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I Retired at 57, Happily Married, and Ready to Write the Next Chapter.

By
Greg
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0
tracy lynn contributor

Greetings! Allow me to introduce myself. I am Tracy Lynn a 58-year-old recent and happily retired utility Manager. I reside in the southwest suburbs of Chicago with my wonderful husband of 23 years. Having been employed in various positions at a few businesses since I was 16 years old, I often fascinate people with how young I am to be a retiree. At the utility company, my career spanned 23 years working as a Customer Service Rep, Construction & Maintenance Work Planner, Project Management Assistant, and Project Manager.

Since 1980, I worked in positions as a Teacher’s Aide, Cashier / Cook, Secretary, Clerical and Administrative Assistants. In 2021, I discovered other interests that both fascinated me and demanded my full attention. These eventually led to retirement. For example, my mother’s fast-declining health became a primary focus as now I am suddenly a Caregiver. In addition, my desire to dabble in my favorite past-time of writing as well as try my hand at coordinating and planning real estate transactions. Home remodeling projects, self-improvement, and traveling are also high on the exploration list!

Due to my life-long desire to write non-fiction novels and being an avid reader, I have always had the vision to create a book club. Fortunately, I discovered and bonded with other women to possess these same interests. Eleven years ago, I had the vision to create a book club where today, I am the President and Founder of The Sister Circle Book Club of 10 members. The club keeps me busy and provides an abundance of joy and happiness. I love the phenomenal female members, books we read and discuss, and the activities we accomplish such as volunteering and donating to various charities, and of course, eating delicious food and drinking plenty of good wine!

In the 1970s, it was a bit of a safety challenge growing up on Chicago’s gang and crime-ridden South Side in a single-parent household. Our mother was hard-working, loving, and strict while raising two young girls. We were the victim of having a curfew of “be home by the time the street lights come on”! My younger sister and I often encountered being robbed while on the way to the grocery store and of our personal belongings. One year we received the bicycles we always dreamed of and they got stolen only 2 weeks after riding them. In spite of these setbacks, we enjoyed our modest life of growing up in the ‘hood. As long as we had each other, my mother, sister, and I maintained a very loving and respectful relationship. Our bond is extremely close even to this day.

I attended Chicago Public Schools from headstart to high school graduation. While employed as a Teacher’s Aide during the Summer School Program, the teachers often admired my work and encouraged me to pursue an Elementary Teacher’s job. Unfortunately, due to the numerous and ongoing teacher strikes throughout the years, I got easily discouraged to apply. I enjoyed attending school where I often excelled in all subjects and was considered a good student.

In the sixth grade, I met one of my very best friends to this day. We had a lot in common and found Richard Pryor to be our favorite comedian to imitate. We absolutely had no business listening to these X-rated albums but couldn’t help ourselves. This dude was hilarious! We also discovered that we enjoyed other thrilling activities such as gymnastics, listening to music, dancing, going to the movies, clothes shopping, and writing short stories. We would swap our stories with each other for entertainment purposes and critique.

Today, I still love to attend and enjoy watching comedy shows with my husband. Laughing is therapeutic and is good for your health. With all of life’s pressures and challenges of growing old gracefully while managing and caring for an elderly parent I highly recommend daily laughter, meditation, and prayer. Live, laugh, and love. It’s the three keys to mastering and navigating this thing called senior life.

Ask me anything!

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Best Bluetooth Hearing Aid

By
Greg
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0
best bluetooth hearing aid 2022

Hearing aids have been a massive help in helping people with partial deafness to have improved hearing of the surrounding sounds and noises. However, traditional hearing aids came with certain limitations. For example, if you wanted to listen to music or receive a phone call using earphones, you first had to remove the hearing aids. 

Bluetooth hearing aids have made the hearing experience better and more convenient with technological advancements. They allow you to connect them to your devices for an easier and more personalized hearing experience. 

However, before you buy Bluetooth hearing aids, there are things you need to know about them to determine if they are the best for you. 

Are Bluetooth Hearing Aids Good?

Bluetooth hearing aids eliminate having chunky hearing aids that sometimes amplify unnecessary external noise. 

They also make it easier for you to listen to music without taking them out and plugging in earphones. When you removed your hearing aids to listen to music, one of the major concerns in the past was that you might not be able to hear what people around you were saying. 

With Bluetooth hearing aids, the sound quality of whatever you are listening to is better, and you will still hear what people around you are saying. 

Unlike traditional hearing aids, you can remotely control your Bluetooth hearing aids using a phone app. You can change the settings for better volume and sound clarity and make discrete changes without removing or pressing a button on your hearing aid. 

What Does Bluetooth Do With Hearing Aids?

Bluetooth allows you to connect your hearing aids to your Bluetooth-enabled devices like phones and TV. Since they come with control settings, you can set a personalized listening experience that allows you to enjoy your music and still hear what people around you are saying. 

The sound quality matches your hearing needs, and you can control the volume and sound quality in one or both ears. Bluetooth signals are stable, which helps eliminate feedback, whistling, and cutting in and out, like what sometimes happens when using cellphones. 

Bluetooth also allows you to connect your hearing aids to several Bluetooth devices and switch between them easily. 

Unlike traditional hearing aids, Bluetooth hearing aids allow you to hear using both ears because of the binaural hearing feature. 

If one hearing aid picks a sound from one side, the Bluetooth hearing aids communicate with each other and transmit that sound to the other hearing aid, so you do not have to strain to hear, especially when using your phone. 

Can You Talk On The Phone With Bluetooth Hearing Aids?

Yes. To automatically route incoming calls to your hearing aid, answer them using the multi-function button on your Bluetooth hearing aid. If you answer through the phone button, it remains on the handset, enabling the transmission. 

When making calls, make them normally from your phone, and depending on your phone settings, the call will automatically be routed to your hearing aids. If not, ensure you select Bluetooth connection on your phone immediately after making the call. 

You can change ongoing phone call routing between your handset and your hearing aids by simply clicking the Bluetooth to disable or enable the Bluetooth transmission. 

Can I Connect My Bluetooth Hearing Aids To The TV?

If you are experiencing hearing loss or are partially deaf, one of the most annoying things is struggling to hear your TV. Unfortunately, if you turn on the TV volume, it makes dialogue with the people around hard. 

Hearing loss affects different sounds differently, affecting sound volume and clarity. Therefore, you might find it hard to hear the sound coming from your TV even when the volume is high. 

Hearing aids are calibrated to your specific hearing needs, which means that they amplify the sounds you can’t hear, like high-frequency sounds from the TV. You can enhance that hearing experience by connecting your TV to your Bluetooth hearing aids. 

They improve sound quality and also block external noises. You can take that a notch higher by connecting assistive listening devices to your TV, and the sound plays directly on your hearing aids. They allow you to increase the volume without making it too loud for everybody else. 

How Much Are Bluetooth Hearing Aids?

The cost of Bluetooth hearing aids differs from brand to brand, but the average price is between $1,500 and $7,000, which is a few hundred dollars more than traditional hearing aids without Bluetooth connectivity. 

However, if you have insurance with a hearing aid benefit, it could help lower the price and make it affordable. Medicare Part B won’t usually cover hearing aids, but may for hearing exams or other expenses including cochlear impants.

Can I Listen To Music Through My Bluetooth Hearing Aids?

Yes, so long as you are listening from a Bluetooth-enabled device. Whether you are chilling in your house, jogging, or exercising in the gym, you do not have to trade hearing external sounds with listening to music. 

Bluetooth hearing aids give you the best of both worlds because you can connect them to your Bluetooth stereo, speaker, television, or phone and listen to music. 

You can adjust the volume and clarity of the sounds to match your needs, and you can still hear what people around you are saying. However, it helps eliminate loud external noises to help you focus on what you are listening to. 

The Best Hearing Aids

Bluetooth hearing aids are not one-size-fits-all, and with so many brands, you need to ensure you get the best for your specific needs. When choosing a good Bluetooth hearing aid, the first thing you need to consider is the extent of your hearing loss. Other things you need to consider include: 

Price

Bluetooth hearing aids are more expensive than traditional hearing aids. However, you still want to make sure you get a good deal. Avoid going for the cheapest when shopping because sometimes that means low quality. 

