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Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources: What to Expect from Your Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
By Angelica Herrera Venson, DrPH, MPH
The following excerpt is reprinted with permission from Kapok Aging and Caregiver Resources.
As you get older, it’s important to take control of your health through routine and preventative care. One way to do this is through a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit (AWV). This is free to all individuals on Medicare, with or without an advantage care plan or ‘supplement.’ Some seniors get confused about how it differs from a physical and what’s covered. We’ll try to clear this up in this brief post.
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Podcast Pick: Queer Writers of Crime, with Host Brad Shreve
Recently named by BuzzFeed as one of the 20 best LGBTQ podcasts to listen to, Brad Shreve’s Queer Writers of Crime has returned better than ever. After a brief hiatus following his first 100 episodes, host Shreve has brought this essential podcast back for fans of LGBTQ+ mysteries, thrillers and suspense fiction and the authors who write them. Full disclosure: I’m on soon for a second go-round, with a thoroughly enjoyable conversation about books, characters, and point of view.
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Book Review: Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff, by Matt Paxton with Jordan Michael Smith
By Terri Schlichenmeyer
The Bookworm Sez
Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff” by Matt Paxton with Jordan Michael Smith
c.2022, Penguin Portfolio $24.00 310 pagesThe carpet in your living room is brown.
At least that’s the way you remember it. You haven’t actually seen it in a few years because you’ve got stuff from corner to corner, held down by furniture you don’t sit on, anchored by things you don’t use. Time for a major clean-up, and it can start with “Keep the Memories, Lose the Stuff” by Matt Paxton with Jordan Michael Smith.
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Complimentary eBook for All Current and New Subscriber! ‘Paper Hearts: A Marshall James Thriller Short Story’
I’ve just sent out a complimentary copy of ‘Paper Hearts: A Marshall James Thriller Short Story’ to all current subscribers, and made it available to all new ones in their ‘thank you’ confirmation email. JUST SUBSCRIBE HERE and get yours!
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‘Paper Hearts: A Marshall James Thriller Short Story’ Now Available as an eBook!
In case you can’t wait for the audiobook version I’m recording, you can get the eBook edition of Paper Hearts: A Marshall James Thriller short story at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, or half-price direct at my storefront!
This story first appeared in the anthology Cupid Shot Me: Valentine Tales of Love, Mystery & Suspense (A Queer Mystery Anthology Book 1).
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The Twist Podcast #188: Cooking with Ketanji, Victorian Lowlifes, ‘Elite’ Makes the Grade, and the Week in Headlines
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as we fan crush Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, poo-pooh the dastardly deeds of vulgar Victorians, sing the praises of Spain’s ‘Elite’ teen soap opera, and review the week in headlines.
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Savvy Senior: What to Do with Cremated Ashes
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
A while back I saw an article on different ways to scatter a person’s ashes after they’re cremated, but I’ve misplaced it. Can you help me with this? I’m preplanning my funeral and would like to include instructions on what to do with my remains that my family will appreciate.
Planning Ahead
Dear Planning,
There’s no shortage of options when it comes to handling or disposing of your cremated remains after you’re gone. Your family can keep, bury or scatter them in a variety of imaginative ways that reflect your life and personality. Here are some different options to consider.
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The Twist Podcast #187: DeSantis Disses Disney, GOP ‘Groomer’ Goblins, Listicles and Headlines
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as gaze aghast at the grotesquerie of Ron DeSantis, reject the ‘groomer’ slurs for the 10,000th time, and offer up our listicles and headlines.
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The Twist Podcast #187: DeSantis Disses Disney, GOP ‘Groomer’ Goblins, Listicles and Headlines
Join co-hosts Mark McNease and Rick Rose as gaze aghast at the grotesquerie of Ron DeSantis, reject the ‘groomer’ slurs for the 10,000th time, and offer up our listicles and headlines.
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An App for That: Magnifying Glass + Flashlight
An App for That is a regular feature at LGBTSr highlighting useful apps and technology tips for our readers.
I haven’t been able to read anything much smaller than a billboard without my glasses for years. And I thoroughly enjoy a good meal in restaurants that are sometimes dark. Have you ever had to take a candle on the table and hold it up to a menu you can barely read? Of course you have! So try this ‘Magnifying Glass + Flashlight‘ app, available on iOS and Android. I got it on my iPhone and tried it out. It’s very basic, which is fine if you want exactly what you get: an adjustable magnifying glass with a flashlight! The only thing that annoys me are the ads at the bottom, but that’s going to be part of any free app. Ignore them and check out the appetizers!
Have an app to recommend? Email me at: Editor @ LGBTSr.com
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Savvy Senior: Does Medicare Cover Power Lift Chairs?
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
Because of back pain and knee arthritis I’m interested in getting a power lift recliner for my living room that’s easy for me to get into and out of. Does Medicare cover them?
Can’t Get Up
Dear Can’t,
Yes, Medicare does indeed provide some coverage for lift chairs, provided your doctor prescribes it for a medical reason, but they won’t cover the entire cost of the chair. Medicare will only pay for the motorized lifting mechanism, which is considered durable medical equipment (DME), and is covered under Part B. The other parts of the chair – the frame, cushioning, and upholstery – are not covered. Here are a few more details you should know.
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Being Well: Healthy Digestion in Times of Stress
Coming soon: the Second Edition of herbalist Cathy McNease’s In Harmony with the Seasons: Herbs, Nutrition and Well-Being including new chapters and a new introduction.
By Cathy McNease, Herbalist
It is a familiar problem: stressful events occur and our digestion goes to hell. For some it means loss of appetite, others will resort to binges on comfort foods. Diarrhea, constipation, bloating and indigestion are other common reactions to stress. I fall prey to all of these as well and over the decades have figured a few things out to help. First, minimize stress as much as you can. Second, don’t allow the stress to send you off the rails in your food choices.
If we can minimize the increase in stress hormones being produced, that is a step in the right direction.
Maintaining an anti-inflammatory diet, as much as possible, is a good start. The following tips will reduce cortisol and adrenaline, which increase when we’re under stress. Limit these foods as much as you can: added sugars, processed foods, dairy products, gluten, too much meat, and refined oils. Rely more on non-starchy vegetables. Also, watch your intake of coffee and alcohol.
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Savvy Senior: Super Cheap Smartphone Plans for Scrimping Seniors
By Jim Miller
Dear Savvy Senior,
Can you direct me to some really cheap wireless smartphone plans for seniors who don’t use much data? I use my smartphone primarily for texting and talking but need some data for checking my email and a few other things when I’m away from Wi-Fi. Right now, I pay $30 per month but am looking for a better deal.
Senior Scrimper
Dear Scrimper,
There are several super cheap wirelesses providers I can recommend for older smartphone users who are looking to save money by paring down their cell phone plan. Here are three of the cheapest options available that you can switch to without sacrificing the quality of your service.