Tag: cognitive decline

How to sharpen the saw!

May this note-blog post find you in great health with your Medicare Insurance working properly.

You’ll be happy to know I only have one 2024 Medicare certification left to complete. There are at least 10 different carriers with over 50 different plans in some zip codes, how crazy is that?

Summer of 2023 has easily been the most enjoyable time of our lives. We’ve been connecting with family and friends we haven’t seen in ages.

These two boys are the sons of our first exchange student, Romain from the Alsace, who lived with us in Georgia almost twenty years ago when our kids were about this size.

Karl playing cards with two kids in the kitchen.

Over the last two decades, we have hosted eight different students from different countries who came to the US and lived with us for a calendar year. It was so much fun for us and so great for our children to have to share our home with all these amazing young people.

This August, we invited them all (and their families) to meet up. Five of them showed up with family and spent time with us in Normandy.

Karl Bruns-Kyler at dinner with friends.

Chris rode his bike all the way from Germany.

Chris from Germany with his bike.

Everyday we spent together was filled with surprises, cooking, exploring, taking walks, drinking wine, and catching up on life and all the changes.

Kid feeding a hungry horse.

I have to admit, sometimes it was exhausting.

Group of people in front of building.

But the most amazing part… I felt my brain power getting stronger.

Three people riding bikes near a corn field.

When we engage in new and novel activities, it improves our brain fitness.

According to the Alzheimer & Dementia Resource Center, staying active and engaged can reduce the speed of cognitive decline.

Group at people sitting down together to break bread.

Some of the activities they recommend:
• Brush your teeth with your non-dominant hand
• Close your eyes while getting dressed or performing other tasks
• Wear earplugs to experience the world without sound
• Turn your pictures or clocks upside down
• Start a new hobby
• Learn a musical instrument or something that is new to you

Kid playing in a yard with green grass.

Just being in a house filled with young’uns speaking French, German, Spanish and English … filled my brain and gave me a fresh perspective, plus tons of gratitude.

Karl Bruns-Kyler pointing his finger at a building in the distance.

What a joy seeing the people you love grow up and continue the circle of life.

Is it our responsibility to keep challenging ourselves to grow so they have a model to follow?  That’s a personal choice, but for me, here’s the mission:
• Don’t expect thanks
• Expect the unexpected
• Live a life of service
• Maintain a joyful heart
• Laugh at everything, the good, the bad & the ugly

Father with two kids.

That’s it for this week; Keep squeezing the juice out of life!

Medicare questions or problems?

Book a time on my calendar or email Gray, Gray@theBig65.com.

If family or friends need help… referrals are the lifeblood of my business.

Let us know what’s going on and please send pictures :).

 

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here

As a novice to navigating the Medicare system, I cannot recommend the services of Karl enough. His knowledge has saved my wife and I a lot of money, both on the Medicare supplement insurance and the drug coverage. Costs you nothing to listen and has saved up thousands of dollars over time.
-Robert B

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Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Medicare insurance broker and independent Medicare agent licensed to help Medicare recipients in twenty-six states around the country, including:

Alabama
Arizona
California
Colorado
Florida
Georgia
Idaho
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Louisiana
Maryland
Michigan
Minnesota
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New York
North Carolina
Ohio
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Pennsylvania
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Tennessee
Texas
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The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.

The Big 65 Medicare insurance broker logo.

Slow Down Cognitive Decline

Greetings from Mexico.

Quantz and I are visiting the magical villages of Mexico.

Today I want to talk about the importance of brain care and how to slow down cognitive decline.

A recent article in the New York Times gave some great suggestions on ways to keep the brain healthy.

Play games.

Read more novels.

Beware of technology.

Eat bright colored fruits and vegetables.

Other activities that help keep the brain sharp and improve our memory include chess, crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles, Sedoko, Wordle, Scrabble, Bridge, and any card game that involves remembering things.  Improving our cognitive function does not need to be boring!

Keeping the mind active is important in keeping a healthy brain but there are also other things that research tells us are important to healthy brains:   SLEEP!   Good quality sleep is important to brain health.  Good sleep is often overlooked as an important part of staying brain-healthy.

A Mediterranean-style diet has also been shown to help keep the brain healthy.  This means lots of green leafy vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and nuts. Eating more fish and chicken is also good for a healthy brain.

And don’t forget the importance of regular exercise.  You don’t have to be a marathon runner.  It helps just to take brisk walks every day.

These are just some of the things that can help us slow down cognitive decline and improve brain function.

For us, it’s all about trying new things, like street corn or just practicing my lousy Spanish :).

The important thing?

Remember:

And if you have questions about Medicare insurance, book a time on my calendar.

How To Stay Sharp As We Age

I hope this note finds you well.

As a Medicare Insurance Broker, I speak with clients daily.

It constantly amazes me how sharp some retirees remain.

Of course genetics plays a role but so does active engagement…

Playing Games.

Doing Puzzles.

Reading.

Listening to lectures.

Staying engaged, remaining active, and learning new things can go a long way in slowing cognitive decline.

