Opining of a Cranky Old Man

What If Life Could Be A Do-Over? Happy Groundhog Day!

Cranky retiree imagines what might be the results of some do-overs

By Bill Kalmar, Retiree

Feb. 2, 2012 - Novelist Rose Tremain is quoted as saying: “Life is not a dress rehearsal”. Accordingly there are no second rounds – we get one chance – one moment – and consequently there is no looking back at what could have been. Sounds pretty depressing doesn’t it? But what if you could go back with the knowledge of what went wrong and repeat the day or the event. That would be neat! Read more...

Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens

Study Fails to Find Reason for Frequent, Inconsistent Surgery After Partial Mastectomy

No consensus on optimal width to be removed around cancer because it has not been addressed in prospective randomized trials - see video

See video in story

Feb. 1, 2012 - Nearly one in four women who undergo a partial mastectomy for treatment of breast cancer have another surgery to remove additional tissue (reexcision), and there is substantial surgeon and institutional variation in the rate of reexcisions that cannot be explained by patients' clinical characteristics, according to a study in the February 1 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Read more, see video...

Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens

FDA Approves Erivedge to Treat Most Common Skin Cancer - Basal Cell Carcinoma

About a million cases of basal cell carcinoma in U.S. each year with senior citizens prominent victims; most common of skin cancers

Feb. 1, 2012 - Erivedge (vismodegib) was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week for the treatment of adults with basal cell carcinoma, the most common type of skin cancer, and should be available in pharmacies within two weeks. Senior citizens are at high risk of these cancers. The drug is intended for use in patients with locally advanced basal cell cancer who are not candidates for surgery or radiation and for those whose cancer has spread to other parts of the body (metastatic). Read more...

Senior Citizen Politics

Senior Advocates Want Supreme Court to Keep Obamacare Provisions for Seniors Out of Case

Six aging groups say Congress did not intend to tie senior benefits with individual insurance mandate being challenged in court

Jan. 31, 2012 – In an effort to protect provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) – sometimes called “Obamacare” – that are of "vital importance to the health and well-being of people 65 and older," six groups that serve senior citizens have filed a brief with the Supreme Court saying Congress never intended these provisions be tied with the “individual mandate” now being challenged in the Court as unconstitutional. Read more...

Medicaid News

Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) Saves $17.7 Billion on Prescription Drugs for States

CMS issues new rule to cut costs, increase transparency in Medicaid drug pricing to save taxpayers money

 Jan. 31, 2012 - Provisions in the health care reform law, the Affordable Care Act (often called “Obamacare” by Republicans), will save taxpayers and States an estimated $17.7 billion over five years on prescription drugs bought through Medicaid, according to estimates in a proposed rule issued today by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Read more...

Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors

Red Wine a Day Produces Differing Heart Protection for Different People

One red wine daily may offer heart protection but death risk climbs after one

Jan. 31, 2012 – One of the most often discussed topics among wine drinkers is the widely held belief that a glass of red wine a day helps protect against heart disease. It is also one of the most researched of the health questions pertaining to alcohol consumption. Now, Canadian researchers think they have new insight to the answer. Read more...

Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors

Milk Drinkers Up to Age 98 Scored Better on Memory, Brain Function Tests

Regardless of age those who drank at least one glass of milk daily had advantage in mental performance tests

Jan. 30, 2012 Researchers have found that adults up to the age of 98 with higher intakes of milk and milk products scored significantly higher on memory and other brain function tests than those who drank little to no milk, according to a news release from the Milk Processor Education Program funded by the nation's milk processors. Read more...

Features for Senior Citizens

Seniors Better Able to Cope with Stress of Divorce Than Boomers, Younger People

May be because the pressure to marry and stay married was stronger for older generations

Jan. 30, 2012 – Older people have more coping skills and are better able to deal with the stress of divorce than younger people, including baby boomers, according to a new study by a Michigan State University sociologist. It concludes that divorce at a younger age hurts people’s health more than divorce later in life. Read more...

