Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Sorted by date Results 176 - 200 of 342
Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve had mild tinnitus – ringing in my ears – for years, but when I got COVID in January it got worse. Are there any treatments you know of, or can recommend that can help? Almost 60 Dear Almost, Unfortunately, new research indicates that tinnitus, a common hearing problem that affects around 50 million Americans, may be worsened by COVID-19 or possibly even triggered by it. Here’s what you should know along with some tips and treatments that may help. What is Tinnitus? Tinnit...
Dear Savvy Senior, Do you know of any golfing equipment that can help older golfers? My dad, who’s 76, loves to play golf, but arthritis in his hands has made griping the club challenging, and his fragile lower back makes stooping over to tee-up or retrieve the ball a problem too. Is there anything out there that can help? Golfing Buddy Dear Buddy, There are actually a wide variety of adaptive golf equipment that can help older golfers who struggle with injuries, arthritis or loss of m...
Dear Savvy Senior, Do you know where I can find cheaper, high-speed internet services for my home? I’m 70-years-old and live strictly on my Social Security, and would like to find something faster and less expensive than I currently have. Surfing Susan Dear Susan, There are actually two new resources available today that can help you save money on your home internet services, but what’s available to you will depend on your income level and where you live. Here’s where to begin. Internet Disco...
Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you offer for downsizing? My husband and I would like to relocate from our house into a retirement community condo near our daughter, but need to get rid of a lot of personal possessions before we can move. Overwhelmed Willa Dear Willa, The process of weeding through a house full of stuff and parting with old possessions is difficult and overwhelming for most people. A good place to start is to see if your kids, grandkids or other family members would like any...
Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about lung cancer screenings? I was a big smoker, but quit years ago, so I’m wondering if I should be checked out. Former Smoker Dear Former, Lung cancer screening is used to detect the presence of lung cancer in otherwise healthy people with a high risk of lung cancer. Should you be screened? It depends on your age and your smoking history. Here’s what you should know. Screening Recommendations The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force – an indep...
Dear Savvy Senior, Is there an easy way to figure out how much I will need to save for retirement? My wife and I are both in our late fifties and want to figure out about how much we’ll need in order to retire comfortably. Ready to Retire Dear Ready, How much money you need to retire comfortably is a great question that all working adults should ask themselves. Unfortunately, far too few ever bother thinking about it. But calculating an approximate amount of how much you’ll need to have sav...
Dear Savvy Senior, What are the best Medicare coverage options for COVID-vaccinated retirees, who are eager to travel? My wife and I will both turn 65 over the next few months and would like to know which Medicare plans are best for extensive travelers. Almost 65 Dear Almost, The best Medicare plans for retirees who plan to travel will vary depending on your destinations. But, before you book a trip make sure you know the current CDC COVID-19 travel recommendations (see CDC.g...
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good technology classes or online learning resources for inexperienced seniors? I have a computer and a smartphone, but my knowledge and skills are pretty limited. Tech Challenged Senior Dear Senior, There are many different technology teaching tools available to older adults, which can help you learn new tech skills so you can better utilize your devices. Here are some good options to consider. Local classes or workshops: Depending where you live,...
Dear Savvy Senior, My wife and I have been thinking about preplanning our funerals now, so our kids won’t have to later, but we would like to find out if it’s a good idea to prepay. What can you tell us? Living on a Budget Dear Living, Planning your funerals in advance is definitely a smart move. Not only does it give you and your wife time to make a thoughtful decision on the type of service you want, it also allows you to shop around to find a good funeral provider, and it will spare your fam...
Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about prediabetes, and how can you know if you have it? My 62-year-old husband, who’s in pretty good shape, was recently diagnosed with prediabetes and didn’t have a clue. Could I have it too? Wondering Spouse Dear Wondering, Underlying today’s growing epidemic of type 2 diabetes is a much larger epidemic called prediabetes, which is when the blood sugar levels are higher than they should be, but not high enough to be called diabetes. The Center for Disea...
Dear Savvy Senior, How much does your claiming age affect your Social Security benefits, and what are the most popular ages people start taking their retirement benefits? Nearing Retirement Dear Nearing, You can sign up for Social Security at any time after age 62. However, your monthly payments will be larger for each month you delay claiming them up until age 70. This adds up to around 6-8 percent higher payments every year that you delay. To get a breakdown on exactly how much your claiming...
Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you offer on helping an elderly parent with their finances? My 84-year-old father is having trouble keeping up with his bills and insurance, and I just found out that he’s been making contributions to a suspicious charity. Reluctant Daughter Dear Reluctant, Many adult children serve as financial helpers to their elderly or ill parents. They provide services like paying bills, handling deposits and investments, filing insurance claims, preparing taxes and more. He...
