Sometimes in these difficult economic times it's hard to make ends meet. As the saying goes "Just when I thought I was going to be able to make ends meet someone moved the end." That can happen to most of us at one time or another. That may be when we start getting those phone calls from "Debt Collectors." One of the things we need to remember is they are just doing their job, they probably don't want to call you anymore than you want to hear from them. ...

(1) How Well is Your Home Caring for You? Most of us, as we grow older, start to think about where we want to live, and many of us decide that we want to stay right where we are. I know my husband and I don't want to have to move...for one thing just think of all the junk we've acquired over the last quarter of a century. I can't even talk him into cleaning out the garage, much less packing up everything we own!...

Cape Girardeau County S.A.L.T. (Seniors and Lawmen Together) serves as an advisory council to address the unmet personal safety issues, needs, and concerns of older citizens. The major emphasis is a two part approach: 1 -- Implement effective crime prevention and educational programs for senior citizens in Cape Girardeau County...

Sometimes after I have talked with (to) my husband for an hour or so he interrupts me saying "Too much information" or "information overload". This is my "hint" to let him go back to watching the TV program I had put on pause. I feel as if you may feel the same way by the end of this article but I have so much information I really need to share it...

By October 1 all the Medicare Prescription Plans are mandated to have the information about their prescription drug program for the year 2012 to their clients. They will tell you what the new premium will be and the deductible, if any. They will also have information regarding the drugs they cover and the co-pays...

Anyone who knows me knows that I'm crazy about my grandchildren. I have two grandsons and two granddaughters. When they were younger I loved having them come to spend the night BUT...when the time came for them to go home that was kind of nice too. I have always needed my grandchildren's parents to be responsible for my grandchildren. ...

A gift with a major impact -- one that will long be remembered with gratitude -- takes just a bit of preparation. When you become an organ donor, you can save the lives of up to 8 people. And if you donate tissues like blood cells, bone or corneas, you can help even more...

The following information is from Mo. Attorney General Chris Kostner's office: What is identity theft? This occurs when someone uses your personal information to commit fraud or other crimes. The thief takes your Social Security number, bank account number or other information and causes problems, like taking out loans in your name or charging money to your bank account or credit card...

With the states' and the Federal Government's financial woes it is making everyone concerned about what is going to happen next. People are wondering what social programs are going to be cut. We hear accusations of the government "trying to balance the budget on the backs of the poor and elderly". ...

Those of us who live in the United States of American know our independence is precious. This is true whether we are talking about something as powerful as our independence from being ruled by a foreign country or something as personal as independently living in our own home. No matter what our age from 5 to 105 we want to be independent...

Medicare has undergone many changes in the last few years. Some of the changes began in January of this year under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010 (ACA). Following is a list of some of the changes beneficiaries will experience this year:...

SCAM #1: This warning came to us from Kevin Secor, VSO Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. "An organization called Veterans Affairs Services (VAS) is providing benefit and general information on VA and gathering personal information on veterans. ...

For many people driving means freedom! Teenagers just can't wait until they are 16 and can drive. Providing "Mom's Taxi Service" probably sometimes makes "Mom" wish she didn't have driving privileges, but in general folks who can drive are very glad that they can and would be very upset if that privilege was taken away...

SCAM #1: This warning came to us from Kevin Secor, VSO Liaison, Office of the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. "An organization called Veterans Affairs Services (VAS) is providing benefit and general information on VA and gathering personal information on veterans. ...

We can now forget all the things that we planned to do last year and start a brand new list. Just think, new resolutions, new "to-do lists", new promises to our spouse. What an opportunity! You may remember one of my resolutions last year was to gain a few pounds and eat more chocolate. Well I'm proud to say I kept those resolutions, I wonder how many of you can say that you kept yours...

Now is the time to be thinking about your Medicare Prescription Drug Plan for 2011. If you have a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan this year, you will receive a packet of information from your current plan. You should take a look at this as soon as possible. You need to make a decision as to whether you want to keep your present plan or try to find a better one...

Beginning January 1, 2011, some people on Medicare who are getting Extra Help paying the premium for Medicare Part D and co-pays for prescriptions may lose that benefit. If they no longer qualify for Medicaid, no longer belong to a Medicare Savings Program (MSP) or no longer receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) they will not be automatically eligible...

If you or someone you know is close to the do-nut hole (coverage gap) or in it already you will (or have) received a check for $250 from the federal government to help get through it. Remember, you do not have to do anything to get this check, no application, no phone call, no giving of social security or Medicare number...NOTHING. ...

The Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging (SEMO AAA) announces that the Family Caregiver Program has been honored with an Aging Achievement Award by the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging (n4a) for their "Caregiver Solutions Program." The awards program is sponsored by Critical Signal Technologies (CST)...

This article is somewhat difficult for me to write because it seems many of us are being treated unfairly by medical service billing offices. I have heard three stories this week on the subject about which I am writing, therefore I thought it was time to say something...