Morning Journal - Prime Time 2014

2 • Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014

Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014 • 3

(BPT) - Arthritis can strike at any age.In fact, of the 50 million Americans suffer-ing from arthritis, two-thirds are under theage of 65. Each year, arthritis accounts for44 million outpatient visits, over 900,000hospitalizations and has quickly becomethe leading cause of disability in the Unit-ed States, outnumbering activity limita-tions caused by heart disease, cancer ordiabetes. Making the right lifestyle andmedication decisions can be the differencebetween living a healthy, full life and livingwith a serious disability.

The specially trained pharmacists inthe Express Scripts Rheumatoid Arthritisand Inflammatory Disease TherapeuticResource Center, offered through Accre-do, have disease-specific expertise andspend the majority of their time counsel-ing patients with these conditions.

“It’s important to know that arthritis isnot one condition, but a complex family ofmusculoskeletal disorders consisting ofmore than 100 different diseases,” saysPhyllis Crockett, specialist pharmacist atExpress Scripts. “Of the arthritis popula-tion, 60 percent are women and severaltypes of arthritis are more prevalent inwomen.”

The most common forms of arthritisare osteoarthritis (OA), rheumatoid arthri-tis (RA) and juvenile arthritis (JA), whichaccount for about 58 percent of all patients.OA is characterized by a breakdown ofjoint cartilage and primarily affects elderlypatients. RA is characterized by inflamma-tion of the membranes lining the joint.Lastly, JA describes many autoimmuneand inflammatory conditions that canaffect children ages 16 and younger.

“Managing the disease so that patientscan continue to live normal lives is impor-tant,” Crockett says. “Each patient is dif-ferent and so are their treatment plans, butthere are a few thingseveryone can do thatcan help managesymptoms.”

Crockett offers thefollowing suggestionsto help the ar thritispopulation.

* Do not self-med-icate: Combining over-the-counter medica-tions with prescriptionmedications can berisky and can causeside effects such as anincrease in gastroin-testinal irritation or agastrointestinal bleed.Check with a doctor orspecialist pharmacistbefore adjusting dosesor making changes tothe medication regi-men.

* Take as directed:For patients whoalready are on medica-tion to treat the condition, adherence iscritical. If patients do not take their med-ication as prescribed they may be facedwith disability or rapid progression of thedisease.

* Watch for drug interactions: Somecommon medications such as acetamino-phen can have a drug-drug interactionwith arthritis medications. Limit intake

and remember that acetaminophen isoften a component in common sinus,cough/cold and pain medications. Somefoods and beverages can also block the

effects of arthritis medications. Theseinclude grapefruit, apple and orange juiceas well as milk and yogurt. Wait at leastfour hours after taking medications beforeingesting these products. Exact times canvary depending on the disease and thetreatment. Check with your healthcareprofessional if you have any questions.

*Stay active: OA and RA patients partic-ularly can benefit from both enduranceand resistance training. Additionally, everypound of weight lost reduces the pressure

on each knee by 4 pounds. Maintaining ahealthy weight and protecting against jointinjury can help prevent OA.

For more information and additionalways to become a more engaged andempowered patient, visit the ExpressScripts Healthcare Insights blog atlab.express-scripts.com.

Managing the aches and pains of arthritis

(BPT) - Soreness, stiffness, tenderness - joint pain can have a direct impact on qualityof life. Fortunately, there are a number of proactive steps that incorporate all-naturalsolutions to help improve joint health and overall wellness.

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 surpris-ingly, joint pain prevalence increases with age. Forty-two percent of adults 45-64 yearsold, and about one-half of adults 65 and older, have experienced recent joint pain, theCDC reports.

“Just because a person ages, it doesn’t mean they should hurt,” says Dr. ChristopherMohr, a fitness and nutritional expert who consults for television, print and radio outletsthroughout the country. “Lifestyle plays a big role in maintaining joint health. Jointhealth and integrity is built on a strong foundation - diet, exercise, and weight manage-ment.”

Mohr offers four all-natural ways to improve - and even eliminate - joint pain in theknees, hips and ankles:

1. Eat for joint health Key nutrients that help with joint health, mobility and lubrica-tion 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,

anchovies, etc. Aim todo this at least twiceper week.”

