seniors Archives - Mediarabe

Thousands of local seniors left scrambling as financial woes strike Medicare Advantage plan

October 11, 2020

A Southern California insurance company’s financial woes are sending thousands of seniors in Santa Clara and San Joaquin counties scrambling for health care coverage amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

More than 10,000 people in the two counties enrolled in Vitality Health Plan’s Medicare Advantage option — insurance that provides expanded Medicare coverage — after it began serving the area in January 2019, attracted by good benefits and promises of inexpensive medication. But for many, the company’s offerings turned out to be too good to be true.

“If my parents were on the plan, I would move them,” said Patricia Salas, president of SBHIS Insurance Services, a company that enrolled elderly residents in Vitality’s supplemental Medicare plan and is now hustling to help them find alternatives.

The main issue is Vitality’s dire financial situation. The company is required to maintain what’s called tangible net equity — basically a few million dollars

The Daily 202: Trump tries frantically to make up lost ground with seniors, promising free medicine and checks

October 9, 2020

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Other polls released over the last week show Biden leading among voters 65 and older, including in the battlegrounds of Florida, Wisconsin, Michigan and Pennsylvania. Pew’s survey was in the field from Wednesday, the day after the first presidential debate, through Monday, the day Trump checked himself out of Walter Reed after his three-night stay in the hospital. Pew’s unusually large sample size of 10,543 registered voters means smaller margins of error for subgroups, which allows for deeper analysis.

Trump and many of his top advisers see his weakness among seniors as an existential threat to his hopes for a second term, and the president is demanding that his aides use all the levers of the federal government to woo older voters who have drifted away during the final 25 days of the campaign.

The president tweeted a two-and-a-half minute video Thursday afternoon of himself speaking directly to seniors, whom

Solon pushes bill giving additional benefits for seniors

October 8, 2020

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In this time of public health crisis, the country’s 7.5 million senior citizens should be given additional support and protection.

In this photo taken on September 8, 2020, an elderly woman wearing a face shield boards a bus in Manila. (Photo by Ted ALJIBE / AFP / FILE PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)

This was stressed by Iloilo Rep. Janette Garin as she pushed for the passage of House Bill No. 7815 that grants wide-ranging benefits to the elderly, including P1,000 social pension per month; an annual birthday cash gift amounting to P1,000; 20 percent discount on the purchase of health supplements; and free access and priority in government testing facilities.

“Upon reaching the age of 60, the level of opportunities available to an individual decline as the risk of deterioration of health inclines. Especially in the time of the pandemic, our senior citizens should be given ample protection by the

Lawmaker keeps annual health fair going for seniors, with pandemic changes

October 5, 2020

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A Valley tradition for more than three decades-the senior health and wellness fair at Warsaw Park-will happen this year, but with big changes made in the name of safety.

A Valley tradition for more than three decades-the senior health and wellness fair at Warsaw Park-will happen this year, but with big changes made in the name of safety.

Photo: Contributed

A Valley tradition for more than three decades-the senior health and wellness fair at Warsaw Park-will happen this year, but with big changes made in the name of safety.

Photo: Contributed

ANSONIA — A Valley tradition for more than three decades, the senior health and wellness fair at Warsaw Park

More seniors to seek online help

October 3, 2020

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A senior signing up for Medicare.

Justin Sullivan | Getty Images

Open enrollment season for Medicare enrollees can sometimes be overwhelming because of the wide variety of choices.

The average senior will have 47 different health plans to choose from for 2021, according to the Trump administration, up 20% from last year.

In most years, the majority of seniors turn to independent brokers and insurance agents for help trying to figure out which plan will work best for them.

“In our focus groups, people said it’s kind of nice to have an agent who can walk you through the options and steer you toward a certain plan,” said Tricia Neuman, executive director of the Kaiser Family Foundation program on Medicare policy. But, she adds, “it’s much harder this year just because people are mostly home.”