It’s not a cure all but it definitely helps.

And if you have questions about Medicare, book a time on my calendar here.

Hearing Loss Ruins Everything!

Greetings!

Hearing Loss Ruins Everything – As a Medicare As a Medicare Insurance Broker, I speak with clients every week about Medicare Insurance options, the topic of self-care, and how retirees best manage the aging process.

Want to know the biggest mistake I see?

How hard it is for some people to deal with hearing loss.

That used to be me!

Hearing Loss Ruins Everything – Hearing loss causes social isolation, cognitive decline and it can lead to depression.

The average person procrastinates more than six years AFTER hearing loss has occurred!

Wanna be happier? Wanna live longer? Want have more meaningful connections?

Swallow your damn pride and get your hearing tested!

It changed my life for the better.

Some Medicare Insurance plans include hearing benefits, so check your plan.

If they don’t, go to Costco or Sam’s Club and schedule a free hearing test.

Just remember to be patient with the hearing aid learning process…

Hearing loss occurs over time and it usually takes a while to find the right equipment and for the brain to adjust.

Of course not everyone succeeds with hearing aids.

But, if you persevere, the payoff is HUGE…

More joy, better relationships, and you might be able to hear the birds again!

Here’s great article on hearing loss.

And if you do need help or have questions about Medicare Insurance Plans, book a time on my calendar.

I’ll be happy to help.

Talk soon!

Karl

How to prevent cognitive decline and dementia in Medicare age individuals

Would you like to know how to slow down cognitive decline, isolation and depression in Medicare age individuals?

Watch this and find out.

That’s right, get a hearing aid! Now before you start whinging about cost and the nuisance factor and the annoyance, hear me out 😊.

After too many concerts as a young man, I finally got a pair of inner ear hearing aids they truly changed my life and the lives of those I love.

I can hear the birds sing when we drink our morning coffee. I don’t yell at the kids (as much). I don’t have to pretend I understand. That’s a big deal.

Studies have shown hearing loss leads to isolation, falls, reduced heart health, depression and dementia. Being able to hear well is life changing.

My audiologist tells me most people wait SEVEN YEARS past the time they need them. Most importantly, restored hearing can save a marriage and improve the quality of your life.

Some Medicare plans do cover the cost or partial cost of hearing aids. If your plan doesn’t, consider a trip to Costco. They have in store testing and reasonably priced equipment.

If that’s still out of your price range, visit a Bose audio store and try out their Bose Hearphones ( I have a pair I use for phone work). You can actually adjust the acoustics using your smart phone and they are amazing (and priced at just $500).

I can actually hear and communicate in a noisy restaurant (assuming we ever eat out again). Plus they are the only self regulating hearing aids approved by the FDA.

So don’t let your damn pride get in the way of living well. Get your hearing tested. You’ll be glad you did.

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.

Don’t Let Pride Get In Your Way, Get Your Hearing Tested!

Let’s get down to it:  untreated hearing loss and untreated vision loss will cause a person to be less engaged, less connected, less alive, less content.  One of our frequent themes here at the Big 65:

If you are not growing, you are dying!

A few years ago, after much nagging from my family, I finally agreed to have my hearing tested.  The result?  Shock of shocks, I had hearing loss, I couldn’t hear the high-pitched tones, including my wife.

My response:  I got hearing aids, the second-best decision I have ever made (marrying my wife being the best).

The benefits were instantaneous:  I could hear birds sing, my family stopped having to repeat themselves constantly, I was immediately sharper and more productive, I could hear at parties.  Everyone was happier, especially me!

According to my Audiologist, Dr. Brock Sturlaugson at Hearing Rehab Solutions, most people wait years and years to have their hearing tested, long after they’ve been experiencing
problems.  Why do people wait?

Well for me it was pride. No one wants to admit they are getting older.  The good news is the devices are smaller, less noticeable and more powerful than ever.  Some days, when I wear practically invisible hearing aids and put in my contact lenses, I feel like the six-million-dollar man!

This article in the New York Times discusses the link between cognitive decline, hearing and vision loss.  While the link is not perfectly linear, one thing is certain:  the more connected we remain to family, community and life, the more content we are.

Even better news, some of the Medicare related health plans I work with are beginning to offer hearing benefits.  If you think you or a loved one is asking those around to repeat themselves too often, or if feel you are disengaging, it may be time to check your eyes and your ears.

So, go it do now! Think of it as a gift for the people you love.

It’ll cost you money and you may have to swallow your pride.

But, when you hear the birds singing in the back yard while you sip your coffee and marvel at the brilliant light in a morning sunrise, you’ll be damn glad you did, and so will those who love you!

And to all the audiologists in the world…thanks!

Karl Bruns-Kyler
(877) 850-0211
Book a time on my calendar here


Medicare insurance agent Karl Bruns-Kyler of The Big 65 Insurance Services company.

Karl Bruns-Kyler is a Certified Senior Advisor and licensed independent insurance agent focused on helping consumers shop for Medicare coverage.

The Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services does not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all your options.