Empty Nest - February 2024 by Appen Media Group

Appen Media Group

February Special Section

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2 | February 2024 | AppenMedia.com

Your Local Broker for Medicare Insurance Needs

Specializing in Medicare Advantage & Medicare Supplement Plans Serving North Atlanta Seniors for More Than 10 Years Representing Most Medicare Insurance Companies • Experienced Medicare Insurance Broker • Provides Personalized Plan Analysis Jay Looft Owner/Agent

• Annual Plan Updates, Including Upcoming Trends • No Cost to Use Our Services

770.913.6464

www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com We do 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 of your options.

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How to better understand Medicare insurance Brought to you by - Jay Looft, Senior Source Medicare Medicare has been in existence since 1965 (fun fact: President Harry Truman was the first Medicare beneficiary), and the Medicare system has been changed or updated multiple times since. This is partially the reason for the confusion for Medicare consumers. Another reason is all the various sources coming at you with different bits and pieces of what they understand Medicare to be. These sources could be family, friends, insurance company advertisements, and even medical doctors. These sources can be helpful, and many times can point you in the direction you need to go but take notice that these sources are often providing a “piece to the puzzle.” Medicare becomes a lot less confusing once you understand what you are looking at. One of the key concepts in understanding Medicare insurance is recognizing the two main paths when choosing how to get your Medicare. You are typically either going to keep Traditional Medicare and pair it with a Medicare Supplement Plan and

a Stand-Alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or choose to get it all through a Medicare Advantage Plan. Both are good options, but determining which option best meets your specific health and financial needs usually takes a bit of research. Monthly premiums, doctor co-pays, deductibles, prescription coverage and physician networks may differ between plans, and even your county of residence. As you can see, there is a great deal of information you need to know about each of these plan options to make an informed decision. This is one of the first questions we help our clients figure out, Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage. At SeniorSource Medicare Solutions, we have the tools and years of experience to help guide you to a Medicare plan that fits your needs. Once we help find the right plan for your needs, we will help you with enrollment, and be there for questions along the way. Our services come at no cost to you, and we would be delighted to work with you on your Medicare insurance needs. Call us at (770) 913-6464 or visit our website at www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com.

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On Occam’s Razor, Hickam’s Dictum and Crabtree’s Bludgeon Brought to you by - Dr. Brent Taylor, Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta Arriving at a correct diagnosis is not a simple matter. With the exception of the occasional conspiracy theorist (Is Elvis alive?), most people gravitate to the least elaborate explanation to a question – the explanation that makes the fewest assumptions to fit available data. Indeed, this approach is known as “Occam’s razor” and is the most famous rule of diagnosis taught in medical school. Within medicine, this rule is sometimes abbreviated to mean that a doctor should seek one single unifying diagnosis that explains all of a patient’s complaints instead of trying to explain five complaints with five diseases. For example, if a patient has a tick bite, rash, fever, headache and confusion, perhaps a single tick-borne illness explains all the symptoms and the patient can be treated accordingly rather than delaying treatment and introducing risk to perform spinal taps, MRIs or other investigations to search for second, third or fourth diseases. Occam’s razor might sound like obvious and sage advice. Unfortunately, it proves wrong often enough that a Dr. John Hickam, former departmental head of medicine at Indiana University, felt the need to remind students that Occam’s Razor is sometimes wrong. He coined Hickam’s Dictum, which states “patients can have as many diseases as they [darn] well please.” (Dr. Hickam used the other D word, but we may have children in the audience.) How often is Occam’s razor wrong? In my physical diagnosis class in medical school, a professor taught us that there was a study of inpatients admitted at a university hospital in which the researchers looked at how often at least two diagnoses were necessary to account for the patient’s chief complaint. The result? One third of the time at least two diseases were to blame. Hickam’s dictum counterbalances Occam’s razor and reminds us of not becoming nearsighted or prematurely triumphant upon reaching a plausible single diagnosis. Sometimes two or more diseases are to blame. Sometimes, the patient in respiratory distress has the flu and covid. A third rule, Crabtree’s Bludgeon might be my favorite. Who doesn’t love a good bludgeon? (You can tell I am a father of boys). Crabtree’s bludgeon says that a motivated individual will figure out an intelligible method of explaining away a set of contradictions, no matter how contradictory they are and how wrong they might be. This rule hints at the extent to which we humans often doggedly stick to a certain conviction or belief despite all the evidence to the contrary. New evidence says we might be wrong? No problem. We simply reason out elaborate new rules and exceptions that fit

