Osteoporosis weakens bones to the point that they can break easily. It is called a “silent disease” because people who develop it may not notice any changes until a bone breaks — usually a bone in the hip, spine, or wrist.

Bones are made of living tissue. A healthy human body breaks down old bone and replaces it with new bone to keep it strong. Osteoporosis develops when more bone is broken down than replaced.

The inside of a bone looks something like a honeycomb. When someone has osteoporosis, the bone, which forms the “walls” of the honeycomb, gets smaller, and the spaces between the bone grow larger. The outer shell of the bone also gets thinner. All of this makes a bone weaker.

In serious cases of osteoporosis, a simple motion such as a cough or minor bump can result in a broken bone, also called a fracture. People with osteoporosis also have a harder time recovering from broken bones, which can sometimes cause pain that does not go away. Broken hip and spine bones are severe, as these injuries can cause older adults to lose their mobility and independence.

How can I keep my bones strong as I age?

There are things you can do at any age to prevent weakened bones. Here are some tips:

• Eat foods that support bone health. Get enough calcium, vitamin D, and protein each day. Low-fat dairy; leafy green vegetables; fish; and fortified juices, milk, and grains are good sources of calcium. If your vitamin D level is low, talk with your doctor about taking a supplement.
• Get active. Choose weight-bearing exercise, such as strength training, walking, hiking, jogging, climbing stairs, tennis, and dancing. This type of physical activity can help build and strengthen your bones.
• Don’t smoke. Smoking increases your risk of weakened bones. If you do smoke, here are tips for how to quit smoking.
• Limit alcohol consumption. Too much alcohol can harm your bones. Drink in moderation or not at all. Learn more about alcohol and aging.

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Extra Help is a cost-assistance program that helps you pay for prescription drugs while on Medicare. It works by paying for your Part D premium (up to a state-specific benchmark amount) while lowering the cost of your prescription drugs.

Note: You pay no premium if you have a basic Part D drug plan with a premium at or below the Extra Help premium limit for your area. You will likely still owe a premium if you have an enhanced Part D plan, even if the premium is below the benchmark.

Some extra perks are that if you qualify for Extra Help and have a Part D late enrollment penalty, it will eliminate that fee. It also gives you Special Enrollment Periods to enroll in Part D or switch between plans throughout the year.

You should automatically be enrolled in Extra Help if you have Medicaid, Supplemental Security Income, or a Medicare Savings Program. If that’s not the case for you, you might still be eligible if you have limited assets and your income is below $1,903 per month as an individual or $2,575 as part of a couple.

Apply online through the Social Security Administration or contact the Medicare Rights Center for assistance applying.

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Menopause is not a disease or disorder. This time in a woman’s life is often full of other transitions in addition to physical ones: Women may be caring for aging parents or relatives, supporting their children as they move into adulthood, or taking on new responsibilities at work.

Some women don’t have any trouble with menopausal symptoms and may even feel relieved when they no longer need to worry about painful periods or getting pregnant. For other women, the menopausal transition can bring hot flashes, trouble sleeping, pain during sex, moodiness and irritability, depression, or a combination of these symptoms. Some may decide to talk with their doctor about lifestyle changes or medications to treat their symptoms.

Understanding the menopausal transition

Menopause is a point in time 12 months after a woman’s last period. The years leading up to that point, when women may have changes in their monthly cycles, hot flashes, or other symptoms, are called the menopausal transition or perimenopause.

The menopausal transition most often begins between ages 45 and 55. It usually lasts about seven years but can be as long as 14 years. The duration can depend on lifestyle factors such as smoking, age it begins, and race and ethnicity. During perimenopause, the body’s production of estrogen and progesterone, two hormones made by the ovaries, varies greatly.

The menopausal transition affects each woman uniquely and in various ways. The body begins to use energy differently, fat cells change, and women may gain weight more easily. You may experience changes in your bone or heart health, your body shape and composition, or your physical function.

Is it menopause?

If you are having symptoms that are common during menopause, your doctor may ask questions about your age, symptoms, and family history to determine if it really is the menopausal transition causing your problems. In some cases, your doctor may suggest a blood test to check your follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and estradiol (E2) levels to rule out any other causes for the changes you’re experiencing.

While the menopausal transition may commonly be referred to as “menopause,” true menopause doesn’t happen until one year after a woman’s final menstrual period. For that reason, a woman who does not want to get pregnant should continue to use birth control for at least a full 12 months after her last period.

Menopause can also be triggered by a hysterectomy or surgical removal of the ovaries, which produce hormones. If you have surgery to remove your uterus or ovaries and are not taking hormones, you will experience symptoms of menopause immediately.

After menopause, women enter postmenopause. Postmenopausal women are more vulnerable to heart disease and osteoporosis. During this time, it is important to continue to eat a healthy diet, be active, and make sure you get enough calcium for optimal bone health.

