2 • Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014
Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014 • 3
Managing the aches and pains of arthritis (BPT) - Arthritis can strike at any age. In fact, of the 50 million Americans suffering from arthritis, two-thirds are under the age of 65. Each year, arthritis accounts for 44 million outpatient visits, over 900,000 hospitalizations and has quickly become the leading cause of disability in the United States, outnumbering activity limitations caused by heart disease, cancer or diabetes. Making the right lifestyle and medication decisions can be the difference between living a healthy, full life and living with a serious disability.
“Managing the disease so that patients can continue to live normal lives is important,” Crockett says. “Each patient is different and so are their treatment plans, but there are a few things everyone can do that can help manage symptoms.”
The specially trained pharmacists in the Express Scripts Rheumatoid Arthritis and Inflammatory Disease Therapeutic Resource Center, offered through Accredo, have disease-specific expertise and spend the majority of their time counseling patients with these conditions.
* Do not self-medicate: Combining overthe-counter medications with prescription medications can be risky and can cause side effects such as an increase in gastrointestinal irritation or a gastrointestinal bleed. Check with a doctor or specialist pharmacist before adjusting doses or making changes to the medication regimen.
“It’s important to know that arthritis is not one condition, but a complex family of musculoskeletal disorders consisting of more than 100 different diseases,” says Phyllis Crockett, specialist pharmacist at Express Scripts. “Of the arthritis population, 60 percent are women and several types of arthritis are more prevalent in women.” The most common forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile arthritis (JA), which account for about 58 percent of all patients. OA is characterized by a breakdown of joint cartilage and primarily affects elderly patients. RA is characterized by inflammation of the membranes lining the joint. Lastly, JA describes many autoimmune and inflammator y conditions that can affect children ages 16 and younger.
and remember that acetaminophen is often a component in common sinus, cough/cold and pain medications. Some foods and beverages can also block the
*Stay active: OA and RA patients particularly can benefit from both endurance and resistance training. Additionally, every pound of weight lost reduces the pressure
effects of arthritis medications. These include grapefruit, apple and orange juice as well as milk and yogurt. Wait at least four hours after taking medications before ingesting these products. Exact times can vary depending on the disease and the treatment. Check with your healthcare professional if you have any questions.
on each knee by 4 pounds. Maintaining a healthy weight and protecting against joint injury can help prevent OA.
Crockett offers the following suggestions to help the ar thritis population.
* Take as directed: For patients who already are on medication to treat the condition, adherence is critical. If patients do not take their medication as prescribed they may be faced with disability or rapid progression of the disease. * Watch for drug interactions: Some common medications such as acetaminophen can have a drug-drug interaction with arthritis medications. Limit intake
For more information and additional ways to become a more engaged and empowered patient, visit the Express Scripts Healthcare Insights blog at lab.express-scripts.com.
4 • Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014
Four simple remedies for joint pain (BPT) - Soreness, stiffness, tenderness - joint pain can have a direct impact on quality of life. Fortunately, there are a number of proactive steps that incorporate all-natural solutions to help improve joint health and overall wellness.
anchovies, etc. Aim to do this at least twice per week.”
Joint pain is one of the most common health concerns. It affects 30 percent of U.S. adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Not surprisingly, joint pain prevalence increases with age. Forty-two percent of adults 45-64 years old, and about one-half of adults 65 and older, have experienced recent joint pain, the CDC reports.
In addition to increasing foods with healthy omega-3 fats, Mohr recommends reducing unhealthy fats like trans and saturated fats. These are often found in packaged items, sweet treats and other overly processed foods.