Caregiver& Elder Care News

Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens

Preventive Services Not Offered by Doctors at Annual Exams; Seniors Most Often Ignored

Docs mention about half of recommended preventive services to older patients; most recommended are tests for colorectal cancer, hypertension, breast cancer

Jan. 26, 2012 - Patients – senior citizens and in particular – are not always presented with the screening tests and counseling services that are recommended and due during their medical checkups. Those most likely to receive the preventive services were those over-weight or obese. Read more...download free Medicare preventive services checklist

Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens

Older Women with Diabetes Have Greater Hearing Loss as They Age

Men lose even more hearing regardless of diabetes or age; women lose less if diabetes controlled

Jan. 26, 2012 - Having diabetes may cause women to experience a greater degree of hearing loss as they age, especially if the metabolic disorder is not well controlled with medication, according to a new study from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. It also found men have worse hearing loss even without diabetes. Read more...

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

Mild Cognitive Impairment Common Among Elderly, Men, High School Grads

Women, people with some college education fair better fighting off dementia - see video report

Jan. 25, 2012 - Researchers involved in the Mayo Clinic Study of Aging reported today that more than 6 percent of Americans age 70 to 89 develop mild cognitive impairment (MCI) every year. Also, the condition appears to affect men and those who only have a high school education more than women and those who have completed some higher education. Read more, see video..

Opining of a Cranky Old Man

What Will You Be Doing 12/21/12, When Mayan World Ends?

Mayan calendar suggests world will end 12/21/12; end of world predicted many times but we are still here

By Bill Kalmar, Retiree

Jan. 25, 2012 - Each year in December one can always hear the strains from the song “What are you doing New Year’s Eve”? For those of you who want to travel down memory lane with me, here are the opening lyrics:
Maybe it’s much too early in the game, But I thought I’d ask you just the same
        What are you doing New Year’s? New Year’s Eve? Read more...

Senior Citizen Politics

Obama Makes Slight Mention of Health Care, None of Medicare in State of Union

Minimal mention of health law may be reflection of difficulty  president, administration, supporters are having selling it...

Jan. 25, 2012 – Perhaps the biggest surprise of the lengthy State of the Union Address by President Barack Obama last night was his lack of mention of Medicare and saying very little about health care. Even the Republican response referred to Medicare, notes Mary Agnes Carey, Kaiser Health News, in a video interview with Jackie Judd. Read more...

Senior Citizen Politics

Election Year Politics, Renewing Older Americans Act Play Key Roles for Seniors in 2012

NCOA says entitlements are top priorities but sees no major changes this year

Jan. 25, 2012 – The National Council on Aging has identified the six top key issue priorities for 2012 and encourages older adults and their caregivers to advocate for key issues that could greatly affect their lives, and their livelihoods. Read more...

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

Keeping Brain Active Protects Against Alzheimer’s But May Be Too Late for Seniors

Study finds beta-amyloid causing protein not as common in those enjoying mental activities

Jan. 24, 2012 – A new study confirms the long-held belief that keeping the brain active as we age provides protection from the development of Alzheimer’s disease, but it also pin-points the biological cause. For older people, however, it is not all good news, since the most protection appears to develop before people become senior citizens. Read more...

Social Security News

Patty Duke Registers Online for Social Security, Medicare in PJs

Patty Duke Show star has volunteered for years to help promote Social Security’s online services to fellow baby boomers - see video

Jan. 23, 2012 - After years of telling people they can apply online for Social Security in their pajamas, Patty Duke has taken her own advice. Duke turned 65 last month and applied online for retirement and Medicare benefits from home. Read more, watch video...

Medicare News

Medicare is Trying to Save Your Life; Needs You to Help by Using Preventive Services

Download this free, handy sheet for keeping track of your free Medicare preventive services

Jan. 22, 2012 - Senior citizens have a better chance at a longer, healthier life this year, thanks to the many new preventive services now offered by Medicare. Many have been added by the health care reform law, called “Obamacare” by its critics, but officially named the Affordable Care Act. SeniorJournal.com is offering a free checklist to help you keep up with all the preventive services you are due. Read more, download your free checklist...

