By Trina O’Quinn for the NABBW The generation known as the Baby Boomers is now aged somewhere between  57 and 75. When I began to write this months’ blog post, I realized that that this 18-year difference is extremely significant. When you consider our demographic’s birth years, (1946 to 1964) you realize that those of us born in the first five years of this demographic (1951 and earlier) grew up in a much different world than did those Baby Boomers who were born in the last five years (1961 to 1964). The expectations of us — and our experiences — were much different.... Read More

By Trina O’Quinn for the NABBW I have heard the expression, “stop and smell the roses” since I was 19 years old. This has been 56 years of my life. That is the entire length of my marriage. Until I was 19, my parents believed that they needed to keep me busy so I wouldn’t get into trouble. (Translation: so that I wouldn’t get pregnant.) This was the 50s and early 60s, so that was their greatest fear — to have a daughter get pregnant before she was married. The message I understood from their attitude was that ‘if you do not stay busy all your life, you will get into trouble.’... Read More

By Lindsay Engle for the NABBW It’s been almost a year since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and just as you’ve had to adjust parts of your life to protect yourself and your family, Medicare has also had to modify their coverage. The goal of this article is to help you, as a Medicare beneficiary, to know what changes and modifications the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have made. Increased Access to Telehealth Services First and probably most significant, Medicare has temporarily increased coverage for telehealth services. Telehealth includes telemedicine, or remote... Read More

By Trina O’Quinn for the NABBW: I have always been a list maker. That is how I, as a dyslexic, had learned to accomplish the things that had to be done. I would start my day by listing what I needed to accomplish. Then come the weekend, I would list what I wanted to accomplish in two days instead of one, so the list got longer. I would place my list on the dining room table and cross off each item as I accomplished it. My list was always so long that looking at it, one would never think I had accomplished much in a day. On a good day or two, the most I could accomplish would have been 4-5... Read More

By Trina O’Quinn for the NABBW: Before I begin let me define the terms I am going to be discussing. There are two: 1- Chronic Illness and 2- Acute Illness. These explanations come from the Center for Disease Control, DSM-V, and Wikipedia. A chronic condition is a human health condition or disease that is persistent or otherwise long lasting in its effects or a disease that comes with time. The term chronic is often applied when the course of the disease lasts for more than three months. Common chronic diseases include arthritis, asthma, cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),... Read More

Here Are the Key Event Details: “Aging While Female–Reimagined,” A Zoom Webinar provided by DefyingGravity.life Featuring Pro-Aging Author and Activist Ashton Applewhite Friday, October 23, 2020, 12:00 pm EST From childhood on, we’re barraged by messages that it’s sad to be old. That wrinkles are embarrassing, and old people incompetent. Author and activist Ashton Applewhite believed them too, until she dug into where this prejudice comes from and the damage it does. Pointing out that we are all either old or “future old,” Applewhite explains the roots of ageism... Read More

By Trina O’Quinn for the NABBW This past July, I fell, bruising my knees and shoulders and whiplashing my neck. Today, I am still recovering. What I have found is that at age 75, I am not recovering like I used to, even at age 60. I am grateful that I did not break anything besides my ego. The fall triggered my fibromyalgia, causing pain all over my body, so I decided it was time to see a rheumatologist. She not only confirmed the fibromyalgia, but also diagnosed severe arthritis. After discussing my options for a recovery plan, together we decided that I would begin with aquatic physical... Read More

Written for the NABBW by Kimberly Cruz-Montalvo, Community Outreach Representative for www.mesotheliomaguide.com  When women and children are dolling themselves up, the last thing they expect is to be introducing a dangerous carcinogen into their bodies. Unfortunately, many families are unknowingly putting themselves at risk by using asbestos-contaminated products. Talc Products and Asbestos Exposure Many talc based products, including cosmetic sets and baby powder, have consistently tested positive for . Both talc and asbestos are naturally occurring minerals that are commonly found in close... Read More

By Trina O’Quinn for the NABBW “Life Is What Happens While You’re Busy Making Other Plans” – John Lennon As I began pondering this month’s blog, this quote continued to run through my mind. I am one of many people in the world who has music in the background of my brain all the time. Along with the quote came the music and lyrics to the song Let It Be, also by John Lennon: “Singing Words of Wisdom, Let It Be, Let It be.” So, I asked myself: What do either of these quotes have to do with my current Blog? What do they have to do with my theme of Grief? The answer was the theme of... Read More

Special to the NABBW By Lindsay Engle, Medicare Expert, MedicareFAQ With the Medicare Open Enrollment period quickly approaching, current and newly eligible beneficiaries will see a variety of changes that could impact their coverage for the 2021 calendar year, including budget updates and a reduction in drug costs among others. It is critical that all beneficiaries keep a close eye on important dates and educate themselves on their options in order to make the best decision for their individual needs. However, navigating these choices can be overwhelming. The following article will provide information... Read More