Tips for a Money-Saving Retirement

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When we are young, we often take our health for granted. As we age, however, and life’s aches and pains become more frequent and more noticeable, maintaining our health becomes more of a challenge, both physically and financially. Click here to learn more!

When we are young, we often take our health for granted. As we age, however, and life’s aches and pains become more frequent and more noticeable, maintaining our health becomes more of a challenge, both physically and financially.
Taking care of our health at any age is an investment in the future, and there’s no time when that statement is truer than in the retirement or pre-retirement years. Here are five preventative measures you can take now to help keep you – and your wallet – healthy as you age.
Regular Medical Check-Ups – One of the best ways to save money as you approach retirement to stay on top of regular medical checkups and screenings. Many health conditions have early warning signs or can be prevented by going to your annual check-ups. Do you know the warning signs of stroke or heart attack, for example? Do you know there are different warning signs for men and for women? Find out what your blood pressure is, get your cholesterol checked, and learn what a healthy BMI (body mass index) is for your age and weight.
Follow your doctor’s recommendations for regular screenings, scans, and tests based upon your health, family history, and ethnicity. Talk to your doctor about getting the flu vaccine. Routine exams and screenings are usually inexpensive and covered by insurance, and you’ll find they will save you in health care costs in the long run.
Lifestyle Changes – Baby boomers are used to being active and in the forefront of things their whole lives. Slowing down has never been part of the equation. It doesn’t have to be. What does need to happen as you age, though, is a concerted effort to focus on a healthy lifestyle. There are plenty of low-cost and no-cost options.
Do you smoke? It’s never too late to quit. The benefits of quitting smoking begin as soon as you have your last cigarette. After a year of not smoking, your risk for heart disease is lowered by 50 percent compared to when you were smoking. Here’s another way to look at it: a smoker is twice as likely as to have any type of heart disease than a non-smoker. Need more convincing? That money you used to spend on cigarettes will stay in your wallet when you quit and can be used to purchase healthy food and other items that will lengthen your active life.
How about exercise? It’s time to find a fitness plan that works for you and, most importantly, one that you can maintain. You don’t need an expensive gym membership either. Talk with your doctor before starting any new regimen, but you have plenty of low-cost options: walking, swimming, dancing, aerobics, biking, you name it. There are no membership fees to enjoy the great outdoors. You’ll see and feel results in just a few weeks of 30-minute exercise five times a week.
Healthy Diet – Along with staying flexible with an exercise program, re-evaluating your eating and drinking habits can be a way to keep health costs down as you age. It’s not about not having any fun anymore; it’s about using moderation with alcohol andunnecessary calories. You’ll be amazed at how much money you end up saving when you nix processed foods and drink less often and how much extra energy you will have each day as a result. To better control what you’re eating and save a few dollars here and there, why not save eating out for special occasions and, instead, have friends over for scrumptious potluck dinners?
In addition to having a slower metabolism, our digestive system slows down as we age. Getting enough fiber, which is found in fruit, vegetables, and whole grains, is more important than ever. Look for lean sources of protein for this important body-maintenance nutrient daily. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, women in their 60s should get about 46 grams of protein per day while men need about 56 grams. We are more susceptible to dehydration as we age, so be sure to take a water bottle with you if you are going to be out and about, as they can be quite pricey to buy. You never know; staying hydrated – especially in the hot months – is a lot more affordable than an ambulance and hospital bill.
Emergency Preparedness – As we age, we are more likely to fall and to sustain a serious injury like a broken bone when we do. Take stock of your home’s safety level. Check for adequate lighting inside and outside. Are there any loose rugs you could trip on? What about stairway rails or bathroom rails? Evaluate your home with a keen eye for anything that could be a potential hazard now or in the near future. By being willing to spend a little on safety measures, you can potentially circumvent having to spend thousands on installing lifts and ramps for wheelchairs.
An investment in your safety – particularly if you live alone – might include the research of an emergency alert device like Verizon‘s for a phone that you already own, or a medical alert system like Fall Alert, for inside the home. These devices can give you the peace of mind that comes from knowing that help will be on the way when you need it most. Because a broken bone or wound typically worsens the longer it goes unaddressed, getting prompt care will save you money in the long run and could even save your life.
Attitude Adjustment – One of the undeniable ways to stay healthy is by keeping an active, positive mind. There is so much about our brains that we do not know, but we do know that there is a connection between what we put in it and what we get out of it. Don’t let your mind stagnate. Forget that old adage “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” It’s just not true.
Studies by the Center for Disease Control have found that active seniors stay healthier longer. In addition to staving off certain medical conditions and their resulting expenses, active seniors report increased feelings of connection with others and more positive emotional well-being than more sedentary seniors.
There are many ways to stay active after retiring without spending much money. Here are a few ideas to get you started thinking and, excitingly enough, they’re all incredibly affordable:

