SENIORS: BEWARE OF PADDED BILLS

Most of us have heard of blatant senior scams. Like someone calling to say your grandchild needs bail money. But there’s another way seniors are taken advantage of, and it’s legal. It happens when a handyman, lawn service ,tire store or grocery clerk “accidentally” overcharges you for goods or services. Hospitals are notorious for this, but it’s a common practice everywhere. Seniors: Beware of padded bills.

Do you check your grocery store receipts? Some do, but most don’t. It depends on what else you have to do, or if your printed receipt blew away as you were walking to your car. I began checking mine to see how much I’d saved with coupons. Much to my surprise, I often found that I’d been charged twice for one item. Another trick—or mistake—is charging a set price for a pound of produce when you’ve only got half a pound. Once, I confronted the checkout clerk and he insisted that you can’t buy less than a pound. Not true. Took it to the store manager and got my money back. Since the clerk had nothing to gain, I attributed the mistakes to laziness or perhaps being in a hurry to get my groceries checked out. Hopefully, it wasn’t a store policy.

It’s hard to find a reliable lawn service. You may succumb to the lure of someone new to the business knocking on your door. Sometimes, these entrepreneurs lack integrity. Often, their charges are verbal. “You weren’t here last week, but I mowed your lawn anyway.” After awhile, you get confused as to just how many times they actually did mow your lawn. Don’t let the bill accrue—pay each time and keep a record of what you paid, and when. This way, you have proof that you aren’t paying for services that didn’t occur.

Getting a new set of tires for your old car is more complicated than it seems. Someone has to get down on their knees and find the serial number of the current tires. Then, they have to search for replacements that will fit. It turns out there are several “grades” of tires to choose from. You decide on the middle price, since you don’t do much interstate travel. But when you go to pick up the tires, they’ve given you the top grade, and that’s going to cost double. It’s a hot day, and you’re tired. They offer to change to the lower grade, but that means waiting while they exchange the expensive tires for the cheaper ones. You have a choice: sit and watch daytime television for hours or pay the higher price and go on. Did they do this on purpose, thinking a senior would not remember the original price quote? You’ll never know.

Some of us have small rental properties which need frequent repairs and redecorating as tenants come and go. Nowadays , handymen are scarce as hens teeth. You’re apt to fall for anyone who’s willing to do some painting or minor repairs. You agree upon a price and leave them to do the job. But when you come back, they say the job took more time than expected. . Besides, you had some extra paint left over, so they decided to use it on a room that didn’t need repainting. You would like to challenge the bill, but who wants to argue with a burly, tattooed guy who now smells of cigarette smoke and beer? Especially if you’re a little old lady

And then there are the plumbers in the adjoining county whose hourly charges start from the time they leave their office–not when they start the job. Which may add an extra 45 minutes of labor to your bill.

You get a call from your hearing aid provider that you need an annual hearing test. Turns out they’re offering new, improved products and you’re eligible for a trade in. Because you can hear so much better with the new aids, you agree to the up grade. However, it turns out there is no trade in credit.. The price is the same as what you paid four years ago. You’ve been drawn in under false pretenses, but who doesn’t want to hear better? So you cave and buy the new aids at full price.

In some instances, there are things you can do. You might contact the Federal Trade Commission to file a complaint. about bad business practices. But the thought of such a confrontation seems upsetting and stressful. Seniors: Beware of Padded Bills!

March 8, 2023March 8, 2023

GROCERY DELIVERY CHANGES GAME FOR SENIORS

Shopping wasn’t much fun if you grew up during the WWII years of 1939 to 1945. Coffee and meat were rationed, as well as sugar and most other good food. Besides the rationing, money was scarce. After the war finally ended, I became a teenager, earning my own money at last. That was the start of my love for shopping, which continues to this day. When the Covid pandemic hit , I masked up, wore gloves, and persisted with my trips to the grocery store. But one freezing day last February, my arthritis flared. My heart wanted to shop, but my shoulders and knees rebelled. With trepidation , I ordered groceries online to be delivered. To my surprise, it was easy as cake. Grocery delivery changes the game for seniors.