our previous beliefs and account for the new evidence. Never underestimate the ability of people who are wrong to invent reasons not to admit it and to figure out how the new evidence actually further proves that they are right. (Think Flat Earthers) Sometimes, a doctor can cling to an erroneous diagnosis far too long when what the patient needs is a complete reassessment. This is one of the most compelling arguments for patients receiving second opinions. One of the most interesting cases that I have encountered in my medical career occurred when I spent a month studying at Stanford University. A patient presented to Stanford’s dermatology clinic with a tumor near her optic nerve and with certain birthmarks of her skin. She was sent by the ophthalmology department to the dermatology department for an opinion on whether the eye tumor was related to the birthmarks. The stakes were high. If the eye tumor was deemed connected to the skin findings, then the ophthalmologists planned on watchful waiting and observation of the tumor. If not, then they planned surgery which could result in blindness in that eye. I spent hours researching the embryology of her findings and discovered reasons to believe that the patient’s tumor was very likely an atypical presentation of a disease called segmental neurofibromatosis. I concluded that the tumor and the birthmarks were very likely part of a single syndrome. When I presented the case at Stanford’s dermatology grand rounds, Occam, Hickam, and Crabtree all showed up. Great debate ensued. The first professor to speak argued for the optic nerve tumor being unrelated to the birthmarks. Other professors found my evidence for a syndrome convincing. When the first professor found herself outnumbered, she doubled down and bludgeoned her way into arguing that the data was not only weak but actually backed her argument. How did things turn out? The patient chose observation instead of surgery. My visit to Stanford ended, but I corresponded with a professor there, and the last update that I received was that the patient was doing well with no further growth of the tumor on subsequent MRIs. I hope that you enjoyed this peek into diagnosis within medicine. For readers with children or grandchildren, I suggest that the lessons to be learned from Occam, Hickam and Crabtree are worth sharing and have relevance far beyond the field of medicine. If you or a loved one has a possible skin cancer or any medical or cosmetic skincare need, please consider Premier Dermatology and Mohs Surgery of Atlanta. Dr. Brent Taylor, Kathryn Filipek, PA-C and our wonderful staff are honored to take care of you and your family.

Skin Cancer & Mohs Surgery • Medical Dermatology Vein Care • Cosmetic Services

Honored to be Voted: Best Dermatologist and Best Vein Specialist

Insist on the BEST Dr. Brent Taylor is a Board-Certified Dermatologist, a Fellowship-Trained Mohs Surgeon, and is certified by the Board of Venous and Lymphatic Medicine in the field of Vein Care. He is an expert in skin cancer and melanoma treatment, endovenous laser ablation, minimally invasive vein procedures and cosmetics procedures such as Botox and injectables. Kathryn is a certified physician assistant with over 18 years experience as a Dermatology PA. We are excited to welcome her, as she brings with her experience in general dermatology and cosmetic dermatology. Her specialties include general dermatology such as acne, eczema, rashes, hair loss, full body skin exams, abnormal growths etc. Kathryn also specializes in cosmetic dermatology including lasers, injectables, micro-needling, PRP, facial peels, sclerotherapy for spider veins and at home skin care. WINNER

WINNER

Dr. Brent Taylor

Kathryn Filipek, PA-C

WINNER

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Presented By

Best Of Best Of Best Of Best Of Best Of Best Of Best Of North North North North North North North Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta Atlanta

Accepting new patients. We accept Medicare. Schedule your appointment with Premier Dermatology today. 3180 North Point Parkway, Suite 420 • Alpharetta, GA 30005 PremierDermatologyAtlanta.com • 678-345-1899

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4 | February 2024 | AppenMedia.com

