Not to sound overly dramatic, but for the women I treat as a physical therapist, exercise can mean the difference between quality of life and practically no life at all.

Patsy Shropshire, the physical therapist who won the “Fit After 50 Member Challenge” hosted by the American Physical Therapy Association.

I run a health and wellness group in Dallas for 20 women who primarily are in their 50s and 60s. They have survived breast, uterine, and thyroid cancer as well as leukemia and MS.

They are women with balls. Stability balls, that is.

These “Women With Balls” do weight training while balancing on stability balls. They also run, speed-walk, stretch, and do yoga. Every year they compete in the Dallas Marathon Relay and a Christmas Fun Run that we host for a charitable cause.

The physical challenges for most of these women have been a wake-up call to change their lives. One of our members, a professor with leukemia, underwent a bone marrow transplant and credits exercise for her survival. Another is several weeks out from a double mastectomy. While she waits to see what her next treatment will be, she’s doing fast walks and some easy runs.

I’ve been a physical therapist for more than 25 years and believe the more one learns about the human body, the more motivated she or he will be to exercise. That’s why I teach women about anatomy, posture, proper nutrition, and injury and disease prevention. This is where physical therapy makes all the difference — designing a program based on evidence that takes preexisting conditions into account and teaching people what they need to know to get better and stronger.

For me, exercise has been a part of my daily routine for most of my life. It doesn’t just provide physical health, but mental and emotional health as well. I love competitive runs, lifting weights, yoga, and teaching these concepts to others. I also have a veggie and fruit garden so I can feed my family fresh, organic food. My husband and I have four kids who are becoming more and more health conscious themselves. Exercise has been, and always will be, the answer for me.

As for Women With Balls, many have been a part of this program for more than ten years. One WWB participant told me, “This is the first sorority I’ve ever been in.” When it means something to you, you stick with it.

The post Fit After 50 Challenge – Exercise As If Your Life Depends On It appeared first on BoomerCafé.com.

Like every other generation, we boomers today are rushing to our jobs or our tennis matches and running errands in our high-tech cars with cellphones in hand. The auto industry is determined to try and wow us with all of the internet connections you can have in a car. The reality is, they are giving us lots and lots more distractions. That’s why I really like my Bluetooth option as I find myself less distracted to make and receive calls HANDS FREE! It might not be perfect, but it’s an improvement.

Accident victim and first responder.

Here’s another: having an emergency contact anyone can easily find! Why? Because every year, about a million people are admitted to hospitals UNCONSCIOUS! Every day, an average of 27,400 car accidents happen. Yet a recent survey shows that 86% of Americans have not provided the critical information needed for a medical emergency. To confirm this, just watch any TV medical show and see the scenario repeat itself over and over. For you Boomers out there, remember Rampart on Emergency?

First responders are trained to look for identifying and emergency contact information on anyone they come in contact with. The quicker they have information like doctors’ names, insurance numbers, allergies, and of course next of kin, the quicker they just might SAVE YOUR LIFE.

There’s something wrong with this picture. We have all of these crazy contacts of people we just met one night and will never see again, let alone call. With speed dial, we have almost forgotten close friends’ and families’ numbers! Which reflects the growing trend of texting, not calling. Sheldon Cooper from the Big Bang Theory said to his roommate, “I am concerned! I have emailed, texted, tweeted, skpyed and instant-messaged my girlfriend but no response”! To which the roommate replies “Did you think of calling her?”

Cell phones are a distraction and can lead to dangerous driving.

So, here is a simple and easy solution! It is called ‘ICE’ (In Case of Emergency). It is a method of contact during emergency situations. Since most people now carry mobile phones, all you need to do is store the number of a contact person or persons who should be contacted during emergency under the name ‘ICE’ ( In Case Of Emergency).

The idea came from a paramedic who found that when he went to the scenes of accidents, there were always mobile phones with patients but he never knew which number to call. He thought it would be a good idea if there was a nationally recognized procedure to correct this. With ICE, responders and hospital staff can quickly contact the right person by simply dialing the number you have listed under ‘ICE.’ It really could save your life, or put a loved one’s mind at rest. I also suggest that you include more than one contact name simply by enteringICE1, ICE2, and ICE3.

If you are a baby boomer, you might not have known about this before. Now you do. You ought to use it. Starting today.

The post Baby Boomers and the importance of “ICE,” In Case of Emergency appeared first on BoomerCafé.com.

“There is something amazing about the medical system here, and something not quite right with ours,” says Shane Simons, who moved eight months ago from Los Angeles to the tropical island of Penang, in Malaysia. “My doctor in L.A. told me I needed a mole removed from my neck. I was in his waiting room for 45 minutes and his consulting room for 45 seconds. That cost me $2,000. He recommended I get the mole removed at the additional cost of $5,000. I saw a specialist in Penang and it cost me $30 and it turned out the mole was fine.”

