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February 23, 2015
Your weekly link to grown-up news and information from newspaper and
magazine publications, news organizations and web resources nationwide.
IN THIS ISSUE

HEALTH:
How the Nation's Nutrition Panel Thinks You Should Be Eating: Americans need to cut down on sugar, sodium and saturated fat in their diets, but cholesterol should no longer be considered a nutrient of concern. TIME, Feb. 19.
 

More Americans Surviving Cancer Today Than 20 Years Ago: Study shows biggest improvements in people diagnosed between ages 50 and 64. HealthDay, Feb. 19.   

   

Hot Flashes Usually Persist for Years: Science now has an answer for midlife women wondering how long their menopausal heat waves can persist. The answer -- a long time. USA Today, Feb. 16.

Have You Been Misdiagnosed? Misdiagnosis is far more common than most of us realize. Experts and studies estimate that 12 million American adults are misdiagnosed every year, or about 1 in 20. Next Avenue, Feb. 16.

When Grief Won't Relent: Complicated grief, as it is known, is more than just a life-disrupting emotional response. It can result in a physical and psychological decline. The New York Times, Feb. 16.

FDA OKs New Varicose Vein Treatment: A new system to permanently treat varicose veins in the legs by sealing the affected veins with adhesive was approved Friday. HealthDay, Feb. 20.

Acid Reflux Raises Serious Health Concerns: For most, acid reflux is a burning annoyance. Left unchecked, for some it can become deadly. Los Angeles Times, Feb. 13.

Alcohol Good for Your Heart? Evidence is Evaporating: The idea that alcohol might be good for our hearts and blood vessels is a popular one. But before you pour your next cocktail, beer or glass of wine, you should know this. USA Today, Feb. 15.
MEDICINE:
3 Ways to Protect your Nest Egg from Rising Drug Costs: Spending on prescription drugs rose far faster than other health-care spending in 2014. MarketWatch, Feb. 19.  

Chantix Linked to Higher Quit Rates in Certain Smokers: The anti-smoking medication Chantix can boost the likelihood that cigarette smokers who aren't ready to stop cold turkey will cut down gradually, a new study suggests. HealthDay, Feb. 17.

Does a Real Anti-Aging Pill Already Exist? Inside Novartis's push to produce the first legitimate anti-aging drug. Bloomberg Businessweek, Feb. 12.
MIND:
5 Tips to Keep Your Brain Healthy: What to do to charge those neurons and lower your risk for disease. Next Avenue, Feb. 19.

Solving the Alzheimer's Mystery: In Colombia, where families with a genetic mutation are doomed to face Alzheimer's, a $100 million drug trial is under way. What it this mean for the rest of the world. The Arizona Republic, Feb. 16.
MONEY:
5 Lies People Tell Themselves about Saving for Retirement: When it comes to Americans and retirement savings, most people are lying about where they fall in the statistics, and there will be hell to pay when the truth finally comes out. MarketWatch, Feb. 20.

How to Balance Spending and Safety in Retirement: Every retirement withdrawal
method has its pros and cons. Understanding the differences will help you tap your assets in the way that's best for you. Money, Feb. 19.

3 Programs That Save Big Bucks In Retirement: Helpful benefits from the government and Area Agencies on Aging. Next Avenue, Feb. 19.

Your New Retirement Mantra: Save, Invest, Preserve: Small steps taken now, no matter your age, could make or break your financial future - including whether or not you will have a comfortable retirement. MarketWatch, Feb. 17.

What Women Can Do to Increase their Retirement Confidence: Knowing how much to save and how to invest can help women feel more secure. Here's a cheat sheet. Money, Feb. 17.

Changes Coming to Target-Date Mutual Funds: The more things change in the world of employer-sponsored retirement plans, the less they remain the same. USA Today, Feb. 16.

Retirement Readiness: How Do You Compare to Other Americans? Everyone wants to retire rich -- or at least financially independent. However, rising housing costs, health care expenses, and the risk of inflation all can make it harder to live the lifestyle you want in retirement. The Motley Fool, Feb. 16.

4 Ways to Get Help Paying Your Medical Bills: How to spot errors, secure discounts and hire a patient advocate. Next Avenue, Feb. 16.
TAXES:
Do You Need To File A Tax Return in 2015? Whether or not you are required to file a federal income tax return this year will depend on how much you earned (gross income) - and the source of that income - as well as your filing status and your age. The Huffington Post, Feb. 17.
RETIREMENT:
How to Face Some of the Greatest Challenges of Retirement: Retirement is supposed to be a carefree time of life, but for many Americans, it's anything but. The Motley Fool, Feb. 19. 

10 Surprising Facts About Retirement: Most retirees are prepared for more free time and less stress, but some other aspects of retirement could be unexpected. US News and World Report, Feb. 17.

Americans Racked By Retirement Fears: Our nation is nervous about retirement. More than a quarter of Americans, 28 percent, say that the specter of high medical expenses in old age worries them the most. Bankrate.com, Feb. 17.
SOCIAL SECURITY:
Think Social Security is Protected from Garnishment? Think Again: If times are tough, it's important to ask: Are your Social Security payments subject to garnishment? Could a creditor seize them? Could you lose them in bankruptcy? MarketWatch, Feb. 20. 

Social Security: Best Ways to Max Out Your Benefit: You think taxes are complicated? Try figuring out the best time and best way to claim your Social Security benefits. Next Avenue, Feb. 17.

The Social Security Truth More Americans Need to Face: Over the years, Gallup polls have found a consistent gap between how much people expect Social Security will provide for them in retirement and the reality they face once they start claiming benefits. The Motley Fool, Feb. 16.
SCAMS:
How to Protect Your Identity This Tax Season: The number of people filing their taxes online continues to grow, especially from personal computers as consumers use tools like Intuit's TurboTax and other filing software options. Wall St. Cheat Sheet, Feb. 19. 

These scammers are targeting your elderly parents: February may be the month of hearts and flowers, but it's also prime time for financial cons, from imposter fraud to the "sweetheart scam." CNBC, Feb. 17.
HOUSING:

How to Find a Retirement Home That Doesn't Make You Feel Old: Dread the thought of an 'old folks' home? These retirees deflate that stereotype. US News and World Report, Feb. 20.


Nursing Home Quality Scores Drop in New Federal Ratings: Nearly a third of the nation's nursing homes are getting lower scores on the government's five-star quality scale. USA Today, Feb. 20. 

5 Considerations Before Moving to a Retirement Community: It's no surprise that many older Americans
look to retirement communities as a way to downsize, be surrounded by like-minded neighbors and enjoy on-site benefits. But before you commit, consider these factors. MarketWatch, Feb. 19. 
 
When Living with Strangers Makes Sense: New house-sharing services help match housemates, and helps deal with what some call an epidemic of loneliness among older adults. Next Avenue, Feb. 17.

7 Home Upgrades for Easier Aging In Place: Updating your home with a few universal design features can enable you to live there longer independently. Bankrate.com, Feb. 17.
INSURANCE:
Long-Term Care Insurance: Costs Are Up but Vary Widely: Rates for long-term care insurance, which can help pay for care in your own house or in a nursing home, rose this year an average of nearly 9 percent, a new industry report finds. The New York Times, Feb. 19. 
WORK:
Boomers Want to Keep Working - If They Can: Baby Boomers continue to shatter stereotypes by working well into traditional retirement age. USA Today, Feb. 17.
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