You should also evaluate the quality of the hearing aids before going for highly-priced ones to ensure they are not overpriced. For example, if you have insurance that has a hearing aid benefit, consider the amount they will help you pay and see if the remainder fits your budget. 

Brand Reputation

Consider the brand’s customer care, hearing aid quality, how long they have been in the business, and their rating on sources like Trustpilot and better Business Bureau. 

It would help to look at customer reviews and the brand’s rating on their website and social media platforms. 

 Transparent marketing and clinical studies 

The best hearing aids have undergone clinical trials to ascertain marketing claims. You should also look at the brand’s marketing language and ensure that they have not listed unrealistic, deceptive, and misleading claims about their product. 

Your Lifestyle

There are different types of hearing aid like behind-the-ear, in-the-ear, receiver-in-canal, in-the-canal, and completely-in-canal. 

Depending on the things you do, where you work, etc., you have to choose the best one for you. Some of these are small and almost invisible, perfect if you exercise a lot because they are in the ear. 

Some of the best Bluetooth hearing aids in the market include: 

1. Eargo Hearing Aids 

This brand was established in 2012, and it has become one of the most common Bluetooth hearing aids brands primarily because of its design and enhanced sound quality. 

There are four models of Eargo hearing aids, Eargo max, Eargo Neo HiFi, Eargo 5, and Eargo 6, and they all have Bluetooth capabilities. These are also rechargeable hearing aids whose batteries last the whole day after charging. 

Another significant advantage is that the hearing aids are small, making them almost invisible. They also have dynamic feedback reduction and sound amplification features. 

However, the Bluetooth technology is not built into them but in their charging case because of their small size. 

Therefore, if you need to make any setting changes from your phone, you have to do that while they are in the case. That also means that you cannot directly receive sound from a Bluetooth device on these hearing aids. However, they are also not a good choice if you have severe hearing loss. 

Eargo hearing aids cost between $1,500 and $2,950, including the portable charging case. You can buy them online without a doctor’s prescription, and they include licensed hearing professionals’ support. 

2. Rexton hearing aids 

Rexton has designed its hearing aids to meet your hearing needs in all environments. Rexton hearing aids give you more relaxed hearing experiences and enhanced speech using the latest technology. 

Rexton hearing aids come in different styles, including receiver-in-canal, behind-the-ear, in-the-ear, invisible-in-the-canal, and completely-in-the-canal. 

Rexton hearing aids come in three different product lines, each with different technologies designed to meet different hearing needs. 

Mysore C8 technology allows you to stream audio from your iPhone and provides you with the natural sound of your environment. It also has a feature called My Voice, enabling you to hear your voice naturally. 

Rexton utilizes the latest technology to give you a natural listening experience regardless of your environment. It comes with the Voice Ranger feature that helps enhance speech and the Music Enhancer feature for better sound quality when listening to music from your device or a live performance. 

Finally, the Essential E1 that uses TruCore technology uses digital noise reduction to give you an improved listening experience in different environments. 

The hearing aid accessories that you can use with Rexton hearing aids include remote control, Rexton hearing aids apps, smart connect, and smart transmitters. Like other Bluetooth hearing aids, these are also rechargeable. 

Rexton hearing aids have different prices depending on the product model, technology, and features. Sometimes the costs include a consultation, hearing aid testing, and hearing aid fitting. To get Rexton hearing aids, you have to get an audiologist test first. 

3. Unitron hearing aids 

Unitron hearing aids are made for different levels of hearing loss. Before you get your Unitron hearing aids, you have to get a test from an audiologist or hearing health professional. 

Depending on the test results, they will program the hearing aids to best fit your hearing needs. You can also choose in-the-ear, receiver-in-canal, or behind-the-ear. 

Unitron has a FLEX experience that allows you to test your hearing aids before you buy them. During the trial period, the hearing aids keep performance data. Your hearing care provider will use that data and your satisfaction to give you a perfect hearing for your hearing needs and lifestyle. 

Once you buy Unitron hearing aids, you can upgrade if you want hearing changes or more functionality. 

Unitron hearing aids have a universal wireless solution that allows you to stream stereo audio to and from different Bluetooth-enabled devices directly. 

Unitron uses machine learning technology in their hearing aids to compare the sounds around you against a database to recognize and categorize your current environment, after which they automatically adjust to give you the best listening experience. 

They also come with Soundcore sound processing software that identifies and responds to different auditory environments, then automatically changes the settings to the current environment. 

The Remote Plus App allows you to customize your hearing experience quickly, and the remote adjust allows you to fine-tune your hearing aids for better experiences remotely. Unitron also has a platform to get additional support, control, and options. 

Other accessories that come with the hearing aids include a Moxi charger power pack, TV connector, Moxi charger, remote control, Partner mic, and IIC remote. 

The prices for Unitron hearing aids differ depending on the model and features. For example, the most common Unitron hearing aids include Moxi Jump R, Moxi Fit, Stride P R, and Insera. 

4. Siemens hearing aids 

Siemens Audiology Solutions or Siemens Hearing Instruments was a hearing aid manufacturer until Sivatons acquired them in 2016. The new hearing aids produced by Sivatons go by Signia, but they still use the technology that Siemens previously used. 

When buying Siemens hearing aids, you can choose from behind-the-ear, in-the-canal, completely-in-the-canal, in-the-ear, or receiver-in-canal, depending on your hearing needs. 

There are also different product lines suited for different hearing needs. For example, people with mild to severe hearing loss should go for the Insio NX or Signia active. If you have any level of hearing loss, the good models are Pure, Motion X, and Intus 3. 

If you have hearing loss in one year, CROS is the best model of Siemens hearing aids. However, if you want a discrete hearing aid, Silk X is perfect because it has different sleeve sizes. 

There are three mobile apps, touch control, The Signia, and myControl, that audiologists can program to work well with different Siemens hearing aids. They are all free to download and are compatible with Android and Apple devices. 

These apps help adjust hearing aid volume and balance the bass and treble from any connected devices. The functionality of the apps depends on the hearing aid you are using, your Bluetooth device, and its operating system. 

You can take a free online hearing test to determine whether you require an in-person hearing exam. That helps the audiologist program a perfect hearing aid for you. 

The hearing aids are also custom-fit, meaning that the hearing specialist will custom fit the hearing aid for your ear size to ensure comfort and that it does not fall out. You can find them online here.

5. Widex hearing aids 

Widex has developed several phone apps and hearing aids that make it easy to connect with your devices. In addition, wireless hearing aids have high compatibility with phones and tablets, primarily those without IOS. 

However, they have also developed’ made-for-iPhone’ Bluetooth hearing aids like Evoke and Beyond for IOS users. 

All Widex hearing aids are water-resistant and rechargeable hearing aids, and there are corresponding apps for easier personalization and control using your phone.

One of the disadvantages is that you cannot buy Widex hearing aids online. Instead, you have to visit a hearing center and speak to the audiologist for a prescription, price, and best options for your hearing needs and lifestyle. 

6. Lexie Lumen

Lexie Hearing®, an innovative game-changer in the US hearing aid market, is on a mission to make healthy hearing accessible to everyone with an all-inclusive, affordable hearing care solution that includes quality, medical-grade hearing aids. The team at Lexie is passionate about helping people improve their hearing without having to spend thousands of dollars. Too many people do not wear hearing aids because they are so expensive, which is why Lexie Hearing® is changing the industry. 

What really sets Lexie Hearing® apart is its competitive pricing. By leveraging smart technology and remote care, Lexie hearing aids deliver the quality and features expected from premium hearing aids, at 80% less than the average industry cost. Customers can either purchase the hearing aids with a one-time payment of $799 online or a subscription of only $49/mo x24. 
 Lexie Hearing® has also partnered with Walgreens to sell Lexie hearing aids online and in select Walgreens stores across the US. We’re continuously partnering with other well-known retailers to make Lexie hearing aids accessible to a wider audience.

lexie lumen bluetooth hearing aids
Lexie Lumen

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3 Secrets: How You Can Gracefully Learn To Live Into Your Golden Years.

By
Greg
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0
sandy robinson contributor

Hello everyone. Let me introduce myself. My name is Sandy Robinson. I’m a 72-year-old lady, so I guess that makes me a senior! My career has been very varied. After high school, I trained to be a registered nurse in Vancouver, BC, Canada. Working in many areas of the hospital prepared me to help people of many ages to learn to enjoy their lives and preserve their good health. 

