Affordable Care Act (ACA)

Posted on April 21, 2022April 21, 2022 by admin

Affordable Care Act (ACA)

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) law was signed in March 2010 by President Barack Obama and was designed as a healthcare reform bill for the United States. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, or Obama Care, implemented a set of healthcare regulations aimed at increasing access to health insurance for millions of uninsured Americans.

The law increased Medicaid eligibility and established health insurance exchanges to permit and require Americans to purchase Health Insurance if they had no health insurance. It also prevented insurance companies from rejecting coverage (or charging extra) because of pre-existing conditions. In addition, the law permitted children to remain on their parent’s health insurance plan until they become 26 years old.

An Overview (ACA)

As mentioned previously, the ACA was designed to provide insurance coverage for people who were not insured, but met certain qualifications. Because the law provided tax credits and cost-sharing reductions, it assisted lower-income individuals and families so that they could afford health insurance. The savings were from the tax credits that reduced the overall monthly health insurance costs, and the law decreased some of the associated costs of insurance including, cost-sharing reductions, out-of-pocket payments, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

All ACA-compliant plans, must cover certain essential health benefits, such as:

Ambulatory patient services
Breastfeeding
Emergency services
Family planning
Hospitalization
Laboratory services
Services for psychological state and substance abuse disorders.
Maternity, neonatal care, and pregnancy
Prescription medications
Chronic illness management, as well as preventive and wellness programs
Pediatric services
Service for rehabilitative purposes.

In addition, it mandates that most insurance plans include a list of free preventative care measures. These consist of check-ups, patient consultations, immunizations, and a range of health tests. It also permitted states that opted-in to cover a broader group of patients under Medicaid. That option has been adopted by 37 states and the District of Columbia as of June 2021.

Each year the healthcare marketplace opens an enrollment period during which customers can purchase or transfer insurance policies. If you miss this deadline, enrollment will be delayed until the following year. Exceptions due to marriage, divorce, having a child, or leaving a job that provides health care coverage permit enrollment outside the open period.

Improving the Quality, Efficiency, and Accountability of Healthcare Services

By enacting broad changes, Medicare and Medicaid payments changed. These new payment options and service delivery models included a new spectrum of ideas. Some of them paid for medical devices, clinically integrated & accountable care organizations, and allowed episode-based and bundled payments.

These modifications were meant to allow public payers to encourage the healthcare system to behave differently. This included terms of how health professionals were to work in a much more clinically integrated fashion. These changes affected how they monitor and report on the reliability of their care. Also, the law targeted serious and chronic health conditions and implemented monitoring hospital admissions and readmissions in order to find methods to improve the quality of care.

Improving Public Health and the Training of Health Professionals.

The Act also focuses additional public health and healthcare spending on certain subpopulations. These populations receive special attention targeted at enhancing the performance of health and healthcare programs. School-based health centers, dental health-care preventative activities, tobacco cessation programs for Medicaid-enrolled pregnant women, and the inclusion of individualized Medicare healthcare prevention planning received new funding. In addition, the Act permits significant investments in primary care health professional training.

Except for additional expenditures in teaching health centers, all changes were approved but not financed as part of the Act, and therefore, require separate budgeted funds.

The Affordable Care Act Necessitates Rapid Changes

Anyone who acquired a health insurance plan by March 23, 2010, maintained a
“grandfathered” plan. The grandfather clause guaranteed that current plans would continue as long as their insurer stayed in business.

After March 23, 2010, anybody who purchased health insurance would need to enroll in a new plan that fulfilled all of the Affordable Care Act’s new requirements. The original deadline for this shift was January 1, 2014, or the renewal date of a plan during the 2014 plan year.

After 90 days, the Affordable Care Act required implementing the following changes.

June 23, 2010:

- Tax credits of up to 35 percent of premiums were available to some small enterprises.
- A total of $5 billion was set aside for people who were unable to obtain insurance. Instead, they were able to purchase insurance from the government with these amounts.
- A temporary reinsurance scheme was created to pay employers for a portion of the expense of providing health insurance coverage to early retirees.

July 1, 2010:

- The Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan (PCIP) was created to provide health insurance to those who had been denied coverage by private insurers due to a pre-
  existing condition.

September 14, 2010

- A list of frequently asked questions published by eHealth, along with a timeframe for the implementation of major improvements. Remember that several of these elements changed throughout the implementation of the Affordable Care Act.

After 180 days, the Affordable Care Act required the following changes:

September 23, 2010:

- To overcome the Medicare Part D coverage gap, seniors can receive a $250 reimbursement.
- People may search for information on health insurance firms, available plans, and other important details on a government website.
- Pre-existing conditions cannot be excluded from coverage for children by insurers.

October 19, 2010:
- eHealth publishes the first in a series of materials to assist uninsured children in navigating state disparities.

In summation, the Affordable Care Act caused a major change in America’s healthcare. Each year challenges occur, but they become nullified by the continued advancements in public health policy and practice. The Act provides reformed healthcare coverage and care, but also considers public health’s essential role to provide its citizens with universal health coverage.

What the ACA Means for You

The Affordable Care Act, which covers a large percentage of Americans, is possibly the most significant transformation of the US healthcare system yet. In addition, one of its significant innovations is the inclusion of health coverage for persons with pre-existing diseases, which previously did not universally exist. These significant changes in healthcare insurance have become beneficial to individuals and families across the nation.

With all of the good things said about the HCA, there are lots of other Health Insurance Companies. These other Health Insurance Companies offer customized Health Insurance. Finding the best insurance at the best price for an individual or family is still necessary to guarantee that you and your family receive great healthcare insurance at an affordable cost.

Criticizing the Affordable Care Act

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) was criticized by many as an unprecedented extension of federal authority in the healthcare business. The reason: it obligated everyone to acquire health insurance — whether they wanted to or not. This side of the law was a serious focus of dialogue, and it was challenged within the U.S. Supreme Court in 2012 by the National Federation of freelance Business. The court upheld the individual mandate as a constitutional use of Congress’s taxing authority, classifying the fines imposed on the uninsured as a tax.

Today, the Affordable Care Health Insurance Plan does not work for everyone, and is known as only one of the many health insurance plans available to all. We invite you to learn more about Health Insurance for you and your family. Our experts can help you select an affordable great plan that will pay the doctor and hospital in case you or a family member needs coverage.

Questions About Social Security You Need to Ask

Posted on March 31, 2022April 12, 2022 by admin

Social security income is a widely used income source and public pension system President Franklin D. Roosevelt created in 1935. The Social Security Administration provides sustained benefits to the retired and the disabled every month.

The Social Security Administration, SSA, currently employs 60,000 Americans. This makes it one of the largest federal agencies in the nation and has been operating for more than 85 years.

Fun Social Security Facts:

The first-ever social security check was cashed in 1940 for $22.54. Now the average retired individual makes ~$1,500 a month.
The Social Security Administration conceived social security numbers, and now those nine digits track us from the day we are born until our last.
In 2020, 65 million Americans were paid social security benefits.

In 2020, 9 out of 10 people aged 65 and older received social security benefits; 57% of retirees claim that social security accounts as a significant source of income. The money you put into social security will be there for when you lose a spouse, become disabled, or retire.

