The question is far from academic; one out of every six baby boomers has a hearing problem, and one in 14 members of Generation X has a hearing problem, according to the Better Hearing Institute (BHI). Hearing loss affects about 10 percent of the American population.

The difficulties associated with hearing loss can be more pronounced and troublesome when experienced in a social or professional setting. Whether you’re attending a holiday party, listening for your flight number to be called in an airport, or participating in a high-power board meeting, not being able to clearly hear what’s going on around you in a public setting can have serious repercussions.

Untreated hearing loss has been associated with a number of psychological and sociological problems, including depression, loneliness, diminished job performance and earning power, isolation and withdrawal from social situations, and impaired memory, according to BHI.

While assistive devices like hearing aids can help improve your hearing, nothing can really restore your hearing to its original, undamaged state. Fortunately, it is possible to cope with hearing loss.

Accepting the challenge
It’s not uncommon for people to deny or ignore their hearing loss. But the first step toward coping with the problem is to accept that it exists. The hearing assistance professionals at Starkey, suggest that if you suspect you have hearing loss – or have been told by others in your life that your hearing is faulty – ask yourself these questions:

* Do you find yourself turning up the volume on the TV or radio, especially when no one else is around to tell you it’s too loud?

* Do you often miss hearing the doorbell or telephone ringing?

* Do you frequently need to ask others to repeat what they’ve said?

* Do you misunderstand or “forget” conversations?

* Do you find yourself cupping your hand behind your ear to hear better?

These signs may indicate a hearing loss. Your doctor and/or an audiologist can help determine the degree of your hearing loss and establish a course of treatment.

Use assistive devices
Hearing aids can help people with hearing loss reconnect with other people – and with everything going on around them. In the past, some people with hearing losses might have avoided hearing aids because they associated the devices with old age, or because they felt hearing aids were too bulky, visible or even ineffective.

Advances in hearing aid technology have made the devices easier than ever to use. Some, like Starkey’s new invisible-in-the-canal hearing aid, are virtually invisible to others because they fit entirely within the ear canal. The right hearing aid may help wearers hear better in a variety of settings, from one-on-one conversations with a loved one, to a teleconference with professionals from around the world.

Not every hearing aid will be right for every person. Your lifestyle and degree of hearing loss will influence what type of hearing aid will be most helpful for you. A hearing care professional can help you determine the right style and technology level for your needs. Visit www.starkey.com to learn more about hearing aid styles and options.

Coping strategies
In addition to finding the right assistive device, you can take some simple steps to cope with your hearing loss in public situations:

* In public setting such as parties or business meetings, move as close to the speaker as possible.

* Choose your seating location to maximize your ability to hear. Try to sit away from high-traffic areas such as main doorways, kitchen doors or buffet areas in restaurants, and phone banks or electronic devices in business settings.

* Don’t be afraid to ask for accommodations. For example, ask for a seat away from the stereo at the dinner party and suggest the host wait until after the festivities to run that noisy dishwasher. In an office meeting, ask others to postpone phone conversations until after the meeting is over.

With the right assistive device and coping strategies, you can minimize the impact your hearing loss has on your personal and professional life.

These are folks whose vision is limited due to congenital disability, disease, eye injury or typical effects of aging. They have no dog in the fight; all they want is a practical, affordable way to continue their love affair with reading. And technology gives it to them.

Their options range from standard consumer electronics to special equipment available through the state.

Here are some of the many solutions available to readers with reduced vision or blindness.

Handheld e-Readers. This product niche is less than four years old but millions of book titles already are available for pad-type readers made by a growing list of manufacturers. Some e-readers, such as the Amazon Kindle, Barnes & Noble Nook, Intel Reader (shown here)  and Sony Reader, are sharply focused on the reading function and start at around $150. Other products, like Apple’s iPad and competitors based on the Android and Windows operating systems, cost three to five times that amount but include full web access and smartphone-like apps.