When Mike Sherrer moved from Florida to Panama, he thought he would return to the U.S. for any major medical procedures. “Now I think that, if I were in the U.S., I’d come to Panama for any medical treatment. The health care is great.” Mike paid just $700 for a surgery that he says could have cost him 400% more back in Florida. And that $700 included the operating room, doctors’ fees, everything. What impressed Mike most, though, was the personal touch: “The thing about the doctors here is, they give you time.”

Does a new life overseas mean you have to compromise on health care? The answer is a definitive “no.” That’s why our friends at International Living.com have done a survey and prepared a reported entitled “How Americans Save $15,000 a Year on Healthcare… by Looking Abroad.” It lists their top seven overseas destinations for quality healthcare.

1. Costa Rica—Convenience, Comfort, and Care

Costa Rica

Back in California Laurel and Charles Carpenter paid $1,200 a month for health insurance. Now, living in the Central Valley town of Atenas, Costa Rica, they pay just $88 a month to be in the Caja—the country’s universal health-care system. Charles has multiple sclerosis and the Caja covers all his treatments and medications. With the money they don’t spend on insurance, they can afford to have a private, full-time nurse, which would cost $9,000 or more per month in the States. Charles’ and Laurel’s story is similar to that of other expats in Costa Rica. Expats must join the Caja (La Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social) to get a residence visa.

But with health care in Costa Rica—in both the public and private systems—among the best in Central America, that requirement is hardly a negative. And the Caja’s cost is low. It’s determined by your income but generally only runs $30 to $90 per person per month. And that monthly fee covers everything, from prescriptions to doctor visits to testing to surgeries.

2. Malaysia—Low Cost and World Class

Penang, Malaysia

“Malaysia is the best country in the world to get ill or get injured,” says Chicago native Justin Strong, who has lived on tropical Penang Island for the last 12 years. “We go to the doctor here and we don’t need to worry about how to pay him. In the U.S., medical bills were sending us broke.” Hospital care in Malaysia is a bargain. In fact, it’s so low-cost that I know a number of expats who simply pay out of pocket—no insurance at all.

A check-up at the doctor’s office costs $16, the same price as a house call. Visiting a specialist can cost as little as $4—usually it’s $16. A hip replacement that costs $80,000 in the U.S costs $20,000 in Malaysia. A facelift that is $20,000 back home costs $4,000 here. And a serious operation like heart surgery, which can set you back up to $180,000 in the States, is around $14,000 here.

It’s no surprise, then, that Malaysia is one of the world’s busiest medical-tourism hot-spots. And the quality of care is equal to or better than that in most Western countries. There are seven JCI-accredited hospitals in Malaysia and doctors usually speak English. Sometimes it’s even their native language, as you’ll find Australian and British doctors working here.

3. Panama—First World and Affordable

Expats in Panama definitely appreciate its health care. Former San Diegan Mitzy Martain says, “We know so many people who have had wonderful health-care experiences here. Everyone in the medical community in Panama is marvelous, in my opinion.” She adds, “I had to have a very serious surgery involving my spine and never even gave a thought to going back to the States.”

In Panama you’ll find many specialists who speak English, are affiliated with international medical associations, and keep abreast of developments in their field. Panama City’s “big four” major hospitals are all affiliated with U.S. hospitals.

Punta Pacífica, the newest of the four and affiliated with Johns Hopkins, is Latin America’s most advanced facility. And new hospitals and hospital expansions are going up all over the country. A new Children’s Hospital is being fundraised right now, and new public hospitals are in the works for the city of David and Panama City, as well as provincial centers.

4. France—Health the European Way

France

Kim Petyt, an American wedding planner based in Paris, was visiting the U.S. when her daughter developed an ear infection. “I couldn’t get an appointment because she didn’t have U.S. insurance. Finally, a friend took her to an ER pediatrician, which cost $300 just for a quick checkup and prescription for medication. In France the same thing would have cost $90 at most (with no emergency-room visit necessary).”

U.S. expat Michelle Botha says her MRI cost about $10,000 in the U.S. and less than $265 in France. I can add that, when I lost my asthma medication (albuterol) in Washington, D.C. last summer, I had to pay $65 for a new one…really upsetting since I never pay more than €13—about $17—for the same medication in Paris.

Kim, Michelle, and I belong to the sécurité sociale, France’s universal healthcare system. French health care in both the public and private systems is excellent— and, by U.S. standards, very affordable. The public health-care system pays around 70% of most medical costs, including doctor’s visits, hospital stays, lab tests, and more.

5. Uruguay—South America’s “Switzerland”

Uruguay

If you fall in love with Uruguay, as I did, one thing you’ll appreciate is the high-quality, affordable health care. In Uruguay, medical equipment is modern and doctors highly trained. There are two medical schools in Montevideo, but many senior doctors in Uruguay were trained in the United States, Germany, and Brazil.

Many Uruguayan doctors also attend continuing-education conferences abroad. For cost, consider this: I had knee surgery just over a year ago. I paid $200 for a CT scan, a $7 co-pay for each doctor visit, and a $7 co-pay for each physical therapy session afterwards. Everything else was covered by my regular $185-a-month health-care plan.

