It’s Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial start of the summer season. It’s time to brush off the patio furniture, clean the barbecue grill and wonder if last year’s swimsuit will fit. Seriously, while many will enjoy picnics and other fun events, including the Ogden Newspapers Wellness ...
Dear Savvy Senior, My wife and I are approaching 65, but I’m still working and have good health coverage through my employer. Do we need to enroll in Medicare at this point? — Almost 65 Dear Almost, If you or your spouse is still working past age 65 and have health insurance through your job, you may be able to delay enrolling in Medicare without a late enrollment penalty. However, the rules depend largely on the size of your employer. First, a quick refresher: Remember that original Medicare has two parts. Part A, which covers hospital care and is premium-free for most ...
When I was in high school, my friend whom I called Pete, would bring some very interesting and enviable lunches to school. She also would, on occasion, enjoy something from the hot lunch menu at the school. I never took part in the hot lunches at my Catholic high school. I know many students did. The concept was something new to me because we didn’t have school-provided lunch choices in grade school. All my grade school lunches were toted to school in either a beloved lunch box or a plain brown bag. But in high school, there was a daily menu. I cannot describe those lunches as my ...
Dear Savvy Senior, I want to leave something meaningful for my children and grandchildren, beyond just money or property. I’ve heard about “legacy letters,” but I don’t really know what they are or how to start one. Can you help? --Legacy Seeker Dear Seeker, You’re asking a wonderful question. A legacy letter – sometimes called an ethical will – is a personal note to your loved ones where you can share your values, life lessons, cherished memories, hopes and guidance. Unlike a traditional will, which focuses on legal matters, a legacy letter comes straight from the ...
I am licking my wounds today, not literally but close. I am, however, applying first aid ointment to a few of the scratches and punctures on my hands and arms. My wounds came after a sad battle with six of our eight rose bushes that did not survive the winter. We spent a good portion of the rain-free Monday pulling and digging out the dead bushes. No amount of garden gloves could prevent a few painful interactions with the thorny plants. I am not sure if it was weather-related or a blight, but it became apparent as temperatures warmed that we would not have as many of our beloved ...
Dear Savvy Senior, My 60-year-old brother was recently diagnosed with prediabetes, which surprised all of us because he’s fairly active and isn’t overweight. Now I’m wondering if I could be at risk too. Does prediabetes run in families, and what exactly does it mean? --Younger Sister Dear Younger, Yes, you could be at risk. Having a close family member with diabetes increases your chances of developing it yourself, though family history is just one factor. Age, weight, lifestyle, blood pressure, cholesterol and certain ethnic backgrounds also affect risk. Here’s a clearer ...
