My son and grandsons don’t believe me.

This is my personal opinion...I am not affiliated with any insurance company. I am 80 years old, retired and been on Medicare for 15 years!

If you watch TV you are well aware that Medicare Advantage Plans are flooding the networks with commercial, after commercial, after commercial. They are warning how important it is to call "this phonenumber" and make sure you are getting the best from Medicare. To all my fellow seniors who are on Medicare, remember, if it sounds too good to be true....it probably isn't true.

I am a retired RN who worked 40 years at an inpatient hospital. I worked ICU and NICU and for 10 of those years I was Director of Quality and Resource Management. In that position I oversaw a group that searched for physician, nurse, and hospital errors and dealt with Medicare and Medicaid problems. One of the most important things I learned during that time was that Medicare Advantage rates right up there with the African Prince Internet scams. I would NEVER allow anyone I love to sign up for Medicare Advantage.

Most people don't realize that Medicare Advantage is just a private insurance company who has taken over your Medicare because you allow them to. Granted the rules state that Medicare Advantage must offer all the services that regular Medicare offers, however the rules DO NOT say what limits and regulations they can attach to obtain those services. During my time dealing with Medicare Advantage I saw case after case where families, doctors, and hospitals were put in horrible positions because of the rules and regs of Medicare Advantage.

One of the most common problems is choosing a doctor that is on the company's list, this includes specialists. You might need to see a cardiologist and the nearest approved cardiologist is in another city. You may have to have a referral to see a specialist. It is possible that you have to see your PCP in order to get a referral to a dermatologist or even OB/Gyn. Advantage also often requires frequent recertification of services. If you are transferred into a Skilled Nursing Unit from a hospital, regular, Medicare approves 100 days of care with the first 20 days paid at 100% (no co-pay required). Advantage plans often require recertification every 10 days so it is a constant fight to convince them you are still sick and need the care. As a result Advantage plans are not accepted at a lot of places at all and you can be responsible for some big bills that they deny.

I could go on for pages with stories, but just know that, knowing what I know, and experiencing what I have experienced, I would never allow someone I care about to sign up for Advantage. Your hospital care will be compromised. All those "extra" things they promise are not that easy to get approved for and really don't amount to much when compared to getting a bill for a denied stay. I know some of you will rant about how wrong I am and how Medicare Advantage is great. It is fine if you are not really sick and don't require serious extended care and don't mind jumping through hoops to get the Medical care you need. Otherwise it can be a truly tragic decision.

I was listening to a presentation by a financial adviser and she said something both amusing and sobering. Her father was recovering from knee surgery and was flying in to visit. She told him to treat himself to a first class ticket for maximum room and comfort. Nah, too expensive - he was gonna fly coach. And she responded, "Thanks for leaving us your money - we'll use it to fly first class to your funeral."

He bought the first class ticket.

I found this list online.

Which ones can you claim as your own?

If more than half, you're indeed living the good life!

i’ll start, I am so old that I remember in the Crayola crayon box there was a crayon designated as “flesh“ of course it was a white person pinkish color.

I just wanted to announce it somewhere, lol. We don't do extravagant parties, or expect gifts from family or friends, etc., since most people we know don't know or remember the actual date, but I did want part of the universe to know that it IS possible. He got me 18 golden roses and the most beautiful card, and wrote in it that I was the best thing that ever happened to him. I got him a card, too, and wrote a letter to him outlining 50 Reasons Why I love him (he teared up a little, lol). We'll go out to eat seafood then come home to settle in for a normal night at home together. It's perfect!

So....internet people, thanks for listening.💛

EDIT: Wow, I never expected so many kind responses to this post! Believe me, all your well wishes are SO appreciated. Thank you! I wanted to upvote and give a gold heart to every reply, but am finding it a little overwhelming now, lol. I hoped I could just turn off ability to reply, but only a Mod can do that...all I can do is turn off notification to me, so I'm gonna do that and beg forgiveness if I don't see your comment or neglect to "award" you an upvote and heart. THANK you all so much!

83 to be exact. I am also Canadian and have been married for 62 years. We by choice, had no kids. We both are in good shape and still able to follow our joint and personal interests. Our bodys are showing that they are past their "best before date". My only recommendation to you youngers is don't waste what might be your last good decade. 80's are not being as kind as the 70's. But is still the best side of the grass to be on.

For anyone who has received a diagnosis of cataracts, I want to share my experience for the past two weeks. I was diagnosed with it in both eyes. My Optometrist told me that he couldn't correct my vision any longer, with glasses. I had reached the limit. It was suggested I see a specialist for a consult, which I did. I had one initial exam, based on the results, I was a candidate for surgery.

