January Newsletter

Many of us were more than happy to say good-bye to the year 2020. It's now past, replaced by opportunities to make 2021 a year of progress (hopefully, with COVID-19 receding). At American Senior Benefits, we look forward to bringing you essential information on health and retirement. From all of us at ASB, have a happy, healthy, and successful 2021!

Home Dialysis Expands

People needing dialysis for kidney failure received some good news for 2021.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services finalized a rule aimed at boosting end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients' access to home dialysis by allowing certain new equipment and supplies to qualify for an additional Medicare payment. 1

The rule encourages development of new home dialysis machines that give Medicare beneficiaries with ESRD more dialysis treatment options at home to improve their quality of life.

1."CMS Expands Options for Dialysis at Home," HomeCare, HomeCareMag.com (November 3, 2020)

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New Year, New Moves

As we start a new year, everything seems possible, and better health is often a top priority for many.

But aside from your physical heath, your financial health should be high on your 2021 to-do list.

But what exactly can you do? What moves can you make? Here are some suggestions: 2

• Work on your debt. Determine how much money you can put toward credit cards balances and other debts on a regular basis.
• Build an emergency fund. COVID-19 has taught all of us that the unexpected can happen.
• Clearly understand the differences between "needs" and "wants." Do you need a high-end new car, or will a well-maintained used vehicle be fine?

2. "Four money moves to kick of 2021" Senior Citizen Times, SeniorCitizenTimes.com (accessed December 1, 2020)

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SOMETHING TO KNOW: An estate account is a temporary bank account that holds an estate's money. The person you choose to administer your estate will use the account's funds to settle your debts, pay taxes, and distribute assets.

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Good Taste, Good Health

Chickpea, Spinach, and Sweet Potato Brown Rice Bowl

Here's a light, healthy (vegan!) recipe to follow up the holiday feasts we've recently enjoyed.

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 can chickpeas
• 1 sweet potato
• 2/3 cup brown rice
• 5 cups fresh spinach
• 1 tbsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp turmeric
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 cloves garlic
• 2 tsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp tahini
• lime (juice)
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• chili
• salt
• pepper

DIRECTIONS:

Cook brown rice. Add rice and 2 cups of water to pot. Season with salt and cook until soft. Preheat oven to 350°. Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Rinse, drain, and dry chickpeas. Remove skins for an extra crunchy finish. Mix chickpeas with 1 tsp of oil, garlic powder, turmeric, cayenne, salt, and pepper. Arrange chickpeas on one side of the baking tray in a single layer. Cut sweet potatoes into bite- sized pieces and place them on the baking tray too. Sprinkle with cinnamon and chili. Bake chickpeas and sweet potato for 25-30 min. Heat 1 tsp of olive oil in a large pan, add crushed garlic and sauté for 2 min. Add spinach, salt, and pepper. Cook for 3-5 min. For tahini dressing mix together tahini, lime juice, maple syrup with a little water. Add rice, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, and spinach to a big bowl and top with the tahini dressing.

Source: Green Evi

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Glaucoma Awareness Month

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness. It's part of a group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve, which is vital to sight.

While glaucoma can affect people of all ages, the risk of glaucoma increases as we get older. The damage is caused by unusually high pressure in the eye.

January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month, which is dedicated to letting people know more about the causes and effects of Glaucoma.

Important! high-risk groups include: people over 60, family members of those already diagnosed, diabetics, people who are severely nearsighted and people of African, Asian and Hispanic descent.

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If you live in a cold-weather area, clear snow and ice from walkways. Better yet, hire someone else to do it.

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Senior Financial Glossary

Vested Interest. This is the lawful right of an individual or entity to gain access to property such as money or stocks at some point in the future.

Vetting is the process of thoroughly investigating an individual, company, or other entity before planning to go forward with a joint project. A background review is a vetting process.

"Vicarious Liability" is a situation in which one party is held partly responsible for the unlawful actions of a third party.

Viral Marketing. Viral marketing seeks to spread information about a product or service from person to person by word of mouth or sharing via the internet or email.

SOURCE: Investopedia

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Did you know this about January?

• January is National Blood Donor Month
• It is estimated that as many as 50% of Americans make New Year's resolutions (Nuvance Health)
• January 18th is Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• Queen Victoria of England died on January 22, 1901 after a 64-year reign.

January Celebrity Birthdays: Elvis Presley (January 8), Howard Stern (12), Dolly Parton (19), Oprah Winfrey (29)

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Happy Holidays and Happy 2021!

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"If you wish to forget anything on the spot, make a note that this thing is to be remembered."
- Edgar Allan Poe

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Want to talk about retirement ideas and concerns you have for 2021? Contact me for a free, no obligation, policy review.