Americans rely on social security payments every month. Meanwhile, many questions are floating around the topic because social security is more complex than federal income tax.

In this article, we’ll explore a few pressing questions about social security so that you can better understand the purpose of the agency and how their work affects you.

When am I eligible for social security benefits?

People wonder if they should claim social security benefits at age 62, 66, or 70 or assume that everyone retires at age 65. However, with at least ten years of work history, everyone is eligible for benefits at age 62; that doesn’t mean you should retire and claim benefits the moment you turn that age. There are many factors that you must consider when deciding when to retire.

First, you will want to keep track of your social security statement, which you can find here. Because everyone makes mistakes, you can avoid miscalculations if you track your payment history with your statement.

The SSA is not in the business of giving out advice; therefore, it is the responsibility of the public to understand and consider the benefits that the government offers its citizens. You can learn all about your social security benefits from a local social security specialist with The Best Senior Services.

Factors that must be considered:

Age
Marital Status
Marital History
Health
Spousal Considerations
Retirement Assets
Employment Status
Years Spent Working
Tax Situation
Home Equity
Survivor Needs
Children
Disabilities
Need for Income

Terms that you should know:

Full Retirement Age: FRA – this is the age that the SSA considers the age at which you receive your full benefit, based on your birthday. Here is the birth year breakdown:

Birth Year	Full Retirement Age
· 1937 and prior	65
· 1938	65 and 2 months
· 1939	65 and 4 months
· 1940	65 and 6 months
· 1941	65 and 8 months
· 1942	65 and 10 months
· 1943-54	66
· 1955	66 and 2 months
· 1956	66 and 4 months
· 1957	66 and 6 months
· 1958	66 and 8 months
· 1959	66 and 10 months
· 1960 and later	67

Average Indexed Monthly Earnings: AIME – monthly pay for the most profitable 35 years of your work history.

What Benefits Can I Receive from Social Security?

Your benefits are calculated using a formula that averages your top-earning 35 years, taking cost of living adjustments into consideration, and divides that by 420. The result is then adjusted for inflation, and that number is your AIME. Your AIME is then run through a series of calculations called bend points to determine your benefits finally.

The average American salary is around $50,000; at that income, a retiree could expect $1,890 at full retirement age.

When Should I Start Claiming Benefits?

There is a positive correlation between the number of years waiting to retire and the percentage of eligible funds. When you postpone retirement, you can earn considerably more in benefits.

If your full retirement age is 66 and you wait till you are 70 to retire, you will make 32% more in benefits.

On the other side of that coin, there is a negative correlation if you retire early. If your full retirement age is 66 and you retire at 63, you will lose 20% of your full benefits.

74% of Americans today have chosen to retire early and assume reduced benefits. Retirement benefits were being paid out to 65 million people in 2020. Keep in mind that the cost of living adjustment is around 2.6% a year; this increases each year.

How much do I pay for Social Security?

Everyone pays 6.2% of their salary each year into social security. Your employer matches what you pay into Social Security. The Social Security Administration then distributes these taxes to beneficiaries across America.

Are there spousal benefits?

Yes, you do not have to have any earning history to qualify for spousal benefits, as long as your husband or wife has at least ten years of earning record.

The Best Senior Service is here to ensure you get the most benefits out of your retirement.

10 Can’t-Miss Discounts for Seniors.

Posted on March 8, 2022March 8, 2022 by admin

Saving money on your everyday expense is too great of an opportunity to pass up. However, it is a challenge to keep up with all the available discounts for seniors. Because there are so many offerings, not everyone wants to ask if a company offers discounts.

Therefore, we’ve compiled a selection of ten amazing discounts for seniors. Starts saving money today with The Best Senior Services.

Costco

Costco offers significant discounts on prescription medication to its senior members. There are requirements for this senior discount; you must be a Costco Member. Costco offers special operating hours for senior members only. On Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-10 am, as Costco’s across the nation, only members 65 years of age or older will be permitted to shop.

With Costco’s Prescription Program, seniors can get up to 80% off prescription drugs.

Life Alert

Life Alert is perhaps the most well-known emergency medical alert provider. However, if you’ve ever investigated acquiring the product, you have noticed the hefty price tag and contract length.

If you are a senior who purchases a system and then refers a friend who also buys a system, you will receive a $100 rebate on your purchase. To qualify for this rebate, you must be 65 or old.

Prescription medication is expensive and necessary. This reality unfairly impacts seniors more so than their younger counterparts. When you are on a fixed income, medicine can quickly eat up your budget.

CVS offers seniors the opportunity to save money on their prescriptions. With CVS ExtraCare membership, individuals 65 and over can receive personalized prescription coupons and discounts.

T-Mobile

These days, cell phones are necessary for keeping up with today’s fast-paced society. Cell phone technology continues to improve, and seniors are, in a sense, are forced to adapt. Cell phones allow seniors to stay in touch with their community and provide an always-ready GPS for travel.

Additionally, the cameras that come with today’s cellular phones are impressive. T-Mobile stands out amongst the crowd when it comes to discounts for seniors. If you are 55 or older, you can get a T-Mobile unlimited plan for as little as $27.50 a month.

American Airlines

Every day since the start of 2022, over 1 million people have traveled by air. That is a lot of people, and it’s safe to assume a good percentage of those travelers are seniors. If you feel comfortable traveling by air, TBSS recommends flying with American Airlines.

The airline company offers discounts for travelers over 65 years of age. You can find the option at their website’s advanced search feature or in the drop-down menu from the passenger’s choice option when booking a flight. The discount can be as much as 50% off tickets.

IHOP

That’s right, the famed International House of Pancakes is a friend of seniors. The renowned restaurant has long been a favorite of seniors.

IHOP has gone so far as to dedicate an entire menu section for people over 55+. You can get a discount on anything from French toast, BLT, or a Breakfast Sampler.

Hertz

If Tom Brady is pro-Hertz, they must be doing something right. Even with the recent negative PR issues, Hertz offers exceptional discounts for seniors. So, keep in mind that travel is not limited to air travel.

Hertz offers 20% off base rates for seniors. If that isn’t enough for you, when you sign up for Hertz’s Gold Plus Rewards program, you can skip the line, earn premium status, and redeem points for free rentals.

Michaels

Once you’ve retired, it is essential to fill up the free time you now have on your hands. Crafting is a hobby that many seniors take up. Quilting, leather, woodwork, sewing, any artistic endeavors are some of the hobbies that can be started at your local Michaels.

If you want to take on a new hobby and don’t want to break the bank to get started, Michael’s is the place for you. If you are a senior (55+), register for Michaels Rewards account, and you can enjoy 10% off all purchases online or in-store.

Hyatt

Once you’ve reached a certain age, you’ve grown accustomed to certain living arraignments. Perhaps you’ve grown used to a very tidy living space. These customs could include morning or evening rituals. When traveling, we’d all prefer to maintain these rituals and standards.

When staying outside of the house, the expense can snowball. Save money when you stay with Hyatt. Specific locations offer senior discounts. However, you must be 62 years of age or older to qualify.