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It’s understandable to feel that you don’t need to think about this topic when you’re in good health! You should know, however, that putting your future health care wishes in writing can be very helpful to your family members if you were to suddenly find yourself in a position where you can’t make health care decisions for yourself due to being incapacitated by injury or illness.

 Every state has different rules about who makes decisions about your treatment if you are physically unable to do so. In many cases, the decision-making is left in the hands of your health care providers, unless you’ve assigned someone as your legal representative in advance.

 If medical decisions are casually left up to your family, it can be difficult and time-consuming for them to agree on different treatment options. It can also be costly for them to get the legal right to make medical decisions for you, and they may also disagree on who should make these decisions for you. Having a plan with your wishes written out ahead of time can help avoid confusion and disagreements, and it ensures your wishes are honored if you’re unable to speak for yourself!

 Start by talking to your family about your wishes. When you’re ready, completing an advance directive is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and your family to ensure your healthcare wishes are met.

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Early on in Alzheimer’s and related dementias, people experience changes in thinking, remembering, and reasoning in a way that affects daily life and activities. Eventually, people with these diseases will need more help with simple, everyday tasks. This may include bathing, grooming, and dressing. It may be upsetting to the person to need help with such personal activities. Here are a few tips to consider early on and as the disease progresses:

• Try to keep a routine, such as bathing, dressing, and eating at the same time each day.
• Help the person write down to-do lists, appointments, and events in a notebook or calendar.
• Plan activities that the person enjoys and try to do them at the same time each day.
• Consider a system or reminders for helping those who must take medications regularly.
• When dressing or bathing, allow the person to do as much as possible.
• Buy loose-fitting, comfortable, easy-to-use clothing, such as clothes with elastic waistbands, fabric fasteners, or large zipper pulls instead of shoelaces, buttons, or buckles.
• Use a sturdy shower chair to support an unsteady person and to prevent falls. You can buy shower chairs at drug stores and medical supply stores.
• Be gentle and respectful. Tell the person what you are going to do, step by step while you help them bathe or get dressed.
• Serve meals in a consistent, familiar place and give the person enough time to eat.

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Vitamins and minerals are two of the main types of nutrients that your body needs to survive and stay healthy. Find information on some of the essential vitamins recommended for older adults and how to get the recommended amount within your diet.

Vitamins help your body grow and work the way it should. There are 13 essential vitamins — vitamins A, C, D, E, K, and the B vitamins (thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, biotin, B6, B12, and folate).

Vitamins have different jobs to help keep the body working properly. Some vitamins help you resist infections and keep your nerves healthy, while others may help your body get energy from food or help your blood clot properly. By following the Dietary Guidelines, you will get enough of most of these vitamins from food.

Like vitamins, minerals also help your body function. Minerals are elements that our bodies need to function that can be found on the earth and in foods. Some minerals, like iodine and fluoride, are only needed in very small quantities. Others, such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium, are needed in larger amounts. As with vitamins, if you eat a varied diet, you will probably get enough of most minerals.

How can I get the vitamins and minerals I need?

It is usually better to get the nutrients you need from food, rather than a pill. That’s because nutrient-dense foods contain other things that are good for you, like fiber.

Most older adults can get all the nutrients they need from food. But if you aren’t sure, always talk with your doctor or a registered dietitian to find out if you are missing any important vitamins or minerals. Your doctor or dietitian may recommend a vitamin or dietary supplement.

It’s important to be aware that some supplements can have side effects, such as increasing the risk of bleeding after an injury or changing your response to anesthesia during surgery. Supplements can also interact with some medicines in ways that might cause problems. For example, vitamin K can reduce the ability of the common blood thinner warfarin to prevent blood from clotting. If you do need to supplement your diet, your doctor or pharmacist can tell you what supplements and doses are safe for you.

When looking for supplements to buy, you may feel overwhelmed by the number of choices at the pharmacy or grocery store. Look for a supplement that contains the vitamin or mineral you need without a lot of other unnecessary ingredients. Read the label to make sure the dose is not too large. Avoid supplements with megadoses. Too much of some vitamins and minerals can be harmful, and you might be paying for supplements you don’t need. Your doctor or pharmacist can recommend brands that fit your needs.

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By living a healthy lifestyle, you can help keep your blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels normal and lower your risk for heart disease and heart attack.

Choose healthy foods and drinks

Choose healthy meals and snacks to help prevent heart disease and its complications. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and fewer processed foods.

• Eating lots of foods high in saturated fat and trans fat may contribute to heart disease.
• Eating foods high in fiber and low in saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol can help prevent high cholesterol.
• Limiting salt (sodium) in your diet can also lower your blood pressure.
• Limiting sugar in your diet can lower your blood sugar level to prevent or help control diabetes.
• Do not drink too much alcohol, which can raise your blood pressure. Men should have no more than 2 drinks per day, and women no more than 1 drink per day. For more information, visit CDC’s Alcohol and Public Health website.

