For seniors, any major expense can really take a toll on their life when they’re already on a limited income. Healthcare can be such a huge expense, even if it’s just routine care and not dealing with an emergency. Even if seniors do have coverage through private or public health insurance, every penny counts and here are some ways seniors can reduce their costs:

1. Do some research into your health – researching health issues could help seniors reduce the time spent at the doctor’s offices. However, internet resources and books used for self-diagnosis should not replace a doctor’s care; they can however help seniors stay on the right track with diagnostics and care and keep costs lower

2. Avoid the emergency room – charges are higher at hospital emergency rooms. If you experience something that requires medical attention that isn’t an emergency, ask for an immediate doctor’s appointment or go to a walk-in clinic

3. Look for free or low-cost medical care options – during featured health months (like Breast Cancer Awareness month) or seasons where there’s an increase of certain health issues; look for free or low-cost clinics. Breast cancer screenings, flu shots, and even basic diagnostic tests like blood pressure and more are offered in different communities

4. Ask for second and even third opinions – just because one doctor mentions that surgery, or a specific, expensive medication is a requirement doesn’t mean that any senior needs to take it to heart. Ask for additional opinions if you’re uncertain

5. Never be afraid to ask – when it comes to medications, procedures and any element of medical care, ask how much it costs, ask if prices are negotiable, and don’t hesitate to shop around

Via: aipm.net

Image: sxc.hu

Q – I find that the older my mom gets, the more time she spends confined to her Minnesota home. I’ve asked her why the change, and she says as far as she’s concerned, it’s just part of being a senior, because age makes it more difficult to get around. I’ve offered to take her out anytime she wants, but she says it’s just too difficult…is there anything available on the market that could improve my elderly mother’s mobility so she starts getting out again?

A – New technologies are coming out on the market that can help improve the lives of seniors greatly, and help give them back the gift of their independence. The latest innovation that certainly could reduce the challenges of mobility for your elderly mother is an electric walker.

About the ICIO Personal Transporter for Seniors:

• It has a convertible design

• Seniors can choose to use the personal transporter as a traditional 3 wheeled walker

• During periods when they’d like to move at a faster pace, they can stand on an attachable support and activate the electric function

• The device is suitable for seniors as their level of physical mobility changes, since it also converts into a mobile scooter with a seat

• With the personal transporter, seniors can venture out for exercise and convert the device if they get tired, giving them the security that they won’t be stranded

Sources:

1. TrendHunter

2. The Design Blog

3. TrendHunter

The state of Minnesota has been working to lower health care costs by exposing them. More often than not, health care decisions are made based on convenience since those in need of treatment or medical attention just don’t have the access to the resources that they need to shop around. It just seems natural to visit a specialist for a test at the closest hospital, but if seniors knew that they could save money (potentially hundreds or thousands of dollars) by venturing a little further from home for a more routine procedure like a colonoscopy, it would probably be worthwhile. And, once seniors are choosing to receive medical care where the services are offered with a lower price tag based on the information that’s available to them, price tags will be driven down.

This is Minnesota’s plan to lower statewide healthcare costs, and from this came the announcement that a web comparison tool would be available to residents, allowing them to compare insurance charges for common medical procedures at hospitals and clinics through the state. Currently, 103 common medical procedures are outlined for comparison with 110 providers around the state. Since the prices included on the web tool are what insurance providers pay for the services, they can’t be used as an exact rate estimate for seniors browsing the costs for medical procedures, but it can give them a basic idea of where the best price is offered.

Tell us, with access to pricing information for medical procedures, would you shop around or stick close to home for the convenience?

Via: Star Tribune

Image: jupiterimages.com

Minnesota currently has the largest number of uninsured people in their population, and what this means for seniors is that their financial stability and health is always at risk, because when and if a medical emergency occurs; they just might not have the means to keep themselves afloat when they need to scramble to finance their health care and pay their living costs all on a limited budget.  This may sound like a negative, and today, it is. But, as Minnesota is attempting to bring a universal health care program to the state, the financial and health implications of seniors and their families might be an advantage.

With so many people in Minnesota living without health insurance, there is even more urgency to bring in a universal health care program to make sure that residents of all ages receive health care that will prolong their lives. According to studies, due to the costs of preventative medical care, like checkups to monitor existing conditions like blood pressure, seniors avoid stepping through the doors of a doctor’s office or into a hospital until their health presents an emergency situation, and at that point, it’s not just their health but also their finances that are at a greater risk.

By implementing universal health care, seniors in Minnesota should finally be able to focus on living, without worrying about the impact healthcare has on their wallet.

Sources:

1. Associated Content

Image Source: pro.corbis.com