Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens

Aggressive Screening for Polyps in Diverticulosis Patients Appears Unnecessary

Patients with diverticulosis have a lower incidence of polyps overall, tendency for less-advanced polyps

Oct. 26, 2009 - A Henry Ford Hospital study questions the need for aggressive screening for colonic polyps in patients with diverticulosis. About half of senior citizens (those over age 60) have diverticulosis. Read more...

Medicare News

Suit Against Medicare, Social Security for Better Service with Part D Payments is Settled

Goals were to improve processing for Part D premium withholding, issuing refunds of premium amounts erroneously withheld, and forwarding withheld premiums

Oct. 23, 2009 – A suit filed in 2007 by Medicare beneficiaries against the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Social Security Administration has been settled. One of the legal teams that represented the beneficiaries, The Center for Medicare Advocacy, says the Machado case was brought by beneficiaries who experienced lengthy delays in having their Part D premiums accurately withheld, or not withheld, from their Social Security benefits. Read more...

Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens

Cancer Society Stands Firm: Older Women Need Mammograms, Men Advice on Prostate Tests

‘Mammography is effective – mammograms work and women should continue to get them,’ ACS

Oct. 23, 2009 – The American Cancer Society has issued a statement saying it is not changing its recommendations on cancer screening, despite a news report indicating a shift in guidance was being made to emphasize the risk of overtreatment for breast, prostate and other cancers. Women still should get mammograms and men should be offered prostate cancer testing at age 50, says the ACS. Read more...

Features for Senior Citizens

No Elder Left Behind: Researchers Say Designers Can Close Tech Gap for Senior Citizens

Extra time and effort required to learn a new skill are among the reasons older adults are less motivated to learn new skills

Oct. 23, 2009 - While more older adults than ever are using cell phones and computers, a technology gap still exists that threatens to turn senior citizens into second-class citizens, according to Florida State University researchers. Read more...

Retirement News

Boomers, Seniors Can Live Better by Planning a Retirement that Includes Some Type of Job

Those who keep working in retirement enjoy better health, but do best mentally staying in original field

Oct. 22, 2009 – Baby boomers and senior citizens thinking about retirement may want to consider a temporary or part-time job. Those who do will have fewer major disease and will enjoy better day-to-day function than their contemporaries who choose to stop working altogether, according to a new national study. Read more...

Senior Citizen Politics

GOP Defeat of Bill to Fix Problem in Medicare Physician Pay Devastating to Doctors, Seniors

Doctors face 21% pay cut from Medicare in 2010; same annual quandary Democrats tried to fix; senior citizens many find it harder to get a doctor; AMA issues new list of states with problems

By Tucker Sutherland, editor & publisher
SeniorJournal.com

Oct. 22, 2009 – An annual event for years has been the threat of a Medicare pay cut for doctors, caused by an automatic payment formula for physicians that takes in annual data and spits out a demand that doctors’ pay must be cut. This is followed by the physicians' lobbyists and medical associations rushing to Washington, campaign cash in hand, to get the Congress to magically transform the pay cut into a pay hike. - which they always do. Read more...

Caregivers & Elder Care News

HHS to Create National Resource Center for Elderly Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender

Experts estimate that as many as 1.5 to 4 million LGBT individuals are age 60 and older

Oct. 22, 2009 – Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius today announced plans to establish the nation’s first national resource center to assist communities across the country in their efforts to provide services and supports for older lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) individuals. Read more...

Senior Citizen Politics

Senators Introduce Elder Abuse Victims Act to Combat Exploitation of Senior Citizens

Companion bill introduced earlier in the House by Rep Joe Sestak (D-PA) was passed by a vote of 397 to just 25

Oct. 22, 2009 – A group of Senators, frequently active in legislation supporting senior citizen issues, today introduced the Elder Abuse Victims Act, a bill , they say, that will improve the law enforcement community's ability to target and combat abuse and exploitation of senior citizens. Read more...

