Articles

According to the National Institute on Aging, human vision naturally changes with age. For many seniors, eyesight tends to get worse over time even if no genetic conditions or illness are involved. A decline of vision can come with a host of problems, including the inability to drive, recognize faces or read. How to care for your vision Because eyesight is so important for engagement in life, caring for your vision is crucial. Having a regular visit with an optometrist is often recommended for seniors…

Surgery has been practiced in the medical field for thousands of years, and today, surgical techniques and equipment are more sophisticated than ever. Modern surgical procedures are safer than ever and include the use of sophisticated equipment, including robotics using remote guidance technology. Surgery can be a medically necessary solution to a patient’s needs, but Medicare may cover it different ways. Coverage may depend on the reason for surgery and where you have the procedure performed.  When is surgery considered medically necessary?  Surgery is performed…

Eye health is something that’s vitally important at any age, but seniors are commonly affected by vision problems. Eyesight naturally degrades with age, but health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes or glaucoma can add to a decline or loss in vision. Seniors who experience vision issues may find it difficult to do everyday tasks like reading and driving. This can be a huge inconvenience but it can also be a safety concern. If you’re experiencing any type of vision problems or you notice your…

Seniors may not be the population that comes to mind when we talk about braces, but many Medicare recipients are under the age of 65. If you are under 65 and qualify for Medicare due to disabilities, or if you’re over 65 and want or need braces, you may be wondering if Medicare will help cover your care.   According to AARP, over four million American adults wear braces, and some of these people are 65 and older. Braces aren’t necessarily just for straightening teeth either….

Families can go through stress and trauma that affects the relationships within it. Psychotherapy, known as talk therapy, may be able to help resolve issues and improve communication. What does it include? Psychotherapy could involve conversations in a group setting with a mental health professional structured to help you recognize and change unhealthy behaviors, thoughts and emotions. Family therapy is group psychotherapy that can improve communication and behaviors in familial relationships.  Generally, counseling is a short-term treatment honing in on a particular situation, such as…

Mounjaro has been prescribed to treat patients with Type 2 diabetes since it was approved by the FDA in 2022, but Mounjaro has entered many recent discussions in the headline-making weight-loss journeys of several celebrities. If you’re wondering if you should ask your doctor about Mounjaro, learning more about the medication may increase your understanding.    According to the FDA, “Mounjaro was effective at improving blood sugar and was more effective than the other diabetes therapies with which it was compared in clinical studies.” In November…

Diabetes is a big healthcare concern in America and according to the Endocrine Society, close to one-third of American seniors are believed to be living with diabetes. Diabetic seniors face the same challenges as younger diabetics, but because it’s often harder to lose weight with age, simple lifestyle changes may not be enough to fight diabetes. In these cases, doctors may prescribe medications like Januvia to help combat the effects of type II diabetes. What is Januvia? Januvia (sitagliptin) is a prescription drug designed to…

Medicare covers a wide range of screenings for heart disease, including a lipid panel. Lipids belong to a group of organic compounds made up of fat. A standard lipid panel, sometimes called a lipid profile, is a blood test measuring your cholesterol (HDL, LDL and total) and triglycerides (liquid and solid fats).  The composition of HDL and LDL molecules is protein and fat. HDLs have a higher proportion of protein to fat than LDLs. HDLs remove excess cholesterol from your cells, protecting you from a…

Caring for your bone health may not be at the top of your to-do list when you wake up in the morning, but as you get older, it’s vital to make sure your bones are strong and healthy. Diseases like osteoporosis can rob your body of the minerals and calcium needed to maintain strong bones, and this can mean painful fractures and breaks as a result of physical trauma. According to the Osteoporosis and Bone Foundation, osteoporosis affects around 10 million women and men each…

There’s no question that people lose flexibility with age, but you may actually be surprised to learn that conditions like osteoarthritis can affect up to 50% of Americans over the age of 65. According to the Centers for Disease Control, women in this demographic are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, but both genders can be affected. Symptoms of osteoarthritis, sometimes simply referred to as arthritis, include joint stiffness, loss of flexibility, pain on movement and swelling. Osteoarthritis is not to be confused with rheumatoid arthritis,…