Lisa Marie Mercer has had a similar experience. She and her husband moved from Colorado to Atlántida, Uruguay, just over a year ago. “My monthly insurance in the U.S. was $650, with a $2,500 deductible,” she says. “My medications started at about $200 a month.”

Today, as members of the mutualista at the Asociación Española hospital, “we each pay the equivalent of $80 a month. My prescriptions come to about $60 a month.” Uruguay has a public health-care system, and expats who have applied for residence can use the system in an emergency. But my advice is not to rely on it. Instead, the most common medical-care choice in Uruguay is a hospital plan called a mutualista.

6. Mexico—Excellent Hospitals

When Tim and Donna Leffels’ daughter developed eczema in Mexico, they paid 600 pesos—about $47—for a consultation with the city’s best dermatologist. “I thought 600 pesos was expensive, but it was worth it,” notes Donna. “The doctor spent quite a bit of time with us and answered all my questions and concerns.”

That $47 fee is on the high end for Mexico, which tells you how affordable most care is. Many specialists, particularly in smaller cities, still charge $35 or less for an office visit (including my local gynecologist). But the thorough care and long consultation that the Leffels enjoyed is standard procedure.

Mexico has both a universal health-care system and private health care. The public system, known as IMSS (Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social), has clinics, hospitals, and pharmacies all over the country. Expats with a valid residence visa can sign up for it—and many do. IMSS does have some drawbacks. It excludes many pre-existing conditions, for instance. The quality of facilities can vary, and wait times can be long. But with a top rate of only $300 a year or so, it’s a great low-cost option if you’re on a budget.

7. Ecuador—The World’s Best Retirement Haven

Patty and Mike Grimm have been in Ecuador for nearly three years. During that time, “we have pretty much covered the gamut of medical care, including dentistry, eye exams and glasses, emergency rooms, colonoscopy, mammogram, gallbladder removal, treatment for ulcers (endoscopes), and serious back treatments,” says Mike. “In each and every case, our care has been first class, with very caring and skilled medical practitioners. And it’s been a fraction of the cost of the U.S.”

Over and over, expats praise Ecuadorean doctors who “put the patient first” and take time with their patients—up to 45 minutes for an office visit, if needed. In Ecuador’s major cities—Quito, Cuenca, and Guayaquil—English-speaking doctors are fairly common, since many have gone to medical school in the U.S.

These three cities are also where you’ll find Ecuador’s most modern hospitals and most of the medical specialists. Costs are low—about 10% to 25% of what you’d pay in the U.S. For major surgeries, the cost is often less than 10%.

(Click to enlarge)

The post Health Care Survey: Best Havens for Quality Care Overseas appeared first on BoomerCafé.com.

Here are five foods that the experts say midlifers would do well to steer clear of:

1) Cut out the white stuff. Yes, salt.
Too much salt in your diet negatively impacts your blood pressure. Salt causes your body to retain water and the extra water your body stores raises your blood pressure. The higher your blood pressure, the greater the strain on your heart, kidneys, arteries and brain. High blood pressure can lead to heart attacks, strokes and kidney disease. The amount of salt you eat has a direct effect on your blood pressure.

Adding insult to injury is that if you have too high a salt intake, it may mean that some blood pressure medicines (such as diuretics) don’t work as well as they could.

While you may already know to push away the potato chips, salt lurks in many other foods including processed meats and cheeses, frozen food, pizza and even breakfast cereals.

2) Bacon is not your friend.
About one in three adults in the U.S. suffers from arthritis or a related chronic joint problem and there are certain foods that will only serve to aggravate the problem. Researchers have learned that COX-2 enzymes are more active and cause more joint inflammation when you eat more omega-6 fatty acids than omega-3 fatty acids. High up on the Arthritis Foundation’s list of no-no foods is bacon, along with meats, egg yolks, corn, sunflower, safflower, soybean and cottonseed oil, margarine and pretty much anything fried.

3) The third glass of wine.
Yes, we all cling to those studies that show a moderate amount of wine is good for our hearts. The problem comes in the definition of moderate. Nobody is calling a half-bottle a night “moderate.” Light-to-moderate alcohol use means having two to seven drinks per week, according to the National Institutes of Health. Heavier drinking can hurt your heart and liver. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in people who abuse alcohol.

4) The evil side of sugar.
Most people avoid sugar to avoid gaining weight. But that’s only part of the sugar story. Researchers have found that too many sweets can make you age faster in a number of ways. When you eat sugar — whether in the form of a pint of ice cream, a candy bar or the carbohydrates in a basket of dinner rolls — your body converts that sugar to glucose. One major health issue linked to high blood glucose is diabetes. The Mayo Clinic says diabetes itself is dangerous enough, but it can also lead to further health problems such as cardiovascular disease, kidney damage or nerve damage. Diabetics can also experience skin, mouth and bone problems that make the body look and feel older than it should.