“Just because a person ages, it doesn’t mean they should hurt,” says Dr. Christopher Mohr, a fitness and nutritional expert who consults for television, print and radio outlets throughout the country. “Lifestyle plays a big role in maintaining joint health. Joint health and integrity is built on a strong foundation - diet, exercise, and weight management.” Mohr offers four all-natural ways to improve - and even eliminate - joint pain in the knees, hips and ankles: 1. Eat for joint health Key nutrients that help with joint health, mobility and lubrication are healthy fats like omega-3s. “Think of these like lube for your joints,” says Mohr. “Replace some of the usual protein in your diet with fish - wild salmon, tuna, sardines,
“Of course, also think about adding loads and loads of color ful veggies and fr uits, as well as decreasing sugar and other refined carbs in the diet,” Mohr suggests. 2. Add supplements Omega-3 fats can support joint health, but often people don’t get enough through the foods they eat. Supplementation is a good option for people who suffer from joint pain. “Joint health can be maintained by ‘feeding’ the body what it needs,” says Mohr. “Nordic Naturals provides a high-quality, concentrated dose of omega-3 fats that your body uses most efficiently. I like the Nordic Naturals EPA Xtra product, as EPA is one of the omega-3 fats that’s particularly beneficial for healthy joints.” 3. Manage a healthy weight “The less body weight you have to carry around, the easier it will be to move around,” says Mohr. “Make physical activity a regular part of your day. The stronger your muscles, the easier it will be to move comfortably. Above all, this will help relieve some of the common pains in the joints.” 4. Stay physically active Mohr says one of the most common misconceptions about joint pain is that rest is helpful. “Unfortunately that becomes a vicious cycle, where more rest can ultimately cause more pain because the surrounding muscles are getting weaker and giving less support to those joints,” he says. Appropriate physical activity should be part of a daily joint-health routine, but it doesn’t require joining a gym or hiring a trainer. Start with simple steps, like standing instead of sitting, walking as much as possible, swimming at a pool, etc. Basic movements can keep weight in check and maintain joint and muscle integrity. Joint pain and soreness is common. By taking a few simple steps at home, you can dramatically change how you feel and how you move, so you can live to the fullest every day.
Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014 • 5
Building your nest egg for retirement (BPT) - As you approach retirement, are you feeling good about your finances? Kudos to you if you feel comfortable with the amount you’ve saved. Now it’s time to start thinking about how you will manage your savings so it provides you with income throughout your retirement years. “Outliving retirement savings is a significant concern for Americans,” says Jennifer Putney, vice president of Total Retirement Solutions for Prudential Retirement. “In a recent survey, Prudential Retirement found that 71 percent of respondents fear they won’t have enough money to last a lifetime, and just one in five is highly confident they’ll have sufficient retirement income. But even those who have saved well and are confident about their money need a formal plan to help them transition from working and accumulating to retired and taking distributions from savings.” Ten thousand older workers reach retirement age every day, and many will be unprepared for retirement. Nineteen percent of workers 55 and older have account balances of $100,000 to $249,000, and just 23 percent have saved $250,000 or more, according to the latest research from the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI). “Typically, we advise clients to save 10 percent to 15 percent of every paycheck for retirement, and that they start saving early,” Putney says. “The EBRI research indicates many Americans aren’t saving that much.” Retirees face many challenges when trying to save enough money to last throughout their lifetime. Americans are living longer, markets are volatile, inflation may occur and current investments may fall
short. All these factors can add up to an income shortfall during retirement. Putney and Prudential offer some tips for workers approaching retirement: * Educational and motivational information is widely available online to help with retirement planning. Prudential offers websites, Preparewithpru.com, which provide valuable information about saving for retirement and bringyourchallenges.com that illustrates five common behaviors that can get in the way of successful retirement planning. * Take advantage of everything available to you, including any financial counseling offered by your employer or a plan administrator. Maximize contributions to your workplace-based plan or IRA, and don’t forget to take advantage of IRS-allowed catchup contributions if you’re 50 or older. * Develop a formal transition plan. Your lifestyle will change significantly when you move from actively earning a paycheck to living in retirement, and your income will need to grow in a different way. An advisor can help you understand how to manage your savings and spending during retirement, and how to keep your savings growing to generate continued income. * Consider an in-plan guaranteed retirement income option if your employer offers one with your retirement plan. This option can help to ensure you’ll have income during retirement, no matter what other spending or investment decisions you make. Visit www.Prudential.com to learn more.