Why shouldn’t I just add my How to better understand child’s name to my house? Medicare insurance Brought to you by – Michelle Wilson, Wilson Legal, PC

When you add a child to the deed for your home, you are transferring an interest in your home while you are living, and you are giving up the option to save on Capital Gains Taxes. Capital gains tax is a tax assessed on the profit that is made when real estate is sold. If you purchase a home for $200,000 and you sell it for $400,000, then you’ve made $200,000 in profit. When you add your child to your house as a joint owner, the child will be taxed on the difference between what the parent initially paid and what the sale price is. There is no step up in basis when a child is added as a joint tenant to a deed during a parent’s lifetime. The step-up in basis occurs when a property is transferred at death. When the child sells the parent’s home after they pass away, the child is not taxed based on the amount a parent initially paid for the home

called the parent’s “basis” in the property. The IRS changes the basis at death to the value of the property at the parent’s date of death. This is called the Step-up in Basis. The child is only taxed on the change in value from the parent’s date of death to the date of sale. The bottom line is that the child who is added to a deed as a joint owner, may wind up paying $25,000 in capital gains taxes or more especially after Georgia properties appreciated in value by 21% in 2021. Capital gains tax can be significantly reduced or avoided with the step-up in basis in a trust. At Wilson Legal, we believe the best lives are lived intentionally and by design. When you come in as our client, we will give you this and other tips for saving time, money and taxes for both you and your loved ones. We can preserve your tax savings by using a trust. Set up your strategy session to ask us how this and other benefits could work for you.

FREE Upcoming Webinars:

Brought to you by – Jay Looft, Senior Source Medicare

Medicare has been in existence since 1965 (fun fact: President Harry Truman was the first Medicare beneficiary), and the Medicare system has been changed or updated multiple times since. This is partially the reason for the confusion for Medicare consumers. Another reason is all the various sources coming at you with different bits and pieces of what they understand Medicare to be. These sources could be family, friends, insurance company advertisements, and even medical doctors. These sources can be helpful, and many times can point you in the direction you need to go but take notice that these sources are often providing a “piece to the puzzle.” Medicare becomes a lot less confusing once you understand what you are looking at. One of the key concepts in understanding Medicare insurance is recognizing the two main paths when choosing how to get your Medicare. You are typically either going to keep Traditional Medicare and pair it with a Medicare Supplement Plan and a Stand-

Your Local Broker for Medicare Insurance Needs

Specializing in Medicare Advantage & Medicare Supplement Plans

Protect your family today! Be sure to check out our webinars. Registration links at Wilson-legal.com/events

03/08/24, Friday • 1pm

Serving North Atlanta Seniors for More Than 10 Years Representing Most Medicare Insurance Companies • Experienced Medicare Insurance Broker • Provides Personalized Plan Analysis Paige Gorman Agent

02/23/24, Friday • 1pm Basics of Estate Planning

Alone Medicare Prescription Drug Plan or choose to get it all through a Medicare Advantage Plan. Both are good options, but determining which option best meets your specific health and financial needs usually takes a bit of research. Monthly premiums, doctor co-pays, deductibles, prescription coverage and physician networks may differ between plans, and even your county of residence. As you can see, there is a great deal of information you need to know about each of these plan options to make an informed decision. This is one of the first questions we help our clients figure out, Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage. At SeniorSource Medicare Solutions, we have the tools and years of experience to help guide you to a Medicare plan that fits your needs. Once we help find the right plan for your needs, we will help you with enrollment, and be there for questions along the way. Our services come at no cost to you, and we would be delighted to work with you on your Medicare insurance needs. Call us at (770) 315-8145 or visit our website at www.SeniorSourceMedicare. com.

• Annual Plan Updates, Including Upcoming Trends • No Cost to Use Our Services

Attorney Michelle Wilson

Basics of Eldercare Planning

03/22/24, Friday • 1pm Basics of Probate

770.315.8145

www.SeniorSourceMedicare.com 407 East Maple St., #105 • Cumming, GA 30040 • (770) 205-7861

We do 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 of your options.

