Hearing Loss just does not affect your ability to understand speech, it affects all aspects of your life. Seniors with Untreated Hearing Loss are significantly more likely to develop Dementia over time than those who retain their hearing or treat their hearing loss early. Multiple studies indicate that hearing loss can be linked to the onset of Dementia and Alzheimers Disease. Dr. Lin, over a six-year study (JAMA Internal Medicine. Frank R. Lin, MD, PHD. Hearing loss and Cognitive Decline in Older Adults) observed 1,984 adults with an average age of 77.4 years. Over the course of the study, tracking…

Socialization leads to a better quality of life for seniors No one wants to spend most of their days at home alone with a television or having limited interactions with others. Isolation and loneliness is becoming an increasing problem in our busy, fast paced world. Be Self Aware Pay attention to your daily schedule or that of the loved one you care for. Focus on the type of activities that actually fills the day, and with whom? Many studies are showing that isolation and a lack of socialization can lead to memory issues as well as depression for seniors. Senior…

When a person reaches the half-century mark, it is time to start planning the details of a comfortable retirement. One of the most important of these details is providing for your own long-term care. Hopefully you have been saving for retirement for many years before your 50th birthday. Your savings (and related investments) will be your primary source of funding for retirement income (usually augmented by Social Security, pension income, dividends, etc.), travel and other fun things, “rainy day” needs, your share of health care expenses, long-term care for you and your spouse, and your legacy that helps the kids…

In the theatre, the turning of these seasons can tell us a lot: about theatres and their directors, venues and their audiences, experiences and their reception. each theatre has its own procedures for sifting through all the possibilities for production, as well as its own unique set of criteria for selecting its season’s offerings – but there are similarities, too. The artistic director(s) and their creative team must consider whether a particular play will satisfy their audience. Does the combined season provide variety, fun and some deeper thinking challenges? Are they choosing plays that are possible to produce within the venue?…

Depression can affect us all no matter whether we’re living a life of luxury or have lost everything in the economic upheaval. Depression does not skip you because of your social standing, bank account, accomplishments, even if there’s nothing but happy moments around you, why then would you still feel depressed? Research has found that the brain out of balance and the lack of harmony between the lobes can cause imbalances that could possibly lead to disorders such as depression, anxiety, insomnia and more. Most of us turn to medications, but these same medications can possibly cause the afflictions we are…

An interview with Robert Pugach, MD - one of the most experienced HIFU surgeons in the United States According to the American Cancer Society, almost 250,000 prostate cancer cases will be diagnosed annually in the United States and will result in 29,000 deaths every year. These are frightening numbers. But, with prevention strategies and education about new treatment options, you can help do a lot to prevent becoming one ofthese statistics. Dr. Robert Pugach, Medical Director of Pacific Coast Urology Medical Center, answers questions about concerns regarding the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer and how HIFU (High Intensity…

Thanks to healthier lifestyles and advances in modern medicine, there are more Americans over the age of 65 than there have ever been. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that by 2030, more than 20 percent of U.S. residents will be aged 65 and over, compared with 13 percent in 2010 and 9.8 percent in 1970. As our nation ages, many Americans are turning their attention to caring for aging parents. For many people, one of the most difficult conversations to have involves talking with an aging parent about extended medical care. The shifting of roles can be challenging, and emotions often…

IN AN EMERGENCY, SECONDS CAN MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE IN SAVING A LIFE. For almost two decades, our community has relied on Orange Coast Memorial Medical Center to provide emergency services 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As the area’s population has grown and matured, the hospital has experienced a steep rise in the demand for acute care. Over the past nine years, visits to the emergency room at Orange Coast Memorial have increased by more than 44 percent. They now treat over 32,000 ill and injured people a year in the same square footage that served emergency…