  Me needing help to gracefully age wasn’t something I expected for myself. I was always the caretaker, helping others as they grew older. As I am growing older, I find others asking me why they are having difficulties in their lives. The fear of getting older is one aspect that affects many people as they age.

Now finding myself face-to-face with fear of my own life motivates me to share my experiences.

How can we gracefully learn to live well into our older years? You don’t need to be afraid that life has passed you by; I have friends who are living happily into their 90s and beyond.

 If you have ideas and questions you would like to see discussed here, send me a note with your comments and questions. I will answer them as soon as I can. I can refer back to my life as an RN, and looking forward to my future as a contributor to Senior Affair and meeting my readers.

You can connect with me here by completing the form, leave a comment or find me on TikTok

See my review on GetResponse’s Medical Alert Device – Belle+

Ask me anything!

10 Things Most People Don’t Know About New England Hemp CBD Products

By
Greg
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0
New England hemp featured

As interest in CBD (cannabidiol) continues to grow, so does the availability of new products. 

Public interest has spiked as consumers experiment with CBD for its promising health benefits, including pain, nausea, inflammation, sleep regulation, and depression.

Special Offer

New England Hemp Farm has provided our readers with a generous 40% discount for their first-time purchase code is SENIOR40 future purchases get you 25% off with code SENIOR25

CBD is a non-intoxicating chemical compound that is derived from the hemp plant. People have been growing hemp for hundreds of years and can be used as a source of food, health benefits, rope, clothes, and much more.  

One of these premium CBD companies is New England Hemp Farm, founded by Keith Brunovsky and Brian Edmonds.

The pair launched their high-quality line of CBD supplements, including CBD tinctures, CBD topicals, CBD for pets, and CBD edibles in 2019 with 30 years of experience in farming.

The company sent our product testers several products, including the 1000mg tincture, sleep gummies, 1000mg relief rub, and a CBD bath bomb.

Relief Rub

CBD 1000mg Relief Rub with Emu oil 

Pain relief rub that goes on easily and activates quickly. 

Costs $69.99 before the discount

Buy at New England Hemp

new england hemp vegan gummies
Vegan gummies

CBD Vegan Gummies

These are tasty and potent; they can relax you into a slumber in minutes.

Costs $59.99 for 30 count before the discount

Buy at New England Hemp

Full Spectrum CBD Oil

1000 mg Full Spectrum Tincture drops

Peppermint and Hemp flavored hemp oil tincture in 1000mg/1500mg and 3500mg(Peppermint only) 

Costs  $74.99, $99.99 $149.99 before the discount

Buy at New England Hemp

CBD Relax Bath Bomb 100mg
CBD Bath Bomb

CBD Relax Bath Bomb

Pamper yourself and relax with an aromatic bath bomb with 100mg of CBD oil. 

Buy at New England Hemp

Third Party Testing

Each of their products has independent testing certificates.

Customer Reviews

The company is very proud of its testimonials on their website and customer reviews on Trust Pilot; upon review, I agree, they are overwhelmingly positive.

“I absolutely love the CBD roll on and…

I absolutely love the CBD roll on and the gummies for my pain.

I have many, like way too many diseases/illnesses and these products have helped me get thru some very painful days & nights.

Thank you New England Hemp for growing such clean & amazing products.

If you haven’t tried them, do yourself a favor & treat yourself. Self care is needed & I can’t think of a better way to self care then to use these products daily.”

Trust Pilot
Vegan gummies hand
Vegan gummies

Absolutely love these gummies!!

Absolutely love these gummies!!! They help me relax & sleep.

Highly recommend these gummies!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

All costs are without the Discounts below!

Other notable products to check out include: 

  • Moisturizing Body Butter with 100mg CBD costs $36.99
  • CBD Pet treats with 5mg CBD costs $26.99
  • CBD softgel capsules with 25mg CBD costs $56.99
  • Sleep gummies with 10mg CBN and 25mg CBD 30 ct. costs $69.99

Special Offer

New England Hemp has provided our readers with a generous 40% discount for their first time purchase, that code is SENIOR40 with future purchases get you 25% off with code SENIOR25

Shop now
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15 Things You Should Know About Home Warranties 

By
Greg
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0
American Home Shield home warranty

If you’re in the market to buy a home or recently purchased a home, maybe you’re considering if you should get a home warranty. Home warranties protect your major appliances and systems like AC, electrical, plumbing, dishwashers, and refrigerators. On average, home warranties cost $300 to $600 every year for a comprehensive plan; according to Consumer Affairs, this is about $25 to $50 a month.

The warranty company is an insurance company, so you’ll have to prove your claim and back it up with maintenance records if applicable. 

The seller could cover a home warranty and is a negotiable item in a real estate contract.

How Do Home Warranties Work? 

If one of your covered appliances or systems breaks down, you’ll pay a service fee for a technician to evaluate the situation usually; this fee is $65 to $125 or more. Home warranties have multiple tiers, the premium tiers cover add-ons like pool and spa, but these plans cost $720 to $1800. 

Home Warranties May Be Redundant

Sometimes, they are covered under warranty for a year if you’re purchasing a new home. If the appliances in your home are new, they may have a warranty as well, which is why you’ll want to find one that compliments your homeowner’s insurance policy and does not overlap on the coverage.

Keep in mind that some home warranty coverage can be complex, and may not cover appliances and systems that aren’t properly maintained. Instead, you have to read all the terms carefully and completely understand what it covers. Some warranties only cover certain brands. 

Your out-of-pocket costs can still be high.

Some home warranties only cover repairs, not replacements, so if the item is beyond repair, you’ll need to replace it yourself. Other policies have high deductibles, so check out the maximum amount a plan covers per item. 

Are Home Warranties Worth it? 

When you consider all the costs of maintaining your home systems and purchasing nice appliances, we present some pros and cons to consider, and you can decide if a home warranty is for you. 

A home warranty gives you peace of mind knowing your appliances are covered. Sure, you hope that you won’t have to make a claim, but if something happens, you’ll have access to someone who can repair them if needed. With this, you don’t have to worry about repair costs.

When it comes to owning a home, unexpected things will happen, and things will eventually break — it’s inevitable. If something happened, you could reach into your pocket and purchase new appliances and buy the latest HVAC system, but that’s a hefty price tag, especially for retired or seniors. 

Here are the average cost ranges to repair or replace typical household items:

  • A/C Unit: $150 – $3,800
  • Heating and Ductwork: $105 – $3,625
  • Refrigerator: $200 – $1,500
  • Water Heater: $240 – $1,200

Now, that’s just the average range for repair or replacement; those numbers don’t consider the hidden costs of a broken household system or appliance. For instance, when kitchen appliances go out, you’ll get wasted groceries and find yourself eating out. Washer and dryer out? Gas to your friend’s or family’s house or the coats of a laundromat. It’s a trickle effect that adds up.

You can make sure you’re covered when a breakdown happens by finding a company that you can trust and a home warranty plan that’s right for you.

With over 50 years in the industry and over 1.8 million members, American Home Shield is just what you need. Not like homeowner’s insurance, American Home Shield provides plans for people who have systems and appliances they’d like to keep in working order; plus, no system or appliance is too old when it comes to their plans. Also, no maintenance records or inspection is required, just protection regardless of the age or appearance of your covered items.

  • Heating & Cooling (HVAC, A/C units & heat pumps) 
  • Electrical Systems (Wiring, fuse boxes & outlets)
  • Plumbing Systems (Water heater, pipes, well & septic pump)
  • Kitchen Appliances (Refrigerator, oven, range & microwave) 
  • Laundry Appliances (Washing machine & clothes dryer)

Rest easy that you’ll be taken care of when something goes wrong. And, with American Home Shield, if they can’t repair your covered item, they’ll replace it. 

The fact is that household breakdowns are complicated and tend to come when you least expect it or need it. So when you have American Home Shield, getting the help you need is easy. So head over to their site today to check out their flexible plans and see how you can keep your house running and your wallet happy.

Get a FREE Quote

Conclusion: 

A home warranty is worth it if you need coverage for your appliances and home systems, and you find a plan that includes the items you want to be covered, so you end up saving money instead of wasting it. 

