KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE Kane County Chronicle/shawlocal.com/kane-county-chronicle • Thursday, October 19, 2023
BOOMERS Senior Living
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With informative features on health and wellness, retirement living and more!
Kane County Chronicle/shawlocal.com/kane-county-chronicle • Thursday, October 19, 2023
KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE
10
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Boomers
Did you know?
3 tips to catch up on retirement savings One need not look long or far to be reminded of the importance of saving for retirement. Indeed, it’s hard to go a single day without encountering roadside billboards, television and streaming service advertisements, and/or promotional emails touting the retirement planning services offered by an assortment of investment firms. If those adds seem ubiquitous, it’s for good reason, as saving for retirement is among the most important steps individuals can take as they look to ensure their long-term financial security. Despite the widely accepted significance of retirement planning, studies indicate that many people are behind on saving and aware that they’re behind. According to a recent survey from the online financial resource Bankrate, 55 percent of respondents indicated they are behind on their retirement saving. In addition, a Gallup poll released in May 2023 indicated that just 43 percent of nonretirees think they will have enough money to live comfortably in retirement. The good news for individuals who are behind or concerned about their financial wellness in retirement is that three strategies can help them catch up on their savings. 1. Take advantage of catch-up rules if you qualify. Laws governing retirement accounts in the United States allow individuals 50 and older to contribute more to their retirement accounts than they’re eligible to contribute prior to turning 50. Bankrate notes that current laws allow individuals over 50 to contribute an extra $1,000 per year to a
traditional or Roth IRA and an extra $7,500 annually to a 401(k), 403(b) or 457(b) account. In Canada, individuals can contribute the maximum to a Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP). According to the National Bank of Canada, individuals can contribute up to 18 percent of their annual income to an RRSP, and those contributions are deducted from taxable income. That means individuals are potentially saving more for down the road and paying less in taxes today. 2. Itemize your tax deductions. The online financial resource Investopedia notes that taking the standard deduction is not for everyone. Individuals with significant amounts of mortgage interest, business-related expenses that are not reimbursed by an employer, and/ or charitable donations may lower their tax obligation by itemizing their deductions. That reduction in tax obligation allows individuals to redirect those funds to their retirement accounts. 3. Cut back on discretionary spending. Perhaps the simplest, though not necessarily the easiest, way to catch up on retirement savings is to redirect funds typically spent on discretionary expenses like dining out or travel into retirement accounts. One way to feel better about this approach is to remind yourself that the less money spent on dining out and travel now means more money will be available to spend on such luxuries in retirement. Three simple strategies make it easier to catch up on retirement savings.
A 2022 study led by researchers at the National Cancer Institute found that recreational pursuits that incorporate physical activity, including walking, swimming and playing tennis, may lower older adults’ risk of death from any cause. That includes cardiovascular disease and cancer, which the World Health Organization notes are two of the leading causes of death across the globe. Running, cycling, swimming, other aerobic exercise, racquet sports, golf, and walking for exercise encompassed the seven different exercise and recreational activities researchers examined as
part of the study, which utilized data from more than 272,000 adults between the ages of 59 and 82. The researchers found that achieving the recommended weekly amount of physical activity through any combination of these activities was associated with a 13 percent lower risk of death from any cause compared to people who did not participate in such activities. Though all activities were associated with lower risks of death, racquet sports seemingly provided the most bang for seniors’ proverbial bucks, as those activities were associated with a 16 percent lower risk of death
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Boomers
Early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is an insidious illness that slowly robs individuals of their memories, personalities and relationships. The Mayo Clinic says Alzheimer’s is a progressive neurological disorder that causes brain atrophy and cell death, which contributes to continuous decline in thinking, behavioral and social skills. This eventually affects a person’s ability to live independently. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which is believed to affect approximately 5.8 million Americans age 65 and older. While there currently is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease and other
dementias, there are strategies that can help mitigate symptoms. An ability to recognize dementia symptoms early can help millions take proactive steps to improve quality of life. Below are some early warning signs of Alzheimer’s disease, courtesy of notable health organizations, including MJHS® Health System, the Alzheimer’s Association, Alzheimer’s New Zealand, and the Mayo Clinic. • Recent memory loss that affects daily life. While it is normal to forget where you left keys, names or even telephone numbers from time to time, a person with dementia may have difficulty remembering recent events or where they live. • Personality changes. Individuals may begin to show subtle differences in their personalities, including mood swings. For example, a person who is easygoing may become reluctant to interact with others. • Difficulty with familiar routes. A person with dementia may have regular difficulty driving familiar routes or finding the way home.
