Complimentary | York County Edition
November 2023
a story to remember page 4
How medicare covers alzheimer’s disease page 9
celebrate ‘friendsgiving’ page 13
The Healthy Geezer
Spotting Changes on Senior Skin Fred Cicetti
Q. My skin has all kinds of small thingies on it like my father used to have. My doctor checks them out and says they are all harmless. But, what exactly are they? As we age, most of us start sprouting an array of unwanted growths. Let’s go over the common ones: Liver spots – The official name for liver or age spots is “lentigines” from the Latin for “lentil.” These are flat and brown with rounded edges and are larger than freckles. They are not dangerous. Keratoses – Seborrheic keratoses are brown or black raised spots, or wart-like growths that appear to be stuck to the skin. They are harmless. Actinic keratoses are thick, warty, rough, reddish growths. They may be a precursor to skin cancer.
Cherry angiomas – These are small, brightred raised bumps created by dilated blood vessels. They occur in more than 85% of seniors, usually on the trunk. These are also not dangerous. Telangiectasia – These are dilated facial blood vessels. Skin tags – These are bits of skin that project outward. They may be smooth or irregular, flesh colored or more deeply pigmented. They can either be raised above the surrounding skin or have a stalk so that the tag hangs from the skin. They are benign. Now we get into the cancers of the skin. Squamous cell carcinomas – These are in the outer layers of the skin. They are closely associated with aging. These are capable of spreading to other organs. They are small, firm, reddened nodules or flat growths. They may also be cone-shaped. Their surfaces may be scaly or crusted. Basal cell carcinomas – These are the most common of the skin cancers. They develop in the basal layer below the surface of the skin. Basal cell carcinomas seldom spread to other parts of the body. They usually appear as small, shiny bumps or pinpoint, red bleeding areas on the head, face, nose, neck, or chest. Melanomas – The melanoma is the deadliest form of skin cancer. Melanomas can spread to other organs and can be fatal. They usually appear as dark-brown or black mole-like growths with irregular borders and variable colors. They usually arise in a preexisting mole or other pigmented lesion. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. About half of all Americans who live to 65 will have skin cancer. Although anyone can get skin cancer, the risk is greatest for people who have fair skin. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is the main cause of skin cancer. All skin cancers can be cured if they are treated before they spread. The most common warning sign of skin cancer is a change on the skin, especially a new growth or a sore that doesn’t heal. Check your skin often. Look for changes in the size, shape, color, or feel of birthmarks, moles, and spots. And don’t be reluctant to go to a doctor whenever you see anything on your skin that you suspect might be a problem. Dermatologists recommend that, if you are a fair-skinned senior, you should get a full-body skin exam once a year. This kind of checkup isn’t a bad idea for any older adult. Fred Cicetti is a senior and health writer with more than three decades of experience. The Healthy Geezer is devoted to the health questions of seniors who are wondering what is going on with these bodies of ours.
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50plus Life
www.50plusLifePA.com
On Life and Love after 50
Dogs and Senior Dating Tom Blake
My significant other of 25 years, Greta, passed away last year. The loneliness was overwhelming. So, six months ago, I began online dating. One of the most unexpected revelations was the number of women’s profiles that feature their dogs. A woman might post five photos to her profile. Often, the dog is solo in two or three of those pictures. Or the woman is holding the dog in her arms. To be fair, there are many single older men who also have dogs or other pets. I’ve wondered if a guy, while walking his dog, meets someone with a dog, do the dogs have to like each other for the couple to have a match or committed relationship? I asked my widower buddy Jim, 74, who has a dog (named Hilton) and horses. He said, “Oh yeah, the dogs must be as compatible as the owners.” During my dating, I’ve met dogs named Chanel, Buster, Milo, Bandit, Mukluk, Jack, and Bootsy, to name a few, and I’ve liked them all. But that doesn’t mean the dogs’ owners liked me. It’s surprising how many dogs show up on a first date. Carol, a widow, said, “I live with three dogs. They are my roommates, therapists when needed, protectors, and best friends. They bring and share with me unconditional love, something senior daters seek. Men have failed over and over to provide me with that type of love. “Dogs don’t care what you look like in the morning. My Labrador loves my morning breath, greeting me each morning with the joy and love that only dogs can give. When I meet a potential mate, to proceed to a second date, he must like dogs! “Let your dog meet your new friend, and the dog will tell you if this is
someone worth your efforts or not.” Tom’s comment: Oh, wow. If that’s the case, that the dog approves a second date, I guess I should take the dog out for coffee instead of the woman. Another widow, Jackie, emailed, “I ‘live alone’ with a dog, a toy poodle that I’ve had for 13 years. And I had another one before her. “My husband has been gone for several years. I don’t know what I would do without my Daisy. I talk to her just like I would talk to a kid and am sure she understands everything I say to her.” Tom’s comment: Going forward, instead of arriving at a woman’s front door with a dozen red roses, I’ll bring a bag of doggie treats to get the dog’s approval. Also, if you are allergic to dogs, you are kind of out of luck in the senior dating arena. One woman brought her dog to my home. Within minutes of checking out the house, the dog jumped into my leather swivel office chair. And went to sleep. Too bad he couldn’t help me write an article. When the woman and her dog left, the dog didn’t tell me if he liked me or not. I end today’s column with this dating tip for older men. If you meet a potential partner who owns a dog, and you want to see them again, whether you like the dog or not, tell her you love the dog, along with offering the dog those doggie treats. It will improve your chances of getting a second date. For dating information, previous articles, or to sign up for Tom’s complimentary, weekly e-newsletter, go to findingloveafter50.com.
Tax-Prep Volunteers Needed for 2024 Season The AARP Tax-Aide Foundation Program is expanding its team of volunteers in York County for the upcoming tax season. Tax-Aide is looking for capable, motivated, compassionate, and friendly volunteers. Professional taxpreparation experience is not necessary. AARP’s Tax-Aide program helps those unable to afford professional tax preparation — and often miss out on much-needed tax breaks and refunds — get money back in their pockets. Volunteers are also needed for a variety of roles in addition to tax preparers, including schedulers, greeters, www.50plusLifePA.com
administrative support, instructors, technology assistants, and translators. Tax-Aide volunteers receive comprehensive training. Last year in York County, nearly 100 AARP Foundation Tax-Aide volunteers filed more than 4,200 federal, state, and local tax returns. The program is offered at 14 locations in York, Hanover, Delta, Dover, Lewisberry, Manchester, Red Lion, Shrewsbury, Spring Grove, and Wrightsville. For more information, leave a message for Lynne at (717) 640-5006, email info@yorkaarptaxaide.com, or visit yorkaarptaxaide.com.
