Life After 50 Expo

White House Conference on Aging releases policy briefs !

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Last week, the White House Conference on Aging (WHCOA) released a policy brief on long-term services and supports, a key focus area of the upcoming 2015 Conference. This brief follows one on healthy aging, which was released earlier in April.  Two additional briefs, looking at retirement security and elder justice are to be released shortly.

The long-term services and supports policy brief reviews five topic areas important to the aging community: informal caregiving; formal services and supports; direct care workers; access to information and services; and financing long-term services and supports. These areas of focus are particularly important because 20 percent of seniors receive some assistance with their care needs—and the chances of needing such help increase with age. Sixty-two percent of those over 90 have some sort of functional limitation. But, the report finds, the majority of Americans have not planned for these needs.

The report also highlights some recent efforts by the Obama administration to improve long-term services and supports, including increases to access through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and a renewed commitment to enforcing the right to community integration promised in the landmark US Supreme Court case Olmstead v. L.C.

Medicare Reminder

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Medicare covers therapy services that help you maintain your ability to function, prevent you from getting worse, or slow worsening symptoms. As long as you meet the following requirements, Medicare should cover your outpatient therapy whether or not your condition is temporary or chronic:

1. You need the technical skills of a trained therapist to provide safe and effective treatment;

2 Your doctor or therapist sets up the plan of treatment before you get care; and

3.Your doctor regularly reviews the plan of treatment to see if changes are needed.

If you have Original Medicare, Medicare Part B generally covers 80 percent of the cost of each outpatient therapy service and you or your supplemental insurance is responsible for the remaining 20 percent. In 2014, there is a $1,900 therapy cap for physical and speech therapy combined and a separate $1,900 cap for occupational therapy. However, you may be able to continue receiving therapy past the cap if it is medically necessary. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, it can set its own cost rules for physical, occupational, and speech therapy.

Clay County Senior Expo Announced !

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Thrasher Horne Conference Center on the campus of Saint Johns River State College will host the 2015 Clay County Senior Expo. The August 26 event will be open from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

This free event features  an Entertainment and Information Stage, Health Screenings and Free Parking.   Over 70 vendors participated in 2014.

Last year over 1300 Seniors and friends attended the event. Attendance has grown each year says Jim Long the Expo’s producer

While the program is still being developed,  information of interest to Seniors will be provided. Sponsorship and Vendor information will be available May 1. Line Dancers and singers are among the entertainers who will join the celebration.

 

For more information contact Jim Long at 904-415-0062 or email jlwin2@yahoo.com or jim.long.senior.expo@gmail.com.

Effective Exercise as We Age !

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Aerobics Exercise in Conjunction with Anaerobic Exercise

Getting your exercise is always important. This should be something that you already know, but what you might not know is that type of exercise that you are getting is just as important as actually getting it. In order to be completely healthy, you have to get all of the types of exercise that you need, and you have to be sure that you are getting them all in the right way. Aerobic exercise along with anaerobic exercise is the best way to make sure you are getting all parts of the work out that you need. When it comes right down to it, aerobic exercise along with anaerobic exercise is a great combination. You are getting your heart rate pumping with the aerobic exercise, and with the anaerobic exercise you are allowing yourself to do strength training, which is also very important for your body’s health.

With all of the types of exercise out there, you can make sure that your exercise regime includes aerobic exercise along with anaerobic exercise because this is going to be the healthiest way you can get the proper amount of exercise in general.

If you are concerned about aerobic exercise along with anaerobic exercise and you don’t know what kinds of exercise you should be doing, you really need to check with your doctor because after all your doctor knows the most about your body and what you can do to feel and look better with who you are.  Your doctor can give you the correct combination of aerobic exercise along with anaerobic exercise and make sure that you are getting enough of both types of exercise in your daily routine. In short, aerobic exercise will help you to build heart and lung health and burn fat, while anaerobic exercise will help you build muscle.

Remember that it is not a good idea to only get one type of exercise, no matter how strong you think you are. In order to be really healthy you have to be sure that you are getting aerobic exercise along with anaerobic exercise to have a well-rounded level of health. This can really be your best shot at being competently healthy, because it is only by getting both types of exercise that you are allowing your body to have full control over its movements and to be fully in control of how healthy you are. Remember always that aerobic exercise along with anaerobic exercise is the best way to go – you don’t want to leave one type out.

Healthy Living This Spring !

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  • Get your flu shots. It may be late it the year, but check with your doctor if it would be beneficial.
  • Plan for Social Security ­changes: On January 1, 2015, benefits increase by 1.7% to a maximum of $2,663 each month.  The part B premium for Medicare will remain the same at $104.90 as it has been the past two years.
  • Have you had your blood pressure checked, do it now. Many drug stores offer free or low cost testing.
  • Coffee has some positive health benefits. It lowers blood pressure, prevents diabetes and may even fight skin cancer.
  • A glass of red wine every day may also have health benefits.
  • Eat three meals a day (breakfast, lunch, and dinner); it is important to remember that dinner does not have to be the largest meal.
  • Control portion sizes; eat the smallest portion that can satisfy hunger and then stop eating.
  • Research suggests that people with mild eczema who drink oolong tea three times a day may show improvement in itching and other symptoms.
  • Cardiovascular or aerobic exercise. This is the type that benefits your heart most. Examples include walking, jogging, jumping rope, bicycling, skiing, skating, rowing, and aerobics or cardio classes. These strengthen your heart and lungs.