6 • Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014
Is vision loss inevitable with age? (BPT) - Eighty-three percent of U.S. adults believe their eyesight will worsen as they age, no matter what preventive steps they take, according to a recent DSM Nutritional Products survey. While genetics and lifestyle factors do play a role for some serious eye conditions that cause vision loss such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD), years of proper nutrition may protect vision in the long term.
health. Intake of 12 mg per day of lutein and zeaxanthin offers the best protection, but only 10 percent of Americans are getting enough of these essential nutrients, according to the American Optometric Association. For weekly meal planning this year, choose colorful fruits and vegetables that provide these important antioxidants, like spinach, kale, and other dark leafy greens, as well as corn, peas, broccoli, and orange and red peppers.
More than 2 million Americans age 50 and older suffer from AMD, and it is especially prevalent among Caucasian women. “You don’t want to reach your 40s and realize that you’re beginning to have vision problems,” says Dr. Kimberly Reed, optometrist and Ocular Nutrition Society board member. “Following a few simple recommendations can help support your vision - and your family’s vision - now and in the future.”
2. Omega-3 fatty acids for eye health
Reed offers these tips for maintaining eye health and supporting vision in the long term: 1. See your diet in color
Many brightly colored fruits and vegetables contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two powerful antioxidants that research shows are beneficial in maintaining macular
A study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that people with higher intakes of omega-3 fatty acids may experience a lower incidence of dry eye syndrome (DES). For patients who suffer regularly from dry eyes, omega-3 intake can significantly improve symptoms and increase quality tear production. Adults should get at least 1,500 mg per day of DHA and EPA either by consuming fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and sardines, or taking high-quality fish oil and algae supplements. Be sure to check with your physician if you are taking medications that affect blood clotting before increasing your intake of omega-3s to this level. For women who are pregnant or nursing, DHA is an essential nutrient to support infant visual development.
3. Remember your vitamins and minerals
An array of vitamins and minerals also play an important role in maintaining eye health. For instance, A and B vitamins perform many complex and critical functions throughout the body, including the eyes. And, according to a study published in Ophthalmology, vitamins C and E, which function as antioxidants, are also essential to eye health and have been shown to impact the progression of certain forms of AMD. Finally, zinc helps deliver vitamin A from the liver to the retina in order to produce melanin, a protective pigment in the eyes. Get your fill of at least five servings of colorful fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts and legumes, per day to obtain these essential vitamins and minerals. Even when striving to follow an optimal diet, it’s difficult to get the recommended amounts of essential vitamins and nutrients from food alone, so nutritional supplements can play an important role in maintaining eye health. Several products specifically formulated to support eye health and vision are available, so ask your eye health professional at your next appointment. For more nutrition www.vitaminsinmotion.com.
information,
visit
Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014 • 7
Addressing hearing loss before the holidays (BPT) - The holiday season is meant to be celebrated with joy. It’s when families and friends gather together to reunite and celebrate the end of the year. You might have people cheering on the college football team in a bowl game, children running around and playing games, and conversations happening in every room of the house where family members are catching up on what was missed since the last reunion. One thing that can dim this celebratory mood is hearing loss. One in five Americans struggles with hearing loss, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communications Disorders. It’s a common aspect of aging, and it doesn’t affect only the person with hearing loss - it also impacts the family and friends nearby. “Holiday gatherings can be particularly problematic for people with untreated hearing loss, as many loud voices, background music and other noise can make it difficult to follow, participate in and feel a part of conversations and celebration,” says Dr. Dave Fabry, vice president of Audiology for Starkey Hearing Technologies. It’s often a struggle for families to help their loved ones cope with hearing loss. Talking is the first step, but often people don’t know how to bring up the topic. Here are some ideas from Fabry to initiate the conversation before the holidays arrive. * Set the stage for a successful talk. Choose a quiet moment in a location that is comfortable and familiar to the person with hearing loss. Minimize background noises that might make it difficult for him or her to hear and understand what you’re saying. Don’t raise your voice, speak slowly and clearly, and make sure to face your loved one so he or she can clearly follow the movement of your lips.
with hearing loss. If the online hearing test raises concerns, schedule an appointment with a hearing professional and research hearing aid options before the visit. Your loved one may have an outdated impression of how hearing aids look and work. Go online to see how small, unobtrusive and technologically advanced many modern hearing aids are. For example, Starkey’s Halo hearing aid connects directly to your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch via the TruLink app so users can enjoy phone calls, music, videos and more streamed directly into your ears with pristine sound quality. “Hearing loss doesn’t have to put a damper on the holidays for anyone, thanks to modern hearing aid technology,” Fabry says. “Once you start the conversation and get your loved one help, you’ll both be able to better enjoy the spirit of the season.”
