Salinas, CA Artificial Intelligence Programs May Help Predict Alzheimer’s Disease : By Derek Baine

A woman helping an older person with papers


An Artificial Intelligence Program, AI, analyzed the language of study participants and found it could be able to predict whether people with no memory or thinking problems would develop Alzheimer’s disease later in life.  Funded by Pfizer and conducted by IBM, the program accurately predicted up to 74% of participants that were diagnosed with the disease later in life.  The study which was published in the journal EClinicalMedicine, analyzed 700 written samples from 27 participants in another study conducted decades ago.  Based on written samples, the study more accurately predicts Alzheimer’s disease than other research.  Experts say that tracking language over time could be done as part of routine medical exams.  For more info, contact our local Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan Ranch.  Regular readers of my blog know that both my father and grandmother had this terrible disease when they passed away.  There are great people at our local chapter of Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan’s Ranch.  They also have a 24-hour hotline if you need support at 800-272-3900.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2020/10/22/ibm-study-found-program-analyzing-language-predicts-alzheimers/3728608001/

A Spouse’s Death Can Take Its Toll On Your Investment Portfolio

A blue and white logo of the social security administration.


The Wall Street Journal recently posted a story about the fact that your financial portfolio might quickly start unraveling if you don’t prepare for the financial consequences of your spouse’s death in advance.  Not only will you see two Social Security checks go down to one, some people have pensions that don’t have survivorship benefits and those would expire immediately.  In addition, since you will have to file single, your tax rate may go up.  “When that plan is disrupted by the tragic death of a spouse, there isn’t a lot you can do besides cut expenses or go back to work,†Jennifer Murray, a financial advisor, told The Wall Street Journal.  The bottom line: discuss this issue with your financial planner.

Monterey, CA Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease The Greatest Risk For Your Portfolio In Your Golden Years

A doctor and patient looking at a book


There was an interesting article in the Wall Street Journal that talked about prudently investing your retirement funds.  However, it noted that the greatest risk was not stock prices or interest rates.  Rather, it was a slow cognitive decline.  One big mistake or a series of smaller ones can wipe out your entire life savings.  To guard against this happening, investment firms like Charles Schwab, Fidelity Investments and Vanguard Group are strengthening the ways they detect possible signs of cognitive decline.  This includes making web sites more difficult to navigate for someone with an impaired memory, and monitoring for frequent password changes.  Some are notifying a designated family member when they see these signs.  Good for them!  Many people who start slipping into dementia or Alzheimer’s disease try to hide this from friends and family as they are embarrassed.  Regular readers of my blog know that both my father and grandmother had this terrible disease when they passed away.  There are wonderful people at our local chapter of Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan’s Ranch.  They also have a 24-hour hotline if you need support at 800-272-3900.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/baby-boomers-biggest-financial-risk-cognitive-decline-11622942343

Monterey, CA Don’t Let COVID-19 Prevent You From Regular Skin Cancer Checkups : By Derek Baine

A man with his back turned on the beach.


Monterey, CA  Don’t Let COVID-19 Prevent You From Regular Skin Cancer Checkups

Coronavirus may be keeping you from going to the doctor as much as you need to.  However, telemedicine makes it easy to see a doctor.  Even dermatologists are now available via videoconference.  A company called DermTech is transforming telemedicine to detect skin cancer.  According to the American Cancer Society, melanoma has a 99% five-year survival rate if caught early.  However, this survival rate drops to 65% if it has spread locally and 25% if spread distantly.  If you are looking for a great local dermatologist, I recommend Joe Rheim.  Give him a call at 931-373-4404.  For more information, go to https://dermtech.com/

https://www.futureofpersonalhealth.com/skin-health/understanding-preventing-and-identifying-skin-cancer-this-winter/

Pacific Grove, CA Genworth Long Term Care LTC Premiums To Go Up


One of the few remaining companies in the long-term care industry, Genworth, sent out a brochure to policy holders signaling rate hikes are coming.  Said the company:

Our policies are generally held for 30-40 years, which means when they were initially priced, a lot of assumptions were made future costs for claims that would be made decades later.  Many of those assumptions were incorrect because the cost of and demand for care have both skyrocketed since.  Insurance companies, including us, have had significant losses as a result.  Many have left the business.  Despite losing $3.6 billion on our older legacy policies, we’ve decided to stay in the business and file for rate increases on these older policies and select newer ones to cover the cost of future claims.  To learn more, call 1-888-479-6889 or go to Genworth.com/LTCpremiums

Pebble Beach, CA Tip For Diabetics : Exercise Frequently : By Derek Baine

A person holding a stethoscope in their hand.