If you buy a home that’s been lived in, you don’t know what you’re getting, so buying a home warranty is a wise choice. Of course, you could always try it for a year or two and see if it works for you, allowing you to learn more about your new homes’ systems and appliances; you could always cancel later. 

FAQ

The Best Advice You Could Ever Get About Crowdstreet: Real Estate Crowdfunding Review.

By
Greg
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0
the best advice you could ever get about crowdstreet real estate crowdfunding review

How Real Estate Crowdfunding can Generate Passive Income

If you’re a long-time reader of this blog, you already know that I think passive income is one of the best ways to grow your personal wealth and find financial freedom. So today, I want to introduce you to an investment strategy with long-term potential for passive income: real estate crowdfunding.

What is Real Estate Crowdfunding?

The term crowdfunding is likely not new to you, but real estate crowdfunding is not in the same category as sites like Go Fund Me or Kickstarter. It’s not a platform where you put your hard-earned money towards someone else’s entrepreneurial dream to get maybe some free swag when they find success. Real estate crowdfunding is a much more sophisticated concept that can earn something way better than product swag: passive income.

Historically, investing in real estate has largely been a rich man’s game. Most opportunities were only for the wealthy and well-connected or large institutional investors, like pension funds, university endowments, and hedge funds. So what changed? In a nutshell, the 2012 JOBS Act took down a lot of red tape surrounding the securities industry, opening the door for real estate firms to raise money for their projects through crowdfunding platforms. As a result, individual investors gained a new way to add private equity (meaning not traded on the public markets) real estate to their investment portfolios.

How Does Real Estate Crowdfunding Work?

Investing in real estate with crowdfunding isn’t about assembling a giant team of landlords to share in the responsibilities of owning a property, like finding dependable tenants or fixing plumbing issues at all hours of the night. Instead, it’s a way for individual investors to contribute a percentage of the overall funding for a real estate project alongside others who are doing the same thing. This approach affords investors access to projects they may otherwise be unable to afford.

There are many different types of properties available for investment. Some commercial examples include apartment buildings in growing metros, hotels in the country’s most traveled regions, or even new lab space for the life sciences industry.  

How Does Investing in Real Estate Generate Passive Income?

We’ve already covered the passive part (remember, no plumbing issues or tenant complaints!), but how do you earn income? It will depend on the business plan of the deal you invest in, but generally speaking, there are two ways real estate investments generate passive income. The first is with ongoing distributions (sometimes it’s a literal check in the mail!) paid to investors by the firm behind the deal, which tends to be more likely with properties with solid tenants and steady monthly rents, for instance, an office or apartment building. The second is through a share of the final sale price of a property, which is often the case when properties are under construction or undergoing major renovations.

As always, all investing involves risk. There is always the chance the project underperforms, and you lose your initial investment. Therefore, you should always research any potential investment and evaluate if it will work for you and your portfolio.

How Can I Invest in Real Estate Crowdfunding?

If your first thought was to google “how to invest in real estate crowdfunding,” don’t: I’ve already done the heavy lifting for you.

CrowdStreet is the nation’s largest online real estate investing platform, connecting accredited investors directly to institutional-quality real estate across the U.S. Starting in 2014, they’ve earned a reputation for working with best-in-class real estate firms. Since its inception, CrowdStreet Marketplace investors have invested more than $2.6 billion across 560+ deals, earning $360 million in distributions. Some of their recently funded deals include an apartment building in Nashville’s famous music row, a hotel renovation right next to the home of the Utah Jazz NBA team, and a new life sciences lab space in research-centric Boston.

Conclusion:

Their online marketplace, where users can compare and review real estate investment projects, is easy to navigate. What I liked the best was how they provided so much information about each deal’s business plan and real estate firm. You’ll have to create an account to see all the details. They host a webinar with the real estate firm behind the project for every deal, so you can opt into those to learn more before deciding to invest. So there’s even a live Q&A session!

FAQ

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How to Manage Your Diabetes: A Guide for Seniors

By
Greg
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How to Manage Your Diabetes: A Guide for Seniors

Laura’s routine blood work came back with unexpected results.

She had type 2 diabetes. Sitting in the doctor’s office, she began to wonder what lifestyle changes she’d need to make.

Over 30 million Americans have diabetes. If you are a loved one who was recently diagnosed with diabetes, let us help. This comprehensive guide will go over the best diabetes tips so that you can lead an exciting and fulfilling life.

After all, managing diabetes can be easy if you know what you’re doing. What senior advice do you need to know about living with diabetes? Read on to find out.

Diabetes Management Care Schedule

Skipping a doctor’s appointment isn’t a luxury diabetes patients can afford. Instead, maintaining a consistent diabetes care schedule is the best way to maintain a state of well-being.

Since there’s a lot to do when you have diabetes, it can be easy to let an exam slip through the cracks. That’s why we suggest using your smartphone with a diabetes care schedule throughout the year. Preset notifications will make life easier.

Your diabetes care schedule can include the everyday items that you need to complete, along with long-term goals. For instance, you should be checking your blood sugar frequently. Be sure to record your numbers and share -them with your healthcare team the next time you see them.

Perform Foot Checks

Along with checking your blood sugar, you’ll need to perform daily foot checks. Using a mirror, notice if there’s any type of cuts or swelling on the bottom of your feet. If you see any changes to the condition of your feet, let your doctor know right away.

Other daily to-dos include physical activity, healthy eating, and taking your medicine. Long-term diabetes goals will include scheduling your 3-month doctor visits, staying on top of exams, and getting all of the lab tests your doctor orders. You’ll also want to complete the necessary shots throughout the year, including your flu shot.

Are you in need of mobility equipment for your diabetes management plan? Do you have Medicare?

Find out what types of durable medical equipment your coverage will pay for. The more you can manage your diabetes at home, the better!

Senior Advice Regarding Alcohol

One of the biggest questions diabetes patients have is whether or not they can drink alcohol. The answer is going to vary from one person to the next.

Your liver naturally releases sugars to balance blood sugar levels when they start to get low. If your liver is spending its time metabolizing alcohol, your blood sugar levels could suffer.

Instead of getting the boost they need, your blood sugar levels can start to plummet. It’s common for alcohol to cause low blood sugar shortly after drinking it.

Low blood sugar can last for as long as 24 hours. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t drink alcohol when you have diabetes. Instead, the first step is to get the green light from your doctor.

Find out if your doctor suggests drinking in moderation or abstaining from alcohol altogether. Often times alcohol can exacerbate diabetes conditions.

Problems such as eye or nerve damage can become worse. If your diabetes is well under control, your doctor may allow an occasional alcoholic drink.

For the best results, avoid drinking alcohol on an empty stomach. If you’re taking diabetes medication, eating is even more vital.

You could also drink while eating a meal to lessen the chances of low blood sugar. Be kind to your body by choosing dry wines and light beer with few calories. Try to avoid sugary mixed drinks that could raise your blood sugar.

Above all else, keep track of your calories. Include the calories from any alcohol you drink in your daily calorie journal. Then you can ask your dietitian or doctor how to incorporate calories and carbohydrates into your diet plan.

Handle Illness Wisely

Handling illness wisely is next on our list of diabetes tips. Getting sick can be especially dangerous when you have diabetes.

When you’re under the weather, your body produces stress-related hormones like cortisol. The stress hormones are there to help fight the illness. However, stress hormones can also raise your blood sugar levels.

You’ll find that changes in your hormone levels can also impact your appetite and energy levels. If you get sick, you’ll need to pay extra close attention to how your body’s doing. If you have diabetes and get sick, it helps to have a plan.

Plan ahead by creating an ill day schedule. Even if you’re under the weather, you’ll most likely need to continue taking your diabetes medication. Talk to your doctor about what medications you should take when you’re sick and when to come in for an appointment. 

If you completely lose your appetite, reach out to your doctor. Let your doctor know that you’re having trouble eating, and ask for their advice on medication administration.

You might have to temporarily reduce your insulin medication to avoid hypoglycemia. However, you shouldn’t stop taking your long-acting insulin without talking to your doctor first.

You’ll also want to stick to your diabetes meal plans. You could even look into meal delivery options. Eating foods that are easy on your stomach will help you recover quickly.