Reverse Mortgage News for Seniors

Senior Citizen Facing Home Foreclosure Rescued by Unusual Reverse Mortgage Transaction

Wall Street Journal reports on tactic being used to help some seniors about to lose their homes

Oct. 21, 2009 – An unusual tactic by Bank of America helped a 69-year-old California man save his home of 40 years from foreclosure, according to a story in today’s Wall Street Journal. Pedro Garcia and his family now have a home that is “nearly payment free.” Read more...

Medicare News

Medicare Says Over 70 Percent of Senior Citizens Will Not See Part B Increase in 2010

CMS lays out the fees and charges seniors will see in 2010 for basic Medicare; mostly impacts those with higher incomes

Oct. 21, 2009 – Senior citizens, many worried about their economic fortunes in 2010, when they will not see their Social Security benefit increase, are getting good news from Medicare - most seniors covered by Medicare will not see an increase in their Part B monthly premium. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), says this is due to a “hold harmless” provision in the law. Read more...

Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens

Thyroid Surgery Safe for Elderly Patients, No More Dangerous Than in Youthful Patients

Another barrier to surgery on senior citizens falls as older population continues boom

Oct. 21, 2009 – The next bearer to fall in the battle for surgery to treat senior citizens appears to be the one that has stopped thyroid surgery for older people. A new study shows that in thyroid surgery performed by a single surgeon, older adults did not appear to have more complications than younger patients. Read more...

Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors

Vegetable Symposium Hears that Vegetable Juices are Good Way to Achieve Dietary Goal

Something as easy as drinking vegetable juice can help people increase their vegetable intake and have significant health benefits

Oct. 21, 2009 – For many elderly, in particular those who live alone, preparing healthy meals can become a burden. Two studies presented this week at the International Symposium on Human Health Effects of Fruits and Vegetables in Avignon, France, suggest an easy, enjoyable way to add more vegetables to their diet. Read more...

Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens

Longer, Healthier Lives Offered Senior Citizens Seeking Treatment for Hypertension

Best approach in patients 80 and up is two drugs in low doses in an effort to reduce the incidence of stroke

By Joan Vos MacDonald, Contributing Writer
Health Behavior News Service

Oct. 20, 2009 – Studies show that older people – those 60 and older – seeking treatment for hypertension will live longer, healthier lives. The effects might be more obvious in those who already have cardiovascular disease, but anti-hypertensive therapy also benefits other seniors and can help reduce deaths due to stroke as well as myocardial infarction or sudden cardiac death. Read more...

Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens

Diagnosis of Cardiovascular Disease Significantly Increases Risk of Hip Fracture

Twin of cardiovascular diseased sibling also experiences increased rate of hip fracture

Oct. 20, 2009 - A study that includes twins finds that the risk of hip fracture was significantly increased following a diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD), with analysis also suggesting a genetic predisposition to the development of CVD and, according to a study in the October 21 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Read more...

Senior Citizen Politics

Senior Citizens Lead Swing to Support Government-Run Health Care Plan; U.S. Now Supports It

Independents and seniors, two groups crucial to the debate, have warmed to the idea of a public option, and are particularly supportive

Oct. 20, 2009 – Senior citizens and independents have swung to favor a government-run health-care plan to compete with private insurers, according to a new Washington Post-ABC poll showing support for the government-run plan to complete with private insurance has rebounded from its summertime lows and wins clear majority support from the public. Read more...

Aging News & Information

Aggressive Microdermabrasion Induces Wound-Healing Response to Repair Aging Skin

Aggressive treatment may be a useful procedure to stimulate remodeling and to improve the appearance of aged human skin

Oct. 19, 2009 – A hot technique for rejuvenating aging skin just got hotter with the release of a new scientific study confirming that microdermabrasion, using a coarse diamond-studded wand, appears to induce molecular changes in the skin of older adults that mimic the way skin is remodeled during the wound healing process. Read more...

Senior Citizen Politics

Senate Postpones Vote on Fixing Medicare Doc Pay; Medicare Officials Easy Up on Insurers

More details emerging on changes to Medicare in health care reform proposals

Oct. 19, 2009 - Senate Democrats have postponed a scheduled cloture vote today on a bill that would make permanent changes to scheduled rate cuts to Medicare reimbursement for doctors and hospitals. Meanwhile, doctors worry about the cuts and lawmakers worry that the fix could break budget goals. Read more...

