NewRetirement Blog » Health

Cure for Alzheimer’s in the Future?

Erin — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:02:25 +0000

Recently, the U.S. Government set a very ambitious goal of finding a way to treat Alzheimer’s by the year 2025. This is huge considering that over 5 million Americans suffer from the disease. How does the government plan on crushing Alzheimer’s? They’re calling for a blueprint of sorts on how to fight the disease. Unfortunately, there has been no new money allocated to the cause, so many are left wondering just how exactly the research that needs to be done in order to fight the disease is going to be paid for. Some say that the deadline is setting us up for failure but others don’t believe it to be aggressive enough. Something that everyone can agree on is that a cure for Alzheimer’s is greatly needed and it will be a wonderful day when a cure is discovered.

Are you and your family prepared for unexpected medical expenses? Protect yourself with Long Term Care Insurance.

Curious In Finding Out Your Life Expectancy?

Erin — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:13:00 +0000

Enjoying this test may depend on whether you’re a cup half full or empty person, but recently, researchers at the University of California, San Francisco have come up with an assessment that determines when you have a good chance of dying. A little scary, but doctors are admitting that it’s a pretty good tool for them to use when determining the types of tests or medicines they use for elderly patients, or when a doctor is determining if a patient is ready for hospice care. Medicare requires that patients enter hospice when they have 6 months or less to live but with the way it is today, many patients enter when they have precious few days left to live.

The tool uses a formula that involves age and health conditions among others. Here is a link to take you to an interactive version of the tool. It is important to note that this tool is not something to self-diagnose yourself with. It is to be used by doctors and in no way should you alter your lifestyle without first speaking to your doctor. But it can be an interesting tool that can be used to better inform yourself about your health.

Does your test show you living forever? Is your retirement plan strong enough to support that?! Use our retirement calculator to see just how long your money will last you.

Getting Paid to Be Your Parent’s Caregiver

Erin — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:00:48 +0000

Yesterday we talked about the trend of parents moving in with their adult children. This trend will likely continue for some time and in many cases, the parent being home may create some extra work for the adult children. Many times if the parent needs medical care, the adult child is forced to take time away from work or cut back drastically on hours in order to care for their parent. This is why it’s important to point out that in some cases, the caretaker may be able to receive compensation.

Recently, AARP highlighted some different ways that children can receive financial compensation for the care of their parents. Much of it has to do with programs that are offered through the use of a Medicaid waiver. Of course, Medicaid is not the most cash rich program currently, so the hoops that need to be jumped through may be quite large. Another suggestion is to check the parent’s long-term care insurance policy, if they have it. Some policies allow for a cash benefit for the use of in-home assistance. And of course don’t forget – especially with tax time right around the corner – any deductible expenses the caregiver may have incurred to accommodate their parents needs. Wheelchair ramps, safety bars or even the gas used to drive the parent’s to their doctors appointments may be deductible.

Do you have long term care insurance to protect you? See how to select the best policy for you.

Will you be able to afford to stay in your home? Use our retirement calculator to see how your retirement plan shapes up and you can improve it.

New Year’s Resolutions

Erin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:50:29 +0000

It’s that time of year again – Time to make those New Year’s Resolutions! This year while you’re thinking about all the ways to improve yourself or your life in 2012, don’t forget to add improving your retirement plan to that list!

What do you plan on achieving this coming year to help strengthen your retirement? Are you going to invest more money into your IRAs of 401(k)s? Are you going to purchase a lifetime annuity to guarantee income later in life? Or are you going to look into Long Term Care Insurance to make sure you are covered in case of unexpected medical costs? There are many small adjustments that you can do to increase the health of your retirement plan. You can use our retirement calculator to see what a small adjustment can do for you and how far your money will stretch. We’ll be here in the New Year to continue to help with all of your retirement planning needs – Have a Happy New Year and see you in 2012!

Eating Right is Beneficial To More Than Just Your Waistline

Erin — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 23:28:14 +0000

Now that the holidays are almost over and the temptations of junk food aren’t so close as they have been, it’s time to start eating right again. And in case you need any motivation other than looking and feeling better, this may help you out – seniors who eat foods with higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids and certain vitamins score better on cognitive tests!

The test, which was published in the journal of the American Academy of Neurology, showed positive effects in the brain after consuming vitamins B, C, D and E and fish oils. On the other side of the spectrum, the brain showed that it did not like trans-fats. When greasy food containing trans fats were ingested, the brain did not perform as well on tests. So essentially, this study is showing us that we have the power to keep our brains sharp simply by choosing better options in our diets. Sounds like the perfect time to make that New Year’s Resolution!

Oldest Yoga Teacher

Erin — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 23:13:56 +0000

No more excuses! Recently, the Guinness Book of World Records crowned their newest, oldest yoga teacher. This may make you feel bad, but Bernice Bates is an astounding 91 years old. She began teaching yoga 50 years ago and has continued ever since.

