Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Official Newspaper of Eddy County since 1883
Sorted by date Results 326 - 342 of 342
Dear Savvy Senior, What numbers constitute high blood pressure? I use to be prehypertensive, but they keep changing the guidelines, so I’m not sure where I fit in now. Approaching 60 Dear Approaching, If you’re unsure what your blood pressure levels should be, you’re not alone. Recent changes in the hypertension guidelines made by the American Heart Association and the American College Cardiology mean that roughly 30 million more Americans than previously thought are now considered to have high...
Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any senior-friendly devices that you can recommend for video calling? I live about a day’s drive from my 83-year-old father and would like to see him more often but he doesn’t use a computer, tablet or a smartphone. Searching Susan Dear Susan, Video chatting is a great way to stay connected and keep tabs on an elder parent when you can’t be there. To help you and your dad achieve this, there are various products on the market today that offer simple video calli...
Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about the new Medicare cards? I’ve heard there are a lot of scams associated with these new cards and I want to make sure I protect myself. Leery Senior Dear Leery, The government will soon be sending out brand new Medicare cards to 59 million Medicare beneficiaries. Here’s what you should know about your new card along with some tips to help you guard against potential scams. New Medicare Cards Starting this month, Medicare will be removing Social Sec...
Dear Savvy Senior, Though it may seem hard to believe, at age 65, I never have gotten around to making a will, but I’d like to now. My question is: Do I need to hire a lawyer to write my will, or can I do it myself? I want to get my affairs in order, but I hate paying an attorney fee if I don’t have to. Getting Organized Dear Getting, It’s not hard to believe at all. Fewer than half of American adults have a will, mainly because they either haven’t thought about it or gotten around to it, or...
Dear Savvy Senior, My mom has Alzheimer’s disease and has gotten to the point that she can’t live at home any longer. I need to find a good memory care residential unit for her but could use some help. Any suggestions? Exhausted Daughter Dear Exhausted, Choosing a good memory care residential unit for a loved one with Alzheimer’s disease is a very important decision that requires careful evaluation and some homework. Most memory care units, sometimes called special care units, are housed withi...
Dear Savvy Senior, What resources can you recommend to help older job seekers? I’m 60 and have been out of work for nearly a year now and need some help. Seeking Employment Dear Seeking, While the U.S. job market has improved dramatically over the past few years, challenges still persist for many older workers. To help you find employment, there are job resource centers and a wide variety of online tools specifically created for older job seekers. Here’s where you can find help. Job Cente...
Dear Savvy Senior, My brother and his wife, who are ages 60 and 56, were recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, and prediabetes, and neither one had a clue. Could I have it too? Concerned Sibling Dear Concerned, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention nearly 115 million Americans have diabetes or pre-diabetes today, but most of them don’t even know they have it. Here’s how to know if you’re at risk. The problem with diabetes is that most people don’t start thinking about i...
Dear Savvy Senior, I have a life insurance policy that I’ve been paying on for years that I really don’t need any longer. I’ve been thinking about letting it lapse, but I’ve heard that I can actually sell it for a nice payout. What can you tell me about this? Interested In Selling Dear Interested, Selling a life insurance policy, even a term life policy that you don’t want or need any longer – a transaction known as a “life settlement” – has become a popular option among retirees in recen...
Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve fallen several times over the past year and my doctor has recommended that I start a strength-training program to help prevent future falls. But at age 72, I’ve never lifted weights before and could use some help. What can you tell me? Looking for Help Dear Looking, Weak leg muscles and poor balance are two of the biggest factors that cause seniors to fall. Most people, after age 40 lose about one percent of their muscle mass each year, which really adds up over tim...
Dear Savvy Senior, What are the IRS income tax filing requirements for seniors this year? I didn’t file a tax return the past two years because my income was below the filing requirements, but I got a part-time job late last year, so I’m wondering if I’m required to file this year. Part-time Retiree Dear Part-time, Whether or not you are required to file a federal income tax return this year will depend on how much you earned last year (in 2017), and the source of that income, as well as your...
Dear Savvy Senior, What can you tell me about online dating for baby boomers? I’m 57 and recently divorced, and would like to find a new friend to spend time with. Lonely Linda Dear Linda, Whether you’re interested in dating again or just looking for a friend to spend time with, online dating sites have become a very popular and effective way for baby boomers to meet new single people. Making new friends can be challenging as we get older, which is why online dating sites are an excellent opt...
Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve heard that hearing aids will soon be available over-the-counter and will be much cheaper than they currently are. What can you tell me about this? My husband desperately needs hearing aids but we simply can’t afford them. Searching Spouse Dear Searching, Unfortunately, for many years the high cost of hearing aids has kept millions of Americans with hearing loss from getting hearing aids because they can’t afford them. Hearing aids – typically sold through audiolo...
Dear Savvy Senior, What resources can you recommend for locating interesting volunteer opportunities? Since I retired, I’ve been doing some volunteer work but most of the opportunities I’ve tried haven’t been very satisfying. Unsatisfied Volunteer Dear Volunteer, For many retirees, finding a volunteer opportunity that satisfies your interests, utilizes your talents and matches your availability can be challenging. To help you find an interesting and satisfying volunteer opportunity, here are s...
Dear Savvy Senior, This may seem like a strange question, but can you tell me what steps need to be taken after a loved one dies? My 80-year-old father has a terminal illness, and I would like to find out what I will need to do when he passes. Only Daughter Dear Only, I’m sorry about your father’s situation but this is a great question many families inquire about when a loved one’s death becomes imminent. Here’s a run-down of some things you can do now, and after his death, that can help ke...
Dear Savvy Senior, What are some financial factors to consider when retiring abroad? My husband and I will be retiring in a few years and are interested in living in a foreign country that’s cheaper than the U.S. Frugal Couple Dear Frugal, Retiring abroad has become a growing trend for millions of U.S. retirees who are looking to stretch their retirement savings. Here are some tips and resources to consider that can help you prepare. Researching Tools For starters, you can find lots of info...
Dear Savvy Senior, Do you know of any resources that can help with my mother’s home-care bills? Mom is recovering from a stroke and needs in-home care, but I understand Medicare doesn’t cover it, and she doesn’t have long-term care insurance. Stressed-Out Daughter Dear Stressed-Out, Depending on your mom’s circumstances, there are a number of government and not-for-profit programs that can either subsidize or pay for your mom’s home care or offer aid in other ways. Here’s where to look f...
Dear Savvy Senior, If the prescription label says "take with meals," does it matter what you eat? I currently take eight different medications for various health problems and would like to know if there are any foods I need to avoid. Over Medicated Dear Over, It depends on the medication. Many meds should be taken with food to increase their absorption and reduce the risk of side effects. But some foods and medications can interact, reducing the effectiveness or increasing the risk of har...
