Author: By Jim Miller Special to The Gazette
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Savvy Senior: How to help a hoarding parent
Dear Savvy Senior, My dad has always been a pack rat, but since mom died a few years ago he’s become more of a hoarder. The clutter in his house has gotten out of control and I don’t know what to do. Any suggestions? — Distraught in Centerville Dear Distraught, Unfortunately, hoarding or clutter addiction…
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Savvy Senior: How long to keep tax records and other documents
Dear Savvy Senior, Is there a rule of thumb on how long someone should keep their old financial paperwork? I have file cabinets full of old receipts, bank and brokerage statements, tax returns and more that I would like to toss. — Recently Retired Dear Recently, It’s a great question. As we get older and…
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Savvy Senior: Be wary of winter heart attacks
Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve heard that people with heart problems need to be extra careful during the winter months because heart attacks are much more common. What can you tell me about this? — AFib Alan Dear Alan, Everyone knows winter is cold and flu season, but many don’t know that it’s also the prime…
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Savvy Senior: What happens to your debt when you die?
Dear Savvy Senior, Can my kids inherit my debt after I die? I have taken on a lot of credit card debt over the past 10 years or so, and I’m worried that my son and daughter will get stuck with it when I die. — Indebted Senior Dear Indebted, In most cases, when a…
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Savvy Senior: How to talk to your doctors — and get them to listen
Dear Savvy Senior, How can I get my doctors to listen better? I just turned 78, and over the past few years I feel more and more dismissed by my doctors. I know I can’t be the only one who feels this way. Any suggestions? — Dissatisfied Patient Dear Dissatisfied, Communication difficulties between patients and…
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Savvy Senior: What you’ll pay for Medicare in 2025
Dear Savvy Senior, I know there will be a small 2.5% cost-of-living increase in Social Security benefits next year, but what about Medicare? What will the Medicare Part B monthly premiums be in 2025, and when do the surcharges kick in for higher income beneficiaries? — Medicare Beneficiary Dear Beneficiary, The Centers for Medicare and…
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Savvy Senior: How to choose a memory care unit for a loved one with dementia
Dear Savvy Senior, My dad has dementia and has gotten to the point that he can’t live at home any longer. I need to find a good memory care residential facility for him but don’t know where to turn. Any suggestions? — Only Daughter Dear Only, Choosing a good memory care residential unit for a…
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Savvy Senior: How to write a living will
Dear Savvy Senior, What’s the best way to go about writing a living will? I’m approaching age 73 and in poor health and would like to get this done without spending a lot of money. — Need Help Dear Need, Preparing a living will now is a smart decision that gives you say in how…
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Savvy Senior: How to know if you’re getting osteoporosis
Dear Savvy Senior, Can a person in their early 50s have osteoporosis? When I fell and broke my wrist last winter, the doctor that treated me told me I might have osteoporosis. — Surprised Susan Dear Susan, While osteoporosis is much more common in adults age 60 and older, it can strike younger people. In…
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Savvy Senior: Best pill boxes and medication management tools
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good pill boxes and medication reminding devices? I’ve recently started taking several new prescription medications along with some vitamins I normally take and need to get a pill box that helps me organize them. What can you tell me? — Almost 70 Dear Almost, Pill boxes (aka pill…