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November 2023
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Cover Story
A Story to Remember By Lynda Hudzick Corporate Office
P.O. Box 8049, Lancaster, PA 17604 Phone (717) 285-1350 (610) 675-6240 Fax (717) 285-1360 Email address: info@onlinepub.com Website address: www.onlinepub.com
PRESIDENT AND PUBLISHER Donna K. Anderson
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50plus Life is published by On-Line Publishers, Inc. and is distributed monthly among senior centers, retirement communities, banks, grocers, libraries and other outlets serving the senior community. On-Line Publishers, Inc. will not knowingly accept or publish advertising which may be fraudulent or misleading in nature. Views expressed in opinion stories, contributions, articles and letters are not necessarily the views of the publisher. The appearance of advertisements for products or services does not constitute an endorsement of the particular product or service. The publisher will not be responsible for mistakes in advertisements unless notified within five days of publication. On-Line Publishers, Inc. reserves the right to revise or reject any and all advertising. No part of this publication may be reproduced or reprinted without permission of On-Line Publishers, Inc. We will not knowingly publish any advertisement or information not in compliance with the Federal Fair Housing Act, Pennsylvania State laws or other local laws.
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in his first Story Slam competition in Lancaster six years ago. Since then, he has participated in more than 30 competitions and has won several. Randy Schulz isn’t afraid to be the “worst one Recently, he was crowned the winner in the in the room” at doing something, as long as it’s Lancaster competition something he’s passionate under the category of about. “Cautious Optimism.” His “I think when I was winning story centered on younger, I judged myself his desire to gain a deeper harshly,” he said. “If understanding of the books everyone around me is of the Old Testament and better at what I want to do, explained how he wrote a then I have found the right poem that helped him to place to build skills in that remember the order and area, and I am fortunate to focus of those books. be there.” So how did this Chicago Always one who enjoyed native, who holds an MBA writing and telling a story, from Drexel University and Schulz spent most of his a Certificate in Biblical career working in sales, and Studies from Trinity the writing he did there Evangelical Divinity was primarily business School in the Chicago area, related. But “as I neared become interested in poetry retirement, I became — both memorizing it and interested in Story Slams, then writing his own — in which require you to tell a the first place? five-minute story without Shulz performing (during rehearsals) at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire on the Upon his graduation notes,” he said. Globe Theatre stage. from college, Schulz “I found that I liked to entered the military, where sculpture my words in my he was assigned to the stories so they were exactly Corps of Engineers in the way I wanted them, Germany. It was there that so rather than speaking he first started memorizing extemporaneously, as many poems and some of do, I started to memorize Shakespeare’s monologues my five-minute stories.” and soliloquies to entertain Schulz explained that himself. Story Slams are open-mic, “When I was in the competitive storytelling military, I memorized events, but they are a lot of poems that had also “very collegial and to do with the military,” collaborative in that a Schulz said. “I still like close-knit community to memorize historical tends to evolve of people poems.” who are very supportive An avid hiker, Schulz and encouraging of each said that as much as he other’s work.” loves it, hiking can be very Story Slam competitions time consuming, so he are held nationally and wanted to keep his mind internationally. active as he hiked. “There is an organization Schulz is president of the Lancaster Hiking “I started listening known as ‘The Moth,’ Club, which has about 200 members and to poetry while I hiked. which is the mothership for has been in existence since 1927. Somewhere I heard that Story Slams,” Schulz said. if you want to memorize “Story Slams were derived from Poetry Slams, which were popular maybe 20- pieces, it is a good idea to record a poem on your phone and listen to it repeatedly.” 30 years ago.” He also said the technique has helped him On a dare from his daughter, Schulz participated www.50plusLifePA.com
memorize theatrical dialogue. “I am going to be an actor in the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire this year for the first time. I have never been an actor before, so I am excited and a little nervous,” Schulz said. “I also know two Story Slam participants who are returning actors to the Ren Faire, and they encouraged me to try out for the cast.” Schulz began writing his own poems to help him learn and remember things that were important to him. The prize-winning poem that Schulz talks about in his winning Story Slam presentation is only one of his poems written with a biblical focus. “My biblical poems were written with the intent that they would be an aid to others who wanted to learn the Bible but who found themselves confused trying to make their way through all the details,” he said. “I thought if I could write a poem that was lighthearted and entertaining, it would be an interesting summary of each book in the Bible.” Whether he is participating in the dramatization of a personal story at a Story Slam competition or acting on the stage, all of these tools can work hand-in-hand to enhance the experience of his audience. Schulz remembers once seeing an actor do a Story Slam presentation and was impressed with how they used their hands, face, and body to help them tell the story.
“I hope to do that and include it in the reciting of my Bible poetry.” Big things may be in the works for Schulz and his unique poetry, including a possible foray into the Nashville music world. “I shared a poem that I had written with some close college friends of mine,” he said. “One of those friends was particularly interested and had a friend who produces music in Nashville who showed some interest in the possibility of recording it as a song.” That experience, among others, has given Schulz hope that his poetry projects could become something bigger. “I have been performing or reciting these poems more recently, doing them at churches, schools, and on some small stages,” he said. “Beyond the music, being published as a book, and the performance of the individual poems, I hope to make a one-man show to perform them or have them made into a larger musical along the lines of Hamilton … someday.” Fulfilling that someday-dream of his is going to be a process, of course, but Schulz is OK with taking things step-by-step and learning as he goes. When he writes, Schulz feels the accomplishment line by line, “especially when I edit and a line comes out better than I thought it was on the previous attempt,” he said. “I think word sculpting is my personal passion. I would encourage anyone to pursue their dreams … even if it is just one small step at a time.”
Genesis, Part I: Creation and Correction By Randy Schulz
It all began when God spoke. There was light and the world awoke, In seven days, and it was good. Garden of Eden — new neighborhood. First two created, Adam and Eve Lived in this garden with all they’d need. But serpent fooled Eve, and Adam followed suit, So from the garden, they’re given the boot – God spoke! Bad lin’age followed Abel and Cain Till God decided to make it rain To flood the earth and wash it clean, For 40 days no land was seen.
