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life lessons
Peacefully coexisting during a pandemic By DON FOWLER “Don, will you please close the refrigerator door,” Joyce shouted as I stood there trying to decide between Diet Pepsi and iced tea. That was our major confrontation for day 150 of being together almost 24 hours a day. We discovered that we were getting along better during our shelter in place than we have in our sixty plus years of marriage. We had learned to put aside most of those little irritants and pet peeves and peaceably coexist. While psychologists are writing articles about the difficulties of living closely together for long periods of time, and counseling couples who are having problems coping with the situation, many of us have grown stronger in our relationship. In our eighties, with a variety of pre-conditions, we are well aware of the precautions we need to take during the pandemic. Working together, we have yet to need home care or an assisted living facility.
seniors coping with covid-19
Tara and Mike
Tara is a veterinarian; Mike is a high school teacher. They met on line a couple of years ago, dated, found themselves to be compatible, and moved into a small apartment together. Weeks before the pandemic they bought a large house in a rural Connecticut town, became engaged, and began planning a fall wedding. Both are cat lovers, spending much of their time fostering cats (Feline home care) from Tara’s clinic, while fixing up their new home, and spending a lot of time together. The pandemic has brought them closer together.
Alex and Larisa
Mike and Robin
Alex and Larisa graduated from medical school together, went to work at the same hospital, moved in together, and, just before the pandemic hit, moved to Boston, where they work in different hospitals. Sharing a condo overlooking Fenway Park, and looking forward to an active social life in the city, they soon found themselves facing long hours at their chosen professions and coming home to their small condo completely exhausted. Larisa is isolated from her family in Brazil, and the two have little time or opportunity to see his family and their mutual friends. Finally, they both were able to take a week off and spend it together on Martha’s Vineyard. They sent a photo to Alex’s mom showing the two of them at Gay Head, with Larissa’s hand over Alex’s heart. What was that on her finger? Yes, it was an engagement ring. They are back at work now, two front-line heroes doing their individual jobs, and returning home to be together, survivors of the pandemic era.
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Scott and Sandy
Scott and Sandy live in a trailer in Connecticut. His casino job was eliminated and she has disabilities that prevent her from working. They have spent the last four and a half months making face masks, most of which they have donated to the local schools and community organizations. They are also selling a small portion of the masks to put food on the table. Scott’s skills, which he did not get from his father, have allowed him to do some handyman work and to turn his small trailer into a comfortable home. Their marriage has grown closer by working together.
Mike and Robin have been married for many years. Mike is a retired doctor, while Robin still works as a nurse educator. Robin had been working long hours, traveling to two campuses in Connecticut from their home in East Greenwich, while Mike stayed at home, caring for the house and dog. The pandemic found Robin at home in front of her computer doing distance teaching. With less travel, they have again been able to spend more time together, and actually sit down at a reasonable time to enjoy dinner together.
Our Children and Grandchildren Give Us Strength
We have missed seeing our grandchildren, children and their spouses over this long period of social distancing, back take much comfort in what they are doing to keep their relationships strong while making a difference in the world. Joyce and I look back at our lives together, content that our love was strong enough to survive many obstacles, including a pandemic. Although we miss seeing our grown children and grandchildren, we live with the knowledge that they are our heroes.