A lot of people love to shop. In fact, over 80% of people prefer shopping in physical grocery stores. It’s fun to wander the aisles looking for unexpected treats and new products. Sometimes, you stop and visit with neighbors. Maybe glance at the tabloid headlines while in the checkout lane. And if you’ve been shopping the same place for awhile, you enjoy talking to your favorite cashier.

Delivered groceries seemed to me an extravagance reserved for spoiled, wealthy people, too lazy to shop, too snooty to mingle with the common folk. In the old days, stores that delivered groceries catered to “the carriage trade”–that wealthy upper crust who belonged to the country club and employed household servants.

And yet, when I looked at my receipt that first day, I found that I had saved enough money to pay for the delivery cost and tip for the driver. Because I was logged into my own account at that store, they automatically gave me all of their weekly discounts and coupon savings. Better yet, I saved on gas used while driving back and forth to the parking lot.

For an octogenarian who has always shopped in-store, this process took me way out of my comfort zone. But if you want to age in place, and stay in your own home, this may be one of the best decisions you will ever make. Grocery Delivery changes the game for seniors.

August 22, 2022August 22, 2022

5 WAYS TO LIVE AS LONG AS RICH PEOPLE

Did you know that rich men and women live longer than poor people? This is not a guess—it’s a proven fact. A recent study showed that the richest people are living 12 years longer than the poor. However, only about ten percent of the population are statistically considered rich. How can the rest of us hope to match their life span? Here are 5 ways to live as long as rich people.

1. Make healthcare a priority. Wealthy people like Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip have had access to good medical care. They probably have a live-in physician. However, if you’re enrolled in Medicare, you’re entitled to receive preventive care on a regular basis. Flu shots, yearly checkups. And if you have diabetes or some other risk factor for heart disease, it will pay for any necessary doctor visits. Prescription drugs are covered under a separate policy, but make it a priority to pay that monthly premium, even if you can’t take a fancy vacation or eat out quite as often.

2. Weight control: Ever notice that fewer rich people are overweight? That’s because they can afford to buy healthy foods. Never, would they ever, make a meal of a $5 special at Burger King. Which is what a lot of folks are doing these days of high inflation, because it costs less than preparing a meal at home. Unfortunately, a greasy burger with French fries provide a lot more calories and fewer nutrients than a homemade dinner of tossed salad and ground round burger. And there’s no temptation to ask for a chocolate shake to go along with your order.

3. Brush your teeth twice a day, and see your dentist at least once a year. Rich people usually have nice teeth. Do not ignore a toothache. Studies have shown those with poor oral health (such as gum disease or tooth loss) have higher rates of cardiovascular problems such as heart attack or stroke than people with good oral health.

4, Don’t smoke; it’s the leading cause of preventable death from lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other lung diseases. Ever notice how many cigarette butts you see in a Dollar Store parking lot? That’s because low income people are 75% more likely to smoke than rich people. Ditch the cigarettes if you want to live a long life.

5. Exercise often. Don’t leave the television on all day in your home or apartment. The CDC recommends a least 150 minutes of exercise per week for seniors. You seldom see runners and walkers in poor neighborhoods the way you do in upper class suburbs. You don’t have to belong to an expensive fitness club to get enough exercise. Walking and jogging are free. Other alternatives like swimming, Tai chi and Yoga may be offered at your local YMCA or senior center.

Many fatal diseases affect people in all walks of life. That can’t be changed. But you can improve your chances for a longer life if you follow these 5 ways to live as long as rich people.

May 12, 2022May 12, 2022

WARNING! YOUR DOCTOR MAY GHOST YOU

Unless you are a teenager, you may remember the days when your doctor came to see you in the hospital. It was called “making rounds.” And this was how it worked: The doctor decided that your condition (pneumonia, sepsis, etc.) warranted admission to the hospital where he had privileges. That night, and every day thereafter, he, she, or their associate, would stop by in the evening to see how you were doing. That was very comforting, especially if you had been that doctor’s patient for many years. But that’s not how it works anymore. Warning! Your doctor may ghost you.

