Living Senior March 2020

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S E N I O R

Resources for seniors Living healthy Create a Medicare plan

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Spring 2020

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5 tips to help older adults be healthier As we age, an increasing number of us link our emotional and physical well-being to our overall health. After all, you can’t do the things you enjoy if you aren’t healthy.

With that in mind, Cigna and its Medicare Advantage fitness partner, the Silver&Fit Healthy Aging and Exercise Program, share these five tips to help older adults get fitter and stronger and be less stressed and happier:

HIT THE GYM Exercise is a proven way to help you get fitter and stronger, improve balance, lose weight, reduce blood pressure, improve cardiovascular health, manage pain and even be more social. Many gyms offer such options as free weights, machines, pools, classes, private instructors and other amenities that can inspire you to try new things.

Prefer working out with others? Group classes can help you discover a new exercise, stick to a schedule and find exercise buddies. If you’re new to exercise, remember that slow and steady is the way to build good habits, avoid injury and achieve health goals. It’s always a good idea to consult your doctor before starting any new exercise program.

Can’t afford gym membership? You may be surprised to learn

Adding an exercise regiment to your lifestyle will go a long way in keeping you strong and healthy so you can enjoy life to its fullest.

that many MA plans offer exercise programs at top fitness centers and YMCAs for no extra cost. Check your plan for details.

NOURISH YOUR BODY For optimal health, nourish your body with healthy, energizing foods, including fruits, vegetables, grains, fish and healthy oils, such as olive oil and sesame oil. Limit pre-packaged, processed foods.

Set an achievable goal. Try cutting out one unhealthy food each month, such as sugary soft drinks or chips. Your body will love you for it. Also, stay hydrated, especially when exercising.

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• Healthier

(Continued from page 3)

At the same time, eliminate unhealthy habits, such as smoking or drinking alcohol in excess.

With an MA plan, you may be able to get help with smoking cessation products or alcohol counseling at no extra cost.

STRESS LESS Stress can be toxic and debilitating. Develop a “PLAN” to deal with it. According to Cigna’s Dr. Stuart L. Lustig, this includes identifying a Period of time to unwind, a Location to destress, an Activity to enjoy and the Name of someone with whom you can talk.

Yoga, tai chi and meditation may help you cope with stress, as well as going for walks, listening to music, comedy or audio books – or even coloring. If you’re experiencing extreme stress, talk to your doctor. Remember, the mind and body are connected, and stress takes its toll on physical health.

GET SOCIAL

According to a 2018 Cigna

survey, loneliness in America has reached epidemic levels.

Nearly half of Americans report sometimes or always feeling alone (46 percent) or left out (47 percent).

Loneliness has been shown to negatively impact physical and mental health. Alleviate loneliness by taking one proactive step each week. For example, call or get coffee with friends or family, join a club or volunteer.

You can also connect with other active adults on social media. Check out the inspirational health and fitness posts on the @ SilverandFit Facebook page and join in the conversations.

PRACTICE GRATITUDE Happiness comes with thankfulness. Think about people and things you feel grateful for, and start a gratitude journal.

By doing your best to incorporate these five tips into your life, you’ll kick-start your journey toward a healthier future.

Choosing healthy meal options and adding more fruits and vegetables to your diet will give you more energy and improve your overall health.

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Food facts Healthy eating options for seniors

BRAIN-FRIENDLY FOODS

“Let food be thy medicine” is a quote attributed to Hippocrates, the ancient scholar considered to be the father of modern medicine. The saying relates to the notion that what people put in their bodies can heal and/ or prevent certain conditions.

For seniors with medicine cabinets full of over-the-counter and prescription medications, the idea of relying predominantly on food to promote optimal health may be tempting, and various foods can be particularly useful to the 50-and-over demographic.

According to the World Health Organization, poor diet is a major contributor to many of the diseases that affect older people. Poor diet has been connected to the development of diabetes, and degenerative diseases such as osteoporosis also may be linked to the foods ones eat.

The National Council for Aging Care says micronutrient deficiency is often a problem among the aging due to factors like lack of variety in diet and reduced food intake.

