Coronavirus Update For Monterey From A Carmel Caregiver

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There were 54 new coronavirus cases in Monterey County, with total cases now at 12,366.  There were two new hospitalizations and no new deaths reported.  Nationwide, cases were over 100K for the sixth day running.  Worldwide, the number of cases soared to more than 50 million.  In the U.S., the death count stands at 238,246.  Thankfully, Pfizer is coming out with a vaccine which may be 90% effective at preventing COVID-19.  Sadly, many people in polls have said they will not get the vaccine.  In California, there were more than 7,600 new cases, bringing the cume total up to 982,298.  Deaths were modest at 13, for a total of 17,980.

Monterey, CA Nonprofit Opens To Provide Dental Care For Veterans At No Charge

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Dr. Hugo Ferlito saw over a year of work come to fruition as he opened his free dental clinic with services for veterans, timed to be open for Veterans Day 2020.  He will work with Dr. George Yellich, an oral surgeon affiliated with Montage Health, and several other volunteer dentists.  It’s not clear why the government doesn’t offer dental benefits to Veterans and Seniors have no coverage either under Medicare.  “Veterans Affairs has done a really good job with medical care but it’s crazy they don’t cover dentistry,†Dr. Ferlito told The Herald.  Letting oral health problems go unchecked can have severe negative consequences on your health.  The office is at the Montage Wellness Center on 2nd Avenue in Marina.  Funding has been provided by Monterey County Gives, Montage Health and local Rotary clubs.  Montage is allowing the dental office to use the office space free of charge, and also paid for construction improvements and is paying for utilities.

Social Security Payments To Rise Slightly In 2021

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Social Security participants are likely to get an ever-so-slightly increase next year (+1.3%) according to the numbers looking at the index that cost of living adjustments (COLA) are based on.  Of the 68 million people on Social Security and Disability, the average payment will go up by $19.70 to $1,537.  “It makes people have to take more out of savings,†Mary Johnson, a policy analyst for the Senior Citizen League, said.  That’s due to the fact that many people believe the index doesn’t adequately account for inflation.  “Other people who don’t have savings will go into debt.  Many people may go into poverty,†she said.

Coronavirus Update For Monterey From A Carmel Caregiver

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There were 70 new coronavirus cases in Monterey County, with total cases now at 12,312.  There were eleven new hospitalizations and no new deaths reported. The latest data shows that we have 110 more cases this week than the week before, and 140 more than two weeks ago, a 40% increase.  Nationwide, this is the fifth consecutive day that the number of new cases have been over 100K.  Deaths came in at 841, bringing the cume total to 237,875.  In California, there were over 5K new cases, with a total of 974K reported.  There were 25 new deaths, for a total of 17,967.

AARP The Magazine Encourages Us To Eat More Cheese!

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A recent article in AARP The Magazine (August/September 20, 48) warned about the risks of osteoporosis and said a recent study of adults over 50 years of age who recently had fractured bones found that 43% were deficient in both Vitamin D and calcium.  Women should aim to consume 1,200 mg a day of calcium, with men needing 1,000 mg.  They encourage you to add two slices of cheese to your sandwich (300 mg.), some yogurt (200 mg. in a 6-ounce cup) or low-fat cottage cheese (250 mg. per cup).  Eating leafy greens, broccoli, bens and almonds will also help.

 

Coronavirus Update For Monterey From A Carmel Caregiver

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Natividad Medical Center recently purchased a mechanical exoskeleton that helps people with spinal cord injuries and survivors of strokes to stand up and walk on their own.  It even works for people whose legs are paralyzed.  The FDA-approved model looks like a set of full-length braces, going all the way to the ankles from the waist.  Controlled by a smartphone app, it uses hydraulics to mechanically propel you into a standing position, from which you can begin walking with the device’s assistance.  “It’s amazing.  It gives so much hope,†said Sudha Shorian, one of the physical therapists trained on the device.

http://pineconearchive.com/200828PCA.pdf

 

Natividad Rolls Out Technology To Help Spinal Cord Victims

A woman in plaid shirt sitting on the side of road.


Natividad Medical Center recently purchased a mechanical exoskeleton that helps people with spinal cord injuries and survivors of strokes to stand up and walk on their own.  It even works for people whose legs are paralyzed.  The FDA-approved model looks like a set of full-length braces, going all the way to the ankles from the waist.  Controlled by a smartphone app, it uses hydraulics to mechanically propel you into a standing position, from which you can begin walking with the device’s assistance.  “It’s amazing.  It gives so much hope,†said Sudha Shorian, one of the physical therapists trained on the device.

http://pineconearchive.com/200828PCA.pdf

Medicare Open Enrollment Closes On December 7


It’s more important than ever this year that you examine your options for a Medicare Advantage Plan or Medicare Supplement Insurance Plan (Medigap), in particular to see what is covered if you should get the dreaded coronavirus.  October 15 to December 7 is the period when all people with Medicare can change their health care plan and prescription drug coverage for the following year.  In general, Medicare beneficiaries without some sort of Medicare Supplement Insurance will face Medicare cost-sharing if they contract COVID-19 or have any other health problems.  If you do have health conditions and leave a Medigap plan for a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time, you do get a one time 12-month “trial right†to try the Medicare Advantage plan and still have the option to go back to their same Medigap plan without medical underwriting.  You can find Medicare plan information or compare plans by calling 1-800-MEDICARE  or visit Medicare.gov.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/columnist/2020/09/23/medicare-open-enrollment-starts-oct-15-heres-what-to-do/5853137002/

Monterey, CA Think Twice Before Taking Early Social Security

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Many people take Social Security at the earliest possible time rather than waiting until their official retirement age, which can cost them over $100K over the remainder of their lifetime.  Recessions and a jump in early Social Security claims go hand-in-hand, according to the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College.  According to Chicago’s Becker Friedman Institute, there’s been a 7% increase in the number of Americans who retired after the pandemic.  Edgar Freeberg, 66, said he had planned on waiting until he was 70 to claim Social Security.  “I was going for the 70 thing,†he told USA Today.  But after his job was outsourced, he felt he had no other choice.  Statistics show that filing at age 62 the average household loses out on about $111,000 in lifetime benefits.  Here in Monterey, Social Security payments top the national average by a high margin in the wealthier pockets like Carmel and Pebble Beach.  But if you are not on the high end of the wage earning spectrum, it may pay to wait to file.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/2020/09/29/social-security-took-checks-early-because-covid-you-get-do-over/3567304001/

Coronavirus Update For Monterey County From A Carmel Caregiver : Nationwide Cases Continue To Top 100K Per Day

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There were 138 new coronavirus cases in Monterey County, with total cases now at 12,136.  There were five new hospitalizations and no new deaths reported. Nationwide, there were more than 100K new cases reported again, bringing the grand total up to 9.761 million. Hospitalizations have spiked, which has led several states to hunker down and reinstate some lock-down restrictions.  Deaths rose by more than 1,000, for a total of 236K.  In California, there were almost 6K new cases again, with a total of 962,400 reported.  There were 42 new deaths, for a total of 17,873.