• Savvy Senior

    Savvy Senior: How to Help a Hoarding Parent

    By Jim Miller

    Dear Savvy Senior,

    My dad has always been a pack rat, but since mom died a few years ago he’s become more of a hoarder. The clutter in his house has gotten out of control and I don’t know what to do. Any suggestions?

    Distraught in Centerville

    Dear Distraught,

    Unfortunately, hoarding or clutter addiction is a problem that’s become increasingly common in the U.S. It effects approximately 6 percent of Americans age 65 or older. The problem can range anywhere from moderate messiness to hoarding so severe it may be related to a mental health disorder like obsessive-compulsive disorder. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips and resources that can help you help your dad.

    Why People Hoard

    The reasons most people hoard is because they have an extreme sentimental attachment to their possessions, or they believe they might need their items at a later date. Hoarding can also be a sign that an older person is depressed, anxious or showing early symptoms of dementia.

  • Savvy Senior

    Savvy Senior: How Long to Keep Tax Records and Other Documents

    By Jim Miller

    Dear Savvy Senior,

    Is there a rule of thumb on how long someone should keep their old financial paperwork? I have file cabinets full of old receipts, bank and brokerage statements, tax returns and more that I would like to toss.

    Recently Retired

    Dear Recently,

    It’s a great question. As we get older and our financial life gets more complicated, it’s difficult to know how long to keep old financial records and paperwork and when it’s safe to get rid of them. Some things you’ll need to hold on to for your whole life and others for just a month or so. Here’s a checklist I’ve created that can help you determine what to save and what you can throw away.

  • Savvy Senior

    Savvy Senior: What You’ll Pay for Medicare in 2025

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    By Jim Miller

    Dear Savvy Senior,

    I know there will be a small 2.5 percent cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits next year, but what about Medicare? What will the Medicare Part B monthly premiums be in 2025, and when do the surcharges kick in for higher income beneficiaries?

    Medicare Beneficiary

    Dear Beneficiary,

    The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently announced their cost adjustments for 2025 and the increases for premiums and out-of-pocket costs for most beneficiaries will be moderate. But if you’re a high earner, you’ll pay significantly more. Here’s what you can expect to pay in 2025.

    Part B Premium

    While Medicare Part A, which pays for hospital care, is premium-free for most beneficiaries, Part B, which covers doctor visits and outpatient services does have a monthly premium.

    Starting in January, the standard monthly Part B premium will be $185, up from $174.70 in 2024. That $10.30 bump represents a 5.9 percent increase, which is more than double the most recent Social Security cost-of-living adjustment which was 2.5 percent.

  • Savvy Senior

    Savvy Senior: How to Know if You’re Getting Osteoporosis

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    By Jim Miller

    Dear Savvy Senior,

    Can a person in their early fifties have osteoporosis? When I fell and broke my wrist last winter the doctor that treated me told me I might have osteoporosis.

    Surprised Susan

    Dear Susan,

    While osteoporosis is much more common in adults over age 60, it can strike younger people too. In fact, according to the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation half of women and up to 25 percent of men in the U.S. over age 50 will break a bone due to osteoporosis. Here’s what you should know.

    Osteoporosis, a disease that weakens your bones is also called a “silent” disease because there are no warning signs until a fracture occurs. Around 10 million Americans over age 50 currently have osteoporosis, and an additional 44 million have osteopenia (lower than normal bone density) – 80 percent of whom are women.

  • Savvy Senior

    Savvy Senior: How to Find a Cheaper Medicare Prescription Drug Plan

    By Jim Miller

    Dear Savvy Senior,

    What’s the easiest way to compare Medicare Part D prescription drug plans? My Part D premium is increasing again in 2025, so I would like to use the fall open enrollment to find and sign up for a cheaper plan.

    Shopping Around 

    Dear Shopping,

    I’m happy to hear you’re comparing your Medicare coverage options this fall! Research shows that many Medicare beneficiaries with Part D coverage can lower their prescription drug costs by shopping among plans each year during the open enrollment season, which runs Oct. 15 to Dec. 7.

    There could be another Part D plan in your area that covers the drugs you take with fewer restrictions or with lower costs. You never know until you look.

  • Savvy Senior

    Savvy Senior: How to Arrange Your Own Cremation Service

    By Jim Miller

    Dear Savvy Senior,

    I would like to arrange a simple cremation that doesn’t cost me, or my family, a lot of money. Can you offer any tips that can help me with this?

    Still Kicking 

    Dear Kicking,

    If you’re looking for a simple and affordable way to go, cremation is an excellent choice, and one that’s become exceedingly popular in the United States. About 60 percent of Americans are now choosing cremation over a traditional burial, versus only around 20 percent in the mid-1990s.

    Why the big shift? Price is a key reason. A basic cremation can cost as little as $700 to $1,200, depending on your location and provider, versus $7,500 or more for a traditional funeral and cemetery burial. Geography is another factor, as many families are spread across the country, making future gravesite visits less common.

    Here are a few tips to help you arrange your cremation and ensure you get a good deal.

    Shop Around

    You can arrange a cremation through a funeral home or a cremation-only business, but it’s wise to shop around because prices vary widely. It’s not unusual for one funeral home to charge $1,000, while another charges $4,000 or more for the same service.

  • LGBTSR,  Savvy Senior

    Savvy Senior: Does Medicare Cover Cataract Surgery?