Richard Hopkins of the Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) said the key features for low-vision readers include a text-to-speech function and ability to zoom text to readable size. “It’s surprising, but some of the major e-readers are way behind on implementing text-to-speech and even zoomable text. We advise consumers to ask about the accessibility features of any product they’re thinking about buying.”

Readers with impaired vision also should make sure the e-reader they’re considering has access to large libraries of e-books that support text to speech. And readers who need a brighter screen may find the backlit displays of iPad and its equivalents more usable than the “liquid ink” technology of Kindle, Nook and Reader.

Audiobooks. This popular format is one of the most convenient to use and also can be one of the most affordable. Audiobooks are available in CD format from most bookstores and as mp3 downloads from many online sources. The ability to enjoy books anywhere a portable audio player will go is what sells many low-vision users on audiobooks, but smart shopping can improve the experience for book lovers with any level of vision.

For example, many audiobook providers operate on a subscription basis, requiring you to spend a fixed amount — typically $15 and up — each month. Selection also varies widely, with some providers leaning more toward bestsellers and others catering to more adventurous tastes. And, before you purchase any digital book, check to see if you’re getting the full or abridged version.

Specialized assistive equipment. For readers whose needs aren’t fully served by standard consumer products, DARS can offer advice on more specialized equipment on the market. Some Texans who are blind or vision-impaired also may qualify for try-out loans before purchase.

Many of these devices allow people to read text on paper, either by magnifying it to a readable size or by scanning it, then converting it to speech. They look more complicated than, say, a Kindle or iPad, but many include intuitive help features, the ability to adjust speed and volume, “rewind” and even save audio files to a CD.

For more information about assistive reading devices on the market or available through DARS — or to get contact information for a DARS office in your area — call 800-628-5115.

“People often sneeze and wheeze through spring if they use misinformation to manage their condition,” says allergist Dr. Myron Zitt, past president of the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI). “But no one should suffer from spring allergies. Knowing the facts, getting a proper diagnosis and the right treatment allows allergy patients to feel good all season long.”

The ACAAI – whose allergist members specialize in treating allergies and asthma – dispels several common spring allergy myths.

Myth:
Over-the-counter (OTC, or nonprescription) oral antihistamines are just as effective as prescription medicines in controlling a stuffy nose.

Fact:
OTC antihistamines can help control some allergy symptoms, but they have little effect on relieving a stuffy nose or the inflammation that often occurs with allergies. They also can cause drowsiness. Allergists can prescribe more effective anti-inflammatory medications as well as find the source of suffering, rather than just treat the symptoms.

Myth:
OTC decongestant nasal sprays are addictive.

Fact:
OTC decongestant nasal sprays are not technically addictive. However, people who overuse them may think they are because they need more and more to get relief from the congestion. To combat this, OTC decongestant nasal sprays shouldn’t be used more than three days in a row. Also, an allergist can prescribe a nasal spray containing a steroid, which may be more effective and is not addictive.

Myth:
Allergy shots require too much time and are more expensive than taking medicine to relieve symptoms.

Fact:
Depending on how bothersome the allergies are, immunotherapy (allergy shots) may actually save money and improve quality of life. In fact, a recent study showed that immunotherapy reduced total health care costs in children with allergic rhinitis (hay fever) by one-third, and prescription costs by 16 percent. The shots are similar to a vaccine, exposing the recipient to a tiny bit of allergen at a time, to build up a tolerance to it. As tolerance increases, allergy symptoms will be significantly lessened and may even go away. That can save sick days and money spent at the drug store.

Myth:
A blood test is the best way to diagnose allergies.

Fact:
Actually, skin tests are more sensitive than blood tests. In skin allergy testing, the skin on the inside of the arms or the back is pricked with a tiny bit of an allergen. If the person is allergic, the site will become red and swollen within 20 minutes and usually clear in an hour or two. Skin testing is very safe when performed by an allergist, even in infants and young children. But no single test alone provides the entire picture. Sufferers should see an allergist, who is trained in diagnosing and treating allergies.