With Covid-19 cases rising across the country, seniors are reluctant to seek help in person

Minnesota Seniors Staying Optimistic Amid COVID-19, Prioritizing Health Goals

September 29, 2020

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Minnesota Seniors Staying Optimistic Amid COVID-19, Prioritizing Health Goals

PR Newswire

EAGAN, Minn., Sept. 29, 2020

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota survey explores attitudes and behaviors among the state’s age 64+ population

EAGAN, Minn., Sept. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Even after many months of living with the risks of the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota seniors say they are maintaining a positive attitude and are determined to stay focused on good health. That’s according to a new poll release by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota.

John Hines, who recently retired after spending more than four decades as one of the Twin Cities’ most recognized radio personalities, has teamed up with Blue Cross to raise awareness on health matters facing seniors during the pandemic.

The poll found most seniors have been impacted to varying degrees by the pandemic, but a majority believe Minnesotans can ultimately overcome the

Lockdown Could Worsen Hearing Woes for U.S. Seniors | Health News

September 29, 2020

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By Steven Reinberg, HealthDay Reporter

(HealthDay)

TUESDAY, Sept. 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Isolation due to the pandemic and failure to get hearing aids checked has fueled anxiety, depression and more hearing loss for many seniors.

“This has been a very difficult time as senior facilities and individuals try to balance poor health outcomes related to COVID-19 versus poor health outcomes related to social isolation,” said Catherine Palmer, president of the American Academy of Audiology.

Unfortunately, older adults who use hearing aids may be using them less, because they think there’s no one to interact with. This can reduce sound input to the brain and lead to auditory deprivation. The individual will be seen as not hearing as well and needing extra effort when communicating.

“Family members and friends should encourage their loved ones to continue to use their hearing aids — there is always sound around us,” Palmer said

PACE adapts and expands services to help New Orleans seniors live independently | Sponsored: PACE Greater New Orleans

September 28, 2020

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When COVID-19 forced PACE to shift exclusively to in-home and virtual services for New Orleans seniors, the staff was ready to quickly adapt and pivot.

“The whole model of PACE is flexibility and individualized care,” said Trisha Ventura, a PACE occupational therapist. “Our executive director always says we are not a cookie-cutter service. We’re constantly adapting and changing, so it has not been a tremendously difficult transition for us.”

PACE is an affiliated ministry of Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans. Its mission is to enable older adults to live in their homes and in the community as long as it is medically and socially feasible to do so. The PACE comprehensive healthcare program includes physician care, medications, rehabilitative therapy, personal care services, transportation, meal delivery and nutrition counseling.

Previously,

Future creates wellness and meal program for Atlanta seniors

September 27, 2020

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Throughout the pandemic, the Grammy award winning recording artist has been relentless in ensuring that every demographic in need is assisted.

ATLANTA — Future and his family spent some time last weekend giving back to senior citizens impacted by COVID-19.

Throughout the pandemic, the Grammy award-winning recording artist has been relentless in ensuring that every demographic in need is assisted.

Back in March, Future donated masks to healthcare professionals during a dire shortage. During the summer, the Freebandz CEO donated scholarships to first-year college students financially impacted as a result of the pandemic.

Over the years, Future and his FreeWishes Foundation has sponsored events that support the health and wellness of senior citizens, assisting those with medical conditions. And this year was no different.

Future refused to cancel his annual health and wellness initiatives for seniors. Instead, his foundation brought their mission on the road through a “Wellness on Wheels”

Atlantic City and NJ Department of Health launch COVID-19 testing program for seniors | Local News

September 27, 2020

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| Community Health

“This is a low rate, which is good to see,” Hornsby said.

Seniors have been impacted by the ongoing pandemic more than other age groups.

“All health experts agree that seniors are the most susceptible to the virus,” said Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. “The state offered the program, and it’s a positive for the city.”

Of the state’s more than 201,552 cases, residents over the age of 50 accounted for 98,114 of the total cases, nearly half of the state’s cases. Those in the same age bracket have made up 15,305 of the 16,097 probable deaths.

State health officials did not have a total cost for the program, however they said it would be covered through federal COVID-19 relief funds. The program is scheduled to run until the end of October, but Hornsby believes it will stretch through the end of the year.

“The city of Atlantic City