But Noah, his fam, and two of each creature Floated an ark, with no chance to beach her. Till rainbow sign marked new beginning, But man went right on sinning – So God spoke. Men built a tower, called it Babel. God tumbled the tower and scattered the rabble. A few folks learned, this is no joke, So they listened, when God spoke. Abraham seeds a great nation’s rise — Offspring like stars in the skies. Then generations through Isaac and Jacob blessed, And Joseph to Egypt, the family progressed – When God spoke.
Did you know? is available online for anytime/anywhere reading!
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November 2023
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Living With COPD? How to Navigate Palliative and Hospice Care Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is also referred to as emphysema or chronic bronchitis and makes it hard to breathe. During every stage of the disease, starting when a person is first diagnosed, different supportive care options are available that can improve quality of life, including palliative and hospice care. It’s important for families affected by COPD to have a plan in place regarding these care options. Having trusted tools and information can make getting the conversation started with healthcare providers easier. That’s why the American Lung Association, in partnership with Embassy Health, has launched a new campaign to educate patients and families about the benefits and differences of palliative and hospice care.
Early delivery of palliative care has the potential to reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and the use of health services. In fact, it’s never too soon after a COPD diagnosis to ask a healthcare provider about adding in palliative care. The intent of palliative care for those living with COPD is to improve their condition, manage symptoms, and address their wishes and treatment goals. These services are often provided by a team of palliative care specialist doctors and nurses, social workers, nutritionists, and spiritual advisers, and can take place in the home, a hospital, outpatient clinic, assisted living facility, nursing home, or palliative care center.
November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month
Palliative Care Palliative care provides specialized medical care for people living with a chronic or serious illness. Surprisingly to many patients, it’s appropriate at any stage of COPD.
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Hospice Care When curative treatment options stop working, it’s often referred to as endstage or advanced COPD. This can be an extremely difficult time for patients and families, and a time where they need to
make difficult decisions. One treatment option for advanced COPD is hospice care. Hospice care focuses on bringing comfort and relief to a person with life-limiting COPD who has opted to no longer seek curative treatment. The goal is to consider the patient’s overall wellbeing and improve their quality of life. While many worry it’s too soon to start talking about hospice care, many patients discover that it comprises much more than end-of-life care. When Carolynne, who has COPD, was hospitalized due to a severe exacerbation of the disease in November 2022, her healthcare team was especially concerned about her future and suggested hospice care. As she learned more, she began to understand that hospice encompasses supportive in-home care that could help prevent hospitalizations with another COPD flare-up. Carolynne’s hospice care includes assistance with showers and medication, weekly nurse check-ins, chaplain visits, and in-home healthcare so she doesn’t have to travel to numerous medical appointments. This level of support has allowed her to focus her time and energy on her family and her favorite hobby, baking. “I am living at home, and I can do as I please and hospice is helping me do it,” Carolynne says. “It’s just a different style of living; you are living with help.” Hospice care is delivered by a multidisciplinary team that can consist of nurses, doctors, social workers, spiritual advisors, and trained volunteers. Everyone works together with the patient and their caregivers to provide medical, emotional, and spiritual support. An approach to care, not a place, hospice can be offered in the home, a care center, hospital, assisted living facility, or hospice center. For more information about COPD care options, visit lung.org/copd-plan. For the 12.5 million people in the United States living with COPD and their families, having reliable information about supportive care options can mean fewer hospitalizations and a better quality of life. (StatePoint) www.50plusLifePA.com
Nursing & Rehabilitation Centers Listings with a screened background have additional information about their services in a display advertisement in this edition.
This is not an all-inclusive list of agencies and providers. These advertisers are eager to provide additional information about their services.
Cumberland crossings
Bethany Village – The Oaks
1 Longsdorf Way • Carlisle, PA 17015 717-240-6013 • www.diakonseniorliving.org
325 Wesley Drive • Mechanicsburg, PA 17055 717-766-0279 • www.bethanyvillage.org Number of Beds: 69 Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical Rehabilitation Unit: Yes Short-Term Care: Yes Long-Term Care: Yes Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes Private Rooms: Yes Semi-Private Rooms: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes
Security System: Yes Staff Background Checks: Yes Internet Access: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes Scheduled Entertainment: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Accreditations/Affiliations: Eagle, LeadingAge PA Comments: Maplewood Assisted Living also available.
Number of Beds: 58 Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical Rehabilitation Unit: Yes Short-Term Care: Yes Long-Term Care: Yes Alzheimer’s Unit: No Private Rooms: Yes Semi-Private Rooms: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes
Homeland Center
Ephrata Manor
1901 North Fifth Street • Harrisburg, PA 17102-1598 717-221-7902 • www.homelandcenter.org
99 Bethany Road • Ephrata, PA 17522 717-738-4940 • ucc-homes.org Number of Beds: 120 Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical Rehabilitation Unit: No Short-Term Care: Yes Long-Term Care: Yes Alzheimer’s Unit: No Private Rooms: Yes Semi-Private Rooms: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes
Security System: Yes Staff Background Checks: Yes Internet Access: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes Scheduled Entertainment: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes
Lancaster rehabilitation hospital
675 Good Drive • Lancaster, PA 17601 717-406-3000 • www.lancasterrehabhospital.com Number of Beds: 59 Skilled Licensed Nursing: No Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Respiratory, Physical Rehabilitation Unit: Yes Short-Term Care: No Long-Term Care: No Alzheimer’s Unit: No Private Rooms: Yes Semi-Private Rooms: No
24-Hour Medical Care: Yes Security System: Yes Staff Background Checks: Yes Internet Access: Yes Recreational Activities: No Scheduled Entertainment: No Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Comments: Acute inpatient rehab hospital offering intense rehabilitation to get you home sooner and safer.
Security System: Yes Staff Background Checks: Yes Internet Access: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes Scheduled Entertainment: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Accreditations/Affiliations: Leading Age Comments: Offering a range of exceptional lifestyle options including independent living, personal care, and skilled nursing.
