Aging: What's Your "Age of Potential"?

There have been many revaluations over the last century, however none as significant as the Longevity Revolution. This past week was my birthday, which got me reflecting on that thing called, life.

In America, we are living on average 38 years longer than our great grandfathers*. That’s an entire second adult lifetime, added on to our lifespan. Yet, our culture has not yet come to let go of stereotypical slangs like, “blue hair”, “geezer” or “BOOF”. We’re still living with the old perspective of age as an arch; you’re born, you peak at midlife, then you decline into decrepitation.  This view stems from the notion that age is merely pathology.

The Longevity Revolution however, has shed light on these last three added decades, some calling it the “third act of life”. Slowly scientists, doctors, and researchers are coming to the realization that this is actually a developmental stage of life with its own significance. As different as midlife is to adolescence, and adolescence to childhood. So what about the average person? What about you?

We should all be asking, how do we make good use of three more decades of life?  How do we live the third act successfully?

As you may know one of the fundamental laws of the world is the second Law of Thermodynamics; entropy. Entropy means that everything in the world is in a constant state of decline and decay. There’s only exception to this universal law and that is the human spirit. Take instances of joy: the fall of the Berlin wall, Armstrong walking on the moon, Jackie Robinson joining the major leagues. Now take instances of sorrow: Nine-eleven, fall solders from the invasion of Iraq, the Vietnam War. Both bear stories of heroism, growth, and unity.   

Likewise, your spirit can continue to evolve with age into wholeness, authenticity, and wisdom.

So I propose a slight twist in the way we view age. Instead of thinking, “I’ve lived so many years”, look at how many years you have left to make a difference, learn a new skill, or contribute to your community. A 75-years-old female now has 16 more years to do great things. A 60-year-old male now has 24 more years to do great things. Age then turns from pathology, into potential.

What is your "Age of Potential"? You may just have an entire lifetime ahead of you to do and be great.

*Average life expectancy according to the Center for Disease Control (CDC):

In 2013: 86 female, 84 males

In 1900: 46 female, 48 males

Give the BOOT to "BUT"

While waiting it line at the market I couldn’t help but overhear a conversation between two ladies ahead of me. What started off as a comment regarding “Ellen’s drinking habits” quickly accelerated to an all out rant about her dysfunctional living arrangement, multiple failed relationships and outdated style. After a good 3 minutes, whoever Ellen was sounded like a she could use some real help. Then something strange happened. With a sigh, one woman looked to the other and said, “Bless her heart.” The conversation then switched to Ellen’s “delightful” dinner party for her husband. It seemed strange to me that somehow those three words, “bless her heart”, could completely nullify the previous diatribe.

Then I realized that there’s actually a shorter version of the “bless her heart” contradiction wrapped up in a short, sweet, overused package of only three letters.

“…BUT…”

Somehow three letters later we are able to completely nix the latter point. I looked up the meaning of “but” and found that its intended use is actually “to indicate the impossibility of anything other than what is being stated.” 

“I want to but…”

“I should but…”

“I will but…”

How disappointing that in one swoop we can completely evade what we want, should or will do all with a word that makes us feel excused for doing the exact opposite.

With that, I urge you to give the boot to "but"!

When you’re about to say…it…stop and ask yourself if you are about to make an excuse. Watch as your entire paradigm shifts when you replace “but” with other words: or, so, and.  You can even delete it all together! Free yourself from excuses and instead give yourself a reason to act.

“I want to so…I’ll ask someone to teach me”

“I should and…I’ll make time to do it”

“I will!”

Take back the power from "but" to do what you want, should or will do and give the boot to "but"! 

Medicare Voluntary Supplemental Plans: Get the Answers from an Expert

Cynthia Bengtson has served in the employee benefits field for over 30 years as a benefits leader at ARCO/British Petroleum. She now cares for three elder relatives in two different states and works with voluntary supplemental employee benefits with Combined Worksite Solutions focusing on businesses with little or no budget for employee benefits. Its a pleasure to have have Cynthia as a friend and valuable resource. 

One question that Cynthia often gets is, 'Why take voluntary benefits into Medicare years?'

Here are Cynthia's insights:

Voluntary supplemental plans do not pay doctors or hospitals. Voluntary plans pay you cash benefits when you obtain medical treatment for an accident or illness. You can use the cash benefits however you wish—to pay for

·      deductibles and co-pays;

·      alternative or experimental medical treatment;

·      rent, mortgage, gas, groceries or other non-medical out of pocket expenses;

·      travel costs to have relatives come to take care of you or vica versa

·      and more!!

Voluntary plans are not major medical plans—they are cash flow protection plans and should be viewed as part of one’s financial protection strategy.

Voluntary plans to pay you cash in case of:

• Accidents
• Hospitalization
• Disability
• Cancer
• Critical Illness (heart attack, stroke, MS, blindness, etc)
• Certain wellness activities like mammograms, pap smears, blood screenings and more

Keeping a voluntary plan after you are eligible for Medicare could help with your cash flow and help pay for extra care needed after an injury or illness including the costs of children or relatives traveling to care for you or extra caregiver services.

