B12 shots can help with Cognition in seniors

B12 shots are being prescribed to our seniors, so I thought I would share this article I just came across on the potential benefits from  Leslie Kernisan, MD MPH. You might find this helpful to share with your senior’s family or even talk about with your own doctor.

A deficiency in any vitamin can be catastrophic for health. But vitamin B12 deficiency stands out because a) it’s very common — experts have estimated that up to 20% of older adults may be low in this vitamin — and b) it’s often missed by doctors.

Geriatricians also like to pay attention to vitamin B12 because a deficiency can cause — or usually worsen — cognitive impairment or walking problems.

The most common problems related to low vitamin B12 levels include:

• Anemia. This means the red blood cell count is low. Red blood cells carry oxygen in the blood, so anemia can cause fatigue or shortness of breath. The breakdown of faulty red blood cells can also cause jaundice. (Learn more about anemia here: Anemia in the Older Adult: 10 Common Causes & What to Ask.)

• Neuropathy. This means that nerves in the body are not working well. This can cause a variety of symptoms, including tingling, numbness, burning, poor balance, and walking difficulties.

• Cognitive impairment. This means that nerve cells in the brain are not working well. This can cause memory problems, irritability, and even dementia.

How Vitamin B12 Deficiency is Diagnosed and Treated

The first step in checking for deficiency is a blood test to check the serum level of vitamin B12.

The typical initial treatment for a significant vitamin B12 deficiency involves intramuscular shots  – 1000 micrograms of the vitamin. This bypasses any absorption problems in the stomach or intestine. 

High-dose oral vitamin B12 supplements (1000-2000 micrograms per day) have also been shown to raise levels, because high doses can usually compensate for the body’s poor absorption. However, oral treatments probably take longer to work than intramuscular shots. So they’re not ideal for initially correcting a deficiency, although they’re sometimes used to maintain vitamin B12 levels. 

Read the entire article here.

2020 Medicare Enrollment is now Open

2020 Open Enrollment is here - and ends Dec 7

There are a variety of ways you can get personalized help as you wend your way through the open-enrollment process. You can use the Medicare.gov online chat feature throughout open enrollment. The Medicare hotline, 800-MEDICARE (800-633-4227), is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You may also call your local State Health Insurance and Assistance Program (SHIP) to speak with a Medicare counselor.

New for 2020

CMS has redesigned the Medicare Plan Finder website. The redesign has larger type, more white space, requires fewer clicks between pages and will allow you to compare prescription drug plans side by side, including information about preferred pharmacies and what they cost compared, for example, with ordering a drug by mail.

Also in 2020, Medicare Advantage plans will be able to offer an expanded set of supplemental benefits. People with chronic conditions, such as diabetes, will be eligible for nutrition counseling. Heart disease patients could get access to healthier produce or other food. Asthma sufferers could get home-cleaning services that could forestall attacks. The new services also include more in-home meals, transportation to medical appointments and improvements to a patient's home, including such things as wheelchair ramps and shower grips.

Be aware that not all MA plans will offer any or all of these supplemental services. CMS officials say enrollees can check out which plans have these extra benefits on the new Plan Finder site.

Beneficiaries who take many medications, especially expensive ones, could be in for some out-of-pocket sticker shock in 2020. After satisfying any deductible that their plan has (a maximum one of $415 in 2019 and $435 in 2020), beneficiaries are responsible for 25 percent of the cost of their drugs until they reach an out-of-pocket spending threshold and enter catastrophic coverage, where they have to pay just 5 percent of drug costs for the rest of the year. This year that threshold is $5,100, but in 2020, it will increase to $6,350. Based on how the benefit works, this means that people who take only brand-name drugs could have to pay about $400 more out of pocket before they qualify for catastrophic coverage.

DO YOU KNOW ABOUT EASY MODE?

There is a setting you can turn on in both Android and Apple phones to make it easier to use 

I recently learned of an option available in most Smart Phone to simplify the user experience. It is called Easy Mode. You get there from your Settings option on your home page. You can try setting it yourself or stop by your wireless phone company and they will be able to help you. I have attached a link with some instructions if you are feeling brave. It removes clutter and enlarges the images and letters.

While I didn't change my phone to Easy Mode, I did enlarge my keypad. It seems like I am always hitting the key on the side of the letter I want, so this seems like a good option to try for a while. My son, Thomas, uses the color blind display which helps him see the pictures and icons on the phone. My cousin, who is deaf, uses her smart phone with several voice to text features. There look to be dozens of other settings to assist you.

If you are finding something challenging on your phone, stop my your carrier store and I bet they can help you make adjustments. 

Save money on prescriptions

Prescription prices are often very difficult to absorb. Best case scenario you can find a generic that works and worst case the medication is prohibitively high and you don't buy it, which is why I like to share whenever I find resources that help with the high cost of prescriptions. This month I am sharing with you about GoodRX.com, a discount program we recently joined.

Drug prices vary wildly between pharmacies. GoodRx helps you find the lowest prices and discounts. GoodRX collects and compares prices for every FDA-approved prescription drug at more than 70,000 US pharmacies instantly within the mobile app. It returns to you a visual that shows you the cost of the medication by pharmacies near you. It also offers free coupons to use at the pharmacy. Watch the video attached to see how it works. Then download their mobile app from their website or Apple Store.

Make sure to let me know how it works for you.