· Volunteer for your favorite charity or non-profit organization.

· Enroll in a continuing education class in a subject you have always wanted to learn such as art, music, or writing. Check with your local community college about low-costs tuition options for seniors.

· Learn a new skill or take up a new hobby that doesn’t require the purchase of much equipment such as gardening, playing bridge, or a foreign language.

· Join a book club

Most importantly, realize that, with a little planning and preparation, your retirement years can be a new and exciting chapter of your life, and, with a little bit of planning, your financial state won’t have to limit your enjoyment.
Sources:
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) http://www.cdc.gov/aging/
National Institutes of Health (NIH) http://health.nih.gov/search_results.aspx?terms=Aging+(General+Health)

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Seniors Stop, Irritate Traffic

Senior citizens slowly crossing a busy street back and forth tested the patience of more than one driver. It was all part of a gag by the Canadian website Just for Laughs, although the drivers didn’t find out until after their increasingly funny reactions were filmed. Click here to read more.

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Making the Difficult Conversation Easier

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Most of us avoid confronting our loved ones with painful issues, sometimes until it’s too late. Experts advise how to work with denial, manage fear of losing control and best listen and communicate when we sit down to have those uncomfortable talks. Click here to view article.

Martin’s driving was getting more erratic and dangerous. His wife, Gwen, 81, was in the car when Martin, 83, failed to see pedestrians crossing the street until she yelled at the last minute. It was clearly time to take his car keys away, but Gwen wasn’t sure how to do that without causing Martin distress.

Whether baby boomers need to talk to their parents about assisted living, parents need to talk to their children about end-of-life issues or a wife needs to talk to her husband about not driving anymore, these conversations can be difficult. Most people avoid them as long as they can, at which point it’s sometimes too late to handle the issue easily.

Those in the caring field who have been through this offer ways to best approach these delicate but serious discussions.

Working with Denial

In confronting difficult situations, most people first encounter denial: From children it might be that their parents are never going to become incapable of taking care of themselves; from aging adults it might be, “my driving is not that bad; I know what I’m doing” or from the husband it might be that his wife can stay at home rather than go into assisted living.

Loved ones don’t want to see that the situation or person has changed, and a lot of emotions are attached to the way things were. “Everyone wants to go back to the way it was,” says Viki Kind, a clinical bioethicist, medical educator and hospice volunteer (“Facilitating Difficult Conversations: Getting Through the Barriers”).

While denial might work in the short term, in the long term, it can cause problems. It could mean that adult children won’t know how to handle their parents’ finances when they’re unable to or that a bad driver could cause an accident or worse. Providing adult children with end-of-life wishes can make the inevitable process easier, not more difficult, in the long term. Denial can also occur when someone has the wrong or not enough information. Therefore, it’s important to make sure both parties have all the facts.

When confronting someone about big changes, it’s important to let them emotionally process the new information. It might take time and patience. Kind suggests not rushing the other person to make a decision. Seniors, especially, might want to sit and ponder the question, and see how the issue affects their life and future. You can also ask if there is a better time to talk about the topic.