Grandparent News

RentAGrandma.com Says Business Offering Quality Domestic Staff is Booming

Not only can you buy a listing on their website to let people know you are a grandma for hire, you can also buy cookies

Jan. 20, 2012 - Jobs may be hard to fine for some working people in the U.S. but there is a brand new opportunity for senior women. A new company says, “No one seems to be hiring - no one, that is, except RentAGrandma,com, helping to bring loving Grandmas to families everywhere.” Well, the company isn’t exactly hiring you grandmas, they are selling you a listing in their directory where other people may hire you. Read more...

Sex and Romance for Senior Citizens

Sexual Activity is Safe for Most Heart Patients: American Heart Association

Severe heart disease patients with symptoms from minimal activity should not be sexually active until symptoms stabilize

Jan. 20, 2012 - If you have stable cardiovascular disease, it is more than likely that you can safely engage in sexual activity, according to an American Heart Association scientific statement. It cautions, however, that medications for erectile dysfunction aren’t safe for all men and women should be counseled on safety of contraceptives. Read more...

Aging News & Information

Nursing Home Dementia Patients Three Times as Likely to Fall if on Antidepressants

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) appear to cause risk to rise with higher doses

Jan. 19, 2012 - Nursing home residents with dementia who use average doses of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are three times more likely to have an injurious fall than similar people who don’t use these drugs. Read more...

Grandparent News

Grandmothers, Senior Females Need a Stronger Role in Non-Western Families

Often overlooked; health organizations miss importance of their role in mother, child health

Jan. 19, 2012 - Grandmothers and other senior female family members should play a key role in nutrition and health programs for children and women in non-Western societies. However, the new study concludes, they are often overlooked by health organizations that don’t understand the importance of their role or see them as an obstacle to promoting good nutrition and health practices. Read more...

Senior Citizen Politics

Only Senior Citizens Support Romney Over President Obama in Pew Survey

Nationally unpopular, Romney holds solid lead over GOP challengers, Ron Paul a threat as third party candidate

Jan. 18, 2012 – A new survey released today shows only senior citizens – registered voters age 65 or older – would vote for Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in a race with President Barack Obama. Read more...

Caregiver & Elder Care News

Exercise & Fitness for Senior Citizens

Walking Clubs Offer Senior Citizens a Simple, Free Way to Better Health, Fitness

American Heart Association adds another national program to promote walking as most effective physical activity

Jan. 17, 2012 - Regular walking, a favorite exercise for senior citizens, is one of the most effective forms of physical activity that delivers substantial health benefits and improves heart health, says the American Heart Association. The latest addition to their tools for persuading people to exercise or Walking Clubs, which are quickly being formed in communities across the U.S. Read more...

Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens

Daily Aspirin Drops Heart Risk 10%; Ups Bleeding Risk 30%; No Benefit to Heart Disease Patients

Lead author warns people with an established history of heart conditions must not stop taking their medication

Jan. 17, 2012 - People without a history of cardiovascular disease (such as heart attack or stroke) are unlikely to benefit from a regular dose of aspirin, given the associated risk of internal bleeding. Aspirin does reduce the risk of clots forming in blood vessels and thereby protects against heart disease and stroke, but maybe less than previously thought. Read more...

Senior Citizen Politics

Groups for Patients with Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease Ask Court to Defend Health Law

Affordable Care Act ('ObamaCare') critical for people with life-threatening chronic diseases: expands access to quality, affordable health care, reduces family cost burden, emphasizes prevention

Jan. 12, 2012 - The nation’s leading groups representing patients and families living with cancer, diabetes, heart disease or stroke jointly filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court today in support of provisions of the Affordable Care Act - often referred to as 'Obamacare" by critics - that are critical for people with life-threatening chronic diseases. Read more...

Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens

Older Americans with Cirrhosis of Liver Suffer High Rates of Disability and Care

Cirrhosis burden expected to climb as obesity, age increase; found in 75% of those obese; 5.5 million with chronic liver disease

Jan. 12, 2011 - Older patients with cirrhosis have significant functional disability, require twice the amount of informal caregiving, and contribute added strain on the health care system, according to U-M research published in Hepatology. Read more...