National Parks Senior Lifetime Pass

Few sights can compare to what American National Parks has to offer us all. Yosemite, The Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and many more beautiful National Parks. There are 14 National Parks in the US. There is no better way to get moving than visiting a nature preserve for some hiking and sightseeing.

The National Parks and Federal Recreational Land Pass is offered at a reduced rate for individuals who are 62 or older.

Bonus Discounts:

Whataburger: Ask for the CLUB55 discount.
Piggly-Wiggly: Must be 60+ for discount.

Top 10 Healthy New Year’s Resolutions for Seniors

Posted on January 12, 2022January 12, 2022 by admin

With a new year comes new opportunities, responsibilities, and of course, the ever-popular new year’s resolution. These resolutions are often easy to declare and then challenging to maintain.

Sometimes you put your nose to the grindstone and accomplish your solutions before the year is up; other times, your resolutions can slowly fade into the background with the daily minutia. Many resolutions focus on improving mental and physical health, making them inherently difficult resolutions.

However, these challenging resolutions are much more rewarding than joining a gym when accomplished. As you age, your motivation to remain steadfast to a resolution can fade, and thus resolutions become less critical.

Moreover, a new year is a prime opportunity for seniors to improve their health mindfully. Here are ten healthy New Year’s resolutions for seniors looking to make 2022 better than 2021 and improve their overall well-being.

1. Don’t shy away from doctor visits.

Not everyone jumps at the opportunity to visit the doctor for regular checkups, and most hesitate to explore a potential issue. However, as you age, it is paramount to rely on your health care team to keep you functioning at your absolute best.

If you are apprehensive about visiting the doctor, keep in mind that you are not merely going for yourself but also for your family and friends. Remember, most people aren’t excited about a doctor’s visit, so you are not alone. Skipping doctor appointments will lead to stress in the future.

2. Establish and stick to a daily routine. 

Maintaining a routine is a great way to adapt to stress and optimize wellbeing. Get in the habit of eating your meals, engaging in physical activity, and getting in and out of bed at scheduled times each day. Developing a steady routine will allow you to feel grounded, prepared, and better able to adapt.

3. Get 8 hours of sleep every night.

Getting 8 hours of sleep each night provides more benefits than you might think. A well-rested individual will enjoy efficiently coping with stressors, improved brain functionality, and a healthier immune system.

At the same time, their sleep-deprived counterpart painfully suffers through long days. If you struggle to fall asleep and stay asleep, speak with your doctor about it sooner rather than later. Sleep disorders are pervasive and manageable.

4. Engage in some type of physical activity at least three times per week.

No matter your age taking some time out of the day to practice physical activity is immensely beneficial. Something as simple as practicing some

Light yoga: will improve balance and stress management. If yoga is not your thing, no problem, a 30-minute walk around the neighborhood or the local track will enhance your physical and mental wellbeing. Remember to stay hydrated before, during, and after any physical activity.

5. Eat as best as you can.

For decades now, medical professionals have affirmed that eating a clean, balanced diet is a habit to keep. The scope of this article can’t include the numerous benefits of a healthy diet. However, healthy eating can support muscle functionality, lower one’s risk to certain diseases and some cancers, as well as boost your immune system.

Understand that this can be a very challenging resolution, so take your time and do not set the bar high. Small gradual steps will lead to noticeable positive change. If you’d like to learn more about healthy eating, you can read more here. The main priority is to limit your salt, sugar, and saturated fats, and be sure to get enough fiber, veggies, fruits, and plant-based protein.

6. Hydrate, Even When You Are Not Thirsty. 

Dehydration is one of the leading causes of seniors visiting emergency rooms. Right after you wake up, drink a full glass of water, and fall asleep with a full glass on your nightstand. If you never let yourself, be thirsty, you are on the right track. Staying hydrated will keep your energy levels up, help brain function, and prevent headaches. The big picture here is, don’t be thirsty.

7. Make time for yourself.

The notion of engaging in conscious self-care has cemented itself in American culture, which is great because everyone needs “me-time.” There are no structured rules to self-care; establish some boundaries that you believe you’d enjoy and stick to those boundaries.

The art of letting go of control, drama, and negativity opens the door to tranquility, confidence, and courage. Each week find time for yourself, and selfishly enjoy that time, doing activities that make you happy. In doing this, you’ll bring that positive energy into upcoming situations.

8. Get organized.

Organization guru Marie Kondo has written the book on tidying up, and her work has inspired millions to get organized. Kondo recommends discarding items that lack value or do not “spark joy.” You certainly do not need to purchase a book or hire a consultant to get organized.

Try to work in categories, not rooms, and don’t start if you cannot commit. Getting organized will allow you to lead your ideal lifestyle. While it might take time and effort, the process and the results are certainly worth the work.

9. Read more.

On average, readers enjoy better physical health, greater empathy, and better overall mental health than non-readers. Finding suitable material is essential and challenging, but hunting is worth the reward. The benefits of reading, especially for seniors, are impressive.

Experts claim that reading can improve memory, focus, increase vocabulary, strengthen analytical skills, improve mood, and even reduce stress. Enjoy it if you are lucky enough to find reading material that inspires you.

10. Take on a new hobby or acquire a new skill.

Being a lifelong learner is a trait that will pay off in the long run. A curious mind creates an innovative, wise, and confident individual. Whoever said, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”, was mistaken. Seniors can practice several hobbies or skills and benefit from trying something new.

Hobbies like fly-fishing, crochet, model building, gardening, and painting are rewarding and fun at any age and not physically demanding. Moreover, developing new skills will help improve focus, problem-solving, and stress reduction. You are never too old to learn a new trick.

New Year Resolutions

Resolutions are tricky, but they are also tools for improvement and enjoyment. Do your best not to be too hard on yourself if you slide off track of a resolution. Remember, if you are having fun, you’re more likely to stick with it. 

Thanksgiving Activities for Seniors

Posted on November 17, 2021 by admin

Believe it or not, the end of the year is quickly approaching, and it’s time for Thanksgiving yet again. Many Americans look forward to Thanksgiving for multiple reasons: spending time with friends and family, eating good food, Black Friday deals and football, among other things.

There are a lot of different ways you can spend Thanksgiving, especially as a senior. And this article is designed to share some activities that you can do, based on many successful Thanksgivings experienced.

