Archive for category: Medicare News

En español | WASHINGTON— The September issue of AARP Bulletin offers readers the latest consumer news updates and stories, from how scammed money could be recovered to the ways older adults are shaping American industries.

The following are highlights from this month’s Bulletin:

Cover Story: How We Are Changing America

Older Americans are shaking up the country in both obvious and hidden ways. From altering America’s workforce to demanding better healthcare options to influencing how retailers operate and what they sell,  older adults are pushing for an America that is better prepared for their needs as they age. The growing number of older adults ensures these changes will continue through the economy, culture, and society. This month’s cover story looks at this phenomenon one economic sector at a time.

Your Money: A New Way to Get Fast Cash

Need a few hundred dollars to tide you over to your next paycheck? Many Americans now have a better option than extremely risky storefront “payday” loans. Many major U.S. banks now offer “small dollar loans,” but what’s the catch? Learn everything you need to know about these new loans in this month’s Your Money.

Fraud Watch: Get Back What’s Yours

Recovering what you lost to scammers is a long shot. But that’s starting to change. New efforts by law enforcement officials, banks, payment apps and gift card companies are clawing back some funds lost in a wide variety of scams. This makes reporting fraud more important than ever. Read this month’s Fraud Watch to get up to date on the latest efforts and reporting tips to recover your stolen money.

Your Health: A Ministroke Is a Big Deal

A ministroke might sound small, but the implications are often serious. Recognizing the symptoms could help prevent brain damage and even save your life. In this issue, learn how to identify symptoms, what you should do right away, and how to evaluate your risk in years to come.

Your Life: A Need for Companion Care

What do you do if the caregiving support your loved one needs isn’t medical? A caregiver who offers companionship – rather than health support – can aid with the everyday tasks, like cooking, transportation, and errands. Read this month’s issue to learn more about the benefits of this unique arrangement as well as tips for finding a provider.

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About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.

WASHINGTON—Actress and singer Sheryl Lee Ralph may be winning over new audiences, but her renown has been decades in the making. The iconic star opens up about her expansive career from Broadway to the beloved series Abbott Elementary and how it felt to win her first Emmy award at age 65 in the August/September issue of AARP The Magazine (ATM).

From starring in the original Broadway production of Dreamgirls to her current role as a strict but loving teacher in Abbott Elementary, Ralph has always used passion as the drive behind her work. She shares her experience challenging the entertainment industry early in her career by pushing for roles for Black actresses, fighting for the representation that was long overdue and inspiring others in the process. She reveals how a shared passion with her husband, Pennsylvania Senator Vincent Hughes, of fighting for education was the motivator behind her role on Abbott. 

Ralph also shares the secret behind graceful aging – taking care of yourself by preparing for longevity and embracing change by not being afraid to sometimes let the younger generation take the lead. It is this positivity and wisdom that drove the legendary Ralph to win her first Emmy last year, proving to the world that it is never too late to go after what you want and for your career to reach new heights.

The following are excerpts from ATM’s August/September 2023 cover story featuring Sheryl Lee Ralph. The issue is available in homes starting in July and online now at www.aarp.org/magazine/.

On winning her first Emmy, Screen Actors Guild Award, Critics Choice Award, and more this past year:

“This has been an amazing year. I never keep a bucket list, but every time another award came through, my friends would say, ‘You checked another one off of the list.’ It just shows that if you really have a dream, you can make it come true.”

On collaborating with Quinta Brunson on Abbott Elementary and her passion for education:

“She’s just a genius to me. She has alchemy. I had worked with her on HBO’s A Black Lady Sketch Show, and she wanted me for the pilot of Abbott. Then I read the script and loved that it was shining a light on educators. My husband, Vincent Hughes, is a state senator in Pennsylvania, and he has been talking about education for years. Why is it we don’t realize that all children in America deserve education? Their zip code should not determine whether they get that or not.”

On paving the way for future generations:

“For me, that’s what aging looks like. When I started as an actress, my road really wasn’t there. I had to bust rocks to create my road. And now that road is there for my kids and other people’s kids to travel.”

On fighting for representation for Black actresses on screen:

“I also sought roles that hadn’t been thought of – but should have been. In the early ’90s, Designing Women was a hit, but it was a show about Southern women with no Black women in it. I met Designing producer Harry Thomason at an event, walked right up to him and said, ‘You need a Black woman on your show.’ The next day, he hired me.”

On her son Etienne’s near-death experience:

“He got mugged, and they shot him three times. He woke up in the hospital with two bullets in his leg and a wound in his forehead where a bullet had grazed him. When I heard he’d been shot, I collapsed and dropped the phone. I didn’t even listen to the rest. But they didn’t kill him, thank God.”