In addition toincreasing foods withhealthy omega-3 fats,Mohr recommendsreducing unhealthy fatslike trans and saturatedfats. These are oftenfound in packageditems, sweet treats andother overly processedfoods.

“Of course, alsothink about addingloads and loads of col-or ful veggies andfruits, as well asdecreasing sugar andother refined carbs inthe diet,” Mohr sug-gests.

2. Add supplementsOmega-3 fats can sup-port joint health, butoften people don’t getenough through thefoods they eat. Supple-mentation is a goodoption for people whosuffer from joint pain.“Joint health can be maintained by ‘feeding’ the body what it needs,” says Mohr. “NordicNaturals provides a high-quality, concentrated dose of omega-3 fats that your body usesmost efficiently. I like the Nordic Naturals EPA Xtra product, as EPA is one of theomega-3 fats that’s particularly beneficial for healthy joints.”

3. Manage a healthy weight “The less body weight you have to carry around, the eas-ier it will be to move around,” says Mohr. “Make physical activity a regular part of yourday. The stronger your muscles, the easier it will be to move comfortably. Above all, thiswill help relieve some of the common pains in the joints.”

4. Stay physically active Mohr says one of the most common misconceptions aboutjoint pain is that rest is helpful. “Unfortunately that becomes a vicious cycle, where morerest can ultimately cause more pain because the surrounding muscles are getting weak-er and giving less support to those joints,” he says.

Appropriate physical activity should be part of a daily joint-health routine, but it does-n’t require joining a gym or hiring a trainer. Start with simple steps, like standing insteadof sitting, walking as much as possible, swimming at a pool, etc. Basic movements cankeep weight in check and maintain joint and muscle integrity.

Joint pain and soreness is common. By taking a few simple steps at home, you candramatically change how you feel and how you move, so you can live to the fullest everyday.


Four simple remedies for joint pain


(BPT) - As you approach retirement, areyou feeling good about your finances?Kudos to you if you feel comfortable withthe amount you’ve saved. Now it’s time tostart thinking about how you will manageyour savings so it provides you with incomethroughout your retirement years.

“Outliving retirement savings is a signifi-cant concern for Americans,” says JenniferPutney, vice president of Total RetirementSolutions for Prudential Retirement. “In arecent survey, Prudential Retirement foundthat 71 percent of respondents fear theywon’t have enough money to last a lifetime,and just one in five is highly confidentthey’ll have sufficient retirement income.But even those who have saved well and areconfident about their money need a formalplan to help them transition from workingand accumulating to retired and taking dis-tributions from savings.”

Ten thousand older workers reachretirement age every day, and many will beunprepared for retirement. Nineteen per-cent of workers 55 and older have accountbalances of $100,000 to $249,000, and just 23percent have saved $250,000 or more,according to the latest research from theEmployee Benefit Research Institute(EBRI).

“Typically, we advise clients to save 10percent to 15 percent of every paycheck forretirement, and that they start saving early,”Putney says. “The EBRI research indicatesmany Americans aren’t saving that much.”

Retirees face many challenges when try-ing to save enough money to last through-out their lifetime. Americans are livinglonger, markets are volatile, inflation mayoccur and current investments may fall

short. All these factors can add up to anincome shortfall during retirement.

Putney and Prudential offer some tipsfor workers approaching retirement:

* Educational and motivational informa-tion is widely available online to help withretirement planning. Prudential offers web-sites, Preparewithpru.com, which providevaluable information about saving for retire-ment and bringyourchallenges.com thatillustrates five common behaviors that canget in the way of successful retirement plan-ning.

* Take advantage of everything availableto you, including any financial counselingoffered by your employer or a plan adminis-trator. Maximize contributions to yourworkplace-based plan or IRA, and don’t for-get to take advantage of IRS-allowed catch-up contributions if you’re 50 or older.

* Develop a formal transition plan. Yourlifestyle will change significantly when youmove from actively earning a paycheck toliving in retirement, and your income willneed to grow in a different way. An advisorcan help you understand how to manageyour savings and spending during retire-ment, and how to keep your savings grow-ing to generate continued income.

* Consider an in-plan guaranteed retire-ment income option if your employer offersone with your retirement plan. This optioncan help to ensure you’ll have income dur-ing retirement, no matter what other spend-ing or investment decisions you make.

