FELINE FRIENDS OR CANINE COMRADES How Pets Improve Our Health and Happiness
As people grow older, they’re more likely to find themselves at home with less company. If your family members live far away or you have physical limitations that make it difficult to leave the house, you may be at an increased risk of experiencing loneliness. This is why adopting an animal can be so helpful. Pets offer comfort and love, and many encourage physical activity. Integrating a pet into your life as you grow older can be just what you need to lift your spirit and keep you healthy. The Benefits of Pet Ownership A lack of purpose can take a significant toll, but the sense of duty pet owners have around caring for their animals helps them avoid this. The daily tasks of feeding, playing with, and walking your animal can help provide structure and bring meaning to your life. They also give you something to look forward to
each day. What’s better than waking up or coming home to a wagging tail or loud meow? This is how pets help improve their owners’ mental and physical health. Studies also show that those who care for pets have less stress and lower blood pressure and cholesterol than their petless counterparts. You’re also more likely to maintain a daily exercise routine. Humans have an innate need to be social, and without someone to talk to regularly, our mental well-being can start to deteriorate. Pets may not be the best conversation partners, but they may increase your social activity. Walking a dog to a local park every day, for example, can provide an opportunity for you to interact with other people. If you live alone, this simple activity can increase your social circle and improve your mental health.
Find the Right Pet Before taking advantage of the many benefits pets offer, it’s crucial to consider which pet is right for you. Doing research can help answer important questions about which animals might be a good fit for you and your lifestyle and which aren’t. Finding a perfect match may take some time, but once that connection is made, there is nothing that will bring more joy into both of your lives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a list of questions that will help guide you to the perfect pet. Take a look at CDC.gov/healthypets .
UNIQUE MEDICARE 2021 CHANGES, PART I PART B PREMIUM AND COLA INCREASES
My grandmother used to say, “Live long enough, and you will see everything.” We’re certainly seeing a lot of unique changes this year because of the pandemic. There are no copays for COVID-19 tests, and vaccines are free. The federal government wants to defeat this virus, and Medicare is reflecting that public health policy. Many Medicare plans already included telehealth options. With the pandemic, this has become an even more common option — and one that doesn’t often come with a copay. Medicare Part B Premium in 2021 The most significant change to Medicare for 2021 is the Part B premium, which has increased from $145.60 to $148.50 per month per person. This is a $2.90 monthly increase. Each year, members of Congress fight to establish the premium amount, often threatening to raise it much more. However, constituents call their representatives and advocacy groups lobby, so the price usually goes down. Medicare Part B covers many different services. It also comes with a deducible that must be paid for out of pocket before the 20% coinsurance starts. The deductible increased just $5 this year. It was $198 in 2020, and now it’s $203. Note that the
Medicare Part B deductible is separate and distinct from the Part A deductible.
For Plan G, the Part B deductible is the only payment, aside from the monthly premium. The Medigap policy fills the remaining gaps in Part A and Part B coverage. COLA in 2021 Here’s another significant change: The Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits for approximately 70 million Americans will increase 1.3% in 2021 to reflect a cost- of-living adjustment (COLA). These benefits are payable to more than 64 million Social Security beneficiaries in January 2021. The Social Security COLA increase should not be less than the Medicare Part B premium increase, but there are some exceptions. If you are receiving Social Security benefits, you will be held harmless on the increase, but those who do not take Social Security benefits will pay the increase. Thanks for reading! While we publish our newsletter monthly, this information and much more is available to all our clients. Don’t hesitate to give us a call to learn more about changes to your plan!
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