Number of Beds: 95 Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical Rehabilitation Unit: Yes Short-Term Care: Yes Long-Term Care: Yes Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes Private Rooms: Yes Semi-Private Rooms: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes
Security System: Yes Staff Background Checks: Yes Internet Access: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes Scheduled Entertainment: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Accreditations/Affiliations: AAHSA, LeadingAge PA (PANPHA), NHPCO, PHN, HPNA Comments: A beautiful, full-service continuing care retirement community with a history of more than 150 years of exemplary care.
pleasant Acres rehabilitation and nursing center
118 Pleasant Acres Road • York, PA 17402 717-840-7153 • www.pleasantacresnursing.com
Number of Beds: 375 Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Respiratory, Physical Rehabilitation Unit: Yes Short-Term Care: Yes Long-Term Care: Yes Alzheimer’s Unit: Yes Private Rooms: Yes Semi-Private Rooms: Yes
24-Hour Medical Care: Yes Security System: Yes Staff Background Checks: Yes Internet Access: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes Scheduled Entertainment: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Comments: For short-term surgical recovery or long-term rehabilitation, we are here for all of your healthcare needs!
StoneRidge Retirement Living Communities 440 East Lincoln Avenue • Myerstown, PA 17067 717-866-3200 • www.stoneridgeretirement.com
Number of Beds: 321 Skilled Licensed Nursing: Yes Therapy: Speech, Occupational, Physical Rehabilitation Unit: Yes Short-Term Care: Yes Long-Term Care: Yes Alzheimer’s Unit: No Private Rooms: Yes Semi-Private Rooms: Yes 24-Hour Medical Care: Yes www.50plusLifePA.com
Security System: Yes Staff Background Checks: Yes Internet Access: Yes Recreational Activities: Yes Scheduled Entertainment: Yes Medicare: Yes Medicaid: Yes Accreditations/Affiliations: LeadingAge PA, PADONA Comments: Mission driven, full-service continuing care retirement community with a history of almost a century of exemplary care.
If you would like to be featured on this important page, please contact your marketing consultant or call (717) 285-1350.
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November 2023
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CROSSWORD
Puzzle Page
Solutions for all puzzles can be found on page 17. SUDOKU
WORD SEARCH
On the Phone
Across 1. Stratego piece 4. Horse course 8. Roasting rod 12. Jai ___ 13. Wing (Fr.) 14. Secret message 15. Squirrel’s stash 16. Lambs 17. Talipot palm leaf 18. Kaput 19. Salad cheese 20. Girder material 21. Visored cap 22. Sea eagle 23. Fruitcake item Down 1. Single-master 2. Incomplete 3. Yang’s opposite 4. Horse opera 5. Haiphong locale 6. Aquatic plant 7. ___ Cayes, Haiti 8. Sir Walter, for one 9. Fishing need 10. Inactive 11. Freshwater duck 12. Distress signal 15. Inquire 19. Doctor’s charge
24. Imitate 26. Related 28. Tartan cap 31. Atacama Desert site 34. “You said it, brother!” 35. Athos, to Porthos 36. Ely of Tarzan fame 37. Goat god 39. Musical ability 41. Thai river 42. Suffix with infant 43. Crowning 45. Should, with “to” 47. Fables in Slang author 48. Barbershop request 49. Reef dweller
50. Fawn’s mother 51. Eastern newt 53. “Once ___ a time...” 57. Scarecrow stuffing 60. Skedaddle 61. City founded by Pizarro 62. Tugboat sound 63. District 64. Archipelago name 65. Malarial fever 66. Vermin 67. English prep school 68. Deteriorates 69. Requirement 70. Soak flax
20. Bright star 23. Daughter of Ea 25. Vigor 27. Castle part 28. Zingy taste 29. Nanjing nanny 30. In perfect condition 31. Alpaca young 32. Phone button 33. Arrow poison 34. Debate side 38. Swiss river 40. Seafood delicacy 44. Egg dishes
46. Howl 48. Kind of truck 49. Riviera season 50. Takes out 52. Banquet 54. Kitchen light 55. Gulf sultanate 56. Dissenting vote 57. Antares, for one 58. Like some pizza orders 59. Drubbing 60. German title 63. Pitcher’s asset 64. Mal de ___
Your ad could be here on this popular page! Please call (717) 285-1350 for more information.
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50plus Life
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Savvy Senior
How Medicare Covers Alzheimer’s Disease Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior, What exactly does Medicare cover when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease? My husband was recently diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s, and we would like to find out what’s covered and what isn’t. – Planning Ahead Dear Planning, I’m very sorry to hear about your husband’s diagnosis, but you’ll be happy to know that most medical costs to treat beneficiaries with Alzheimer’s disease are covered by Medicare. Unfortunately, long-term custodial care costs that most patients eventually need are not. Here’s a breakdown of what Medicare does and doesn’t cover when it comes to Alzheimer’s disease, along with some tips that can help you plan ahead.
Hospice: In the final stages of the disease, Medicare Part A covers nearly all aspects of hospice care, including doctor services, nursing care, drugs, medical equipment and supplies, physical and occupational therapy, homemaker services, counseling, and respite care. To qualify, a doctor must certify that a patient has six months or less to live.