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With most of the unconventional year of 2020 in the rear-view mirror, my daughter Kate and her husband Ray suggested that we revive the tradition of the Sunday family dinner. Since Sunday dinner is a relic of past generations, my wife Kathy and I were happy to agree. The idea appealed to my deeply Italian legacy and those Sunday feasts always evoked a sense of heightened Epicurean delight! For a little historical perspective I’ll hit the rewind button on the time continuum to an era remarkedly different from today’s maelstrom of 24-hour, seven day a week life, orchestrated by the ceaseless cacophony of electronic noise. I was born in 1949. In the decades of 1950 and 1960, almost all manufacturing and commerce were paused on Sundays. The presses in the jewelry shops went silent. Neighborhood grocery and variety stores were closed. Gas stations and drug stores were locked. And the department stores (BRM-Before Retail Malls) that dotted Main Street in cities and towns across Rhode Island were abandoned, except for a few roaming security guards. Thankfully, neighborhood Italian bakeries were open to serve the crush of people who crowded into the shops before and after church. One of my most vivid childhood memories is stopping at Palmieri’s Bakery on Ridge Street at the edge of Federal Hill after Mass at the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul for loafs of hot Italian bread just slid out of the oven. Breaking off a piece of that hard-crusted bread and savoring the still-warm inside was a prize that far outweighed anything hidden in a Cracker Jack box. The Sunday meal, starting with macaroni slathered in the gravy (red “pasta sauce” for the
uninitiated), was served about noon. Sunday dinner had already been heralded by the Saturday afternoon aroma of simmering gravy, flavoring the meatballs, pork chops, and braciola (rolled meat seasoned with parsley and other secret herbs) floating throughout the house and tantalizing the taste buds. Chicken and roasted potatoes followed the macaroni. After dinner, we would pile into the car and join one of my aunts and uncles for “coffee an’ (bakery treats or homemade desserts). It was considered to be a serious breach of visitation etiquette if you showed up empty handed. Looking back, I realize that there was an aura of comfort and reassuring feeling of security in the Sunday dinner tradition. Now let’s hit the fast forward button to 2020. Reviving the Sunday family dinner tradition was mostly my son-in-law Ray’s idea. He has very happy memories of Sunday dinners at his grandmother’s house and wanted his children to have the same connection to their history and ethnic roots. In concessions to present day reality, we alternate the site of the Sunday feast between our house and my daughter’s house, conveniently located just down the street. To accommodate Sunday work schedules of my son-in-law at a grocery store chain and my granddaughters at a local restaurant, dinner is served around 6:00 p.m. For Kathy and I, Sunday family dinners have taken on added significance. We spend most of the winter in Florida and renewing the tradition offers us a few more precious opportunities to share in the lives of our children and grandchildren. Twins Kailyn and Sophia will graduate from high school this year and will be off to college in September. Nicholas is involved in ice hock-
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ey and other activities. My son, Benjamin and his wife Renee live in New Jersey with our two-year old grandson Benjamin, Jr., and our son Matthew has lived in Las Vegas for more than 18 years. At Sunday family dinner, we enjoy our time together, and laugh and talk before the demands of the week begin again on Monday morning. Dinner conversation ranges from school, sports, and current affairs, to extended family news. Kathy has six brothers and sisters living in Rhode Island, Maine, New Hampshire, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. When you add spouses and 13 nieces and nephews, there is always some information that needs to be updated and discussed. We live in an age where the pace of life can be exhausting. Communications can be raucous, repetitive, and riling. Work, school, and social obligations can compress time into frantic bursts. Our Sunday family dinners give us a chance to relax, refresh our minds and bodies, be grateful for our many life gifts, and express our love and support for each other. When finishing a column, I often look for a final affirmation that will to serve as an exclamation point to the subject at hand. Josiah, an ancient Hebrew king, advised. “Think of your family, every day and hereafter, don’t let the busy world of today keep you from showing how much you love and appreciate your family.” Josiah was as much a visionary as he was a king. He previewed the challenges of life in the 21st century. Josiah knew nothing of the Sunday family dinner; but he instinctively appears to realize that it has restorative, refreshing, and invigorating potential. Josiah reminds us that time-honored traditions such as the Sunday family dinners are an important part of life, “every day and hereafter.” Larry Grimaldi is a retired freelance writer living in North Providence. Comments can be emailed to lvgrimaldi49@ gmail.com For copies of his latest book, 50 Shades of Life, Love, and Laughter: Reflections on Gratitude, Joy, Life’s Oddities…and a Few Complaints, or his other books, e-mail lvgrimaldi49@gmail.com, or go to Amazon.com.