To learn more about allergies and asthma, take a relief test or find an allergist, visit www.AllergyAndAsthmaRelief.org .

Anyone applying for benefits on or after May 1, 2011, will receive their payments electronically, while those already receiving paper checks will need to switch to direct deposit by March 1, 2013.

Electronic payments for all
“Eight in 10 federal benefit recipients already use direct deposit, and now millions of additional retirees, veterans and other Americans will also receive their money in the safest, most reliable way – electronically,” says Treasury Fiscal Assistant Secretary Richard L. Gregg. “This important change will provide significant savings to American taxpayers who will no longer incur the annual $120 million price tag associated with paper checks and will save Social Security $1 billion over the next 10 years.”

All Social Security, Supplemental Security Income, Veterans Affairs, Railroad Retirement Board, Office of Personnel Management benefits and other non-tax payments will be made electronically. Benefit recipients have the option of direct deposit into a bank or credit union account of their choice or into a Direct Express (R) Debit MasterCard (R) card account. More than 1.5 million beneficiaries have signed up for the Direct Express (R) card – a prepaid debit card product issued by Comerica Bank, the Treasury Department’s financial agent. The Treasury Department introduced the card in 2008.

Timeline for new enrollees
People newly applying for federal benefits on or after May 1, 2011, must choose an electronic payment option at the time they sign up for their benefits. If they wish to direct their money into a bank or credit union account, they will want to have the following information on hand at the time they apply for their benefits:
* Financial institution’s routing transit number (often found on personal check)
* Account type – checking or saving
* Account number (often found on personal check)
People who do not have an account at a financial institution or prefer receiving their payments on a prepaid debit card can receive a Direct Express (R) card. For more information, visit www.GoDirect.org.

Switching to electronic payments is easy

“I urge everyone receiving a paper Social Security or Supplemental Security Income check to switch to electronic payments now, through the Go Direct campaign, rather than waiting until the final deadline,” says Michael J. Astrue, Commissioner of Social Security. “Switching now eliminates the risks of lost and stolen checks, and provides immediate access to your money on payment day.”

Check recipients must switch to electronic payments before the March 1, 2013 deadline. Switching from checks to direct deposit is fast, easy and free at www.GoDirect.org,  by calling the U.S. Treasury Processing Center’s toll-free helpline at 1-800-333-1795, or by speaking with their bank or credit union representative.

Anyone already receiving federal benefit payments electronically will continue to receive their money as usual on their payment day. No action is required.

About the Direct Express (R) Debit MasterCard (R) card
The Treasury Department recommends the Direct Express (R) card as another safe, convenient alternative to paper checks for benefit payments. Ninety-four percent of cardholders say they are satisfied with the card, according to a 2010 campaign survey.  

Cardholders can make purchases, pay bills and get cash at thousands of locations nationwide. Cardholders have access to at least one free cash withdrawal with each deposit to the Direct Express (R) card account.* No bank account or credit check is required. The card accounts are FDIC-insured up to the maximum amount allowed by law. There are no sign-up fees, monthly fees or overdraft charges. Some fees for optional services may apply. Money is immediately available on payment day.

To sign up for the card, or to learn more about its features and fees, individuals can visit www.GoDirect.org, call 1-800-333-1795 or inquire with their local Social Security, VA, or other federal benefit agency office.

The preceding information has been provided by the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service. The Go Direct (R) campaign is sponsored by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Federal Reserve Banks. The Direct Express (R) logo, Go Direct (R) and Direct Express (R) are registered service marks, and the Go Direct (SM) logo is a service mark, of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Financial Management Service (used with permission). The Direct Express (R) Debit MasterCard (R) card is issued by Comerica Bank, pursuant to a license by MasterCard International Incorporated. MasterCard (R) and the MasterCard (R) Brand Mark are registered trademarks of MasterCard International Incorporated.

