Growth industry

Candidates are visiting The Villages in Florida

2012-01-29T17:31:00.001-05:00

It seems the celebrities and political candidates love The Villages, a retirement community of 85,000 residents located 20 miles south of Ocala, Florida on route 441 with a total of 504 holes of golf. Murray recently sent his e-mail list this item about their visitors. "In the past 2 years we've had Sarah Palin, Glenn Beck (twice), Bill O'Rielly, and Sean Hannity visiting us. This week we had Rick Santorum and John McCain with Newt Gingrich tomorrow and Mitt Romney Monday. Also the Tea Party Express bus will be here tomorrow." In fact, he adds, they've even had Occupiers show up to protest.

"One thing you can be sure of and that would be Obama will NOT be coming to The Villages. He already knows that The Villages special interest group is not potential supporters. They consist of the old and wise. He avoids these people plus most of the middle class that he's trying to screw and doing a dam good job of it!"

Is There a Retirement Crisis?

2012-01-05T20:35:00.000-05:00

The idea of working until the end—or closer to it—isn’t new. Many of today’s retirees have enjoyed decades of relaxation financed by company pensions and Social Security, but for most of history, voluntary retirement was the exception, not the rule. “Up to the end of the nineteenth century, people generally worked as long as they could,” Munnell writes. “At the end of their lives, they had only about two years of ‘retirement,’ often due to ill health.”

Is There a Retirement Crisis? by Nicole Gelinas, City Journal Autumn 2011

Beginning a new year when you're old

2012-01-01T18:03:00.000-05:00

Taken from “Can I Begin Again?” by J. Oswald Sanders:

“When we were younger, most of us who are Christians earnestly sought to discover God’s plan for our lives, especially when we came to the crossroads of career and marriage. Are we equally diligent in seeking his plan for our old age, or are we just drifting along with no definite aim or goal?With more time to review the past, it is not difficult to become discouraged as we recall opportunities missed; a lessening of zeal in God’s service; a mediocre prayer life; or perhaps actual sins of which we have reason to be ashamed. It is at moments of introspection that we need to turn our eyes outward and upward to our loving and understanding Father. What balm a verse like Romans 5:20 can bring! “But where sin increased, grace increased all the more.”The wonderful thing about God’s abundant grace and favor is that it is never too late to discover and follow God’s plan for the remainder of our lives, never too late to make a new start, even if we have missed his plan till the present time.To his disillusioned compatriots, the prophet Joel brought an inspiring message of hope - the hope of a New Beginning. God delights in giving his failing children a chance to begin again...”I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten” (Joel 2:25).

Shared from cousin Gayle's weekly newsletter

Generations and the Great Recession

2012-01-01T18:01:00.000-05:00

The generations are taking care of each other, according to the Pew Research Center.

Section 5: Generations and the Great Recession | Pew Research Center for the People and the Press

It may not be glamorous, but the retirement pay is good

2011-10-10T20:32:00.000-04:00

The base pay for a California state prison guard is $73,728, and with overtime many guards earn up to $100,000 annually. Five years ago Los Angeles Times reported that 6,000 guards were earning more than $100,000. One lieutenant raked in $252,570. Besides generous salaries and benefits, prison guards in California can retire as early as age 50. In retirement they are eligible to receive as much as 90 percent of their income: According to the state retirement formula, guards over 50 receive a percentage of their last year’s salary equal to three times the number of years worked. The prison population is growing 3 times faster than the state population--more jobs for union guards?

The price of prison guard unions

Too Much Debt to Retire

2011-09-08T18:03:00.000-04:00

Although you can blame the economy, this part of the article makes more sense--what was going on for the now 60 year olds in the mid-decade.

"The combination of easy credit, low interest rates and a consumption-oriented culture helped fuel a spending binge for Americans until the financial crisis. People with problems aren't just those who took subprime loans or spent foolishly on lavish lifestyles. They are people from all backgrounds, including some with six-figure incomes."

Too Much Debt to Retire - SmartMoney.com

Valuing Seniors' Lives - Investors.com

2011-06-06T19:41:00.000-04:00

"A commercial showing granny being pushed over a cliff by a person resembling Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., was recently put out by the Agenda Project, implying that the Ryan budget will kill old people by changing Medicare.

For the sake of accuracy, granny should have been dispatched by a character resembling Cass Sunstein, President Obama's head of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.

The Ryan budget attempts to curb the explosive growth of entitlements such as Medicare and Social Security so they are there for granny without burdening the grandchildren with unconscionable debt. Sunstein, as was pointed out during congressional testimony last Friday, literally believes granny should be sacrificed in favor of the kids.

In testimony before the House energy and commerce subcommittees on oversight and investigations, the 56-year-old Sunstein tried to walk back comments he made in a 2003 paper, "Lives, Life-years, and Willingness to Pay," written while he was a professor at Obama's one-time home, the University of Chicago."

Valuing Seniors' Lives - Investors.com

How to travel a lot without being a millionaire | Lifecruiser

2011-06-06T16:29:00.000-04:00

You'll find some good tips from a blogger I've followed for many years. She lives cheap at home so they can afford to travel.

How to travel a lot without being a millionaire | Lifecruiser

Your Retirement Checklist for Your 70s and Beyond

2011-06-06T16:21:00.000-04:00

Take a look at this check-list, you might need to reevaluate. Includes a link to long term care.

Ischemic bowel disease

2011-04-18T16:27:00.000-04:00

Just one more thing for older people to know about--I'd never heard of this condition, but apparently it does affect older people, one article I read said over 60, another over 70.
Ischemia, the noun for ischemic, means a low oxygen state due to inadequate blood flow. Bowel refers to the small and large intestine.

Ischemic bowel disease results from inadequate flow of oxygenated blood to the intestines. The extent of ischemic bowel disease can range from mild to severe based on the amount of damage from lack of oxygenated blood. This is a potentially serious condition and requires care from your doctor.

I received word that a friend was in the hospital, and when I called, I found out she has been in for two weeks, first in ICU, then step down, and she may be transferred to yet another hospital. She became ill at home with vomiting and diarrhea, called a friend to come, but had passed out by the time the friend got there. Another 2 hours delay and she would have been dead.

Read the article. Be informed.

Your Health -

Inspiring

2011-04-10T06:38:00.000-04:00

Although I won't be doing this, it's a good idea! So go after your dream.

HT My thoughts Exactly

Public pension crisis has some bracing for worst

2011-04-04T09:24:00.000-04:00

"A recent study of some 126 state-sponsored pension plans by the Center for Retirement Research revealed that assuming investment returns of 6%, the plans will run out of money by 2023 or 2025, depending on their framework.

Assuming an even more generous 8% investment return, the plans will run out of money in 2033 or 2041."

Should you take out your public pension funds and reinvest on your own?
Investment News
"The Ohio House of Representatives is weighing a slate of changes to the state's five public pension plans, including tying the cost-of-living-adjustment to the Consumer Price Index and capping it at 3%, instead of an automatic 3% increase.

Another part of the law would raise contributions by police officers and firefighters to 12%, from 10%, and raise the age at which employees could take their full pension to 52, from 48."

Although I retired at 60, it looks like today you should plan to work to 65 or 70, unless you've put aside other funds, as we had done. I don't regret a minute that I've had those 10 good years of activities and travel I enjoy--on the other hand, retirement is much more expensive than I imagined. I'm thankful I was able to sock away 15% in tax deferred plans, and for many years learned not to use my income which would have resulted in a more materialistic lifestyle.

Reed Krakoff set to hit fashion big-time after Michelle Obama carries $1,000 tote (and despite the price it's already sold out)

2011-03-12T13:13:00.001-05:00

If a story looks really ridiculous, I run it through Snopes. I know. I know. Conservatives don't like this fact checking website because they say it's just a mom and pop outfit, but hey, I was a librarian for 25 years, and when I was checking facts, most of the time it was just me, by myself. Anyway, when I saw the story about Michelle Obama and the $1,000 handbag with a photo, I thought it was fake or photoshopped. First of all, it's an ugly, ugly bag,and second,it's teal and her shoes are blue. And this woman is giving "sacrifice" a bad name when she tells us to eat our carrots and she goes out for ribs. Could she really follow up that story with something this tacky? Don't know. I've always said her husband wasn't one of us, but I had hopes for her (by not one of us, I don't mean I'm a birther, because if his mother is an American, that's good enough for me).

Reed Krakoff set to hit fashion big-time after Michelle Obama carries $1,000 tote (and despite the price it's already sold out) | Mail Online

If you think this isn't a retirement story, look in your closet at all the funny looking bags you have. Or in the mirror--ha, ha.

