Surviving the Senior Citizen Years

Why is balance important? Balance is one of the most important functions that our bodies have. Without it, walking and any movement would be difficult, if not impossible. Many things can harm the body’s balance, like illnesses and disorders. Vertigo is a well-known disorder that throws your balance off, and Meniere’s less well-known disease also plays havoc with your vestibular system.   How does your balance work? Your balance is controlled by a labyrinth, which is made up of semicircular canals on one side and a structure called a cochlea on the other. The labyrinth works with your eyes and your feet to determine your balance. Signals sent to the brain from the labyrinth inform the brain about our movement or lack of movement, which defines our balance. What causes problems with your balance? viral infections in the ear can cause problems with your balance A head injury Certain medications   Exercises to improve your balance Always check with your doctor ...

  If you are retired and don’t have a pension or much of a 401(k) pension, you might need help besides Social Security Retirement benefits. C an the government help you out? 1.     Social Security and Medicare are the most significant government help you’ll probably get. The earliest you can get social security benefits is age 62. Of course, it will be at a considerably lower rate than if you reached your full retirement age, which is usually after 67. And that may change soon. Medicare is 65, and the cost of that will be taken out of your SS check.   Numerous programs in each state offer Medicare Advantage Programs. 2.     Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program—Energy costs always go up. The government has a program called LIHEAP that helps with the cost of keeping warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) | The Administration for Children and Families 3.     Medicaid...