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    By Jim Miller

    Dear Savvy Senior,

    How does Medicare cover cataract surgery? My eye doctor recently told me I’ve developed cataracts and should consider making plans for surgery in the next year or so.

    Almost 67

    Dear Almost,

    Like gray hair and wrinkles, cataracts are an inevitable part of the aging process. Eventually, everyone (usually in their 60s) will develop cataracts, a condition that causes cloudy or blurry vision. The only way to correct this is through cataract surgery.

  • Savvy Senior

    The Savvy Senior: Paying for Nursing Home Care with Medicaid

    By Jim Miller

    Dear Savvy Senior,

    If my mother needs to move into a nursing home, what are the eligibility requirements to get Medicaid coverage?

    Caretaking Son 

    Dear Caretaking,

    The rules and requirements for Medicaid eligibility for nursing home care are complicated and will vary according to the state your mother lives in. With that said, here’s a general, simplified rundown of what it takes to qualify.

    Medicaid Eligibility

    Medicaid, the joint federal and state program that covers health care for the poor, is also the largest single payer of America’s nursing home bills for seniors who don’t have the resources to pay for their own care. (Note that some states have different names for their Medicaid program.)

  • Savvy Senior

    The Savvy Senior: How Extreme Heat Affects Seniors

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    By Jim Miller

    Dear Savvy Senior,

    I work for a county health department and every summer we’re seeing more and more seniors get sick and even die from heat-related illiness. Can you write an awarness piece on the affects extreme heat has on older adults, and what they can do to guard against this summertime risk. Thanks for helping keep seniors safe!

    Health Advocate

    Dear Advocate,

    Happy to oblige! Most people don’t realize that each year, extreme summertime heat kills more people in the U.S. than hurricanes, floods and tornadoes combined. While extreme heat can be deadly for anyone, older adults are uniquely vulnerable because of three key factors: biological changes that occur with age; higher rates of age-related diseases; and greater use of medications that can alter the body’s response to heat.

    Here’s how to gauge the risk for a heat-related illness for you or an older loved one and how to stay safe.

    How Heat Affects Seniors

    The human body has two main mechanisms to cool itself: sweating and increasing blood flow to the skin. In older adults, both of those processes are compromised. Seniors sweat less and they have poor circulation compared with younger people.

  • LGBTSR,  Savvy Senior

    This Week’s Senior Newswire

    READ THE FOLLOWING CONTENT MORE MORE AT SENIOR NEWSWIRE!

    Senior Newswire is produced by Jim Miller’s Savvy Senior

    Dealing with Diabetes Distress: Living with a chronic disease isn’t easy. But there are ways to manage diabetes to reduce burnout and frustration, anger, anxiety and even depression. Next Avenue, July 22.

    These Nutrients Can Strengthen Aging Bones: Bone loss is a natural part of getting older, but prioritizing certain foods can help slow the process down. The New York Times, July 22. (Subscription may be required.)

    Shingles Vaccine Could Lower Dementia Risk: Older people who avail themselves of the newest shingles vaccine could reap a hidden benefit: A significant drop in their odds of developing dementia. HealthDay News, July 26.

    What Is Polymyalgia Rheumatica? Polymyalgia rheumatica is an inflammatory disorder that predominantly affects older adults. Though the condition can cause debilitating pain and stiffness, effective treatments are available to manage symptoms. U.S. News & World Report, July 24.

    At-Home Colon Cancer Test Can Save Lives: A simple home screening test for colon cancer can reduce the risk of dying from the disease by 33%, a new study shows. HealthDay News, July 26.

    Double Mastectomy May Offer No Survival Benefit to Women with Breast Cancer: Many women who develop a tumor in one breast are opting for double mastectomy. Now, a new study finds that treatment decision produced no benefit in terms of long-term breast cancer survival. HealthDay News, July 26.

  • Savvy Senior

    Savvy Senior: Kitchen Ideas for Aging-in-Place

    By Jim Miller

    Dear Savvy Senior,

    My 77-year-old mother, who loves to cook has had several kitchen-related accidents over the past year. What tips can you recommend for making a kitchen safer and more practical for seniors, without doing a big expensive remodel.

    Inquiring Daughter

    Dear Inquiring,

    There are a number of small improvements and simple modifications you can do that can make a big difference in making your mom’s kitchen safer and easier to maneuver. Depending on her needs, here are some tips for different aspects of her kitchen.

    Lights: If the lighting in your mom’s kitchen needs improvement, replace the old overhead fixture with a bright new ceiling light, and add LED lighting under upper kitchen cabinets to brighten up her kitchen countertops. 

  • Savvy Senior

    Savvy Senior: How to Hire a Caregiver for In-Home Help

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    By Jim Miller

    Dear Savvy Senior,

    I need to hire a good in-home caregiver to help my elderly father who lives alone. What’s the best way to do this?

    Searching Sarah 

    Dear Sarah,

    Finding a good in-home caregiver for an elderly parent is not always easy. How can you find one that’s reliable and trustworthy, as well as someone your parent likes and is comfortable with? Here are some tips that can help.

    Know His Needs

    Before you start the task of looking for an in-home caregiver, your first step is to determine the level of care your dad needs.

    For example, if he only needs help with daily living tasks like shopping, cooking, doing laundry, bathing or dressing, a “homemaker” or “personal care aide” will do. But if he needs health care services, there are “home health aides” that may do all the things a homemaker does, plus they also have training in administering medications, changing wound dressings and other medically related duties. Home health aides often work under a nurse’s supervision.