Cut Your Stroke Risk Now!

Baby Boomers are starting to reach the age when they are at a higher risk for strokes.  In fact, having a stroke is the fourth leading cause of death and it is the number one cause of disabilities.  Anyone can have a stroke at almost any age.  However, once you reach the age of 55 your risk doubles ... and this year the last of the Baby Boomers are reaching the age of 50!  (Yes, nearly all the Baby Boomers are now considered senior citizens.)

What is a Stroke?

A stroke happens when a blood vessel leading to the brain either becomes blocked or it bursts.  When this happens, the brain cells begin to die.  Patients need to be treated quickly or they can die or become seriously disabled.

Symptoms of a Stroke

If you suspect that you or someone you know is having a stroke, here is a quick way to check.  Ask the person to smile, speak or raise their hands above their head.  If their smile is uneven, their words or slurred, or they cannot raise both hands above their head, call an ambulance or rush them to the hospital immediately.

Other symptoms include trouble walking, difficulty speaking or understanding what is being said to them, paralysis or numbness in the face, leg or arm, trouble seeing in either one or both of your eyes, or a severe headache, often with dizziness or vomiting.

Treatment for Strokes

If you suspect that someone is having a stroke, it is important that you get to the hospital quickly.  If you arrive in time, they will administer a clot-busting intravenous medication called tissue plasminogen activator (tPA).  It is essential that this drug be given within three hours after the symptoms of a stroke first become visible.  When tPA is given quickly enough, one out of three patients will see major improvement and, in come cases, the symptoms are completely eliminated.

Unfortunately, only about 10% of patients receive tPA because they arrive to late for it to help, or because they are on blood thinners or they have had recent surgery.  In those cases, a device may be inserted into an artery in the groin and snaked up to the brain in order to remove a clot or stop the bleeding in the brain.

A stroke kills about 2 million brain cells a minute, so it is extremely important that action is taken quickly..

How to Prevent a Stroke

Once you understand the risks of a stroke, you can easily understand how important it is to do everything you can to protect yourself.  Fortunately, there are steps you can take that will dramatically reduce your chances of experiencing a stroke:

Keep your blood pressure under control.  Take medication, if necessary.

Keep your cholesterol levels low.  Use medication if you cannot lower it through food and exercise.

If you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, manage your blood sugar levels carefully.

If you are overweight, lose as much of it as possible.  This will also make it easier to deal with your blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes.

Get exercise.  It will help with your weight.  In addition, physical inactivity is considered a risk factor for strokes.

Limit your consumption of alcohol.  No more than two modest sized alcoholic drinks a day for men, and no more than one for women.

DO NOT SMOKE.  There is a high correlation between smoking and your risk of stroke.

Atrial fibrillation ... if you have a heart rhythm disorder, work with your doctor to come up with a strategy to treat it.

More Risk Factors

Your risk of having a stroke doubles EVERY TEN YEARS after the age of 55.

African-Americans are at a higher risk

You have an increased risk if you have is a family history of strokes or if you have ever had a stroke or heart attack.

Sources:

memorialcare.org/sbstroke

"Saddleback Adds Advanced Stroke Care,"  Laguna Woods Globe, Orange County Register, November 21, 2013.

If you are retired or nearing retirement age, you may also want to check out the hundreds of other helpful articles on this website.  Use the tabs at the top of the page to find links to articles on family relationships, medical issues, places to retire in the United States or overseas, and financial information.  There is a wide range of information available to you!

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com


Photo is courtesy of www.morguefile.com

Costa Rica Has Become a Top Retirement Destination

Costa Rica is now considered one of the best countries in Central America for both the elderly and retirees to live, according to a report released by HelpAge International.  The report ranked 90 different countries on their treatment of residents who are age 60 and older.  Costa Rica came in 28th on their list, ranking well on this list of the more developed countries, including some Asian nations, European countries, the United States, popular Central and South American destinations, and a few other locations around the world.