5) Soda.
The American Diabetes Association recommends that people limit their intake of sugar-sweetened beverages to help prevent diabetes. A 12-ounce can of regular soda has about 150 calories and 40 grams of carbohydrates — the same amount of carbohydrates contained in 10 teaspoons of sugar. Throw energy and sports drinks in the same kettle, or at least read the labels to see how many carbs you are ingesting. And for the record, you don’t need a sports drink just because you spent four hours walking around the mall.

Credit: HuffPost Post50

The post 5 Foods You Should Avoid If You Are Post 50 appeared first on BoomerCafé.com.

Part D: The Medicare Monster

So we have stared at and dissected, poked and prodded Medicare Parts A and B, and even Medicare Part C. The microscope revealed Part A to be automatically given by Medicare who notes your 65th birthday and sends you a card in the mail. This part need not be fretted over as you or your spouse has usually already paid for it. Part A covers hospitalization should it ever be required. There is a deductible involved but this part happens on its own.

Then comes Part B. You can opt out of this if you truly desire, but should you lean that way, be aware you will be penalized monetarily should you ever need to opt back in. Part B covers the outpatient portion of your needs to a degree and it also requires the deductible: $143 in 2013 for each time you seek a physician’s care. While the fees for this, should you opt into it, come right out of your Social Security check in the form a $104.90 yearly premium, it is still not free though you do not miss the payments, technically.

We then find Medicare, Part C: you either take the privately offered Medicare Advantage and it becomes your Part A and B too, or you stick with the original option. Part C offers a built-in medigap insurance and may deliver some better services for a lower price, but you choose a plan and risk the coverage being lost if your provider decides to pull out of the region for whatever reason. If you stay away from Part C then you need to choose a medigap insurance to cover the holes between Part A and B and the prescription coverage of Part D.

The Final Piece of the Puzzle

Part D of Medicare addresses a very important factor of medicinal needs especially where many seniors are concerned: prescription drugs. This is a voluntary enrollment where you pay all monthly costs and fees. With Part B the coverage comes with the ability to opt out, but Part D requires a definitive activation.

Much like Part B, if you do not enroll in Part D when you are first eligible you may have to pay a penalty later on if you decide you do want it. There are some circumstances that may see you with a waived fee or if you’re low income you may be eligible for assistance with the costs. If you are enrolled in prescription coverage prior to Medicare activation, you also may not have to pay the penalty. Part D requires some blood from you in the form of coinsurance payments, a yearly deductible where applicable, and monthly premiums.

Check with your employer or union to find out your existing prescription coverage if you believe you have some. If the plan coverage is ‘creditable,’ that indicates a plan better than what Part D would provide and you do not need to sign up for Part D; if it is not ‘creditable’ then it is not superior to Part D and it would be wise to consider signing up for a Part D plan. However, should the latter be satisfied, you may wish to speak with your employer or union prior to dropping their non-creditable coverage for some very good reasons:

• Once dropped, you may not be able to get the coverage back.
• Many employers or unions do not allow partial dropping of plans; you choose all or none, so be careful. You may find yourself with nothing thinking you’re getting just Part D.
• Changing your plan may leave your spouse or children in the cold if they are covered under you. Check this carefully.

Dropping existing coverage may also mean buying some gap insurance or switching to Part C, a.k.a. Medicare Advantage. The private coverage, as we learned, often includes a gap insurance, probably includes a Part D, may offer more benefits and cost less than holding onto the original Parts A and B of Medicare but Medicare Advantage plans may also cost more than what your current union or employer coverage costs now. Again, consider any switches or drops carefully. Do not be afraid to ask questions of a provider ad nauseum; this is serious stuff. It matters. Your health and coverage matter. Important decisions dictate the need for all available information, so make sure you have it.

Where the Wild Things are

Even if you take no prescription drugs now chances are good you will in the future, or ten years from now. Due to the penalties imposed for not taking certain aspects of Medicare when they become available, it makes sense to jump on the wagon when you can. While there are literally dozens of plans available to choose from, a good rule of thumb is to consider plans with the lowest overall annual cost. This amount will include deductibles, insurance gaps, premiums, copayments and coinsurances, and any other drug costs.

If you’re still feeling overwhelmed by all the choices and plans, you may wish to borrow the free services of a comparative site. There are agents out there who will take down all your wants and needs then find the coverage that works for your pay scale or your must-haves and don’t-wants. Medicare.gov, the federal government’s official Medicare website, is a good place to start jumping in. It offers some suggestions but is not the most comprehensive site or the only one to check out, so make sure to look around once you feel comfortable.

Being frightened by the Medicare Monster is perfectly natural, but there is no need to let that fear paralyze you. Just approach it slowly and in a non-threatening manner; it will buzz right up to you. Sure, it may sting at first but forewarned is forearmed. Cloaked in the chain mail of knowledge, you should do just fine.