Foods like gelatin, soups, and applesauce are good sick day plan foods. Finally, stay hydrated. Drink fluids that don’t add calories, such as water or tea.

Overcoming Stress

Are you feeling stressed out more than usual? Nobody likes dealing with stress. However, the intense feeling and emotion can become deadly dangerous when you have diabetes.

Chronic stress can increase your blood sugar levels. You might have difficulty maintaining your diabetes routine if you’re under intense pressure. The best thing you can do is to start noticing patterns.

Begin monitoring your stress. We suggest keeping a stress journal.

Every time you begin to stress out, notice how intense it is.  During each stress episode, rate your stress on a scale from 1 to 10.

You should also rate your stress levels when checking your blood sugar levels. Pay attention to any patterns between your high-stress levels and low blood sugar levels.

If you’re noticing that stress is affecting your blood sugar level, take action. Learn relaxation methods and don’t push yourself to the limit.

Do whatever you can to avoid common triggers. Often exercises are the best stress relief tool, and they also help lower your blood sugar level.

Get Enough Sleep

Sleeping through the night matters for everyone, but it’s essential when you have diabetes. Unfortunately, diabetes patients usually suffer from problems like insomnia.

Fluctuating blood sugar levels and stress about the disease itself keep diabetics tossing and turning. The good news is that sleeping through the night with diabetes is possible if you know what to do.

For one, you can look into using CBD sleep gummies (with your doctor’s approval). Next, pay attention to your eating schedule.

When your blood sugar levels are too high, your kidneys will overcompensate. You’ll find yourself making frequent trips to urinate during the night, contributing to your sleep disruption.

High blood sugar can also make you thirsty, tired, and overall uncomfortable. If you have low blood sugar levels, you might find yourself sweating through the night. Low blood sugar levels are often related to nightmares and cause diabetics to wake up disoriented.

How can you cope with sleep issues? It all starts with carefully managing your blood sugar levels. It’s also helpful if you have good sleep hygiene habits.

For instance, keeping a regular sleep schedule is always beneficial. It also helps if you get adequate exercise throughout the day.

Along with a sleep schedule and exercise, you’ll also need to pay attention to your diet plan. Are you sticking to a consistent feeding schedule? Are you eating the foods that will give you the energy you need throughout the day?

The right diet plan will keep your blood sugars controlled throughout the day and night. When all else fails, your doctor might be able to prescribe sleep aid specifically for diabetics. You might also need to complete a sleep study to better look at what’s going on.

Ambitiously Go After Your Goals

Having diabetes doesn’t mean you should stop making goals. Instead, as you work towards managing your health, you can start exploring meaningful ways to fulfill your life.

For instance, try writing down your top 3 goals. Then begin to explore the small steps you can take towards reaching them.

For example, maybe you have a plan to travel the world. Just because you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes doesn’t mean you should give up on your dreams. 

Instead, take small steps every day towards your goals, whatever they may be. If you dream of traveling the world, save a few dollars every day. When you finally have enough money saved up, reward yourself with a trip to your dream destination.

Traveling with diabetes is all about preparation. Keep your blood sugar testing strips handy at all times.

When traveling, be sure to test your blood glucose level at least 2 hours after meals. That way, you can evaluate how this fresh meal affects your body and determine how often you can have it.

Avoid Cigarette Smoke

Over 34 million Americans smoke cigarettes. Quitting smoking is one of the top diabetes tips to follow.

For one, smoking can increase somebody’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Once you have diabetes, smoking can wind up causing more problems than you might think.

For instance, regulating insulin levels can become nearly impossible when you have high amounts of nicotine in your system. The nicotine can counteract the insulin’s effectiveness, which means your body will need more insulin. Before you know it, you’ll be in an unbalanced state where your body requires more insulin and your blood sugar levels are completely out of whack.

Left unchecked, your diabetes can wind up causing heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, or nerve damage. Smoking increases the risk of those types of complications.

The minute you stop smoking, you’ll be able to manage your diabetes much more quickly. As your body begins to heal, insulin will become better equipped to lower your blood sugar levels. Within just a few weeks of quitting smoking, your diabetes will be under much better control.

Diabetes Tips for Exercise

Exercising is one of the best ways to naturally manage your diabetes. First, you’ll want to talk to your doctor about how often it’s safe for you to exercise. You might need to undergo a medical exam like a treadmill test before starting your new exercise routine.

Specific exercises should be avoided when you have diabetes. Here’s a list of activities that usually work well for senior exercise plans. Your doctor will specify which exercises are good and which ones to steer clear up.

Overall, it’s a good idea to pick some type of workout that you enjoy. It’ll be easier to fit the workout into your daily schedule when you want the exercise. For instance, some people enjoy bicycling while others enjoy walking.

Perhaps you enjoy dancing to your favorite songs, or maybe a swim in the pool is how you want to work out. Once you have your preferred exercise method, you’ll want to create a consistent routine. Exercising for the same amount of time each day is one of the best ways to regulate your blood sugar levels.

Deal With Diabetes the Right Way

Now you know some of the best diabetes tips! You can start creating a diabetes management plan today. Remember to include time for sleep and exercise, so you can feel your best.

Here at Senior Affair, it’s our mission to help you lead a fulfilling life. That’s why we take the time to review products and explain medical programs.

We also hunt down the best senior discounts for all sorts of things!. From prescriptions to entertainment, it’s time to find out where you can save big. Take a peek at our top discount reviews to find the best senior deals.

Is Social Security Income Taxable?

By
Greg
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is-social-security-income-taxable

In 2022, millions of retirees are going to get a boost in their Social Security benefits. At 5.9%, this is the largest cost-of-living adjustment that has been made in nearly 40 years. The coronavirus pandemic led to an economic meltdown throughout the world, which has resulted in staggering inflation in the U.S.

If you receive Social Security income or are going to be receiving it soon, you might be wondering what implication this has for your taxes.

For example, is Social Security income taxable? If so, how is Social Security taxed? What percentage of SS is taxable?

Let’s take a look at the answers to these questions and more.

Is Social Security Income Taxable?

For most Americans, Social Security is taxable. What this means is that most individuals in the U.S. that receive Social Security benefits do pay income tax on a portion of the money they receive. This is because the amount of money they receive in income from Social Security and other sources makes it so their income is above the limit which requires that taxes are paid.

For individuals that have a total gross income of $25,000 or more (including the amount received from Social Security), up to half of their Social Security income is considered taxable. For married couples that are filing their taxes jointly, their combined gross income must be $34,000 or more for this income to be taxable.

For individuals who have a combined gross income of $34,000 or more, up to 85% of benefits from Social Security are taxable. For married couples that are filing jointly, this threshold is $44,000.

However, if an individual doesn’t have much in the way of income other than Social Security, they likely won’t have to pay any taxes on the benefits that they receive. In some cases, the person might not even have to file a tax return at all.

Determining How Much of Your Social Security Income Is Taxable

Since 1983, Social Security benefits have been subject to taxation for people above certain income limits. The limits have not been changed due to inflation adjustments since then. What this means is that most of the people who get Social Security benefits will have additional income sources and therefore have to pay taxes on the SS they receive.

For no individual is 100% of Social Security income taxed, however. The most that anyone pays is 85% of the benefits.

The IRS has a process for how they determine what percentage of your Social Security benefits are taxable. It is as follows:

  • They take your adjusted gross income from all sources including Social Security
  • They then add tax-exempt interest which is a part of the calculation but isn’t taxed
  • If an individual has a total that is above the minimum taxable levels, that means that at least half of your SS benefits will be considered as taxable income
  • An individual can itemize deductions or take the standard deduction
  • Federal income tax tables exist to determine the precise amount that you owe based on your income

It’s worth understanding that your combined income is the sum of your nontaxable interest, half of your Social Security benefits, and your adjusted gross income.

Individual Tax Rates

If you file a federal tax return as an individual, your benefits might be subject to tax if your combined gross income is more than $25,000.

If your combined gross income is between $25,000 and $34,000, up to half of your SS benefits might be subject to income tax. If your income is more than $34,000, it means that up to 85% of your Social Security income might be taxed.