In this case, sweating is a good sign

2011-03-11T16:46:00.000-05:00

Recent work led by University of Iowa neuroscientist Natalie Denburg, Ph.D., suggests that for a significant number of older adults, measurable neuropsychological deficits do seem to lead to poor decision-making and an increased vulnerability to fraud. The findings also suggest that these individuals may experience disproportionate aging of a brain region critical for decision-making.

"Our research suggests that elders who fall prey to fraudulent advertising are not simply gullible, depressed, lonely or less intelligent. Rather, it is truly more of a medical or neurological problem," said Denburg, who is an assistant professor of neurology in the UI Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine. "Our work sheds new light on this problem and perhaps may lead to a way to identify people at risk of being deceived."

What I found interesting was that they can measure poor decision making and sweating--apparently, it's good to sweat the small stuff! "Good decision-makers display different anticipatory responses (amount of sweating) prior to a good or a bad choice, which appears to help them discriminate between the two options. In contrast, the older adults with poor decision-making abilities did not sweat more or less when deciding between a good or bad choice."

Link

Financial Health of the Cognitively Impaired May Be Forgotten

2011-02-25T08:56:00.000-05:00

"The capacity to effectively manage one's finances is among the first things to go in individuals with emerging cognitive impairment, the authors note in their report. Patients with MCI may start by having trouble balancing their checkbook and paying bills; then, often within a year, they'll have trouble with more basic financial skills, such as counting coins and paying in cash.

"When a patient is diagnosed with MCI or mild dementia, the patient and family should be told that the patient's ability to manage their finances is going to decline probably relatively rapidly over the next couple of years," Dr. Widera said."

Financial Health of the Cognitively Impaired May Be Forgotten: Report

Save your brain--exercise!

2011-02-24T16:19:00.002-05:00

"Exercise training increases size of hippocampus and improves memory, "
PNAS 2011 108 (7) 3017-3022; published ahead of print January 31, 2011

In the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences study, "scientists started with 120 elderly volunteers who were relatively inactive but did not have dementia. Half were randomly assigned to begin walking 40 minutes a day, three days a week for a year while the remainder only stretched and performed toning exercises for the same time period. After 12 months, the group that walked showed an average 2% growth in the hippocampus compared with when they began, while the control groups suffered a more than 1% shrinkage in the same region compared with when the study started.

“If you estimate the change at an individual level,” says study co-author Arthur Kramer of the University of Illinois, “a yearlong exercise program can turn back the clock about two years with respect to the volume of the hippocampus.” "

Read more: http://healthland.time.com/2011/01/31/want-to-improve-your-memory-take-a-walk/#ixzz1Euftky36

Boomers Find 401(k) Plans Come Up Short

2011-02-21T08:58:00.000-05:00

You have to read to the midsection or botton to see why: many boomers started too late with too little. Vanguard now recommends 15% be set aside for retirement. Also, I'm not sure who came up with that idea that retirement life requires less than your working life. It's very expensive to do the things you waited all your life to do--or in my case, didn't know you wanted to do until you got there. And no, you can't retire early if you are paying off your kids college loans, got a divorce in mid-life, still have a mortgage, or you want to go out to eat a lot and travel more. Increase your savings, decrease your want list.

Boomers Find 401(k) Plans Come Up Short - WSJ.com

Healthy Lifestyles Related to Subsequent Prevalence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration

2011-01-04T16:07:00.001-05:00

Another reason to exercise, not smoke, and eat all the colors, just like mother said. Age related macular degeneration might be reduced as much as 3-fold.

Archives of Ophthalmology -- Abstract: Healthy Lifestyles Related to Subsequent Prevalence of Age-Related Macular Degeneration, December 13, 2010, Mares et al. 0 (2010): archophthalmol.2010.314v1

Walking reduces Alzheimer's progression, 1.5-tesla MRI shows

2011-01-04T15:56:00.000-05:00

"With the help of 1.5-tesla MRI, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have found that walking 5 miles per week helps reduce the progression of mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease in adults already afflicted with the condition, according to a study presented today at the RSNA annual meeting.

The findings expand upon results of a previous study released last month, which found that walking at least 6 miles per week helped to preserve brain size and prevent the onset of dementia in healthy adults."

Read more here. Lethean Cottage: Walking reduces Alzheimer's progression, 1.5-tesla MRI shows

Blood test could diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, UT Southwestern researchers find | Science Blog

2010-12-29T16:00:00.000-05:00

"A set of proteins found in blood serum shows promise as a sensitive and accurate way to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found as part of a statewide study.

An analysis of the proteins, plus a clinical exam, proved 94 percent accurate in detecting suspected Alzheimer’s and 84 percent accurate in ruling it out in people without the disease, the researchers said."

Blood test could diagnose Alzheimer’s disease, UT Southwestern researchers find | Science Blog

A new category

2010-12-24T11:58:00.000-05:00

One of my regular reads is JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), and today I discovered I'm in a new health category:

"community dwelling ambulatory older adult without a prior heart failure diagnosis."

I'm so pleased.

J&J Hip Replacement Lawsuits Given to One Judge - Bloomberg

2010-12-17T11:04:00.000-05:00

Hip replacements are no fun. First there's the pain you tolerate for years until it's intolerable; then the decision; then the surgery; and finally the rehab, and the thought, "Why didn't I do this sooner?" Imagine having one recalled!

"All pretrial proceedings in federal lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson over recalled devices used in hip-replacement surgery will be overseen by a federal judge in Ohio, a judicial panel decided.

U.S. District Judge David A. Katz in federal court in Toledo will supervise evidence-gathering efforts in cases over the ASR XL Acetabular System, which J&J’s DePuy Orthopaedics unit recalled on Aug. 26 after the implants stopped functioning properly."

J&J Hip Replacement Lawsuits Given to One Judge - Bloomberg

No, I haven't had one, but I know many who have.

Health law cut some retirement costs, but retirees will still need big savings

2010-12-12T19:53:00.002-05:00

Even though the new health reform law will reduce some health costs in retirement for many people, retirees will still need a significant amount of savings to cover their out-of-pocket health expenses when they retire, according to a report released by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI). Women in particular will need more savings than men because they tend to live longer.

For instance, EBRI finds that men retiring in this year (2010) at age 65 will need anywhere from $65,000–$109,000 in savings to cover health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses in retirement if they want a 50–50 chance of being able to have enough money; to improve the odds to 90 percent, they’ll need between $124,000–$211,000.

Women retiring this year at 65 will need even more: between $88,000–$146,000 in savings if they are comfortable with a 50 percent chance of having enough money, and $143,000–$242,000 if they want a 90 percent chance.

These estimates are for Medicare beneficiaries age 65 and older: Anyone retiring early, before age 65, would need even more.

The new EBRI analysis details how much savings an individual or couple will need to cover Medicare and out-of-pocket health care expenses in retirement, updating earlier EBRI simulation results from 2008. Some prior estimates have been significantly revised downward as a result of changes to Medicare Part D (prescription drug) cost sharing that will be phased in by 2020 due to the recently enacted health reform law, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA).

SOURCE: “Funding Savings Needed for Health Expenses for Persons Eligible for Medicare,” www.ebri.org.

Quality of death

2010-12-01T19:26:00.000-05:00

The United Kingdom ranks number one in quality of death. Apparently, it's a few bricks short of a load in health care, but excels in death care. The Economist Intelligence Unit was commissioned by the Lien Foundation of Singapore, a philanthropic organization, to devise a ”Quality of Death” Index to rank countries according to their provision of end-of-life care. What makes up a "good death?" "The UK has led the way in terms of its hospice care network and statutory involvement in end-of-life care, and ranks top of 40 countries measured in the Index (see Figure 1). This is despite having a far-from-perfect healthcare system (indeed, it ranks 27th on the Basic End-of Life Healthcare Environment sub-category, which accounts for 20% of the overall score). But the UK is top in the Quality of End-of-Life Care sub-category, which includes indicators such as public awareness, training availability, access to pain killers and doctor- patient transparency (and accounts for 40% of the overall score)." The link is for the summary, but there is a white paper available.

EIU.com

Clean restrooms

2010-09-09T16:28:00.000-04:00

If it's one thing we retired people appreciate, it's clean restrooms, right? Something in our anatomy means we need the facilities more often, and being retired, we travel more than before, so we're often gazing at something growing, or going.

The loveliest public facility on an interstate just has to be Salt Kettle in Illinois, between Danville and Champaign-Urbana. It's a place you can look forward to--worth crossing your leg for 'til you get there. The photo (taken from Google) doesn't show the setting. It probably wouldn't get a Golden Plunger award, however, the setting is worth not getting back in the car so quickly and taking off. There are a lovely pond, wonderful trees, and many birds and wildlife.