The post How to Enroll in Part D: The Medicare Monster appeared first on BoomerCafé.com.

The face of contemporary American sexuality reflects the advocacy of millions of baby boomers who — in between lounging on Yasgur’s farm at Woodstock and fawning over a young, tight-pantsed Roger Daltrey — revolutionized conceptions of sexual stigma, reproductive rights, and contraception.

Christina Pierpaoli, University of Toronto

But now for boomers, it’s time for a new sexual revolution— and one that a real conversation about HIV/AIDS can start.

Earlier this year, the Centers for Disease Control published its HIV Surveillance Supplemental Report examining diagnoses of HIV infection among adults in the U.S. aged 50 years and older between 2007 and 2010, with startling findings. There was a 14.3% increase with diagnosed HIV infection — from 28.6% in 2007 to 32.7% in 2009. Of those diagnosed with HIV in 2009, 41.5% were classified as stage 3, the severest form of HIV.

The reasons behind these data are complex and multidimensional. With the rise of the use of penicillin to successfully treat sexually transmitted diseases like syphilis in an environment of recreational drug use and sex, boomers’ historical perspective could be skewing their identification with risky sexual behavior.

The crazy time of free love in the 1970s.

The proliferation of pro-erection medication has fostered a renewed sense of sexuality for men and generally for couples far beyond women’s childbearing years, reducing the perceived functional necessity for protection among sexually active older adults. To complicate matters, the earliest symptoms of HIV infection, like fatigue, malaise, and loss of energy, can be mistaken for the ‘simple realities’ of aging and thus are often dismissed, if not ignored altogether.

Ageism and stigma can help explain why. As a culture, we believe aging precludes sexuality. It is easier and significantly more comfortable for us to imagine aging boomers as asexual, heterosexual, or at best, monogamous. And in the history of America — perhaps the world — few diseases have been as notoriously stereotyped. So even in cases of suspected and potential infection, the historically ‘shameful’ subtext of HIV/AIDS creates silence. For baby boomers, that silence can be fatal.

Unlike their younger counterparts, who account for the highest rate of HIV infection, adults 50 and over continue to go unscreened for HIV/AIDS even though its severity is disproportionately concentrated among boomers, and even though safe, valid testing resources exist.

Earlier and regular screenings across health domains can predict better, more manageable health outcomes when it comes to cancer, depression, or heart disease. HIV/AIDS is no different.

Rock festival in 1979.

As America grays, life expectancy increases, drug therapies improve, and functional cures grow in their promise, there is a substantive pragmatism, and responsibility, to screen baby boomers for HIV/AIDS. Emerging treatments willl only be as effective as the populations they reach. For aging boomers, opt-out HIV/AIDS screening could serve as a simple, effective mode of sociocultural and medical enfranchisement in an environment that currently sanctions, minimizes, and dismisses their sexuality and health. It can also save lives.

So dearest baby boomers, blast some Power to the people, do what you do best, and fight for your right to love safely and without shame … again.

The post It’s Time To Have the “HIV” Talk With Baby Boomers appeared first on BoomerCafé.com.

Where did sex go?

Been married a long time and wondering where your sex life went? After years of marriage it’s not unusual for sex to happen less often and feel less satisfying than it used to, says certified sex therapist Laurie Watson, author of Wanting Sex Again: How to Rediscover Your Desire and Heal a Sexless Marriage. But sex is worth nurturing. It helps you stay bonded and strengthens your love and closeness. Here’s how to bring it back into your relationship:

1. Understand where it went.

Falling in love is so exciting and erotically charged that any difficulties, current or past, are easily overcome – at first. “When a relationship becomes real, with conflicts and genuine needs, some of the high wears off and we have to work through physical or psychological stumbling blocks,” Watson explains. Add to that the hormonal deficits as we age, and the challenges compound. “Our bodies still need touch and sexual release to deeply connect us as partners, but we don’t always have the same biological prompt – a sexual urge, an instinctual nudge, or an outright horny feeling,” says Watson. “A woman with low desire is like a Porsche with a tank full of gas and a broken starter.”

2. Communicate

If you’re in the habit of not talking about sex, opening up the conversation may be daunting, but your pleasure is worth it! Try bringing it up when you’re not in bed — maybe at the dinner table or while taking a walk together. Ask for permission to bring up a difficult topic so your partner will be serious and receptive.

Talk honestly, and be careful to be gentle and loving to avoid putting the other person on the defensive. “State your desire for your partner in a positive way,” Watson advises. “For example, you can say, ‘I love being with you physically and sexually. Making love is so reassuring to me. What are your feelings about that right now?’” Don’t give up if the conversation isn’t easy — let it be a start.

“The good news is that in a reasonable, healthy marriage, even one person making the committed effort to change can force the whole dynamic to shift,” Watson says.

3. Check your meds.

The culprit may be the pills that you or your partner takes for other medical conditions that may have the unwanted side effect of interfering with interest and arousal. Be assertive in asking your doctor about sexual side effects and what you can do about them. Blood pressure medications and SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) antidepressants are known to lower libido.