• Trouble finding the right words. Finding words to converse freely can be difficult for people with Alzheimer’s. Such individuals may experience particular difficulty finding the right words to express their thoughts or identify objects. • Disorientation with time. Someone with Alzheimer’s disease may be confused about the time of day and what is appropriate for that time. • Decreased or poor judgement. Individuals with dementia may make consistently poor decisions and may start paying less attention to their physical appearance. • Difficulty following a plan. A person with Alzheimer’s disease may have challenges solving problems, such as working with numbers, following a recipe or keeping track of finances. Early signs of dementia may be confused as normal age-related changes. However, when such signs present themselves, it is critical to speak with medical professionals to get a clear diagnosis.
Looking Forward
This is where
you have the
Time of Your life • 55+ Community
• Small Pets OK
• Locked Entry/Intercom System
• Garages Available
• 1 & 2 Bedroom Apartments
• Elevator in Building
• Regularly Scheduled Activities
• On-site Maintenance & Management
[CALL FOR A PRIVATE VIEWING]
The Meadows Apartments SM-CL2113041
SM-CL2065056
318 Dempsey St, Elburn • 630.365.3300
KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE Kane County Chronicle/shawlocal.com/kane-county-chronicle • Thursday, October 19, 2023
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Kane County Chronicle/shawlocal.com/kane-county-chronicle • Thursday, October 19, 2023
KANE COUNTY CHRONICLE
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Boomers
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What would you be doing without pain?
Direct anterior approach causes less pain, recovery time for hip replacement When your doctor suggests a total hip replacement, the treatment can seem overwhelming. The good news is that as technology has improved, minimally invasive surgical techniques have allowed patients to get back on their feet sooner. One of those techniques is the direct anterior approach for total hip replacement. This procedure uses a special operating table to allow surgeons to access the hip from the front of the body. Doing so causes little to no muscle damage during the procedure and less downtown for patients with less restrictions because muscles don’t have to be cut to access the joint. The most common diagnoses that require hip replacement include arthritis (related to aging and normal wear and tear) and trauma (an injury). Read on for a few more frequently asked questions and answers about this approach and if it might be right for you.
arthroplasty. The patient lies on his or her back on a special operating table designed for his procedure. The surgeon makes a small incision on the front of the hip, causing less trauma to the body through less muscle disturbance.
What is the direct anterior approach? It’s an advanced technique that causes little to no muscle damage – the surgeon approaches the hip from the front of the body near the upper part of the leg. The location is in between muscles and doesn’t require detaching them from the pelvis or femur, which has been the standard in conventional total hip
Is the direct anterior approach right for me? Patients who are in good general health are typically the best candidates for the direct anterior approach. Additional factors such as bone quality and a person’s anatomy (including if the hip joint is badly deformed) could also affect whether he or she is a good candidate.
What are the benefits? With traditional total hip replacement, patients must restrict their hip motion and flexing of the hip past 90 degrees for six to eight weeks. The direct anterior approach allows patients to bend the hip more freely and bear full weight as soon as they are comfortable doing so, getting them back to everyday activities sooner. Additional benefits include a shorter or no hospital stay at all, a smaller incision, reduced pain, and reduced risk of dislocation, better implant position because of the use of imaging during surgery and less chance of leg length discrepancy.
OrthoIllinois Hip & Knee Specialists have the advanced training to help you on a path to a more active lifestyle and the activities you love. Call 815-398-9491
Frank Bohnenkamp, MD
John Daniels, MD
Michael Harvey, MD
Algonquin 650 S. Randall Rd.
Scott Mox, MD
Shawn Palmer, DO
Elgin 1550 N. Randall Rd.
www.orthoillinois.com