Articles

The initial 1965 Medicare program offered health insurance to older adults, primarily to protect retirees no longer eligible for employment-sponsored medical insurance plans. The focus at that time was the high cost of hospital inpatient care, giving rise to Medicare Part A (hospital insurance). The Medicare program automatically enrolled eligible beneficiaries in Part A, offering…

Original Medicare is made up of different parts that address coverage. Part A is hospital insurance, and Part B is medical insurance. In addition to inpatient hospital care, Part A helps defray your costs as an inpatient in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) for short-term stays. Part A benefits also include hospice care and some…

Kidney stones can be some of the most uncomfortable and downright painful medical problems you can encounter. In fact, some people have claimed that pain from kidney stones is worse than that of childbirth! Symptoms of kidney stones may include pain and pressure in the lower abdomen along with difficulty urinating or stopping and starting…

If your physician tells you that you have contracted onychomycosis or tinea unguium, you might panic. But those are just complicated names for a common condition – fungal nail infection. Some of the most common symptoms of this condition are:  Thick nails Brittle nails Nails with white or yellow streaks Flaking on the nail’s surface…

Although Original Medicare is a government-subsidized health insurance plan, it helps cover many expenses for those who are eligible. This doesn’t mean that it is entirely free, though. There are several costs associated with carrying Original Medicare coverage.  Medicare recipients have the option of enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan as an alternative to Original…

Because life is unpredictable, you can’t predict whether you’ll end up in a hospital emergency room for care one day. Hopefully, that’ll never happen, but in the United States there are over 130 million emergency room visits per year. If you do need emergency care someday, it’s important to know how your Medicare insurance can help cover…

While wounds are a normal part of life caused by accidents, surgical procedures, cuts, or other types of traumas, they can also be caused by medical conditions like diabetes, poor circulation, obesity, and decreased mobility.  Because aging increases the risk of these common health issues, seniors are especially vulnerable to getting wounds. And as the…

Anxiety is a medical condition that is often misunderstood. Some people believe that anxiety is merely a feeling you get when you’re nervous about something in life. The truth, however, is that anxiety can be a serious medical concern that may rob you of your ability to participate in everyday activities. Many seniors experience severe…

Cologuard is the registered trademark for a non-invasive, at-home test for colon cancer produced by the Exact Sciences Corporation in the United States. Anyone can take this test at home, but it’s mainly intended for adults over 45 who have an average risk for colorectal cancer.  Cologuard works by detecting specific DNA markers and blood…

According to statistics collected by the CDC last year, there were approximately 2.4 million reported cases of the three most common sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the United States: chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis.   It’s important to note the difference between a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and an STD. STIs occur when a person becomes infected…

With an uptick of measles cases in 2023, it’s important to understand what vaccines and treatments are available for the disease. The measles virus (rubeola) is a highly contagious respiratory illness that can affect people of all ages. Signs and symptoms of infection include the virus’ trademark skin sores, coughing, fever and muscle pain. Although…

Being able to drive a car during your senior years can help you maintain your independence, but depending on your health, you might need to make certain modifications to your car. Today, many people with disabilities, injuries, and illnesses can stay behind the wheel by adding readily available adaptive equipment to their cars.  The National…