The Real Issue

We need to truly listen, Kind says, to hear what someone is really saying and what the real issue is behind the fears and resistance. The key is to be present and feel the other person’s suffering. “Compassion is the ability to feel your pain in my heart.”

For instance, someone might not want a caregiver because they don’t want to lose their privacy, they think they can’t afford it or they worry their house is a mess. In another example, perhaps the real reason an older adult is resisting using a walker is because it makes them feel old and awkward. “Once you explore the real issue, the better chance of solving it,” Kind says.

Younger adults might not realize that their parents (or loved ones) want to have control over their lives, Kind says. Trying to take away that control—by taking away their car keys or moving them from their homes—will likely only bring resistance. It’s best to give that person some authority.

Dealing With Control

David Solie, a geriatric psychologist, CEO and medical director of a life insurance brokerage corporation, wanted to move his mother to assisted living, because he felt she would be safer there, but she resisted. At some point, he started seeing the situation through her eyes:

“In 20 years of working with seniors, I’ve come to know how deep the need for control is in that age group, how little they ultimately wind up with and how closely control is tied to dignity and hope, not hope that you’re going to be young again, but hope that you’re going to get some good days. . . .

“That’s what I found out when I sat down in my mother’s old, worn-out La-Z-Boy with the tuner with the larger buttons and the Collier’s magazine from 1946. I realized that in a world of great instability—her friends had passed, my dad was gone, her neighbors were gone—this house was her anchor. Looking at that, I felt it was profound hubris on my part to be all-knowing and righteous about where she should live” (“Talking With David Solie: Caregiving Mistakes and Lessons Learned,” caring.com).

In the end, Solie, author of How to Say It to Seniors: Closing the Communication Gap With Our Elders, honored his mother’s request until she had a massive stroke and had to go into skilled nursing for the last ten months of her life.

Failure to Communicate

“Parents and kids don’t talk the way they need to talk,” says Donna Quinn Robbins, author of Moving Mom and Dad! Why, Where, How, and When to Help Your Parents Relocate. “The kids don’t really understand how their parents are feeling, what they’re going through or what they want because they’re afraid to ask—or if they ask, they don’t get an answer. The parents don’t want to be a burden, they don’t want to tell their kids what’s really going on and they don’t want to let them know they’re sliding, because then they’re afraid the kids are going to want to do something about it” (“Talking With Donna Quinn Robbins: How to Discuss Moving With Your Parents,” caring.com ).

Robbins, who has worked with seniors for 20 years as the owner of Ultimate Moves, a relocation and transition service, has seen what happens when different generations don’t communicate. One adult son, a doctor, told his parents if they didn’t move closer to him, he wouldn’t be able to take care of them. When the parents reluctantly left their retirement home in Florida, leaving most of their possessions behind, they found that their son had only once a month to see them. Within a year, both parents died.

“When people bring their parents from a distant place to where they live, I see catastrophes all the time because they haven’t talked about the expectations they have—the children’s or the parents’. . . . The expectations have to be discussed up front because, otherwise, the parents have moved from their home, their friends, their whole lifestyle, to a place where they don’t know anybody.”

Confirming that view is Bruce Nemovitz, senior real estate specialist and Certified Senior Advisor. His advice to adult children: “Learn what are their [seniors’] greatest fears and talk about them. Understand the power of memories and their feelings of deep loss and sadness as they think of giving up their home. For each senior, moving elicits a different set of issues both mentally and physically.” His advice to seniors: “You cannot expect [your children] to truly understand what you are experiencing as it is new to you and to them also. They cannot feel the pain of a loss of spouse or the fears of moving to a completely new environment after so many years in their familiar surroundings. Your kids will someday have to face the same issues, so know that they hold their own set of emotions, fears and concerns” (“Having Difficult Conversations,” June 04, 2013, Laureate Group).