If your job requires you to do a lot of sitting, make sure you take frequent breaks especially if you are diabetic.  The ADA’s 2020 Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes recommends doing a light activity for every 30 minutes of uninterrupted sitting.  Sitting increases insulin resistance, and it also increases blood pressure and impedes blood flow.  Try taking a walk around the block!  To get more information on diabetes, visit Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, CHOMP’s, Diabetes and Nutrition website.  You will find useful information about support groups, classes and more.

https://www.chomp.org/locations/location-profile/diabetes-and-nutrition-therapy/#.X9F3p9hKjcs

Another useful resource is Community Health Innovations.  A full 45% of Monterey County residents have Diabetes or pre-Diabetes!

Salinas, CA Elder Abuse Alert : Fed Ex And UPS Tracking Alerts Could Be Fake : By Derek Baine

A pile of money sitting next to stacks of cash.


Unfortunately, elder abuse scams continue to abound.  The latest; fake package notifications from Amazon.com, FedEx, UPS and others.  With e-commerce sales hitting an all-time high due to the coronavirus, more and more email delivery alerts are popping up but they may not all be legitimate.  Fake email messages often contain the logo of the shipping company, making them look more legitimate.  Getting you to click on a link is the main objective of these scams.  Others send an attachment with malware in it, so never click on an attachment from an unknown sender.  Most come with a call to action such as purporting there is a problem with the shipping address or the payment method, attempting to get you to click through.  Always go to where you made the purchase to check on the order status.

https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/20283-scam-alert-dont-be-fooled-by-a-fake-package-delivery-scam

Better Sleep Tips For Seniors From AARP : By Derek Baine

A woman looking out of the window at her home.


Many of us have a difficult time getting a good night’s sleep but AARP.org had some great tips for helping us get a good night’s rest.  According to a survey by the National Sleep Foundation, those who make their bed nearly every day were more likely to report having a good night’s sleep.  Also, allergens can disrupt your sleep.  You should wash your sheets at least once a week and replace your pillows at least every two years and your mattress every ten years.  Enjoying a cup of chamomile tea at bedtime can also be soothing.  In a randomized, double blind study from the University of Michigan, those taking a chamomile extract twice a day fell asleep 16 minutes faster (AARP Bulletin Volume 62, Number 4, Page 13).

Salinas, CA Causes And Risk Factors For Alzheimer’s Disease : By Derek Baine


I volunteered for years for our local chapter of Alzheimer’s Association.  They are great people and they always have plenty of information and advice.  They recently published an article regarding Causes And Risk Factors For Alzheimer’s Disease which was eye opening.  Some risk factors like age, family history and genetics we just have to live with.  However, there are a number of lifestyle and wellness decisions that you make which can alter your risk for getting this disease.  Click on the link below to learn more.  Regular readers of my blog know that both my father and grandmother had this terrible disease when they passed away.  There are wonderful people at our local chapter of Alzheimer’s Association in Ryan’s Ranch.  They also have a 24-hour hotline if you need support at 800-272-3900.

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/causes-and-risk-factors?WT.mc_id=enews2021_04_29&utm_source=enews-aff-20&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=enews-2021-04-29&utm_content=homeoffice&utm_term=Story2

Mistakes People Make When Taking Social Security : By Derek Baine

A blue and white logo of the social security administration.


The Wall Street Journal recently ran a story entitled, The Biggest Mistakes People Make With Social Security, and in the number one position was thinking they will die young and opting to take early Social Security.  For the typical American between the ages of 55 and 64, the present value of their lifetime stream of Social Security payments amounts to about 60% of their retirement assets, according to Boston College’s Center for Retirement.  And it’s true for the wealthy, not just middle and low-income retirees.  “If you have a high-earner couple who earned the max and don’t claim until 70, you’re talking about getting the better part of $100K per year,†says Alicia Munnell, the center’s director.  “You have to be very wealthy before you don’t consider that important.â€Â  If you claim Social Security at the age of 70 rather at the age of 62, your benefit will be at least 76% higher.  That’s a lot of money over what could be decades of retirement!

https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-biggest-mistakes-people-make-with-social-security-11620561601