According to John Muir Health, one in three adults falls and injures themselves every year. The older you are when you take a slip, the more life threatening the injury can be and the more expensive it can be to take care of. Yoga is a wonderful way for seniors to protect themselves by loosening up their muscles, bettering their balance and helping to maintain bone density. In a 2005 study by the National Institute on Aging, it was found that yoga can help increase hip extension and stride length in seniors. Yoga also benefits the mind just as much as the body. As Bernice said, “It gives you a good outlook. It involves your mind … We build energy in our body, we don’t take it out.” (You can read the full article, here). If you’re physically capable and your doctor gives you the go ahead, try some yoga! It’s a wonderful exercise that can help you physically and mentally.

Are you prepared for the costs associated with unplanned medical expenses such as a fall? Make sure you’re covered by using our retirement calculator.

Super Brain Pill?

Erin — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 23:19:43 +0000

Recently, researchers from the Baylor College of Medicine discovered something that could change the game when it comes to treating Alzheimer’s.

It was found that mice produce a gene called PKR, just like humans do. PKR is triggered once Alzheimer’s begins, but a new gene that blocks the PKR in mice has shown that it can not only reverse the Alzheimer’s but it can also create a state of “super memory.” Since mice and humans have similar brains, researchers are optimistic that the effects being seen in the mice would be the same in humans. A “brain pill” may be in the future for those suffering from degenerative brain diseases and could help change the lives of many many people around the world.

Learn more about Long Term Care Insurance to protect yourself from unexpected medical costs.

Screening and Breast Cancer

Erin — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:53:35 +0000

When it comes to health, it seems like what is good for you one day is discovered to be bad for you the next. Recently, arguments against women getting mammograms have been picking up steam as some researchers believed it was not helping to find breast cancer and was instead creating unnecessary anxiety in the women who received them. The recommendation to not get mammograms seemed counter intuitive to many and recently a group of Dutch researchers at the department of public health In Rotterdam’s University Medical Center released a study that many are applauding.

Senior researcher Suzie Otto explained that, “Our study adds further evidence that mammography screening unambiguously reduces breast cancer mortality.” The researchers showed that women who received 3 mammograms before they were diagnosed with breast cancer, reduced their risk of dying from the disease by 49%. There was an 84% reduction in death in women ages 70 to 75. This is good news for women in the U.S. who have been sent mixed messages about this type of cancer screening. Many women have been discouraged from receiving mammograms because of the 2009 federal guidelines that called for less frequent screenings. What the Dutch study shows is that regular mammograms can reduce the risk of advanced breast cancer in women.

Plan for expected and unexpected medical costs. Use our retirement calculator to see how prepared you are.

Some Holiday Cheer

Erin — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 23:25:59 +0000

This time of year, it’s pretty easy to feel bad about your weight. The holidays bring with it rich foods that are difficult to pass up, more days where you feel that eating these types of foods are justified and the weather is typically not the most conducive to exercising, leaving us all a little more lazy. But feeling bad about yourself is no way to live life! So in the spirit of the holidays, here’s some good news I came across – A little extra weight may actually be a GOOD thing!

In a 2005 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it was found that overweight people (25 to 29.9 Body Mass Index) had a lesser chance of dying than those with a BMI that was normal or low. People over age 70 showed that statement to be even stronger. It was also discovered that a little extra weight can help people with osteoporosis by protecting their bones. And let’s not forget that some extra pounds can make you appear younger by plumping up your face! Of course, being too overweight is no joke and is bad for your health. Getting healthy should be an important goal in your life, but during the holidays, it’s sometimes nice to be reminded of how having that extra holiday cookie wouldn’t necessarily be the WORST thing in the world!

Vitamin B12 and Your Brain

Erin — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 23:18:23 +0000

Recently, the New York Times ran a story about Vitamin B12 and its correlation with memory loss. It is known that the vitamin becomes more difficult for the body to absorb as people age. But what isn’t necessarily common knowledge is the effect on the body. B12 is an essential vitamin that helps neurological functions and red blood cell formation in the body. Without enough B12, it is very easy to develop anemia and it may also appear as if the brain is aging at a rapid speed.

Many have tried to tie a lack of vitamin B12 to Alzheimer’s but it is still unclear if there is a connection. In fact, many older adults with memory loss are often diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease when they are simply lacking Vitamin B12. So how can you make sure you get enough B12 every day? B12 is found in meats and dairy. Strict vegetarians and vegans will have to be very diligent when it comes to taking enough supplements. And making sure you and your doctor discuss your diet openly and getting tested if you feel like you may not be getting enough B12 or you feel like your memory is beginning to get a little fuzzy.