Eating a variety of foods can provide all of the nutrients people need to stay healthy as they get older. Certain foods may be particularly helpful.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY FOODS

Foods such as avocado, leafy vegetables, sunflower seeds, blueberries, and salmon are good sources of vitamin E, antioxidants, omega-3 fatty acids, and other nutrients that may help ward off dementias like Alzheimer’s disease, advises Sonas Home Health Care.

Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help prevent inflammation that can cause cancer and rheumatoid arthritis. Aging.com says foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon, should be consumed at least twice per week.

FRUITS AND VEGETABLES Fresh, canned or frozen produce tend to be high in micronutrients, including a variety of important vitamins that are essential for all components of health. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics advises eating dark green vegetables, such as leafy greens or broccoli, and orange vegetables, such as carrots and sweet potatoes.

ENERGY-BOOSTERS Choose whole grains that can provide sustained energy by way of healthy carbohydrates over processed grains.

BONE-FRIENDLY FOODS

Calcium-rich foods, such as milk,

yogurt and cheese, can prevent calcium from being leached from the bones, which contributes to conditions like osteoporosis.

DIGESTIVE SYSTEMFRIENDLY FOODS The digestive system slows down as the body ages, as the walls of the gastrointestinal tract thicken and digestive contractions that push waste along may slow down and become fewer. Foods rich in fiber can promote proper digestion by moving food through the digestive tract more easily. High-fiber foods also may help naturally reduce blood cholesterol levels.

HIGH-IRON FOODS Without enough iron in the body, a person may feel tired and lethargic from a reduced production of hemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood from the lungs to the rest of the body. A lack of oxygen in body tissues from anemia can be serious, says the National Council for Aging Care. Tofu, spinach, lentils, pumpkin seeds, and fortified breads and cereals are high in iron.

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Smart food choices can help seniors live long and healthy lives.

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Advantages to getting older Senior perks and discounts

travel but want to leave the car at home, this can be a great way to get around.

Growing older may come with some added laugh lines or a few extra aches and pains, but many will attest to the benefits and wisdom earned from a life well-lived.

And if that’s not enough, the discounts and other perks afforded seniors can make reaching one’s golden years a bit easier to embrace.

Every day the list of companies offering special deals for people of a certain age continues to grow. Individuals willing to do the research or simply ask retailers and other businesses about their senior discount policies can be well on their way to saving serious money.

Keep in mind that the starting points for age-based discounts vary, with some offering deals to those age 50 and up, and others kicking in at 55 or 60-plus.

The following is a list of some of the discounts that may be available. Confirm eligibility as companies change their policies from time to time. Also, the editors of Consumer World say that the senior discount might not always be the lowest price, so comparison shopping is a must to find out which discount or coupon is the best deal.

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AMTRAK

NATIONAL PARKS

Travelers age 65 and older can enjoy a 10 percent discount on rail fares on most Amtrak trains. For those who prefer ground

The U.S. National Parks Service offers steep discounts on the annual pass, which provides entry to more than 2,000 federal

recreation sites.

GROCERY STORE

Establishments like Wendy’s, Arby’s, Burker King, Denny’s, Applebees, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, and Friendly’s offer various senior discounts. Most are 10 to 15 percent off the meal. Others offer free beverages or an extra perk with purchase.

Food shopping gets a little easier with discounts at Bi-Lo, Fred Meyer, Gristedes, Harris Teeter, Piggly-Wiggly, and Publix. Be sure to check with local supermarkets about senior discounts, as they vary, particularly as to what day of the week and for what age they kick in.

KOHL’S

AARP MEMBERSHIP

This popular department store provides a 15 percent discount every Wednesday to shoppers ages 60-plus. Other stores like Modell’s, Belk, Bon-Ton, and SteinMart offer similar discounts.

It is important to note that many companies require enrollment in AARP for people to get senior discounts. AARP also has its own AARP Prescription Discount Card so that members and families can save around 61 percent on FDA-approved drugs that prescription insurance or Medicare Part D plans fail to cover.

MARRIOTT Travelers age 62 and older are privy to a 15-percent discount on room rates at Marriott brand hotels, subject to availability.