Visit www.Prudential.com to learn more.

Building your nest egg for retirement


(BPT) - Eighty-three percent of U.S. adults believetheir eyesight will worsen as they age, no matter whatpreventive steps they take, according to a recent DSMNutritional Products survey. While genetics and lifestylefactors do play a role for some serious eye conditions thatcause vision loss such as age-related macular degenera-tion (AMD), years of proper nutrition may protect visionin the long term.

More than 2 million Americans age 50 and older sufferfrom AMD, and it is especially prevalent among Cau-casian women. “You don’t want to reach your 40s and real-ize that you’re beginning to have vision problems,” saysDr. Kimberly Reed, optometrist and Ocular NutritionSociety board member. “Following a few simple recom-mendations can help support your vision - and your fami-ly’s vision - now and in the future.”

Reed offers these tips for maintaining eye health andsupporting vision in the long term:

1. See your diet in color

Many brightly colored fruits and vegetables containlutein and zeaxanthin, two powerful antioxidants thatresearch shows are beneficial in maintaining macular

health. Intake of 12 mg per day of lutein and zeaxanthinoffers the best protection, but only 10 percent of Ameri-cans are getting enough of these essential nutrients,according to the American Optometric Association. Forweekly meal planning this year, choose colorful fruits andvegetables that provide these important antioxidants, likespinach, kale, and other dark leafy greens, as well as corn,peas, broccoli, and orange and red peppers.

2. Omega-3 fatty acids for eye health

A study published in the American Journal of ClinicalNutrition showed that people with higher intakes ofomega-3 fatty acids may experience a lower incidence ofdry eye syndrome (DES). For patients who suffer regu-larly from dry eyes, omega-3 intake can significantlyimprove symptoms and increase quality tear production.Adults should get at least 1,500 mg per day of DHA andEPA either by consuming fatty fish, such as salmon,mackerel, and sardines, or taking high-quality fish oil andalgae supplements. Be sure to check with your physicianif you are taking medications that affect blood clottingbefore increasing your intake of omega-3s to this level.For women who are pregnant or nursing, DHA is anessential nutrient to support infant visual development.

3. Remember your vitamins and minerals

An array of vitamins and minerals also play an impor-tant role in maintaining eye health. For instance, A and Bvitamins perform many complex and critical functionsthroughout the body, including the eyes. And, accordingto a study published in Ophthalmology, vitamins C and E,which function as antioxidants, are also essential to eyehealth and have been shown to impact the progression ofcertain forms of AMD. Finally, zinc helps deliver vitaminA from the liver to the retina in order to produce melanin,a protective pigment in the eyes. Get your fill of at leastfive servings of colorful fruits and vegetables, as well asnuts and legumes, per day to obtain these essential vita-mins andminerals.

Even when striving to follow an optimal diet, it’s diffi-cult to get the recommended amounts of essential vita-mins and nutrients from food alone, so nutritional supple-ments can play an important role in maintaining eyehealth. Several products specifically formulated to sup-port eye health and vision are available, so ask your eyehealth professional at your next appointment.

For more nutrition information, visitwww.vitaminsinmotion.com.

Is vision loss inevitable with age?

(BPT) - The holiday season is meant to be celebrated with joy. It’s when families andfriends gather together to reunite and celebrate the end of the year. You might have peo-ple cheering on the college football team in a bowl game, children running around andplaying games, and conversations happening in every room of the house where familymembers 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 Americansstruggles with hearing loss, according to the National Institute on Deafness and OtherCommunications Disorders. It’s a common aspect of aging, and it doesn’t affect only theperson with hearing loss - it also impacts the family and friends nearby.

“Holiday gatherings can be particularly problematic for people with untreated hear-ing loss, as many loud voices, background music and other noise can make it difficult tofollow, participate in and feel a part of conversations and celebration,” says Dr. Dave Fab-ry, vice president of Audiology for Starkey Hearing Technologies.

It’s often a struggle for families to help their loved ones cope with hearing loss. Talk-ing is the first step, but often people don’t know how to bring up the topic. Here aresome 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 com-fortable and familiar to the person with hearing loss. Minimize background noises thatmight make it difficult for him or her to hear and understand what you’re saying. Don’traise your voice, speak slowly and clearly, and make sure to face your loved one so he orshe can clearly follow the movement of your lips.

