According to an analysis of data from the University of Michigan done by the Employee Benefit Research Institute, poverty rates have increased every year since 2005 for older Americans and are worst among the oldest of the elderly. In 2009, 15 percent of Americans over the age of 85 were living in poverty and 6.0 percent of them fell into poverty after turning 85. The data suggests people are spending their retirement savings too quickly and falling into poverty as they grow older. Sudipto Banerjee, EBRI research associate and author of the report, said, as people age, their personal savings…
The five biggest risk factors, as stated by Dr. Oz, are the following 1. Age The biggest risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s is age. The chances of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s increase steadily as we age. Right now, the risk of Alzheimer’s doubles every year after the age of 65. About half of people who are 85 and older have Alzheimer’s. 2. Genetics Another risk factor is genetics. There is a rare form of Alzheimer’s called Familial Alzheimer’s, which always begins well before the age of 65 (typically in the 40s and 50s) and runs in families, that is autosomal…
Caregiving can make you sick In an article by SmartMoney.com states that caregivers of all ages have a heightened risk for chronic health problems. Among working women 50 and older, 20% of caregivers report just fair or poor health — more than double the number of non-caregivers, the MetLife/NAC study found. And nearly 26% of adult men under the age of 39 say the same, more than three times the rate of non-caregivers in that group. Among the most common chronic health conditions reported at higher rates: diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol. Those — and other related illnesses — can…
The National Council on Aging (NCOA) is an organization whose goal is to improve the lives of seniors through education, intervention, and resources. The NCOA is also an excellent resource for statistics regarding the health of older Americans. NCOA’s website . Disease A chronic disease is one that is long lasting or reoccurs in the same patient; examples include heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer. Approximately 80% of seniors have at least one chronic disease, and 50% are dealing with at least two. The National Governors Association states that 75% of the national money spent on health care is used…
Anyone with Medicare Part B has access to the following preventive services: Initial physical exam. If your Medicare Part B coverage begins on or after January 1, 2005, Medicare will cover a one-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventive physical exam within the first six months that you have Part B. Additionally, those at risk for abdominal aortic aneurysms may be referred for a one-time ultrasound at their initial exam. Cardiovascular screening. Medicare covers one test every five years to check your cholesterol and other blood fat levels. Cancer tests. Medicare covers breast cancer screening (mammograms) once a year for women over…
NBC explains Agent Orange and the process to file a claim – Vietnam Veterans Exposed to Agent Orange Are you a Vietnam Veteran who suffers with (or the loved one of a veteran who died of) Parkinson's disease, ischemic heart condition, or a B-cell leukemia or another condition that can be linked to one of these? Did you (the veteran) or the deceased veteran serve in the Republic of Vietnam, the waterways of Vietnam, or on the Korean DMZ any time from January 9, 1962 thru May 7, 1975? Did you (the veteran), the deceased veteran, or the deceased surviving…
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