May this post find you in good health with your Medicare coverage working properly.
This week, I read an article in the New York Times and it resonated:
“People get a big happiness boost from being with a romantic partner or friends but not from other people, like colleagues, children or acquaintances. Weather plays only a small role in happiness, except that people get a hearty mood boost on extraordinary days, such as those above 75 degrees and sunny. People are consistently happier when they are out in nature, particularly near a body of water, particularly when the scenery is beautiful.”
We shouldn’t expect to be happy all of the time, but we can make an effort to leverage activities that bring joy.
The article also stated, “the activities that make people happiest include sex, exercise and gardening.”
Michelle Kondo, a research social scientist with the USDA Forest Service’s Northern Research Station said this about being in the great outdoors:
“The physiological response to being outside in nature is real, and it’s measurable.”
So if you’re wondering about creating more happiness and more joy in your life – the answer is OUT THERE!
George Burns knew something about the happiness a family can bring:
“Happiness is having a large, loving, caring, close-knit family in another city.” – George Burns
Another wise person said this about the importance of family: Treat your family like friends and your friends like family.
Family doesn’t always mean your blood relatives. Many of us have close friends who are family.
Kids who spend more time with their family tend to perform well in school. Studies have also shown that kids who hang out with family tend to have fewer behavioral issues and fewer problems with substance abuse.
Studies have also shown that stronger family connections can increase lifespan by 50%!
So look for ways to stay connected.
And remember – you can’t pick your family … but you can pick your Medicare insurance coverage!
I may not be able to answer all your questions about the importance of family but I can help answer your questions related to Medicare.
Hey everyone, it’s Karl with the Big 65 Medicare Insurance Services and I hope you are having a great week.
Today, I want to talk about preparing for a positive outcome if you end up in a skilled nursing facility.
If you have outpatient surgery or a hospital surgery, and the post follow up care requires time in a skilled nursing facility, make sure you plan for that in advance.
Know where you are going. Make sure you have a case manager set up as well as the name of a social worker. Accountability and having a plan of action in advance of visiting that skilled nursing facility will make a huge difference in the outcome and your return to the activities of daily living.
One of the biggest frustrations Medicare consumers experience daily is… the illegal telemarketing bombardment:
Phone calls, texts, and voicemails.
It’s insane.
It’s also against the law!
Medicare consumers are duped into believing they are making huge mistakes and leaving money on the table if they don’t engage with a complete stranger at a call center and switch plans.
Most of the calls are illegal; most do not have permission to contact you.
Most are bad news and here’s proof.
When a telemarketer calls (and if you mistakenly pick up) say this:
“Before we engage, please give me your FULL NAME, your STATE INSURANCE LICENSE and YOUR PHONE NUMBER, and I will confirm your identity and call you back.”
Watch them scamper like rats! And if they give their number, call me and I’ll help you report them.
Unless you’ve given “permission to contact,” telemarketers are breaking the law and they know it.
Do not fall for these call center ploys or you may end up in the wrong plan!
Take these steps to reduce unwanted calls:
1. Set up your iPhone or your Android only to receive calls from people you choose, people in your contacts. Here is the link on how to set up your phone and be sure to add my number to your safe list 😊.
2. Consider adding a third party call blocking app like Truecaller, YouMail, Robokiller or Hiya.
3. If these tech steps are above your paygrade (or you don’t have access to a grandchild for tech support,) visit your local cell phone provider and get them to help you set up your phone.
So how do you know if you are in a good Medicare Insurance Plan and purge the fear that you are making a mistake?
How do you know if you are leaving money on the table and continue to be an informed consumer?
The answer is simple…
Find a trusted independent Medicare Insurance Broker, someone you can work with year after year.
Check their google reviews.
Check if they have complaints with the Department of Insurance.
If you engage with an Independent Insurance Broker (not a captive sales agent trying to change your plan), you’ll get the help you need.
Medicare Consumers need a professional who will be there year after year, a professional who will answer questions (AFTER the sale) and to help them switch plans only if it is appropriate.
Twice daily two minute brushing with a soft bristled brush
Flossing Daily
Mouthwash after flossing and brushing
Avoiding tobacco
Regular Dental checkups and cleanings
Because Medicare does not cover preventive dental care, consumers must explore alternative options:
Check if your plan includes dental benefits built in or if there is an option to add dental benefits.
Review stand alone dental insurance plans with your independent Medicare Insurance Broker.
If you already have a dentist, ask their billing person what are the most popular insurance plan they see their clients using.
Consider dental tourism. Yours truly gets a dental work done overseas, whenever possible, at a fraction of the price. Do your homework before selecting a dentist.
Maintaining proper oral hygiene is an important component of overall wellness, so if you need help in reviewing your dental options, book a time on my calendar here.
“Getting old ain’t for sissies,” that’s what my neighbor used to say.
The good news is there are many small things we can do daily to slow down the aging process.
Keep moving. Seven thousand steps or about 30 minutes of daily exercise seems to essential to staying healthy and aging well. A little bit of exercise daily goes a long way, we don’t need to go crazy working out.
Engage with others. Saying hello to others we encounter during daily errands or reconnecting with friends and family can provide a huge boost to our mental health and help us to enjoy life and to live longer.
Use your brain. Read books, listen to podcasts, do puzzles, try out a new recipe for jalapeno cornbread. Changing your routine and doing new things will improve your cognitive functioning and it could slow down the aging process.
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.
