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Medicare’s open enrollment period is officially in full swing! We’ve gotten lots of calls and have already set appointments to meet with many of you over the phone to review your plans. We understand how daunting and overwhelming Medicare and open enrollment can be — the terminology, moving parts, and mixed messages from different sources cause a layer of confusion that’s hard to decipher! Fortunately, you don’t have to travel through the Medicare maze alone — we will be there with you every step of the way and ensure you continue receiving the benefits and services needed. As you begin reviewing your plans and making necessary adjustments, it’s vital you’re aware of changes to your benefits for 2025. Here’s what you need to know about some of the UPCOMING CHANGES TO MEDICARE PART D Drug Plans. This year, we are seeing big fluctuations in drug plan premiums, with some plans dropping their monthly premium to as low as $0! Other plans are doubling their monthly premiums, raising their deductible, and increasing costs in higher Tier levels. Plans with no deductible are generally increasing their monthly premiums. The 2025 Part D plan deductible is increasing from $545 to $590 this year. Not all plans have a deductible, but plans with no deductibles typically have high monthly premiums. Those with higher-cost name-brand drugs will continue to share more in the costs — pay close attention because the Tier 3 medications that once had a flat co-pay may now have a percentage copay. The good news for this year is that the Donut Hole or Coverage Gap is going away, and we are capped at $2,000 in drug costs for the year. Important Medicare Changes Are Here Stay in the Know
If you are taking high-cost name-brand prescriptions, you likely will need some type of plan review. Additionally, those of you using insulin may need a plan change due to plan formulary changes. Those of you who struggle with the high cost of your prescriptions can check with your State Insurance Program or SHIP office to see if you qualify for extra help paying for your medications. We know Medicare can be confusing, and you may still have questions about the new plans for 2025. You can schedule an appointment directly on the calendar at Calendly.com/ lenorekhoube or by calling 844-633-5239 . Please have your information ready as you schedule your appointment — a list of your prescriptions, the pharmacy you use, your current plan, and, of course, your Medicare card. We are still here for all our existing clients, no matter what plan is the best fit for you! We also welcome referrals, so if you have any friends or family who need our help, you can give them our information so they can schedule a call.
–Lenore Mizenko
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UNLOCK THE POWER OF BOOKS How Reading Keeps Your Mind Sharp
The written word has a way of moving us. Our imaginations can soar as we envision the descriptions in our minds. If we’re lucky, our reading can also give us something to use in our daily lives. That’s why getting lost in a book is an enjoyable hobby for anyone — especially older adults. Whether you enjoy romance, poetry, fiction, or nonfiction, here are three benefits you can experience through reading. IMPROVES BRAIN FUNCTION AND MEMORY Daily exercise is recommended to retain muscle and mobility in your body. The same applies to your brain. When reading, you’re technically exercising and flexing your mind — it helps improve basic brain functioning and memory retention. According to a study posted on Neurology, participants who engaged in mental activities (like reading) reduced their rates of memory decline by 32%. Their short-term memory also improved, making it easier to recall daily events. SHARPENS DECISION-MAKING SKILLS As you age, making decisions and solving problems can become more challenging. Fortunately, reading can improve your analytical and reasoning skills! When you read, you stimulate areas of your brain responsible for empathy and emotion, enhancing one’s ability to keep an open mind while processing information. That means making decisions, solving problems, and choosing between options can become more accessible. REDUCES STRESS AND ANXIETY When you want to relax, you may go for a walk, listen to music, sip your favorite tea or coffee, or turn on your favorite show. However, reading is an even better way to decompress. In a study at Minlab International at the University of Sussex, participants took only six minutes to decrease their heart rate and relax their muscles after they began reading. Another study from the University of Toronto found that those who read often are less likely to make impulsive decisions; they
For those of a certain age, it can be too easy to forget to prioritize the connection between us and our partners. While snuggling into pajamas and watching a familiar favorite on TV is convenient, breaking up the routine and embarking on a romantic outing is a great way to brighten the flame between you and your significant other. With these date night ideas, older adults can rekindle the warmth and love they share in fun new ways. COURT WITH A CLASS. With a little searching, you can easily find a variety of educational, culinary, and hobby classes available. From learning how to prepare and roll your own pasta to mastering painting, you have ample opportunities to enjoy learning a new skill together. If you are so inclined, you can even go to a PaintNite event, where fun- seeking couples paint along with a tutor, in-person or virtual, while enjoying the adult beverages of their choice. PITCH THE PERFECT PICNIC. On a clear and sunny day, a daytime picnic can be an ideal way to enjoy nature and leisure at the same time. Pack a flavorful dinner and head out to a park or pristine plot of nature, then sit down, reminisce, and enjoy! Alternatively, you can head out near sunset and watch as the sun drifts down and the stars light up. A stargazing picnic can make for a memorable and romantic rendezvous. RERUN THE FIRST DATE. Recapturing the magic of the past can be magical in itself. Few events are more cemented in a couple’s memories than their first romantic encounter. Why not celebrate the love you two share by reliving the experience of the first date? If the two of you met at a restaurant, book reservations for two; if you saw a movie, snuggle together on the couch and rewatch it together. The experience will bring back memories from the birth of your romance and the incredible legacy of love you have built with your partner in the years since. This can also be an excellent way to celebrate an anniversary and may prove popular enough to become a yearly tradition! AGELESS ADVENTURES Fun and Memorable Date Ideas for Older Adults
think before reacting and are more open to change. Because frequent readers can process information and prepare for uncertainties more quickly, their anxiety levels tend to be lower than those of non-readers. In honor of National Book Lovers Day this month, take some time to curl up with a good book. What are some of your favorite reads? We would love to hear from you!