* Keep your language compassionate, not accusatory. For example, rather than say-ing “You can’t hear me when I talk,” try “I’m concerned by how often you ask people torepeat themselves.” Because hearing loss is commonly perceived as an older person’sproblem, talking about it can be emotional for people, and your loved one may feel thatadmitting any hearing loss is like admitting to becoming old and frail.

* Focus on the benefits of treatment and be specific. Instead of simply saying “You’llhear better,” try to provide real-life examples such as, “You’ll be able to hear your grand-son sing in church,” or “When Uncle Bill tells that joke you love, you’ll be able to hearevery word.”

* Ease your loved one into the idea of testing for hearing loss. He or she may not beready to make an appointment to see a hearing care professional. Instead, try an onlinehearing test, such as the one available at www.starkey.com. Answering a few short ques-tions and listening to a series of tones takes only a few minutes and can help give youboth an idea of any hearing issues that might require professional attention.

* Explore hearing aid options together. The variety of hearing aids available at a widerange of price points can be daunting for anyone, and doubly so for someone coping

with hearing loss. If the online hearing test raises concerns, schedule an appointmentwith a hearing professional and research hearing aid options before the visit. Your lovedone may have an outdated impression of how hearing aids look and work. Go online tosee how small, unobtrusive and technologically advanced many modern hearing aidsare. For example, Starkey’s Halo hearing aid connects directly to your iPhone, iPad andiPod touch via the TruLink app so users can enjoy phone calls, music, videos and morestreamed directly into your ears with pristine sound quality.

“Hearing loss doesn’t have to put a damper on the holidays for anyone, thanks tomodern hearing aid technology,” Fabry says. “Once you start the conversation and getyour loved one help, you’ll both be able to better enjoy the spirit of the season.”


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Addressing hearing loss before the holidays


(BPT) - Many of life’s different stages offer challengesand rewards - whether you’re starting out on your own,raising a family, focusing on your career or preparing for arewarding retirement.

However, while each life stage is unique, making sureyour loved ones are cared for financially is something thatneeds to be addressed along the way.

Thrivent Financial offers these things to keep in mindas you enter each life stage:

Early careerSurprisingly, 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 youcontinuing to earn a living.

Life insurance will ensure your loved ones aren’t leftdealing with your financial burdens if you pass away.Because you are young and healthy, a basic policy may bethemost affordable depending on your needs.

Growing families (and income)Young children at home can bring untold joy to a fami-

ly. Unfortunately, this idyllic picture can be easily shakenif an untimely death occurs. Term life insurance can offeraffordable coverage for you and your loved ones. Terminsurance can be easily enhanced with additional options(called riders) to ensure your protection stays adequateas your family grows and your earning potential increas-es.

Legacy and retirement planningAs you enter your peak earning years and get closer to

retirement, you will likely face more health risks. Con-verting from term coverage to permanent life insurance isa way to ensure lifelong financial protection. Permanentinsurance is guaranteed to be with you for the rest of yourlife as long as you continue to pay the premium and yourprovider stays in business. This is one of the many rea-sons you should look for an organization with a trackrecord of financial strength and stability. Permanent insur-ance contracts also allow you to begin to plan your legacyas they give you the option to include a favorite charity orcause as a beneficiary.

RetirementAs you enter your later years, you are now ready to

take advantage of all those years of planning for retire-ment.

Make sure you take time to meet with a financial pro-fessional to ensure your retirement needs haven’tchanged and that you still have the right financial plan inplace.

These years are also time to focus on the legacy youwant to leave behind for your children and grandchildren,as well as organizations that you support financially.

Life insurance, like life itself, has many stages andoptions for you to consider. It is an invaluable tool toensure that those you leave behind are financially protect-ed. It can also have many additional benefits to you andyour loved ones beyond the basic death benefits.

Taking the time to obtain professional advice aboutprotecting those you care about is an important first stepto knowing your best options.

Life insurance for each stage of life


(NAPS)—During the 2014-2015 flu season, it’s important to remember that the singlebest way to prevent influenza (“the flu”) is to get an annual vaccination, which the Cen-ters for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends for everyone aged sixmonths 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 morelikely to catch the flu and experience complications.