ROTO-ROOTER Plumbing problems can get expensive, but online sources cite a 10 to 15 percent discount depending on location for this drain cleaning service provider in North America.

T-MOBILE This carrier offers two lines with unlimited talk, text and LTE data for $35 with AutoPay for seniors age 55-plus.

Only the primary account holder has to be 55.

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With a little digging, seniors can find scores of discounts to help them save money while enjoying their golden years.

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LIVING SENIOR • SPRING 2020

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4 IDEAS FOR BECOMING A LIFELONG LEARNER Lifelong learners know that it’s never too late to broaden one’s personal and professional skills. Learning a new skill is very rewarding and if you’re older, you probably have skills you can teach others.

Here are four cool ideas to learn something new or to teach a new generation:

LEARN TO DANCE Dance is a beautiful art form offering opportunities to immerse yourself in different cultures and musical genres.

There’s also evidence that taking up dance can boost mental and physical health, reduce stress and improve memory.

From ballet to ballroom to salsa to swing, there’s a dance style for everyone.

So, consider taking that first step of learning the steps.

PLAY PIANO Playing the piano helps develop motor skills and improves cognitive learning.

Now, thanks to new tools, you can develop your musical skills faster.

Using the Casio Tone LK-S250 keyboard’s Key Lighting System, which

See LEARNER, Page 10

Whether your goal is to succeed professionally or boost your personal skills, you can pave the way by becoming a lifelong learner.

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5 tips for making the most of your Medicare plan this year Do you spend your Sunday mornings scouring the newspaper inserts for coupons?

Make it a point to confirm discounts when booking hotel reservations? Secretly (or not so secretly!) love the senior discount at the movie theater?

If any of these sound familiar, you probably consider yourself a savvy consumer who likes to make sure you’re getting the most value for your money.

But have you stopped to consider whether you’re applying those same prudent practices to your Medicare benefits?

Maximizing those benefits can help with more than just saving money. It could help improve your health as well.

Here are five tips to help ensure you get the most out of your Medicare coverage this year.

Tip 1: Learn the difference between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage.

More than 66 million Americans made choices about their Medicare coverage last fall. Some opted for Original Medicare, but one in three chose Medicare Advantage, which combines Medicare Parts A and B.

Many Medicare Advantage plans also offer prescription drug coverage and valuable extras, like dental, hearing and vision care.

Understanding those additional benefits and features can help you make the most of your plan.

Tip 2: Review what your plan covers – and use those benefits.

You can usually find coverage and benefits information on your insurer’s website or in the plan documents your insurer sent in the mail. As noted above, extra benefits and features included in many Medicare Advantage plans cover dental exams and cleanings, hearing and vision exams. Fitness benefits may also be included.

Tip 3: Take advantage of preventive care benefits.

Original Medicare offers all beneficiaries an annual wellness visit. Some preventive screenings, like mammograms and colonoscopies, are also included. These services can help catch health problems early, when they’re usually easier to treat.

And your annual wellness visit is a good opportunity to sit down with your doctor

and develop a plan to help you achieve your best health in the year ahead.

A Medicare Advantage plan from UnitedHealthcare will even bring preventive care into your own living room through the HouseCalls program.

The program helps make it easier for members to get important information about their medications and communicate with health providers about how their care fits with their health needs and budget.

Tip 4: Plan yearly expenses with the out-of-pocket maximum in mind.

Medicare costs can vary widely for individuals based on their situation and the type of coverage they have. Original Medicare generally covers 80% of a person’s Part A and Part B expenses,

See MEDICARE PLAN, Page 10 Following a few tips to get the most out of your Medicare plan could be doubly rewarding – more money in your wallet and better health to help you live your best life.

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LIVING SENIOR • SPRING 2020

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• Medicare plan

• Learner

(Continued from page 9)

which include services such as doctor visits, hospital stays and lab tests. The individual is responsible for the other 20%, with no annual limit on out-ofpocket costs.

Medicare Advantage plans offer predictable copays and cap your annual out-of-pocket expenses. Once you reach the out-of-pocket max set by your plan, all additional costs for Medicarecovered services for the rest of the year are covered at 100%. That cap can mean peace of mind if you have an unexpected illness or if you’re planning to undergo a major medical procedure.