Married Tax Rates

If you are married and file taxes jointly with your spouse, you will have to pay taxes on a portion of your Social Security income if your combined income is over certain limits.

For those that make between $32,000 and $44,000, up to half of the SS income might be taxable. For those that make more than $44,000, their benefits might be taxable up to 85%.

Social Security and Taxes: The Interactive Tax Assistant

The IRS offers an interactive tool to help people understand how much they will owe in Social Security taxes. This is known as the Interactive Tax Assistant (ITA). Basically, it will go through a number of potential complications to help you determine what percentage of your SS income is taxable.

How Do I Pay Taxes on Social Security?

When you receive Social Security benefits, you should receive a statement each January that outlines your received benefits for the prior tax year. This form is known as Form SSA-1099.

You can use this document to help you learn how much federal income tax you will have to pay on the income you received. If you enroll on the Social Security website, you can also access this information online.

You can have federal taxes withheld from your Social Security benefits before you receive them if you choose to. Otherwise, you can also make quarterly estimated tax payments to the IRS.

How Can I Legally Avoid Paying Taxes on Social Security Benefits?

There are a number of ways that you can reduce how much you pay in taxes on your Social Security benefits. The most obvious choice is to keep your income below a certain limit. However, this is likely not realistic for many Americans who hope to have a more flush retirement than simply living on SS benefits.

Let’s take a look at some of the other options you have for avoiding paying taxes on your benefits.

Withdraw Your Taxable Income Before You Retire

You might consider maximizing your taxable income in the years before you are going to start receiving benefits. An example of this would be to tax distributions from your retirement accounts as you near retirement. If you wait until after you’re 59.5 but before you retire, you can avoid being negatively impacted by these withdrawals and pay taxes while you still have a heftier income source.

You have to plan your withdrawals carefully because they are taxable. If you can plan it out correctly, you can pay less in tax by increasing withdrawals before you receive SS than after you start receiving benefits.

You will also need to plan for the fact that you’re required to take RMDs from this type of retirement account at the age of 72.

Lastly, this strategy can also help to boost your income when you’re getting close to retirement or recently retired. This means that you might be able to hold off on when you apply for your benefits. This can boost how big your payments are when you do receive them.

Put Some of Your Retirement Income in Roth Accounts

When you contribute money to a Roth 401(k) or a Roth IRA, the money you put in is already taxed. That means that when you withdraw the money, you don’t have to pay taxes again.

This means that when you receive distributions from these types of accounts, they are tax free. Of course, you have to wait until after you are 59.5 in addition to having had the account for at least five years in order to withdraw without penalty.

When you receive distributions from a Roth account, it doesn’t impact your taxable income calculation. This means that you won’t have to pay an increased tax on the Social Security benefits you receive.

If you receive distributions from a traditional 401(k) or a traditional IRA, though, you are receiving taxable income.

Buy an Annuity Contract

Another option is buying an annuity contract. A qualified longevity annuity contract (QLAC) is a particular kind of deferred annuity. It is funded using an IRA or using another kind of qualified retirement plan.

These are contracts that provide monthly payments for the rest of your life. Protected from the experience of dips in the stock market, there are some appealing benefits of this strategy. It is also exempt from the RMD rules until the specified annuity starting day and the beginning of payments so long as it complies with IRS requirements.

Basically, this strategy can help you limit distributions and therefore taxable income while you are in retirement.

(Are you a Veteran interested in VA loans? You can learn everything you need to know in our guide.)

What About Survivor, Spousal, SSI, and Disability Benefits?

Survivor, Spousal, and Disability benefits all fall under the same basic rules as described above. However, Social Security Income has different parameters.

Social Security Income, or SSI, isn’t considered Social Security. This is a program that is based on need for people who are disabled, blind, or over the age of 65. The benefits received through this program aren’t considered taxable income.

What Percent of My Social Security Is Considered Taxable Income?

If you make less than $25,000 during the tax year as a single person, then you won’t have to pay any taxes on your Social Security benefits. However, half of this income is taxable if you made between $25,000 and $34,000. Any more than this in terms of income means that you can be taxed on up to 85% of your social security benefits.

If you file taxes jointly with your spouse, you won’t pay taxes on your SS income if you make less than $32,000 combined. However, more than this amount and less than $44,000 means up to half of your SS income is taxes. If you make more than $44,000 as a couple, up to 85% of your benefits are considered taxable income.

What About State Taxes?

There are thirteen states in the United States that tax Social Security benefits in specific cases. These are:

  • Connecticut
  • Colorado
  • Kansas
  • Connecticut
  • Vermont
  • West Virginia
  • Rhode Island
  • Utah
  • New Mexico
  • Montana
  • Nebraska
  • North Dakota
  • Minnesota

This means that you might have to pay state tax in addition to federal tax on your Social Security benefits. There are a number of different criteria that can determine whether or not your Social Security income is subject to state tax, including income.

(If you’re starting to think about Social Security income, you likely also have questions about Medicare. You can learn more about the eligibility age here.)

Is Social Security Income Considered Income?

Social Security income is considered income in the eyes of the IRS. That being said, you can work to be financially saavy in order to minimize how much money you owe to the IRS.

You might consider using a Roth IRA account or another retirement savings account to help shield your income from tax. You can then deal with the taxes before you retire but after the after of 59.5 in order to deal with the taxes before you no longer have income.

(Are you trying to figure out how to receive healthcare in retirement? Learn about the differences between Medicare and Medicaid here.)

Social Security and Taxes: Knowledge Is Power

No one likes dealing with taxes, but understanding what your tax burden is and how to reduce it is essential to financial wellness. For this reason, it’s a good idea to understand the answer to the question “is Social Security Income Taxable?”

If you have any other sources of income other than Social Security benefits, there’s a good chance your SS benefits will be taxed. This is because the limits for taxable income haven’t been raised since the 80s when the cost of living was significantly different.

Understanding the tax implications of your Social Security benefits can mean that you can plan ahead. When you have the chance to pay ahead, you can figure out legal ways to reduce your taxable income in retirement. This can mean less stress and more money during the best years of your life!

If you’re nearing the age of retirement, you likely are starting to think about how to save money during your golden years. We’re here to help! You can take a look at our list of the best senior discounts here.

8 Costly Medicare Mistakes to Avoid

By
Greg
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0
8 Costly Medicare Mistakes to Avoid

Sheila signed up for Medicare, picking a plan with the lowest premium. 

Her low premium plan, though, had the worst out-of-pocket expenses. Before Sheila knew it, she was paying hundreds of dollars in co-pays.

Her mistake? Assuming a low monthly premium was the right way to go. Most Americans don’t have an extra $250 to spare. So being hit with a hefty copay can be a significant problem.

When choosing a Medicare program, you have to pick a plan with reasonable expenses. What other costly Medicare mistakes do you need to know about? Read on to find out.

1. Now Knowing What Medicare Insurance Does

The first mistake to avoid is not understanding Medicare as a program. What is Medicare anyways?

Medicare was established by the United States federal government as a national healthcare program. Working as a part of the social security act, Medicare is all about providing Health services for individuals 65 years of age and older. Specifically, Medicare is there to help seniors who don’t have any current health insurance.

Now that you know more about what Medicare does, let’s talk about Medicare eligibility and registration. Many people mistakenly think that age is the only criterion for Medicare.

However, different things can help you qualify to become a beneficiary of Medicare. Controlled by the Medicare and Medicaid Services centers, Medicare also allows people with specific disabilities. For instance, if someone’s dealing with Lou Gehrig’s disease or the end stage of renal disease, they probably qualify for Medicare.

2. Thinking Medicare Covers Everything

A common mistake individuals make is falling under the pretense that Medicare will cover all of their medical needs. However, there are specific services that seniors often need that Medicare will not cover.

Here’s a short list of medical services that Medicare usually doesn’t cover:

  • Long-term Care
  • Cosmetic surgery
  • Medical Care outside of the United States
  • Foot Care
  • Eye exams
  • Hearing aids
  • Dental Care
  • Acupuncture

Routine dental care includes things like fillings and cleanings. Staying on top of your cleanings is the best way to improve your oral hygiene. Dentists say most people need biannual cleanings, while others only need annual cleanings.

However, Medicare isn’t going to pay for routine dental care. Medicare isn’t going to cover other types of dental care, such as dentures or implants.