The modern version of an old song

2010-09-09T15:54:00.000-04:00

An e-mail said Julie Andrews performed this for AARP, "My Favourite Things" from the legendary movie "The Sound Of Music." Here are the actual lyrics she used:

Maalox and nose drops and needles for knitting,
Walkers and handrails and new dental fittings,
Bundles of magazines tied up in string,
These are a few of my favourite things.

Cadillac's and cataracts, and hearing aids and glasses,
Polident and Fixodent and false teeth in glasses,
Pacemakers, golf carts and porches with swings,
These are a few of my favourite things..

When the pipes leak, When the bones creak,
When the knees go bad,
I simply remember my favourite things,
And then I don't feel so bad.

Hot tea and crumpets and corn pads for bunions,
No spicy hot food or food cooked with onions,
Bathrobes and heating pads and hot meals they bring,
These are a few of my favourite things.

Back pains, confused brains, and no need for sinnin',
Thin bones and fractures and hair that is thinnin',
And we won't mention our short, shrunken frames,
When we remember our favourite things.

When the joints ache, When the hips break,
When the eyes grow dim,
Then I remember the great life I've had,
And then I don't feel so bad.

B vitamins slow brain shrinkage

2010-09-09T14:43:00.001-04:00

Just in time. Not a minute too soon.

"Results from the double-blind controlled trial, published in the journal Public Library of Science One, revealed the annual rate of brain atrophy in subjects who took B vitamins was almost 30 per cent less than those on a placebo. Researchers involved in the 24-month trial believe the findings may be the first step in finding a way to delay the onset of Alzheimer’s."
B vitamins slow brain shrinkage - Pharmacy News

"Homocysteine-Lowering by B Vitamins Slows the Rate of Accelerated Brain Atrophy in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Randomized Controlled Trial," A David Smith, Stephen M Smith, Celeste A de Jager, Philippa Whitbread, Carole Johnston, Grzegorz Agacinski, Abderrahim Oulhaj, Kevin M Bradley, Robin Jacoby, Helga Refsum

PLoS ONE: Research Article, published 08 Sep 2010, 10.1371/journal.pone.0012244

Easy to follow check list for estate planning and paper trail

2010-03-27T09:18:00.004-04:00

This March 24 article in the NYT is a good reminder. It covers wills and trusts; beneficiaries; health care proxies and guardianship; titling of assets; non-marriage relationships; and perhaps most important, finding the documents when you're gone.

Paper Trail

I'll take what they're having

2010-01-24T16:17:00.003-05:00

Congress has wonderful health care--they have choices. Lots of them. Apparently, that works for them.

Blog, Prospect Magazine

"As soon as members of Congress are sworn in, they may participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP). The program offers an assortment of health plans from which to choose, including fee-for-service, point-of-service, and health maintenance organizations (HMOs). In addition, Congress members can also insure their spouses and their dependents. . ."

Read more at Suite101: Health Care for U.S. Congress: Politicians Receive the Country’s Best Care - at Taxpayers' Expense

Here come the Boomers

2010-01-12T16:45:00.001-05:00

"By 2029, all of the baby boomers (those born in the post World War II period 1946–1964) will be age 65 years and over (1). As a result, the population age 65–74 years will increase from 6% to 10% of the total population between 2006 and 2030 (data table for Figure 1). As the baby boomers age, the population 75 years of age and over will rise from 6% in 2006 to 9% of the population by 2030 and continue to grow to 12% in 2050. By 2040, the population age 75 years and over will exceed the population 65–74 years of age." Health, United States, 2008 Chartbook section

Heard you were retiring

2010-01-10T13:26:00.003-05:00

Dear Cousins,

I see by your Christmas cards and letters of 2008 and 2009, that you both have retirement plans--now or soon. Congratulations if that has actually happened. I retired in 2000 and have really enjoyed it. I’m doing a lot of things I had on my PEP list (post employment plan), but the most time consuming, blogging, wasn’t around then. I’ve been a blogger since 2003, and now have 12 blogs. I’m out of control, obviously. But writing and writing workshops were on my list.

My biggest worry about retirement (other than money, of course) was that I had no hobbies. Like my dad in that respect. And we have no grandchildren, which seems to take up the time of most of our friends. But, time certainly hasn’t been a problem. About a year before I retired, I kept a note book in my purse and jotted down things from the local paper that looked interesting. Then, being a librarian, I organized them, and guess what? Everything I liked to do as child floated to the top: writing, drawing/art, reading/research and animals! Whoddathunkit? One of the very last things on this list was “bird watching,” and my colleagues had even given me binoculars for a retirement gift in 2000 when they saw it. But this past summer at Lakeside I joined the bird watching group and volunteered for the Midwest Bird Symposium in September and just loved it. Boy--are those folks committed!!

Together we started an art ministry at our Lutheran church, and I just finished up 10 years with that, but he’s stayed with it. I did take a few years of art lessons, and do participate in art classes during the summer, but that’s been pretty slow. I’m a better artist than most people who try it, but not good enough to suit me! He paints much more than I do, and sold 11 paintings last year.

We have traveled much more than I ever imagined--we go with U. of I. Alumni groups when we can because of the educational component, but have done some on our own too, like an Alaska cruise, Amtrak to California and back, Finland and Russia, and local U.S. stuff with some architects.

Finding a good balance for volunteering hasn’t been easy. I do quite a bit at the church, and served lunch at the senior center and used to visit nursing homes, but I tend to be somewhat of a loner--not much into committees, task forces and groups. So I help out where I can--I don’t think God is keeping a check list of approved agencies--plus, laws are so strict now on what volunteers can do. Just keep a casserole in the freezer, and take it out when needed. No license needed to be neighborly.

I also joined a book club--so I am forced to read fiction, which I rarely did before, although we do all types. I visited a horse show which was on my list, but only one. Those are expensive, but I did get to pet some noses. Genealogy--I’m a dabbler. I need the names and dates of your grandchildren for the database.

So let me know how it’s going--you can always catch up with me at my blog http://collectingmythoughts.blogspot.com

The halt and the lame

2009-11-01T12:18:00.003-05:00

Today we were communion servers at first service (8:15). I try to be presentable--those parts that show. We wear neck to ankle white robes with a tie belt. I don't wear open toe shoes or sandals, because people are at the communion rail looking down--just about 2' from my shoes. I make sure my fingernails are clean and manicured, nails trimmed. Not much perfume or cologne. OK.

Friday night we were both injured. On our hands. I was getting ready for bed and somehow, while removing a piece of underwear, something that had both elastic and a little metal slider slipped lose and smacked the knuckle of the middle finger left hand. Ow, that hurt. Then I looked at it and within seconds it began to swell and turn blue. Must have been some sort of delicate blood vessel close to the surface. But I turned on the TV and climbed into bed. It was warm on Friday and I was enjoying having the windows open, perhaps for the last time of the season, listening to the insects and the train whistle in the distance. My husband came in the room and in the dark began to bring the storm window down. I asked him not to, but he insisted it was going to get cold. What's the temperature, I asked. 72. Please leave it up, I'm enjoying it--it's NOT cold. Just then the half raised very heavy storm fell on the tip of his middle finger. He screamed and writhed on the floor. I thought I might have to call the squad. For all I knew his finger could have been out on the patio! (It was dark.) Blood was squirting, I kid you not. He rushed into the bathroom and rinsed it while I searched for a band-aid. He's OK, but couldn't paint yesterday and is wearing a band-aid to protect it.

Today the bruised (my finger is purple) and bandaged Bruces offered the blood and body of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to other clumsy but redeemed sinners.

You need really deep roots

2009-06-28T10:58:00.005-04:00

during this time of life.

Wednesday afternoon at Lakeside on Lake Erie I attended a lecture about trees. The speaker told about the importance of a lot of water early in their growth; about the wrong way to mulch (volcano instead of donut--the roots will girdle the tree and strangle it); the danger locally of the Emerald ash borer; how to prune; invasive species (Norway Maple, Tree of Heaven); and the problem of the silver Maple. Our speaker said they grow fast, but their life expectancy is about the same as a human. Also, they require a lot of care. One specie I wasn't familiar with was the Chinkapin Oak, or Chinquapen. He said the leaf was similar to a chestnut and that it was urban tree of the year.

However, Thursday evening we had a terrific wind storm in southern Michigan and northwestern Ohio, and we lost power--some for several hours, others for 2 days. When I walked around the grouds, I saw many damaged and fallen trees, a number were silver Maples. One huge tree on the lakefront had fallen on another and sheared limbs off of that one. At 2nd and Plum at that park, it looked like another fallen silver Maple.

