Columns

Where to Get Help With Medicare Decisions

Dear Savvy Senior, I’ll be 65 in a few months and could sure use some help sorting through all the confusing Medicare options that are available to me. Where can I get help with my Medicare decisions? --Baffled Bob Dear Bob, With around 11,400 Baby Boomers turning 65 every day in 2026, you’re asking a very timely question. Many people approaching Medicare are confused by all the choices available today. In addition to original Medicare (Part A and B) that has been around for more than 60 years, you also have the option of enrolling in a Part D prescription drug plan, and a ...

What’s in Your Basket?

I’m in a pickle. Well, something like that. Remember when you were a kid and your Easter basket was filled with a decent size chocolate bunny, some jelly beans, Peeps and maybe a few toy trinkets such as a YoYo or jump rope? Well that’s what I can recall finding in my childhood Easter baskets. Then when we had our son, we found that just putting seasonal treats and small items was not the norm any longer. There were Hot Wheels and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles that were expected to arrive via the Easter Bunny. As the boy grew, so did the Easter baskets. Maybe a new basketball was ...

What Causes Dizziness and How to Fix It

Dear Savvy Senior, What can cause dizziness in older adults? I have dizzy spells from time to time but I’m not sure what causes it or what I should do about it. – Dizzy Donna Dear Donna, Whether it’s a moment of lightheadedness or the room-whirling sensation of vertigo, dizziness can be very unsettling. As many as 30 percent of people older than 60 experience dizziness at some point, about 50 percent after age 85. This unpleasant sensation only rarely signifies a serious medical condition. But it can knock you off balance, leading to falls and injuries. That’s why ...

Top Senior Scams and How to Avoid Them

Dear Savvy Senior, My adult kids keep warning me about scams, but it’s hard to know which calls and messages are dangerous. What scams are most commonly aimed at seniors right now? – Almost 80 Dear Almost, Your kids’ concerns are well founded. Financial fraud is a massive – and rapidly growing – problem for older Americans. In 2024 alone, scams cost older adults an estimated $81.5 billion, according to the Federal Trade Commission. That staggering figure includes both reported losses and the many crimes that likely go unreported. While many scams today target people of all ...

The Pitfalls of Potholes

I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for March to head on down the road. Enough of these open windows one day, turn on the furnace by nightfall the next day. Speaking of roads, I need you to understand something. If you happen to be driving behind me as I am traveling on just about any road in Ohio County, please know that I am completely sober. I do not drink and drive. However, I am weaving in and around potholes to avoid losing a tire or two, not to mention an expensive wheel alignment. Yes, I even go on the opposite side of the road on certain less-traveled lanes to avoid ...

What Happens if You Die Without a Will?

Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve put off making a will for years. What actually happens to my money and property if I die without one? – Getting Old Dear Getting, If you die without a will, your assets will be distributed according to the laws of your state, known as intestacy laws. These laws determine who inherits your property and financial accounts when there’s no will or trust. Since rules vary from state to state, it’s important to check the specifics where you live. A helpful starting point is heirbase.com, which offers Intestacy Evaluators for 37 states. You enter your ...