The flu is a contagious illness that can be severe and life threatening, especially forolder adults. People 65 years of age and older typically account for more than half (60percent) of flu-related hospitalizations and almost all (90 percent) flu-related deaths.

The Flu + You program, a national public education initiative sponsored by theNational Council on Aging (NCOA) in collaboration with Sanofi Pasteur, educates olderadults and those who care for them about the seriousness of the flu, the importance ofannual vaccination, and available vaccine options.

Award-winning actress Judith Light, known for TV’s Dallas, Who’s the Boss?, andUgly 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 howhealthy and active we feel, getting an annual flu vaccination is important and I learnedthere are different flu vaccine options for people 65 and older.

I want to encourage others to speak with their doctor or pharmacist to find out moreabout getting vaccinated against the flu.”

The flu canmake existing health problems worse and is especially dangerous for peo-ple with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease or chronic obstructive pul-monary 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 seriousconditions may result in hospitalization and an inability to take part in simple daily activi-ties and live independently.

“Research shows that the immune system weakens with age, which means olderadults are more likely to catch the flu and that they can suffer greater complicationsbecause of other health issues,” said Albert Terrillion, DrPH, MEd, CPH, NCOA SeniorDirector for Clinical and Community Partnerships and Director of NCOA’s Self-Manage-ment Alliance. “Through our Flu + You program, we encourage all older adults to protectthemselves by getting an annual flu vaccine as soon as they can.”

Older adults have flu vaccine options, including the traditional standard-dose flu vac-cine and a higher-dose vaccine. Both options are available at a doctor’s office or localpharmacy. The higher-dose vaccine was developed specifically for people aged 65 andolder 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 forMedicare beneficiaries 65 years of age and older.

Older adults and their caregivers can learn more about vaccine options and theimportance 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 apublic service announcement with Judith Light.

Understanding flu-related risks

The National Council on Aging and Judith Light encourage people 65+ toask about their flu shot options. Watch the video at www.NCOA.org/Flu.

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(NAPS)—In a recent survey by the Global Social Enterprise Initiative at GeorgetownUniversity’s McDonough School of Business and Philips, 96 percent of senior respon-dents said it’s important to be as independent as possible as they get older. For seniorsto maintain that independence, it pays to age “SMART.”

By combining basic physical and mental wellness techniques with technology, sen-iors 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 helpwith balance and agility, preserving mobility and making you less likely to fall. Groupclasses 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 bloodpressure 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 activi-ties such as reading, playing a musical instrument, learning a new language, playingmemory games and other cognitively stimulating exercises with a slower rate of mentaldecline. Staying sharp mentally can help you maintain your independence by empower-ing you to manage everyday tasks.

A—A good night’s sleep: Lack of sleep can impair your memory, slow reaction timeand exacerbate other conditions. Keeping a regular schedule, avoiding caffeine andsleeping in a dark, relaxing environment can help.

R—Remembering medications: It can be tricky to keep track of your medications butgetting doses and timing right are crucial to maintaining your independence. One in 10senior hospitalizations is related to medication mismanagement. The good news is thereare lots of tools out there to help, some as simple as plastic pill-organizing boxes. Moreadvanced solutions include mobile apps that send you a reminder when it’s time formeds and automatic devices that dispense pre-sorted medications at preprogrammedtimes.

T—Technology to keep connected: E-mail, Facebook and Skype can be great ways tostay connected with family and friends. You can watch your grandkid’s soccer gamefrom 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 main-tain and create relationships.

Technology also keeps seniors connected to help and lets them go about busy, activelives with less worry. Mobile response apps can connect seniors to a call center with the

simple click of a button in the case of an emergency. Medical alert services provide sen-iors with direct access to a response associate both in their homes and on the go. Someeven come equipped with fall detection technology that can signal for help if a fall isdetected, when the senior is unable to do so.

For more resources related to aging “SMAR T,” visit Philips Lifeline athttp://philips.to/lifeline.


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Morning Journal • Prime Time • Sunday, October 26, 2014 • 1 1

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(NAPS)—If you or someone you care about is amongthe nearly one in three Americans who help an elderlyfamily member make health care decisions, here are afew facts and tips that can help you have far more than thegerm of an idea about the flu and what to do about it:

• A flu shot is the most effective way to protect your-self and your family from catching the flu.