Activities for the Thanksgiving season

Play “Pass the Plate.” Thanksgiving is about, well, giving thanks. And what better way is there to give thanks than to play Pass the Plate? This is a game in which, just before Thanksgiving dinner, everyone at the table takes a turn to list some of the things that they’re thankful for. This tradition typically calls for a special plate to be passed around, and whoever is holding the plate is the person who gets to share what he or she is thankful for, but a plate isn’t necessary for the game to be enjoyed. The purpose of Pass the Plate is to get you to think about what it is that you’re thankful for, whether it be on a short-term scale like the dinner you’re about to feast on, or a long-term scale, like your family. Either way, this Thanksgiving tradition is a great activity for seniors to try out.
Host a Thanksgiving cook-off. Now this one may be a little more difficult to do, especially if all of the cooking is taking place in one kitchen. However, if you have family coming to your house to celebrate the holiday, this is a fun and unique way to how someone will prepare his or her dish. This is also an activity that you can make unique to yourself by setting all of the rules in place. For example, the host of Thanksgiving could be the judge of the cook-off and determine who is bringing what. How you will determine the winner will be up to you, but you can at least expect a lot of wonderful dishes to be served that day!
Play Thanksgiving bingo. Bingo is a great game to play during the holidays because the number of players who can participate is endless. And not to mention, the concept of the game is extremely easy to grasp, so your grandchildren and/or great-grandchildren will be able to play right alongside you. It’s also a great way to come up with unique and creative prizes for all of the winners because these are prizes that you can bake or make on your own. Make sure to visit this article from Crazy Little Projects to learn more about the specific rules, and to gain ideas for your bingo cards.
Put together a Thanksgiving scavenger hunt. If your grandchildren are younger, this is an activity that is fun for both seniors and their grandkids. And depending on if you’re experiencing beautiful fall weather or getting hit with an early winter chill, you’ll be able to determine whether you want to host your scavenger hunt inside or outside. And, of course, you can’t forget the prizes. Prizes can range from Thanksgiving-themed candies, dollar bills, plastic jewelry and more. If those who are in your family are mainly older, but would still like to participate in this activity, prizes can include liquor-infused chocolates,
Bake Thanksgiving treats. There are a lot of different treats that you can make on Thanksgiving, whether they’re for you, your grandchildren or for your friends. The particular Thanksgiving favorites include pumpkin, pecan and apple pies, cranberry cobblers, snickerdoodle cookies, pumpkin and/or banana bread, and more. If you want to make this activity more memorable, our suggestion would be to bake your treats while watching a holiday-themed movie or Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade on Thanksgiving morning.
Watch Thanksgiving specials on TV. Thanksgiving specials are a definite favorite past-time in America. Specials can include A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, Saturday Night Live Thanksgiving specials, and special episodes that your favorite shows make, too. And don’t forget, there are also Thanksgiving-themed movies you can watch, too. If you have younger grandchildren, Free Birds, Turkey Hollow and Paul Blart: Mall Cop are great family-friendly holiday movies that are based around Thanksgiving. Other movies that are more fit for adults include Friendsgiving, Turkey Bowl, You’ve Got Mail and more. Trust us, this is one of the best things you can do after eating an entire delicious meal with your family!
Make Thanksgiving crafts. Wreaths, paper turkeys, fake leaves, oh my! The amount of Thanksgiving crafts a senior can do is endless. If you’re looking for some fun and crafty ideas to bring to life for the Thanksgiving holiday, click here. You’ll be able to find a lot of inspiration, as well as how-tos, for making some amazing crafts. Who knows, maybe they will end up as great gifts for your loved ones! Our suggestion is to make crafts that are easy and durable to ship to your loved ones in the event that they live farther away.
Watch football. This one is a guaranteed activity for many Americans during the Thanksgiving holiday. Seeing as football is one of America’s favorite pastimes, there are plenty of games that will be on this year. The matchups you can expect to see this year will be:
- Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions. 12:30 p.m. EST on FOX.
- Las Vegas Raiders at Dallas Cowboys. 4:30 p.m. EST on CBS.
- Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints. 8:20 p.m. EST on NBC.

Now, the real question is, who are you going to be rooting for?

Take holiday photos. This is something that many families do during the Thanksgiving holiday, and it’s mainly because this is the last time that they will all be together before the next wave of the holiday season begins. This way, the photos are the most up to date to prepare and send out to your loved ones.

Thanksgiving is one of the best holidays to spend with your family because it’s a great opportunity for you to share with them how much you appreciate having them in your lives and do things with them that you wouldn’t have been able to do at any other point in the year. Make sure to share this list of activities with your loved ones so that you can see which sounds like the most fun for your family to celebrate.

For more tips and tricks about the holiday season, make sure to visit The Best Senior Services’ (TBSS) blog page. We at TBSS strive to be the nation’s leading senior resource center. We aim to inspire and empower seniors to act on their retirement goals by utilizing our resources. If you’re interested in getting started with us today, visit our website to fill out a form or give us a call at 855-979-8277.

An Important Update Regarding Your Medicare

Posted on November 17, 2021November 17, 2021 by admin

When the New Year comes around, it’s a great opportunity for programs and services to hit the reset button and establish new guidelines. And when it comes to the 2022 calendar year, Medicare is one of those programs that will establish its own updated terms.

Medicare enrollees with higher incomes can expect to pay 14.5% more for their coverage once January rolls around.

This article is going to detail the changes that 2022 will bring to your Medicare Parts A & B premiums and deductibles, as well as Medicare Part D’s income-related monthly adjustment amounts. Those who will be most affected will be those of mid-to-higher incomes. These changes have been announced by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a federal agency that administers Medicare programs. We strongly encourage you to check out the detailed fact sheet here, as much of the information in this article will come directly from the CMS announcement.

Medicare Part B

Let’s start with what will affect the majority of seniors in 2022 — Medicare Part B. Medicare Part B covers doctors’ visits and are covered by monthly premiums. Although everyone’s Part B premiums will differ, the current standard premium for Part B is $148.50 per month. In 2022, that amount will increase by $21.60, making the new premium $170.10 per month. The current annual deductible for Part B beneficiaries is currently $203 per month, but that amount will increase by $30 in 2022, making the new annual deductible $233.

CMS outlined three reasons as to why these increases are occurring in its fact sheet. Aside from health care’s increasing demand, a large reason why premiums and deductibles are increasing is because Medicare is preparing to potentially take on a high-cost drug called Aduhelm, which is designed to treat those with Alzheimer’s disease. It must be clear that, though Medicare is including this as a contributing factor for the increase in premiums and deductibles, the National Coverage Determination analysis that began in July is still active, and coverage determination is still unknown.

Seven percent of Medicare recipients can expect to pay income-related charges. For seniors with high incomes and with Medicare Part B income-related monthly adjustment amounts, refer to the table below to understand what your premium will be. The table directly reflects CMS’ fact sheet.

Beneficiaries who file individual tax returns with modified adjusted gross income:	Beneficiaries who file joint tax returns with modified adjusted gross income:	Income-related monthly adjustment amount:	Total monthly premium amount:
Less than or equal to $91,000	Less than or equal to $182,000	$0.00	$170.10
Greater than $91,000 and less than or equal to $114,000	Greater than $182,000 and less than or equal to $228,000	$68.00	$238.10
Greater than $114,000 and less than or equal to $142,000	Greater than $228,000 and less than or equal to $284,000	$170.10	$340.20
Greater than $142,000 and less than or equal to $170,000	Greater than $284,000 and less than or equal to $340,000	$272.20	$442.30
Greater than $170,000 and less than $500,000	Greater than $340,000 and less than $750,000	$374.20	$544.30
Greater than or equal to $500,000	Greater than or equal to $750,000	$408.20	$578.30

For high income beneficiaries who are married and live with their spouse during the taxable year, but wish to file a separate return, refer to the table below, as taken directly from CMS:

Married and wish to file separate tax returns from spouse, with modified adjusted gross income:	Income-related monthly adjustment amount:	Total monthly premium amount:
Less than or equal to $91,000	$0.00	$170.10
Greater than $91,000 and less than $409,000	$374.20	$544.30
Greater than or equal to $409,000	$408.20	$578.30

Medicare Part A

Now that we’ve covered the changes to Medicare Part B, it’s important to also touch on what will be happening with Medicare Part A, which covers hospital costs. Most recipients of Part A do not have to pay a premium because they have acquired at least 40 quarters of “Medicare-covered” employment. This will continue to remain true as 2022 begins, meaning that if you have at least 40 quarters, you should not expect to pay an additional premium cost for Part A.