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Vein disease is more than a cosmetic problem Brought to you by - Chad Aleman, MD, RPVI, RVT

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A.I.R. your emotions Navigating grief with acknowledgment, identification, and release Brought to you by - Line Fleming, Licensed Professional Counselor | Summit Counseling Center Grief is what we experience when dealing with loss. Examples include loss of someone we love, loss of physical ability, or loss of a relationship. We grieve what is no longer there. Grief is a process we must journey through in our own time. We can use Grief Skills to help process emotions. One skill is A.I.R. Your Emotions: Acknowledge, Identify, and Release. • Acknowledge what you are feeling. “I’m feeling sad.” “I’m feeling anxious.” Say this out loud or write it down. Acknowledging your feelings assists with slowing down and connecting with your emotions. • Identify the thought connected to the emotion. “I’m anxious because

I heard a song and I thought about…” It’s ok to sit with these feelings and thoughts and experience them in the moment. • Once you’ve acknowledged the emotion and identified the thought, Release them. Take deep breaths while clenching and opening your fists. This will help release the emotion and thoughts. This Grief Skill may seem awkward at first but will become more of a habit as you practice it and will help process emotions and thoughts related to grief. If you or a loved one are struggling with signs of grief, Summit Counseling Center is here to help. We have a team of trained and experienced therapists available to walk alongside you through this season. Visit our website to view our services, meet our therapists, and schedule an appointment at www. summitcounseling.org.

Live Your Best Life Healthy Relationships Positive Coping Skills Balanced Emotions We can help!

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Nearly 40% of people develop visible varicose veins which may progress to a more severe health condition called chronic venous insufficiency. Vein disease is a slowly progressive disease, so many people don’t even realize their leg discomfort could be caused by vein problems. Others may not have visible veins, so they don’t realize that vein disease could be causing their leg discomfort. Vein disease often causes leg discomfort at the end of the day or with prolonged sitting and standing. Vein disease may cause lower leg aching, pain, heaviness, fatigue, cramps or “Charlie horses” at night, ankle swelling, restless legs, leg rashes, or leg discoloration. In severe cases, leg ulcers or wounds may form. Treatment for vein disease has changed greatly over the past 20 years. Vein stripping or surgery is no longer required. Minimally-invasive treatments can be done in the office with no downtime or sedation required.

PROVIDED

Treatment frequently involves vein ablation using a tiny catheter or sclerotherapy (injections). Treatments can greatly improve quality of life while reducing the risk of complications of vein disease. It is important to find a vein specialist with experience who dedicates their medical practice to treating vein disease.

6 | February 2024 | AppenMedia.com

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Revolutionizing fitness THE EXERCISE COACH’S CUTTING-EDGE APPROACH Brought to you by – The Exercise Coach Alpharetta At The Exercise Coach, we’re not just changing workouts; we’re redefining how people age. Our unique blend of innovative Exerbotics equipment and expert coaching creates a fitness experience like no other, specifically designed for individuals who value quality, efficiency, and personalized attention. Innovative Exerbotics: The Future of Fitness Our state-of-the-art Exerbotics equipment sets us apart. This isn’t your typical gym machinery. Each piece is engineered to adapt to your strength and capabilities, ensuring the most effective and safe workout possible. With Exerbotics, we can measure your performance in real time, providing instant feedback to optimize your training. It’s smart technology that evolves with you, ensuring every session is challenging yet achievable, regardless of your fitness level. Expert Coaches: Your Personal Fitness Guides The heart of The Exercise Coach

experience is our team of expert coaches. They’re not just trainers; they’re your personal fitness guides, equipped with deep knowledge of our Exerbotics technology and a passion for helping you achieve your goals. They understand that every body is unique, and they specialize in creating personalized routines that yield real results. Our coaches are your partners in fitness, dedicated to your success and well-being. Changing the Way We Age Our mission extends beyond fitness. We’re dedicated to changing the way people age. With The Exercise Coach, aging doesn’t mean slowing down; it means getting stronger, healthier, and more vibrant. Whether you’re in your 30s or well into retirement, our approach is designed to improve your quality of life, boosting not just physical strength, but confidence, energy, and longevity. Join us at The Exercise Coach and experience the future of fitness – a place where technology meets expertise to transform your health and redefine aging. It’s not just a workout; it’s a lifechanging journey.

