Our senior issue 2023

Wrinkles aside, we seniors aren’t much different from the rest

Donna Mullins is a retired social worker for the state of Michigan who lives in East Lansing. She volunteers for the Lansing chapter of the League of Women Voters.
Over one-sixth of our country is made up of people over 65. I’m a member of that group. And I am one of the lucky ones. I have a pension, social security and retirement investments that give me an income that matches my working income.
Victor Lyons, 61, of Lansing, in the tent encampment he calls home.

Lansing is part of a national crisis of homeless seniors

Nearly two years ago, Victor Lyons was working as a roofer. During a job, he stepped on a nail. The wound became infected, and Lyons landed in the hospital. The infection took the 61-year-old man’s left leg, and he found himself struggling to learn how to walk again.
Prime Time Seniors Program participants learn to play ukulele.

Seniors socialize, find balance through East Lansing’s Prime Time

Older people in my family have a simple, uplifting mantra when it comes to aging: never get old. My grandmother quipped this for nearly 40 years before passing at age 92. And now my parents quote our ancestral adage, even though their retirement activities so far have included earning a doctorate degree and hiking the Appalachian trail, respectively.
“Older adults are at a higher risk for adverse cannabis reactions,” said Dr. Benjamin Han, a geriatrician and co-author of the study. “This is likely due to a combination of greater sensitivity and being unfamiliar with newer forms of the drug

Practice caution when using cannabis

According to research, the Baby Boomer generation has been rolling its own fair share of joints over the last few years. In the 2012 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 1.4% of adults over the age of 65 reported using marijuana during the past year. In the 2021 survey, that number increased to a little over 7%.
Read the senior issue

The rise and fall of Kewpee Hamburgers

Courtesy of Gary Flinn
Author Gary Flinn’s new book, “Kewpee Hamburgers: A Mity Nice History,” tells the full story of one of the nation’s oldest hamburger chains, which still has a handful of locations throughout the Midwest.

Autumn Weston is the fourth-generation owner of Weston’s Kewpee Sandwich Shoppe, which opened in downtown Lansing in 1924. She recognizes this as an important milestone for both her family and the city as a whole.

Theater life provides enrichment for seniors

Starlight Dinner Theatre performs shows that cater to older audiences, such as its production of “Calendar Girls” in 2018. They tend to be classics with little cursing or sex, in comparison to the more cutting-edge, in-your-face works other theaters produce.

Bob Robinson has been active in the Greater Lansing theater community since the “early ‘80s.” He was a co-founder of Grand Ledge’s now-defunct Spotlight Theatre  alongside the late Len Kluge, who was also a theater reviewer for City Pulse. But at 75, Robinson’s life has changed dramatically.

Other news about seniors

TD Bank outlines four key aspects of choosing a Medicare plan to help you navigate the complexities of the program. 

TD Bank outlines four key aspects of choosing a Medicare plan to help you navigate the complexities of the program. 
Read more.

Top 10 states with the healthiest seniors

SmartAsset ranked all states (except for Florida, for which data was not available) on health metrics across the population aged 65 and older, including obesity, smoking, arthritis, mental distress, disability status, and more, to find where seniors are healthiest.

3 ways to plan for a satisfying and successful retirement

Wealth Enhancement Group outlines three ways to get the most out of retirement.

7 common and not-so-common health care costs retirees should know about

TD Bank breaks down 7 common and not-so-common health care costs retirees should be aware of.

Seniors in these states have the highest Alzheimer's rates

Stacker mapped states by the share of the 65+ population estimated to have Alzheimer's disease, using data released by the Alzheimer's Association.

Pacemaker powered by light eliminates need for batteries and allows the heart to function more naturally − new research

By harnessing light, my colleagues and I designed a wireless, ultrathin pacemaker that operates like a solar panel. This design not only eliminates the need for batteries but also minimizes disruptions to the heart’s natural function by molding to its contours. …

You may be eligible for additional dose of the COVID-19 vaccine

(BPT) - As COVID-19 continues to circulate in our communities, it has become apparent that the virus is here to stay, and that getting infected is possible year-round.Staying up to date with your …

Pack Your Bags: Four Ways to Save on Spring Getaways

(BPT) - The verdict is in, Punxsutawney Phil said spring is early this year — and that means it’s time to start planning for spring travel. While the goal of most trips is to relax, …

Combatting Loneliness in Older Adults

(Family Features) The bonds found in friendships and other relationships are an important factor in health and wellness - even science says so. As people age, the risks of isolation increase.