Other Insurance and Assistance If your husband is enrolled in Original Medicare and he doesn’t have a supplemental insurance (Medigap) policy, you should consider getting him one. A Medigap plan will help pay for things November is National Alzheimer’s that aren’t covered by Medicare, like copayments, coinsurance, and deductibles. Disease Awareness Month To search for plans in your area, go to medicare.gov/plan-compare and click on “Medigap policy only.” Medical care: For the most part, ongoing medical care to diagnose and Or, if you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan (like an HMO or treat Alzheimer’s disease is covered by Medicare Part B, including visits PPO), his plan must provide him at least the same coverage as original to primary care doctors and specialists, lab tests, speech and occupational Medicare does. Some advantage plans may also offer additional coverage for therapy, home healthcare, and outpatient counseling services. home care services. Medicare pays 80% of these costs, and you will be responsible for the If you can’t afford your Medicare out-of-pocket costs or need help with remaining 20% after you’ve met your annual $233 Part B deductible. medication expenses, there are Medicare Savings Programs and the Extra Help Sixty days of inpatient hospital care is also covered under Medicare Part A program that provide financial assistance for medications. To learn more, see after you pay a $1,556 deductible. Beyond 60 days, a daily coinsurance fee is medicare.gov/your-medicare-costs/get-help-paying-costs. added. You can also get help through your State Health Insurance Assistance Program — see shiphelp.org or call (877) 839-2675 — which provides free Medications: Most Alzheimer’s medications are covered under Medicare’s Medicare and long-term care counseling. Part D prescription drug plans, but coverage varies, so check his plan’s Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or formulary. The only exception is Aduhelm, the controversial new drug that is estimated visit savvysenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of The Savvy Senior book. to cost $28,200 per year. Medicare Part B will only cover this drug if your husband is enrolled in a clinical trial. Long-term custodial care: It’s important to understand that original Medicare does not cover long-term custodial care. This includes nursing home care, the costs of assisted living facilities, and adult daycare. Medicare does, however, pay for some shorter-term nursing home care, but only up to 100 days following a three-day inpatient hospital stay. Hiring home help for bathing, toileting, and dressing (this is known as custodial care) is not covered by Medicare either unless your husband is also receiving skilled-nursing care or physical or occupational therapy. To help with these costs, you may want to look into getting a long-term care insurance policy or short-term care plan if possible (see the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance at aaltci.org/stc), or if your income and assets are very limited, you may qualify for Medicaid. To investigate your financial options for long-term care, check out Paying for Senior Care at payingforseniorcare.com. www.50plusLifePA.com
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50plus Life
November 2023
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My Drug Addiction — and How to Kick the Tobacco Habit By Kimberly Blaker
taking on my body. It’s stealing the rug from under my feet. It’s draining my energy and making my heart race through life. I can’t catch my breath. My skin is aging, and the substance leaves my body with a repulsive odor. I think about the diseases it puts me at risk for, such as cancer, heart disease, and emphysema. I don’t want to die that way. I want to live a full life. I tell myself to go to sleep, and tomorrow I’ll start anew. I’ll dry up and go straight. But as I drift closer to sleep, I know tomorrow will go unchanged, for the craving is already creeping in again. I’m dependent in this love-hate relationship. I look forward to my next drag off a cigarette. Nicotine is my life
I woke up this morning and felt the agonizing withdrawal symptoms washing over me. It’s a persistent anxiousness that doesn’t cease until I get my fix. I slipped on my robe and slippers, poured a cup of coffee, and frantically headed to the garage, where I try to keep the substance from my family. As always, my habit is waiting to greet me. As I take a hit, a peaceful feeling washes over my body and mind. I can now begin my day feeling alive once again. Yet as the day wears on, I feel the The Great American Smokeout: Nov. 16 chemicals drain. Every hour or so, this drug starts calling me, unrelentingly, and I continue to replenish my body — and will probably be my death. with the chemicals I so desperately need. Every worrisome or sad thought or happy reminiscence drives me to … Three Years Later another fix. Even tiredness, hunger, and boredom can be eased through this Fortunately, this relationship finally soured and came to a screeching halt. I addiction of mine. Now, as I lie in bed, I reflect on it. It’s my best friend and my worst enemy. kicked the habit and slammed the door behind. Through the years, I tried relentlessly to cut my ties with this shadow that I deliberate on how much it’s costing me, not just financially, but the toll it’s
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seemingly couldn’t be shed: quitting cold turkey, cutting back, New Year resolutions, patches, gum, Zyban. All were temporary at best. But I never gave up. Today I wake up to the smell of the fresh summer breeze rather than the stench of stale cigarettes that once drenched my body. My skin glows, and my heart is calm. My midnight cough is long gone. Walking up the stairs doesn’t leave me breathless. My energy soars, and I look forward to the once-dreaded pleasures of life. Now I can enjoy a vigorous peddle through the park or a spirited hike in the woods. Best of all, the diseases I could almost feel setting in have mostly been erased from my body and mind. I now feel an inner peace I could never leave behind.
KEEPING SENIORS IN THEIR HOMES, IT’S WHAT WE DO.
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Support the Troops This Holiday Season!
E-cigarettes: Electronic cigarettes and vaporizers have become the latest success story in helping millions of people to quit smoking. While useful for quitting smoking, there is much debate on their safety, as they have not been around long enough for any conclusive studies.
Keystone Military Families, a PA-based nonprofit, encourages you to brighten the holidays for our troops overseas by sponsoring a care package!
Bupropion: An antidepressant, also known as Zyban, requires a prescription. It doesn’t contain nicotine, yet it affects brain chemicals that lead to nicotine cravings.
Thousands of essential items have been received for veterans, but monetary donations to defray shipping costs are desperately needed.
Nicotine lozenges: These should not be confused with tobacco lozenges. Tobacco lozenges are a form of smokeless tobacco and have not been proven a successful cessation aid. Nicotine lozenges, on the other hand, have been approved by the FDA for quitting smoking.
Varenicline: Varenicline (the brand name is Chantix) is a drug developed for smoking cessation. Studies have shown a high success rate, and some studies have found it to have higher success rates than bupropion. Hypnosis: This method is useful for some smokers. Ask your doctor to recommend a hypnotist. Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online bookshop, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera; and more at sagerarebooks.com.
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For more information, visit KeystoneMilitaryFamilies.com, call (610) 698-2122, or email keystonemilitary@yahoo.com.