How Costa Rica Scored

The rankings were based on four categories including health status, income security, employment and education, and an enabling environment (integrating the elderly into the rest of society.)

Costa Rica ranked especially high in health status.  It was listed in 11th place for healthcare, which is interesting when you consider that the United States only ranked 24th out of the countries studied.  In fact, Costa Rica has become a popular destination for medical tourism.  There are a number of high quality medical facilities in the country, including the Hospital Alajuela, pictured above.  

On the other hand, Costa Rica's score was hurt because it ranked only 48th for employment and education.  Of course, these are not issues that concern most retirees as much as healthcare does.  Consequently, for retirees who are looking for a beautiful, tropical and affordable place to live, Costa Rica should certainly be high on their list.

In addition to high quality healthcare, medical attention in the country in also very affordable, which contributes to its medical tourism. It also has recently begun to improve its accessibility for people who are physically disabled, which is an important consideration for people who are planning to live there for the long term, possibility the rest of their lives.

An American Living in Costa Rica

A friend of one of our daughters moved to Costa Rica to teach school about four years ago.  A few months ago she married a Costa Rican businessman and plans to remain in the country for the rest of her life.  She has been very happy with her lifestyle in Costa Rica.  Her original teaching position was at an elementary school located in the mountains and she is now working at a school along the coast.  Her original salary was only $500 a month, but she was able to rent a tiny cottage and live comfortably in the mountains on that amount.  Now living near the coast, her income has increased to $1000 a month. Her husband earns a bit less.  The two of them are able to lease a large, comfortable duplex apartment only a short drive to the beach.  They have two cars and a pleasant lifestyle, living well on about $1800 a month income for the two of them.

The fact that this young woman enjoys living there so much brings up another advantage for those of you who have family in the United States.  Costa Rica is a popular vacation destination for many Americans of all ages, so no doubt your family members will enjoy visiting you in your new location.  In the case of this young woman, she returns to the United States about once a year, and her family members also take frequent trips to see her.

Precautions to Take When Moving Overseas

As always, when you are considering moving overseas I suggest that you check with the State Department website for up-to-date alerts about crime and areas which you may want to avoid.  Our daughter's friend has experienced a home burglary, so I advise retirees to be as cautious in Costa Rica as they would be in any American city.

If you are planning to retire in Costa Rica, be sure to read more articles from this blog, using the tabs at the top of the page.  I have written a number of helpful articles about collecting Social Security when living overseas, things to consider when living abroad, and other countries that you also may want to consider.

More Helpful Information

You may want to check out the full article from the Tico Times using the link below.  You can use their interactive map to see how other South and Central American countries did in their analysis of the various countries.

http://www.ticotimes.net/More-news/News-Briefs/Costa-Rica-ranked-best-Central-American-country-for-elderly-retirees-new-report-says_Tuesday-October-08-2013

If you are planning to retire either overseas or in the United States, you will want to use the tabs at the top if this page where you will find links to hundreds of additional articles about where to retire, financial issues, medical issues and possible family problems after retirement.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit:  wikipedia.org/commons/Hospital-Alajuela

Important Dates for Baby Boomers in 2014

As we begin a new year, many of us are already entering significant dates into our calendars for 2014.  While, of course, you will want to make sure that you have birthdays, vacations and holidays entered into your calendar, here are a few more dates that you will not want to forget:


January 1 - Your new insurance plan will have gone into effect, if you made a change to your Medicare plan during the open enrollment period in 2013, or if you purchased a new health plan through one of the Affordable Care Act health insurance exchanges (which is true for tens of thousands of younger spouses of Medicare recipients.)

February 2 - Super Bowl XLVIII (You did want to know that, didn't you?)