Easy Ideas to Stretch Your Retirement Budget: Ways seniors can save on enjoyable activities

(Family Features) You probably already know staying active is essential for aging with grace, so instead of letting limited funds keep you at home, explore some ways you can enjoy your leisure time without breaking the bank.

More multiple myeloma patients eligible for stem cell transplantation

(BPT) - Article is sponsored and developed by BioLineRx USA, Inc.Receiving a cancer diagnosis is overwhelming. There is a lot to learn while navigating numerous emotions. It’s always important …

3 Ways to Support Veterans in Your Community

(Family Features) As a group, United States military veterans have played an important role in protecting the rights and freedoms enjoyed today.

Removing barriers of care for U.S. veterans who need surgery

(BPT) - During the month of November, we honor our nation's veterans for their hard work and dedication to protect everyone's freedoms. It's also an important time to recognize their freedom and …

Phony Investment “Opportunities” Can Cost You Big, Say U.S. Postal Inspectors

(NAPSI)—Huge returns and little to no risk? Who wouldn’t want an investment opportunity like that? If you receive a pitch by phone, mail or email that makes such incredible financial promises as …

ProExpo Hosts Free Event to Promote Health and Wellness for Seniors in Las Vegas

ProExpo Hosts Free Event to Promote Health and Wellness for Seniors in Las Vegas
(Michael Galavia, NewsUSA Reporter) - ProExpo Free Community Events will be organizing a LivingWell Senior Expo - Durango Hills YMCA - Friday, March 29, 202 from 10:00am -1:00 pm at Durango Hills …

Celebrating Women Veterans: 5 meaningful ways to pay tribute

(Family Features) Veterans play an important role in U.S. history. Today, women comprise 11% of the veteran population. You can honor women veterans in your community with simple acts of appreciation like these.

Don't let shingles interrupt your ability to thrive - learn more about your risk

(BPT) - In 2020, Cassandra was making the most out of her full, busy life. At age 60, her active social calendar included spending plenty of time with friends and family, especially her three grown …

How Medicare Advantage addresses the social drivers of health

(BPT) - As a health care navigator at UnitedHealthcare, John wears many hats. Some days are spent helping members locate physicians in their area or better understanding their benefits, while others …

What retina specialists want you to know about AMD to save sight

(BPT) - You may know that age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can lead to vision loss and that the condition is often diagnosed in older people, but did you know there are two types of AMD? And, …

Do you have high cholesterol? You may be able to join a clinical research study.

(BPT) - Sponsored by MerckMany people struggle to lower their cholesterol, even though there are medicines available that can help lower LDL-C (the “bad” cholesterol).High cholesterol, if …

Living with untreated sleep apnea? Clinical trial needs participants for a new study

(BPT) - If you are one of the more than 35 million Americans who are estimated to have obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), you already know how disruptive it can be to your life. While OSA is one of the …

How one patient with multiple myeloma and his caregiver navigated stem cell transplant

(BPT) - Article is sponsored and developed by BioLineRx USA, Inc.Mike led an active life. For years, he had attended outdoor exercise classes, played pickleball, biked, hiked and went on daily walks …

3 Important Things to Think About During Open Enrollment Season — and Beyond

(BPT) - It's that time of year again — time to assess some important life maintenance duties to prepare for the year ahead, starting with your annual health care benefits review for both you …
A provider of high-quality primary care and value-based care programs for senior living organizations works with state and local officials, healthcare stakeholders and facility operators in Iowa, to improve post-acute and long-term care for the state’s aging population.

Improved Post-Acute and Long-Term Care for Iowa’s Seniors

(NAPS)—Long-term care access and delivery has been a challenge in Iowa for years, with the pandemic hitting the state particularly hard, resulting in spiraling staffing shortages and facility …
Not only is it good aerobic exercise, but dancing may help the elderly with reasoning skills and memory.

Kick up your heels – ballroom dancing offers benefits to the aging brain and could help stave off dementia

The big idea: Social ballroom dancing can improve cognitive functions and reduce brain atrophy in older adults who are at increased risk for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. …
Shoot for the Stars When It Comes to Medicare Advantage

Shoot for the Stars When It Comes to Medicare Advantage

(NewsUSA) - By Alan Stewart, SVP, Medicare Divisional Leader, Humana - If you’re one of the nation’s 58.6 million people with Medicare, you understand the importance of selecting a health …

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