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Common questions for the dermatologist Q&A with Dr. Kehinde Raji Olumesi of Epiphany Dermatology Does my teenager need a skin screening? Yes, your teenager should have a skin check. Adolescents can develop various skin conditions, and early detection is crucial. Skin checks help identify issues like acne, eczema, or unusual moles that might indicate skin cancer. Regular examinations by a dermatologist can provide insights into proper skincare routines and address concerns early on. Sunscreen habits, lifestyle choices, and genetic factors can all contribute to skin health, making routine skin checks beneficial for preventive care. What else can a dermatologist help my teen with? Dermatologists can assist your teenager with a range of skin-related issues. Beyond skin checks, they address common conditions like acne, providing tailored treatment plans and advice on proper skincare. Dermatologists also help with eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions that might affect teenagers. Additionally, they can offer guidance on establishing healthy skincare habits like sun protection, preventing long-term skin damage, and promoting overall skin health through adolescence and beyond.

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Award-winning Cresswind active adult community Live better, longer and set yourself free!

Brought to you by – Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes by Kolter Homes An award-winning active adult lifestyle and a new home built around you? YES, you can have it all at Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes, metro Atlanta’s 55+ Community of the Year. * The heart of the community is Club Cresswind, an expansive lakeside clubhouse featuring the Cresswind SmartFIT Training Center powered by EGYM, a state-of-the-art circuit training system. The resident-only Club amenities also include a zero-entry pool, an indoor pool with lap lanes, an arts studio with kiln, a billiards room, a social lounge, a game room, a demonstration kitchen and more. Cresswind is home to Georgia’s largest private pickleball center. Residents enjoy two community lakes for fishing and light boating and a community dock with kayak launch. The nationally recognized lifestyle program is coordinated by the full-time lifestyle director and includes numerous clubs, speakers and entertainment. The event lawn and bandshell provide the perfect setting for outdoor concerts and events. The Cresswind lifestyle is designed to help residents live better, longer with the

Set Yourself FREE mantra – focusing on Fitness, Relationships, Education and Entertainment. After a full day of the exciting lifestyle at Cresswind, where you call home is not an area that is overlooked. Kolter Homes designs flexible floorplans with endless possibilities – all centered around the 55+ lifestyle. You can personalize your new home at the onsite Design Studio; from features and finishes to structural options that make your home your very own. With 15 designer-decorated model homes open daily for tour, it’s easy to envision your new home here at Cresswind Georgia at Twin Lakes. Enjoy resort-style living in an ideal northeast Georgia location near I-85 with easy access to Atlanta, Athens, Lake Lanier and the Blue Ridge Mountains. Cresswind Georgia is within the vibrant, master-planned community of Twin Lakes in Hoschton, just minutes from downtown Braselton. New homes are priced from the $300s to $1M+. Visit CresswindGeorgia. com to learn more or call 770.455.5844 to speak with a new home guide. The Welcome Center is open daily at 118 Hartwell Ct., Hoschton, GA 30548. *OBIE Awards 2023, GAHB.

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PICKLEBALL 7 DAYS A WEEK? It’s your move at Georgia’s #1 active adult community. At Cresswind, we’re in the business of saying “Yes!” With award-winning 55+ lifestyle and endless opportunities to stay fit and have fun, your social calendar will thank you. If you’re ready to say “Yes” to a new home, community and lifestyle built around you, Cresswind makes it easy. This is active adult living designed for the way you want to live. Designerdecorated models open daily. Visit in-person or online to get started.

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CresswindGeorgia.com 770-455-5844 • 118 Hartwell Court • Hoschton, GA 30548 © 2024 Cresswind is a registered trademark of Kolter Homes. Prices, homesites, home designs and other information subject to errors, changes, omissions, deletions, availability prior sales and withdrawal at any time without notice. *2023 GAHBA OBIES Gold Award.

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