*For each federal government deposit to your account, Comerica Bank will waive the fee for one ATM cash withdrawal in the U.S. The fee waiver earned for that deposit expires on the last day of the following month in which the deposit was credited to the card account.

This arrangement is increasingly common, but it’s not the kind of thing you plan for. When it happens, most grandparents find themselves scrambling for any available help with food, clothing, added expenses, health and medical assistance and a lot more. Fortunately, the state can provide much of that help to qualifying grandparents through the following programs.

Cash Help for Families (TANF)
TANF provides cash assistance for needy families with children — including grandparents caring for their grandchildren. Monthly TANF payments help pay for food, clothing, housing, utilities and other basic needs. Payment amounts are based on family size and income.

Grandparents caring for their grandchildren may qualify for a one-time TANF grandparent payment plus either monthly TANF payments for the grandchild only or monthly TANF payments for both the grandparents and the grandchild.

Grandparents aren’t required to have custody or guardianship of the child to apply for these benefits, but they must be related to the child and caring for the child in their home.

Grandparent caregivers may receive TANF payments for their grandchild without a review of their own income or resources. The child’s income from child support, survivors’ benefits or other sources is reviewed to determine if the child can get these payments.

SNAP Food Benefits
SNAP food benfits help low-income families buy nutritious food to maintain good health. Grandparent caretakers may qualify for SNAP benefits based on their income and resources.

Medicaid
Medicaid is available at no cost to many qualifying low-income families as well as older adults and people who have a disability. Medicaid provides basic health and medical care as well as dental, vision and mental health services for children.

Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP)
CHIP helps families who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid, but can’t afford to buy private insurance. Families pay $50 or less for a year of coverage. CHIP covers doctor visits, prescription drugs, vision, dental, mental health and emergency care.

For Application Help and Information
To learn how to apply for TANF, SNAP or Medicaid, visit www.yourtexasbenefits.com or dial 2-1-1. If you’re interested in CHIP, dial 877-KIDS-NOW (877-543-7669) Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. or visit www.CHIPmedicaid.org.

Other Places to Find Help
These aren’t the only sources of help for grandparent caregivers. Area agencies on aging affiliated with the Department of Aging and Disability Services (www.dads.state.tx.us/contact/aaa.cfm) offer a variety of programs for Texans 60 and older. Though not designed specifically for grandparents raising grandchildren, many of these programs — including benefits counseling, home-delivered meals, care coordination and more — can help lighten the load for caregivers.

The 2-1-1 Texas program also can connect you with local, state and federal sources of help, including ones specific to your area. Just dial 2-1-1 or log on to their website: www.211texas.org.

Being able to live a long and full life is good news, of course. But you will have to plan well to be sure that you don’t run out of income when you may need it the most. Here are some suggestions from Dr. Robert Pokorski, The Hartford’s chief medical strategist, for planning a retirement that may include a 90th birthday celebration:

* Consider buying a life insurance policy with an optional longevity rider. While the main purpose of life insurance is to provide income to your heirs when you die, paying extra for The Hartford’s new LongevityAccess Rider will allow you to begin receiving installments of your own death benefit when you turn 90 and meet the rider’s eligibility requirements. You are then free to use it to simply enjoy life or to help ensure you don’t outlive your retirement savings.

A $500,000 policy works like this: When you reach the age of 90, you can elect to receive a guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefit of up to 1 percent of the death benefit of your life insurance policy. In this example, you may receive monthly payments of as much as $5,000 per month for eight years. Even if you eventually withdraw the entire death benefit, a guaranteed residual death benefit will be provided, subject to the terms of the rider. Your heirs will still receive 10 percent of the benefit – in this case, $50,000.