February 7 - The Olympics begin in Sochi, Russia

March 31 - Open enrollment ends for the health insurance exchange.  After March 31, you can only enroll without penalty if you have a major life event, such as a job loss, divorce or birth of a child.  However, if one of these events does happen in your life, it is important to remember that you will now be entitled to purchase health insurance through one of these online marketplaces and, if the major life event has also caused a substantial decrease in your income, you may qualify for financial assistance to pay for the new health insurance policy.

April 15 - The last day to file your 2013 tax returns, unless you file for an extension.

Mid-summer - If you still work and pay into Social Security, while collecting it at the same time, your Social Security benefits should be adjusted mid-summer.  If you don't get an adjustment and you expect one, you can go into your local Social Security office and request it.

September 7 - Grandparents Day!  It's nice to have our own special day, isn't it?

Mid-October - The Social Security Administration will anounce the cost-of-living adjustment for 2015.

October 15 - Open enrollment begins for both Medicare and the health insurance marketplace exchanges.  If you are unhappy with your current insurance carrier, you can make a change during the open enrollment period.  You will not have to worry about pre-existing conditions, which has kept many people from changing insurance carriers in the past.

November 4 - Federal elections.  Even though 2014 is not a presidential election year, this will be a major election.  Americans will be voting on all 435 members of the House of Representatives, 33 of the 100 members of the Senate, and 36 state governors.  No matter which party you support, this election will be significant since it could result in a change in the current balance of power.

December 7 - Open enrollment ends for both Medicare and health insurance policies purchased through the health insurance exchanges. 

If you are retired or planning your retirement, you may also want to use the tabs at the top of this post to find links to hundreds of articles about where to retire in the United States, where to retire abroad, financial planning, health concerns, family issues, travel and more.

You are reading from the blog:  www.baby-boomer-retirement.com


Photo credit:  www.morguefile.com

The Fifteen Most Popular Retirement Stories of 2013

Every year I compile a list of my most popular posts of the year.  This year's list includes topics ranging from statistics about Baby Boomers and information about long term care insurance, as well as a wide variety of different choices of appealing places to retire.  In fact, Boomers seem to be more interested in finding the right place to live than in any other topic.  Below is the list of the most popular retirement stories for 2013, beginning with my most popular post of all, "Lake Ashton, Florida Active Adult Community" (with nearly 9000 views in its first few months after publication).

In addition, look for more articles on similar topics in the coming year.  Already in the works for the first two months of the year is a list of important dates you will need to know in 2014, where to find stimulating second careers, an article about the best city for Americans who want to retire in Guatemala, as well as other retirement options for retirees, plus things to consider if you are planning to live in another country.

Meanwhile, make sure you have checked out these stories that attracted large audiences over the past year.  You can click on the individual titles that interest you if you wish to be linked directly to them.

Most Popular Retirement Stories of 2013

Lake Ashton Florida Active Adult Community

The Forbes List of Top Retirement Cities

Advantages and Disadvantages of Over 55 Retirement Communities

Ten Ways to Make Money After Retirement

Golf Cart Friendly Retirement Communities

Fascinating Statistics about Baby Boomers

Over 55 Retirement Communities by Del Webb

What If You Can't Afford to Retire?

Over 55 Retirement Communities by Four Seasons

Alternatives to Long Term Care Insurance

Age in Place Villages Provide Resources in Your Neighborhood

Senior Living in a Med Cottage or Granny Pod

Should You Move or Age in Place When You Retire?

More Places to Retire Overseas

Lennar, Pulte and Centerline Multigenerational Homes


If you are retired or planning to retire soon, you may also want to use the tabs at the top of this page to find links to hundreds of additional articles about places to retire in the United States or overseas, financial issues to consider, medical concerns, and changing family relationships.

You are reading from the bog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

(Photo credit:  www.morguefile.com)

Becoming a Caregiver for Your Parents or Spouse

My sister just flew to Florida recently to pick up my parents, their car and some of their belongs, so she could drive them back to her home in Missouri.  My mother has severe dementia.  My father has been her caregiver for the past few years but he was beginning to become depressed by the situation.  My sister decided it was time to help him out.  She has a comfortable apartment over her garage and she was willing to have them live there, despite the fact that my mother insisted that she did not want to leave her home in Florida.  I am so grateful to my sister for taking on this difficult situation.