Beyond the bigger issues of denial and control, experts offer tips for making the difficult conversation a lot easier (see sidebar).

Techniques to Smooth the Discussion

Plan ahead: Schedule a time and place that works for all to be focused and not distracted.

Validate others’ feelings: When feelings are acknowledged, the person starts to calm down, because they feel they’re being understood.

“Normalizing”: Letting the other person know they’re not the only one going through these emotions or this experience make people feel safe and takes the focus off an individual.

Be open: Explain your concerns specifically and clearly. Share your own feelings.

Think before responding: Don’t speak when you’re angry or upset. Silence can often be effective.

Ask for advice: Asking questions rather than telling people what to do is always a better way to start conversations.

Use “I” statements: Explain how you feel rather than what you see as wrong with the situation.

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Seniors Face Challenges in Finding Work

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More older adults want to return to work but face a different work landscape than when they were younger. Networking is as important as ever, but connecting on social media sites such as LinkedIn is more essential than interacting face-to-face, some experts say. Click here to view article.

Not only has the 2008 recession put a dent in a lot of retirement accounts but people are living longer, so it makes financial sense to keep working as long as you can, either full-time or part-time.

In fact, AARP estimates that more than 3 million workers age 50-plus are looking for full-time employment. Unfortunately, there’s also a rise in reports of discrimination against older adults in the workplace.

After the website Ask.com requested comments about seniors’ job search experience, it was flooded with stories about repeated rejections. One senior wrote:

I had never experienced “age discrimination” until I had to go job hunting a year ago. I heard comments from “young interviewers,” such as “we are not looking for a mother figure in the office”; “well, you must have seen just about everything!”; “this position requires someone that can keep up in a very fast paced environment.” I was 58 at the time, have worked for over 20 years. I don’t have gray hair and have been told I look very young for my age!

But don’t give up. You might need to learn some new social media tricks, but you can also rely on some traditional methods of persuasion, such as your maturity (see sidebar).

How to Prepare for the Search

When looking for work, experts recommend de-emphasizing your age. For example, don’t stress early work experiences, either on your resume or to the job interviewer. Include jobs on your resume that go back only 15 years for a managerial job, 10 years for a technical job and five years for a high-tech job. If you want to list positions older than that, don’t include dates. Also, on your resume, leave off high school and college graduation dates. In your cover letter, avoid using “experienced” or “seasoned.” Instead, emphasize your skills and flexibility.

Target your cover letter and resume to specifically highlight the relevant experience for the job you are applying for. You may want to use a “functional resume,” which cites your accomplishments first, rather than a chronological resume, which outlines your experience in date order.

Emphasize that you’re up-to-date with current technology by listing the latest programs you’ve worked with. To show prospective employers you’re current with social networking, include a link to your LinkedIn profile on your resume.

If the job posting requests your salary requirements, let your prospective employer know that you’re flexible. Avoid the appearance of being overqualified and/or overpriced.

Job Help for Seniors

Several sources offer assistance for older adults looking for work.

One is the AARP Foundation WorkSearch tool found at http://www.foundation.aarp.org/senior-employment.php. WorkSearch Information Network is an online employment guide that covers the job search process from start to finish. It helps you set goals and organize your job search activities, find out which job is best for you, learn how the job search process can maximize chances for finding employment, determine what employers are looking for and tap into social media and connect with other job seekers.

In a new program, AARP Foundation is partnering with local workforce service providers in Denver and Phoenix initially. Back to Work 50+, connects employers and training providers with unemployed or underemployed workers age 50 and over to create a pool of trained, prescreened, qualified workers available for employment. The program focuses on a specific set of difficult-to-fill and in-demand jobs, initially within the health care sector, using input from local employers about workforce needs to provide information and coaching to older workers seeking jobs. A secondary motive is to reduce employment barriers and provide job seekers access to skill-building opportunities.

