Issue 94 January 2023
Featured Stories
In This Issue

The Day I Got Old
When I was 79, I was old but not "old, old." But once I hit 80, I became old in the minds of my tennis friends. It was a “transformative” moment.

Dreams Of Tahiti
When Melody Wren told friends and family she was traveling to Tahiti, the common response was “sounds wonderful but where is it?” It’s in the heart of French Polynesia which has 118 islands and five archipelagoes sprawling across the southern part of the huge
Pacific Ocean.

Time Flies Faster As We Get Older?
There’s a reason why you may feel like the years moved slowly when you were a kid but zoom by now. Experts say perception of time greatly changes as we age which makes certain periods feel like they go by quickly.

Is a Reverse Mortgage Right For You?
New rules make a reverse mortgage a lot more attractive today.
Learn why a RM may be right for you.

Key Questions To Ask Your Doctor
What is my risk of developing heart disease? What is my blood pressure? What does it mean for me and what do I need to do about it? What are my cholesterol numbers? Learn more at PMGMD.

Ask Larry: "Should I Use A Travel Agent?"
The Internet is a great tool for planning a vacation but sometimes a Travel Agent can get you a better deal. Takes a little more work but could save you big bucks.

Discover Resort-Style Living For The 55+
Check out The Villages Golf & Country Club for senior living in
San Jose, CA. Best kept secret. $400,000--$1,000,000+.

Tips On Saving Money
A new year is a good time to assess what you already have from canned goods to clothes. Bad weather now added to poor supply
lines has affected prices even more, so wait…see if you can pay
less or buy low from celery to stocks.

Be Kind
Let me know what kind of stories you prefer to read in The Scoop,
the leading digital publication for boomers and seniors in the SF Bay Area. Please feel free to forward this issue to your family and friends. Subscribe today. It's FREE!

--Larry Hayes, A050 CEO/Publisher. Email: Larry@activeover50.com. Visit ActiveOver50.com.

"The Day I Turned 80.
I Suddenly
Got Old."
By Larry Hayes
A050 Publisher

I remember when I got old. The day I turned 80. It was three years ago on the tennis court playing with friends.
 
Causally, I mentioned that it was my birthday.
 
“How old?” a friend asked.
 
 “80,” my reply.
 
“Wow. you are old!”
 
Just like that I suddenly got old. 24 hours earlier, I was 79. Old for sure but not “old, old.” But once I hit 80, I became old in the minds of my friends. It was a “transformative” moment.

President's Cruise:

French Polynesia. Dreams of Tahiti


 By Melody Wren, Travel Writer

Images of beautiful tropical locations helped cheer us during lockdown. Many of those images were of some of the magical Society Islands in French Polynesia—Tahiti, Raiatea, Moorea and Bora Bora. Translucent water, sweet-smelling air, Polynesian dancers swinging grass-skirted hips to hypnotic rhythmic music. Exotic, tropical and lush.
 
When I told friends and family I was traveling to Tahiti, the common response was “sounds wonderful, but where is it?” It’s in the heart of French Polynesia which has 118 islands and five archipelagoes sprawling across the southern part of the huge Pacific Ocean. Tahiti and the other Society Islands are as far south of the equator as Hawaii is north of it with each island having a distinctive personality.


Your morning Joe will taste a lot better in a funny coffee
mug from John Donaghue, an award winning creative art director and creator of Under Cardiac Arrest Comics. On sale for $12.71 at Zazzle. Nice gift idea.

To see his latest comics, go to: undercardiacarrest.com
Key Questions To Ask Your Doctor

February American Heart Month!

We often associate the month of February with hearts because of Valentine’s Day. However, there’s another reason we should think about hearts in February--it’s American Heart Month. February is
a wonderful opportunity to focus our attention on ways to promote
and maintain heart health. 

A great place to start is by having a conversation with your doctor about heart health. Your healthcare provider can partner with you to set and reach your heart healthy goals.
 
Schedule your annual exam and be prepared to ask these questions:

 What is my risk of developing heart disease?

• What is my blood pressure? What does it mean for me and what do I need to do about it?

• What are my cholesterol numbers? What do they mean for me and what do I need to do about them?

• What is my body mass index (BMI) and waist measurement? Do I need to lose weight for my health?

• What is my blood sugar level and does it mean I’m at risk for diabetes?

• What other screening tests for heart disease do I need? How often should I return for checkups for my heart health?

• How can we work together to help me quit smoking?

• How much physical activity do I need to help protect my heart?

• What is a heart-healthy eating plan for me? Should I see a registered dietitian or qualified nutritionist to learn more about healthy eating?

• How can I tell when I’m having a heart attack?
 