retirement sparks by elaine m. decker
Flaneuring During the Pandemic Most of us seniors have had to change our lifestyles during the pandemic. We’re spending more time at home and less time (if any) socializing with friends. We seldom go out other than to the supermarket or drug store. When (if) we do, it is usually for a walk somewhere that will not have us encountering other people. It turns out there’s a name for a particular way of walking around: flaneuring. I found this helpful definition from an Amazon post for the book, The Art of Flaneuring: How to Wander with Intention and Discover a Better Life: “Originally used to describe well-to-do French men who would stroll city streets in the nineteenth century, flaneur has evolved to generally mean someone who wanders with intention.” One of my friends from college read the book. He has embraced flaneuring with his wife and grandkids during the shutdown. They do nature walks and report on plants, unusual trees and rocks and occasional forest denizens. His post titled: Flaneuring— Part Three includes photos of a snake he and his grandson untangled from some netting. The boy put the critter in a pond and it swam off. No report on whether the reptile had been flaneuring when it got caught in the net. I’ve taken to flaneuring closer to home. Specifically, I wander around with intention within our house and along the outer perimeter. Here are some of the things I find on these walks. First there are the tissues, paper towels and napkins that my husband drops as he moves about. I usually find several of these each day. He doesn’t walk with intention; he goes around in a fog most of the time. I pick up after him with intention. Then I take a spin around the first floor, looking for errant jigsaw puzzle pieces that my cat Kallie has carried off. I usually find those shortly after she’s taken them, so I can match them to the puzzle I’m working on or a recently finished one. I take photos of each completed puzzle, so there’s a void where the piece belongs. Not long ago, I found one on the dining room rug for a puzzle underway. Nearby was a totally dif-
around the perimeter of our abode. We may be sequestered here during the pandemic, but I can still find some things worth noting as I wander with intention. The truth is it doesn’t take much to entertain me as long as it breaks the monotony. I’m not yet an expert flaneur, but I’m working on it.
ferent piece. I still haven’t figured out what puzzle it came from. Less common, but equally important to keeping the place tidy, are the throw ups that my cats have left for me. Sometimes these are hairballs. Sometimes they are little piles of dried up kibble that escaped my notice for who knows how long. It’s amazing how well those can blend in with the patterns of our Oriental rugs. I’ve found that flaneuring in stocking feet is a good way to discover them. Outside the house, I wander with the intention of finding the golf balls that have been shanked from the 13th tee into the side or back of our condo. We’re located next to the fairway and get hit at least four dozen times a year. Often I hear them hit the house with a crack so loud I’m afraid they’ve taken out a window. So far this year, they’ve just come through a screen onto the porch floor, scaring the cats that had been lounging out there. If I meander outside with adequate intention, I wend my way behind the bushes below the back of our place. We’re located on the side of a steep slope and the plantings are meant to hold the soil in place. The groundskeepers trim them back less and less each year. Right now, I can barely sidle behind them to recover the errant balls that are often back there. My exterior flaneuring seldom turns up items as interesting as the snake that my college friend found. I did recently discover that a petunia had taken root in front of our garage. I didn’t plant any petunias this year. I don’t know if this seeded from last
year or blew there from a neighbor’s yard. Maybe a bird dropped a seed. Last week I noticed that the pot of geraniums on our back deck has a squash plant growing at its edge. Or maybe it’s a pumpkin. The blossoms die before I can identify them. Small but interesting oddities in the midst of what could otherwise be a boring walk
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Copyright 2020 Business Theatre Unlimited Elaine M. Decker’s newest book is Retirement Downsizing—A Humorous Guide. Her other books include Retirement Sparks, Retirement Sparks Again, Retirement Sparks Redux and CANCER: A Coping Guide. Her essays appear in the anthologies: 80 Things To Do When You Turn 80 and 70 Things To Do When You Turn 70. All are available on Amazon.com. Contact her at: emdecker@ix.netcom.com
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seniors coping with covid-19
Tips for dementia caregivers during the pandemic Caregivers play vital roles in the lives of the people they look after. That’s especially true for people caring for dementia patients, many of whom require round-the-clock help every day. A caregiver’s role is never easy, but the demands have been even greater during the global COVID-19 pandemic. Despite social distancing guidelines and recommendations to reduce interactions with those vulnerable to COVID-19, including the elderly, dementia caregivers must continue to help patients in need. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that older adults are at the highest risk of severe illness from COVID-19. That puts dementia caregivers in difficult positions, as data from
the World Health Organization indicates that age is the strongest known risk factor for dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association urges dementia caregivers to follow guidelines established by the CDC as they continue to provide care for dementia patients. • Wear face masks or cloth coverings. Face masks or cloth coverings should be worn when tending to dementia patients. This includes when preparing meals for dementia patients or cleaning their homes. The CDC urges caregivers to wear personal protective equipment when providing personal or medical services to people with dementia, including when helping them bathe. • Arrange for a substitute caregiver if you are ill or exhibiting any
Medication safety during CoViD-19 (Family Features) During the COVID-19 pandemic, staying healthy is top of mind. For individuals at risk for or diagnosed with COVID-19, the addition of new treatments may pose another medical danger: adverse drug events (ADEs). ADEs cause an estimated 150,000 deaths per year in the United States and 1.3 million emergency room visits, resulting in nearly 350,000 people hospitalized for further treatment. The experts at Tabula Rasa HealthCare, a team of clinical pharmacists building solutions for personalized medication safety, recommend several actions to improve medication safety and prevent ADEs: 1. Keep an updated list of all your medications. Ask your doctor(s) for a list of all your medications and update it with over-the-counter medications to ensure you both have a complete profile. Document why you take each medicine, the dose, frequency and time of day. Always have access to it by, for example, creating a secure note in your phone for safekeeping. Also, share a copy with a loved one in case of an emergency.