However, Medicare enrollees who do not have the full 40 quarters of Medicare-covered employment can expect an increase in their premiums. Those who have earned at least 30 quarters of coverage, or are married to someone who has acquired it, will see a $15 increase from $259 per month. Their new premium amount will total $274 per month. Those who have earned less than 30 quarters can expect to see a $28 increase in their premium, meaning their new monthly cost will total at $499 per month.

Now that you have a better understanding on how your premiums can potentially be impacted, it’s time to understand your deductible. According to CMS, the Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible will cover a “beneficiaries’ share of costs for the first 60 days or Medicare-covered inpatient hospital care in a benefit period.” Once 2022 rolls around, beneficiaries will have to pay $389 per day for the 61st through 90th day of their hospital stay. This is an $18 increase from 2021, where the amount is $371.

In 2021, the Part A inpatient hospital deductible that beneficiaries faced cost $1,484. In 2022, this amount will increase by $72, making the new deductible out to be $1,556.

Refer to the table below to get a clearer idea of the Part A Deductible and Coinsurance differences between 2021 and 2022.

	2021	2022
Inpatient hospital deductible	$1,484	$1,556
Daily coinsurance for 61st – 90th day	$371/day	$389/day
Daily coinsurance for lifetime reserve days	$742/day	$778/day
Skilled nursing facility coinsurance for 21st – 100th day	$185.50	$194.50

Medicare Part D

Unfortunately, Medicare Parts A and B aren’t the only parts that are going to be increasing. That’s right, in 2022, beneficiaries and enrollees with Medicare Part D can expect to see prices rise, too. Much like how Medicare Part B’s income-related monthly adjustment amounts affect 7% of its users, Part D’s income-related monthly adjustment amounts affect 8% of its users. In addition, Part D premiums will vary between recipients and their plans.

Refer to the table below to understand the 2022 Part D income-related adjustment amounts for beneficiaries with high incomes as outlined by CMS. These monthly adjustment amounts are deducted from beneficiaries’ Social Security checks.

Beneficiaries who fil individual tax returns with modified gross income:	Beneficiaries who file joint tax returns with modified adjusted gross income:	Income-related monthly adjustment amount:
Less than or equal to $91,000	Less than or equal to $182,000	$0.00
Greater than $91,000 and less than or equal to $114,000	Greater than $182,000 and less than or equal to $228,000	$12.40
Greater than $114,000 and less than or equal to $142,000	Greater than $228,000 and less than or equal to $284,000	$32.10
Greater than $142,000 and less than or equal to $170,000	Greater than $284,000 and less than or equal to $340,000	$51.70
Greater than $170,000 and less than $500,000	Greater than $340,000 and less than $750,000	$71.30
Greater than or equal to $500,000	Greater than or equal to $750,000	$77.90

Refer to the table below for a clearer understanding of the premiums for beneficiaries with high incomes and are married/living with their spouse during the taxable year, but wish to file a separate return, as outlined by CMS:

Married and wish to file separate tax returns from spouse, with modified adjusted gross income:	Income-related monthly adjustment amount
Less than or equal to $91,000	$0.00
Greater than $91,000 and less than $409,000	$71.30
Greater than or equal to $409,000	$77.90

What does this mean for you and/or your loved ones?

Simply put, this mass increase in premium, coinsurance and deductible prices means that you can expect to pay more toward your Medicare coverage. Totaled out, you should prepare to spend around $14 thousand toward Medicare this year — at the very least. You can still expect to receive the same services you’ve been getting, or that you’ve signed up for. The only thing that will be changing is how much these services will add up to.

However, it’s completely understandable and justified to feel shaken as a result of this announcement. And at The Best Senior Services, we want to assure you that any questions you have will be answered. We provide trusted information to educate you and other seniors on Medicare and other financial services. Our resources are free, easily accessible, and available 24/7.

If you have any questions that remain unanswered, feel free to contact us so that we can connect you with a local agent in your area who can answer any questions or concerns that you have. You can get started with us today by visiting our website or by calling us at 855-979-8277.

5 Reasons TBSS Can Help You

Posted on November 3, 2021 by admin

There are a lot of resources, both online and off, that are designed to help seniors prepare for retirement. Many of those resources are great because they prioritize those who utilize their products and services. Like these resources, The Best Senior Services (TBSS) is an online information hub that helps and prioritizes those who visit us.

Recently, The TBSS team came together to discuss important values and worries that seniors hold in retirement. After compiling a list of 50 values and worries, we’ve narrowed it down to four reasons as to how TBSS can help you during your retirement. Important things that seniors think about when preparing for retirement include the fear of being taken advantage of or scammed, understanding Medicare, wanting to find financial agents or help that they can trust, the desire to be respected and heard with kindness and financial security.

When addressing these values and fears, we came up with five reasons as to how we help you. These have quickly become core values of ours that are designed to help you.

In this article, we’re going to go over our five core values, mission statement and vision statement. We’re also going to discuss how they work to your advantage, so that you and your loved ones can better understand just how TBSS can help you.

Our core values

Our core values capture the idea of our beliefs and principles. We hold these values in high regard because, without them, we would not be able to operate honestly or efficiently.

Let’s jump right in and discuss what The Best Senior Services’ (TBSS) core values are, and what they mean for you and/or your loved ones.

TBSS only publishes truthful information. We will never advertise or endorse any message that is false or fraudulent.
The internet is a vast place that’s full of useful information, but it’s also a place full of useless This always leaves people feeling overwhelmed because they’re not sure what can be trusted. But when it comes to TBSS, you can rest easy knowing that all of the information that is being shown to you is accurate and truthful. This is because all of the information we get comes from trusted sources, such as official websites created by the United States federal government or university institutions. We also work closely with licensed agents who provide us reliable and truthful information that can be relayed to you. We ensure the information we publish is accurate so that you are able to maximize your visit with us and be prepared for retirement.
TBSS wants to give back to those who have helped raise us. This is why we give seniors the respect they deserve, so they know their questions and concerns are being taken seriously.

Whether you’re preparing for retirement or have already made the transition, you and your loved ones work hard to reach this stage in life, and that’s a large accomplishment that deserves praise. That’s why TBSS ensures that everyone who visits our website is treated with the utmost respect. Every visit to our website, or conversation with a representative, should be pleasant. If that’s not the case, we will quickly resolve the situation so that you’re satisfied. We’re grateful that you’re taking the time to visit with us, and we want you to know that!

TBSS aims to provide useful information that is applicable to all who come across it. We want seniors to realize how they can reclaim their financial status or continue to be successful in retirement so they can focus on the things that really matter to them.