For low-income job seekers age 55 or over, the U.S. Department of Labor offers classes through its Senior Community Service Employment Program . Participants in the part-time employment program work at community and government agencies and are paid the federal or state minimum wage rate, whichever is higher. They may also receive training and use their participation as a bridge to other employment positions not supported with federal funds.

One website, RetirementJobs.com, offers an “Age Friendly Employer Certification” program, where the companies listed have met “best practice” standards such as management style, flexible scheduling and health care benefits that tend to be senior-friendly. Companies that qualify include Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase, as well as retailers like Starbucks and Target. Job websites specifically targeted toward post-retirement job seekers are www.retireeworkforce.com, www.SeniorJobBank.org, and www.workforce50.com.

Some of the fastest-growing business sectors and positions are nursing, retail sales, home health aides, office clerks, food service, customer service and truck driving, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. While you may have to take classes to become certified, it may be worth it to more easily find work.

Networking Your Way to a Job

Reportedly, at least 60 percent of jobs are found by networking, either through friends, former colleagues or social media. Your career network should include anyone who can assist you with a job search or career move. It can contain past and present co-workers, bosses, friends with similar interests, colleagues from business associations, alumni from your university or acquaintances you have met via online networking services.

You can develop contacts through local business organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce or associations in your field, which often list their meetings or events online. If you are a college graduate, the career services office at your alma mater, as well as its career advisor network of alumni contacts, can be invaluable.

Employers are increasingly using social networking sites to attract and recruit candidates and to accept applications for employment. LinkedIn, Facebook and other online networking websites can connect you with other networkers at specific companies, with college affiliations or with opportunities in a certain geographic area. In fact, surveys report that almost 90 percent of companies are currently recruiting through social media.

If you don’t have an online presence, you will be at a disadvantage in this competitive job market. Strong social media participation can boost your candidacy and help ensure that recruiters and hiring managers will find you. An article in the June 2013 AARP Bulletin says many employers expect prospective employees to have a Facebook profile, website or blog (or both) and be Tweeting. “If you have no digital footprint, you’re likely to get a pass,” says Jane Bryant Quinn (“Looking for a Job? Go Social”).

The most widely used social media networking platform for professionals is LinkedIn. Individuals and companies use LinkedIn for networking, job searching, hiring, company research and connecting with affiliates, including alumni, industry and various other business-related groups.

One of the most important LinkedIn components is your profile, which is how people locate you. The more complete your LinkedIn description, the better your chances of being found and contacted. Use your LinkedIn profile like a resume, and check out LinkedIn company profiles to find more information about a company you’re interested in. You’ll be able to see connections at the company, new hires, promotions, posted jobs, and related organizations.

Sources

“How to Get Started With Social Networking,” about.com

“How to Use LinkedIn,” about.com

“Job Search and Career Networking Tips,” about.com

“Successful Job Search Networking,” about.com

“How to Find Job Search Help,” about.com

“The Grey Ceiling: How Old is Too Old?” about.com

“Resume Tips for Older Job Seekers,” about.com

Why Employers Should Hire Seniors

While older adults might not have all the technical skills that younger workers do, they have attributes that will always be in demand. Here’s a few:

Track record: Older adults have decades of work experience, so employers know what they’re getting, compared to a younger person whose experience is unknown.

Flexibility: Without young families to take care of, seniors can schedule their work more easily.

Maturity: Most seniors aren’t trying to “get ahead” by playing games or attempting to impress their friends; they just want a good livelihood. They’re more willing to help others because they don’t have to prove their egos, and they have the confidence to share ideas.

Hard workers: Most older adults are from a generation that grew up learning the value of money and work.

Conscientious: Seniors were taught at home and school to be punctual and honest.

Focused: Older adults grew up before the era of texting and other instant forms of gratification, so they are more patient and able to take time to solve problems.

Communication: Because seniors weren’t raised on Facebook and texting, many are more skilled at face-to-face communication.