Senior Citizen Volunteers

Film Features Senior Citizens Who Greeted Almost a Million Troops Passing Through Bangor, Maine

The Way We Get By featured on PBS for Veterans Day; in some theaters now, on DVD November 3 - Video clip below in story.

Oct. 18, 2009 – Too much of the world finds it easy to ignore senior citizens – the has-beens of yesteryear – but almost a million American military personnel will not forget the seniors of Bangor, Maine. They are the “troop greeters” of Bangor, an intrepid group of retired and elderly citizens who have taken it upon themselves to greet every troop plane arriving or departing Bangor, which is the last and first piece of U.S. soil many GIs will see before and after their deployments. Now millions of Americans will know them too, thanks to a movie on PBS for Veterans Day. Read more... see video clip

Senior Citizen Politics

Senior Citizens League Pushes Bill Giving Seniors $415 Increase in Social Security for 2010

House bill proposes a 3% pay hike for seniors – the average COLA increase over last 10 years

Oct. 16, 2009 – Despite strong Congressional support and the backing of President Obama for a $250 payment to senior citizens in 2010 to compensate for the lack of an increase in Social Security, The Senior Citizens League is not giving up on its support for a House bill that would give the average beneficiary an additional $415.20 in Social Security payments, a boost of $34.60 per month in 2010. Read more...

Senior Citizens and Internet

Senior Citizens Reduce Depression with Internet Use, Can Save on Nation's Health Care Bill

Getting more seniors Online could trim billions from US health costs, says Phoenix Center

Oct. 15, 2009 – If you are reading this story on a computer, chances are you are reducing your chances of depression. Spending time online reduces depression by 20 percent for senior citizens, the Phoenix Center reports in a new Policy Paper released today. In addition to the quality of life benefits, reducing the cases of depression through widespread Internet use among older Americans could trim the nation's health care bill. Read more...

Social Security News

Social Security Makes It Official: No COLA Increase for Seniors in 2010 Due to No Inflation

SSA calls for passage of $250 payment to each senior citizen as recommended by President Obama

Oct. 15, 2009 – Social Security made it official this morning. Over 57 million Americans will  not see an automatic Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) added to their Social Security payments for 2010. More than 36 million of these are senior citizens. The COLA is automatically determined each year to cover inflation, but, since the economic crash back in 2008 inflation has gone flat in the struggling economy. Read more...

Senior Citizen Politics

President Wants Congress to Give Each Senior Citizen $250 to Offset No Social Security COLA

Obama wants additional $250 Economic Recovery Payment paid to seniors, veterans and people with disabilities

Oct. 15, 2009 - President Obama yesterday announced his support for an additional $250 Economic Recovery Payment to the seniors, veterans and people with disabilities who are struggling to make ends meet with retirement savings that have not fully recovered from their losses over the first year of the recession. Read more...

Senior Citizen Politics

Senate Health Reform Bill Has Amendment Protecting Some Medicare Advantage Patients

Sen. Olympia Snowe – almost a senior citizen at 62 – is in spotlight after casting lone GOP ‘yes’ vote; Sen. Joe Lieberman jumps ship

Oct. 14, 2009 - An amendment to the Senate Finance Committee bill, sponsored by Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., would allow most Medicare Advantage patients in southern Florida to keep their current benefits. 

Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens

Study Suggests Mastectomy Not Being Overused For Breast Cancer Treatment

One-third of patients choose mastectomy as initial treatment when not given a recommendation for BCS or mastectomy by their surgeon

Oct. 14, 2009 - With there being concern that mastectomy is excessively used as a treatment for breast cancer, a survey of nearly 2,000 women indicates that breast-conserving surgery was attempted as the initial therapy for about 75 percent of those surveyed. Read more... Watch video...

Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens

Minimally Invasive Radical Prostatectomy Has Advantages, But Higher Rate of Complications

MIRP, especially with robotic assistance, increased from 1% to 40% of radical prostatectomies from 2001 to 2006,despite limited data on outcomes and costs

Oct. 14, 2009 - New research indicates that the use of minimally invasive procedures (including the use of robotic assistance) for radical prostatectomy, which have increased significantly in recent years, may shorten hospital stays and decrease respiratory and surgical complications, but may also result in an increased rate of certain complications... Read more...

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

Memory May Not Be First Thing to Go for Those Heading for Alzheimer’s Disease

Some of the earliest signs of preclinical AD may occur on tests of visuospatial and speeded psychomotor skills

Oct. 13, 2009 – Senior citizens having trouble piecing together a jigsaw puzzle may be showing signs of early Alzheimer’s disease, a new study says. Cognitive abilities other than memory, including visuospatial skills needed to perceive relationships between objects, may decline years prior to a clinical diagnosis in patients with AD, according to a report in the October issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Read more...

Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens

Older Adults Appear to Have Shorter Lifespan When Facing Chronic Vision Problems

‘Impact of visual impairment on mortality may in fact be greater than that reported from previous studies’

Oct. 13, 2009 - Visual problems that cannot be corrected are associated with increased risk of death among individuals between the ages of 49 and 74, and all visual impairments may be associated with the risk of death in older adults, according to a report in the October issue of Archives of Ophthalmology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Read more...

Medicare News

H1N1 Flu Information for Seniors Prepared by CMS for Medicare, Medicaid Beneficiaries

Medicare’s coverage of H1N1 flu vaccine and more explained in Q&A below

Oct. 13, 2009 – Due to concerns among senior citizens about H1N1 flu, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has opened a Web page with information specifically for people on Medicare and Medicaid. The basic information is presented in a question and answer presentation by Medicare, which appears below. Read more...

Medicare Drug Program News

Time for Senior Citizens to Review Medicare Drug Coverage: Center for Medicare Advocacy

Changes cause beneficiaries to shoulder more of the cost of their prescription drug coverage - private companies change plans every year

By Center for Medicare Advocacy

Oct. 12, 2009 - In some parts of the country, October brings changing leaves, but throughout the country, October also brings information about changing Medicare prescription drug coverage.  While the October 1st announcement of the 2010 Prescription Drug Plans (PDPs) and Medicare Advantage (MA) plans by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) continues to tout the wide array of offerings, the number of plans that are available does not tell the entire story. Read more...

Medicare News

New Rules from CMS Toughen Requirements for Medicare Drug and Health Plans

Says Part C & D revisions intended to improve protections for enrollees, enhance transparency, clarify plan requirements

Oct. 12, 2009 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) on Friday issued a proposed rule the agency says will improve performance of prescription drug and health plans by strengthening standards to participate in the Medicare program. Read more...

Senior Citizen Politics

Dems Get Boost from Another Republican Backing Health Reform: Former Bush Medicare Chief

Key leader in Bush effort for Medicare drug program, former CMS chief Scully, joins growing list of GOP speaking up for health refrom

Oct. 9, 2009 - Former Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services chief Thomas Scully is the latest Republican to throw his support behind health care reform. He supports the approach taken by the Senate Finance Committee, chaired by Montana Democrat Max Baucus. Read more...

Medicare News

Caregivers & Elder Care News

Nursing Home Industry Battered by New Reductions in Funding will Face Closures

Industry leaders say the nursing home industry could be at a tipping point.

Oct. 8, 2009 - "The nation's nursing homes are perilously close to laying off workers, cutting services — possibly even closing — because of a perfect storm wallop from the recession and deep federal and state government spending cuts, industry experts say," The Associated Press reports. Read more...

Flu News for Senior Citizens

Microsoft Launches Site to Help Consumers Decide if They Have H1N1 Flu, What to Do

H1N1 Response Center hopes to keep patients at home with self-assessment based on material from Emory University.

Oct. 7, 2009 – Microsoft jumped into the H1N1 flu fight today with the launch of a Website, H1N1 Response Center, which it says provides users with a program by Emory University to self-assess their flu symptoms. It provides timely and relevant content, says the announcement. Read more...