But up on 7th street (7 blocks from the lake) a saw a huge tree had fallen in the yard of the old Danbury school (now boarded up). The root circumferance was huge, maybe 7 or 8 ft., sheared off almost at ground level, but the depth of the roots was very shallow because it was growing on rocks. There have been quarries around here even before the town. Trees perhaps are like people. You can get so far, but if the wind really starts to blow, you'd better hope your roots of faith go really deep. I brought a leaf home; I think it is a Chinkapin Oak.

Aging in Place

2009-06-14T18:45:00.002-04:00

The Kiplinger Connection at AIArchitect says:

Do you suppose it was all those hurricanes?

Exercise is important

2009-02-25T15:29:00.005-05:00

In the 1980s I took a Jackie Sorenson Aerobics class. Eventually, I lost 20 pounds and really was in the best condition of my life. Here's a photo of my friend Nancy and me (I'm on the right) when the class was doing a Blues Brothers routine. We're not sure, but we think it is 1986.

I had to lose that same 20 pounds again in 1993, the late 90s, and again in 2006. Seems to want to hang around. Doesn't come off as easy as it used to.

Four Pensions

2009-02-24T18:37:00.002-05:00

I talked to a retiree today who is having no problem in "this economy." He and his wife between them have four pensions--two social security and two defined benefit programs. Of course, those benefits are invested in the stock market, so he'd better pay attention. Or maybe not--he'll sleep better. He says they live on one pension and save the other three. Their home has been paid for for years. He drives a Prius and loves it. Their other car is a 1996 something with under 70,000 miles.

Good news for coffee drinkers

2009-01-17T16:49:00.001-05:00

"Midlife Coffee and Tea Drinking and the Risk of Late-Life Dementia: A Population-based CAIDE Study." Marjo H. Eskelinen, Tiia Ngandu, Jaakko Tuomilehto, Hilkka Soininen, Miia Kivipelto. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, Vol 16, No 1, January 2009 (in press). Link.

Abstract: Caffeine stimulates central nervous system on a short term. However, the long-term impact of caffeine on cognition remains unclear. We aimed to study the association between coffee and/or tea consumption at midlife and dementia/Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk in late-life. Participants of the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia (CAIDE) study were randomly selected from the survivors of a population-based cohorts previously surveyed within the North Karelia Project and the FINMONICA study in 1972, 1977, 1982 or 1987 (midlife visit). After an average follow-up of 21 years, 1409 individuals (71%) aged 65 to 79 completed the re-examination in 1998. A total of 61 cases were identified as demented (48 with AD). Coffee drinkers at midlife had lower risk of dementia and AD later in life compared with those drinking no or only little coffee adjusted for demographic, lifestyle and vascular factors, apolipoprotein E ε4 allele and depressive symptoms. The lowest risk (65% decreased) was found in people who drank 3-5 cups per day. Tea drinking was relatively uncommon and was not associated with dementia/AD. Coffee drinking at midlife is associated with a decreased risk of dementia/AD later in life. This finding might open possibilities for prevention of dementia/AD.

Happiness

2009-01-16T18:54:00.002-05:00

If in your domestic life you would be supremely happy you must not forget the old adage: "The husband must not see and the wife must be blind." The Gospel Messenger, December 18, 1888.

New Year's Problem Solving

2009-01-02T05:58:00.003-05:00

The only item that applied to me in the New Year's Day "How to fix your life in 2009" article in the Wall Street Journal was this one. And many retirees need to be on the alert--especially if you live in the the mid-west.

Problem: You work indoors, live in a cold climate and wear sunscreen to protect your skin -- and you wonder if you're getting enough vitamin D.

Solution: Have your vitamin D level checked. Experts think many people aren't getting enough these days, and that can put you at higher risk for a variety of problems, including osteoporosis, heart attacks, high blood pressure, multiple sclerosis, macular degeneration, mental illness, chronic pain and many cancers. Your doctor can check your D level with a blood test, which costs about $100 and is usually covered by insurance. Make sure the test measures 25-hydroxyvitamin D, not 1, 25-dihydroxyvitamin D. A concentration of less than 20 nanograms per milliliter is considered deficient, and more than 30 npm is healthier.

If you are low, you can boost your level with inexpensive supplements. Current U.S. guidelines call for 200 international units per day from birth through age 50; 400 IUs from 51 through 70 and 600 IUs from age 71 on. Many medical organizations now think that's too low. The American Academy of Pediatrics says children should have 400 IUs a day, and the National Osteroporsis Foundation thinks adults over age 50 should have at least 800 to 1,000.

In most of the U.S., being in the sun for at least 20 minutes a day can boost your D level nicely but also raise your risk of developing skin cancer.

—Melinda Beck

I was tested for Vit. D levels about 2 years ago as part of my annual exam, and must say, I failed miserably. I'd never heard of "low vit. D" but my wonderful internist, Dr. Bill Wulf is always ahead of me.

Double whammy if you're 70 and a half

2008-12-26T09:54:00.001-05:00

President Bush has signed legislation that will temporarily suspend the penalty for seniors who fail to take the required minimum distribution from IRA and employer retirement accounts in 2009, but you’ll still need to do the required distribution for 2008--and that’s based on your fund balance at the end of 2007. Not good, folks, not good. Imagine this (and I know you can with little trouble). Congress just had to rush through that horrendous September bailout which was supposed to create more credit from banks so they could help business. At least, that’s the way we were told it would work. But so far, all that’s happened is a run on the government for more bailouts, from the auto industry to universities to home builders. And the lending institutions have continued to give their year end bonuses and perks. But those mental midgets we elected just couldn’t figure out a way to rush through a plan to change the wording in the 2008 requirement--the year a lot of us lost 40-50% of the value of our accounts. How tough would it have been to change 70.5 to 71.5 or 72.5? I'm not sure this is the best source, but I'm going with it now because it doesn't require registration. Full text of HR 7327 here, but use your "find" command (control F) with the word "retirement" to get to the correct section.

Wants not needs

2008-12-20T06:49:00.004-05:00

Christmas is a tough time for us retirees. The kids, spouse, sister/brother, buddy asks, What do you want for Christmas, and you can't think of a thing. I've been married 48 years, I'm 69, and if there's anything I need or want it's usually pretty small (Clariton, new pair of hose, mittens) I just buy it. But just let me walk through Macy's at the before 1 p.m. sale on a Friday, and all of a sudden, I'm standing at the "Take another 50% off" sale rack. It's not that I believe the "originally was" tag--clothes are never that. But when it's new and costs less than I could get it at a resale shop (my favorite is Discovery cancer shop here in Columbus), I do stop and push around the merchandise. Yesterday I bought this little jacket--full of bright colors and patterns--with western detailing and metal buttons. Not me, but $9, from the "original" $58, and I'm as big a sucker as the next mama.

Media hype wrong again

2008-11-30T12:53:00.003-05:00

Cross posted at Collecting my Thoughts

So much for all the gloom, doom and disaster the media were promoting. Who are their sources? The people went out on Black Friday and increased spending by 3% over last year. And for once I'm glad. The jobs they saved may be their neighbors or their own. Now we'll get all the qualifying stories from the journalists and consultants who got it wrong. The "yes, but," excuses.

Anyone in retirement years can see we're heading for a bad time, just open your latest statement. It's not like 2004 when the Kerry/Edwards campaign continually bad mouthed the economy for over a year, Bush, new jobs, etc. and the media chimed right in. It's not 2006 when the Democrats took over Congress by campaigning on the bad economy (that wasn't) and then rode it into the ditch by making no corrections the president wanted. The week after the 2004 election it was all good economic news again. Because we don't have time for it turn around like it did in the late 80s, and the late 90s and after 9/11, it's going to be a challenge for retirees--especially if they don't fix that 70.5 age for drawing down IRAs based on Dec. 31, 2007 balances. People my age didn't grow up expecting everything, so we are probably better off than the younger boomers who thought life would always be a bigger house, or a new leased car every other year, or a vacation in Aruba.

Does Retirement Kill You? No.

2008-11-17T18:22:00.001-05:00

Didn't think so. All the retirees I know are too busy to die. Now, retirement accounts. That's another matter.

Abstract:
The magnitude of the effect that health has on the retirement decision has long been studied. We examine the reverse relationship, whether or not retirement has a direct impact on later-life health. In order to identify the causal relationship, we use unexpected early retirement window offers to instrument for retirement behavior. They are legally required to be unrelated to the baseline health of the individual, and are significant predictors of retirement. We find that there is no negative effect of early retirement on men's health, and if anything, a temporary increase in self-reported health and improvements in health of highly educated workers. While this is consistent with previous literature using Social Security ages as instruments, we also find some evidence that anticipation of retirement might also be important, and might bias the previous estimates towards zero.