symptoms of COVID-19. Caregivers should have a backup caregiver lined up in case they feel ill or if they are exhibiting any symptoms of COVID-19 or if they have been exposed to anyone with the virus. The CDC notes that symptoms of COVID-19 include fever or chills, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, and muscle or body aches. A full list of COVID-19 symptoms can be found at www.cdc.gov. • Wash your hands frequently. Frequent handwashing can help dementia caregivers keep their patients safe. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds upon arriving at your patient’s home, and continue to wash your hands frequently throughout the day. If visitors arrive, insist
they follow the same handwashing routine. If you cough or sneeze during the day, wash your hands immediately, and always wash hands before preparing meals. • Look for virtual programs that encourage social engagement. Virtual gatherings have become the new normal as people try to maintain connections with family and friends while respecting social distancing guidelines. The Alzheimer’s Association urges dementia caregivers to consider pro-
2. Ask your pharmacist to review your medication regimen. Make an appointment with your pharmacist to review your medications, including prescription, non-prescription, supplements, herbals and recreational drugs. While you may see multiple health care providers, your pharmacist can provide a holistic review of your regimen. Ask questions and try to understand the purpose of each medication. Your pharmacist likely has access to technological tools that identify risk for preventable ADEs. For example, Tabula Rasa HealthCare’s MedWise is a one-of-a-kind technology solution that compares how medications interact together. Using this unique solution, pharmacists may assist you with managing your medications safer and smarter. If you are not aware if your health plan covers pharmacist visits, consider selecting a plan that does. 3. Ask about the benefits of a “pharmacogenomic” test. If you have a chronic illness and take multiple medications, ask your pharmacist for a test that identifies your personal gene make-up that can affect the way certain medications interact with each other in your body. With this data, your pharmacist can determine if your medications will work as expected, or if they may put you at risk for ADEs. With tools that store this data, your pharmacist can personalize your medication regimen and help reduce your risk for ADEs
grams that offer virtual activities that encourage dementia patients to engage socially. Such engagement can lift patients’ spirits and remaining socially active supports brain health. Caring for dementia patients during the COVID-19 outbreak requires embracing various strategies to reduce patients’ risk of exposure to the potentially deadly virus. TF20B449
. 4. Ask your pharmacist about risks with every new medication. If you are diagnosed with COVID-19, talk to your pharmacist before taking any new medications to determine if they may increase your risk for ADEs. When adding or removing medications to or from your regimen, it is important to understand how these changes impact your risk for an ADE. Another tool your pharmacist may use is the MedWise Risk Score to help you better understand and measure medication risk with changes. Your pharmacist may adjust how you take your medications or recommend an alternative that is safer for you. 5. Develop a routine for taking your medications and stick with it. Be consistent when you take your medications to avoid ADEs. Your pharmacist can provide you with a unique medication profile that outlines the time to take each of your medications for safety. Setting reminders such as an alert on your cell phone or sticky notes can help remind you to take your medication on time. Pharmacists are medication safety “quarterbacks,” helping optimize your medication regimen, avoid ADEs and assure you and your loved ones stay healthy and safe, during and after COVID-19. To learn more, visit trhc.com/nextfrontier.
