SENIOR LIVING

SENIOR LIVING

Protect yourself from Medicare fraud

Restrictions implemented to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 have saved untold numbers of lives. The world has adjusted to such restrictions, and many parts of the world have relaxed measures as case numbers have declined.

As communities begin returning to some semblance of normalcy, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has warned people against letting their guard down.

While many of those warnings pertain to the importance of continuing to practice social distancing as economies reopen, advisories also include notices about fraud schemes related to COVID-19. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of the Inspector General has advised the general public about scams involving Medicare fraud. Such schemes Use caution when giving out personal Medicare information. And, never respond to links in emails or text messages without carefully checking from where the request is originating. are targeting Medicare beneficiaries in an assortment of ways, including through text messages, social media, telemarketing calls and even doorto-door visits. When perpetrating such frauds, scammers seek beneficiaries’ personal information, which they then use to fraudulently bill federal health care programs, potentially leaving their victims on the hook for costly unapproved tests related to COVID-19. The CDC notes the importance of being aware of such schemes. Awareness can help consumers avoid being victimized by scammers, and the following are some additional measures people can take to protect themselves from COVID-19-related fraud. Do not share personal account information Scammers need their victims’ personal information to perpetrate their fraudulent schemes. The CDC caurequesting Medicare or Medicaid information should be met with extreme caution. Be suspicious of any unexpected calls or visitors offering COVID-19 tests or supplies. Compromised personal information may be used in other fraud schemes. Never click on links in emails or text messages Do not respond to, or open hyperlinks in, text messages or emails about COVID-19 from unknown individuals. Ignore offers or advertisements for COVID-19 testing or treatments on social media sites. Offers or ads for testing are one of the ways scammers are accessing personal information. Only a physician or other trusted healthcare provider should assess your condition and approve any requests for COVID-19 testing. The COVID-19 outbreak has made it easy for criminals to exploit consumers concerned about their health. tions beneficiaries to be suspicious of unsolicited requests for their Medicare or Medicaid numbers. Do not take callers or visitors at face value Consumers who suspect COVID-19 fraud can contact the National Center for Disaster Fraud Hotline at (866) 720-5721 or visit Justice.gov/DisasterComplaintForm to file a complaint.

Unsolicited callers or visitors (MC) \

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FOOD

While eating healthy and enjoying sweets seldom go hand-in-hand, choosing the right combination of nutritious ingredients can allow for guilt-free indulgences that shirks conventional dieting wisdom. In fact, some eating plans take it a step further by actually encouraging eating big in the evening when you’re naturally hungriest to help achieve your weight loss goals.

For example, “Always Eat After 7 PM,” written by Joel Marion, CISSN, NSCA-CPT, debunks popular diet myths and offers an easy-to-follow diet that accelerates fat-burning and allows you to indulge in your most intense cravings by eating the majority of your calories at night. The outlined plan features a 14-day “acceleration phase” designed for rapid results, a “main phase” when you’ll learn which fat-burning foods to eat to achieve your weight loss goals and a “lifestyle phase” to keep the weight off for good.

Conventional wisdom dictates that it’s best to avoid carbs, eat an early dinner and never eat immediately before bed. However, Marion debunks the myths underlying traditional dieting with a simple, highly effective weight loss program allowing readers to enjoy social dinners without restriction, satisfy nighttime hunger with fat-burning sweet and salty pre-bedtime snacks and indulge cravings with strategically timed cheat meals.

With straightforward food lists, easy-to-follow meal plans and recipes for each phase, this can be a simpler, more enjoyable way to lose weight without feeling restricted. Taken directly from the book, these recipes for Cherry Garcia Ice Cream and Fruit Tarts can satisfy that sweet tooth before heading to bed.

Learn more about the diet and book at joelmarion. com. (Family Features) \

Cherry Garcia Ice Cream

Recipe courtesy of “Always Eat After 7 PM” Prep time: 10 minutes Servings: 4 1/4 cup fresh Bing cherries, pitted and halved 1/4 cup stevia-sweetened dark chocolate bar, chopped 3 overripe frozen bananas, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces 1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk 1 pinch sea salt Chill cherries and dark chocolate.

