Medicare, Sleep Habits & Dementia

I hope this note finds you well and looking for ways to bring joy to others.

As we age, getting good sleep can become more and more challenging.

Do not underestimate the importance of great sleep hygiene:

Simply steps like going to bed at the same time every night, avoiding caffeine after 4, keeping electronics out of the bed and having a really dark bedroom can make a huge difference.

Here’s an article with helpful ideas.

And if Medicare insurance questions are keeping you up at night…

Book a time on my calendar here.

Life Lessons from Jim & Hughey

I hope this note finds you well despite the madness of the times.

You know how eagerly I’ve been looking forward to spring.

I’m a total wussy when it comes to cloudy weather, that’s why we left Ohio.

We miss all our amazing Buckeye friends, but not the weather 😊.

So when snowed it all over our flowers the other day, there was only one solution…

Go play in the snow, and I’m so glad I did, because I met my role models for life, Jim & Hughey.

Click on the picture above and learn the simple life lessons they confirmed me for me.

Despite respiratory issues and just plain getting older, Hughey and Jim inspired me. They keep looking for adventure and don’t let aging get in the way.

I didn’t even notice till we got off the ski lift that Jim is still telemarking, the hardest form skiing.

That’s message for me, wake up or die!

As we age into Medicare, of course there are problems, aches, illnesses and issues, but if we focus on what we can do instead of what we can’t do, it makes all the difference in the quality of our lives and the lives of those around us.

That’s it for this week.

If you have Medicare insurance questions, click here to schedule a meeting.

What do you know about COVID-19 and Social Security?

Greetings Neighbor!

I hope you are having a great week despite the crazy times. We’re having beautiful fall weather here except for the ashes from the fires on the patio every morning. Like you, I can’t wait for 2020 to end.

In the meantime, I keep doing my best to help people with their Medicare Insurance questions. This week, I learned two super interesting things. The first may help you avoid dying (seriously) and the second could help you avoid running out of money.  Click on my picture to watch the video.

Vitamin D, who knew it was this important? Having adequate Vitamin D levels seems to be critically important in strengthening the body’s natural immune system from the COVID virus, reducing the risk of contracting and surviving the virus by 50%.  That’s huge!  You can get vitamin D from the sun, in your foods or as a supplement.  So if your not sure, talk to doctor or your pharmacist and check out this article.

As mentioned in the video, three different clients starting Medicare this week asked me the best time to start Social Security. Now I am NOT a financial planner and I don’t play one on TV, but this is what I learned from Social Security Planning workshop this week:

You can start Social Security as earlier as 62 and as late as age 70.

Depending on your income, up to 85% of your Social Security income will be taxed.

The earlier you take Social Security, the less you receive.

Now some folks need the money immediately to replace lost work income. Others can afford to wait or maybe they plan to work part time till age 70 to max out the Social Security income.  There is no single correct answer so do talk to your CPA, your financial planner
or your wife 😉 (she’s the boss in our house) to find out what makes sense for you and your tribe. Here’s a link to the Social Security brochure with more information.

Drum roll please… the Annual Election Period for Medicare has begun. Plans are now available to review, changes can be made October 15th through December 7th. Do read through your Annual Notice of Changes and if you have questions, please book a time on my calendar and tell your friends to call me or book a time on my calendar if they have questions.


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.