A1. TESTING FOR PROSTATE CANCER TO DO OR NOT TO DO?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/USpstfix.htm
reported last month that doctors should stop performing the routine prostate
cancer-screening (PSA antigen) test for men over 75 because there is more
evidence of treatment of the disease causing more harm than benefit. The
test itself, because it often produces false-positive reactions, can cause
serious psychological problems, not only for the patient, but for his
family, as well. Previous reports in 2002 left the question open because
there was not enough evidence to recommend testing men of all ages.
Many concerned people, as one might imagine, have
been asking questions about the wisdom of this advice since it was announced.
It seems counterintuitive, doesn't it? Don't screen for an extremely common
disease in older men?
It turns out the advice to physicians is well founded.
The current treatments for prostate cancer can harm an older man and leave
him with bladder issues, impotence, or bowel problems. These are serious
side effects, especially for a disease that most older men who suffer
from will not die of.
There are ethical requirements for this type of annual
testing that the medical community has long observed. A number of factors
are taken into account when determining if annual blood testing is appropriate.
Does the disease being tested for having a long gestation period? Prostate
cancer certainly fits that requirement. However, another requirement is
that the test must not be more harmful than the resulting information
can benefit the patient. This appears to be the problematic hurdle in
the question of testing for prostate cancer in men over 75.
A 75-year-old man with early stage prostate cancer
might not suffer significant symptoms even in another 10 years. Most older
men with prostate cancer die of other causes. While it is the second leading
cancer in men, the tumors usually grow so slowly that it does not threaten
the life of the individual.
Of course, every physician has a responsibility to
discuss these matters with his patient in light of that patient's unique
life situation, health records, and needs. Medicine is never "one size
fits all."
However, when the benefits are routinely outweighed
by risks, as is the case with the treatment of men over 75 for prostate
cancer, a consensus can form, such as that among major medical groups
that "watchful waiting" is the best approach for prostate cancer in older
men, or that men under 50 years of age need not be tested for prostate
cancer with the PSA antigen test.
Of course, a regular physical examination for males
generally includes a manual exam of the prostate. A physician may order
a PSA antigen test If an irregularity is noted.
You can take a look at the study published in "Annals
of Internal Medicine" here: http://www.annals.org
Additional health information for seniors can be found at:
http://www.seniorresource.com/health.htm
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A2. COMBINING REVERSE MORTGAGES WITH ANNUITIES
Recent publicity has spotlighted the growing problem of seniors being
aggressively sold the idea of taking out reverse mortgages to pay for
financial products like annuities. Yet these products are often unsuitable
investments for cash-poor, property-rich older citizens.
The reverse mortgage industry is currently undergoing rapid growth, and
is therefore attracting more financial product sellers. AARP's educational
website warns seniors to be cautious when anyone who wants to sell them
something suggests a reverse mortgage as a way to pay for it. It usually
does not make sense to take out a reverse mortgage just to invest the
proceeds.
An annuity is a contract between you and an insurance company. Annuities
can be fixed or variable and deferred or immediate. A variable annuity
is invested in stocks, bonds, and money markets and can incur losses as
well as gains. With a fixed annuity, the insurance company guarantees
both the rate of return and the payout. An equity-indexed annuity has
some characteristics of each and a complex array of interest-computing
methods.
Annuities may also be "deferred." Deferred annuities typically
have an "accumulation period" in which earnings grow or wane
and the funds are largely inaccessible without significant penalty charges.
The payout to the investor comes some time in the future.
The most inappropriate type of annuity for seniors with limited assets
and flexibility is the deferred variety. If the senior experiences an
urgent need for cash during the accumulation period, which may last several
years, he or she most likely will be faced with a sizeable surrender charge
to tap into these annuity funds. The most egregious cases in the news
have this period extending past the senior's life expectancy!
An "immediate" annuity has an immediate payout. It can offer
a pension-like income the senior can count on for life or for a chosen
period of time in return for a one-time premium payment. A senior could
use the proceeds from a reverse mortgage to purchase an immediate annuity
and possibly receive a larger monthly payment than the reverse mortgage
offers. And the payment could be tied to their life span, rather than
limited to the years in the home. However, to receive the maximum "annuitized"
income, he or she essentially trades the investment for this income and
the heirs will not receive any remaining funds after death of the senior.
The reverse mortgage itself offers flexibility; the borrower can move
from a line of credit to draw on as he chooses, to a monthly check, and
back again. Any remaining equity after the loan is repaid belongs to the
borrower or his heirs. The ultimate cost for taking a monthly payment
from the reverse mortgage will be much less than taking a large lump sum
in cash to purchase an annuity. (The lump sum will accumulate interest.)
Money coming directly from the reverse mortgage loan will remain tax-free,
unlike annuity earnings that are taxed at ordinary income rates.
Reverse mortgages are loans that allow homeowners, age 62 and over, to
borrow against their home equity with no repayment due until they permanently
move from the home. Borrowers can choose to receive the cash as a lump
sum, a line of credit, or monthly payments. The borrower always retains
title to their home. Reverse loans can be used for any purpose, but must
first be used to retire any existing liens or mortgages.
Gail Wempner is a Reverse Mortgage Specialist with
Reverse Mortgage Marketplace, a division of Marketplace Home Mortgage,
LLC and a former financial planner. She is available for individual consultations
and for group presentations. She can be reached at (952) 544-0821 or by
email gail@marketplacehome.com
Additional seniors' financial information can be found at:
http://www.seniorresource.com/finance.htm
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B. DID YOU KNOW...?
Now look what you can do with Alka-Seltzer...
- Clean a vase. To remove a stain from the bottom of a glass vase or
cruet, fill with water and drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets.
