Why Finance Cons
Target Older Adults,
and How to
Protect Yourself
By Kimberly Palmer
While financial fraud can happen to anyone, older adults face unique challenges when it comes to scams, which are increasingly common among that age group.
Losses due to scams targeting those age 60 or older ballooned to $3.4 billion last year, an increase of 11% over the previous year, according to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. The average amount lost was $33,915.
Tech support scams were reported to be most common among this demographic, followed by personal data breaches and confidence and romance scams, where the scam artist first gains trust before moving on to the topic of money. The FBI notes that older adults make an attractive target because they usually have savings, a home and other assets. They may be more trusting and less likely to report being scammed.
Medicare should include
dental coverage,
dentists tell U.S. Senate panel
BY: JENNIFER SHUTT
Dentists from throughout the country urged Congress to include dental coverage in Medicare during a hearing Thursday, saying that fewer than half of beneficiaries visit a dentist each year.
The panel of four dentists told the U.S. Senate Help, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee that other changes are needed as well to reduce the gap in consistent dental care for all Americans, including removing the barrier between health care and dentistry as well as bolstering affordable treatment for underserved communities.
The dentists also told senators that better outreach and education are needed to ensure people understand how missing regular checkups can have negative repercussions on their physical health.
Uber launches service
that can help with eldercare
By Jessica Hall
Transportation to medical appointments or medical errands can be arranged by app and paid for with health insurance
For the millions of caregivers in the U.S., getting a loved one to a doctor's appointment just got easier with the help of a new service from ride-hailing app Uber.
Through a new tool from Uber (UBER), called Uber Caregiver, people providing care can arrange for transportation for appointments or help restock essentials for a loved one.
73 best discounts
for ages 50+:
Where to save money
for active agers,
seniors and retirees
BY HEATHER PETTY
While senior discounts aren’t as standard as they’ve been in the past, you can still save money just for managing to make it to your 50s. And let’s face it, there’s been a bit of chaos to survive in each year of those five-plus decades. You deserve it.
So, whether you’re ready to associate the word senior with your current age bracket or not, simply flashing your ID could save you money on groceries, travel, entertainment and more.
To celebrate Older Americans Month — and help you find the best deals, rates and prices out there — we put our research nose to the grindstone to dig up the top discounts across national and regional chains, retailers and services.
61% of older adults
would choose
preserving savings
over growing wealth —
could you be
playing it too safe?
By Chris Clark
A recent survey by Global Atlantic Financial Group finds a staggering two-thirds of respondents aged 55-75 indicated a preference for protecting their existing savings over seeking wealth growth — the wounds still fresh from anxiety-inducing market losses during the pandemic bear market.
Global Atlantic’s study of retirement-age investors with at least $250,000 in investable assets revealed a clear shift toward stability, guaranteed income, and protection.
The study found that 65% of respondents want a retirement plan with guaranteed income for life. Nearly half prioritized protecting assets from losses, with 69% reporting discussing loss-prevention strategies with their advisers.
Other stories:
How a Dozen Smart Home Devices
Allow One Savvy Septuagenarian
to Age in Place
By Rachel Cericola
Anne Madison, 73, lives in a seniors community outside of Baltimore, Maryland. She also happens to be a big fan of smart-home devices, which is how we came to know her.
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
8 BEST GIFTS FOR
VISUALLY IMPAIRED
SENIORS
BY SOHAIL AHMED
It can be challenging to buy a gift for your senior family members or friends who have visual impairment. You want gifts to be useful and make your loved one’s life easier.
What Does
Aging Gracefully
Even Mean?
Start by feeling comfortable —
even proud — of who,
what and how old you are
pic a
By Edd and Cynthia Staton
The older we get, the more the term "aging gracefully" seems to pop up. In interviews with actresses in their 60s and 70s. In articles offering advice on how to keep our skin dewy and youthful, our bodies trim and healthy.
But what does aging gracefully even mean? Is it about looking years younger than your actual age, whether through lucky genes, dedication to health and wellness, cosmetic procedures or all of the above?
Or are graceful agers those who confidently embrace their older status while letting their hair go gray and accepting lower stamina and those extra pounds?
Disproportionate
Hospitalization Rates
Among Older Adults
Highlight Ongoing
COVID-19 Threat
By Sophia Abene
Despite overall reductions, the elderly remain vulnerable to severe COVID-19 outcomes.
COVID-19 continues to pose a threat to public health despite reductions in severe disease cases overall since the pandemic's onset. Hospitalization rates associated with COVID-19 remain disproportionately high among adults aged 65 and older compared to younger age groups, including adolescents and children.
The CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommended an updated vaccination strategy for COVID-19, utilizing a monovalent vaccine derived from the XBB.1.5 variant for individuals 6 months and older. Recognizing the ongoing circulation of SARS-CoV-2 and the heightened risk of severe illness in those aged 65 and older, ACIP further recommended, on February 28, 2024, an additional dose of the updated vaccine specifically for this age group.
Caring for older Americans’
teeth and gums is essential
but Medicare generally
doesn’t cover it
By Frank Scannapieco
C. Everett Koop, the avuncular doctor with a fluffy white beard who served as the U.S. surgeon general during the Reagan administration, was famous for his work as an innovative pediatric surgeon and the attention he paid to the HIV-AIDS crisis.
As dentistry scholars, we believe Koop also deserves credit for something else. To help make the medical profession pay more attention to the importance of healthy teeth and gums, he’d often say: “You are not healthy without good oral health.”
Yet, more than three decades after Koop’s surgeon general stint ended in 1989, millions of Americans don’t get even the most basic dental services, such as checkups, tooth cleanings and fillings.
.