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Friendsgiving and Solitary Celebrations to Make the Most of Thanksgiving By Kimberly Blaker The long-held tradition of the family gathered around a table for a savory Thanksgiving feast carries fond memories for most. Yet, many will spend the day alone, either out of circumstance or by choice. Whatever the case, there are plenty of ways to enjoy the holiday without family. So whether you go it alone or decide to hold a Friendsgiving, follow these tips to make the most of your holiday. Solitary Celebrations The upside of spending Thanksgiving alone is that you can celebrate any way you choose. But be sure to plan ahead so you don’t waste it away. Unless that’s what you want to do, which is perfectly fine, too. One of the benefits of spending the day alone is that you can feast on anything your heart desires. If you like cooking, it’s the perfect day to pull out your favorite recipes and treat yourself to a gourmet meal. If cooking isn’t your thing, you can still indulge by eating out. A few restaurants are open on Thanksgiving. Some will even serve a Thanksgiving dinner. Just make your reservation a week or so in advance because restaurants book up early for the holiday. One place that doesn’t shut down on Thanksgiving is the movie theater, so you can catch a flick and treat yourself to hot, buttery popcorn. If weather permits, get some fresh air and go for a bike ride or hike. On the other hand, you can stay in where it’s cozy and warm and bask in a home spa treatment. Give yourself a manicure, pedicure, or facial, and try out a new hair color. Thanksgiving is also an excellent day for a trip down memory lane. Pour a glass of wine, play some music from your past, and flip through photo albums. Is there a book you’ve been dying to read? Curl up on the couch and spend the entire day relaxing and reading. It’s also the perfect opportunity to call family or friends you haven’t spoken to in a while. So give them a ring and catch up. Maybe you’d really like to do something good for the soul and others. If so, offer to help at a soup kitchen. Another option is to take up a coat collection. Then, on Thanksgiving, deliver the coats to a shelter or distribute them in areas populated by the homeless. Friendsgiving Even if you don’t have family around for the holidays, you don’t have to spend it alone. In fact, many people opt to spend the day with friends to avoid the hot political climate that all too often erupts at family Thanksgiving gatherings. Odds are you have friends, co-workers, neighbors, or acquaintances who’ll also be spending the day alone. So why not hold a Friendsgiving? Even if you spend Thanksgiving with family, Friendsgiving is so popular, many people hold a Friendsgiving on Friday or Saturday so they too can enjoy the holiday with their friends. There are a lot of ways to do your Friendsgiving, which might depend, in part, on the size of your guest list. If it’s only a couple of you, split the grocery www.50plusLifePA.com
list and then plan to cook together that day. You could also skip the hassle and enjoy dinner out. If you choose the latter for Thanksgiving Day, make reservations well in advance. If you’d like to celebrate with several friends, a potluck might be best. Just plan everything ahead so the day will be a success without a ton of work and stress on your part. As the host, you might offer to do the turkey or meat yourself. Then ask each person to bring one or two specific types of dishes. For example, ask a couple of friends to bring a vegetable dish. Ask them to let you know in advance what specifically they plan to bring so you don’t have multiples of the same vegetable. You can assign a couple of other guests to bring dessert, and another to bring dinner rolls and snacks. For beverages, you could offer to supply soda. But ask everyone to bring their own alcoholic drinks. Or, if you know everyone likes beer or wine, ask each person to bring something to share so you can all enjoy tasting and a variety. Additional items you can ask guests to bring include ice, coolers, tableware, serving utensils, folding chairs, folding tables, and tablecloths. In addition to the day’s main event — delicious food — you could also plan for some form of entertainment. Put together a variety of music to fit everyone’s tastes. You could also play cards or games. If all your guests are football fans, it couldn’t get any easier. Do any of your guests have kids? If so, have a clean childproof room available where they can play away from the adult ruckus. Whatever way you choose to spend your day, the most important thing is to enjoy it and know you’re in good company — whether it be the company of acquaintances, friends, or your own. Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online bookshop, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera; and more at sagerarebooks.com.
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Bob’s Tech Talk
Bob DeLaurentis
Swipe Gestures, iPhone Software Update, Holiday Gift Tips If at all possible, rather than words, use a demonstration. That is the best way to avoid confusion. If that is not an option, be explicit. For example, “Did you mean to drag my finger from left to right across the screen?” The bottom line is that “swipe” remains confusing, and it will continue to be confusing. So much so that “swipe right” has even become slang for desirability, an outgrowth of how dating apps have adopted the convention of a swipe toward the right gesture to mean yes, and swipe left to mean no.
Q. When someone tells me to “swipe right” on my phone, do they mean swipe to the right or swipe from the right? A. Technology changes so fast that the language is always trying to catch up. Early designs made gestures obvious with on-screen controls like switches. The original iPhone’s “swipe to unlock” control became iconic. As complexity grew, and as people have become more familiar with smartphones, designers have pushed toward less explicit controls. In 2016 TikTok upended everything. Its interface took a different approach: the swipe interaction model is invisible, and the app requires experimentation and discovery. That brings us to today, where the definition of “swipe” has multiple meanings, and the user has to determine which meaning applies.
Q. My iPhone keeps offering me an update to iOS 17. Should I accept it? A. Yes! The phone will only offer the update if the phone is compatible. And iOS has some nice improvements. Here are a few favorites: please see SWIPE on facing page
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Sixties Flashback
Making Mary with Uncle Walt Randal C. Hill
On an August night in 1964, 1,200 people packed At the Mary Poppins premiere, P.L. Travers despised what Hollywood’s legendary Grauman’s Chinese Theater for the she saw on the screen and what Disney and company had premiere of what would become Walt Disney’s biggest film done to her now-iconic character. success to date: Mary Poppins. Especially concerning to Travers was that Mary’s When the curtain dropped after the final reel had spun, rougher edges had been smoothed out; in the author’s audience members rose together to offer a thunderous, fivemind, the fictional nanny had always been one who avoids minute standing ovation. mawkishness and fanciful behavior as she seriously went But not everybody stood to cheer that night; one holdout about her tasks. (“She never wastes time being nice!”) was a prim lady in her mid-60s. Her name was P.L. Travers, Travers was also ambivalent about the movie’s original and she was the creator of the iconic Mary Poppins tales. music, which she labeled lightweight and disposable. She Travers was born Helen Lyndon Goff in 1899 in especially disliked Dick Van Dyke’s dancing among a group Australia. She began writing as a teenager and later adopted of animated penguins. Pamela Lyndon Travers as her pen name. (Travers was her Travers decided to speak her mind. At a party following father’s first name, and to Helen, the name “Pamela” had a the movie, she loudly announced to Disney, “Well, the first rather delightful lilt.) thing that has to go is the animation sequence.” Theatrical release poster, © Walt Disney. In 1926, Travers published a short story called Mary To which Disney calmly replied, “Pamela, the ship has Art by Paul Wenzel. Poppins and the Match Man, which introduced her legendary sailed.” nanny character, as well as Bert the street artist. Mary Poppins won Hollywood’s heart and brought the Seven years later, Travers began work on a full-length Mary Poppins Disney outfit five Academy Awards, including Best Actress for Julie Andrews narrative. The resultant book became her first literary success the following (in her first movie role) and Best Visual Effects. year — 1934 — with numerous successful sequels to follow later. Mary Poppins became Disney’s first movie to earn a Best Picture When Walt Disney’s daughters Diane and Sharon were children, they both nomination. loved Travers’ books. Urged on by the girls’ enthusiasm, Disney spent 20 In 1977, a mellower P.L. Travers agreed to discuss Disney’s release on a years in pursuit of Travers’ approval to allow her creation to become a fleshBBC radio interview. and-blood movie character. Disney even paid Travers a visit at her London “I’ve learned to live with it,” she said. “It’s glamorous and it’s a good film home. on its own level, but I don’t think it is very like my books.” Finally, in 1961, Disney earned a reluctant “yes” from Travers, but only after offering her a huge-at-the-time $100,000 advance, 5% of the film’s gross, Although Randal C. Hill’s heart lives in the past, the rest of him resides in Bandon, Ore. He can be reached at wryterhill@msn.com. and script approval (although Disney would actually have the final say).