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The Heart Can’t Wait
What to know about AFib and COVID-19 As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, people with certain health conditions may be delaying or forgoing some healthcare. People shouldn’t ignore symptoms or delay seeking treatment, especially when it comes to progressive heart conditions such as atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some things to know about AFib amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Understand AFib AFib is an irregular heart rhythm that can increase the risk of stroke and heart failure by five times, according to research published in “The BMJ.” AFib affects more than 5.5 million people in the United States, according to the American College of Cardiology, and may cause symptoms including, but not limited to, palpitations, fatigue, shortness of breath or difficulty exercising. In fact, AFib patient and former professional tennis player, Joel Bailey, had repeated episodes of AFib before recognizing that something was not right with his heart. “For several years, I had symptoms of anxiety and fatigue but didn’t know they were indications of AFib,” Bailey said. “As an athlete, I tried to push through but quickly knew something wasn’t right and I couldn’t wait any longer to see a heart specialist.”
Don’t Delay Treatment Patients with AFib shouldn’t delay seeking treatment, even during a pandemic. According to the “Journal of Atrial Fibrillation,” AFib is a progressive disease that may become more severe if left untreated. Medications are of-
ten the first attempt at treating AFib, but if medications don’t work, catheter ablation is another option. Catheter ablation is a minimally invasive procedure performed by electrophysiologists (heart rhythm specialists). According to research published by the Heart Rhythm Society, catheter ablation may improve quality of life and allow patients to get back to doing the things they love. In fact, a study published in the “Journal of the American College of Cardiology” has shown that 88%* of patients were free of AFib episodes one year after catheter ablation when treated with a contact force catheter, and stayed within the preset range. “It’s critical not to delay treatment due to the pandemic,” said Dr. David Lan, electrophysiologist and Bailey’s doctor. “A delay in treatment, such as catheter ablation, can decrease the success in patient outcomes or result in complications like heart failure.” Bailey has no regrets about having his catheter ablation procedure amid COVID-19. “I feel like I have more energy and I feel much better, mentally and physically,” Bailey said. “I feel like my old self again.” To learn more, or to find an electrophysiologist near you, visit GetSmartAboutAFib. com.
“For several years, I had symptoms of anxiety and fatigue but didn’t know they were indications of AFib.”
- Joel Bailey
*Success defined as freedom from any atrial arrhythmia (atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, atrial tachycardia) 12 months post-procedure when operator remained in the preset contact force range. Further sub-analysis showed that when the contact force was within investigator-selected range ≥85% of time, success was increased by 21% to 88% (≥85%: n = 32; <85%: n = 73).
“It’s critical not to delay treatment due to the pandemic.”
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From upper left: Chicken Pastelitos, Devil’s Dip, Great Balls of Fire and Curry Chicken Stars
Curry Chicken Stars
T
1 can (4.25 ounces) Underwood Chicken Spread 1/4 cup sliced almonds 1/4 cup red bell pepper, sliced 2 tablespoons green onion, chopped 1 tablespoon Polaner Fancy Fruit Apricot Spread 1/4 teaspoon curry powder 1 can (8 ounces) frozen crescent dinner rolls Preheat oven to 350°F. In a small bowl, combine all ingredients except crescent rolls. Unroll crescent roll dough, fold in half and then roll into a 10-inch square. Cut into 16 (2 1/2-inch) squares. Make 1-inch cuts diagonally from the corners of each square. Place one heaping teaspoon of filling into the center of each square. To form stars, fold in every other dough tip toward center. Insert a wooden toothpick into the center of each star to hold dough. Bake on greased baking sheet for 10 to 12 minutes.
FAMILY FEATURES
his Halloween, don’t let the kids have all the fun — scare up your own good time with a Halloween party for grown up guys and ghouls.
Curry Chicken Stars
Phantasmic Party Themes
Set the mood with a theme for your party, then carry it out with invitations, decorations, food and fun.
Chicken Pastelitos 1 1 1/2 1 2
Upscale
Gothic — Think stylish haunted mansion, dripping with vintage looking black and white décor. Create an eerily elegant centerpiece by spray painting interesting branches black and securing them in an old silver vase or pitcher so they look like a tree in a planter. Then hang cut-out ravens and owls from the branches.