Just like our information is truthful, it’s equally as useful. We want seniors to utilize what they learn on our website so that they can act on their financial status and retirement in ways that allow them to continue to be successful throughout their retirement years. You know that information is useful if it is accurate, but you also know that it’s useful if it’s current, understandable and full of detailed coverage. Making our information useful means making sure our information is filled with honest suggestions and topical plans of action so that you and your loved ones know where to go and what to do for further assistance.

TBSS will not sell or share any of the information disclosed to us with anyone else, outside of the agent we connect you with. Your information will always remain safe and protected.
Many fear that sharing their information online will result in it being sold to third parties, resulting in unwanted advertisements or, worse, scams. Let TBSS be the first to assure you that your information is not being shared with anyone outside of the direct, licensed agent you will be speaking with. Your information is also safe from being distributed to other businesses or companies, meaning you can safely visit our website and fill out a form knowing that your information will not be shared.
TBSS aims to educate seniors so they can go to a single, simple resource for help on Medicare and other financial services. We make our interface easy so seniors have a better understanding of their retirement.
There are many senior resources out there that are designed to help seniors throughout their retirement and more. We are constantly evaluating our website so that it is easy, understandable and well-designed, so that we become the dominant information-hub for seniors who are looking to learn more about Medicare, financial services and more. If you have any suggestions on how we can improve, don’t hesitate to reach out by calling us at 855-979-8277.

Our mission statement

The Best Senior Services (TBSS) informs and educates seniors about Medicare and other financial services while connecting them with local licensed agents, so they can spend less time worrying about retirement and more time enjoying it.

We firmly believe that mission statements reveal the values of a business, which is why we want to be open and honest about ours. We make our intentions and services clear so that no one is confused about how we can help by revealing our mission statement. We want to give back to seniors by helping them with their retirement in any way that we can, and we are happy to be able to do so.

Our vision statement

The Best Senior Services’ (TBSS) vision is to be the nation’s leading senior resource center. We strive to inspire and empower seniors to act on their retirement goals by utilizing our resources.

We are excited about the hard work we’ve put into this company, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t room for improvement and hope toward the future. We believe that vision statements help a planning process, and we have plans to reach every senior in the United States. We are just as honest about our vision statement as we are about our mission statement because we are thrilled to see how we will develop and excel in the future, and we want you to be along for the ride.

We at The Best Senior Services are excited by the thought of helping you reach your retirement goals, whether that be through providing you blogs to read or reaching out to you directly with one of the local, licensed agents we work with. You’ve earned your retirement by working hard and caring for your business and/or career. Now, it’s our turn to care for you throughout your retirement so that you can spend time focusing on the people, things and experiences that are important to you.

To learn more about TBSS, visit our website. You can get started with one of our agents today by filling out our form or calling us at 855-979-8277.

Halloween Activities to do With Your Grandchildren

Posted on October 20, 2021October 19, 2021 by admin

Halloween is coming up, and you know what that means: scary movies, pumpkins, trick-or-treating and more. Halloween is one of the most popular holidays celebrated in the United States, and for good reason — it is a fun way in which you can spend time with your family, especially your grandchildren. And if you’re close to your grandchildren, there are plenty of activities that they’ll want to do with you.

This article is going to cover all of the Halloween activities you can do with your grandchildren, whether you live near them or hours away.

In-person activities

If you live within a close proximity to your grandkids, there are multiple activities you can do to celebrate Halloween with them.

Pumpkin patch. Everyone loves pumpkin patches, and the great thing about that is because of their popularity, it’s easy to find one near you. Pumpkin patches offer a lot of different activities, from corn mazes to truck rides, and many of them sell food and beverages throughout the patch. And the best part? You get to pick out a couple of your favorite pumpkins to take home!
Bake Halloween treats. Baking is one of the best things that a senior can do with his or her grandchildren, and that’s because everyone has a chance to be involved with something, whether it be cracking the eggs or even just licking the batter off the spoon. Holiday treats include cookies, cake, brownies, caramel apples, candy corn cobs, monster truffles and more. There are multiple recipes that are circulating the internet that are tailored to any dietary restrictions you and/or your grandchildren may have, as well as fun designs that are easy to accomplish. Here is a list of some of the great Halloween treats that you can make with your loved ones.
Watch Halloween-themed movies. It’s likely that your grandchildren will not want to watch horror movies, like Halloween, and will opt for some family-friendly movies, instead. There are multiple family-friendly movies that are on streaming services like Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime and more. Take a look at their selections to see what your grandchildren would like to watch!
Carve and/or paint pumpkins. For all of the pumpkin lovers, there are multiple activities that you can do with them that are both fun and exciting. The most popular activity is carving the pumpkins. This may not be an activity you’ll want to do with your grandchildren if they’re young, as they can hurt themselves or lose steam fairly quickly. But if they’re older and show interest in this activity with you, then it’s a great way for them to let their creativity flow and make something unique. For a bonus treat, you can bake the pumpkin seeds that you scoop out. And for those who aren’t big into the carving game, you can also paint pumpkins. The great part about pumpkins is the fact that special paints aren’t needed to make a great, easy-to-see design. Inexpensive acrylic paint is a great tool that you can use for painting your pumpkins. And, as a bonus tip, we recommend leaving your pumpkin full and intact, rather than hollowed out. That way, it stays fresh for a lot longer and does not rot quickly.
Decorate. One of the best ways that you can prepare for Halloween is to decorate your home, and it’s more fun when you’re doing so with your grandchildren, for so many reasons. One reason is because it brings a sense of nostalgia. Down the lines, when your grandchildren are older, they’ll remember how much fun they had decorating with you. Another reason is because it’s a great opportunity for you to bond with your grandchildren. If your grandkids are younger, and you want to have them help out, give them soft decorations to put around your home, whether it be pillows, blankets or paper decorations.
Go trick-or-treating. If your grandchildren are younger, and you’re able to, this is one of the best activities that you can do with them. Halloween night is something that children look forward to all year, and this is a night in which they will be the most excited about the holiday. They may also need some extra help carrying their candy buckets or pillow cases!
Halloween crafts. Crafts are great ways for your grandchildren to show their creative side with no limitations. Here is a list of Halloween crafts that are easy, and fun, for your grandchildren to do. A great benefit for Halloween crafts is the fact that you can then turn these crafts into decoration that you can use for years to come. They’ll also serve as reminders for your grandchildren in future years about the things that you did together, which will leave them feeling as nostalgic as they would about when you decorated together.
Dress up. Dressing up is one of the best parts about Halloween, and it’s a great way to spend time with your grandchildren. Go online or to a local store to see what costumes are available for both you and your grandkids to dress up in. And the best part about this activity? There are other Halloween activities you can do on top of dressing up, like visiting the pumpkin patch, decorating or carving pumpkins.
Go to haunted houses. You’ll have to do some research on the haunted houses in your area so that you can find one that’s right for you and your family. If your grandchildren are younger, you’ll want to find a “mild” haunted house that is designed for families to explore. If your grandchildren are older, and want to visit a haunted house that’s a little more intense, then you’ll want to find a haunted house that fits those expectations. However, there are some houses that are a lot more intense than others, so it’s important to look into the reviews so that you understand what you’re into. And if the house has any warnings in regard to health, make sure to follow those rules so that you can prioritize your health, too.

