REVOLUTIONARY MEDICAL DISCOVERIES LEAD TO CURES FOR THE “INCURABLE”
Is this the beginning of a new future for people living with Alzheimer’s? Perhaps, but do not celebrate as yet. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Biogen’s ‘aducanumab’ on June 7, making it the first Alzheimer’s medication available in nearly 20 years and the only one that could slow the progression of the disease which effects 6.2 Americans. But the drug, which will go by the brand name Aduhelm, is not a cure for Alzheimer’s, and it does not reverse it. What is causing the excitement is the data showing the drug is successful at breaking up sticky plaques of protein that accumulate in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Health officials anticipate that the drug can help remove those plaques, which may help slow the rate of cognitive decline in the early stages of the disease. The FDA’s approval, however, comes with a condition: The drug’s maker, Biogen, must do further studies to prove it works the way it’s intended. At a cost of $56,000 a year, it’s not yet known whether Medicare and private insurance will cover it.
The development of the vaccines providing immunity from the Coronavirus have shattered precedent. What formerly took four years of research and trial is now possible in hours! The next step, applying the process to other viruses, could yield even more unparalleled results as the scope of mRNA vaccines goes far beyond any one disease. Like moving from a vacuum tube to a microchip, the technology promises to perform the same task as traditional vaccines, but exponentially faster, and for a fraction of the cost. The mRNA vaccines are a new type of vaccine to protect against infectious diseases. Previously, to trigger an immune response, vaccines put a weakened or inactivated germ into our bodies. Not mRNA vaccines. Instead, they teach our cells how to make a protein, even a piece of a protein, to trigger an immune response. The race for the next generation of mRNA vaccines targeted at a variety of other diseases is already exploding, including HIV, Zika, herpes, dengue, hepatitis and malaria. es per 100 people.
Pandemic aside, 2020 was also a time of numerous medical innovations. Breakthroughs in oncology, gene therapies, and heart health are a few of the impactful medical advances of the year that will provide hope for cures previously deemed unattainable. This gene “scissor” tool is what it sounds like, literally snipping out pieces of DNA to restore them to their normal function. The ability to “rewrite the code of life” creates new treatments for people who have a wide range of genetic conditions, such as sickle cell disease, a condition where malformed sickle-shaped red blood cells cause blockages in blood flow. Advances in heart disease and stroke research have changed treatment for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (when the heart muscle thickens and can stiffen). Technologies are in development for early detection of cancer by way of blood tests.aos looms.
IF WE’RE GOING TO LIVE LONGER LET’S GO WHERE THE LIVING’S EASY
When it comes to retirement planning, financial considerations are usually at the top of the agenda. For most future retirees, income is relatively quantifiable, with social security, pensions, investments, and savings. Anticipating expenses may be less precise, with unknowns like inflation, health care costs, and unexpected payments. Then, once the finances are established, there are questions about being close to the kids, ease of shopping, access to health care and of course, socializing and recreation, not to mention the weather, and snow shoveling, home heating and landscaping chores. These are the considerations that come into play when planning for retirement and here are some answers, a list of welcoming locations here in the US and in Europe and South America. Dream on!
New location but familiar life style. From Sarasota and Fort Myers in Florida to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and Ann Arbor, Michigan, here is the short list of America’s most popular retirement cities. The decision is easier to make, considering the folks who live there speak England and the move requires a U-Haul rather than a plane ticket!
Considering retirement abroad? The Social Security Administration lists more than 700,000 Americans receiving their monthly payments in various foreign countries! A cheaper cost of living is a factor for many, but weather, ambience, culture, and environment are other influential components. Here are some of the more popular European retirement destinations.
South America fits the bill for many expats when it comes to looking for the perfect retirement haven. In many of the towns and cities where Americans live out their dream retirement, they rely on their Social Security to fund it. Check out this list of cities with a relaxed lifestyle, established expat communities, friendly, welcoming natives, good healthcare, and an ideal climate.
WE DON’T GIVE ADVICE, BUT WE DO SHARE EXPERIENCES
(THE SND BLOG)
You and you alone have the power to change. A noted therapist offers the tools you need and the encouragement to employ them, but ultimately the task is yours to undertake. It takes courage to face the trauma of past events. The commitment you make is the key to becoming the person you aspire to be. www.seniornewsdaily.com/blog
Our editor has a conversation with death and makes a bargain that serves him will. The hooded specter will visit from time to time and he will grieve and weep at the cruelty of each loss. On the other hand, each passing would be a poignant reminder of the time spent together; of common experiences, both joyous and sad; of the feelings shared on a deep, personal level; memories flooding him with appreciation and gratitude.
WE TRIED THESE PRODUCTS AND THEY PASSED THE TEST
(WE REVIEW THEM BEFORE YOU BUY THEM)
The “Y”-shaped design of the Ergo-Sof Pen helps end cramps. This an ergonomic writing pen with a soft silicone coating that adds extra comfort by reducing the need to squeeze the pen tightly when writing. The ergonomic index finger cradle allows the natural weight of the user’s own hand to gently rest. Pressure is applied to the writing surface with gravity, instead of pressure from the fingers. The whole arm engages in the writing process, greatly reducing hand fatigue. Ideal for Arthritis, Writer’s cramp, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, calluses, RSI, and hand weakness.
A jar opener that twists off irksome tight lids. It adds strength to your wrist with a simple mechanical function, more leverage thanks to the lengthened handle. The serrated edge assures a tight grip. It’s an essential kitchen tool, and the price is right. There are any number of similar tools that perform the same function, and all work on the same principle.
A knife that is easy to use. Difficulties in gripping cutlery is one of those signs of aging that we struggle with just about every day. Thankfully, the knives that are designed with the grip handles solve the problem effortlessly. There are many versions of the concept and just about all of them work well.
RANTS AND RAVES
(OUR READERS WRITE ABOUT THEIR PERSONAL STORIES)
Send us your stories about the taboo issues that don’t get attention in the general media. It’s irksome to be regarded like an old cushion with stuffing worn out. We are not irrelevant. We are not dead yet! Email your stories, in confidence, to editor@seniornewsdaily.com. If chosen, we will solicit your permission to publish.
A tongue-in-cheek newspaper by and for seniors, Senior News Daily-ish delivers a digest of light-hearted news about topics of interest to active men and women of retirement age.
Senior News Daily-ish is written by and for active seniors. Like you, we’re not keen on the “senior” tag. We may be a step or two slower and a pound or ten heavier, but we aren’t dead yet. Not by a long shot. We believe seniors have a sense of humor and can laugh at themselves. We know our readers are intelligent, influential, live active lives and get their news from a variety of national sources, both left and right of the political center. We don’t simply duplicate what they report. We are a newspaper for seniors. The stories are mostly tongue in check. When they’re too important to joke about, we publish health news for seniors, retirement news for seniors and financial news as well. Humorous or serious, they advocate for our generation of AARP members. In addition to news by and for seniors, Senior News Daily-ish publishes a Blog featuring posts from our editors and the opinions of our contemporaries. There are reviews of products and services we test and endorse (and yes, get paid to advertise, somebody must pay for us to get out of bed); and a Personal page where readers write about romance for seniors, relationships for seniors and experiences with growing older.
As for the “ish” in Senior News Daily-ish, we publish bi-weekly on Monday and Thursday. But don’t hold us to it if we’re hungover from the weekend, and Tuesday and Friday are the best we can do.