Monster
Mash — Go old-school by celebrating the old monster movies from days gone by. Have Dracula and werewolf movies playing on the TV, or project them onto a wall or a sheet in the back yard. Use fake cobwebs and mummy gauze to dress tables and chairs, and freeze plastic body parts into ice cubes for some truly chilling drinks.
Great Balls of Fire
A Haunted
Twist — You can put a good fright into just about any fun theme. How about a haunted luau? Or a haunted hoedown, carnival or cruise? Start with the usual décor, then give it a good scare with fake blood, grossed-out goodies and weird little touches.
Frightful Fun
Chicken Pastelitos
Have
guests bring their own carved jack-o-lanterns to enter in a contest. They can be carved any way guests like, or you can specify that carvings should be related to your theme. Let everyone vote, then give the winners a fun prize.
Great Balls of Fire
Good
old-fashioned costume contests don’t ever go out of style. In addition to Best Costume awards, give out prizes for Best Undead Bride or Most Likely to End Up in a Bad Horror Movie.
Devilishly Good Dining
Keep party food simple to make and easy to eat. These recipes are alarmingly easy and will have your guests howling for more. You can scare up more recipes at www.underwoodspreads.com.
Cast a Good Spell
Help others in your community by hosting a food drive as part of your Halloween party. Invite guests to bring canned food, such as Underwood Meat Spreads, as well as non-perishable dry grocery items. Collect donations in a party-themed receptacle, then donate them to a local food bank. Find a food bank near you at www.FeedingAmerica.org.
Devil’s Dip
Devil’s Dip
8 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 can (4.25 ounces) Underwood Deviled Ham Spread 1 cup green onions, chopped 1/4 cup pimiento, finely chopped 1 teaspoon Trappey’s Red Devil Hot Sauce In a small bowl, mix cream cheese, ham spread, green onions, pimientos and hot pepper sauce. Chill, covered for about 30 minutes. Serve with crackers, chips or vegetables.
1 cup (4 ounces) cheddar cheese, shredded 3 ounces cream cheese, softened 1 can (4.25 ounces) Underwood Deviled Ham Spread 2 tablespoons green onions, finely chopped 3 tablespoons green chili peppers, chopped 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped In small bowl, combine cheddar cheese, cream cheese, ham spread, onions and chilies; mix well. Shape mixture into a ball. Roll in chopped nuts. Wrap in plastic wrap; refrigerate 2 hours. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes to soften slightly before serving. Serve with crackers.
tablespoon olive oil chopped onion green bell pepper, chopped celery stalk, chopped cans (4.25 ounces each) Underwood Chicken Spread 2 tablespoons raisins 2 tablespoons B&G Spanish-style Salad Olives, drained and chopped 1 tablespoon tomato paste 1 teaspoon Trappey’s Red Devil Cayenne Pepper Sauce 1/4 teaspoon oregano, dried leaves 2 tablespoons bread crumbs, if necessary 1 package (14 ounces) frozen white or yellow dough for turnover pastries, thawed 1 egg, beaten Preheat oven to 400°F. Line large baking sheet with nonstick foil. In large skillet over medium heat, in hot oil, cook onion, pepper and celery, covered for 10 minutes or until tender but not brown. Stir in chicken spread, raisins, olives, tomato paste, pepper sauce and oregano. Stir in bread crumbs to thicken filling. On lightly floured surface, with floured rolling pin, roll 1 dough round into 6-inch circle. Spoon 1/4 cup filling on one side of circle. Brush egg along edge of circle; fold dough over to cover filling. Seal edges of turnover with fork; brush with egg. Place turnover on prepared baking sheet. Repeat, using remaining filling and dough rounds. Cut small slit in top of each turnover. Bake 15 minutes or until golden brown and puffed. Cool slightly, serve warm.