Online and/or video chat activities

Halloween activities are a lot of fun to do, especially with your grandchildren, but that doesn’t mean that it requires seeing each other in-person. If you live in a different state from your grandchildren, or are taking social distancing precautions, there are online and/or video chat activities that you can still do with your grandchildren.

Read Halloween books. If you have access to FaceTime, Zoom or Skype, you can hop online with your grandkids and read to them as many Halloween books as you’d like. The great part about doing this virtually is the fact that you can do this with all of your grandkids, if you’d like, no matter where they are. So if your grandchildren are dispersed all throughout the country, then you’ll be able to speak with all of them at once, thanks to the power of technology. Now, the only hard part is, choosing books that they’ll all agree with!
Host a virtual pumpkin carving competition. You can do this in two ways. The first is to play an online game with your grandchildren in which you carve virtual pumpkins. You can also hop on a video chat with your grandchildren in which you all carve pumpkins of your own, and judge which you consider to be the best.
Play Halloween-themed games online. Although some are single-player games, there are quite a few Halloween-themed games that are meant to be played amongst multiple players. And it’s very likely that your grandchildren enjoy playing online games, so this is a great way to spend time with them and ensure they’re entertained. There are multiple websites that have Halloween games that are family-friendly and easy-to-play, but to get started, here is a website that has a few of those games.
Halloween crafts. Halloween crafts are one of the things that you can do both in-person, and while you’re apart. Video chatting with your grandchildren and bonding with them while you both prepare Halloween crafts is a great way to spend the holiday, especially because they will remember the fact that you’ve taken the time to spend time with them, even if you couldn’t be there in-person.
Virtual drinks. If your grandchildren are at least 21 years old, but you’re unable to meet up, having drinks together on Skype, FaceTime or Zoom is a great way to catch up and talk about the holiday. And the greatest part about it? There are multiple Halloween-themed cocktails and drinks that you can make together. Here is a list of Halloween drink recipes that you and your grandchildren can try out.

Spending time with your grandchildren is an enriching experience. No matter what activities you do, there are lots of ways in which you can enjoy the Halloween season with your loved ones.

For more holiday or retirement tips, make sure to visit The Best Senior Services (TBSS). Our mission at TBSS is to inform and educate seniors about Medicare and other financial services while connecting them with local licensed agents, so they can spend less time worrying about retirement and more time enjoying it. You can get started with us today by visiting our website or calling us at 855-979-8277.

Health Supplements You’ll Need

Posted on October 6, 2021 by admin

Throughout life, we’ve all been advised of health-related lifestyles to look into, whether it be trying new diets, exercises or healing methods. And when we’re younger, we’re able to do things as we see fit. But now that we’re getting older, it’s probably a good idea to start listening to some of the things that we can take to boost our health, like supplements.

There are thousands of supplements out there that are designed to boost different areas of your body. But, overall, supplements are designed to give you the nutrients that you otherwise would not receive as a normal part of your diet and daily routine.

This article is designed to fill you in on the supplements you may want to consider, what their benefits are and how you can find them. Before we begin, however, we recommend confirming each suggested supplement with your doctor to ensure it will provide you desired results in a safe manner. Let’s get started.

The basics

Let’s start out with the baseline supplements that many seniors should consider. These are going to be your vitamins (specifically Vitamin D) and calcium. These two supplements are extremely important to have, despite being your baseline needs. This is because they help strengthen your bones and, as a result, reduce bone loss. The best way in which you can consume calcium is by drinking your preferred type of milk (2%, oat milk, coconut milk, etc.). It is important to know, though, that different types of milk will have varying levels of calcium in them. And as for Vitamin D, you can purchase it at affordable prices at your local grocery store or pharmaceutical.

Another basic supplement that you should consider is fish oil. Fish oil contains omega-3 fatty acids. Its primary function is to help soothe inflammation throughout your body, as well as help treat those with Rheumatoid Arthritis or high blood pressure. Although fish oil has some great benefits for your body, it’s important to discuss this supplement with your doctor, as there are also some downsides to this product. Most notably, taking too much fish oil — or taking it too frequently — will hinder your blood’s abilities to form clots and could cause gastrointestinal bleeding.

You want to consider basic supplements because they provide baseline strength and health to your body, which is an essential thing to have as you age. This is because you will remain active for the things that matter the most, whether it be exercising or simply spending time with your family and friends.

Nutritious supplements

There are some dietary supplements that are nutritious for seniors and meant to boost health and/or lower risk of health problems. These supplements can come in many different forms, varying between pills, powders, tablets, liquids and more.

Both of the basic supplements we’ve mentioned are nutritious supplements, but there are others that focus on your health as well, including Vitamin B12, antioxidants (like Vitamins C and E) and herbal (meaning plant-based) supplements.

Vitamin B12 can be found naturally in some foods and is available as a dietary supplement. Its main purpose is to provide healthy growth to one’s central nervous system. But according to the National Institute of Health, it doesn’t stop there. It’s also important for the formation of healthy red blood cells and DNA synthesis, which is the creation of your DNA’s molecules. Another perk to taking Vitamin B12 is the fact that, no matter how much you take, you should generally be safe. This is because your body will soak in what dose of it is needed and do away with the rest. However, this does not mean that you should take copious amounts of this. The recommended amount for those everyone over the age of 19 is 2.4 mcg.

For those who want to ensure that they are getting a healthy dose of Vitamin B12, it can mainly be found in pill or tablet form and can be purchased at any grocery store or pharmacy.

As a senior, your health is paramount. That’s why it’s also important for you to consider taking antioxidants, too. Some benefits of antioxidants include the enhancement of your cognitive health as well as your immune system, which, in turn, can slow the aging process for some. Other benefits include preserving eyesight and protection from eye diseases, like cataracts. They’re also known to lower the stress levels of those who regularly consume them.

Many common foods are rich with antioxidants, like blueberries, pomegranates, green and black tea, citrus fruits, dark chocolate, vegetables and more. But those who are interested in taking it in pill-form or gummy-form can do so through their grocery store or pharmacy. However, it is recommended that those who do so should take low doses, as there can be some risks to taking the pills, especially for those who are otherwise healthy. These risks include lower exercise benefits as well as the increased risk of some cancers. Speak with your doctor before acquiring them to discuss what benefits and risks are specific to you.

Other nutritious supplements include herbal supplements. Herbal supplements are supplements that are plant-based and designed to protect those from illnesses or healing infections and wounds and are often considered as optional. They’re also great aids for those who are looking to break any fevers they have developed. Herbal supplements can range anywhere from flaxseed and ginkgo to chamomile and even garlic. The list of what qualifies as herbal supplements is endless, really. And because the list is long, benefits can range.

Let’s take the aforementioned chamomile and garlic for an example. Chamomile aids in sleep quality as well as anxiety reduction. Garlic, on the other hand, can help those with high blood pressure reduce oxidative stress. If there is a specific herbal supplement that interests you, make sure to research its provided benefits and risks.