• It takes up to two weeks for your immunity to buildup after getting a flu shot.

• It’s important to get the flu shot every year becausethe immunity provided by the vaccine declines over time.

• To help combat germs, wash your hands frequentlywith soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds andavoid touching your mouth and eyes. Touching sucheveryday items as door handles and other surfaces canbe difficult to avoid.

• Getting plenty of sleep, being physically active, man-aging stress, drinking adequate fluids, and eating nutri-tious food are all healthy habits that can help to keep yourimmune system in top condition during flu season.

• Children younger than age 5 are at high risk for flu-related complications. For school-age children, remindthem of the importance of hand washing and using tis-sues when they sneeze. The influenza vaccine is notapproved for children younger than 6months of age.

• Pregnant women are more susceptible to gettingsick, including catching the flu, because their immunesystems are weaker than usual. During pregnancy, the flucan escalate quickly and be complicated by infectionssuch as fetal distress or pneumonia.

• A new survey from CVS/pharmacy found that 61percent of U.S. adults don’t know that the Fluzone High-Dose vaccine contains four times the antigens as the reg-ular flu vaccine. This can be especially important for peo-ple over 65 who have a greater risk of developing severeflu-related illness. For more information on the differ-ences in flu shots, visit www.cdc.gov/flu.

• Getting the flu shot can be very affordable. Flu vac-cines are now fully covered as a preventive service underthe Affordable Care Act and available at no cost throughmost insurance plans, including Medicare Part B. In addi-tion, CVS/pharmacy offers $1 million in flu shot vouchers

to uninsured peoplethrough a donationto Direct Relief, anonprofit organiza-tion that bringsmedicines and sup-plies to health careproviders world-wide. Direct Reliefwill distribute thesevouchers, good for aflu shot at anyCVS/pharmacy orCVS/minute clinic,to health clinicsacross the U.S.

• You can get a flu shot any day with no appointmentneeded, even evenings and weekends, at more than 7,700CVS locations across the country. For members of theExtraCare Rewards program, getting the shot also meansa 20 percent off CVS Shopping Pass.

To learn more, go to www.cvs.com/flu or call (800)746-7287.

Flu-fighting information for older Americans


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(NAPS)—If you or someone you care about is among the estimated 40 million Ameri-cans over the age of 65—and especially the 12 million who live alone—taking a few stepsfor improved care can mean a longer, better, more independent life.

• Protect Your Health. See your doctor regularly and stay up to date on tests and vac-cinations. Don’t smoke. Eat right. Exercise 21⁄2 hours a week, including balance exercis-es, and if you drink alcohol, do so in moderation.

• Protect Your Safety. Install grab rails in the bathroom. Look for specially adaptedgadgets that can make using the kitchen easier. Get rid of loose wires and carpets, bro-ken 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 reas-sure yourself and your family, there’s now a free telephone reassurance ser vice—Alwaysin Touch—that provides a “safety check” phone call ever y weekday. It is the only freenational ser vice of its kind in the United States.

It’s not a referral ser vice or medical alert system, nor is it a substitute for professionalmedical advice or the care that patients receive from their physicians and medical advis-ers. In the event of an emergency, you must call your doctor or 911 immediately.

Who Is EligibleIndividuals may refer themselves or be referred by a caregiver, medical professional,

social worker, family member or other ser vice provider. Most people Always in Touchser ves are seniors or disabled adults who are homebound, isolated, living alone or inneed of daily contact. This may be temporar y while recuperating from an illness or sur-

ger y, or it may be amore permanent situ-ation.

S e r v i c e S u p p o r tRepresentatives allowthe phone to ring upto 15 times. If there’sno answer, they willcall back 15 minuteslater. If there’s still noanswer, they will tr yto reach designatedemergency contacts.

T h e s e r v i c e i ssponsored by AlwaysBest Care Senior Ser vices, a nationwide leader in non-medical in-home care and assistedliving finder/referral ser vices. Explains founder and Chief Executive Of ficer MichaelNewman, “Our passion for helping the elderly maintain safe, independent and dignifiedlifestyles is the foundation of what we do.”