I live in Orange County and lots of us are still working even after the age of 65. Many people postpone enrolling into Medicare because they are still on their employer health insurance benefits or their spouses. Below is some information that may clear up a few mysteries... Q: What if I’m still working and on my employer group plan or my spouse’s employer plan? A: Typically Part A (hospital), is sent to you prior to your 65th birthday. You earned it through your taxes paid. Part B (doctors, specialist, those services outside the hospital), does not need to be…

Did you know that heart disease is the leading cause of death for men and women? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 730,000 Americans experience a heart attack annually. If you have diabetes, a poor diet, are overweight or don’t regularly exercise, you could be at risk for a heart attack or heart disease. Additionally, high LDL (bad) cholesterol, a waxy, fat-like substance that clogs your arteries may slow down the flow of blood to your heart and brain, and can lead to chest pain, heart attack, stroke or other health problems. So, what can you…

There are two propositions in California that may be of financial benefit to seniors when they sell their homes and downsize to a smaller residences. Proposition 60 is a constitutional amendment approved by the voters of California in 1986. It is codified in the Revenue & Taxation Code, and allows the transfer of an existing Proposition 13 base year value from a former residence to a replacement residence within the same county, if certain conditions are met. This benefit is open to homeowners who are at least 55-years old and are able to meet all qualifying conditions. Proposition 90, approved in…

When long-term care insurance came on the scene in the mid-1980s, the policies were comparatively simple, with only a few options. While there are lots of choices today, there are still some basics that are important to understand. How does ltc coverage finance the care? What LTC coverage does is create a “pool of money” or a dedicated “long-term care fund” which will be used to pay for covered care. The size of the pool or fund is one of the principle factors that determine the cost of the coverage. How is the amount of money in the pool or…

It’s exceptionally rare to find hair artists who truly cares about their customers’ needs and are dedicated to finding the perfect solution – and have the skill and experience to actually make achieve your desired results. With years of experience in helping women who have fine and thinning hair challenges “feel beautiful again,” Debora Routhe and Carly Elliott are the go-to “dream team” behind the Mission Viejo-based Full Strands, Inc. – the go-to professionals for clients searching for non-surgical hair replacement options and hair extensions. Debora is an American Board Certified Haircolorist and cutting specialist while Carly is an extension expert…

You Don’t Have to Dodge the Conversation Senior living can be a scary conversation for many people while in fact most don’t know where to start or even what options are available in their local community. Today, it’s still common for people to still use terms to describe senior living options as “The Home,” “Facility” or a “Room” while in actuality senior living communities offer stylish apartment type living with restaurant-style dining including many services such as entertainment, housekeeping and transportation. Today, there are a wide variety of options to meet any social or medical need spanning from true independent…

Downsizing for Retirement The recent Case Study below is about a client that we were able to help achieve her goals for retirement through implementing the use of the FHA insured reverse mortgage program. Many people are unaware of how a reverse mortgage can be used to purchase a new home rather than being used to stay in their present home. Such is the case with the beginning of this story. It is the end of the story that makes this such a great example of a Reverse Mortgage success. Kathy was a client that I have known for many…

As some senior citizens have learned, even long-standing basics of the law don’t withstand the needs of government agency to pay the costs of health care. In California, the Department of Health Services (DHS) operates under a regulation that changes the common law character of joint tenancy. This regulation, known as 22 CCR 50960.12 [DHS 12], effectively overhauled the legal concept of the Right of Survivorship previously practiced under California Common Law. Under the Right of Survivorship, which existed in joint ten- ancy definitions before California even became a state, if a person owned property with a someone who was…

Medical compression stockings and socks are a travel essential Many people travel long distances and have to remain seated for two or three hours or even longer. They might not think much of it, but when movement is constrained, the blood circulation in the legs is restricted. This can contribute to heavy legs, leg pain and swollen feet and ankles. Prolonged sitting is also a major risk factor for the development of phlebitis and Deep-vein Thrombosis (DVT). Deep-vein Thrombosis involves the formation of blood clots (thrombi) in the deep leg veins during prolonged inactivity. In some cases, blood clots can…