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan (like an HMO or PPO). Some people get additional coverage, like Medicare prescription drug coverage or Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap). Most people who are still working and have employer coverage don’t need additional coverage. Learn about these coverage choices. Step 5: Sign up for Medicare (unless you’ll get it automatically) Some people automatically get Part A and Part B. Find out if you’ll get Part A and B automatically. If you're automatically enrolled, you'll get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail 3 months before your 65th birthday or your 25th month of disability. If you don't get Medicare automatically, you’ll need to apply for Medicare online. 50+
3 Tips to Make Finances Add Up for the Spouse Left Behind By Peter Bombara
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raditional wedding vows usually include the phrase “till death do us part,” but it’s not a part of the ritual most couples want to dwell on. Financial professionals, though, say ignoring the eventuality of death is unwise when it comes to a couple’s decisions about retirement and money. “The decisions you make today can affect your spouse’s financial situation after you pass away,” says Peter Bombara, CEO and founder of PCB Financial Advisory Group (www.pcbfinancial.com). “A lot of people aren’t comfortable talking about the subject because they don’t want to think about their husband or wife dying. But you have choices to make about your pension, your Social Security and your investments, and the implications of those choices can have a lasting impact on your surviving spouse.” For example, both a monthly pension payment and a monthly Social Security payment could disappear upon a spouse’s death, leaving the survivor to managed finances with a reduced income. Bombara says couples, especially those nearing retirement, should: • Consider pension options carefully. Not everyone has a pension any more, but those
who do may have a few options available to them. A pension pays a set monthly amount for the rest of the person’s life. But often there is a survivor benefit that allows the person’s surviving spouse to continue to receive a check after the pensioner dies. Choosing the survivor’s benefit, though, means the pensioner receives a reduced amount while alive. “Some people choose the highest dollar amount so they have the most money coming in each month,” Bombara says. “But if they choose the largest amount, their spouse gets nothing when they die.” • Weigh Social Security decisions. A surviving spouse can be eligible for their deceased partner’s full Social Security benefit, but when they claim that benefit is a major factor in how large those monthly checks are. For example, a surviving spouse can qualify for reduced benefits as early as age 60, but they can get full benefits if they are at their full retirement age. • Seek professional advice if you’re confused. A financial professional can help you better understand the options available for both your pension and your Social Security. A professional also can provide advice on how to manage your assets so that the surviving spouse is in bet-
ter shape to handle a potential drop in income. “Most people want their spouse to do well financially after they pass away,” Bombara says. “So, as unpleasant as the conversation might seem, they really do need to talk about the money situation and make sure they have a good plan in place.” Peter Bombara, CEO and founder of PCB Financial Advisory Group (www.pcbfinancial.com), he has been featured in many publications on both the local and national levels, such as FOX, NBC, CBS and ABC. 50+
50+ LifeStyles November 2017 Metro Edition • www.50PlusNY.com
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Preventing Back Pain
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ack pain should not be ignored, even if you think it is due to aging. It could be a sign of a serious, but treatable disease. Recurring back pain can have severe physical impacts on your body and can lead to debilitating injuries and chronic conditions. However, back pain does
50+ LifeStyles November 2017 Metro Edition • www.50PlusNY.com
not need to be a normal part of aging if you make simple changes to your lifestyle. Always check with your doctor before beginning an exercise program or seeing a Chiropractor, especially if you have a history of lower back pain, as you do not want to do anything to worsen your current condition. •Exercise- Low-impact exercises like walking, swimming or stretching can increase energy and strength and increase blood flow to back muscles and the spine to support healing. Your doctor can tell you which exercises are right for you. • Maintaining a healthy weight- Too much weight, especially in your mid-section can add pressure to your lower back leading to pain. Managing weight through eating healthy and exercising can reduce back pain and prevent other back problems. •Practicing good posture – Stress from poor posture can lead to back pain by causing problems with your muscles, discs, and joints. Support the curve of your spine and void slouching or hunching over. •Chiropractic care –Chiropractic adjustments, also known as chiropractic or spinal manipulation, is a common therapeutic treatment for lower back pain. Regular chiropractic visits can increase range of motion, reducing nerve irritability and improve function. AgeWell New York’s Medicare Advantage Plans offer health care coverage to improve and maintain overall health and well-being. Call for eligibility and enrollment. 866-586-8044 or agewellnewyork.com. 50+