Uncategorized

Some allergic reactions can be life-threatening, but there are tools available to help you deal with an incident. AUVI-Q is a brand-name epinephrine injection that physicians can prescribe to treat sudden and severe allergic reactions including anaphylaxis.  AUVI-Q can be self-administered into your thigh (or you can have someone else administer it for you) by using a pre-filled, single-dose autoinjector. Even if you feel better after administering the shot of epinephrine, you should seek immediate medical attention to ensure that you don’t have an allergic…

Most seniors in the United States have a family physician that they visit when feeling sick or when seeking treatment for an ongoing medical issue. Doctors in the U.S. are required to possess a medical license, have the proper training and hold accreditation from various state boards. Unfortunately, doctors these days are often busy, and healthcare facilities can become short-staffed, especially during health emergencies or during certain times of the year when cold and flu viruses are going around. The good news for seniors is…

Alzheimer’s disease can be a scary diagnosis. Today in the United States, there are around 6.5 million people over the age of 65 who are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, there is no cure for the disease, but there are medicines that can help slow its progression and improve symptoms.  A progressive brain disorder, Alzheimer’s is the most common cause of dementia. This devastating disease affects a person’s memory, behavior, social skills, and motor skills. It slowly causes a decline in cognition, typically leading to…

There’s nothing quite like a good night’s sleep. Sleep restores energy, promotes healing and allows the mind to work through stress, all functions that keep you healthy and ready to tackle challenges each day. Sadly, statistics from the National Institutes of Health show that around half of all American seniors suffer from some degree of insomnia. Additionally, sleep patterns change with age. Seniors often find themselves awake at night as they get older. Another problem seniors face in terms of sleep is the change in…

Last year, more than 12.5 million people were enrolled in both Medicare and Medicaid. Over 4.1 million of these beneficiaries have enrolled in a Medicare Advantage D-SNP, a special needs plan offered in some states to dual-eligibles.  Dual-eligible beneficiaries have access to Medicare benefits for most of their preventive, primary, and acute health care, as well as prescription drugs. As their secondary payer, Medicaid covers long-term care and certain behavioral health care services, and it assists with Medicare premiums and cost-sharing expenses.  You might be eligible…

Since 1965, the United States national health insurance program known as Medicare has been providing beneficiaries with health care benefits, and every year since its beginning, Medicare makes certain changes to services and charges, so all recipients continue to have access to affordable health care services.   Whether you enroll in Original Medicare Parts A (hospital insurance) and B (medical insurance) or a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan sold by a private insurance company, you may be affected by annual changes.   Every fall, you get an…

Medicare Part D plans help enrollees cover expenses for prescription drugs. They are sold by private insurance companies that work with Medicare. Anyone who is already enrolled in Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) can enroll in a stand-alone Part D prescription drug plan that’s available in your service area.   Because Part D plans are sold by private companies, the drugs they cover and plan costs can change from year to year. If you’re already enrolled in Part D, or may  be…

Ovarian cancer can affect women of all ages, but you may be surprised to learn that ovarian cancer is most prevalent in older women. According to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance, the median age for diagnosis of ovarian cancer is 63. Additionally, the American Cancer Society points out that ovarian cancer is most often found in women who are post-menopause. These statistics indicate that most older women will want to have regular ovarian cancer screenings completed according to a schedule recommended by their doctors. Screening…

For many seniors, allergies are a mild annoyance that, at worst, require an over-the-counter (OTC) allergy medication to keep symptoms at bay. For others, however, allergies can lead to breathing difficulties and a worsening of asthma. Others cause severe skin reactions that cause hives. Seniors in the latter group are sometimes diagnosed with chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU), an allergic condition in which the development of hives has no known cause. What causes severe allergic reactions related to asthma? Allergic reactions that trigger asthma in seniors…

Original Medicare insurance is available to seniors in the United States age 65 and over as well as some disabled individuals under 65. When you become eligible for Medicare benefits, you select coverage options from among the different plans offered in your state. Although the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) ultimately governs the Medicare insurance program, individual states can also regulate insurance products sold within their borders. You typically have a seven-month period, known as your Initial Enrollment Period, in which to sign…