* Keep your language compassionate, not accusatory. For example, rather than saying “You can’t hear me when I talk,” try “I’m concerned by how often you ask people to repeat themselves.” Because hearing loss is commonly perceived as an older person’s problem, talking about it can be emotional for people, and your loved one may feel that admitting any hearing loss is like admitting to becoming old and frail.
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* Focus on the benefits of treatment and be specific. Instead of simply saying “You’ll hear better,” try to provide real-life examples such as, “You’ll be able to hear your grandson sing in church,” or “When Uncle Bill tells that joke you love, you’ll be able to hear every word.” * Ease your loved one into the idea of testing for hearing loss. He or she may not be ready to make an appointment to see a hearing care professional. Instead, try an online hearing test, such as the one available at www.starkey.com. Answering a few short questions and listening to a series of tones takes only a few minutes and can help give you both an idea of any hearing issues that might require professional attention. * Explore hearing aid options together. The variety of hearing aids available at a wide range of price points can be daunting for anyone, and doubly so for someone coping
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Life insurance for each stage of life
8 • Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014
(BPT) - Many of life’s different stages offer challenges and rewards - whether you’re starting out on your own, raising a family, focusing on your career or preparing for a rewarding retirement. However, while each life stage is unique, making sure your loved ones are cared for financially is something that needs to be addressed along the way. Thrivent Financial offers these things to keep in mind as you enter each life stage: Early career Surprisingly, when you’re young and at your healthiest is the ideal time to get your first life insurance contract. Your family and your financial future are counting on you continuing to earn a living.
Life insurance will ensure your loved ones aren’t left dealing with your financial burdens if you pass away. Because you are young and healthy, a basic policy may be the most affordable depending on your needs.
Growing families (and income) Young children at home can bring untold joy to a family. Unfortunately, this idyllic picture can be easily shaken if an untimely death occurs. Term life insurance can offer affordable coverage for you and your loved ones. Term insurance can be easily enhanced with additional options (called riders) to ensure your protection stays adequate as your family grows and your earning potential increases.
Retirement As you enter your later years, you are now ready to take advantage of all those years of planning for retirement.
Legacy and retirement planning As you enter your peak earning years and get closer to retirement, you will likely face more health risks. Converting from term coverage to permanent life insurance is a way to ensure lifelong financial protection. Permanent insurance is guaranteed to be with you for the rest of your life as long as you continue to pay the premium and your provider stays in business. This is one of the many reasons you should look for an organization with a track record of financial strength and stability. Permanent insurance contracts also allow you to begin to plan your legacy as they give you the option to include a favorite charity or cause as a beneficiary.
These years are also time to focus on the legacy you want to leave behind for your children and grandchildren, as well as organizations that you support financially.
Make sure you take time to meet with a financial professional to ensure your retirement needs haven’t changed and that you still have the right financial plan in place.
Life insurance, like life itself, has many stages and options for you to consider. It is an invaluable tool to ensure that those you leave behind are financially protected. It can also have many additional benefits to you and your loved ones beyond the basic death benefits. Taking the time to obtain professional advice about protecting those you care about is an important first step to knowing your best options.
Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014 • 9
Understanding flu-related risks (NAPS)—During the 2014-2015 flu season, it’s important to remember that the single best way to prevent influenza (“the flu”) is to get an annual vaccination, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends for everyone aged six months and older, with rare exception. As people age, the immune system weakens, even if they feel healthy and are active, which makes it harder to fight disease. As a result, adults aged 65 and older are more likely to catch the flu and experience complications. The flu is a contagious illness that can be severe and life threatening, especially for older adults. People 65 years of age and older typically account for more than half (60 percent) of flu-related hospitalizations and almost all (90 percent) flu-related deaths. The Flu + You program, a national public education initiative sponsored by the National Council on Aging (NCOA) in collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur, educates older adults and those who care for them about the seriousness of the flu, the importance of annual vaccination, and available vaccine options. Award-winning actress Judith Light, known for TV’s Dallas, Who’s the Boss?, and Ugly Betty, has joined the campaign this year as a national spokesperson. “Although I don’t feel like I’m getting any older, I know that my body is getting older, and coming down with the flu can really make me sick,” said Light. “No matter how healthy and active we feel, getting an annual flu vaccination is important and I learned there are different flu vaccine options for people 65 and older.