Keep a healthy weight

People with overweight or obesity have a higher risk for heart disease. Carrying extra weight can put extra stress on the heart and blood vessels.

Don’t smoke

Cigarette smoking greatly increases your risk for heart disease. If you don’t smoke, don’t start. If you do smoke, quitting will lower your risk for heart disease. Your doctor can suggest ways to help you quit.

Get regular physical activity

Physical activity can help you maintain a healthy weight and lower your blood pressure, blood cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. For adults, the Surgeon General recommends 2 hours and 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, like brisk walking or bicycling, every week. Children and adolescents should get 1 hour of physical activity every day.

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Exercise and physical activity are great for your mental and physical health and help keep you independent as you age. Here are a few things you may want to remember when beginning to exercise.

Start slowly when beginning exercise

The key to being successful and safe when beginning a physical activity routine is to build slowly from your current fitness level. Over-exercising can cause injury, which may lead to quitting. A steady rate of progress is the best approach.

To play it safe and reduce your risk of injury:

• Begin your exercise program slowly with low-intensity exercises.
• Warm up before exercising and cool down afterward.
• Pay attention to your surroundings when exercising outdoors.
• Drink water before, during, and after your workout session, even if you don’t feel thirsty. Play catch, kickball, basketball, or soccer.
• Wear appropriate fitness clothes and shoes for your activity.
• If you have specific health conditions, discuss your exercise and physical activity plan with your healthcare provider.

Make notes about how these test exercises feel. If the exercises are hard, do what’s comfortable and slowly build up. If they were easy, you know your level of fitness is higher. You can be more ambitious and challenge yourself.

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If you think you’re being discharged from the hospital too soon, you do have the right to file an appeal. 

You should’ve gotten a notice that explains this right titled, Important Message from Medicare when you were admitted. If you were there more than 3 days, you should receive another copy of the same notice between 4 hours and 2 days before you are to be discharged. 

The Important Message from Medicare notice will have instructions for filing a fast (expedited) appeal. This appeal will be sent to the Quality Improvement Organization (QIO), a company that is contracted to evaluate discharge appeals. For a fast appeal, you must appeal by no later than midnight on the day of your scheduled discharge. Once you file the appeal, the hospital must give you a Detailed Notice of Discharge, which must explain, in specific detail, why the hospital believes that Medicare coverage for your stay is ending, and that discharge is appropriate. You can also send additional information about why you, and your care team, if applicable, believe the discharge is too soon. The QIO should call you within 24 hours with their decision.

If the QIO agrees with the hospital that Medicare coverage of your hospital stay should end, you have the right to continue to appeal to higher levels of review. If you stay in the hospital after the QIO decision agreeing with the hospital, however, you may be responsible for the full cost of your care from the date of that decision forward if you don’t win at a higher level of appeal. There are five levels of appeal, and instructions for the next steps are included in each decision. Keep in mind that at each level there is a separate time limit for when you must file the appeal and when you’ll receive a decision.

Here are a few tips to help you succeed: 

• Follow the appeal timelines for each level.
• Take good notes throughout the process & keep original copies of all documents.
• Include a letter from your doctor or other care team member explaining why your specific circumstances require additional hospital care to support your appeal.
• Contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) for more guidance on your appeal.

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Published by: almanac.com

Do you ever find yourself stressed or anxious? Do seasonal allergies make you unhappy? Do you find it hard to remove splinters or do you wish that there was a good way to relieve a sunburn? Lucky for us, we have nature!

Since the early days of humanity, nature has provided us with solutions for many of our physical and mental troubles. Sometimes this has meant teas or tinctures made with natural elements. Chamomile tea helps us to relax, bee balm calms the nerves, peppermint can help with sinus congestion (and freshen our breath!), and plain old water can help with everything from relieving headaches to muscle cramps.

Sometimes, though, nature itself is the solution to whatever ails us. There’s plenty of research to show that getting out into nature is an excellent way to bring more happiness and ease into our lives.

Natural Remedies for Stress and Anxiety

There’s an Irish proverb that says that a good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor’s book. This sounds simple enough, but sometimes it’s helpful to have some additional options. There are a lot of causes for anxiety and stress, but one of our favorite solutions is a good old-fashioned walk, ideally in nature. A cup of hot tea is another classic stress reliever. Chamomile, mint, or rosemary tea can always bring peace of mind.

Bitten, Bruised, or Burned?

Burns and bites happen. Whether you’re in the kitchen cooking or you run into an angry insect, you or someone you know will have to deal with this kind of unpleasantness at some point. While bites, burns, splinters, and bruises can be annoying, this doesn’t mean that you have to suffer from them. Your kitchen has cures! Oatmeal, potatoes, onions, beef, and cabbage all have helpful properties. How can something like an onion help with an insect bite? Onions contain flavonoids, which promote healing, as well as sulfur, which breaks down the venom and pulls out the toxin from bites, thereby reducing inflammation. Put a slice of onion over the bite and leave it for 30 minutes to an hour.

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