Tip 5: Look to save money on prescription drugs.

Prescription drug coverage isn’t included with Original Medicare (Parts A and B). Some people opt to enroll in a stand-alone Part D plan, but many choose a Medicare Advantage plan, which often includes prescription coverage.

Using home delivery pharmacy benefits can be one way to save money – not to mention trips to the pharmacy. With some home delivery pharmacies, you can order a three-month supply of medication for a lower cost than you would pay if you got the same supply at a local drug store.

If you prefer to use a retail pharmacy,

check whether your plan has a preferred pharmacy network. This can usually mean a lower copay.

Switching to an alternative drug that’s cheaper than one you’re currently taking can be another way to save money. Ask your doctor if there’s a generic drug or one on a lower tier of your plan’s formulary (the list of covered drugs) that could work just as well for you.

To learn more, visit UHCMedicareHealthPlans.com.

The HouseCalls program is not available with all plans. To check if HouseCalls is available to you or to schedule a HouseCalls visit, call 1-866686-2504, TTY 711, Monday-Friday 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. ET, or visitUHCHouseCalls. com. HouseCalls may not be available in all areas.

Plans are insured through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or one of its affiliated companies. For Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plans: A Medicare Advantage organization with a Medicare contract and a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor.

Enrollment in these plans depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare.

(Continued from page 8) features a voice-guided step-up lesson system, you can quickly learn its 60 built-in songs and sound great in no time.

TAKE A WRITING COURSE From email correspondence to meeting agendas to thank you notes, you are likely doing at least a little writing in your daily life. But is your message clear?

You don’t need to have designs on writing the next great American novel to benefit from tightening your prose. A writing course can help anyone become more powerful, effective communicator.

GET MATHEMATICAL Whether you’re a student in school or a student of life, you can delve into math and improve your comprehension of related concepts using ClassPad.net, a web-based calculator which serves as a one-stop shop for enhancing analytical thinking, and making math come alive for people of all ages. Usable on a desktop or tablet, the program also makes it easier for students and teachers to collaborate.

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Amazing benefits to seniors having pets Pets bring much joy to the lives they touch. So it should come as no surprise that the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey, which was conducted by the American Pet Products Association, found that about 85 million families in the United States own a pet.

Pets offer companionship and unconditional love. While they are fitting for any family, seniors may find that having a pet is especially beneficial.

The organization A Place for Mom, which helps match families with senior living residences, says pets provide a comfort system that produces measurable health results.

Caring for pets and being around them can produce a chemical chain reaction in the brain that may help to lower stress hormones while also increasing production of the feel-good hormone serotonin.

This is not the only health benefit pets may provide. A recent study from

the Mayo Clinic, which looked at 1,800 people between the ages of 25 and 64 who had healthy hearts, found that almost half owned a dog. Having a dog was likely to spur heart-healthy behaviors, like exercising with the pet, eating well and having ideal blood sugar levels.

Pets also provide emotional support and companionship that can help seniors – including those who may be divorced or widowed – feel more secure and happy.

The National Poll on Healthy Aging found that, among respondents who had pets, 88 percent said their pets helped them enjoy life, and 86 percent said their pets made them feel loved.

Seniors considering getting a pet can explore the many benefits to doing so.

REDUCE PAIN A 2012 study published in Pain Magazine found therapy dogs provided “significant reduction in pain and emotional distress for chronic pain patients.”

FEELING OF PURPOSE Pets bring many benefits to their owners’ lives, and they may be the perfect remedy for seniors looking for a friend and purpose.

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Caring for an animal not only stimulates physical activity, but it also can give seniors a reason to get up and go, which equates to a feeling of purpose.

ALTERED FOCUS Having a pet can help seniors focus on something other than physical or mental health issues and preoccupations about loss or aging, according to New York-based psychologist Penny B. Donnenfeld.

INCREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY Pets require care, and that interaction can get seniors moving more than if they didn’t have a pet.

IMPROVED HEALTH Ongoing research from Harvard Medical School has found dog owners have lower blood pressure, healthier cholesterol levels and lower risk of heart disease than those who don’t own a dog.

