Retirees whose survival depends largely on Social Security checks from the government will see a mere 0.3 percent bump in their benefits in 2017, which amounts to just $3.92 a month for the typical recipient. That’s one of the lowest cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) ever, though still an improvement from last year when there was none.… Continue reading Wise Social Security Decisions Are Critical To Retirement Happiness
Author: Sondra Forsyth
Sondra Forsyth is Co-Editor-in-Chief of ThirdAge.com. She is a National Magazine Award winner with scores of major magazine bylines and twelve books to her credit. Her most recent book is “Candida Cleanse: The 21-Day Diet to Beat Yeast and Feel Your Best”. Sondra was Executive Editor at “Ladies’ Home Journal,” Features Editor at “Cosmopolitan,” and Articles Editor at “Bride’s”. A former ballerina, she founded Ballet Ambassadors, an arts-in-education company in New York City, and served as Artistic Director for 16 years.
Drug Combo for Breast Cancer Close to Getting Worldwide Approval
Building on earlier clinical trials, researchers at the University of Californina, Los Angeles have confirmed that the “breakthrough” drug palbociclib when used in combination with the traditional hormonal therapy letrozole delays progression of advanced breast cancer significantly and without the harsh side effects seen in some women prescribed letrozole alone. A release from the university… Continue reading Drug Combo for Breast Cancer Close to Getting Worldwide Approval
Malware Expected to Spike During Holiday Season
As millions of Americans prepare to spend billions of dollars in online holiday shopping, malware makers are gearing up for a big couple months as well. November and December are typically very busy months for malware infections on computers, and an increase in online holiday shopping is most likely to blame. The National Retail Federation… Continue reading Malware Expected to Spike During Holiday Season
November Is National Family Caregivers Month
Just in time for November, National Family Caregivers Month, here are tips to improve loved ones’ health and support caregivers: Get Organized: Some public websites offer free resources for caregivers, including calendars, task management tools and educational resources. Others feature online stores with products and local services for purchase, including home-safety products, home-delivered meals and… Continue reading November Is National Family Caregivers Month
Cancer Treatment Inspired by a Sea Creature
A rare toxin produced by a sea creature called Diazona angulata appears to hold promise for treating many different types of cancer while minimizing the harmful side effects of widely used chemotherapy drugs, according to a University of California, Los Angles study published in November 2016 in the journal Science Translational Medicine. The paper describes research… Continue reading Cancer Treatment Inspired by a Sea Creature
Who Has the Better Memory, Men or Women?
In the battle of the sexes, women have long claimed that they can remember things better and longer than men can. A study published in November 2016 in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS, proves them right. Middle-aged women outperform age-matched men on all memory measures, although memory does decline as… Continue reading Who Has the Better Memory, Men or Women?
Don’t Miss Out on Any 2016 Tax Deductions
Many people miss out on taking all the deductions they’re entitled to. Poor record keeping is often the culprit, as well as not knowing what’s deductible. Sometimes it’s just procrastination. I advise: Deduct every dime you give to charity. Most people who itemize deductions underreport their charitable contributions because they don’t keep records throughout the… Continue reading Don’t Miss Out on Any 2016 Tax Deductions
10 Most Popular Health Myths Debunked
We all have heard myths about certain habits, foods or behaviors that can help or hurt our health. When myths are repeated from generation to generation we begin to accept them as fact. Below are the 10 most popular health myths debunked with sound medical reasoning. Myth #1: “Starve a fever, feed a cold.” Do you starve… Continue reading 10 Most Popular Health Myths Debunked
Desire Is Low for Almost 15% of Sexually Active Older Women
Multiple studies show that older women are still sexually active beyond their seventh decade of life. However, a study published in November 2016 in Menopause, the journal of The North American Menopause Society (NAMS), suggests that at least one in seven women aged 65 to 79 years has hypoactive sexual desire dysfunction (HSDD). A release… Continue reading Desire Is Low for Almost 15% of Sexually Active Older Women
How to Treat a Burn
Burns can be minor medical problems or life-threatening emergencies. Many people die each year from fire-related burn injuries. Electricity and chemicals also cause severe burns. Scalding liquids are the most common cause of burns in children. Treatment of burns depends on the location and severity of the injury. Sunburns and small scalds can usually be… Continue reading How to Treat a Burn
Surgery for Back Pain Reduces Pain During Sex
For patients with degenerative spinal disease, surgery is more effective in reducing pain that interferes with sexual activity, compared to nonsurgical treatment, according to a study in the November 15th 2016 issue of Spine, published by Wolters Kluwer. “Sex life is a relevant consideration for the majority of patients with degenerative spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis,”… Continue reading Surgery for Back Pain Reduces Pain During Sex
Better Hip Replacements
Some potentially good news for aging Baby Boomers: Researchers at McGill University in Montreal believe that they have developed a hip replacement that will last longer and create fewer problems for the people who receive them than those currently in use. The secret? An implant that “tricks” the host bone into remaining alive by mimicking… Continue reading Better Hip Replacements
Decline in Sexual Function During the Menopause Transition
Although most medical professionals (and their patients) agree that sexual function declines with age, there remains debate about the contribution of menopause to sexual activity and functioning. A November 2016 study using data from the Study of Women’s Health (SWAN), however, provides a more detailed timetable of sexual decline over the menopause transition. The study… Continue reading Decline in Sexual Function During the Menopause Transition
Are Nosebleeds Just a Nuisance?
Nosebleeds, also called epistaxes (ep-ih-STAK-seez), involve bleeding from the inside of your nose. The lining of your nose contains many tiny blood vessels that lie close to the surface and are easily damaged. The two most common causes of nosebleeds are dry air — when your nasal membranes dry out, they’re more susceptible to bleeding… Continue reading Are Nosebleeds Just a Nuisance?
The Aging Brain Care Medical Home Lowers Severity of Depression
The Aging Brain Care Medical Home, a novel brain-focused population health management program implemented in the homes of older adults, lowered depression severity by more than 50 percent over six months according to a November 2016 study from the Regenstrief Institute, Indiana University Center for Aging Research, IU Center for Health Innovation and Implementation Science,… Continue reading The Aging Brain Care Medical Home Lowers Severity of Depression
5 Ways Your Health Insurance Choices Impact Your Finances
Health insurance is a topic that is hard to grasp for many Americans. Confusion can often lead to poor healthcare choices that can, in turn, impact your finances. Did you Know? The average cost of a 3-day hospital stay is $30,000 – Without health insurance, a broken leg can cost $7,500 or more (without surgery!)… Continue reading 5 Ways Your Health Insurance Choices Impact Your Finances
ThanksLIVING: A Celebration of Compassion for All Life
For many people, Thanksgiving is synonymous with a festive spread that features roast turkey and all the trimmings. Yet for a growing number of Americans who celebrate what has come to be called “ThanksLIVING”, the menu includes only plant-based dishes out of respect and compassion for all life. Why not consider making this Thanksgiving for… Continue reading ThanksLIVING: A Celebration of Compassion for All Life
Elders and Intimacy: When Is It a Concern that Requires Attention?
We focus a lot on care for older individuals; Are they eating? Are they moving their bowels? Do they walk? Are they agitated? But what about intimacy? What about romance? When is there risk for an elderly person and when does a family member or caregiver need to butt in or butt out of an… Continue reading Elders and Intimacy: When Is It a Concern that Requires Attention?