Autor: Colleen Moody

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,…

Urological issues don’t come up in casual conversations, but it’s incredibly important for seniors to discuss urological concerns with their doctors. According to the American Society of Nephrology, urological problems rank third in terms of medical complaints among seniors seeking medical intervention. Additionally, over 40% of all doctor visits by seniors are for urological symptoms. While some urology symptoms may be merely irritating and inconvenient, others can indicate more serious conditions like cancer. This is why seniors are encouraged to speak with their doctors at…

Veins and arteries both play important roles in the body. Veins are the vessels that carry blood to the heart, meaning impaired veins can potentially cause additional cardiovascular problems. Although anyone can be affected by vein issues, seniors are among the most affected in the United States. Vein problems affect tens of millions of  men and women in the United States. The risk of developing vein problems increases with age, so it’s important to understand Medicare benefits for vein surgery. How venous insufficiency is a danger…