If you go to the hospital, Medicare part A can help pay for specific dental services. But Medicare part A will only cover those dental services if medically required to get them.

As far as your eyes go, Medicare won’t cover regular eye exams or pay for glasses and contact lenses. In some cases, Medicare will be willing to cover eye exams if you have a specific health condition. For instance, if you’re at risk for glaucoma or you need to take a yearly retinopathy exam for diabetes, Medicare may be able to help.

Even though Medicare isn’t going to cover the cost of your glasses or contact lenses, it could help pay for cataract surgery. You could get coverage if you have to get cataract surgery and your doctor uses intraocular lens implantation. It’s all on a case-by-case decision for coverage approval.

3. Ignoring Medicare Advantage Plans

Understanding Medicare is just the start. Don’t make the mistake of overlooking Medicare advantage plans too.

Medicare Advantage is a type of insurance. It will not be the right fit for everyone because it’s expensive. But if you can afford the coverage, it can give you some of the best health insurance benefits.

What exactly are Medicare advantage plans? They’re private health plans. Similar to traditional Medicare, the advantage plans will not replace supplemental insurance.

You’ll enjoy the best coverage while also receiving more services. For instance, you can get part Medicare coverage and Part B Medicare and add it to a Medicare Advantage plan.

Rest assured, you get the same health insurance equal to traditional Medicare standards. However, you’ll get additional benefits and coverage too!

In other words, you won’t be eliminating yourself from traditional Medicare. Instead, you’ll be extending your benefits. You’ll maintain the same rights and protections the government guarantees traditional Medicare patients.

To qualify for a Medicare Advantage plan, you’ll need to be eligible for Medicare Part A and Part B. You also have to live somewhere where Medicare Advantage plans are available. Specific locations are outside the service range, so individuals in those areas won’t qualify.

When can you sign up for an advantage plan? You’ll have to sign up during the yearly election to be eligible for a Medicare Advantage plan. You can also sign up during your initial enrollment.

4. Using Medicare Plans With Medicaid

Are Medicare and Medicaid the same thing? Not at all!

Medicare has two parts, Part A and B. There are also advanced Medicare programs that you can look into.

Medicaid is an entirely different program altogether. It’s up to you whether you want to use original Medicare or see what Medicare advantage has to offer.

Original Medicare provides inpatient hospital services and outpatient medical services. Original Medicare is designed for older Americans. It helps with inpatient and outpatient medical services.

Medicare Advantage will help with comprehensive dental, vision, hearing, and more services. But what about Medicaid? Where does it fit into the program?

Medicaid is a broad program that focuses on helping children, adults, and people with disabilities. You can think of Medicaid for everyone and Medicare mainly for seniors. To qualify for Medicaid, you have to make a specific income.

The broad Medicaid program is funded by the federal government and our states. The entire goal of Medicaid is to help low-income families have their needs met.

When comparing costs, you’ll find that Medicare is more expensive. With Medicare, you have to pay the deductibles for different services. You also have to pay out-of-pocket costs for prescriptions when you have Medicare.

5. Missing Annual Coverage Changes

Medicare isn’t a static program. The coverages available and the types of services you can receive can change. It’s your responsibility to stay up to date with the latest Medicare benefits so you can get the most out of your plan.

For instance, did you hear about the recent changes to Medicare Part D? Specifically, the changes affect prescription drug coverage.

Medicare Part D is a prescription drug plan that’s completely optional. The coverage comes with a monthly premium, and you can get Medicare part D coverage as a standalone. However, you can add Medicare part D coverage to your advantage plan that uses medical benefits.

Starting in 2022, the way you pay your deductibles for Medicare part D coverage will be a little bit different. You’ll find yourself spending more before you can start enjoying the benefits the plan offers.

To avoid falling into a coverage gap, we suggest looking into getting your medication through the mail. Anything you can reduce your out-of-pocket drug cost will be a big help.

Once you’ve reached a certain amount of out-of-pocket drug costs, you’ll be able to get out of the coverage gap. That’s when you’ll be able to pay a more reasonable coinsurance for all the other prescriptions you might need.

We suggest reviewing your drug plan’s annual notice of the change. You’ll be able to see any changes that took place starting on January 1st of the following year. Then you’ll be able to compare the cost versus coverages to decide if the plan is serving you.

6. Getting a Physical Instead of a Wellness Visit

Will your annual physical be covered under Medicare? It all depends on the words you use.

Going in for an annual physical could cause problems with receiving coverage. Going in for a yearly wellness check guarantees you’ll get the Medicare coverages you need.

Every year, Medicare gives you the option to schedule a wellness check. The wellness check is included in your Medicare part B coverage.

As long as the provider you’re going to accepts Medicare, you won’t have any charge. During the wellness check, your doctor will evaluate your state of mind and check your vital signs. After reviewing your cognitive skills, you’ll be able to get advice for staying healthy in the future.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, you can also schedule a wellness check under it. When calling your doctor’s office, let them know to specifically schedule the appointment as a wellness visit. By categorizing the appointment as a wellness visit instead of a physical, you’ll be able to get the coverage you need.

Remind Yourself

Don’t miss your appointment either! Set up your smartphone so that it’s easier to navigate your appointments.

Doing things like setting enrollment reminders would be a great start. For instance, Medicare’s annual enrollment will always be from October 15th through December 7th. Your initial enrollment is 7 months.

The 7-month period begins 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after turning 65. Keep an eye open for reminders from the social security office.

7. Assuming Medicare Coverage Doesn’t Cover Chemo

Hopefully, you and your loved ones will never have cancer. However, it can be nice to have peace of mind knowing whether or not your Medicare coverage will help with chemotherapy.

Another mistake individuals make assuming that Medicare doesn’t cover chemotherapy. We’re happy to report that Medicare does cover chemo. You’ll be able to enjoy coverage for chemo whether you have a traditional Medicare plan such as original Medicare or a private Medicare Advantage plan.

Both original Medicare and private Medicare Advantage plans cover outpatient and inpatient chemo treatments. However, before you can start receiving a payout for Medicare, you will have to meet your deductible.

For outpatient chemotherapy, part B will cover around 80% of the chemo cost. For instance, if you get a round of chemo at a doctor’s office or a free-standing clinic, Medicare part B will cover 80% of the cost.

There are special stipulations regarding receiving chemo treatments at a skilled nursing facility. Typically, Medicare will cover a specific number of treatments for a certain period. If additional treatments are necessary, they’ll be out of pocket.

8. Mistaking Podiatry for Routine Foot Care

Don’t fall into the trap of mistaking routine foot care for specialized services. Regular foot care means managing an ongoing underlying foot condition.

Routine foot care includes filing down calluses, clipping nails, and caring for flat feet. Medicare will not cover most types of regular foot care.

However, there are ways to receive Medicare coverage for visiting a podiatrist. A podiatrist specializes in helping people with their feet and ankles. If you’re having foot problems, a quick trip to the podiatrist could help improve your life.

Thanks to Medicare part A and part B, you may qualify for inpatient and outpatient podiatric care. If you decide to receive in-home care or go to a specialist office, you’ll be relying on Medicare part B.

Medicare part B can help with coverages related to foot injuries, foot diseases, and diabetes nerve damage. For Medicare coverage to kick in, your doctor must deem the services medically necessary.

Completely Understanding Medicare Insurance

From grasping coverages to knowing how to make your plan work, a lot goes into understanding Medicare. Here at Senior Affair, we’re dedicated to helping individuals like you find the answers they need.

Whether you have questions about retirement, aging, diet, or something else, you’re in the right place. Our curated blog is highly researched and full of helpful resources.

Resources like our detailed blog posts are full of helpful tips. For instance, does medicare cover the silver sneakers program? Read our post to find out!

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Microbiome Plus+ Review – 10 Things We Found Out.

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Microbiome Plus+ Review - 10 Things We Founud Out. (1)

Digestive health, or as some call it, gut health supplements, are hot topics these days. However, the rising popularity of prebiotics and probiotics has caused many new products to enter the market. 

This Senior Affair article goes over the importance of digestive health. We briefly explain the microbiome and the relationship between the brain and the microbiome. 

One of these companies, Microbiome Plus+, produces award-winning products. We investigate their claims and customer reviews. 