Watson recommends the use of a vibrator to counter the deadening effects of these medications. “Vibrators can build arousal quickly and help a woman reach climax without worrying that she’s ‘taking forever,’” says Watson. “They aren’t just sex toys but necessary tools so she doesn’t get too discouraged.” Orgasms themselves are terrific antidepressants, in fact.

4. Let a therapist help.

Often the issue isn’t physical. Any stress in the relationship quickly finds its way into the bedroom.

A good therapist can help you see whether a non-sexual problem in the relationship — such as resentment, lack of trust, or body image issues — may be manifesting itself in sexual avoidance, and give you the communication tools to solve it. To locate a therapist who is particularly knowledgeable about sexual issues, check the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors and Therapists.

If your spouse won’t talk about the elephant in the room, it’s worthwhile to go to counseling on your own. “I often see one spouse without the other if the partner is reluctant,” Watson says. “A sex therapist can systematically sift through what you have tried and what is left to try.”

5. Be open to change.

Sexual shut-down isn’t inevitable as we age, but change is. Maybe we thought we knew everything about sex and pleasure in the past, but we’re living in changing bodies, and there’s more to learn. The key is staying open and flexible. You may need to try new techniques, different stimuli, different timing. Learn to seduce your partner anew. Try pleasuring yourself on your own to see whether a different pace, touch, or fantasy arouses you more than what you’re used to. You may be surprised!

Let the changes be an incentive to seek pleasure with commitment and a sense of adventure! “Perhaps the frequency changes, but the intensity of connection during love-making can actually increase,” says Watson.

Joan Price

Ageless sexuality advocate Joan Price is the author of Naked at Our Age: Talking Out Loud About Senior Sex. Visit Joan’s zesty, award-winning blog about sex and aging, where she continues to talk out loud about Boomer/senior sex, partnered or solo. Naked at Our Age won Outstanding Self-Help Book 2012 from the American Society of Journalists and Authors and Best Book 2012 from the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists.

Republished in collaboration with Grandparents.com.

The post 5 Ways to Have More Sex Over Age 50 appeared first on BoomerCafé.com.

Enrolling in the Medicare system is quite simple, but it can be quite the challenge to understand the variety of options that are available to you and your spouse.

We have already covered Medicare parts A and B. Now we’ll tackle Medicare Parts C and D.

Medicare Part C and Medicare Part D are not included in the basic body of the Medicare that automatically flutters into your Social Security check once you turn 65. They are more like options and definitely warrant a closer inspection and dissection. After the relative straight-forwardness of the first two parts, C and D may be the bits that need a microscope.

Now, as we look though our magnifying lens we learn that despite its name, Medicare Part C is actually not the same thing as Part A and Part B. It is its own creature only similarly named. It also goes by the name of Medicare Advantage and it is a private insurance replacing the original Parts A and B but offering at least the federal regulated coverage of those Parts plus some extra. If you choose Part C (which is not a ‘Part’ at all) you lose the first combined A and B monster and end up with a whole new one you bought from someone other than the federal government.

What’s the Difference?

By choosing to go with the original Medicare Monster, Parts A and B, as offered directly from the government, you will need what is known as Medigap insurance to pick up the slack in certain areas.

If you choose to enroll privately in Medicare Advantage you refuse the original plans but receive the same coverage and Medicare Advantage (Medicare Part C) automatically picks up the slack that Medigap insurance does, meaning you do not need both Medigap insurance and Medicare Part C. They accomplish close to the same thing. Generally speaking, a Part C plan, which is still federally regulated even though privately owned, is a lower cost plan with slightly broader coverage. However, each private insurance company will offer different packages; there is no standard only a minimal, so each Medicare Advantage plan needs to be considered individually.

For Medicare Advantage there are enrollment periods; most don’t offer a jump-in-at-any-time process. Some do, but all must be accepting new enrollees at the time to be considered. There are two different breeds of Plan C:

• Fee-for-Service
• Managed care

Managed Care plans are the HMO, PPO types which deal with networks of doctors who are willing to see patients on this insurance. Basically, you enjoy full medical coverage only if you choose a doctor in your network, which means you could be losing your doctor of 20 years. It’s the least expensive and most common kind of coverage, but also rather limited. Fee-for-service offers more variety in theory and works outside of a network system but only covers those doctors who have agreed to accept the fees and payments offered by the plan. If they choose not to then they are not covered.

Also, it should be understood that many Medicare Advantage plans offer limited coverage and if you travel a lot or visit the grandkids often in another state, your coverage may not go with you. It tends to stick to the region in which you live, so any non-emergency bills you acquire out visiting may be out-of-pocket expenses. There is a possibility that your doctor does not operate under the Medicare Advantage plan, too. Always check to see if he or she is familiar with the plan you are considering or you may lose that doctor. Never forget to check deep with any plan to find where their coverage lies regarding specialists and specialized care. The Medicare Advantage plan you’re looking into may not find your specialist necessary and therefore not cover a trip to her. Likewise, specialized care such as physical therapy or home healthcare may not be covered even if prescribed by your primary doctor.