Cost less: Many seniors may be on Medicare or on spouses’ health insurance plans, so they cost an employer less. According to AARP, by retaining older workers, some employers save more than half of an employee’s annual salary in retraining costs.

Less absenteeism: Experienced workers have been found to have fewer absences from work than their younger counterparts.

Commitment: According to an AARP study, health care workers over the age of 55 had the highest level of employee engagement, which greatly correlates with employer loyalty, performing well with little supervision and motivation to do their very best.

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Getting to the Root of Dental Problems
As we get older, we’re likely to experience more problems with our teeth and gums. However, this is not just an issue with discomfort; dental issues can lead to serious problems with general health. The remedy is routine check-ups as well as regular brushing and flossing. Click here to view article.

If you thought the worst problem with ignoring your teeth might be a cavity down the road, you should think again. As we get older, poor dental health can lead to a host of serious problems.

Researchers have found that issues with the teeth, gums and tongue can lead to many diseases in the rest of the body, including heart or liver disease, eating disorders, diet deficiencies, anemia, diabetes, arthritis, HIV, osteoporosis and even some autoimmune diseases.

For example, recent studies show a correlation between gum disease and heart disease. One study suggests that people with severe periodontal (gum) disease face double the risk of fatal heart disease, and other studies have found a link with higher rates of stroke. In certain circumstances, a tooth infection has the potential to cause bacterial endocarditis—an infection of the heart’s inner lining or the heart valves. Bacteria in the bloodstream can stick to the heart’s valves or damaged tissue and damage or even destroy the heart valves (“Senior Dental Problems and Taking Care of Elderly,” April 4, 2013, A Place for Mom).

“General health can affect oral health and oral health can affect general health,” says William Bailey, U.S. Public Health Service chief dental officer and acting director at Division of Oral Health National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“Older Adults and Oral Health: Inspiring Community-Based Partnerships for Healthy Mouths,” Cross-Federal Initiative: Expanding Access for Older Adults, May 15, 2013 webinar, Administration on Aging).

For example, “People who have significant tooth loss may either limit their intake of food or choose other types of food, so tooth loss has been associated with both weight loss and obesity,” he says. ”We also know that extensive and complete tooth loss may restrict social contact, inhibit intimacy and that tooth loss can affect speech which in turn limits social interaction and detracts from physical appearance and lowers self-esteem.”

Dental Changes to Expect from Aging

Several factors associated with aging can increase the risk for tooth decay. For example, medications such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, beta blockers and antihistamines increase the likelihood of dry mouth, which reduces saliva. Without saliva, mouth and gums aren’t lubricated, which promotes bacterial growth and prevents minerals such as calcium, phosphate and fluoride from remineralizing the surface of the tooth when decay begins.

As we age, our mouth’s soft tissues (gums and cheeks) lose their ability to stretch, and muscles become soft and weak. Further, with less saliva, chewing becomes more difficult, and your mouth becomes more easily irritated and heals more slowly than when you were younger.

Other changes are associated with aging (from “Basic Dental Health for Older Adults,” University of Missouri Extension):

Tooth decay: The rate of decay can increase as you age, especially if the amount of saliva is reduced. In older adults, tooth decay appears most frequently at the gum level. When exposed, the root portion of a tooth is especially subject to decay. Gumline or root decay is difficult to restore with fillings, because decay often recurs around this type of filling soon after it is placed.

Periodontal disease: Generally found in varying degrees in older adults, this disease becomes more destructive if not treated. In the elderly, periodontal disease is a primary cause of tooth loss. Watch for red or swollen gums that bleed with the slightest irritation. Pockets often develop between teeth and gums and can pack or trap food debris.

Brittleness: As we age, our bodies supply less blood and nerve tissue to teeth, causing tooth pulp to gradually shrink and teeth to become more brittle and susceptible to chips or breaks.