* Consider purchasing an annuity to cover many of your fixed expenses later in life. Making conservative investments like this can help ensure that you’ll have a reliable source of income to cover such necessities as rent or mortgage payments, utilities, prescriptions, groceries, insurance and transportation. Any other retirement savings you have can be used to cover the cost of travel and entertainment or to pay for unforeseen expenses.

* Postpone retirement. While you might consider putting off retirement to be a bad thing, you may decide to continue working in order to increase your monthly Social Security benefit. Delaying Social Security from age 62 to 67 will increase the amount you will receive each month by 30 percent. Postponing retirement will also increase any pension benefits you will receive in the future. You could even use the time to try working in a new field that has always appealed to you.

* Plan for a health emergency. Nobody likes to think about becoming ill, but planning for health-care emergencies is a part of smart retirement planning, especially when you consider that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 70 percent of retirees will need to pay for chronic care sometime during their lives. The Hartford offers life insurance policies with its LifeAccess Accelerated Benefits Rider. If you become chronically ill and meet the claim criteria, you can use the money you receive from the death benefit any way you like. You can, for example, use it to pay a family member to take care of you.

Turning 90 is a milestone worth celebrating. With good planning, you could live a long and comfortable life without worrying too much about your finances.

Consumers who want to learn more about The Hartford’s life insurance policies can call 1-877-439-0772 or visit www.hartfordinvestor.com/livingbenefits

A combination of hard times and an aging population increased the number of U.S. households with multiple generations living under one roof, according to AARP. In 2010, 7.1 million U.S. households – or 6.1 percent of homes – were multigenerational. Compare that to 2000, when just 5 million households were multigenerational.

“Whether you’re caring for an aging parent or making room for adult children, grandchildren or other relatives, completing practical remodeling projects can add living space, help reduce home maintenance time and save energy,” says Kathy Krafka Harkema, spokesperson for Pella Corporation.

Remodeling tips
Considering remodeling? Check out the hottest small-project remodeling trends for 2011, from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI). As you’re planning, incorporate universal design principles to help make your home safer and more functional.

Bathroom renovations
Updating bathrooms? Add slip-resistant surfaces to minimize potential falls in bathtubs and showers. Walk-in showers and safety bars are also smart choices.

Paint is an easy upgrade. According to Buzzle.com, one great bathroom paint idea is to use brighter colors like lime green, citrus yellow, butterscotch yellow or cream to create the illusion of space and make a small bathroom look larger.

Necessary repairs
As they update their homes, consumers are fixing problems, like replacing broken hardware and glass on windows and doors. For safety’s sake, make sure your windows and doors are not jammed, painted or nailed shut. If they are, it could be time to replace them.

“Pella offers energy-efficient windows and doors with cordless blinds or shades between-the-glass that are easy to operate and safer for homes with children and pets,” Krafka Harkema says. “Plus, since the optional blinds or shades are between glass, they don’t need cleaning.”

Patio and outdoor rooms
Staying home more? Spending more time in the yard? Creating a new patio area off a kitchen or dining room can add space for entertaining. Install energy-efficient sliding or hinged patio doors, like the Pella 350 Series vinyl patio doors, to help save energy and create beautiful views.

Hiring a skilled contractor
Today’s consumers are more diligent about choosing the right contractor for the specific job they need done, NARI reports. Ask for referrals for a reputable licensed, bonded, insured contractor and check credentials.

Opening up rooms
As you remodel, consider removing interior walls to create extra space in high-traffic areas like kitchens or bathrooms. Add 36-inch doors to make it easier to move about your home.

Adding bronze
Choose bronze finishes like oil-rubbed bronze, when replacing missing or broken hardware on windows or doors. Bronze is also popular in bedrooms, home offices and kitchens. Replace small knobs or round pulls on doors, drawers or cabinets with levers and larger pulls that are easier for arthritic hands to operate.

Go green and save
Now’s the time to replace your home’s drafty single-paned windows with more energy-efficient wood, vinyl or fiberglass windows.

