A lack of trust (fund)
Two questions arise from a recent article from the Associated Press that begins: “An unexpected weakening in the finances of Social Security and Medicare...” First, what’s unexpected about it? (Answer: it’s only unexpected if you haven’t been paying attention.) And second, has this reported “weakening” become such a common alarm from the annual report of the Social... READ MORE
A complex subject
For most Americans, recent headlines concerning unfair trade and retaliatory tariffs seem far removed from daily life. But for papers like the Beacon, a trade dispute with Canada — which has led to U.S. tariffs that have caused multiple and continuing increases in the price of newsprint since last fall — could be a life-and-death matter. So I have chosen to write about this,... READ MORE
Would you want to know?
While we don’t currently have any medications or other approaches that effectively prevent or delay the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, it is heartening to know that research is being funded and that important discoveries are being made. At a recent event of the BrightFocus Foundation, which funds research into glaucoma, macular degeneration and Alzheimer’s, I met some of those ... READ MORE
Feeling vulnerable
Every year — in fact, almost every day — we gain more and more power over nature and over our lives through technology. This is true not only for individuals, but also for societies and governments throughout the world. On the one hand, it seems as though this is progress that solves real problems (as well as problems we didn’t even know we had), and that it enhances peace and... READ MORE
Calling all artists!
You may have noticed that we’ve been highlighting the arts for a number of months in our pages, featuring in nearly every issue older adults who have either returned to an art or craft they enjoyed in their youth, or taken up something completely new in retirement. We have also recently published lists of the many arts and craft classes offered in the local area. All of this has... READ MORE
This one is on us
My column last month, about my experience with an outrageously and unnecessarily overpriced prescription, generated a great deal of reader comment. In case you missed it, in brief: I was repeatedly encouraged by a doctor, despite my protests, to try out a “new” anti-inflammatory (which turned out to simply combine two readily available over-the-counter drugs into a single... READ MORE
Apparently, it’s up to us
My column last month, about my experience with an outrageously and unnecessarily overpriced prescription, generated a good deal of reader comment. In case you missed it, in brief: I was repeatedly encouraged by a doctor, despite my protests, to try out a “new” medication that combined two readily available over-the-counter drugs into a single prescribed pill. The doctor said he would ... READ MORE
A bitter pill indeed
A seemingly innocuous request recently led me to a bout of righteous indignation and a passionate battle. At the end of an appointment with my orthopedist, I asked him to refill my prescription for an NSAID pain reliever. Though it happens to be available over-the-counter at a reasonable price, the prescription is a 12-hour version, and its cost (to me and to my insurance company) is... READ MORE
Reasonable risks
When I was growing up, I remember looking in my parents’ medicine cabinet, or on high garage shelves, and seeing cans and bottles with various warnings printed all over them. Indoors there was rubbing alcohol, something called “witch hazel” (which always piqued my interest), peroxide and other intriguing substances. Some said DANGER/POISON (usually with a skull and crossbones),... READ MORE
How the world works
When I was six years old, my father took our family to New York City (where he had a business trip) for a vacation. Among many other firsts for me on that eye-opening trip were my first visit to a World’s Fair and my first musical on Broadway: Oliver! I was instantly taken with the idea of the theatre. I already played piano and liked to sing, and there I saw a child about my age... READ MORE