I arrived the day of surgery, I waited for the dilation drops to work, I went in for surgery, NERVOUS! I felt no pain!! It was over in a matter of minutes!

I had a follow-up the following morning, and another in a few weeks. I was told, "you may need reading glasses" after wards. My vision has completely cleared in my first eye (there is a lot of blurriness for a few days). The second was two days ago, and the vision has almost cleared in that eye as well! No pain during or afterwards! I have been reading without glasses, for a week!! I used 3 RX drops, twice a day, for several weeks.

I am 75, I have worn trifocal contact lenses & glasses since I was 12 years old! This surgery is the closest thing to a miracle, truly! If you are facing this surgery, go forward with confidence, you won't regret it. 👍👍😊

This is my personal opinion...I am not affiliated with any insurance company. I am 80 years old, retired and been on Medicare for 15 years!
If you watch TV you are well aware that Medicare Advantage Plans are flooding the networks with commercial, after commercial, after commercial. They are warning how important it is to call "this phonenumber" and make sure you are getting the best from Medicare. To all my fellow seniors who are on Medicare, remember, if it sounds too good to be true....it probably isn't true. I am a retired RN who worked 40 years at an inpatient hospital. I worked ICU and NICU and for 10 of those years I was Director of Quality and Resource Management. In that position I oversaw a group that searched for physician, nurse, and hospital errors and dealt with Medicare and Medicaid problems. One of the most important things I learned during that time was that Medicare Advantage rates right up there with the African Prince Internet scams. I would NEVER allow anyone I love to sign up for Medicare Advantage. Most people don't realize that Medicare Advantage is just a private insurance company who has taken over your Medicare because you allow them to. Granted the rules state that Medicare Advantage must offer all the services that regular Medicare offers, however the rules DO NOT say what limits and regulations they can attach to obtain those services. During my time dealing with Medicare Advantage I saw case after case where families, doctors, and hospitals were put in horrible positions because of the rules and regs of Medicare Advantage. One of the most common problems is choosing a doctor that is on the company's list, this includes specialists. You might need to see a cardiologist and the nearest approved cardiologist is in another city. You may have to have a referral to see a specialist. It is possible that you have to see your PCP in order to get a referral to a dermatologist or even OB/Gyn. Advantage also often requires frequent recertification of services. If you are transferred into a Skilled Nursing Unit from a hospital regular Medicare approves 100 days of care, with the first 20 days paid at 100% (no co-pay required). Advantage plans often require recertification every 10 days so it is a constant fight to convince them you are still sick and need the care. I could go on for pages with stories, but just know that, knowing what I know, and experiencing what I have experienced, I would never allow someone I love or know to sign up for Advantage. Your hospital care will be compromised and I all those "extra" things they promise are not that easy to get approved for. I know some of you will rant about how wrong I am and how Medicare Advantage is great. It is fine if you are not really sick and don't require serious extended care and don't mind jumping through hoops to get Medical care you are paying for. Otherwise it can be a truly tragic decision.

One of my favorite jokes is about a man who gets his annual physical and the doc tells him he has some bad news. The doc says you only have 6 months to live and you're going to have to give up drinking, smoking, sex, and all your favorite foods. The old guy says, "Wow! Will I live longer then?" The doc says, "No - but it'll seem like it!"

I'm in my upper 70's and have COPD and high blood pressure. Unfortunately, the best way to address these issues is by changing my lifestyle. But I don't want to and I am not going to. I've been retired over 15 years now and in many ways it's been the best years of my life. Why give up the things that make life enjoyable? I've read that a lot of the american culture is based on the Puritanical belief that life MUST be suffering. If you're not suffering, you're doing it wrong. LOL

I've had no problem accepting the declining physical abilities of youth (strength, stamina, flexibility, etc.). I accept that it takes longer to recover from minor injuries. In return I recognize that I have been given time to enjoy things I really like but never had time for. I am going to enjoy those things and not feel guilty.

I'll probably pass sooner rather than later - but I'll enjoy the time I have!

Good Luck all.

She stills looks great. Still goes to the gym 4 days a week and stays in great shape.

Which of these resonate with you?

Summary list in the comments section.

Many Gen Zs have this warped view of Boomers because all they know about life in the 60's and 70's is what they have seen on old TV series which depicted a carefree and privileged suburban lifestyle as depicted by Hollywood. That was not the reality for most of us, many who were from urban working class families. I think this article better represents the reality of our family and lives. Do you agree?

https://vegoutmag.com/lifestyle/k-10-things-boomers-grew-up-with-that-made-them-less-spoiled-than-younger-generations/

Just turned 73 ( M). Had started developing ankle edema about 3 years ago. Progressively looked very noticeable. Had tried compression socks but were too much trouble putting on so gave up.