On sexual harassment in the entertainment industry:

“On a trip to Vegas with a producer, I was supposed to have my own room, but there was no room for me—just one room, just one bed. And he said, ‘This is all you have to do.’ Oh, that’s all? Really? No thanks.” 

On preparing for longevity:

“My father used to tell me, ‘You’re going to live a long time, so you’ve got to take care of yourself. Eat properly. Exercise.’ My life has been about preparing for longevity. Finding my joy, making great choices for me, understanding that life is not always fair. Sometimes it’s your day. Sometimes it’s not your day. But if it’s a good day or a bad day, you’ve got to thank God because you got a day.”

On the key to a successful long-distance marriage:

“You have to have an incredible amount of trust in that other person. We spend a lot of time talking to each other. But if he doesn’t see me every two weeks, he gets a little nervous. I married the man who has become my best friend.”

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About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media.

WASHINGTON—The June/July 2023 issue of AARP The Magazine (ATM) reminds readers that age is evolution – from Hip-Hop celebrating its 50th year as a cultural movement to your favorite celebrities reflecting on the wisdom they’ve gained over the years.

Emmy Award-winning singer and actress Ann-Margret shares why she doesn’t like talking about her relationship with Elvis and how she reacted to being spoofed on Saturday Night Live. New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand reveals that she is coming to the end of her beloved 22-book series of Nantucket summer novels and is about to start new adventures. And 50 years after a back-to-school party in the Bronx became a cultural phenomenon, we celebrate the lasting impact and incredible legacy of Hip-Hop music and the culture it created.

Plus, how to perform a comprehensive self-exam just by looking in the mirror; how stress affects older bodies differently than in your 20s or 30s; the secret escapes of several prominent Americans; and a look into how the death of a patient led to the discovery of health insurance fraud that investigators said totaled some $80 million being stolen from insurers and Medicare.  

In this issue of AARP The Magazine:

What I Know Now – Ann-Margret

Emmy Award-winning singer and actress Ann-Margret talks about keeping her relationship with Elvis under wraps and how she doesn’t mind being called a sex symbol. She also discusses singing “Baby Won’t You Please Come Home” to John F. Kennedy and her 50-year relationship with her husband and manager Roger Smith.

The A List – Elin Hilderbrand

New York Times bestselling author Elin Hilderbrand shares seven life lessons she has learned throughout her life and career, from knowing when to put down the pen and retire to nurturing her passion for reading by taking on the new role of becoming a book influencer.

50 Years of Hip-Hop!

A far cry from its humble beginnings at a house party in the Bronx, Hip-Hop has taken over the world 50 years later. A certified cultural movement, it has embedded itself into all aspects of life from music to TV, fashion, and more. Check out all the ways Hip-Hop has impacted the world with its far-reaching influence that prevails today.

Your Bathroom Mirror Self-Exam

You can find out a lot about your health just by looking in the mirror! From your eyes to your toes, learn what signs and symptoms to look for and how to look for them, as well as who to call if you find anything out of the ordinary.

Stress and the 50-Plus Body

Important news: The chemical reactions that make up a stressful moment have a much different effect on the human body as we age. But as we get older, we also grow new defenses against stress attacks. Discover the fascinating ways age affects stress and discover the most effective tools to cope with life’s challenges as you pass through your 50s, 60s and 70s.

How to Predict the Future

Sure, we mostly get how inflation, interest and employment rates affect the economy’s future. But economic indicators come in all shapes and forms. Discover how researchers use garbage, hairstyles, cardboard boxes and other obscure info to determine your financial future.

My Happy Place

What is your favorite place in America, the location you go to feel the greatest peace and joy? We asked that of Gayle King, David Sedaris, former astronaut Ellen Ochoa and several other prominent Americans. Their answers not only will surprise you but also motivate you to get on the road again and reconnect with America.

The $80 Million Health Care Fraud

One day a patient entered a doctor’s office in a town along the Hudson River, some 50 miles north of New York City, to receive treatment for a stiff neck and she wound up dead. Months later, investigations into her death would lead to the uncovering of a massive healthcare fraud scheme out of this clinic that cost Medicare and insurers an estimated $80 million. From double billing, unnecessary treatments, and lethal malpractice, find out how insurance fraud not only affects the U.S. economy every year, but affects your everyday life as well.

 

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About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/about-aarp/, www.aarp.org/español or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspañol and @AARPadvocates on social media.