"Does Retirement Kill You? Evidence from Early Retirement Windows"
by Norma B. Coe, Maarten Lindeboom
(November 2008) IZA DP No. 3817

Cross posted at Collecting My Thoughts

Think Again Grants

2008-10-19T12:01:00.002-04:00

I saw an article in the Columbus Dispatch that Columbus State has $3 million in grants for older, new students but can't find them. Columbus State, which was just a tiny, little thing when we moved here now has 24,000 students. The $1,000 grant is for tuition, for a new (or almost new) student taking at least 6 hours, spread over 3 quarters. Maybe now is the time for you to think about taking that college credit class?

What's wrong with this picture?

2008-09-21T13:59:00.003-04:00

Reading through this LA Times article, you see that the current down turn is not the problem. These retirees had too much debt and were taking too much risk. All bubbles burst. There were recessions in 1973-75, 1981-82, 1990-91, and I personally know what was happening to my investments in 1999, and we know what happened after 9/11. So why does any retiree think the next 20 or 30 years will be different than the past?

The golden years have lost their glow

Testosterone therapy for men

2008-08-02T09:38:00.002-04:00

Testosterone therapy: Can it help older men feel young again? According to MayoClinic.com (one of the Mayo Clinic's three main Web sites which provide health information and tools) the jury is still out on testosterone therapy for older men.

Consider the list of pros and cons when evaluating testosterone therapy that are included in the article.

Arthritis and exercise

2008-07-28T06:19:00.002-04:00

It may seem counterintuitive, but a recent study confirms that people with osteoarthritis can improve mobility and enhance their quality of life with modest levels of exercise. Take a look at the summary at the Johns Hopkins Health Alert Good News about Exercise and Arthritis

No senior discount here

2008-07-11T12:27:00.001-04:00

There are some retirement places, like this one in Plano, Texas, where folks aren't worried about senior discounts or flat stock accounts.

Song of the Other Sister

2008-06-11T16:09:00.006-04:00

Glucosamine chondroitin
maybe some ibuprofen
Viactiv with calcium
fish oil and Senior Centrum.

Ohioans need some D,
build those bones for all to see;
Stretch and bend, wear socks and shoes,
Take a walk after the news.

Breathe deeply, now in and out,
wave to your friends give a shout,
life is good we can't complain,
but we'd settle for less pain.

Summer poem

2008-06-10T18:04:00.003-04:00

Bikes and grass and summer things
Tea with ice, a thought that clings--
Yellow roses, gray blue eyes,
Summer romance--a young girl's sighs.
Hot rod cars, loud and steamy,
Didn't we think they were so dreamy?
Now we smile and say good-bye,
while watching rain clouds in the sky.

Glucosamine chondroitin

2008-06-09T18:00:00.002-04:00

On my last check up I mentioned to my doctor that I've developed some hip pain, that goes away within a few minutes after moving around. "Arthritis," he said, and suggested I try Glucosamine chondroitin.

"Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis in the United States and has a major effect on the health-related quality of life. In 2004, the estimated direct and indirect medical costs associated with all forms of arthritis exceeded $86 billion. Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are the most widely used dietary supplements for osteoarthritis, with estimated sales in 2004 approaching $730 million."This study looked at its use, but decided stricter standards were needed before a final decision could be made.

Time to Talk campaign

2008-06-09T16:29:00.001-04:00

The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has launched Time to Talk, an educational campaign to encourage patients—particularly those age 50 or older—and their health care providers to openly discuss the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). CAM is a group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not presently considered to be part of conventional medicine, such as herbal supplements, meditation, naturopathy, and acupuncture. Read more

Fat grandmothers

2008-03-24T18:09:00.002-04:00

I had none. I'm so fortunate that I had both my paternal and maternal grandparents in my life, and my great-grandparents lived just a few doors away when I was very young. My grandmothers weren't fat, or even plump or curvy. If your grandmother is a member of my generation, you probably can't say that.

Today I was reading "Aging, adiposity, and calorie restriction," by Luigi Fontana and Samuel Klein in the March 7, 2007 JAMA. It's a very cautious and conservative review of the literature from 1966 through December 2006 in PubMed (the largest and most famous medical literature database) which concludes from all the studies done on calorie restriction in the last 40 years that calorie restriction in adult men and women causes beneficial metabolic, hormonal, and functional changes, but (and here's the cautious part) the precise amount of calorie intake or body fat mass associated with optimal health and longevity in humans is not known. And after laying out all this fabulous research (139 citations), the authors take a buy-out and decide that because calorie restriction is difficult to maintain long-term, we might have to turn to a pharmacological agent for a solution. Cha-ching. There's no money in eating less, moving more.

That's what got me thinking about my grandmothers, both of whom lived to their late 80s. One was born in 1876 and the other in 1895, young enough to be the other's daughter (my great grandmother was born in 1873), a time when life expectancy at birth was about 45. Their generations benefited from better hygiene, but I doubt that either ever had a vaccination. It's possible that very late in life they might have had an antibiotic. I don't know much about their early lives, but given the times, I'm sure they were both breast fed by non-smoking mothers. They didn't give birth in hospitals. They both lived their childhood and early married life on farms a few miles from each other, but didn't work in the fields. Housework, however, was much more physical in those days. I use Grandma Mary's pressing irons as book-ends--they were heated on the cookstove and weigh 10-15 lbs. Water was pumped outside and carried in to be heated either in the stove or on it. Grandma Mary was wealthier than Grandma Bessie and did have a German woman as household help, but they would've worked side by side. And both gardened (potatoes, carrots, cabbage, tomatoes, beans, turnips) and raised chickens for meat and eggs. Root crops could be stored, and beans and tomatoes were canned for winter, but table fare was pretty bland and boring. Both women baked their own bread. Beef was not on the table in either household. Grandma Mary rarely served meat, except chicken occasionally, and Grandma Bessie would have only had fatty pork, sausage, or a tough old chicken, too old to lay. Cows were for milk (cash crop) and butter (for cooking), and when you think about it, they were much more difficult to butcher for a single family than a pig or chicken. There wasn't even much in the way of fruit, maybe a few apples, grapes for juice or berries.

According to the authors, the first calorie restriction study was done in 1935 when it was discovered that limiting calories in lab rats increased their life span by 30-60%. Food shortages during WWII in some European countries were associated with a sharp decrease in coronary heart disease, and although this article didn't mention it, I've seen reports like that on breast cancer. Again, the authors use cautious language, but say "population studies suggest that lifestyle factors, such as sedentary lifestyle, dietary intake, and adiposity, are responsible for up to 70% of chronic disease and are a major contributor to reduced longevity. . . data suggest that a BMI at the low end of normal (18.5-24.9) is associated with optimal metabolic and cardiovascular health."

Cross posted at Collecting My Thoughts.

Reduce need for drugs with massage

2008-03-19T13:54:00.002-04:00

The Wall St. Journal on March 10 had an article about the Providence Rest nursing home which caters to retired nuns. A licensed massage therapist has cut the home's use of antipsychotic drugs for agitated patients from 30% down to 2 or 3%. Read the story here.

Don't forget your nap

2008-02-20T12:33:00.003-05:00

Retirees can enjoy the health benefits of a nap. I was browsing my sign-in at JAMA and the archives today, and noticed this at Arch Intern Med. 2007;167:296-301, "Siesta in Healthy Adults and Coronary Mortality in the General Population." They don't have much evidence for women because very few died during the study, but for men it is clear: the habit of a regular mid-day nap lengthens their lives.

How this study was done

What was found

Summary

Five Healthly Resolutions for Women

2008-01-09T09:08:00.000-05:00

Five Healthy Resolutions for Women appeared at WebMD. I've added my own comments, and not lifted large sections to post, so pop on over and read the whole article. We've heard it all before, but January 2008 is a good time to renew your resolves of 2007.

Eat, but don’t pig out. All or nothing approach will kill your resolution. When I lost 20 lbs. a year ago, I had a list of things I would avoid, like French fries and cheese, but I allowed myself my favorite restaurant meal on Friday nights--Philly Cheese steak with Fries--which had just about everything on the list!

Jump outside the box. Most workout intentions fall by the wayside by February. Like the diet, don’t be unrealistic. If you hate exercise or you aren’t athletic (like me), you won’t get there by resolving to be different. It’s just you. Park further away. Take the stairs. Take dance lessons. Volunteer to walk a neighbor’s dog. Wear a pedometer.

Guard against the bone thief. Women and osteoporosis. For postmenopausal women 1,000-1,500 milligrams daily if on menopausal hormone therapy. Exercise helps the bones too, as does good nutrition. Smoking and alcohol have to be watched too. To paraphrase Ben Stein, nothing you overindulge in when you're young is worth being disabled or an invalid when you're older.

