Dental Problems Create Ache in Wallet
Question: My wife and I are retired and live on Social Security. I haven’t gone to the dentist in five years and would like to have some routine dental work done. However, Medicare doesn’t cover these expenses. How do other retirees deal with this situation?
Answer: Ninety-seven percent of all dental expenses are paid out-of-pocket, and consequently many retired people such as yourself feel they can not afford to see a dentist.
Options you might look into include joining a health-maintenance organization (HMO) with a dental plan or a prepaid dental program with a designated annual fee. This would entitle you to services such as examinations, cleaning, X-rays, fillings and extractions at little or no cost. According to the American Assn. of Retired Persons, as of 1979 about 75 million Americans belonged to either a dental HMO or a prepaid dental plan.
Additionally, many dental schools offer clinical services at low cost. Medicare only provides hospitalization for surgical procedures, and Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) provides limited dental coverage to those who qualify. If you have other third-party insurance, check to see what their policy is.
In a few states, licensed denturists (persons certified in denture technology) sell and repair dentures at a savings. Contact your state’s dental-licensing board regarding the law in your state.
Q: I’m in my early 70s and haven’t exercised regularly for years. I’ve always been in fairly good health and believed that the older you get, the less exercise you need. Ever since my husband’s death last year from a heart attack, my son has been urging me to exercise. I’m not the type to start jogging or join a health spa. What do you suggest?
A: Regardless of age, regular exercise is an essential ingredient in protecting health and prolonging life. Exercise has been shown to lead to increased energy, decreased anxiety and depression, and improved sleep. An exercise program, tailored to your level of physical fitness, can involve activities that you enjoy, ranging from brisk walking to ballroom dancing.
Different types of exercise benefit various body systems and functions. Exercise programs are usually designed to strengthen cardiovascular endurance, the most important component of fitness. Aerobic exercises such as brisk walking, jogging, bicycling and swimming are recommended because they improve the body’s use of oxygen.
According to recommendations of the federal Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, these activities should be performed so that the heart rate increases to 60% to 75% of its maximum capacity. They should be sustained for 15 to 30 minutes and repeated regularly at least three times per week, preferably not on consecutive days.
Muscular endurance and muscular strength, needed to carry out everyday activities, can be developed through swimming, jogging, certain calisthenics and isometrics. Flexibility, which gives greater freedom of movement, can be increased by exercising each joint separately using slow stretching exercises.
Balance can be improved through dancing, yoga and standing or hopping on one foot. Activities to develop coordination and agility include golf, racquet sports, swimming and dancing.
Because you haven’t been exercising regularly, you should have a medical examination so that you and your doctor can develop a suitable program for you. Be realistic and set appropriate goals.
Start slowly and build up your exercise regime. Allow 15 to 20 minutes of slow stretching exercises before starting more vigorous ones, and 20 to 30 minutes to cool down after stressful exercise.