Physicians Medical Group of San Jose is the largest independent physician’s association in Santa Clara County. We have been part of the community for 40 years with more than 1,000 doctors in 460 offices plus we speak 30+ languages. Call 888-988-8682 or visit pmgmd.com for more information.
Ask Marilyn

"Is a Reverse Mortgage Right
For Me?"



With over 15 years experience right here in Silicon Valley, I can help answer your questions about reverse mortgages.

Will the bank own my home?
The bank does not take ownership of your home; they simply extend 
a loan to you. You continue to own and live in your home and are responsible for payment of property taxes, required insurance and if applicable, HOA fees.

Do my children/family members lose their inheritance?
No, a borrower may designate an heir of their choosing.The heir(s) will inherit the home after the last surviving borrower passes away 
and may then choose to keep (by paying off the amount of reverse mortgage balance) or sell the home. Should they choose to sell, any remaining equity after paying off the loan (minus interest and fees) would be theirs.

What is the lending limit of the HECM reverse mortgage?
As of January 1, 2023, it increased to $1,089,300. Which means it's very likely you can qualify for more money.

To learn more about reverse mortgages, feel free to call me today.
408.722.0010 


Marilyn Brown Ross Branch Manager & Reverse Mortgage Professional NMLS #453436/1221981 
Time Flies By Faster As We
Get Older. Here's Why

By Jillian Wilson
Wellness Reporter, HuffPost

There's a reason our perception of time changes as we age but there are ways to make it feel slower.

For many people, 2022 went by in a blink. Doesn't it feel like it was just January? But for others, especially children, last year's holidays may seen like eons ago.

There's a reason why you may feel like the years moved slowly when you were a kid but zoom by now. Experts say our perception of time greatly changes as we age which makes certain periods feel like they go by quickly.

Discover Resort-Style Living For The 55+ In San Jose, CA

Luxury properties, professionally landscaped, golf course views, city views, openness of the community, trees and waterfalls.

We have many properties for sale at The Villages Golf & Country Club in San Jose, CA.  Resort-style senior living for the active adult 55+ years. Mid $400,000s to $1,000,000+.

To receive an exclusive tour of the community and preview selected properties, call Carla Griffin today. 408.274.8766. 
Saving Money

Go Ahead And "Smack Your Forehead"


By Evelyn (Evie) Preston, The Money Lady

A New Year implies new ideas, although some financial info and advice never seem to change. I’m often thanked for the “same old” reminders so, here we go again.
Q: What are some daily, close-to-home or small changes that can actually save money?

Rich or not so rich, we’re all creatures of habit. Though we may compare costs online or track drug prices, we rarely question spontaneous spending or tot up what our quirks or habits might actually cost…or save.
I’m not a shopper. if I save money staying away from the malls, I frequent the same grocery store which is pricey. But this recent “recession” should make us all aware of the “smack our foreheads” price hikes from eggs to air travel so, I put Trader Joe’s on my route.

A new year is a good time to assess what we already have from canned goods to clothes. Bad weather now added to poor supply lines has affected prices even more, so wait…see if you can pay less or buy low from celery to stocks.

And stop! We’re a consumer society, but less (stuff) is more (money), especially as we age. 


ASK LARRY
 --Larry Hayes, A050 CEO/Publisher

Should I Use a Travel Agent?"

Q: "We're planning a two week vacation this summer. It's easy to book everything online so, why should I use a travel agent?"
--Carol, San Jose, CA

Why not use both? Use the Internet to research the type of trips offered including costs. Then contact a travel agent to see if you
can get a better deal. Sometimes you can. It's also comforting to
know that if something goes wrong, you can contact the travel
agent for help.

Q: Why are cruises so popular with seniors?

Easy question. Everything is done for you! Food. Lodging. Entertainment. There are always fun and interesting things
going on but you also have the option to just "kick back"
and do nothing.

Q: What are some "must" things to bring on a trip?

Travel writer Don Mankin advises everyone to pack earplugs
and a headlamp along with the usual stuff trip operators suggest. Earplugs are a good idea because several trips I've been on were ruined by loud snoring by friends in the same room. Packing a headlamp is a good idea, too. But a small flashlight works for me.
Of course, bring your smart phone/charger.

Q: Is travel insurance worth it?

If traveling overseas, travel insurance is definitely worth it, especially
if 65+. While on a European cruise, my wife's brother became ill and nearly had to be flown home from Venice. Travel insurance can save you thousands. It's always wise to prepare for the unexpected.

Got a Question? Ask me anything. If I don't know the answer, I'll ask someone who does. Ask Larry is written by Larry Hayes, CEO/Publisher of A050. Email: larry@activeover50.com. Visit: ActiveOver50.com

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Published by A050, The Scoop is a free, monthly publication for boomers and seniors in the San Francisco Bay Area reaching over 100,000 across multiple platforms including the A050 website and social media. For editorial and advertising opportunities, email: larry@activeover50.com. Visit: ActiveOver50.com.