Dear Savvy Senior, I just turned 60 and would like to find out the best way to go about locating senior discounts. Looking to Save Dear Looking, One of the best, yet underutilized perks of growing older in the United States, is the many discounts that are available to older adults. There are literally thousands of discounts on a wide variety of products and services, including restaurants, grocery stores, travel and lodging, entertainment, retail and apparel, health and beauty, automotive...
Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about balance exercises? I’ve fallen a few times over the past year and have read that balance exercises can help me regain my steadiness, but I’m not exactly sure what to do. Unsteady at 70 Dear Unsteady, Most people don’t think much about practicing their balance, but they need to. As we age, our balance declines if it isn’t practiced, which can lead to falls that often result in a broken bone. Every year more than one in four people age 65 and older f...
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend any good devices that help seniors with tracking down misplaced items? My wife misplaces everything including her car keys, eyeglasses, cell phone, purse and more. Always Searching Dear Always, There’s actually a wide variety of tracking devices that can help you and your wife find items that are commonly misplaced. Here are some top options to consider depending on how tech savvy you are. Bluetooth Trackers If you or your wife uses a smartphone or tablet, y...
Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve been told that my two children, ages 14 and 16, may be eligible for Social Security when I file for my retirement benefits. Is this true? What can you tell me? Viagra Daddy Dear Viagra, It’s true. If you’re age 62 or older and are still raising young children, there’s a Social Security benefit strategy that can put some extra money in your family coffers. Here’s how it works. When you file for Social Security retirement benefits, your minor children can get money on...
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you give me some tips on how to pick a good nursing home in the COVID era? My mother had a stroke a while back and can’t use her legs any longer. I’ve been taking care of her at home, but her health has declined to the point that I absolutely can’t do it any longer. Need Help Dear Need, COVID-19 has hit nursing homes hard over the past year, making it extremely difficult for people attempting to choose a nursing home during this time. While many eldercare experts sugge...
Dear Savvy Senior, Where can I turn to find a good Medicare covered hospice provider? My husband’s mother has a terminal condition and wants to die at home, if possible, so I’m helping out where I can. Sad Sandy Dear Sandy, Hospice is a wonderful option in the last months of life because it offers a variety of services, not only to those who are dying, but also to those left behind. Here’s what you should know about hospice care, along with some tips to help you choose one. Understanding Hospi...
Dear Savvy Senior, I will turn 65 in a few months and plan to keep working for several more years. I have good health insurance from my employer now. Do I have to sign up for Medicare when I reach 65? Looking Ahead Dear Looking, Whether you need to enroll in Medicare at 65 if you continue to work and have health insurance through your job depends on how large your employer is. The same rules apply if your health insurance comes from your spouse’s job. But first, let’s review the basics. Rem...
Dear Savvy Senior, I am interested in getting my mom, who lives alone, a medical alert system with a wearable pendant button that will let her call for help if she falls or has a medical emergency. What can you tell me to help me choose one? Too Many Choices Dear Too Many, A good medical alert system is an effective and affordable tool that can help keep your mom safe and living in her own home longer. But with all the different products and features available today, choosing one can be...
Dear Savvy Senior, What are the IRS income tax filing requirements for retirees in 2020? My income dropped way down when I was forced into retirement last March due to COVID-19, so I’m wondering if I need to file a tax return this year. Unexpected Retiree Dear Unexpected, Whether or not you are required to file a federal income tax return this year actually depends on several factors: How much you earned last year (in 2020), the source of that income, your age and your filing status. Here’s a r...
Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any resources to help seniors find and pay for senior apartments? My aunt, who’s 75 years old, needs to find a new place to live but has very little money. What can you tell me? Searching Sarah Dear Sarah, Finding affordable senior housing options can be difficult depending on where your aunt lives. Senior apartments for some retirees are a good option, and you’ll be happy to know that there are a number of government programs that can help out financially. Here are...
Dear Savvy Senior, Is acupuncture a viable treatment for pain and is it covered by Medicare? Since the pandemic hit, I have a lot of lower back and neck pain and am wondering if it’s worth trying. What can you tell me? Looking for Solutions Dear Looking, Many studies over the years – funded by the National Institutes of Health – have found acupuncture to be very effective in easing pain and can help with a variety of other ailments too. Here’s what you should know. Acupuncture Treatment First u...
Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you recommend for making a bathroom senior-friendly? My 78-year-old mother has mobility problems and fell getting out of the bathtub last month. I’d like to modify her bathroom with some safety features that can help keep her safe. Concerned Daughter Dear Concerned, Great question! Because more accidents and injuries happen in the bathroom than any other room in the house, this is a very important room to modify, especially for seniors with mobility or balance p...
Dear Savvy Senior, I understand that a portion of my Social Security benefits may be taxable when I retire. Can you tell me how to calculate this? Ready to Retire Rear Ready, Whether or not you’ll be required to pay federal income tax on your Social Security benefits will depend on your income and filing status. About 35% of Social Security recipients have total incomes high enough to trigger federal income tax on their benefits. To figure out if your benefits will be taxable, you’ll need to...