“Many U.S. homes still have energy-wasting single-paned windows,” Krafka Harkema says. “Replacing them with more energy-efficient ENERGY STAR-qualified windows helps save energy and add comfort to your home.”

You may be able to claim a U.S. energy-efficiency tax credit from $200 to $500 on certain ENERGY STAR-qualified windows and doors installed in 2011. Check Pella.com/taxcredits for details.

Whether you’re making room for your parents or welcoming home a college graduate, home remodeling is a sensible investment in today’s economy. Be sure your home update features comfortable, practical, universal and energy-saving improvements.

So why do most chronically ill people move into a nursing home? It may surprise you to learn that it’s not because their health worsens. It’s because their primary caregiver is too exhausted or sick to continue. There are, however, steps baby boomers can take to ensure that they can pay for the kind of care they want to receive in their own home, and also provide for the financial needs and limitations of their caregiver.
  
Start the conversation
The most important thing you can do to ensure that things go according to plan is to have a conversation with your loved ones. It is better, after all, to ask some tough questions now than to delay them until you are struggling with an illness. Here are some of the questions you should ask:

* Would you be willing to help care for me at home if I become chronically ill one day?
* If so, would you be willing to share the responsibilities of caring for me with someone else who has been hired to care for me?
* What concerns would you have about taking care of me in my home?
* Would you allow me to compensate you for taking care of me?

It’s critically important to avoid caregiver burnout, and both you and your potential caregiver need to be aware of the pitfalls. Plenty of good information can be found at www.caregiver.org. 

Start planning
Once you have the answers to those questions, you’ll want to tally up how much it is likely to cost you to get the care you may need. A good way to do this is research your chronic care insurance options and then talk with an insurance agent you trust.

In general, you have two insurance options to cover the cost of care associated with a chronic illness. You can purchase traditional long-term care insurance (LTCI) or, if you already have a need for life insurance, you can choose a new option: life insurance with an optional rider that advances the death benefit if there’s a need for chronic care. The Hartford, for example, offers its LifeAccess Accelerated Benefit Rider  on most of its permanent life insurance policies, which you can read about at:  www.hartfordinvestor.com/LifeAccessUL.

When you become chronically ill and can no longer do two activities of daily living, such as walking or eating, or you develop Alzheimer’s disease or some other form of dementia that’s serious enough to require assistance from others, the Rider compensates you by advancing the policy’s death benefit. And you are free to use the proceeds any way you like, including to pay a son, daughter, spouse, or friend to care for you.

By planning ahead, you will vastly improve your ability to get the help you want in your very own home from the people you love.

Recently we heard from a number of consumers who spent thousands of dollars each to purchase gold coins which they were assured by the “consultants” selling them that they were a wise investment. Often these high pressure pitches were directed at seniors who would use their savings or liquidate other assets to buy coins which they were often told would double or triple in value in a very short time.

However, when some of these consumers purchased the coins and took them to independent appraisers, they were informed that they paid three times or even more the fair market value of the pieces. Many of these consumers were unsuccessful in getting refunds.

Before making any investment, especially for a large sum of money, consult a trusted individual, such as a CPA or other professional who will offer you a realistic outlook on various investment options and their expected rate of return. There are also several non profit associations of coin dealers, such as the American Numismatic Association at 1-800-367-9723, that can offer tips on selecting a reputable seller in your area who adheres to the association’s ethics and arbitration guidelines.

Be especially wary of those who want to sell you gold insisting that you make an immediate decision and who use scare tactics or make extravagant promises about how quickly these will rise in value. Always compare prices with several dealers before making your selection. Also, before you buy make sure you get the seller’s refund policy and all other terms in writing. You can also contact my office or the Better Business Bureau before making your purchase to find out if there are complaints against a particular seller.

If you believe you have been the victim of an unscrupulous gold coin seller or other investment scam, you should report it to my office at 1-800-252-8011.

Greg Abbott
Attorney General of Texas