Get an A+ in taking health exams. Mammogram. Bone density. Pap smear. The colonoscopy is the only exam we have that actually can prevent cancer--find a polyp and have it removed before it causes trouble all during the exam. Colon cancer is so nasty--and so preventable.

Take care of the caregiver. Stress can really lower your immune system. Moms and daughters seem to always be looking out for someone else. Take the time to assess your situation. Who'll take care of everyone else if you're laid up?

Besdine's Boomers

2008-01-01T06:35:00.000-05:00

Dr. Richard Besdine uses the mnemonic "Besdine's Boomers" to remember these mid-life strategies for healthy aging.

Blood pressure -- get screened at least once a year and treat appropriately if high
Exercise -- keep the mind and body as vigorously active as possible
Smoking -- stop as soon as you can; the benefits accrue immediately
Driving -- have a physician evaluate you for driving risk
Immunizations -- get a flu shot every year and a pneumococcal vaccine once
Nutrition -- proper nutrition is critical, especially for cardiovascular health
Environment -- keep your home environment safe with smoke and carbon monoxide detectors; get rid of toxic substances under the sink
Screen for cancer regularly -- Colon cancer screening as recommended by your physician; skin should be evaluated by a physician once a year; for women a mammogram annually and a pap smear as recommended by your physician

Booze -- avoid excessive alcohol; alcohol and smoking accelerate bone loss
Osteoporosis -- women and men should get a minimum of 1500 mg. calcium a day; one-quarter of all hip fractures in the elderly occur in men
Oral health -- healthy teeth and good dentures are important for proper eating; see your dentist annually
Mobility -- stay as active as possible
Emotional health -- too little attention is paid to stress reduction in old age, when events such as the loss of work and the death of friends and spouses can cause stress and emotional upheaval
Rx drug safety -- beware of taking outdated and conflicting medicines
Social Networks -- important for stress reduction and overall emotional health

Richard W. Besdine, M.D.
Professor of Medicine and Director,
University of Connecticut Center on Aging,
University of Connecticut Health Center

Seen at Alliance for Aging Research

Unbelievably good deals

2007-12-23T18:32:00.000-05:00

This is a terrific little reference book. "Unbelievably good deals and great adventures that you absolutely can't get unless you're over 50" by Joan Rattner Heilman, 2007-2008 edition, McGraw Hill, 2007, will set you to dreaming about what you're going to do with all that free time when you are retired. There are 19 chapters on travel, education, sports, shopping, etc. Chapters 2-12 actually deal in some way with travel--lodging or airfares, tours, cutting costs, etc. This author doesn't want you to pay sticker price for anything. Always ask about a senior discount.

If you are a single man over age 45 and a great dancer, consider being a "host". You can cruise for (almost) free, working 3-4 hours a day. All you have to do is not get romantically involved with any of the passengers.

This summer at Lakeside I met a kite-flying teacher who was wildly enthusiastic about the Evergreen bed and breakfast club, which is featured in this book. It's for people over 50, has 3,500 members and 2,000 host locations. A couple pays $15 for each overnight stay. The club dues are $60 (single) and $75 (couple). Check www.evergreenclub.com.

Recommended automobiles

2007-11-23T13:30:00.000-05:00

Jonathan Welsh of the WSJ recommends the following cars if you've had a knee replacement: 4 door Ford 500 (Taurus), Chevrolet Impala, Buick Lucerne and Dodge Charger or Chrysler 300. Can't imagine trying to get into a Charger with bad or stiff knees.

More stuff, more stress

2007-10-04T18:19:00.000-04:00

A few years ago, a well-heeled girlfriend told me that her 80-something mother was living in a tiny trailer in Arizona with a minimum amount of furnishings. She'd told her family, "When I die, just push it over the cliff." She wasn't poor; but she'd learned what most of us do after awhile--your possessions own you, not the other way around. In an article, about "Stressed out Moms" Ingrid Schlueter writes,

That's exactly the same thing our Irish bus driver John (50 and the father of 5) said about the younger Irish generation setting up homes and getting mortgages. It's not a local problem. [See my Ireland trip log]

Cross posted from Collecting My Thoughts

Adorable baby gifts

2007-08-10T16:46:00.000-04:00

If I had to buy a baby gift, here's where I'd go on the internet.

Thirty years ago

2007-07-29T14:16:00.000-04:00

Thirty years ago I would have never dreamed that topics like retirement, 401-k plans, osteoporosis, nutrition or exercise could become so interesting. My reading tastes have changed completely--in fact, on Thursday I think I'll tell you 13 things about JAMA.

Cross posted from Collecting My Thoughts.

Saved by a case of poison ivy

2007-05-12T12:18:00.000-04:00

We've known each other about 40 years--were neighbors when we were both apartment dwellers in 1967. At an art show this morning she told me she'd had a cervical something-ectomy, didn't get the exact term. She's an avid tennis player, but had called her doctor for some poison ivy treatment, and in passing mentioned that she had a tingling in her neck--sort of felt like little bugs crawling around. He told her he would schedule an MRI, which sort of surprised her. Well, she had bone spurs on her spine, but had felt no pain except the tingling. One wrong move on the tennis court or a fall, and she might have been paralyzed. She immediately had the surgery and was recuperating most of last summer. Now she has two small rods supporting her neck, but everything is fine, and she's back to making her art work and playing tennis.

I looked up "bone spurs + tingling + neck" and learned that, "In persons 60 and older, bone spurs are common. Only a little more than 40% of the population will develop symptoms that require medical treatment as a result of bone spurs." She really had no significant pain. Pay attention to those tingles, and Thank God for poison ivy!

Sex and the sixty year old

2007-04-01T10:40:00.000-04:00

The February 14 issue of JAMA has an article on the sexual difficulties of a 60 year old woman, just in time for Valentine's Day, but I didn't see it until April 1. It seems that Ms. B has diabetes, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and asthma now, and when she was younger she had endometriosis, bladder suspension surgery for incontinence and a hysterectomy for uterine fibroids. As might be expected, she takes a lot of medication, has back pain, and is allergic to some of her meds. She doesn't smoke or drink, and works as a psychologist. Oh yes, she didn't go through menopause until 58, so she dates her complaints to decreased desire and less stimulating sex to that. The author isn't specific, but says Ms. B. has some "body image" issues. One of the comments about obesity and sexual issue made me suspect that might be the problem.

I would be out of the mood just listing her health problems, so I can imagine trying to live with them. The article lists all sorts of reasons for sexual dysfunction and what life style or medical changes can be made. However, I found the very last paragraph quite instructive--almost humorous.

PHYSICIAN: How should I bill for a sexual health consultation in order to be reimbursed?
DR. POTTER: . . . Examples of reimbursable ICD-10 diagnoses include: lack or loss of sexual desire (F52.0), failure of genital response (F52.2), menopausal and female climacteric states (N95.1), postmenopausal atrophic vaginitis (N95.2), dyspareunia (N94.1), and orgasmic dysfunction (F52.3).

There are 122 references in the bibliography.

The old to extremely old ratio

2007-03-16T14:25:00.000-04:00

There's a proposal to reexamine the health care of the elderly, and not so elderly. It used to be that there were a lot of people in their 50s and 60s to help care for those in their 80s and 90s. For instance, my parents were in their 50s when my mother's parents died, and 70s when my father's died. They were there for errands to the doctor, taking in food, helping with home chores, taking them to church, supervising medications, and visiting them for companionship. And they had brothers and sisters, cousins, nieces, nephews and grandchildren also available. People today are living longer (although in my family we always had people living into at least their 80s it seems in every generation), having children later or none at all, and when they do have families, they are smaller. This will have an impact as the boomers age.

"They estimate that in Switzerland, the oldest old support ratio has fallen from 139.7 in 1890 to 13.4 in 2003. They predict that these oldest old support ratios will decrease to 3.5 in Switzerland and 4.1 in the US by 2050." Seen at Medscape.com

Late in life divorce

2007-01-23T18:00:00.000-05:00

"One woman in her eighties, married for fifty-three years, woke up after transplant surgery and announced to her husband: 'I don't know how many years I have left, but I do know I don't want to spend them with you.' "

That's probably a bit drastic but Calling it Quits author Deirdre Bair says it's happening. And often it's the ladies making the move.

New treatment for wrinkles

2007-01-01T09:49:00.000-05:00

Possibly you were too busy over the holidays developing wrinkles while buying gifts and anticipating bills to notice that the FDA has approved a new treatment for those deep lines--something that lasts longer than Botox and Restylane. It's called Radiesse and is produced by BioForm Medical Inc.

And if you don't care about lines and wrinkles, you might use it to plump your retirement portfolio. Sales are expected to rise 15% annually through 2010--just 3 years away-- to $935 million.