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INCOME FOR LIFE REPORTS
Dear Client, I hope all is well and you are having a wonderful fall. I wanted to share with you some exciting services we are now offering to better serve our clients. Since the economic effects of the pandemic, we’ve noticed a sharp increase in clients concerned about whether they will outlive their income in retirement. Uncertainty surrounding the future direction of the markets, the threat of higher taxes, inflation, health care costs, and longevity risks has many Americans searching for answers. These concerns have led us to create a new division of our company called The Retirement Authority, which is managed by my husband, Scott, and focuses on safe, secure ways to create and protect your retirement income. Scott has been working in the industry for over two decades and has a pulse on what’s happening in today’s economy and how you
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Inspired by AllRecipes.com
TAKE A BREAK
PUMPKIN PIE FRENCH TOAST
INGREDIENTS
•
1 1/2 tsp vegetable oil, or as needed
• • • • •
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• • • •
1/2 cup half-and-half
1/4 cup finely chopped walnuts
1/4 cup canned pumpkin purée
8 slices day-old bread Maple syrup, to taste
3 large eggs
1 tsp ground cinnamon
DIRECTIONS
1. Lightly oil a skillet and heat over medium heat. 2. Whisk half-and-half, pumpkin purée, eggs, cinnamon, vanilla, and pumpkin pie spice together in a bowl. Stir in walnuts until evenly distributed. 3. Place 1 slice of bread in the bowl and let it soak briefly to coat both sides. Lift bread to let excess liquid drip back into the bowl, then transfer to the hot skillet. 4. Cook for 2–3 minutes or until golden brown, then flip and cook the other side until done. 5. Stir batter to redistribute walnuts and repeat with other slices of bread, cooking in several batches if necessary. 6. Serve warm with maple syrup.
Abundant Apples Cookout Crunchy Fall Golden
Grandparents Harvest
Labor Maple Sports Windy
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PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
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Be Prepared for Medicare Changes
Enhance Your Mind and Memory With ... Reading?
Endearing Date Night Ideas for Older Adults
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Income for Life Reports
Pumpkin Pie French Toast
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can best protect yourself from outliving your money in retirement or going broke in a nursing home. Recently, we’ve been fortunate enough to partner with the No. 1 income planner in the country and can now map out your entire retirement income on one easy-to-read page. Using this proprietary software, we can clearly illustrate how each guaranteed source of income (Social Security, pensions, etc.) will interact under varying life circumstances — such as layoff, loss of pension, or the death of a spouse — which can cause income losses in excess of $40,000 per year from just one of these scenarios. “Our clients who have walked through this process know when they can retire, when to take Social Security, what their income will be when they retire, what happens if they have a health event, and respectfully, what happens to their income if their spouse dies.” As a courtesy to our valued clients, I would like to extend my personal invitation for a Private Retirement Planning consultation, which will include your personalized “Income for Life” report.
This offer is for a limited time only, so please contact our assistant, Monica, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. M–F at (844) 633-5239 to schedule your Private Retirement Planning consultation, which will include your personalized “Income for Life” report. Or book your appointment directly at: ChatWithScott.com Sincerely,
Lenore Khoubesserian and Scott Mizenko. Aka “Lenore the Medicare Authority® & Scott the Retirement Authority ® ”
P.S. Head on over to my website at GetLTCReport.com and grab a FREE copy of my new report, “10 Crucial Things Seniors, and Children of Seniors, Need to Know About Long-Term Care.” Get your copy today!
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