Here’s what likely to happen now: You call the doctor’s office during a medical emergency, and they recommend that you go to the Emergency Room immediately. You call 911, and the EMT’s ask which hospital you would like to go to. Naturally, you pick the one where your doctor has privileges. Otherwise, you would be under the care of a stranger who knew nothing about you.

You spend some time in the Emergency Room undergoing a series of tests, based on your condition or reason for being there. Eventually—maybe a day later—they find you a room and you are formally admitted to the hospital. After all the worry and excitement begins to settle down, you relax. No doubt, you will see your doctor when he makes rounds this evening. Unfortunately, that isn’t going to happen.

A stranger enters your room and announces himself as the hospital doctor. He will be managing your care from now on. Over the course of your stay, you will meet several specialists who have been called in to find out what’s wrong with you. You may be visited by a cardiologist, nephrologist, urologist or any other type of physician. Some technicians may come to your room to perform tests at any hour of the day or night.

On the other hand, you may be wheeled down the hall to have a cat scan or chest x-ray. All of it comes as a surprise. You keep wondering when your primary care physician is going to show up and explain what’s happening. What you don’t know, and will soon learn, is that you’re not going to see him at all. Warning! Your doctor may ghost you.

In the last decade or so, busy primary care physicians have turned the care of their hospitalized patients over to HOSPITALISTS. The American Board of Physician Specialists defines hospitalists as “…physicians who have dedicated their careers to hospitalized patients.” Simply put, hospitalists are medical specialists who most often earn a residency in internal medicine and are certified in hospital medicine. While hospitalists confine their practice within a hospital setting, they often specialize in non-medical issues that are relevant to their field of study. That said, if you have been seen by a doctor in a hospital, safe to assume he might have been a hospitalist.”

Now, then. What if the hospital physical therapists decide you should go to a rehab facility before going home? Once again, all ties with the hospitalists who have been treating you will be severed.

In the rehab facility, you will once again be under the care of that facilities’ Hospital Doctor. You may or may not ever see him or her, but they will plan your treatment and care. At that point, things may fall through the cracks. As an example, they may be short staffed, and not answer your call button promptly when you have an emergency. Meanwhile, your trusted primary care physician has no idea what is going on. Warning! Your doctor may ghost you..

March 24, 2022March 25, 2022

A BLATANT CASE OF ELDER ABUSE

You’ve probably read about it by now. The 87 year old woman who was shoved to the ground by a twenty something. Before she lost consciousness and died, she said she had never been hit so hard in her life. If you’re over eighty, you know that younger people sometimes get frustrated when you move too slow. But, like it or not, they try to show some patience. Especially if they’re your kids or someone who knows you well. But in a big city like New York, strangers aren’t as tolerant. The cruelty shown to Barbara Maier Gustern which resulted in her death was a blatant case of elder abuse.

As we age, we aren’t as agile as we once were. Arthritis may slow us down, and require the use of a cane or walker. Hearing is often impaired, so we may not be aware of someone standing close by—especially if our eyesight is dimming. I’m trying to imagine what happened in this bizarre episode. Marie was apparently waiting for a cab when she was attacked by 27 year old Lauren Pazienza. Perhaps Lauren stood behind Marie, and– determined to catch the next cab– simply wanted her out of the way. Or, Marie, not seeing too well, might have gotten confused and stepped in front of her. It could have aroused the same emotions as road rage. Let’s call it street rage.

Would the perpetrator have shoved a tall young man who stood in her way? Of course not. But the aged are fragile, vulnerable, and therefore often treated rudely. In our small town, I’m often touched by the kindness of strangers who stop to open doors or help if they see me struggling with a package. But in a big city, it’s a different story. People shove each other when getting on buses and subways. They fight over clothes on a bargain counter. It’s no wonder the elderly are sometimes despised and disdained. Or killed..

