“Why Americans’ Life Expectancy Is Getting Longer,” by Robert Preidt, HealthDay Quote: “Americans appear to be aging slower than they used to, which may help explain recent gains in life expectancy, researchers say. The researchers compared how biological age changed in the United States compared to age in years (chronological age). … To calculate biological age, the researchers used several benchmarks for metabolism, inflammation, organ function, blood pressure and breath capacity. … Older adults had the greatest decreases in biological age, and men had greater declines than women.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform): 
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“Arthritis: Long Term Pain May Require Long Term Care,” Advisor Magazine Quote: “It’s true that arthritis can be the result of years of wear and tear; however, it’s not just the result of getting older. In fact, the average age of onset for arthritis is just 47 years old. While this number may come as a shock, it’s also true that arthritis is a condition that plagues more than 65% of our oldest Americans, especially women. … The Society of Actuaries stated in 2014 that 17% of female home care claims are due to arthritis, and it’s the second leading cause
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“Understanding the Hidden $1.1 Trillion Welfare System and How to Reform It,” by Robert Rector and Vijay Menon, Heritage Foundation Backgrounder Quote: “The true cost of welfare or aid to the poor is largely unknown because the spending is fragmented into myriad programs. Current welfare is focused largely on increasing benefits and enrollments and redistributing income. Self-defeating behaviors that increase the need for assistance are rarely even mentioned. Policymakers should replace welfare’s current focus with a new set of interlinked goals: reducing self-defeating and self-limiting behaviors, increasing self-support, and improving true human well-being. Welfare reform should (1) require all able-bodied
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“What You Need To Know About Social Security and Medicare Changes for 2018,” by David Rae, Forbes Quote: “Each and every year we see some small changes to Social Security and Medicare. This year is no different. How much you will receive from Social Security during retirement, to the caps on payroll taxes to fund future benefits are just a couple of the common areas with changes. Medicare beneficiaries will mostly pay more for their health-care premiums in 2018. There are also changes to new income rules that determine your Medicare surcharges for 2018.”   LTC Comment (from Damon V
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“The Long-Term-Care Insurance Dilemma,” by Kimberly Lankford, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance Quote: “One of the most effective ways to protect your retirement savings from the high price of assisted living, in-home care or a stay in a nursing home is a long-term-care insurance policy. But recent premium hikes have many baby boomers worried that coverage is no longer affordable. “Don’t drop your policy if you’re faced with an increase; new coverage will cost a lot more. Although Ashley’s annual premiums increased by more than 75%, he’s 19 years older and his daily benefit has grown by 5% a year. A new
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“Insurers likely to add and trim senior living benefits, thanks to relaxed Medicare rule,” by John O’Connor, McKnight’s Senior Living Quote: “Medicare managed care enrollees may soon enjoy enhanced senior living benefits, thanks to a new rule. But existing coverage also may be reduced or eliminated when revamped policies hit the marketplace, according to several analysts.” LTC Comment (from Stephen A. Moses, President, Center for Long-Term Care Reform):  This trend of Medicare, especially Medicare Advantage, moving into providing long-term care bears watching closely. Insurers likely to add and trim senior living benefits, thanks to relaxed Medicare rule #senior #medicare #goldencareagent
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“Why you shouldn’t bother with memory or brain health supplements,” by Consumer Reports in The Washington Post Quote:   “The signs of memory loss can be bewildering and scary: misplaced keys, a forgotten street name, that task you suddenly can’t remember. It’s no wonder that, according to the Nutrition Business Journal, sales of supplements touted as memory boosters nearly doubled between 2006 and 2015. But according to a review of studies published in December, there’s virtually no good evidence that such products can prevent or delay memory lapses, mild cognitive impairment or dementia in older adults. In fact, says Pieter
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