SWIPE from facing page When an incoming call goes to voicemail, it’s possible to screen the call. The words recorded in voicemail are displayed on the screen, allowing you to pick up before the caller finishes speaking. The phone has a new standby mode that appears if the phone is plugged in and sitting sideways. The screen can display a clock and calendar by default, or it can be customized with other choices, such as local weather. The notification system has a new feature, Critical Alerts. If you use the phone to track your medication, it can trigger an audible warning that you missed a dose. Take note that enabling a Critical Alert will override the phone’s silent switch. This feature is bound to create some embarrassing moments. These notifications, along with improvements in widget performance, make using the phone as a medical tracker more reliable than ever. If you have AirPods Pro 2, iOS 17 enables additional capabilities for noise cancellation and spoken conversation, which give the phone enhanced capabilities as a hearing aid. These are a few of my favorites that I use every day. There are many more, all available free if you upgrade to iOS 17 in Settings General Software Update. One final tip: After updating, speak into the phone “Siri, open tips.” (Note: www.50plusLifePA.com
“Hey Siri” has been shortened to “Siri”). This phrase opens the built-in app intended to help you get the most from your phone. Q. With the holiday season fast approaching, what are your thoughts on tech-related gifts this year? A. I have two, one simple and budget-friendly, the other more elaborate that works for anything available from Amazon. My go-to tech gift idea might seem boring: chargers and cables. But extra chargers and cables are super handy. Pretty much anything made by Anker fits this bill. And if you’re not sure which product suits your recipient’s needs, they offer gift cards. The second suggestion works best when you start early. The website camelcamelcamel.com enables you to create price alerts for anything on Amazon. It is a free service that creates email alerts to watch for quiet, often short-term price drops. The price history charts can also help gauge recent price changes up or down. Starting early and letting the deals come to you is the most stress-free shopping experience I know. Good luck! Bob has been writing about technology for over three decades. He can be contacted at techtalk@bobdel.com.
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Does Your Medicare Plan Still Meet Your Needs? The National Council on Aging is urging all individuals with Medicare to check their coverage during this year’s Open Enrollment, from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. For those who switch plans, coverage starts in 2024. “It’s always a good idea to see if your current Medicare plan still works for you,” said Darren Hotton, associate director for community health and benefits at NCOA. “Like with any other kind of insurance, Medicare coverage and prices can change from one year to the next. Or maybe you need better coverage for certain conditions.” Research shows that only about 10% of individuals use this chance to switch plans. The result can be overspending for coverage they don’t need or use. As poverty among older adults has increased to 14.1%, according to the most recent census data, it is even more important than ever they have a health insurance plan that works for them. The Biden Administration announced that the projected average premium for Medicare Advantage plans will be $18.50 per month, up from $17.86 per month in 2023. The average basic monthly premium for standard Part D coverage is projected to be $55.50 in 2024, a decrease from $56.49 in 2023.
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NCOA offers several tools to help older adults navigate their healthcare costs, including a guide to choosing a Medicare plan and partnerships with insurance brokers that have met NCOA’s Standards of Excellence. NCOA’s BenefitsCheckUp® helps people with Medicare determine if they may be eligible for the Medicare Savings Programs and Medicare Extra Help — two programs that help cover healthcare costs for people with low and moderate incomes. Another resource is the State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) network. There are SHIPs in every state, and they provide local, in-depth, and objective insurance counseling and assistance to Medicare-eligible individuals,
their families, and caregivers. This is also an opportunity for individuals to see if they are eligible for benefits that help defray some out-of-pocket costs. Every year, older adults leave $30 billion on the table because they are not enrolled in public benefits they are eligible for, such as Medicare Part D LowIncome Subsidy (LIS, or Extra Help), which represents $10.6 billion of that figure, and the Medicare Savings Programs (MSPs), which range between $4 billion and $6 billion in forfeited benefits. For more information, please visit ncoa.org/medicare.
For more than 25 years, On-Line Publishers, Inc. has celebrated serving the mind, heart, and spirit of the 50-plus community of central Pennsylvania.
Publications 50plus Life is a monthly newsprint magazine touching on issues and events relevant to the 50+ community. Resource Directory is published annually in distinct contains information from county inserts inside 50plus Life. local businesses and organizations that meet the needs of caregivers, boomers, and seniors. 50plus LIVING, an annual publication, is a guide to residences and healthcare options for mature adults in the Susquehanna Valley. Caregiver Solutions is an annual magazine distributed throughout south-central Pennsylvania that includes products, services, and organizations that support caregivers. It also contains a directory of providers, book and resource recommendations, and helpful articles. All publications are available in print and digital formats.
Events OLP Events, our events division, hosts 50plus EXPOs, Women’s Expos, and the Jobs717 job fairs. 50plus EXPOs are held annually in Chester, Cumberland, Dauphin, Lancaster (two), and York counties. Entrance to the event, health screenings, and seminars held throughout the day are free to visitors. The Women’s Expo is a one-day event featuring exhibitors and interactive fun that encompass many aspects of a woman’s life. Generally, Women’s Expos are held in Dauphin, York, and Lancaster counties in the spring and in Lebanon, Lancaster, and Cumberland counties in the fall. At the Jobs717 job fairs, jobseekers and employers can connect oneon-one to discuss open positions in a broad range of industries.