Communication tips for doctors

2006-12-28T16:38:00.000-05:00

"As baby boomers increase in age, the face of the American population will change dramatically. By the year 2030, a projected 71 million Americans will be age 65 or older, an increase of more than 200 percent from the year 2000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. It's estimated that some 6,000 people turn age 65 every day and, by 2012, 10,000 people will turn age 65 every day."

This is the opening paragraph of an article in the Family Practice Management journal, Sept. 2006. As you and/or your parents age, you might be getting less face time with your doctor. The article suggests tips for the doctors, but it also alerts us patients to the problems.

Here's the summary, but stop and read the whole article.

1. Allow extra time for older patients.

2. Minimize visual and auditory distractions.

3. Sit face to face with the patient.

4. Don't underestimate the power of eye contact.

5. Listen without interrupting the patient.

6. Speak slowly, clearly and loudly.

7. Use short, simple words and sentences.

8. Stick to one topic at a time.

9. Simplify and write down your instructions.

10. Use charts, models and pictures to illustrate your message.

11. Frequently summarize the most important points.

12. Give the patient a chance to ask questions.

13. Schedule older patients earlier in the day.

14. Greet them as they arrive at the practice.

15. Seat them in a quiet, comfortable area.

16. Make signs, forms and brochures easy to read.

17. Be prepared to escort elderly patients from room to room.

18. Check on them if they've been waiting in the exam room.

19. Use touch to keep the patient relaxed and focused.

20. Say goodbye, to end the visit on a positive note.

Keep your eye on your eyes

2006-12-16T18:46:00.000-05:00

"About 41% to 46% of adults aged 50 years and older have not had a dilated eye examination and 30% to 35% have not visited an eye-care professional during the past year, according to data from 5 states that participated in the new CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) vision module during 2005.

The study also found that whereas annual dilated eye examinations are recommended for patients with diabetes and individuals aged 65 years and older, 44% of those aged 60 to 69 years and 32% of those aged 70 to 79 years had not been tested in the preceding 12 months.

Moreover, approximately 50% of those who had not visited an eye-care professional during the preceding year said that they had no reason to go. Twenty percent cited cost/insurance as the cause. The apparent lack of concern regarding the need for preventive eye care remains a major public health concern, according to the CDC."

Reported at Medscape.com from this CDC report.

Do you take low dose aspirin?

2006-12-10T10:58:00.000-05:00

Many people take low dose aspirin daily. I was born with an extra circuit in my heart which over the years caused atrial fibrillation. It was ablated (zapped) a few years ago, I was on medication for awhile, and now I just take a 81 mg aspirin once a day (a blood thinner). A-fib puts you at risk for a stroke.

I noticed an article in the Berkeley Wellness Letter on, "Should Your Aspirin Wear a Coat." I guess I thought a coated aspirin would be better, but according to this article, that's not necessarily true. It depends on why you're taking it. The coating can prevent quick pain relief. In my case, it doesn't matter if it takes an hour or so longer to work, so you need to always check with your doctor before starting any regular use of aspirin.

The article points out some things about aspirin I didn't know. Go to the archive of UC Berkeley Wellness Letter, and click on December 2006.

Age and Beauty

2006-12-09T20:15:00.000-05:00

In a very interesting Washington Post article that claims we are hard wired in our perception of beauty, David Von Drehle concludes with an epilogue about age.

"Our era is sexually candid but chronologically dishonest. A recent ad for anti-wrinkle cream in a major fashion magazine employed a model who appeared to be in her teens. Countless ads for men's underwear feature slim bodies, taut as a Renaissance Saint Sebastian. The skivvies, bulging like a one-pound bag toting a two-pound puppy, shout all man. But the inevitably hairless bodies whisper still boy. The most widely circulated magazine in the country is published by the AARP; its standard cover image is a movie star or other celebrity who has managed, with the help of a stylist and modern technology, to look 20 years younger than the truth.

If today's Americans are uniquely obsessed, it's not with beauty, but with youth. The aging baby boomers who have shaped so much popular culture for such a dreadfully long time are now pondering age spots, varicose veins, worry lines and droopy breasts. Vogue's August effort was titled "The Age Issue," but it could have been called "The Fear of Age Issue." Along with the article on cosmetic surgery for feet, ("I will always feel young as long as I can wear heels"), the magazine promoted human growth hormone for "an ageless body," detailed the merits of vascular surgery for younger-looking legs ("the bruises have faded almost completely within two weeks") and explained why a 48-year-old woman decided to get braces on her teeth -- for the second time.

"How sad it is!" lamented the handsome young Dorian Gray. "I shall grow old, and horrible, and dreadful. But this picture will remain always young. It will never be older than this particular day in June." As Oscar Wilde knew, an aging person's obsession with looking young has less to do with beauty than with the realization that beauty dies.

Time waits for no one, no matter how many sets of braces one wears. The struggle to preserve the physical bloom, whether through single-minded obsession or through artifice, is a fight that can never be won, for human beings are made of flesh, not stone."

Mediterranean Diet and the Risk for Alzheimer's Disease

2006-12-08T11:10:00.000-05:00

You've probably seen reports or summaries of this article by Nikolaos Scarmeas, MD and others, which appeared in the June 2006 Annals of Neurology (2006;59:9212-921). I can't think of another health problem that is more distressing to contemplate as we age than Alzheimer's Disease. The Mediterrean Diet is characterized by high intake of vegetables, legumes, fruits and cereals, unsaturated fatty acids (mostly in olive oil), and moderate high intake of fish, with low to moderate intake of dairy products (cheese or yogurt), and low intake of meat and poultry, plus wine during meals.

When you think about it, our own mothers didn't think there was any single miracle food--at least not back in the 40s and 50s. The fad diets started later. I'm not sure my mother ever said, "Eat all the colors," but that was the implication. We always had meat, potatoes, vegetables and fruit, with a light dessert, and the snacking was kept very simple. We had fresh fruits and vegetables when they were in season in northern Illinois, and home canned when they weren't. Potatoes, lettuce, peas, corn, beets, etc. came from the garden beside our house. Eggs and milk were purchased locally.

From reading this article it would seem we get too caught up in focusing on a single nutrient or eating plan and forget the big picture. They decided to study dietary patterns of a region or people rather than a self-selected group that volunteered to change their eating patterns. For instance, if I decide to try the "Mediterranean Diet" living in Columbus, OH, the results will be biased toward someone who's had other health benefits, or detriments. We don't really know how it would have affected me differently if I were 20 years younger, or if I'd never had HRT.

The researchers' conclusions after doing a community based study of 2,258 nondemented individuals in NY (details how they found them in the article): "Higher adherence to the MeDi was associated with significantly lower risk for development of AD." It's a very interesting study that deserves more attention and further research.

There is a follow up study reported in the October issue of the same journal

It's the journey!

2006-11-30T08:50:00.000-05:00

At 81 suffering from a few minor health aggrevations, he took up a biking challenge. He found it's the journey that matters.

"In 2002 my son Ed talked me into getting into the annual American Lung Association Mt. Diablo Challenge race. Over 1,000 riders enter each year, all ages, so I said I’d try it on the mountain bike. Years ago when we lived in Walnut Creek Ed and I had gone up that mountain many times, but I hadn’t tried it for over 25 years. Boy was I embarrassed! It took me 2 hours, 35 minutes to get to the top. I kept seeing riders coming back down. I couldn’t understand why the bike (and me) were so sluggish. When I reached the top, the timekeeper was packing up and wouldn’t take my time. He said: “Next time ride faster!”.

I took that to heart and bought a nice Romulus by Rivendell in Walnut Creek and trained all the next year. I learned more about heart monitors and the different heart zones and what they do. My doctor, who is also a bike rider, got me to John Muir Hospital for a treadmill test and echocardiogram. The cardiologist said: “Go do it! You don’t have any clogged veins or arteries.” And so I entered the Mt. Diablo challenge for 2003 at age 81.

To cut a long story short, I made it in one hour and thirty-five minutes by the clock when I got to the top. (Not official time, that’s published later this year on the Internet.) I got a nice medal for being the oldest rider to get to the top and three expensive bike shorts. One pair fits me fine, one pair fits Betty for our tandem riding, and one pair was HUGE, which I gave away. Thank you somebody for donating those real neat bike shorts.

All the early symptoms of getting older have gone away. I never have a sinus headache, no stomach problems, (unless I eat Mexican), bone density of 50-year-old, no more touches of arthritis, sleep perfectly every night, and seem to have a mental alertness of a much younger person. Betty experiences the same benefits. I ride between 70 and 100 miles a week; Betty does between 40 and 50. You will see us from time to time on our tandem riding with you, and you’ll see me riding up that mountain sometimes on Wednesday’s training for the 2004 challenge.