I have called and spoken with my father several times since the move, and he is so relieved.  He has repeatedly told me that he is much happier being around other family members and he is so glad that he is no longer solely responsible for my mother.

According to the Orange County Council on Aging, there are an estimated 20 million Americans who are still raising their own children while also helping with the care of their aging parents.  This does not include the millions of elderly people who, like my father, will spend years caring for a spouse with mental or physical limitations.  If you find yourself in one of these situations, you are not alone.

What a Caregiver Needs to Know

*  Caring full-time for another person can be demanding, exhausting and may take a toll on your job and your other relationships.  It is important that you take care of yourself and get all the help you can.  No matter what is going on with your loved one, you cannot take care of them for long if you are not taking care of yourself.  Make sure you get enough sleep, eat right, get exercise and that you get out of the house on a regular basis.

*  Have your loved one assessed by a geriatric specialist.  Make sure they also have dental, eye and hearing exams so that their quality of life is as good as possible.  There is no reason to make life harder on either you or them if there is a health issue, such as poor eyesight or hearing loss, that can be corrected.

*  Involve the elderly in as many of their healthcare decisions as possible.  If they are mentally competent, they have the right to be in control of their own life and make their own decisions about end of life care.

*  Expect that the elderly may be resistant to any changes and to your help.  They may not want to become a burden on you.  They may be embarrassed that they need your help.  They may miss having their own home, seeing their old friends, etc.  Understand that they may seem angry or depressed at times as they grieve their changing circumstances.  My mother is a perfect example of this.  Although she can no longer be left alone and she cannot cook, pay her own bills, or do many of the things she has enjoyed doing in the past, she was very resentful about the move.  She did not want to leave her own home because she was familiar with it and she felt safe there.

*  If you do not have relatives to help you, hire help, even if you can only afford to hire a care-giver for a few hours a day or a few days a week.  A caregiver may be able to drive your loved one to doctor's appointments, church or other activities.  They can also help with bathing, dressing or feeding someone who needs assistance.

*  If your spouse or parent has dementia, find out if there is an adult daycare center in your community.  This may be essential if you are still working.  These organizations provide supervision for someone who cannot be left at home alone during the day.  They also provide simple, but interesting activities for the elderly ... such as painting, jewelry making, physical exercise, games and entertainment.

*  Contact local nursing homes and assisted living facilities to find out which ones provide vacation care.  Many nursing homes and dementia care facilities can provide temporary care for your loved one when you are going to be out of town.  This may actually be more comfortable for them than dealing with the stress of airport security and other issues that could come up if you attempt to take them with you on a trip.

*   Try to make sure that your loved one's legal documents are in order ... including their will, Advance Health Care Directive, and insurance coverage.  Discuss sensitive issues, such as funeral planning, with them, if they are mentally competent.

*  Reassure yourself that their finances are being properly handled ... that bills and insurance premiums are being paid, assets are correctly invested, former residences are sold or leased out, etc.  In my family's case, my sister and my father have taken the necessary steps to list the Florida home for sale, fully furnished.  My nephew will be driving down with a truck to pick up the few items my parents want to keep and that would not fit in their car.

*  Talk to their doctor so that you fully understand what medications they should be taking and any adjustments that need to be made to their lifestyle.  For example, should their car be sold or do they need special safety equipment or assistive devices such as a walker?

*  Contact your local senior center for information on resources that may be available in your area to help you.  They may be able to give you information on community programs that could save you money and benefit your loved one. 

Even while dealing with your role as a caregiver, you may also need to take action to make your own retirement plans.  Use the tabs at the top of this article to find links to hundreds of articles about retirement planning, medical issues, and more.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo credit:  www.morguefile.com