Learn MoreFor more information, call toll-free (855) 710-CALL (2255), or visit www.Always-In-

Touch.com. Or call (855) 470-CARE for a free care consultation.

A call for always being in touch


(NAPS)—Life expectancy in the United States isincreasing. According to government data, today’s 65-year-old will likely live beyond age 85, and a little more forwomen, who tend to live longer than men. By 2040, 79million Americans will be 65 or older, nearly double thesize of that age group today.

One problem is that expenses are keeping pace withthe uptick in longevity. The realities of inflation, climbinghealth care costs and insufficient savings are putting adamper on the prospect of a longer life for a good numberof Americans. In fact, Northwestern Mutual’s 2014 Plan-ning & Progress Study found a full third of Americans donot feel financially prepared to live until the age of 85—which may help explain why one in three adults does notthink he or she will ever retire.

The good news is that it is never too late—or early—toovercome the financial security fear factor. Here are someideas on building a financial foundation that can helpextend your lifestyle through your life span.

• Fail to plan, plan to fail—Nowhere is that sayingmore valid than with financial matters. Northwestern

Mutual’s 2014 Planning & Progress Study also found thatdisciplined planners feel significantly more financiallysecure and happy in retirement. In addition, the lack ofeffective planning was one of the top reasons cited forwhy some Americans feel they are “playing catch-up”with savings and investments.

• Silence is not golden—While conversations aboutmoney can be difficult, they are essential. Since partnersand, in some cases, adult children have a stake in financialdecision making, it is important to work collaboratively onrefining financial priorities and accountabilities. Long-term care is one example of a planning consideration thattends to impact the entire family.

• Don’t go it alone—An overwhelming majority ofAmericans do not have a financial adviser even thoughresearch suggests there is a correlation between profes-sional guidance and financial security. An expert can takean objective look at your resources and goals, counselyou on the merits of various risk and investment solu-tions, and devise a strategy to meet immediate and futureneeds.

To learn more about how you can secure your finan-cial future, talk to an experienced adviser or visit theNorthwestern Mutual Online Learning Center onwww.nm.com for a wide range of information andresources.

Live long and prosper? Yes, it’s possible

(NAPS)—The ability of the United States to solve major health challenges like Ebolaor the Enterovirus D68, or find cures for other deadly or disabling diseases like canceror Alzheimer’s, could depend on what you do in the voting booth.

That’s because, when armed with information about your candidates’ views, you canmake 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 byResearch!America, a nonprofit organization working to make medical research a highernational priority, the nonpartisan Ask Your Candidates! initiative helps voters gaininsight into the priority their candidates place on accelerating research to combat knownillnesses or emerging threats that devastate families or become public health crises.

Funding Medical ResearchThere are two main sources of funding for medical research, and they are both cru-

cial to achieving medical progress: federal support and private-sector investment. Con-gress has significant influence over both: 1) it determines annual funding levels for pub-licly supported research at universities, academic health centers and other institutions,and 2) it crafts laws affecting the return on private-sector investment in medical researchand development.

Because few businesses can attract investors for pre-commercial science, Americanshave traditionally devoted about 1 percent of health care tax dollars to financing basicresearch, which paves the way for better diagnostic tools, treatments and cures.

Empowering VotersResearch!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 Facebookand ask them to comment on the future of medical progress. A link on the AYC! websiteenables voters to personalize and send an e-mail to their candidates. Voters can also viewcandidate responses on the site.

Some voters have asked about their candidates’ support for research to fight canceror another illness; others have asked broader questions, such as:

•Where does speeding upmedical progress fit among your priorities for Congress?

• Howwill you encourage innovations that improve the health of Americans?

• Does Congress do enough to support science that leads to treatments and curesfor disabling and deadly diseases?

• Is enoughmedical research done on helping wounded warriors?

• Government investment in medical research is dropping. Do you think that’s right?

• Most private-sector medical research occurs in the United States, where it createsjobs and exports. Should keeping it here be a priority?

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; vot-ers and candidates alike hold a diversity of views on the relative importance of medicalprogress and how to best achieve it.

Taking The Next StepWhether 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 adifference.


Medical progress for the future

With the help of the Ask Your Candidates! initiative, voters can ensure thatthey elect candidates that represent their family’s medical needs.



Documents

Morning Journal - Prime Time 2014