The shoving death of Marie Gustern was a blatant case of elder abuse.

February 24, 2022

BEWARE OF STRANGERS IN SAFETY VESTS

Anytime you’re driving anywhere, you’re apt to see men and women wearing florescent safety vests. Usually, it means they’re involved in some type of construction, street work or any occupation that requires public consideration or respect. It never occurred to me that such vests can be purchased by anyone, and not always for a good reason. They may be a decoy to fool you into trusting them. Beware of strangers in safety vests.

Here’s what happened to me after the big snow storm of 2022.. I drove out the lane to go shopping, and stopped to get my mail. A mound of ice/ snow between the car and the mailbox made me stumble and nearly fall. As I clung to the mailbox, I heard a voice cry out, “Do you need help ma’am”, and before I knew it, a middle aged woman wearing a florescent safety vest came along and helped me to my feet. She even put my mail in a bag. I assumed she worked in some capacity with the city parks or street department..

As she followed me to my car, she said she was walking home. Since she had been so kind, I offered to give her a ride. I assumed she lived nearby, as it was sub zero weather, and the snow was a foot deep.

Turned out, she lived miles away (or so she said). I swallowed hard, but continued on, determined to do my good deed for the day. She wanted to chat, told me her name and asked mine. But after we crossed the highway, she casually mentioned that she had just got out of jail, and it wasn’t very clean.

“Have you been vaccinated?” I asked. She said, “oh no, I would never let them put that poison in my body.” At that point, I rolled down the windows as freezing air swept through the front seat. Accelerating to reach the speed limit, a plan formed in my mind. Soon, I pulled into a busy gas station. “Sorry,” I said. “I have to drop you off here because you haven’t been vaccinated.”

She seemed startled and hesitated a moment. But we were surrounded by other vehicles. Without further argument, she opened the door and got out of the car.

My husband was waiting at home in a sweat. He had seen us drive away and was ready to call the police. I’ll never know what was on that woman’s mind, but I didn’t want to find out.

Beware of strangers wearing safety vests.

February 9, 2022February 9, 2022

DO TRASH COLLECTORS OWE US A REFUND?

Waste management is a big deal for seniors aging in place. If you’re going to fix meals and order stuff from Amazon, you will have lots of trash. Most everything you get online arrives in a cardboard box. Grocery products come in cardboard packages, or plastic containers. You can hire household help for most chores, but it’s not easy finding someone to get your trash from point A to B. And in our case, point C, because the trash can has to be dragged out to the street on pick up day. However, our Thursday trash pick up was canceled due to the big storm. Come Friday and Saturday, the cans were still frozen shut. By Sunday, we figured the city could send someone to empty our trash. Didn’t happen. Turns out they’re skipping a whole week. Was the waste management company paid for a week of doing nothing? And do trash collectors owe us a refund?

Here was Republic’s official statement:

“All routes were suspended due to hazardous conditions caused by inclement weather. Routes will resume on the next regular service day.”

So, instead of picking up one weeks’ worth of trash, they’ll be picking up after two weeks.. Unfortunately, they won’t empty overflowing trash cans. So, some of us may have to find another way to get rid of our pile of extra trash

It may seem like a small matter, but it’s not.

According to Mayor Bennett, the city of Terre Haute has a 2.6 million dollar annual contract with Republic Services for waste removal As a result. Republic receives around $50,000 a week for trash collection in the city. Since they didn’t have to do anything for one week, you can look at it as either a bonus or a big cost savings for them. Will they reimburse the city? I doubt it.

The pathetic thing was the lack of communication. A statement from the mayor or Republic Services could have come across the 6 o’clock news. But no one in charge told us anything at all. Only by checking on the internet could you find their official statement. Word of mouth doesn’t work well when you’re isolated due to a surge in covid cases and a major winter storm.

Does Republic owe the taxpayers a refund? I think so. Or maybe a bottle of champagne delivered to your door