Although many love using herbal supplements, others are skeptical. It’s important to know that these supplements are regulated by the United States’ Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but according to the Mayo Clinic, a nonprofit American academic medical center, they aren’t as heavily regulated as prescription drugs or those that are found over-the-counter. Just like with any supplements, there are potential risks of consuming too much or too little. However, understanding these risks shouldn’t diminish the benefits that they do have. For those who are weary of using herbal supplements, speak with your doctor and see what he or she recommends.

Fiber supplements

One key thing that our bodies need is fiber. And, believe it or not, matching your body’s need for fiber is a lot harder than you would think. Fiber is needed throughout the body so that you can fight against high blood pressure, inflammation or high amounts of lipids, or fats, throughout your body, too. Not to mention, fiber is essential for providing your body with enough insulin. In the event that there isn’t enough insulin in your body, glucose is unable to reach your cells and will remain in your bloodstream, which brings us back to the original problem of high blood pressure.

The best way to ensure that you’re getting enough fiber is to eat fiber-rich foods, like vegetables, popcorn, fruit or chia seeds. You can also take fiber supplements that can be found in any grocery store or pharmacy.

There is one important thing to note when considering taking fiber supplements: although fiber is an important supplement that seniors need, the same cannot be guaranteed with iron supplements. In fact, iron supplements may not be the best supplement for seniors to take at all. Taking in too much iron will damage your liver, heart and pancreas. If you are worried that neglecting iron will develop into anemia, speak with your doctor about a recommended plan of action.

Supplements are crucial to leading a healthy life and fighting off signs of aging. That’s why it’s equally as important to consider taking some. Remember, though, that you must take these supplements in healthy quantities and doses so that you are not ingesting too much or too little. Doing so will bring forth more risks than benefits.

For any other retirement-related questions, let The Best Senior Services (TBSS) help. Our mission is to inform and educate seniors about Medicare and other financial services while connecting them with local licensed agents, so they can spend less time worrying about retirement and more time enjoying it. We aim to be the nation’s leading senior resource center and strive to inspire and empower seniors to act on their retirement goals by utilizing our resources.

To read more articles, visit our blog page. Or to get started with us, visit our website or call us at 855-979-8277.

Where is Your Local Senior Center?

Posted on September 30, 2021September 28, 2021 by admin

Senior centers are all across the United States, and they’re gaining in popularity. Hundreds of thousands of seniors have memberships to their local senior centers, where they’re able to relax (or even challenge themselves!) in the company of their friends and family.

But there is still so much unknown about senior centers, especially for those who are unfamiliar with them and just getting to know what they are. In this article, we’re going to explain what senior centers are, how to locate your closest one, what the typical membership requirements are and what the benefits to becoming a member are.

Let’s dive right in by further explaining what senior centers are, as well as what their purpose is.

What are senior centers?

The great thing about senior centers is the fact that they’re exactly what they sound like: centers for seniors. However, a more detailed explanation of what they are will tell you that they are community centers for seniors to network, exercise, participate in games and activities, and more. Each senior center’s purpose is to help seniors maintain their independence in a safe environment with the support of staff and other members.

You may find that your senior center will offer some — or all — of the typical services that most offer. These services can include:

Meals,
Games, classes and activities (like bingo, arts and crafts, educational activities, etc.),
Exercise and fitness activities/equipment,
Volunteer opportunities,
Employment aid and more.

How can I locate the one closest to me?

There are a lot of ways in which you can locate your closest senior center, but the easiest way is to type in a quick search online. This will outline all of the senior centers in your area, how far away they are, their hours of operation, as well as directions as to how to drive to them. Doing so will also pull up a list of the senior centers’ websites so that you can look around to see which is the best center that is fit for you.

You can also locate your local senior center by looking at your city’s directory and seeing where it is located.

What are their membership requirements?

Each senior center will have a different set of requirements that an individual must meet in order to become a member, which is why it’s important to check with your local center to see what its specific requirements are. This is done to make sure that the centers do not become overcrowded and, as a correlation result, understaffed. However, the most common requirement is, of course, the age limit. Although some senior centers allow members to be as young as 50, others will have older age requirements, like 55, 60 or even 65.

It’s also common to find that most senior centers will have annual (or even monthly) dues that must be paid to the organization in order to maintain your membership status. In addition to the dues, some centers may have zoning requirements. This means that if you live in Town A, and the senior center you wish to join is in Town B, you may not meet the requirements, or you will have to pay an additional fee for living outside of Town B’s zone. This may make it difficult for those who are in need of transportation, as transportation may only be available within the city the senior center is located, so it’s important to inquire about that as you research senior centers to join.

Benefits of getting a membership

It will be no surprise to know that there are a lot of benefits to getting a membership at a senior center. That’s because they’re designed to be loaded with advantages for seniors. The benefits can range, so let’s waste no time in understanding what they are.

First and foremost, you’re surrounded by people who are close to your age, which is a great feature. Think about it. Many people enjoyed their time at college because they were surrounded by individuals who were similar to them in age and interests, and senior centers are no different because many seniors who join are doing so to remain active and involved. And when you are in a safe environment like a senior center, it becomes a lot easier to make great friends who you can spend time with.

Another benefit to senior center memberships is the fact that you’re able to get healthier and stay active, in both the physical and mental sense. There are multiple activities and exercises available that are designed to keep you and other seniors healthy, as well as a lot of educational programs and classes that you can take if you’re interested in learning a new skill or lesson.

Not to mention, a lot of these activities give you an opportunity to get involved in your community. That’s because a lot of the ventures or projects you can work on are volunteering opportunities that directly benefit your local community, whether it be gardening or reading programs. You can find out more about these activities by taking a look at the classes your center has scheduled and determining which is the best fit for you.

A third benefit to a membership is that it expands your ability to go out for the day. Some seniors are quick to get tired of being in the same environment on a constant basis, especially if they spend all of their time at home. Senior centers are great places to get away for the day so that you can busy yourself with other things to do, no matter how relaxing or stimulating it may be. Not to mention, if you find your home to be a comfortable space for you, your local senior center is a short distance away, meaning you don’t have to go far away from your home to enjoy your day. And, similar to a gym membership, it’s up to you how frequently you wish to go — you do not have to commit to visiting it every day.

Finally, one of the best benefits to senior centers is the added transportation. Although you will have to contact your local center to confirm whether they offer transportation, it’s likely that they are able to provide that accommodation. This is great for any senior who does not want to drive him or herself but would otherwise have trouble finding a reliable ride.

Senior centers are great ways in which you can stay active and involved within your community while being in a safe environment. Like we mentioned before, their overall purpose is to help seniors maintain their independence in a healthy way. The greatest benefits to having a membership you’re your local center are:

Being surrounded by those close to you in age and interests,
Staying healthy and active within your community,
Having a place to go to get away for the day and
Having reliable transportation.

Check with your local senior center if you have any questions regarding specifics, like membership requirements, transportation, membership fees and more. This will help you better understand whether it’s a center you’ll want to join, or if you should look into others first. Trust us, you’ll be glad you did!

For any further other questions pertaining to your retirement, don’t hesitate to reach out to The Best Senior Services (TBSS). We at TBSS strive to educate seniors about Medicare and other financial services so that you can spend less time worrying about your retirement and more time enjoying it. You can get started with us today by visiting our website or calling us at 855-979-8277.