Author: By Jim Miller
-
Savvy Senior: How to assess what you need in a walker
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you give me some tips on choosing an appropriate walker for my elderly father? He has some balance issues along with arthritis in his hips and could use a little more help than a cane provides. — Wobbly in Wisconsin Dear Wobbly, When it comes to choosing a walker, there are…
-
Savvy Senior: Social Security needs you to update your online account — and it’s not a scam
Dear Savvy Senior, I recently received an email that I needed to update my online Social Security account. Is this legit or is it a scam? — Suspicious Susan Dear Susan, The Social Security Administration did indeed send out a legitimate email last month to notify recipients that they are making changes to the way…
-
Savvy Senior: Long-term care benefits for veterans and surviving spouses
Dear Savvy Senior, I understand that the Veterans Administration has a benefit that can help veterans and spouses with long-term care costs. We recently had to move my elderly father into an assisted living memory care facility, and my mother will probably need care too in the near future. What can you tell me? —…
-
Savvy Senior: How to find reliable health information online
Dear Savvy Senior, How can I tell if the health info on a website is trustworthy? I usually do a Google search on a symptom, drug or health condition when I want to research something, but with so much information out there I’m not sure what I can trust. — Skeptical Sal Dear Sal, You’re…
-
Savvy Senior: Financial and legal resources for grandparents raising grandchildren
Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any programs that you can refer me to that financially help grandparents who are raising their grandkids? I’m raising two of my grandchildren and could use some help. — Tapped Out Tonya Dear Tonya, Money is a common problem for the nearly 2.4 million U.S. grandparents who are raising their…
-
Savvy Senior: Ways to make gardening easier as you age
Dear Savvy Senior, What gardening tips can you offer to older seniors? I love to putter around and work in the garden, but my back and knees have caused me to curtail my gardening activities, which I miss greatly. — Older Gardner Dear Older, There’s no doubt that gardening can be hard on an aging…
-
Savvy Senior: How to find a good doctor
Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good resources to help me locate some quality doctors in my area? I’m looking for an orthopedic doctor for my 77-year-old mother and a new internist for me, since my doctor retired last year. — Searching Susan Dear Susan, Finding and researching doctors is a lot easier than…
-
Savvy Senior: How to find affordable internet services?
Dear Savvy Senior, I was recently notified that the Affordable Connectivity Program, which subsidizes my monthly internet bill, is about to end. What are my options for finding affordable home internet services now? I’m 71 years old and live primarily on my Social Security benefits. — Barely Getting By Dear Barely, It’s unfortunate, but without…
-
Savvy Senior: What to do about Medicare and Social Security when you move
Dear Savvy Senior, Next month I am moving to a different state so I can be near my daughter and grandkids. Do I need to notify Social Security and Medicare about the move? — Relocating Grandma Dear Relocating, Yes, if you’re a Social Security and Medicare recipient you definitely need to let these federal agencies…
-
Savvy Senior: Healthy travel tips for older travelers
Dear Savvy Senior, What tips can you offer retirees with health issues who are planning some trips? We’ve been looking forward to traveling again after staying home the past few years, but my husband has a heart condition and some back problems that worry me. — Concerned Wife Dear Concerned, A dream vacation can turn…