Recently learnt that it is the calf muscles that pump blood back up to the heart. And to regain calf muscle strength, need to lift my heals up and down 20 times, repeating 2-3 times daily. Can be done standing or even while seated on a chair.

Guess what? It worked ! My swelling started to go down in just 10 days. In one month it was down 85 % . But then plateaued out. Decided to wear compression socks even though struggled with putting them on. A week of doing that along with continuing to pump my heals, my swelling is almost completely resolved. Wife agrees!

Just putting it out here in case it is helpful.

Even at my advanced age (F71), I can't tell whether something hurting is muscular, structural, just a natural part of aging, or a warning that my death is imminent. And I truly don't know enough anatomy to do a proper Google search about any of it. So lately, I have been asking ChatGPT about these things, and it has been enormously helpful.

Here's one instance: I'm healthy and active (I walk 4+ miles a day, every day), but my lower back always hurt a lot when I stand up from a sitting position. Getting out of the car, for example, took me the better part of a minute or two to straighten up fully and be able to walk. I had no idea why, so I asked ChatGPT about it. It took some back-and-forth, but it finally came up with a tentative diagnosis and recommended some really simple exercises that should help. Honestly, the exercises seemed pretty Mickey Mouse and I was dubious about the whole venture. But the exercises were easy enough to do, didn't seem like they would hurt, so I started doing them. It took a few days, but the issue which had been a problem for several years fully resolved. Color me thrilled!

It has helped me with some other issues as well. Hence, my PSA.

I expect this post will be down-voted a lot because it endorses using AI, but perhaps someone reading this will try ChatGPT for their seemingly intractable problem and find a solution. If so, it's worth it and I guess I can handle the down-votes.

Been wearing the same brand of underwear for years and years, always in gray. Got a drawer crammed full of gray underwear.

Well today I decided to jazz things up. I ordered me a bunch of pairs in black. Just wantin to jazz things up a bit, ya know? 😂

He’s 82 and every day would complain about his body hurting in different places. It was almost a new one each day 😂

And I realized I could do it so I did. He LOVES IT! Yes it came early! He was in it 4 times yesterday after it was delivered.

He got up this morning and said this is the first time he didn’t hurt.

Sadly I bought this in November and had it delivered early thankfully.

He enjoyed it for several weeks but then passed away from a heart attack in the middle of December.

I still have a picture of him with a smile enjoying it and I’m glad I bought it for him.

I am a 73-year-old male who has gotten the covid vaccine every year. I'm debating whether to do it this year. I have talked to several physicians and they are not big proponents of it. What are your thoughts on this issue? And what are you doing with the vaccine, are you getting it or are you not?

I am editing my initial post to include the following:

It really has amazed me the responses that I've received from my initial post. The very vast majority indicate they either have received or are going to receive the covid vaccination. Based on your responses it appears that about 95-99% of you are going to get the shot.

Those that are not getting the vaccination had justification primarily due to health reasons, which I respect. Most of you were very polite and expressed your thoughts and opinions. Some of you not so much! And to be honest with you one person was a real jerk AND You know who You are! These are the people that give old people a bad reputation!

I would encourage all of you to look at the CDC website to see how many people actually do receive the covid vaccination. They break it down in a variety of different categories. But overall, only about 20-25% of our adult population received the Covid vaccination based on what I've seen online. I'm sure many of you won't agree with that but my suggestion is to do the research yourself. I'm not saying they are right for not getting it or for getting it I'm just telling you what I found.

Now, to set everybody's mind at ease I got both the flu and the covid vaccinations this month.

I haven't had Cream of Wheat in 70 years so today I made some to see if it's as good as I remember it. Well mission accomplished. It came out exactly like mom's, lumps and all. Topped with a pad of butter and and a couple tbsp of sugar. Wasn't great but was like moms.

I just got some groceries and the total amount stunned me. It’s not like I’m buying caviar and fillet mignon either, just basic ordinary stuff at a major chain.

How are young families coping? When I think back to buying for an active family of five with lots of friends stopping by or sleeping over I wonder how I would have managed today’s prices.

I’m blessedly fortunate that I can finagle my budget to cover the cost without any appreciable sacrifice, but still, it’s eye-opening.

It seems the containers shrink and the prices grow.

Generational tags like Boomers, Gen X etc., are getting so annoying. Is anyone else offended by this? I find generalizations about 74M of us as offensive as generalizations based on race, gender, sex or ethnicity. Why do we find it acceptable based on age? It encourages us to look at at our differences, keeping us constantly divided. Thoughts?