What You Need As You Age
By Bob Calandra
As we age, our bodies change and become more vulnerable to illness and disease. But that's why it's important for older adults to receive certain tests that focus on specific areas. Here is a list of some tests and other suggestions commonly recommended by doctors for older adults. The recommendations come from the American Medical Association, the American Cancer Society, and other medical organizations, but are general in nature. Patients always should consult with their doctors to find out what's appropriate for their individual needs.
Skin Exam: The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends a yearly skin examination for anyone age 40 and older.
Cholesterol: A major way to detect and avoid heart disease is to keep an eye on your cholesterol. Older people should be checked at least every three years.
Blood Pressure: Everyone should have their blood pressure checked regularly, especially those who are overweight or have diabetes, have a family history of high blood pressure, or are African-American, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or Mexican-American.
Fasting Blood Sugar Test: The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends a fasting plasma glucose test every three years for people age 45 and older.
Colorectal Cancer Tests: The ACS recommends that beginning at age 50, both men and women at "average" risk be screened using one of the following protocols:
1. A fecal occult blood test once per year.
2. Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years.
3. A yearly fecal occult blood test plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years (among the first three options, this is the one preferred by the ACS.)
4. Double contract barium enema every five years.
5. Colonoscopy every 10 years.
Electrocardiogram: The American Medical Association recommends having an electrocardiogram every three to five years for anyone with two or more risks for heart disease.
Osteoporosis: Both men and women can suffer from this bone-thinning condition, although women are more prone to it. Women should have a physical exam every year that includes a height check to help detect osteoporosis. Men have larger, stronger bones than women, but two million men have osteoporosis. White men appear to be most at risk, but osteoporosis can occur in other ethnic groups as well.
MEN
Prostate Exam: Men 50 an over should be offered the option of annual testing for prostate cancer.
WOMEN
Pelvic Exam & Pap Smear: Women should have a pelvic exam and Pap smear every year to detect gynecological cancers as well as other conditions.
Breast Exam & Mammogram: After age 40, a woman should have a health professional do a breast exam and mammogram once a year.
Source: What You Need, From Pap to Prostate
By: Bob Calandra, WebMD Medical News

TELEMARKETING FRAUD PROBLEMS & PREVENTION
Typical Scam
Mr. Jones answered his phone one Sunday afternoon and was greeted by an excited young woman who informed him he was the newest winner of the "Sunny Breeze" all expenses paid vacation package. The friendly voice assured him that he would have his choice of several tropical paradises for only a small "fee" of $200.00 to cover "taxes". As a bonus, if he paid immediately by credit card, the vacation package would be delivered within just a few days. Mr. Jones was so excited about the prospect of taking his wife on a long deserved vacation that he did not hesitate to furnish the woman with his credit card number and home address for delivery.
Tips For Fraud Prevention
1. Don't buy by phone from unfamiliar companies. Legitimate businesses will understand when you want more information about their offer or their company.
2. Always ask for, and wait until you receive, written material about any offer or charity. If you get brochures about expensive investments, ask your financial advisor to review them.
3. Always check out unfamiliar companies with your local Consumer Protection Agency, Better Business Bureau, State Attorney General, or The National Fraud Information Center.
4. Always take your time making a decision. Legitimate companies won't pressure you to decide quickly. It's not rude to wait and think about an offer. Remember, if you've won a prize but have to pay for it too, you haven't "won" anything.
5. Don't give your credit card number, checking account number, or other personal information to a telemarketer unless you are familiar with the company, and the information is necessary in order to make a purchase you want.
6. If a solicitation comes by mail, call the Postal Crime Hotline at (800) 654-8896 for more advice on how not to become a victim.
For more information, or to report a possible scam, call one of these agencies:
The C.A.R.E. Program - (909) 927-0668 or (760) 836-1606
National Fraud Information Center - (800) 876-7060
Your Local Law Enforcement Agency or FBI
Information provided by C.A.R.E. Program
(909) 791-3446

HICAP NEWS
Why Are Seniors Being Faced With Higher Medical Fees?
Soaring prescription-drug costs are causing many HMOs to raise fees and reduce drug coverage. Many plans are raising co-payments for prescription drugs and limiting the amount of drugs paid for in a year. Several plans are imposing fees to see a physician and some are charging monthly premiums. On the other hand, one HMO is dropping its $30 annual fee but has eliminated coverage of brand-name drugs as well as imposing a $200 deductible for hospital care.

Some HMO members have braced themselves to pay more for health coverage. Prescription-drug coverage has been one of the attractions for seniors to enroll in an HMO. Standard Medicare does not cover most drugs prescribed through a doctor's office. Yet prescription drugs have become more important in treating chronic ailments such as heart disease, high blood pressure and osteoporosis.

Prescription drugs have become the fastest growing cost in health care in the 1990's. Those costs have been passed on to seniors who are more likely to have the most need for pharmaceuticals. Seniors account for 13% of the nation's population but represent more than 1/3 of the nation's total drug expenditures.

The main problem seniors are faced with is that the Federal budget-cutters have limited increases in HMO payments to 2% a year. HMO officials say that is not enough to cover rising costs for medical care and drugs. Congress will have to provide HMOs more money in order to stay in business. Many HMOs have already gone under or reduced their number of locations. In some cases, HMOs are dropping prescription drug coverage altogether.

The Inland region has one of the nation's highest concentrations of older people enrolled in HMOs. Just over half of the region's 380,000 residents over the age of 64 are enrolled in an HMO. If more money is not made available, the HMO system won't work . . . unless it's fixed.

- Jim Janis


RECREATION PARTNERS
Looking for an activity or class that is not offered by the Mizell Senior Center? Look to our new Program Partners. These businesses offer programs in fitness and arts to Mizell Senior Center members at special discounted prices. Be sure to check back often as more partners are being added all the time.

Bikrams Hatha Yoga - (760) 328-2646
Ranjeeta offers discounts for members.

Desert Fine Arts Academy - (760) 320-6806
Painting, drawing, and more; 20% off instruction.

Palm Canyon Theatre - (760) 323-5123
Group rates on all shows.

Palm Springs Lanes - (760) 324-8204
Discount prices Monday through Friday.

Tahquitz Creek Golf Resort - (760) 328-1005
Group golf lessons. Call Mizell 323-5689 to register.

We Need Your E-Mail Address
To always keep our members informed on senior issues, programs and services provided by the Mizell Center and activities and special events in the community, we have developed the Mizell On Line Publication which is e-mailed to members every Tuesday. If you would like to be included on our mailing list, please drop us a note that includes your name, phone number and e-mail address.

Community Seminar Series
Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
Call the Senior Center at (760) 323-5689 for seminar schedule or look on our web site under "Activities... Special Schedule of Events."