- Polish jewelry. Drop two Alka-Seltzer tablets into a glass of water
and immerse the jewelry for two minutes.
- Clean a Thermos bottle. Fill the bottle with water, drop in four Alka-Seltzer
tablets, and let soak for an hour (or longer, if necessary).
- Unclog a drain. Clear the sink drain by dropping three Alka-Seltzer
tablets down the drain, followed by a cup of white vinegar. Wait a few
minutes, and then run the hot water.
- Clean a toilet. Drop in two Alka-Seltzer tablets, wait twenty minutes,
brush and flush. The citric acid and effervescent action clean vitreous
china.
Social Security Calculator Online
The Social Security Administration has a new retirement estimator available
online. Benefit estimates are made after a few clicks and the input of
some personal information. The calculator permits future retirees to create
a more accurate estimate of benefits because one can factor in a higher
estimate of their future earnings. You may also factor in different alternatives
for retirement ages.
The "Retirement Estimator" estimates that are based on your
actual Social Security earnings record estimates are just that estimates.
They will vary slightly from the actual benefit you may receive in the
future because:
- Your Social Security earnings record is constantly being updated;
- Our calculators use different parameters and assumptions (e.g., different
stop-work ages, future earnings projections, etc.); and
- Your actual future benefit will be adjusted for inflation.
The estimator can be found here: http://www.ssa.gov/estimator/
Additional seniors' financial information can be found at:
http://www.seniorresource.com/finance.htm
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C. THOUGHTS FOR THE MONTH
We present here some words from those with a birthday this month.
Mike Piazza "Never let your dreams go away."
Bob Newhart - "Laughter gives us distance. It allows us to step
back from an event, deal with it and then move on."
Raquel Welch - "You can't fake listening. It shows."
Cathy Guisewite - "Food, love, career, and mothers, the four major
guilt groups."
Rose McGowan - "Life gets better when you embrace your geekiness"
More "Thoughts" at: http://www.seniorresource.com/thought.htm
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D. SPECIAL OCCASIONS THIS MONTH
1. National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery
Month
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and
Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helps towns, counties,
and states around the country observe Recovery Month every year in September.
The Recovery Month effort aims to promote the societal benefits of alcohol
and drug use disorder treatment, laud the contributions of treatment providers
and promote the message that recovery from such disorders in all forms
is possible. This year, the 19th annual Recovery Month recognizes the
impact that real people and real stories have on recovery, and celebrates
those who have worked to advance the treatment and recovery landscape.
In 2008 the highlight is on the people for whom treatment
and long-term recovery have given a renewed outlook on life. Everyone
is invited to take part in the theme, "Join the Voices for Recovery:
Real People, Real Recovery," and spread the word that addiction is
a medical illness and that treatment is effective and recovery is possible.
By getting involved, you can help more people on a path of recovery to
lead more fulfilling lives.
2. National Civics Awareness Month
Being an American citizen entitles one to certain privileges and carries
responsibilities. National Civics Awareness Month focuses attention on
these rights, duties, and obligations. Some are voluntary, such as voting,
volunteering, and military service; others are compulsory, including jury
duty, paying taxes, and obeying the law. Informed and participative citizens
ensure that democracy is maintained and continues. To this end, this month
observes the significance of understanding government and how it functions.
Expand your knowledge of American history and government with articles
and Web sites such as: http://www.house.gov/baca/resourcecenter/how.htm
and http://www.realclearpolitics.com
Also remember to register to vote.
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E. SPECIAL SURFING SITES
SmartExchange Allows Savings Bond Conversion
TreasuryDirect accounts permit owners to purchase,
manage, and redeem Treasury securities electronically - 24 hours a day,
7 days a week - through a secure Internet connection directly with the
Treasury Department. Series EE and I savings bonds, Treasury bills, notes,
bonds and inflation-protected securities are available for purchase through
TreasuryDirect.
The feature, called SmartExchange, enables holders
of paper Series E, EE, or I savings bonds to trade them in for electronic
securities of the same series and issue dates in a special Conversion
Linked Account within their TreasuryDirect online account.
Visit to learn more http://www.savingsbonds.gov/tdhome.htm
Impact of Working Longer
Will you need to work in retirement? Older adults' employment is attracting
attention as many baby boomers approach traditional retirement ages. A
report from the Urban Institute, "Should People Work Longer, and
Will They?" indicates that people who work one additional year beyond
their planned retirement date will increase their annual retirement income
about 9%. Working five additional years will boost annual income about
56%. The report examines the benefits of working longer, the characteristics
of today's older workers, and recent changes in older Americans' labor
supply. You may see the report online here:
http://www.urban.org/url.cfm?ID=411584
Additional financial information for seniors can be found at:
http://www.seniorresource.com/finance.htm
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F. OH MY AGING FUNNY BONE
Zen Humor
- Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
- If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try
missing a couple of car payments.
- Before you criticize someone, you should walk a
mile in his shoes. That way, when you criticize him, you're a mile away
and you have his shoes.
- If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not
for you.
- Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach
him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
More of Van Gogh's Family Tree
- The constipated uncle -- Cant Gogh
- The ballroom dancing aunt --Tang Gogh
- The bird-lover uncle -- Flamin Gogh
- His nephew psychoanalyst -- E Gogh
- The fruit-loving cousin -- Man Gogh
- The aunt who taught positive thinking -- Way To Gogh
- The little bouncy nephew -- Poe Gogh
- The sister who loved disco -- Go Gogh…
- And his niece who travels the country in a van -- Winnie Bay Gogh
"Oh My Aging Funny Bone" is at:
http://www.seniorresource.com/jokes.htm
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This issue has been edited by Betsy Day (betsyjday@aol.com).
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