STICK TO ROUTINE Caring for pets helps seniors maintain a routine. Having structure after retirement can be important to ward off risk of depression. Staying on top of feeding, grooming and other pet needs also can help prevent cognitive decline.

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Shopping for assisted living facilities As people age, oftentimes their living arrangements need to be adjusted. Needs evolve as children move out or other situations arise. One of the scenarios that may come to pass as a person ages is the need for more specialized help that just isn’t possible at home.

When failing physical or mental health affects one’s ability to be independent and live safety at home, moving into an assisted living facility may be the next step.

The National Center for Assisted Living indicates assisted living offers the little bit of help some people need when they can no longer manage living alone. Typically these facilities provide assistance with bathing or dressing,

Assisted living facilities can provide supervision, meals, housekeeping, laundry and personal care for their residents, giving loved ones a break from helping out along with peace of mind.

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medication management and other care, while also catering to people who may not require the around-the-clock medical care most often associated with nursing homes.

Vetting is an important component of finding assisted living facilities. Family caregivers need to educate themselves about services, costs and other resources provided by assisted living facilities.

AARP says assisted living facilities provide residents with a range of services that can include supervision, meals, housekeeping, laundry, and personal care. Residents usually have their own apartments or private rooms.

Because they are mostly regulated at state level in the United States, there is a lot of variety among these facilities. That means family caregivers need to assess their needs and desires in a facility to find the right one that fits.

Assisted living facilities offer a homelike environment, and the amenities available vary based on cost.

Paying for assisted living differs from paying for nursing homes. Largely

government-subsidized health programs like Medicare and Medicaid pay for nursing home care.

Those who would be best serviced by assisted living may find they may not qualify for government support, nor may the facilities accept anything other than private payment or long-term care insurance to cover room and board.

Other considerations in assisted living facilities are size, specialties, atmosphere, location, and the ability to transition to higher forms of care. Assisted living may fill a void currently, but it’s often not a permanent situation for all, and eventually certain residents may have to move on to skilled care facilities.

Potential residents and their families should visit various assisted living facilities to get a feel for what they are like. Speak with the staff and residents, request a meal and get a sense of the environment. Apart from cost, how the home feels is one of the most important factors in shopping around for this type of residence.

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Things to know before drafting a living will During the prime of their lives, people typically don’t give much thought to scenarios in which they become ill or are facing the end of life. Sickness and mortality are not easy conversations to have, but it is important for everyone to approach these heavy topics with close family members so that individuals can rest easy knowing their needs will be met if or when their health falters.

An advanced healthcare directive – also known as a living will – is a legal document in which a person lists the specifics of medical care and comfort actions they desire should the individual no longer be able to make decisions for themselves due to illness or incapacity.

The legal advice resource Legal Zoom says the living will may list certain things, such as whether life support is desired or if pain medication should be administered. A living will should not be confused with a traditional will, which is a legal document that explains wishes for financial and personal assets after a person dies.

Living wills also differ from living trusts, which address how assets will be managed if a person becomes incapacitated. Here are some questions people should ask themselves concerning living wills.

• Do I want to remove the burden of tough choices from my loved ones? A living will relieves grieving loved ones of the responsibility of making challenging decisions of invoking life-saving procedures or not – particularly if they’re not sure what you desire.

• Do I have firm feelings about life-saving methods? A living will allows you to spell out preferences on insertion of feeding tubes, if you want specialized hydration, if you want to be hooked up to life support if brain function is minimal, and a host of other scenarios.

• Is cost preventing me from drafting a living will? Cost need not be a factor in setting up a living will. You can download a free template from any number of online legal sources. Local hospitals often have forms as well, which can be notarized for only a few

dollars. These forms are generally comprehensive and can help you answer all the questions and write in specifics.

• Have you selected a trusted person to carry out wishes? A health care proxy, according to the American Bar Association, is a person appointed by you with the authority to make decisions for you if you are unable to express your preferences for medical treatment. Together with the living will, the health care proxy, also called a durable medical power of attorney, can fulfill your wishes accordingly.

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A living will is an important component of medical and estate planning.

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