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Calling all couch potatoes

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As the temperature continues to drop and the snow is piling up outside it can be very tempting to stay inside, cozied up under a blanket, relaxing on the couch. However, it’s important to remember to be physically active every day to stay healthy. Physical activity is important for people of all ages, but making sure to get regular exercise is even more important as we get older. Being physically active can help prevent the loss of strength associated with getting older, which can help lower the risk of falling. Physical activity can also increase mental capacity, prevent diseases ...

NDSU researcher awarded $1.89 million grant for Alzheimer’s study

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Jagdish Singh, chair and professor in pharmaceutical sciences in the College of Health Professions at North Dakota State University, is receiving a $1.89 million grant award for an Alzheimer’s disease study. The goal of the research is to develop a new delivery system that uses neurotrophic growth factor to treat and prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The grant from the National Institute on Aging of the National Institutes of Health spans five years. The most common type of dementia in elderly populations, Alzheimer’s disease accounts for 60 to 80 percent of such cases. More than 46 ...

Prevent Medicare fraud with these do’s and don’t’s

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Medicare fraud wastes a lot of money each year and results in higher health care costs and taxes for everyone. Con artists commit Medicare fraud by getting people’s Medicare number. People with Medicare are the first line of defense and can help fight Medicare fraud and abuse. Here are some tips to prevent fraud. Do – Do protect your Medicare number (on your Medicare card) and your Social Security Number (on your Social Security card). Treat your Medicare card like it’s a credit card. – Do remember that nothing is ever “free.” Don’t accept offers of money or gifts for ...

Dementia and the Holidays

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The holidays are upon us once again and packed with work, family, church, and other activities and obligations in addition to our already full, everyday lives. Whew!!!  With that said, let us add the challenges and stress of caring for someone who is living their daily lives caring for someone with dementia. Holiday expectations are high and the world we live in intensifies the expectations of a happy and wonderful holiday season. A very high standard for all of us to uphold and often not achieved. My hope is that a few suggestions listed below may assist in minimizing stress, ...

Walking provides great start toward fitness

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Seniors seeking an uncomplicated way to improve their fitness should slip on their sneakers and walk. “The greatest advantage of walking over other types of exercise is the majority of people are able to do it, and it’s a great way to get started, especially if you have not been ...

What changes are occurring to Medicare for next year?

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There are changes to Medicare premiums in 2017. In the face of low Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLA) and because of the Medicare hold-harmless provision, premium increases cannot exceed the 0.3 percent increase in Social Security benefits. If you are within the hold-harmless group, you were paying $104.90 in 2016 and will pay $109.00 in 2017. In general, you are in the hold-harmless group if your Medicare Part B premium is deducted from your Social Security benefits each month. The beneficiaries not in the hold-harmless group will see an increase of ten percent to ...