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The Bookworm Sez
Who Cares Terri Schlichenmeyer
It’s awfully dark at 3 a.m., but there Having likeminded support is key, you were, wide awake. but it needn’t be in-person: She and You might have heard your name people around the world gather once a called, but you couldn’t be sure, so you week for Zoom groups, in which they lay in bed, waiting, too exhausted to discuss issues and offer succor. She says move. If Mom needed you, she’d call artificial intelligence is making strides once more, and you’d tend to her needs in the area of home caregiving, which then. takes some of the pressure off carers. It’s 3 a.m. but, as in the new book, Caregivers learn to broaden the Who Cares by Emily Kenway, there’s “conception of kinship.” And in some no punch-clock in this job you’ve cases, caregivers have found ways to assumed. make government laws work for them For most of her life, Emily Kenway’s … mother was a strong, independent If you cracked open a copy of Who woman. She raised Kenway and her Cares and found it seething with anger, sister singlehandedly, she held a great would you be surprised? You shouldn’t job, and she dreamed of traveling in be — and author Emily Kenway tells her retirement. you why. Photo credit: Kirill Koslov Sadly, she was diagnosed with cancer Once you know — and caregivers Who Cares: The Hidden Crisis of Who Cares author Emily Kenway. at about that time; she soon needed a already do — you won’t be alarmed to Caregiving and How We Solve It By Emily Kenway medical advocate and then, help. see the clear exhaustion and frustration c. 2023, Seal Press Because she was in a position to that line the pages of this book, 304 pages tackle it, the job fell to Kenway. either. There’s no softening of either It’s no surprise, Kenway says: The status here; Kenway is wide-open and November is National Family Caregivers Month vast majority of caregivers of elderly or honest with her feelings, which could ill relatives — whether related or not be comforting to readers who are — are women. In this, she points out, there is no “gender equality.” experiencing the same but can’t say it out loud. She wonders if it has anything to do with the facts of intimate care and These emotions, it should be noted, are properly aimed: Readers will be feelings of comfort or embarrassment. relieved to see that they’re directed outward and not at Kenway’s beloved mother. She muses about all the assumptions that make people automatically assign There’s also a list of demands directed at congresspeople and representatives here, a caregiving job to a daughter or sister, even if she’s physically or emotionally in case you want to contact yours. unable to handle it, even if she has a successful life and a job she’s reluctant to Absolutely, this book is for any caregiver now and for readers who understand relinquish. that they’ll be on the receiving end of it all someday, in all likelihood. Who Cares Remember, Kenway says, many caregivers are “essential workers” who don’t is a warning, and a book to keep you awake at night. get paid. The Bookworm is Terri Schlichenmeyer. Terri has been reading since she was 3 years It’s very frustrating, but Kenway shows how caregivers have found ways to old, and she never goes anywhere without a book. She lives on a hill in Wisconsin with cope.
Puzzles shown on page 8.
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two dogs and 14,000 books.
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November 2023
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Give it a Shot – What You Need to Know about Adult Vaccines By Kimberly Blaker When it comes to health, prevention is the best medicine. Many avoidable diseases can cause extensive damage to our health, especially as we age or for those with other medical conditions or a weakened immune system. While many preventable illnesses are treatable, they can nonetheless result in lasting complications. So getting vaccinated against certain diseases is vital to prevent these illnesses from taking hold in our bodies. We all know vaccinations are standard during childhood, but adults need immunizations, too. However, adults require different protections or may need booster shots to ensure the vaccines they received in the past remain effective. How Do Vaccines Work? The goal of vaccines is to reduce your chance of infection by developing immunity through your body’s natural defense system.
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When bacteria or viruses get into your body, they reproduce and attack your system. Your body’s immune system has various approaches to fight off this infection. For example, white blood cells can learn how to protect your body from particular germs that you’ve been vaccinated against. The way this works for many vaccines is by introducing a small amount of the particular virus or bacteria into your system. The antibodies then learn how to fight off the germs in the event you encounter them in a larger quantity. For this reason, you may have a slight reaction to the vaccine, such as a fever, while your body works to fight it. Still, this is very minor compared to the complications of getting a preventable disease. There are many types of vaccines, and each can interact with your body differently. Some vaccines require multiple doses or else a booster later on to rebuild your immunity levels. Some individuals are unable to get certain vaccines or have weakened immune systems that make them more vulnerable to infection. Herd immunity can protect these at-risk populations, including young children, older adults, and individuals with certain health conditions. Herd immunity refers to a large percentage of the population being immune to a disease, reducing the risk of the particular bacteria or virus passing from person to person. What Vaccines Do Older Adults Need? The vaccines recommended in adulthood offer yearly protection, are recommended for specific life or health situations, or are boosters to keep your childhood vaccinations working effectively. Every individual has different medical needs, but common adult immunization recommendations include: • I nfluenza: The flu shot is recommended yearly for every person over the age of 6 months, especially for those at higher risk due to a weakened immune system, medical conditions, or close contact with those at risk for the flu. • Tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap): The initial Tdap shot is currently given once, usually around the age of 11-12. Boosters are recommended every 10 years after that, especially if you come in contact with pregnant women or young infants. • Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR): If you were born before 1957, you are likely immune from MMR. If you were born after 1957 and don’t have evidence of immunity, this vaccination is recommended, especially if you travel internationally. However, if you have a weakened immune system, it is not recommended.
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• Recombinant zoster (RZV): The zoster vaccine is the currently preferred shot to prevent shingles. It’s especially recommended for those 50 or older because the risk and the likelihood of complications from shingles increase www.50plusLifePA.com
with age. Even if you’ve had shingles, you can get it again, so the vaccine is still recommended. • Pneumococcal polysaccharide (PPSV23): This vaccine is for pneumococcal diseases like meningitis and bloodstream infections. It’s recommended for everyone 65 and older and for younger individuals with certain health conditions.
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• Pneumococcal conjugate (PCV13): This immunization also works to prevent pneumococcal disease and pneumonia for those with conditions that weaken their immune system. The CDC offers a vaccine assessment tool (www2.cdc.gov/nip/ adultimmsched) to help you determine which vaccines you may need based on your own personal factors, such as age or health conditions. The best way to make sure you are up to date on immunizations is to discuss your medical history and needs with your doctor. Kimberly Blaker is a freelance writer. She also owns an online bookshop, Sage Rare & Collectible Books, specializing in out-of-print, scarce, signed, and first editions; fine bindings; ephemera; and more at sagerarebooks.com.
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