Looking Forward – September 2019
January 14, 2019
Year-Round 'Pneumonia Season'
You hear a lot about cold season and flu seasons. But you don't hear anything about a "season" for a disease that can be a serious threat to the lives of seniors.
The unfortunate reason for this is every month is pneumonia season. Warm weather or cold, it's waiting to strike.
Older people are more likely to get pneumonia than others. Plus, pneumonia can develop in patients already in the hospital for other reasons.
The good news is there is a way to help prevent pneumonia. Medicare Part B covers two vaccines. It covers a shot if you have never received Part B coverage for a pneumonia shot. You're covered for a different, second vaccination one year after receiving the first shot.
Can I get a Medicare Supplement Right Now
You be able to get a plan now.
Medicare says the 'best time' to buy Medicare Supplement Insurance is during your Initial Medicare Open Enrollment Period (around your 65th birthday).
And outside of your personal Open Enrollment, there's no guarantee that you can get a policy.
On the other hand, you have the opportunity to get a quality plan any time. You just have to look in the right places. (Note: The general Annual Open Enrollment coming up in October is not a factor.)
At Cornerstone, we can help you find a plan that can work for you. This is important since Medicare Supplement Insurance can help pay bills Medicare would otherwise leave to you.
Types of Annuities
If you've thought about buying an annuity, you may have wondered which type is right for you.
There are a number of types of annuities. Being able to differentiate between them can help you be a good shopper.
Taking a "big picture" look, the main choices include: returns that are either fixed or variable, and payments that are either an immediate or a deferred. Here is a quick rundown. (1)
- Fixed Annuity - guarantees payment of an amount for the term of the agreement. Payment will not go up or down.
- Variable Annuity - changes with the returns on the fund it's invested in. Payments can go up (or down).
- Immediate Annuity - starts paying you as soon as you make a lump-sum payment.
- Deferred Payment Annuity - starts paying on an arranged future date.
Contact me for answers to all your questions about annuities.
1. Claire Boyte-White, "The Main Types of Annuities Made Easy", Investopedia, Investopedia.com (July 15, 2019)
Find out how much life insurance can mean to you and your loved ones.
Recipe for good health
Honey Soy Grilled Salmon with Edamame.
Salmon brings great taste to this perfect- for- late- summer dish.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup packed cilantro leaves
- Two scallions
- Two tsp vegetable oil
- One tsp grated ginger
- Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
- Four center cut, skin-on wild salmon fillets, about 6 oz each
- Two tsp fresh lime juice
- Two tsp low-sodium soy sauce
- Two teaspoons honey
- 1/4 tsp black sesame seeds
- 1-1/3 cups cooked edamame
- Lime wedges (garnish)
Directions:
Preheat grill over medium-high direct heat. Oil grill grates. Finely chop the cilantro and scallion. Mix in oil and ginger. Season with salt/pepper. Cut two 3-inch long slits through the skin lengthwise on the bottom of the salmon fillets — about halfway into the salmon. Evenly stuff the slits with the herb mixture. Season fish with salt and pepper
Stir together lime juice and soy and honey until smooth. Place salmon, skin side up, on the grill and cook until well-marked (3-4 minutes). Turn the salmon and continue to cook. Brush the tops with the sauce, until fish is cooked through. Transfer to a serving plate. Sprinkle the tops with the sesame seeds. Serve with edamame and lime wedges. 345 calories per serving
Source: Food Network
Keeping your balance
It's estimated that every year more than one out of four of seniors will take a fall. Falls are the leading cause of injuries and death from injuries among older Americans.
The cause of many injuries? poor balance.
A way to improve balance: exercises.
A popular exercise is "Standing on one foot." 3 You stand on one foot, gripping a sturdy chair for balance. Then, you hold for 10 seconds, repeat 10 times, do the same with your other leg, and repeat 15 times with both legs.
2. Centers for Disease Control and prevention, 'Take a Stand on Falls,' CDC.gov (accessed July 21, 2019)
3. Go4Life (National Institute on Aging), 'Stand on One Foot exercise,' NIA.NIH.GOV (accessed July 22, 2019)
Assisting Supportive Family Members – Respite Care
Being both older and in poor health makes for a difficult combination.
But across the country, many family members and others regularly help the people they love get by acting as caregivers. (It's estimated that more than 40 million unpaid caregivers assist patients in the country 4).
One result can be emotional fatigue and frustration for the caregiver.
What the caregiver may need is a break. That's where Respite Care comes in. It involves providing a short-term substitute for the primary caregiver - at home, or in an institution.
Original Medicare will cover respite care in certain circumstances, so will some other plans. Respite Care is a way to make sure the patient gets continues to get good care, and the caregiver enjoys some much needed time away.
If you have questions about Respite Care, let's talk.
4. Danielle Kunkle Roberts, Medicare's Coverage of Respite Care in 2019, SeniorCareCorner.com (accessed July 22, 2019)
Avoid 'One-Ring Fraud'
Authorities are warning seniors against "one ring fraud" 5 It involves ringing your phone once or twice, maybe in the middle of the night.
The criminals want you to call back.
If you do, you pay long-distance fees which usually go into the pocket of the scammer.
If you get a call like this, The Federal Communications Commission warns: don't call back.
Puzzle