b y c h r i s t o p h e r RANONE
professional perspective
The A, B and D’s of Medicare Explained Every year at this time, I’m sure it seems you get bombarded with multiple offers from all types of media, about how they can save money on the newest Medicare products, and it all sounds too good to be true. It’s very overwhelming just trying to understand what Medicare is offering, and you feel like you need a PH.D or at least a great deal of patience. The consumer really just wants a straight forward answer. I like to break this down by pointing out the similarities to building your own home. Part A: You need a solid foundation. Good Foundations are built on solid ground, that’s your Medicare: Part A, which is your Hospitalization Plan. That covers your hospital stay, nursing homes and rehab. Without that you are stuck in the mud. Part B: What comes next is the Framing. That’s your Medicare: Part B, which covers 80 % of your medical visits, blood work, etc. To cover the other 20% you would purchase a Medicare “supplement plan”. That will cover anything not covered by Part B. Part D: Now we need a Roof to go with that house and that’s where Medicare: Part D comes into play - your prescription drug plan (PDP). So there you have it, you
built your first “HOME” - an Original Medicare Plan. Now that you have the body of the house, you just need the mechanicals which in this case are the co-pays, the deductibles, and the waiting periods to name a few Now for some people they prefer a house that’s already built for them by a developer, and ready to move in.. That’s where a “ Medicare Advantage Plan” comes in, and your developer is the insurance company. They will have the plans already packaged for you. This plan is called Medicare: Part C . So now you combine Part A + B + your “Medicare Supplement Plan” + Part D your (PDP) “Prescription Drug Plan”, to come up with a “Medicare Advantage Plan”. Now what’s the difference between the Original Medicare and Advantage Medicare? State law requires that all insurance companies provide the same level of consideration when it comes to either Original or Advantage Plans. What does change is their level of customer service, their company’s ratings, and how long they have been in the Medicare game to name a few. But what also differs between these companies is not just their possible rate increases or decreases but what
new benefits they carry. These benefits may include dental, vision, hearing, etc. and may add on additional cost to your monthly premium. Also be aware of some companies’ outrageous ads, claiming that their premium is zero, getting the consumer to think they are getting free insurance. No! A low or zero monthly premium will likely have a high deductible, meaning you, the insured, pays first before the Insurance Company pays. So please, read the fine print. Because of changes that happen ever year, a review of your current plan should be looked at by a licensed health insurance professional. Look around for companies that fit your life style and updated health status, but be mindful that not every benefit or policy is available in your state. Christopher J. Ranone; is a licensed Broker and owner of Generations Health; A Health & Life Insurance Brokerage Agency, representing many top ” A “ rated companies throughout the country. Visit GensHealth.com for virtual or telephone conference. You can also email Chris at medicareplans@yahoo.com or call 1.800.674.6790.
seniors coping with covid
Weighing Medicare Part D options is crucial this year (StatePoint) You likely hear the same word of advice every fall: review your Medicare Part D plan. While you may be tempted to stick with what you have, it’s important to remember that plan specifics change annually, your health needs are always evolving, and as this year has shown, unexpected global events can impact your health and finances. For all these reasons, doing your homework is not only important, it has the power to substantially reduce your out-of-pocket costs. “Reviewing your Medicare Part D options is the best way to ensure your prescription needs are met affordably in the coming year,” says Kelle Turner, Express Scripts Medicare Part D expert. “COVID-19 has highlighted how having the right coverage is critical to helping you stay safe and healthy.” To help those turning 65 and older make sense of their options, Turner offers the following tips: • Don’t procrastinate: Part D enrollment is taking place from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 this year. If you’re like most people, you may be inclined to delay your decision. Indeed, nine out of 10 people wait until the last minute to select a plan, according to Express Scripts. However, the selection process can be complicated, so don’t deprive yourself of the time needed to thoughtfully comparison shop. Factor in how the COVID-19 landscape has potentially impacted your selection process. With many in-person resources (e.g., local Medicare workshops, working with a broker or agent, etc.) being conducted virtually or requiring advance scheduling this year, you can get ahead of the game by starting early.
One good resource to check out is RoadmapForMedicare.com, a free access website now offering short educational videos, recorded webinars and articles with tips to select the plan that’s best for you. The site also features FAQs and expert advice so you can better assess your options. • Look beyond premiums: While reviewing your options, look at the multiple factors which can affect your overall costs over the course of the year. While a lower premium might save you money upfront, these plans can have much higher copay-
ments, which over time can add up.
exposure to coronavirus.