WASHINGTON—The May issue of AARP Bulletin offers readers a slew of the latest consumer news updates and stories – from the latest rising AI scam to navigating the changes of the retail landscape. The following are highlights from this month’s Bulletin:

Cover Story: The Brave New World of Shopping

You could argue that shopping never really changes – you browse, select, pay, and occasionally, if it doesn’t work out, you return. But look into how you do any of those tasks, and you realize everything about shopping has changed. In this fascinating and unique report, AARP details the full breadth of today’s retail advances, both online and in-store, that can make shopping faster, easier, cheaper and yes – more enjoyable. From the most useful shopping apps to cash-back rewards to latest in-store tools and experiences, our Bulletin shopping researchers offer all the tips you need to know that may help maximize your dollars in this shifting retail landscape.

Fraud Watch: AI Gives Scammers A Scary New Tool

The next time you get a frantic phone call from a loved one asking for money, you may want to check twice before helping. Artificial intelligence has opened a new door for scammers, making it easy to replicate almost anyone’s voice and speaking style from a short audio sample. This month, learn all about this growing scam and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim.

Your Money: Debt-Defying Credit Card Strategies

Americans are racking up credit card debt at record levels, and given the inflation rate, it’s easy to understand why. In this issue, we give you four approaches to tackle your credit card balance and get your finances back on track.

Your Health: How to Help Master Online Health Research

Whether it’s an unexpected doctor’s diagnosis, a strange new symptom, or shocking new remedy a friend tells you about, all of us frequently research health topics online. But so much “info” on the Internet is incorrect, bogus or actually just marketing, presented as “objective” info. Our guide to doing effective online health research details websites you can trust, search processes that work, and how you can detect if a source is or isn’t safe or legitimate.

Your Health: Why Walking is So Good for Your Brain

Take your brain health into your own hands – or, should we say, feet! Lacing up your sneakers and hitting the road for a walk—especially outdoors—is proven to be powerful medicine for your brain. Read this month’s Your Health to learn how taking regular walks may help improve your mood, memory, and more.  

 

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About AARP

AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media.

WASHINGTON—The April/May 2023 issue of AARP The Magazine (ATM) reminds readers to always look forward to the future and to not only prepare for but embrace what’s next. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Graham Nash offers lessons he’s learned throughout his career, both musically and personally, such the importance of reconciliation ­– something he was just beginning to do with longtime friend and bandmate David Crosby just prior to his passing. Tony Award-winning Broadway star Chita Rivera reveals the different sides of herself and shares how she spent her 90^th birthday with a bang. You can also quiz yourself on your financial security and learn how to improve your financial self-awareness with the AARP Money Quiz.

Plus, how to plan a grand family vacation and a special report on why, on average, we are at our highest weight in our 50s and the health implications of that.

In this issue of AARP The Magazine:

The A List – Graham Nash

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member and music legend Graham Nash shares seven life lessons he has learned throughout his career. On the power of forgiveness, he reveals wanting to reconcile with best friend David Crosby right before his death. On collaboration, he says working with Stephen Stills turned the song “Teach Your Children” from sounding like “Henry VIII doing ‘Greensleeves’” to a huge hit.

“What I Know Now” with Chita Rivera

Tony Award-winning Broadway superstar Chita Rivera reveals she has two sides: the people-pleasing Chita and the no-nonsense Dolores. She also shares her feelings about turning 90 years old, saying “the body might change, but the heart remains constant.”

How Well Do You Know Your Money?

Knowing a few critical money stats is just as important as knowing key health stats like your blood pressure or weight.  How big will your Social Security benefit be? How much of your portfolio is invested in stocks? What’s your home worth and how much mortgage do you still owe? ATM’s guide on personal finances reveals the key stats each of us should now about our household money situation – before you’re really put to the test. Packed with dozens of tips from finance experts, study up on all things related to your money in this month’s issue.

The Great Family Escape

It’s time to finally plan that big family vacation! ATM caught up with six families to ask how they organized their large-group getaways without sacrificing their sanity – and without going broke. Whether you’re going to get pampered on the beach with a dozen family members or roughing it in the great outdoors with 40, these clever vacation planners have the tried-and-true best tips for you. From flight logistics to budgeting to lodging for unforgettable multi-family vacations, these families show us how it’s done! 

The Weight Issue

Once you hit 50, your body goes through changes out of your control. What you can control is what you do about it! Learn about what weight fluctuations really mean for your overall health and how to maintain a healthy body weight and improve your overall well-being in your 50s and beyond.

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About AARP
AARP is the nation’s largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence and nearly 38 million members, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to families: health security, financial stability and personal fulfillment. AARP also produces the nation’s largest circulation publications: AARP The Magazine and AARP Bulletin. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org, www.aarp.org/espanol or follow @AARP, @AARPenEspanol and @AARPadvocates, @AliadosAdelante on social media.