The worst outcome of a Medicare Part C plan is the possibility that you could, at any time, lose coverage completely if the private insurance company you are going through decides to pull out of that region. This happens if the company is not making enough profit to sustain coverage in that area and then, having refused your federal coverage, you’ll be left scrambling to find the coverage you desire.

There are a few options out there, most of them include finding another provider that covers your region, but it can be frightening to go without insurance when you really need it. Medicare Advantage plans are not guaranteed coverage at all times.

Back to the First

To make an informed decision we need to know how both options work so we turn back to the original Medicare Monster to see how it performs with Medigap coverage instead. Also offered by private insurers, this plan allows you to keep your original 65th birthday gift from the federal government. Part A and B cover only half of all the expenses seniors accrue along the way and Medigap covers a good deal of the rest like a bridge over troubled insurance waters.

There are 10 plan types as of June 2010:

• Plans A-D
• Plans F-G
• Plans K-N

Plans I, E, H and J are no longer available for those who did not buy them before June 2010. Each of these plans gives specific coverage, a base line that is federally mandated and must be included. That does not change by policies. Aside from that, each of the 10 has differences and variety enough that all should be reviewed by the senior looking for the coverage. Premium costs, size of premiums and when coverage begins may all vary by plan and provider. Once you have decided which of the 10 suits you best, make sure you spend the time to read the fine print. Really dig into the plan, dissect it. Those residents of Minnesota, Wisconsin or Massachusetts will find their Medigap insurance comes in different categories with some possible additional benefits.

Every plan type in all Medigap insurance policies will include three basic points:

• Each policy will pay the Part A coinsurance amounts for hospitals plus the complete cost of up to 365 additional hospital days after the coverage is exhausted.
• Each policy will pay all or some of the cost of the first three pints of blood required for a transfusion, something Medicare does not pay.
• Each policy will cover all or a part of the Part B 20% coinsurance amount for outpatient care and doctor bills, the amount of which varies between plans.

Points to Consider

With 10 different policies to slug through, you may find yourself overwhelmed. There’s no way to go through the fine points of each one but there are a few things to consider when making a choice.

• Do you travel? If so, you may wish to consider plans C, D, F, G, M or N, which offer some emergency medical coverage outside the United States.
• Do you have a chronic or serious condition? If you are looking at high, ongoing costs perhaps plans K or L will work better for you. Plan K pays only half the costs and plan L pays 75%, but these two come with a yearly out-of-pocket expense cap that can save you a great amount. (The cap for Plan K is greater than for Plan L but premiums may be a factor.) However, after these caps are reached the plan covers 100% of the expenses.
• Does your doctor charge an excess? Some doctors can charge a 15% fee above the Medicare covered fee for a doctor visit. Most doctors accept what Medicare pays as an assignment fee but if you regularly see one of those who does not and adds an extra amount, then Plans F or G might be your ticket. They pick up that added expenses at the cost of higher premiums.

A rule of thumb to follow is that policies offering more coverage will also cost more, but shop around when it comes to providers. Premiums vary wildly within the industry and since this policy is one you might own for a long time, it’s best to minimize financial leakage.

The post How to Enroll in Medicare, Part C appeared first on BoomerCafé.com.

With 36 million people affected by hearing loss, according to the American Academy of Audiology (AAA), there are, no doubt, a significant number of marriages suffering from a lack of communication.

In fact, in a U.S. survey of baby boomers conducted by Energizer Battery, Inc., nearly half (48 percent) of those surveyed said their marriages have suffered because of their spouse’s hearing loss. While the best way to treat hearing loss is with a hearing aid, the AAA also cites that only one out of every five adults who needs a hearing aid actually wears one. What is it about hearing aids that people avoid? For some, perhaps it is vanity or denial, but for most it is the cost factor, as hearing aids are not covered by Medicare or most insurance plans and can cost up to $3,000 per ear.

The good news is that thanks to Dr. Sreek Cherukuri, M.D., Board-Certified Ear, Nose & Throat Physician from Chicago, Ill., those who can’t afford hearing aids no longer have to suffer through silent marriages. In 2009, Dr. Cherukuri pioneered the affordable hearing aid by creating MDHearingAid®, a line of aesthetically discreet, behind-the-ear-design hearing aids.

Recently, the brand launched its newest innovation, the physician-created, FDA-registered and audiologist-tested MDHearingAid AIR, one of the smallest, digital and affordable hearing aids-just $350 per ear-featuring telecoil technology integration (or t-coil), typically reserved for expensive hearing aids. T-coil in the AIR functions as a wireless antenna that links to sound systems found in smartphones, landline telephones and loop-equipped public spaces, such as many churches and movie theaters, to deliver customized sound and seamless transitions between listening environments.