The National Council on Aging and Judith Light encourage people 65+ to ask about their flu shot options. Watch the video at www.NCOA.org/Flu.
I want to encourage others to speak with their doctor or pharmacist to find out more about getting vaccinated against the flu.” The flu can make existing health problems worse and is especially dangerous for people with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which commonly affect older adults. Eighty-six percent of adults aged 65 and older have at least one chronic condition, and 68 percent of Medicare beneficiaries have two or more. Worsening of these serious conditions may result in hospitalization and an inability to take part in simple daily activities and live independently. “Research shows that the immune system weakens with age, which means older adults are more likely to catch the flu and that they can suffer greater complications because of other health issues,” said Albert Terrillion, DrPH, MEd, CPH, NCOA Senior Director for Clinical and Community Partnerships and Director of NCOA’s Self-Management Alliance. “Through our Flu + You program, we encourage all older adults to protect themselves by getting an annual flu vaccine as soon as they can.” Older adults have flu vaccine options, including the traditional standard-dose flu vaccine and a higher-dose vaccine. Both options are available at a doctor’s office or local pharmacy. The higher-dose vaccine was developed specifically for people aged 65 and older to improve the body’s production of antibody against the flu. Flu vaccination is a Medicare Part B benefit, which means there is no copay for Medicare beneficiaries 65 years of age and older. Older adults and their caregivers can learn more about vaccine options and the importance of getting an annual flu vaccine on the Flu + You website, www.ncoa.org/Flu, which features free educational materials, infographics and other sharable content, and a public service announcement with Judith Light.
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10 • Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014
Staying mentally sharp can help you (NAPS)—In a recent survey by the Global Social Enterprise Initiative at Georgetown University’s McDonough School of Business and Philips, 96 percent of senior respondents said it’s important to be as independent as possible as they get older. For seniors to maintain that independence, it pays to age “SMART.” By combining basic physical and mental wellness techniques with technology, seniors can continue living the full, active lives they want and deserve. Consider these ideas: S—Stay active, eat healthy: Activities such as walking and light weight lifting can help with balance and agility, preserving mobility and making you less likely to fall. Group classes designed for seniors can be a great way to stay fit and socialize. Eat lots of fruits and veggies, lean proteins and smart carbohydrates. High blood pressure can be of particular concern with age, so diets should be low in sodium. M—Mental fitness: Your brain needs a workout, too. Studies have associated activities such as reading, playing a musical instrument, learning a new language, playing memory games and other cognitively stimulating exercises with a slower rate of mental decline. Staying sharp mentally can help you maintain your independence by empowering you to manage everyday tasks. A—A good night’s sleep: Lack of sleep can impair your memory, slow reaction time and exacerbate other conditions. Keeping a regular schedule, avoiding caffeine and sleeping in a dark, relaxing environment can help. R—Remembering medications: It can be tricky to keep track of your medications but getting doses and timing right are crucial to maintaining your independence. One in 10 senior hospitalizations is related to medication mismanagement. The good news is there are lots of tools out there to help, some as simple as plastic pill-organizing boxes. More advanced solutions include mobile apps that send you a reminder when it’s time for meds and automatic devices that dispense pre-sorted medications at preprogrammed times. T—Technology to keep connected: E-mail, Facebook and Skype can be great ways to stay connected with family and friends. You can watch your grandkid’s soccer game from halfway across the country or catch up with a friend you haven’t seen in decades. Isolation and loneliness can take a huge toll on mental health, so it’s important to maintain and create relationships. Technology also keeps seniors connected to help and lets them go about busy, active lives with less worry. Mobile response apps can connect seniors to a call center with the
For more resources related to aging “SMAR T,” visit Philips Lifeline at http://philips.to/lifeline.