Teeth wear: Because of the grinding action of chewing, tooth enamel becomes thinner. In severe cases, the hard enamel covering completely wears away, exposing a softer part of the tooth (dentin), which acidic oral fluids can dissolve. Teeth with only a fragile enamel shell are easily chipped or broken.

Drug therapy: Medications used for diseases that can affect older adults, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, depression and Parkinson’s disease, often have side effects that decrease the amount of saliva.

What You Can Do

The best way to prevent tooth problems is to do what our dentists (and parents) always told us: brush your teeth and floss regularly. Getting rid of food debris, plaque (a white residue adhering to the teeth) or calculus (solidified plaque) decreases the rate of tooth decay and gum disease.

The University of Missouri Extension recommends a medium soft brush and dental paste. For those incapable of gripping the handle, a rubber strap can be fastened to fit snugly around the hand. Brush teeth, gums and tongue at least once a day. Other steps to take include:

Rinsing: Decreased saliva means food particles adhere more easily to the teeth and gums. To resolve, you can rinse with warm water to dislodge any particles. If you use mouthwash, be aware that it can irritate dry tissue because of its high alcohol content. If used, dilute it with water.

Wiping with gauze: If you’re unable to brush or rinse because of physical issues, you can wipe your teeth and gums with a wet piece of gauze to remove debris.

Dental aids: For seniors with limited movement, the larger handles of electrical tooth brushes can be held more easily than non-electrical, and the mechanical movement of the brush aids movement. Also, water irrigators can be useful in removing particles from between teeth. Interdental cleaners, handles with small changeable brushes, can clean between teeth, which is especially helpful when the gums have receded, creating large spaces between the teeth.

Oral lubricants. Glycerin, flavored with a few drops of lemon, can provide a lubricating effect to help treat problems created by dry mouth. Several prescription medications can stimulate saliva production or act as a saliva substitute.

Good News about Dentures

In the future, fewer seniors are going to need dentures because today’s older adults are keeping their natural teeth longer. According to a recent survey by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, the rate of toothlessness in individuals aged 55 to 64 has dropped 60 percent since 1960. This is due to scientific developments as well as better oral hygiene practices (“Frequently Asked Questions About Senior Dental Care,” WebMD).

If you do need dentures, an alternative is dental implants, which replace tooth roots and provide a strong foundation for fixed (permanent) or removable replacement teeth that match your natural teeth.

Paying for Dental Care

The bad news for seniors is that Medicare doesn’t pay for routine dental care, so many older adults don’t get check-ups that help identify problems before they become serious.

“We know that older adults have more difficulty in assessing effective interventions to prevent and control diseases than younger adults, and one of those barriers is lack of insurance,” says Bailey of the U.S. Public Health Service. “For persons aged 75 and older, only about 14 percent of costs are covered by private insurance and . . . we know that it’s harder and harder for some older adults to come up with the resources they need. So some choose to forego treatment or choose lower-cost treatment options such as tooth extraction rather than a root canal and a crown.”

If you are a senior on a limited or fixed income and can’t afford regular dental care, many dentists offer their services at reduced fees through dental society-sponsored assistance programs. Other resources are available (see sidebar).

Dental Resources

Dental schools: These can be a good source of quality, reduced-cost dental treatment. For a complete list of schools, visit the American Dental Association. To locate dental hygiene schools, go to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association website.

Health centers: The Bureau of Primary Health Care, a service of the Health Resources and Services Administration, supports federally funded community health centers across the country that provide free or reduced-cost health services, including dental care. To obtain a list of centers in your area, call toll-free at 1-888-Ask-HRSA (1-888-275-4772) or visit http://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov.

Medicaid: Most states provide limited emergency dental services for adults, while some offer comprehensive services. Visit the website or call 1-877-267-2323.

Local resources: Programs in your area may offer free or reduced-cost dental care. Call your local or state health department to learn more about their financial assistance programs. In many states, you can also call 211 to find services in your area.

United Way: The nonprofit may be able to direct you to free or reduced-cost dental services in your community.

Source: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

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