If you or your spouse experiences any of the signs below, Dr. Cherukuri urges you to see an otolaryngologist or physician to be examined and counseled on purchasing the best hearing aid within budget.

Muffled hearing and asking your spouse to repeat constantly.

• If your other half is covering his or her ears because the TV is too loud and you still can’t hear it, it’s time for a hearing test.

Difficulty understanding what your partner is saying in public spaces.

• When there are competing voices or background noise and you cannot distinguish the specific words, it can be a sign of hearing loss.

Avoiding conversation and social interaction.

• If you’ve always loved going out but suddenly it is “too much,” once again being able to hear those you love will make conversation more fun.

Depression.

• All of the above situations can cause depression and isolation. A good course of action to pursue is a hearing test and trying a hearing aid to be sure the depression is not hearing related.

For more information on hearing loss, visit www.mdhearingaid.com.

The post Aiding Communication — A Boomers’ Key To A Happier Marriage appeared first on BoomerCafé.com.

At age 65 a lot of things start to happen or change for baby boomers: most of them social, some financial, and even a few medical.

You are officially of retirement age (forget that you may have retired early or do not really feel like retiring); you can officially get discounts on your food at restaurants if you order from the Senior’s Choice menu; you get the cool senior parking spots a whole three feet closer to the door; and you are required to start Medicare or face the financial penalties later (provided you have not started Medicare earlier which some need to do).

That’s a lot of new life-pie alterations to process but one of the most confusing aspects is probably the Medicare slice of it: how does it work, what do I do, and what does it do for me?

Nothing. You do nothing. It happens all on its own.

Simple, yes? Unless you don’t want Medicare, which is when the nightmare begins. Let’s agree you do want it and go from there.

Happy Birthday!

It might be easy to assume that Uncle Sam will forget one of your most significant birthdays, but, no, he’ll be right there to help you blow out all 65 candles. In fact, right before you turn 65, Medicare costs will start to show up on your Social Security Check, all on its own. About three months before you turn 65 your Medicare card will find its way into your mail where it will present itself with a great deal of information to dissect. Mostly this boils down to whether or not you want to enroll in Part B of the plan or not.

Slices of the Medicare Pie, Part A and Part B

Yes, there are two main parts to this Medicare creature, an A and a B.

Part A deals with hospital care should you ever require hospitalization. This part is not free: you already paid for it or your spouse did through payroll taxes before you retired. You are not charged for it again, thankfully, though in some instances you might be. For example, if you did not pay enough into your taxes to cover it. Most people will not have to worry about that. In some cases Part A can even cover hospice care or home health care though some special conditions need to be met for that. It does not cover Nursing Home care.

Now, you still are responsible for a deductible every time you are admitted into a hospital. The fee is rising by 2.4% in 2013 to $1,184. Many who cannot afford this extra fee are enrolled in Medicare Advantage (Part C, we haven’t gotten there yet) or have a Medigap insurance policy to cover it so there is no out-of-pocket expense.

Part B is a little bit tricky and may not be the ideal option for most people. Why? Because Part B demands that you have to pay into it. This is the outpatient portion of the plan and it will cull a specific monthly amount from your Social Security check so technically you never see it and never miss it, but you do pay it. The premium is also rising in 2013 to $104.90, which means every month $104.90 will be taken from your SS check to cover this. Actually not too bad for insurance if you compare it to some other policies.

However – and you were ready for this – there is also a deductible. It will cost $143 in the year 2013 but the same stopgaps that cover this amount for Part A also cover the deductible for Part B, which is convenient. Part B is kind of important as it encompasses things like preventative services, medical supplies and doctor’s services. Which leaves us to wonder why anyone would refuse it or, if they did refuse it, could they get it later if the need arose?

Refusing Part B

If you do not desire to keep Part B intact, you either must speak directly to Medicare about it or pay the penalty later. According to the government site, the cost of enrolling in Part B after the fact will go up by 10% for each complete 12-month period that you could have been enrolled but did not sign up for it.

The only reason you might refuse this option is because you have something better or your spouse does and the employer providing it has assured you, in writing, that you can do without Part B of Medicare. Yes, speak to the employer first and make sure you disclose you are eligible for Medicare. Only refuse Part B if you are positive you will not need it or you have discussed the choice directly with Medicare, explained the situation and Medicare agrees and documents you will not be penalized. Make sure you keep a record of this somewhere for future proof of your agreement with your boss.

The Gift that Can Keep on Giving … to the Government

Now, understand that these fees can go up or down each year as the year renews itself. So every January things might change concerning your deductible and your premiums. If you have very low income you may qualify for some state aid, as through Medicaid, in paying the premium and deductible. Conversely, if you have a higher income – and in 2011 that was defined as over $80,000 a year for individuals and $170,000 for joint filing- you’ll be charged more for Part B. Depending on how much you make that can be anywhere from $40 to $231 a month.

The post A Baby Boomer’s Guide on How to Enroll in Medicare appeared first on BoomerCafé.com.