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Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014 • 11
Flu-fighting information for older Americans (NAPS)—If you or someone you care about is among the nearly one in three Americans who help an elderly family member make health care decisions, here are a few facts and tips that can help you have far more than the germ of an idea about the flu and what to do about it:
• Children younger than age 5 are at high risk for flurelated complications. For school-age children, remind them of the importance of hand washing and using tissues when they sneeze. The influenza vaccine is not approved for children younger than 6 months of age.
• A flu shot is the most effective way to protect yourself and your family from catching the flu.
• Pregnant women are more susceptible to getting sick, including catching the flu, because their immune systems are weaker than usual. During pregnancy, the flu can escalate quickly and be complicated by infections such as fetal distress or pneumonia.
• It takes up to two weeks for your immunity to build up after getting a flu shot. • It’s important to get the flu shot every year because the immunity provided by the vaccine declines over time. • To help combat germs, wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds and avoid touching your mouth and eyes. Touching such everyday items as door handles and other surfaces can be difficult to avoid. • Getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, managing stress, drinking adequate fluids, and eating nutritious food are all healthy habits that can help to keep your immune system in top condition during flu season.
• A new survey from CVS/pharmacy found that 61 percent of U.S. adults don’t know that the Fluzone HighDose vaccine contains four times the antigens as the regular flu vaccine. This can be especially important for people over 65 who have a greater risk of developing severe flu-related illness. For more information on the differences in flu shots, visit www.cdc.gov/flu. • Getting the flu shot can be very affordable. Flu vaccines are now fully covered as a preventive service under the Affordable Care Act and available at no cost through most insurance plans, including Medicare Part B. In addition, CVS/pharmacy offers $1 million in flu shot vouchers
to uninsured people through a donation to Direct Relief, a nonprofit organization that brings medicines and supplies to health care providers worldwide. Direct Relief will distribute these vouchers, good for a flu shot at any CVS/pharmacy or CVS/minute clinic, to health clinics across the U.S. • You can get a flu shot any day with no appointment needed, even evenings and weekends, at more than 7,700 CVS locations across the country. For members of the ExtraCare Rewards program, getting the shot also means a 20 percent off CVS Shopping Pass. To learn more, go to www.cvs.com/flu or call (800) 746-7287.
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12 • Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014
A call for always being in touch (NAPS)—If you or someone you care about is among the estimated 40 million Americans over the age of 65—and especially the 12 million who live alone—taking a few steps for improved care can mean a longer, better, more independent life.
gery, or it may be a more permanent situation.
• Protect Your Health. See your doctor regularly and stay up to date on tests and vaccinations. Don’t smoke. Eat right. Exercise 21⁄2 hours a week, including balance exercises, and if you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.
Ser vice Suppor t Representatives allow the phone to ring up to 15 times. If there’s no answer, they will call back 15 minutes later. If there’s still no answer, they will try to reach designated emergency contacts.
• Protect Your Safety. Install grab rails in the bathroom. Look for specially adapted gadgets that can make using the kitchen easier. Get rid of loose wires and carpets, broken handrails or general clutter that can be a potential tripping hazard. • Protect Your Peace of Mind. Anyone can fall or become ill suddenly. To help reassure yourself and your family, there’s now a free telephone reassurance service—Always in Touch—that provides a “safety check” phone call every weekday. It is the only free national service of its kind in the United States. It’s not a referral service or medical alert system, nor is it a substitute for professional medical advice or the care that patients receive from their physicians and medical advisers. In the event of an emergency, you must call your doctor or 911 immediately. Who Is Eligible Individuals may refer themselves or be referred by a caregiver, medical professional, social worker, family member or other service provider. Most people Always in Touch serves are seniors or disabled adults who are homebound, isolated, living alone or in need of daily contact. This may be temporary while recuperating from an illness or sur-
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Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014 • 13
Live long and prosper? Yes, it’s possible (NAPS)—Life expectancy in the United States is increasing. According to government data, today’s 65year-old will likely live beyond age 85, and a little more for women, who tend to live longer than men. By 2040, 79 million Americans will be 65 or older, nearly double the size of that age group today.