In food processor, pulse frozen bananas, milk and salt until smooth, creamy consistency of soft serve is achieved. Stir in cherries and chocolate. Serve immediately or place in freezer-safe container and freeze until serving. \

Fruit Tarts

Recipe courtesy of “Always Eat After 7 PM” Prep time: 40 minutes Cook time: 1 hour, 20 minutes Servings: 20

Custard:

8 egg yolks 1 cup raw honey 1 tablespoon coconut flour 3 cans (13 2/3 ounces each) full-fat coconut milk 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/4 teaspoon lemon zest

Sugar Cookie Crust:

1/2 cup coconut oil, plus additional for greasing 1/2 cup palm shortening 1 cup coconut palm sugar 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 egg yolks 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 cup blanched almond flour 1⁄4 cup coconut flour 2 tablespoons arrowroot starch

Toppings:

2 kiwis, peeled and sliced 1 mango, peeled, pitted and sliced into 1/2-inch strips 1/2 cup raspberries 1/2 cup blackberries 1/2 cup blueberries 1/2 cup red grapes 1 cup strawberries, thinly sliced fresh mint leaves, for garnish To make custard In saucepan, whisk egg yolks and honey until smooth. Mix in coconut flour. In medium saucepan over medium heat, combine

coconut milk, vanilla extract and lemon zest; bring to boil then remove from heat. Pour hot milk mixture into egg yolk mixture, stirring while pouring. Over low heat, simmer 5 minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let cool, continuing to stir occasionally. Once cooled to room temperature, pour into individual custard cups. Chill in refrigerator 30 minutes, or until serving. To make crust Heat oven to 350 F. Line bottom of pie pan with parchment paper and grease with coconut oil. In large mixing bowl using electric mixer on high, beat coconut oil and palm shortening 30 seconds. Add coconut palm sugar, baking soda, cream of tartar and salt; beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla until combined. Beat in almond flour, coconut flour and starch. Chill dough in refrigerator 15 minutes. Press chilled cookie dough into bottom of pie pan and 2 inches up sides. Bake 12 minutes, or until crust is golden and browned on top and edges. Remove from oven and cool 10 minutes. Place cooled crust in refrigerator 30 minutes or overnight before assembling. To assemble fruit tarts Spread custard over chilled crust. Decorate top in circular pattern with kiwis, mango strips, raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, grapes and strawberries. Before serving, chill at least 30 minutes or freeze 1 hour to help keep toppings in place. Remove from freezer and set out at room temperature 20 minutes before slicing. Garnish with mint leaves. \

Weekend home improvement HOME H ome improvement projects ramp up when the weather warms up, as homeowners channel the rejuvenating feelings of spring and tackle their home to-do lists. Large-scale renovations can greatly affect a home, but smaller projects can yield impressive results and be com pleted over the course of a single weekend. If time is of the essence, these weekend or one-day travertine or marble. Installing a floor can take a day or two. Install a new faucet Instantly improve a kitchen or a bathroom with new fixtures. New faucets can provide aesthetic appeal and low-flow faucets can help conserve water. projects projects may satisfy homeowners’ desires to fix up their Create a gallery on the staircase homes. Gather and arrange framed photos, artwork or wall Create an accent wall accents so that they ascend the wall of a staircase. This

Painting a focal wall in a home can create a serious im creates a designer touch and can dress up an often barren pact. The bonus is it will not take as long or require as area of wall space. many materials as painting an entire room. Accent walls frequently feature a bold color, so decide on placement and tackle this project in less than a day. Install a fresh light fixture Improve drab spaces with a little illumination. Better Homes & Gardens suggests replacing an existing fixture Install stair runners Dress up hardwood stairs with decorative carpet run ners. Runners come in elongated pieces of carpeting or individual pieces that can be placed on each step. If car peting doesn’t fit with the home’s design, painting indiwith something new and vibrant. If hanging a new fixture is not within one’s skill set, free-standing table or floor lamps also can cast a new glow on a space. Add molding vidual stair treads also can create visual appeal. Molding can add instant aesthetic appeal to a room. Dress up the entryway An entryway is a guest’s first impression of a home. Many entryways can use a minor overhaul, both inside and outside. Paint the front door a different color so it Molding is appropriate near the floor, at the top of walls where they meet the ceiling, or even mid-wall as a chair rail. Some homeowners like to create framed molding on walls in formal living spaces. pops from the curb. Update kitchen or bathroom hardware Install a new mailbox or decorative house numbers Replacing hardware is a fast and easy project, but one

A new welcome mat can change the look as well. Inside, that can have immediate impact. Swap out tired or out consider laying a new floor. Resilient vinyl tiles come in dated hardware for newer brushed metals and more immany different patterns and can mimic the look of wood, pactful shapes and designs. Home renovations do not need to take weeks or months. Many projects can be completed over the course of a weekend. (MC) \

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