Senior Living
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Following a stroke, pain is common but can be managed
At 51, Kerwin Ifill had a stroke. Though he believed he was in excellent health, a tangle of blood vessels – something called an arteriovenous malformation, or AVM – was hiding in his brain. One day after a regular gym workout, a vessel burst while he was taking a nap.
The brain bleed caused the entire right side of Ifill's body to go numb....Read more
What health network does Medicare use?
Hi Toni,
In September I turn 65. I’m on COBRA from my job, which I retired from in May when I had heart surgery. The cardiologist informed me last week that the only thing that will improve my health is a heart transplant.
I need your guidance because I do not know what to do about enrolling in Medicare. Should I enroll in Medicare’s ...Read more
Social Security and You: No Death Benefit for Widow of Husband Who Was Having an Affair
Q: My husband of 49 years died a few months ago. I filed for widow's benefits and started receiving them with no problem. But I got a letter telling me that I was not eligible for the $255 death benefit. When I called the Social Security people to ask about this, they told me that I wasn't due that one-time benefit because we were not living ...Read more
Hospice gives caregivers needed respite
Dear Readers: This week I had my own experience with Medicare as my 92-year-old mother has reached her final stage of hospice. I feel it is important for me to explain hospice, so those with a terminally ill loved one learn the value of it. This information was given to me by the hospice provider taking care of my mother.
Dear Toni,
I ...Read more
Travel Trending with Kathy Witt: Charming discoveries await on an American Cruise Lines river cruise
Commercial Street in Provincetown, Massachusetts, was crowded with shoppers the mid-June morning I arrived, by way of the American Glory, American Cruise Lines’ newest ship and among its fleet of Coastal Cats. These ships, offering luxury experiences and carrying a mere 100 guests, are designed for inland exploration along the East Coast—and...Read more
Social Security and You: Should a Housewife Get Paid for Social Security Purposes?
People frequently write to me with an idea to change Social Security law in some way that they think is clever and unique. But I usually have to tell them that their proposal has been considered in the past. After all, Social Security has been around for almost 90 years now, and for those nine decades, people have constantly been coming up with ...Read more
End LA's free meal deliveries? Recipients 'pray God's grace and implore City Hall' to reconsider
LOS ANGELES -- Leo Del Rosario was renting space in a friend's Panorama City apartment for $900 a month. But since recovering from heart valve surgery last year, he's only worked sporadically as a nurse's aide.
So everything is tight, including the food budget.
"Not to be overly dramatic," he said — but he has learned how to stretch a jar ...Read more
How do I stop my Medicare Part B?
Editor’s Note: Last week’s column about the “plastic Medicare card” scam stated that the most recent Medicare card update was in April of 2019. In fact, the rollout began in April 2018 and was completed 3 months prior to the scheduled completion date of April 2019. We apologize for any confusion.
Dear Toni,
Can you please explain ...Read more
Social Security and You: Social Security Is Complicated Because Life Is Complicated
People are always telling me that Social Security rules are so complicated. Actually, most of the basic rules are rather straightforward and simple. But to the extent that the program does get messy, there is a reason why that happens. It's because life gets messy. In other words, if our lives weren't so complicated, Social Security laws wouldn'...Read more
‘Plastic Medicare card’ scam is exploding
Editor’s Note: The previous version of this column stated that the most recent Medicare card update was in April of 2019. In fact, the rollout began in April 2018 and was completed 3 months of the scheduled completion date of April 2019.
Reader Alert: You may remember reading about this scam in the Toni Says column several months ago. Below ...Read more
Perks of old age: Nobody says, 'Grandpa, would you please move this refrigerator?'
Aging has its drawbacks, if you hadn't noticed.
But are there any benefits to getting older, other than the fact that it beats the alternative?
I asked that question of readers a few weeks ago, and apparently the answer is yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes again, according to the hundreds who chimed in.
"When I asked for pre-boarding on a flight ...Read more
Social Security and You: Social Security Rules Rarely Change
I feel guilty when I repeat information in a column. But sometimes a message I delivered in an old column just demands to be repeated. And I was reminded of that this week when I got more than a few emails from readers who all said basically the same thing. It usually goes like this: "It's so hard to stay current with Social Security because the...Read more
Perks of old age: Nobody says, 'Grandpa, would you please move this refrigerator?'
Aging has its drawbacks, if you hadn't noticed.
But are there any benefits to getting older, other than the fact that it beats the alternative?
I asked that question of readers a few weeks ago, and apparently the answer is yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes again, according to the hundreds who chimed in.
"When I asked for pre-boarding on a flight ...Read more
How do I pay my Medicare premium monthly?
Toni,
My Medicare began June 1, and I received my first bill about a week ago. This bill is for 4 months from June 1 to Sept. 30 and is over $700. I thought Medicare was monthly. If I pay this amount, due on July 25, then I cannot pay my rent for August.
I was wondering if Medicare allows payments for Medicare Part B premiums to be monthly....Read more
Social Security and You: Senior Citizens Who Become Disabled
Disability benefits for senior citizens: It's a topic I've written about before. But because older folks are always asking me about getting disability benefits from Social Security, I don't mind updating the column every year or so.
First, here are some ground rules that vary depending on your age. If you are over your full retirement age, ...Read more
40 years of retirement: Many want it, but few might be able to have it
Around 12.5% of Americans plan to stop working at age 60. Most are also hoping they live to see 100. Financing 40 years of retirement, however, may prove unattainable for many.
Corebridge Financial recently conducted a survey of 2,300 adults to observe how Americans are financially planning for their retirements. Roughly 40% of respondents said...Read more
Palliative care underused for people with heart disease, report finds
Palliative care – which can include changes to medication – can alleviate symptoms and improve quality of life for people with heart disease. But the practice is greatly underutilized, especially among underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, according to a new report.
The scientific statement from the American Heart Association reviews ...Read more
From near death to the Senior Olympics
Dan Williams of Reston, Virginia, was under a lot of stress when he felt a pounding sensation in his chest.
He thought it was probably pneumonia and knew he should go to the hospital to get checked out.
But it was also just one more thing to worry about, on top of a mounting pile of professional and financial woes. Williams worked in ...Read more
No degree required: AARP reveals part-time jobs great for retirees
Retirement doesn’t have to mean barely getting by on a fixed income. There are part-time jobs aplenty that are perfect for older adults in need of some extra cash.
And AARP, the nonprofit organization founded by a retired teacher, recently released a report of the best side hustles for retirees that require no college degree.
School bus ...Read more
Changing to a Medicare Advantage plan is stressful
Hello Toni:
My question is: If I change to a Medicare Advantage plan in the fall and find out it's not working for me, what are my chances of returning to Medicare and a supplement? I have a Medicare Supplement Plan F that is over $300 monthly and am looking for something more reasonable. I am a 78-year-old female, in fairly good health.
I ...Read more