And that’s really my message. Keep a challenge in front of you no matter how old you get. Keep reaching out for the best that’s in you. Remember that the journey is often more rewarding than the destination, and don’t become totally satisfied with the destination…because there are always further and better destinations to try for. I’m going to get up Diablo in 2004 under 1 ½ hours!"

Full story here.

Seven deadly sins of retirement

2006-11-28T14:57:00.000-05:00

was the topic of today's "Retire Smart" by Humberto and Georgina Cruz (Columbus Dispatch). It's possibly a repeat, but I don't see it on the web. If it comes up, I'll add a link. Here are the points they make:

1. Thinking or saying "I am too old to___________." Obviously, you're always too old for some things (playing dolls, mud pies, dating 16 year olds), but you know they are talking about defeatism here. I did wait too long to join the choir--about 40 years, and my voice was gone, but not my desire.

2. Constantly talking about ailments. Oh yes, and Amen to that. No surgery or ache but my own are interesting! I wrote a fictional story about the Whistle Stop Pot Luck which involves this one. In the story, each dinner guest gets a whistle to blow TWEET when the topic of Age, Health or Weight comes up. These are the three most boring topics that people over 50 discuss.

3. Finding excuses to postpone something. Procrastination. Some of us had this problem from a very young age. Jobs may have kept it in check.

4. Holding grudges. That will not only shorten your days, but make everyone else's seem longer if you talk about who did you wrong when.

5. Becoming intransigent. Clinging to values and beliefs and refusing to consider another viewpoint. Yes! I became a Republican when I was 60. But I have friends who have never considered the possibility that there is another way.

6. Feeling a false sense of entitlement. Don't be rude. Turn off your cell phone and don't talk loudly in restaurants, would be my advice. Also, you aren't the only car on the road.

7. Engaging in home owner association wars. We don't have those here, but we've got excellent management and only 30 units. However, I know people who have had to move. When shopping for a retirement or empty nester home, you'd sure want to check around on that. The by-laws and the escrow account can't tell you that.

If I could add seven pet peeves of my own about retired or nearly retired folks. . .

a) Appearing in public dressed like a slob--leave the sweats, shorts and ratty shoes in the garage or tool shed.

b) Not dressing your age. A 20 year old can wear a mini-skirt, but a 50 year old just looks like she's stepped from a 70s movie.

c) Trying to be the ladies' man or gushy flirt you once thought you were. You're not fooling us.

d) Not keeping up appearances. Even if you never did it before, hire someone to help with the housework or yard work if you don't know what to do. Everyone who visits will appreciate it. After my mother died, Dad hired a person to clean once a month. He had no idea how to do it, and at 86 he wasn't about to learn.

e) Becoming focused totally on the grandchildren. Are you the only person allowed to babysit? They are taking over your best years. We don't get do-overs.

f) Not wearing your hearing aid and/or false teeth if you have them. You'll be able to hear me and I'll be able to understand you. My mother-in-law got dentures when she was in her 40s; I knew her for over 40 years and never saw her without her teeth! My grandmother, who was blind, didn't need a hearing aid until her mid-80s. She thought hearing loss a much worse problem than blindness because it interferred with communication.

g) Talking inappropriately--this is related to the hearing aid--in church, at the theater, movies, concert, etc. If it's not on, you won't realize you are disturbing others. Because of rock music, head phones and ear buds, early deafness is now appearing much earlier than among our parents' and grandparents' generations.

retirement advice
good manners
senior housing
Humberto Cruz

Randy's epiphany

2006-11-27T16:24:00.000-05:00

Randy Kirk has a blog called The Truth about Everything. Recently he wrote about turning 50 eight years ago.

"It has been 8+ years since my friends gathered to give gifts tied with black ribbon, but I do remember that passage more than most. You see, I had an Epiphany. Up until that birthday I simply counted the total number of years God has given me on this earth. Starting at 50 I looked at it the other way. How many years are left.

The good news was that because of good genes, I could easily live into my eighties and be in decent physical and mental health. So I decided to assume 35 years to go. It was an exciting revelation, because it really meant enough time for an entire career...assuming I wanted a new career.

For instance, it could mean retiring and getting involved in some type of charitable activity full-time. It could mean writing for a living instead of making water bottles. The idea opened up a vast panoply of possibilities. Instead of dreading the future, I was filled with hope and expectations.

Eight + years later, I still have 28 years of potential, according to my personal actuarial table. Such an idea continues to be very motivating."

Used with permission.

Happy Birthday LJMcInnis

2006-11-23T20:01:00.000-05:00

She turns 50 tomorrow, just in time for this blog! So I've linked to her. Visit her blog, R Cubed and tell her Norma sent you.

I wouldn't have thought of Boise

2006-11-22T19:13:00.000-05:00

Today I picked up a copy of Where to Retire, Sept-Oct, 2006, at the library. It may be the first time I've ever looked at it. My reasons for living/retiring in this particular city aren't usually listed--"my children are here, my friends are here, and I know the city."

Anyway, on p. 136 was an interesting article about a couple who lived in northern Virginia, in the hubbub of Washington DC, and they flew to Boise for the inaugeration of Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, whom they met when he was a senator (he's now Sec. of the Interior). It was instant love from the airport on. They've since moved from their first Boise home of 3200 s.f. to a patio townhouse of 1970 s.f. After a few details of their personal lives and activities, touring the west in their motor home, riding their Harleys, and dabbling in business, the writer moves on to tell us about Boise. She says it's traffic woes are on the rise, which must make people from DC laugh and slap their knees.

Where to Retire.

My biggest turkey

2006-11-22T19:06:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving reading for investors. Here.

If you buy a condo

2006-11-18T20:02:00.000-05:00

Many older boomers and retirees have decided they want to spend more time traveling or with the grandchildren and less time cleaning gutters and raking leaves. They have moved to condominiums or free standing homes in an association. We love it; haven’t missed our home of 34 years even a minute. However, if you go this route, be considerate.

Please have the decency to attend the business meetings. You don’t need to socialize, you can even vote by proxy. I get so frustrated when we have something important to change in our by-laws, and the board members always have to go out and scare up the missing home owners. Because our units are all different sizes, it isn’t just 75% of the owners, but 75% of the ownership. This probably won’t surprise you, but the richest folks with the largest units, are the ones who don’t show up or send a proxy.

Pew report on working after retirement

2006-11-18T18:27:00.000-05:00

More than three quarters of today's workers (77%) expect to work for pay even after they retire, according to a new Pew Research Center survey. Of those who feel this way, most say it's because they'll want to, not because they'll have to. News release on the report here. The information for this report was gathered in June-July 2006.

Working after retirement; the gap between expectations and reality.

Health benefits of modest weight loss

2006-11-18T15:36:00.000-05:00

When your BMI (body mass index) increases, the risk of dying from any cause increases. If you're a boomer or older, you've probably packed on a few resistant pounds in the past few years. I added 20 lbs when we got broadband for the computer! At 150 I was "borderline overweight" and now at 139 I'm back in the upper range of "normal." And I'm back in my favorite slacks. I'm working on a modest weight loss now because we're having a great retirement and I want it to stay that way. With even a modest weight loss, you can experience the following:

Decreased risk of heart disease

Decreased risk of diabetes

Decreased risk of some cancers

Decreased levels of blood glucose (blood sugar) and insulin

Decreased blood pressure

Decreased levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides

Increased HDL (good cholesterol)

Decrease in severity of sleep apnea

Reduced symptoms of degenerative joint disease

Improvement in gynecologic conditions

Decrease in problems with pregnancy and labor

Reduced incidence and symptoms of depression

Decrease in discrimination

Easier to exercise and be physically fit

Many of these points come from The Step Diet Book, Workman Publishing, 2004, which might work, but my pedometer doesn’t. Any article you read on health will probably include some or all of these.

A note from cousin Dianne

2006-11-17T15:11:00.000-05:00

Working for God on earth does not pay much,
but His Retirement plan is out of this world.

Who is blogging?

2006-11-15T18:28:00.000-05:00

Three percent of online U.S. seniors have created a blog and 17 percent have read someone else's blog, according to the Pew Internet & American Life Project. But those stats were from a year ago. Let me go dig up some new ones.

I looked at the project (dated June 2006) and noticed it says 2% of bloggers are 65 or over, 14% are in the 50-64, so unless they've got a very high threshold for "senior," that above figure looks a bit low. However, according to Pew, only 7% of people over 65 are using the internet, so if 2% of the bloggers (12 millinion Americans) are over 65, I'd say the ones that are using it must have a lot to say.