Various companies offer voluntary plans today. Be aware:

·      Not all companies allow all plans to continue past age 65. Research each company’s plans before enrolling.

·      Some plans include cancer in the critical illness plans; others do not and offer a separate cancer only plan.

·      Some plans reduce benefits at age 65 or 70.

·      The cost of many plans is based upon age at issuance of the policy and the younger you are when you join the plan the lower your premium will be.

·      Traditionally, premiums are fixed at purchase and do not increase over the years—but ask the insurance company agent!

·      Voluntary plans can be obtained on an individual basis or through a Company at group rates and on a pre-tax basis if desired.

·      Some companies allow you to file claims online or over the telephone.

·      Most plans pay claims within 4-10 days. Ask each company about their performance.

·      The payment methods for individual plans vary. Make sure you understand all your options.

·      Industry experts recommend you set aside one hour’s wage per week for voluntary plan coverage. Make sure you stay on your budget.

·      Purchase only the protection you need. Do not get “over sold” more plans that you need. Insure only what you can not afford to lose.

·      Make sure you know who your individual agent is and have his/her direct phone number!

Voluntary plans might be of help to you. Be aware of your options and make the right decision for you or your elder relatives!

By Cynthia Bengtson, Account Executive with Combined Worksite Solutions
Licensed life and health insurance agent in CA, TX, NV, and AR. 

Vaccinations: The Who, What, When, Where, and Why

When was the last time you got vaccinated? With the flu vaccine getting the spotlight during the recent flu season, other vaccines often get neglected. As a healthcare provider, I always encounter confusion amongst patients with this subject. Here is the who, what, when, where, and why on what vaccinations are recommended by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) for those 55 and over.

1. Flu vaccine (influenza)

Who: All individuals (except those with an egg allergy)

What: The Flu vaccine provides protection against the influenza virus. There can be several strands of flu in a single shot. This can be identified as trivalent (3 strands) vs. quadrivalent (4 strands). Be sure to ask which type your provider offers.

When: Yearly between September – March

Where: Check with your primary care provider or local pharmacy.

Why: The flu vaccine minimizes your chances of getting the flu or can decrease the severity of flu symptoms. Symptoms of the flu include typical common cold symptoms, as well as fatigue, body aches, and fevers. Complications of the flu can lead to pneumonia or respiratory failure. It is important to get your flu shot yearly due to the changes that occur in the viral strains. Moreover, remember you can’t get the flu from the flu shot, because the vaccination is inactive.

2. Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Pertussis)

Who: All individuals

What: The Tdap vaccine provides protection against tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis in a single vaccine.

When: A booster shot is recommended every 10 years

Where: Check with your primary care provider and local pharmacy. 

Why: The Tdap vaccine minimizes your chances of:

• Tetanus- characterized by prolonged contraction of skeletal muscle tissues. This can be caused by injury to the skin with a rusty or dirty object.
•  Diphtheria- a respiratory illness that can result in respiratory failure.
• Pertussis aka “ whooping cough”- a highly contagious respiratory disease that can result in uncontrollable coughing and difficulty breathing.

3. Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

Who: Those 60 +

What: The Shingles vaccine minimizes your chances of reactivating the chicken pox

When: A one time dose

Where: Check with your primary care provider and local pharmacy

Why: Shingles is a dormant form of the chickenpox virus in the nerve roots. Upon times of stress or decreased immunity this virus can become reactivated and cause a

4. Pneumonia (Pneumococcal) 

Who: Those 65 + and all individuals who are at high risk (co-morbidities including-cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, liver disease, diabetes, renal failure, immunocompromised, alcoholism, and smoking.) 

What: The Pneumonia vaccine minimizes your chances of developing the most common types of pneumonia.

When: 1-2 doses before the age of 65 (at least 5 years apart), 1 dose after the age of 65.

Where: Check with your primary care provider and local pharmacy

Why: Pneumonia can lead to a blood infection and even respiratory failure. Although the treatment of pneumonia can be achieved with antibiotics, with an increase in antibiotic resistance and co- morbidities, prevention by means of vaccination is more becoming important.

Ideally, when considering vaccinations it is important to outweigh the benefits and risks. Many diseases that were once prominent have now become obsolete with the introduction of vaccinations. The diseases mentioned above can also enter this realm though prevention by vaccination. In order to be proactive it is important to talk to you health care provider to discuss your risks and what vaccines they would recommend for you.  

References

CDC. (2014). Immunization schedules. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/schedules/easy-to-read/adult.html

CDC. (2014). Vaccines and Immunizations. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/vpd-vac-

Heflin, M.T. (2014). Geriatric health maintenance. Up to Date. Retrieved from http://www.uptodate.com/contents/geriatric-health-maintenance?source=search_result&search=geriatric+health+maintenance&selectedTitle=1~9#H

By: Bethany Mayor- Gomez, MSN(c), RN 

Bethany is a registered nurse with a background in travel vaccinations, cardiac, orthopedic, and medical-surgical nursing. She will soon be graduating with her master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Her favorite thing about nursing is the continuous strive for the welfare of others through health promotion, protection, and disease prevention.