The Social Security fix
no one is talking about
By Mark Miller
What if the traditional wisdom on how to fix Social Security no longer holds?
The trustees who oversee the program issued their annual financial forecast on Monday, predicting that the combined retirement and disability trust fund reserves will be depleted in 2035 - one year later than forecast last year. The improvement is due to the recent strong economy and wage growth, which has accelerated payroll tax payments that fund the program. Still, in 2035, the program would be insolvent.
That may sound like Social Security will have no money at all to pay benefits in 2035. But what the report really means is that the enormous Social Security trust fund reserves - currently $2.78 trillion - would be depleted, and the program would be bringing in enough cash at that point to pay only 83% of the benefits promised to current and future beneficiaries. That would be the equivalent of a 17% cut in benefits.
Dementia cases
are on the rise —
avoid these 12 risks
to keep your brain healthy
By Ernetine Siu
A global mental health crisis is on the horizon — dementia.
It is a condition that can be caused by a number of diseases that gradually destroy nerve cells and damage the brain, resulting in a decline in cognitive functions, according to the World Health Organization.
With the advancement of medicine, science and technology, people are living longer lives and the world’s aging population is growing at an unprecedented rate, raising the risk of a larger cohort of people living with dementia.
0ther stories:
Late Start Money Tips:
4 Ways To Get Rich
After the Age of 50
Yaël Bizouati-Kennedy
While experts recommend starting to save early in order to take advantage of compound interest, contrary to popular belief, you can get rich even with a late start. Indeed, it’s never too late for anything in life and by following certain rules, you can still get wealthy after 50, experts said.
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
DO YOU WANT TO KNOW
WHEN YOU WILL DIE?
BY ANN RICHARDSON
Not long ago, my husband said rather casually to me, “I wish I knew when I was going to die.” An important wish, indeed. He was 81 at the time.
What Big Bang Theory?
I won't be delving into astrophysics or attempting to explain how the universe began. Simply put, the Big Bang theory suggests that the universe started as a hot and dense point around 13.8 billion years ago, expanding to create everything we see today. However, recent research and theoretical developments have led some scientists to propose an alternative view - that the universe has no definitive beginning and will continue to expand indefinitely. This challenges our traditional understanding of time and existence, suggesting that the universe has always existed in some form and will never cease to exist. This idea may be unsettling for some. Including me. If you are having difficulty getting your head around this new theory, there’s a good reason for it
The idea the universe was always there contradicts our beliefs about reality. We are used to thinking in terms of beginnings and endings, linear progression, and finite lifespans. The concept of an eternal and unbounded universe can be unsettling, as it makes us confront the limitations of our understanding and the vastness of the cosmos.
If these assertions are true, it implies that our existence may seem insignificant and lacking in meaning. However, there is a glimmer of hope in the idea that a part of us may endure alongside the universe if it continues indefinitely. When we die, we don't vanish completely, but our atoms disperse and become part of the vast expanse of the universe, contributing to its expansion. Does this bring you any comfort?
While this new theory may be difficult to understand, it also presents exciting possibilities for exploration and discovery. By questioning our assumptions about the origins and nature of the universe, we can gain new insights into the fundamental workings of reality and our place within it. Ultimately, the journey to understand the true nature of the universe continues to inspire awe and wonder in all who embark upon it. ....
- Loss of pleasure in activities. This can show up as lethargy or a depressed mood.- Weight loss or weight gain. Along with this you will notice an increase or a decrease in appetite. Those with a loss of appetite will show no enjoyment in food. If they once loved to cook or think up new recipes, this too will gradually disappear.- Feelings of worthlessness. If your loved one is showing feelings of extreme guilty or worthlessness, it’s time for a trip to their healthcare provider. The same goes if they start to speak of wishing to die or commit suicide. This is a mental health emergency.
Dear Bruce,We are excited to announce upcoming changes to our data plans that we believe will better align with your needs. Based on evolving customer data usage habits, our $2.49/month data plan is being retired, and your account will move to a 1GB data plan for $5/month. This means you’ll get a lot more data for only $2.51 more per month, which you can use for video calls, shopping, gaming, or streaming. The updated plan will also help reduce your risk of data overage charges.You will continue to pay $2.49/month for your current data plan until your billing date in June when you will move to the 1GB plan and $5/month price.Sincerely,Your Lively Team
Dear Lively,I wanted to take a moment to express my thoughts and concerns regarding the recent email I received from your company. As a new customer, I was initially impressed with the services you offered, as they aligned perfectly with my needs and preferences. However, I was disappointed to learn that I am now required to purchase additional data storage for a small fee.When I made the decision to switch my cell phone service provider, it was primarily due to the high cost and unnecessary charges I was experiencing with my previous provider. I was seeking a more affordable option that would cater to my specific requirements. Your service seemed to tick all the boxes, offering a phone within my budget and eliminating charges for services I neither used nor required.As a senior, simplicity and choice are of utmost importance to me. I do not store photos or require excessive data space, as I have a laptop for those purposes. Furthermore, I do not download every free app available on my phone. I value the ability to choose what features I need, rather than being compelled to accept certain ones. This is why I was initially drawn to your service, as it allowed me to customize my plan to fit my needs.Therefore, receiving an email stating that I am required to purchase additional data storage was disheartening. If I had wanted that much storage, I would not have switched services in the first place. I believe it is crucial for your company to recognize that individuals like myself, who are seniors, value simplicity and the ability to choose what we need.In light of this, I kindly request that all future upgrades, including the one mentioned in your email, be made optional. By allowing us to decide for ourselves what features are necessary, you will not only cater to our specific needs but also ensure customer satisfaction.Thank you for taking the time to read my concerns. I hope you will consider my request and continue to provide a service that values simplicity and choice.Sincerely,Bruce Cooper