Digestive Health and Your Immune System

Your digestive system has multiple parts: the stomach, large intestine, and small intestine; it contains 100 trillion bacteria, which are responsible for digesting your food, regulating hormones, eliminating toxins, and producing vital nutrients. These beneficial bacteria in your gut represent around 80% of your immune cells that protect you against colds, pathogens, viruses, and other bugs. 

To maintain a healthy functioning immune system and stay healthy, you should pay attention to your digestive system; your gut must be healthy. 

If your immune system is compromised, you are at an increased risk for autoimmune diseases, colds, flu, allergies, and other conditions. 

Probiotic and Prebiotic Combo
Probiotic and Prebiotic Combo

The Microbiome 

What is the Microbiome? 

The two words, microbiota and microbiome are used interchangeably without complicating the subject. For example, the microbiota is the 10-100 trillion cells, mainly in the gut; the human microbiome is genes these cells harbor. When we talk about supplements, the term microbiome usually refers to cells and genes, the bacteria in your digestive tract. 

Your Second Brain

Sometimes experts refer to the digestive tract as your second brain; think about a time when you’ve been nervous or had anxiety. Sometimes called the “butterflies,” your stomach cramps because you have nerve endings in your stomach that communicate with the brain. 

This two-way communication is essential to consider; if your digestive health is out of balance, it could negatively affect your mood snd overall wellbeing. 

Microbiome Plus+

The Complete MB Bundle - Probiotic, Prebiotic, Colon Cleanse & 18 plant based Enzymes
Complete Gut Health Bundle

We appreciate substantiated clinically tested ingredients if those ingredients are dosed at the same level used in the clinical. For example, while reviewing the Microbiome Plus+ clinical results, it was impossible to determine the exact quantity used in the trials as reported in PubMed.

The claims are clinically proven to boost immune and digestive health, increase Vitamin D, and lower LDL cholesterol by 11.64%. 

It is interesting to see that L. reuteri NCIMB 30242, the probiotic, supports bile metabolism, increases Vitamin D, and lowers LDL cholesterol. 

What is Microbiome Plus+

Microbiome Plus is all about gut health and immune support; their product lineup consists of: 

What Are Key Ingredients of Microbiome Plus+ 

When we analyzed the Colon Cleanse product and the premium Digestive Enzymes, the ingredient panels have many of the usual ingredients found in similar products; however, it’s the Probiotic product that stands out, and we will focus on it. 

probiotic
Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 Probiotic

The Super Digestive enzymes have Pancreatin (4x) 325mg, a mixture of digestive enzymes including Amylase, Protease, and Lipase. Other stand-alone national brands will cite Pancreatin (10x) and include up to 1,000 mg. 

The Prebiotic Fiber is (scFOs) Short-chain fructo-oligosaccharides, which they sometimes use in medications to address constipation. 

The “star” ingredient L. reuteri NCIMB 30242, or Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 in the Microbiome Plus+ product lineup and the only element in the Probiotic products, which is patented and trademarked in the U.S. and is owned by UAS Labs. There are other generic forms of Lactobacillus reuteri on the market; however, the clinical trials only apply to this patented product. 

This bacterium is naturally found in human beings and is commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract and the urinary tract. It’s also present in the skin and breast milk. 

Microbiome Plus+ Dosages

Suppose we focus on the Microbiome Plus+ Gastrointestinal Probiotic. In that case, the recommended dosage is two capsules of the patented probiotic Lactobacillus Reuteri NCIMB 30242, which equals 7 billion living and active bacteria capable of dividing and forming colonies. 

What are the Benefits of Microbiome Plus+ 

The benefits cited by Microbiome Plus+ are focused on maintaining gastrointestinal health and supporting the immune system. They also note the structure-function claims from their clinal studies related to Vitamin D and lowering LDL cholesterol. The other benefits they claim are:

  • Increased energy
  • Maintains a balance of healthy bacteria
  • Supports a healthy inflammatory response
  • Better mood, energy, and wellbeing
  • Builds immunity
  • Reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol by breaking down bile. – A double-blind randomized study performed on 127 subjects consuming either L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 or placebo capsules over a period of 9 weeks found that the probiotic induced a reduction of 11.64% in LDL cholesterol,  9.14% in total cholesterol, and 11.30% in non-HDL-cholesterol. Thus, this probiotic could be a powerful ally for those looking to mitigate the negative effects of high cholesterol and improve their cardiovascular health. 
  • L. Reuteri NCIMB 30242 may improve gastrointestinal health and promote gut microbiome balance and diversity. Gut dysbiosis, or the persistent imbalance of bad and good bacteria has been linked to poor gastrointestinal health, chronic inflammation, altered gut-brain communication, metabolic imbalance, and more. Studies suggest that L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 supports gastrointestinal health and relieves diarrhea symptoms.  
  • Improves Immunity and Vitamin D Absorption: Low vitamin D levels have been linked to osteoporosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune diseases,  infectious diseases, and even cancer L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 was shown to increase of 25-hydroxyvitamin D blood levels by 25.5%.

Microbiome Plus+ lists several other related benefits on their website, explaining the science behind their product and providing links to studies that support their claims. 

Does Microbiome Plus+ Actually Work?

According to customer reviews and testimonials, the brand is credited for addressing digestive issues. Weight loss was not mentioned in the testimonials and is not promoted as a weight loss solution if you were searching for diet options. 

Is Microbiome Plus+ Safe? 

Probiotics are generally very safe, with a tiny chance for adverse side effects. Consumers who reported issues usually mentioned gastrointestinal distress or headaches. However, Microbiome Plus+ L. Reuteri NCIMB 30242 was Generally Recognized as Safe by the FDA, so you should be safe consuming it. 

Best Places To Buy Microbiome Plus+ 

You can buy the Microbiome Plus+ product line on Amazon; we advise you to go straight to the company’s website.  

Microbiome Plus+ Pricing

While the website can be confusing in the pricing area with its offers, the cost of the products: 

Shop now

Conclusion: 

All products are allergy-safe, gluten, soy and corn-free, vegan, non-GMO, and preservative-free. 

Based on the clinical studies, with their patented ingredient, we think Microbiome Plus is a viable option if you want to experiment with probiotic supplements. 

Probiotics are also beneficial for: 

  • You get better absorption, and maximum impact with Delayed-Release capsule Design only disintegrates once further along in the digestive tract.
  • These capsules will only dissolve later during digestion; you experience less after-taste and odor. 
  • Their products are developed by doctors and put through rigorous testing and research with studies to back them up. 

Customer Reviews

“This product has been a life saver for me. I have had IBS for many years and this is the only thing I’ve found that has made it bearable. I take twice a day. Morning I also have a probiotic. It works together to give my digestive system the missing pieces that help me digest better. Much better than just a probiotic. I recommend if you think you need this to try it out. It works for me.”

Amazon

Verified purchases:

Purchased Colon Cleanse Detox

“Knowing what I know about keeping your lower GI in good shape prompted me to purchase your product after reviewing and researching 20 like products. My cleansing is on day six, without the need to be close to home, and the needed results look promising. I’ll do the cleanse for 15 days and report back.”

Verified Buyer

Purchased Prebiotic and Probiotic Combo

“My doctor recommended this to lower my LDL cholesterol and it really works. I have been taking this for several years now.”

Verified Buyer

References

Harvard School of Public Health

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/microbiome

National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health

https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/probiotics-what-you-need-to-know

Jones ML, Martoni CJ, Ganopolsky JG, Sulemankhil I, Ghali P, Prakash S. Improvement of gastrointestinal health status in subjects consuming Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 capsules: a post-hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Expert Opin Biol Ther. 2013 Dec;13(12):1643-51. doi: 10.1517/14712598.2013.833601. Epub 2013 Sep 28. PMID: 24074303.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24074303/

Kumar M, Nagpal R, Kumar R, Hemalatha R, Verma V, Kumar A, Chakraborty C, Singh B, Marotta F, Jain S, Yadav H. Cholesterol-lowering probiotics as potential biotherapeutics for metabolic diseases. Exp Diabetes Res. 2012;2012:902917. doi: 10.1155/2012/902917. Epub 2012 May 3. PMID: 22611376; PMCID: PMC3352670.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24074303/

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