Features for Senior Citizens

Glaucoma Week Aims to Make Seniors More Aware of Second Leading Cause of Blindness

Older Americans at high risk of this ‘sneak thief of sight’ says National Eye Institute

Glaucoma vision

Jan. 11, 2012 – Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is the major cause of blindness and the primary victims are senior citizens. The National Eye Institute, however, is pointing out this month that older people need to also be aware of glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness that most often attacks older people. This is Glaucoma Awareness Month in the U.S. and a good time for the simple eye test. Read more...

Senior Citizen Alerts

Medicare News

Health Reform Law Achieving Goal of Reducing Growth in Health Care Spending

Spending in 2009 showed lowest rate of increase in the entire 51 year history of tracking; 2010 remained low

Jan. 10, 2012 - A major goal of the Affordable Care Act, sometimes called “Obamacare” by the health reform law’s critics, has been to curtail the rapid increase in the cost of health care. A new report indicates it is achieving this goal – U.S. health care spending grew at historically low rates in 2009 and 2010. Read more...

Aging News & Information

Age 45 is the New 60, At Least Where It Concerns the Beginning of Mental Decline

New study disrupts assumption that cognitive decline begins about age 60, finds it is more like age 45 to 49

Jan. 9, 2012 - Baby boomers and younger adults in their 40s may have been waiting until they hit their 60s to start worrying about how to prevent mental decline. But, new research says that may be a little late. Their research shows cognitive decline beginning about age 45 and continuing with age. Read more...

Aging News & Information

Senior Citizens are Happier Than Younger Adults but Why is Not Clear

Psychologist call for more rigorous research to undeerstand why elderly Americans are so happy

Jan. 9, 2012 - Older people tend to be happier. But why? Two psychologist explore the theories of what makes senior citizens so happy and conclude that existing research does not provide an adequate answer. In a new article in Perspectives on Psychological Science they call for more rigorous research. Read more...

Nutrition, Vitamins & Supplements for Seniors

Aging Brains May Stay Sharp, Avoid Shrinkage, Alzheimer's with Proper Diet

Good choices Bs, C, D, E & omega 3; also diets high in trans fats more likely to produce brain shrinkage, lower scores on thinking, memory

Jan. 4, 2012 – A new study suggests that people can potentially stop their brains from shrinking, avoid Alzheimer’s disease and stay mentally sharp just by adjusting their diet. Read more...

Alzheimer's, Dementia & Mental Health

New Clues as to Why Some Senior Citizens May Be Losing Their Memory

Elderly with silent strokes scored worse on memory tests, even if hippocampus was normal size

Jan. 3, 2012 - New research links ‘silent strokes,’ or small spots of dead brain cells, found in about one out of four older adults to memory loss in the elderly. The study is published in today’s print issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Read more...

Sex and Romance for Senior Citizens

Sexual Satisfaction for Older Women Increases with Age into 80s

About half the women over 80 report sexual satisfaction almost always or always in new study

Jan. 3, 2012 - A new study of sexually active older women has found that sexual satisfaction in women increases with age but those not engaging in sex are satisfied with their sex lives. A majority of study participants report frequent arousal and orgasm that continue into old age, despite low sexual desire. Read more...

Health & Medicine for Senior Citizens

Fat Hormone Adiponectin May Increase Dementia, Alzheimer’s Risk for Women

Study participants averaged 76 years of age at start of study – in 13 years 19% developed dementia; about 79% of those had Alzheimer’s

Jan. 2, 2012 – Adiponectin, a hormone in visceral fat, appears to play a role increasing the risk for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in older women, according to a study published Online First today by the Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Read more...

Features for Senior Citizens

Features for Senior Citizens

Seniors Often Hit Road to Enjoy Family, Friends in Winter; AARP Has Safety Tips

Winter weather never fails to present a wide variety of driving challenges

Dec. 27, 2011 - Winter for many senior citizens means food, family and friends but it also means snow, sleet, ice, and fog on the roads for travelers. No matter how many years of driving experience seniors have under their belt, winter weather never fails to present a wide variety of challenges. Read more...