Mutual’s 2014 Planning & Progress Study also found that disciplined planners feel significantly more financially secure and happy in retirement. In addition, the lack of effective planning was one of the top reasons cited for why some Americans feel they are “playing catch-up” with savings and investments.
One problem is that expenses are keeping pace with the uptick in longevity. The realities of inflation, climbing health care costs and insufficient savings are putting a damper on the prospect of a longer life for a good number of Americans. In fact, Northwestern Mutual’s 2014 Planning & Progress Study found a full third of Americans do not feel financially prepared to live until the age of 85— which may help explain why one in three adults does not think he or she will ever retire.
• Silence is not golden—While conversations about money can be difficult, they are essential. Since partners and, in some cases, adult children have a stake in financial decision making, it is important to work collaboratively on refining financial priorities and accountabilities. Longterm care is one example of a planning consideration that tends to impact the entire family.
The good news is that it is never too late—or early—to overcome the financial security fear factor. Here are some ideas on building a financial foundation that can help extend your lifestyle through your life span. • Fail to plan, plan to fail—Nowhere is that saying more valid than with financial matters. Northwestern
• Don’t go it alone—An overwhelming majority of Americans do not have a financial adviser even though research suggests there is a correlation between professional guidance and financial security. An expert can take an objective look at your resources and goals, counsel you on the merits of various risk and investment solutions, and devise a strategy to meet immediate and future needs.
To learn more about how you can secure your financial future, talk to an experienced adviser or visit the Nor thwestern Mutual Online Learning Center on www.nm.com for a wide range of information and resources.
14 • Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014
Medical progress for the future (NAPS)—The ability of the United States to solve major health challenges like Ebola or the Enterovirus D68, or find cures for other deadly or disabling diseases like cancer or Alzheimer’s, could depend on what you do in the voting booth. That’s because, when armed with information about your candidates’ views, you can make voting decisions that will help determine the speed of U.S. medical progress. Here’s where the Ask Your Candidates! (AYC!) initiative comes in. Established by Research!America, a nonprofit organization working to make medical research a higher national priority, the nonpartisan Ask Your Candidates! initiative helps voters gain insight into the priority their candidates place on accelerating research to combat known illnesses or emerging threats that devastate families or become public health crises. Funding Medical Research There are two main sources of funding for medical research, and they are both crucial to achieving medical progress: federal support and private-sector investment. Congress has significant influence over both: 1) it determines annual funding levels for publicly supported research at universities, academic health centers and other institutions, and 2) it crafts laws affecting the return on private-sector investment in medical research and development.
Because few businesses can attract investors for pre-commercial science, Americans have traditionally devoted about 1 percent of health care tax dollars to financing basic research, which paves the way for better diagnostic tools, treatments and cures. Empowering Voters Research!America and a team of national partners are spearheading an initiative that encourages voters to reach out to their candidates through e-mail, Twitter or Facebook and ask them to comment on the future of medical progress. A link on the AYC! website enables voters to personalize and send an e-mail to their candidates. Voters can also view candidate responses on the site.
With the help of the Ask Your Candidates! initiative, voters can ensure that they elect candidates that represent their family’s medical needs.
Some voters have asked about their candidates’ support for research to fight cancer or another illness; others have asked broader questions, such as:
• Most private-sector medical research occurs in the United States, where it creates jobs and exports. Should keeping it here be a priority?
• Where does speeding up medical progress fit among your priorities for Congress? • How will you encourage innovations that improve the health of Americans? • Does Congress do enough to support science that leads to treatments and cures for disabling and deadly diseases?
• Is enough medical research done on helping wounded warriors? • Government investment in medical research is dropping. Do you think that’s right?
There is no “good” or “bad” question from voters. And there is no “right” or “wrong” response from candidates. AYC!’s purpose isn’t to endorse an answer or candidate; voters and candidates alike hold a diversity of views on the relative importance of medical progress and how to best achieve it. Taking The Next Step Whether you are a voter or a candidate, you can visit the website at www.askyourcandidates.org to get involved. It could be your involvement that makes a difference.
Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014 • 15
16 • Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014
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