• Check coverage: Plans change annually, so don’t assume that because your medications were covered under a certain plan last year that they will be covered again this year. Before enrolling or reenrolling, check that your current drugs will be covered. Likewise, check out each plan’s pharmacy network and what is covered to ensure that it meets your needs. For example, you may find that right now, your top priority is the safety and convenience of home delivery of prescriptions drugs in order to reduce your chances of
• Get savvy: Free expert advice can help you navigate the selection process and make informed decisions about your healthcare. Be sure to look for trusted sources who can provide the information you need to pick the plan that will work best for you and your budget. Take a closer look at your Medicare Part D choices. In these uncertain times, it is particularly important to be prepared to weather whatever comes your way.
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your taxes
professional perspective
by m e g c h e va l i e r
IRS extends Economic Impact Payment registration deadline The deadline to register for an Economic Impact Payment using the Non-Filers tool is extended to November 21, 2020. The IRS urges people who don’t typically file a tax return – and haven’t received an Economic Impact Payment – to register as quickly as possible using the Non-Filers: Enter Info Here tool on IRS.gov. The tool will not be available after November 21. This additional time is solely for those who haven’t registered or received their EIP and don’t normally file a tax return. For taxpayers who requested an extension of time to file their 2019 tax return, that deadline was October 15. Most eligible U.S. taxpayers automatically received their Economic Impact Payment. Others who don’t have a filing obligation need to use the Non-Filers tool to register with the IRS to get up to $1,200. Typically,
this includes people who receive little or no income. The Non-Filers tool is secure. It is designed for people with incomes typically below $24,400 for married couples, and $12,200 for singles who could not be claimed as a dependent by someone else. This includes couples and individuals who are experiencing homelessness. Anyone using the Non-Filers tool can speed up the arrival of their payment by choosing to receive it by direct deposit. Those not choosing this option will get a check. Beginning two weeks after they register, people can track the status of their payment using the Get My Payment tool, available only on IRS.gov. For additional information, please visit IRS.gov.
Medicare’s Annual Election Period
Tips to shop for a plan at home (StatePoint) Every year, eligible individuals can shop for a health plan during Medicare’s Annual Election Period (AEP), which runs from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. Doing so can potentially improve your coverage, lower your costs or both. The options are many, including Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, Medicare Supplement plans and Prescription Drug Plans. According to Aparna Abburi, president of the Medicare Advantage business at Cigna, one of the nation’s largest insurers, those concerned about COVID-19 exposure have a number of ways to shop. If you’re computer savvy, visit plan websites like www.cigna.com/medicare or Medicare’s Plan Finder at Medicare.gov. You might even be able to attend a virtual educational session. If you prefer phone, call individual plans or independent brokers representing the health plan you’re considering. You can also request a face-to-face meeting, but be sure to follow the COVID-19 safety
precautions outlined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Abburi said you’ll want to think about the following when picking a plan: Review changes. In late September, health plans send their MA customers a document called the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) with information about costs, benefits, available doctors and facilities for the upcoming year. Check this document to see if anything in your plan will change. Weigh extras. Pay attention to extra benefits not available with Original Medicare but which may be built into an MA plan at no additional cost, such as dental, vision, transportation or even an allowance for purchasing certain overthe-counter items. In these times, you might be especially interested in benefits that help you stay healthy while safe at home, such as telehealth, prescription drug delivery and in-home fitness programs. Know your network. Beyond cost, make sure the
plan’s network includes your favorite facilities and doctors. Are you okay seeking care within a network? These kinds of choices should be guided by your own personal goals and preferences. Consider costs. To estimate total costs, first, know the plan’s premium or monthly cost. Second, check for out-of-pocket costs, including copays and deductibles on doctor and hospital visits and prescription drugs. Finally, check to see what the cost will be if you need to see a specialist. In some plans, you pay more for going outside your network. Don’t forget prevention. Many MA plans cover preventive health screenings beyond those covered by Original Medicare. Talk to your doctor about which screenings are important for you given your age and health status. While it’s smart to minimize your risk to COVID-19, you still want to make sure you’re getting preventive and other necessary care. Your doctor will have proper safety protocols in place.