senior lifestyle Archives - Page 3 of 8 - Empower Medicare Supplements

The Powerful Healing Benefits of Earthing

June 2, 2025August 27, 2021 by Cali Naughton

Earthing provides an array of health benefits, including reduced inflammation, faster healing, pain reduction, and improved sleep. But wait a second! Simply standing outside on … Read more

Exercising in Your Golden Years

April 15, 2025May 23, 2021 by Kayla Gonzalez

There are a lot of benefits that come with exercising, and this is especially true for the elderly. If you are reaching your golden years, … Read more

Gardening for Your Health

April 4, 2025May 22, 2021 by Cali Naughton

Gardening has many benefits for our bodies such as providing stress relief, physical activity, and boosting Vitamin D. You can create your own garden, help … Read more

The Benefits of Cardio and Weightlifting for Seniors

May 1, 2025April 27, 2021 by Macee Hall

Although there are benefits of both cardio and weightlifting for seniors, blending the two types of exercise with a well-balanced diet can create the optimal circumstances for increased fat loss, improved mental health, and enhanced overall wellness.

Throughout the years, workout fanatics have argued whether cardio or weightlifting provides the most long-term health benefits which provides a better overall workout, cardio or … Read more

Can Medicare Help You Quit Smoking?

May 1, 2025April 21, 2021 by Cali Naughton

Help Quitting

Quitting smoking can be a daunting task when you go it alone. Your Medicare Part B insurance may be able to help. Through their tobacco counseling program, you may receive extra help in order to kick the habit for good.

The Facts

Tragically, smoking causes the death of over 480,000 people in the U. S. every year. It ranks as the country’s leading cause of preventable deaths. While smoking obviously causes severe repercussions to the user, others who are exposed to secondhand smoke also suffer. Experts estimate that an additional 41,000 people die from the effects of secondhand smoke each year.

What Does it Affect?

Many people realize that smoking causes damage to their lungs, but they may not be aware of the damage caused to other organs. It causes substantial strain on the cardiovascular system which can lead to coronary heart disease and stroke. The effects are far-reaching, and the reality is that smoking takes a toll on the entire body. Your risk for developing things like gum disease, rheumatoid arthritis, infertility, loss of bone density, and colorectal cancer are all substantially increased by smoking.

Taking Back Control

When it comes to beating the habit and taking back control, the first step is simply making the decision to quit and then backing it with your own very personal reasons. When you are ready to start, you should talk to your doctor about creating a game plan and how to handle challenges along the way. A support system and accountability will increase the odds of your success.

Counseling Program

Medicare’s Tobacco Counseling Program can help you gain access to support. Through the program, you will be able to receive 8 in-person counseling sessions from a qualified doctor during a single year. Medicare Part B will cover the cost of the counseling sessions in full as long as your doctor accepts assignment, and you qualify for the program. This program is only available to you before you are diagnosed with a tobacco-related disease. Do not wait until it is too late. Start talking to your doctor about Medicare’s Tobacco Counseling.

Ways to Spend Less Time on Your Smartphone

May 1, 2025April 19, 2021 by Kayla Gonzalez

Cell phones have made such significant innovations and it seems everyone has one. A smartphone allows us to have everything at our disposal. We can … Read more

How to Keep Work-Life Balance

July 14, 2025April 15, 2021 by Kayla Gonzalez

Many working adults struggle to maintain a healthy work-life balance. This problem is especially true when you are working a demanding job that overflows beyond … Read more

Medicare for Acupuncture

March 14, 2025April 14, 2021 by Cali Naughton

Coverage for Acupuncture

Suffering from chronic lower back pain? While this is a frustrating situation, the good news is that Medicare Part B may cover acupuncture treatments for you. Acupuncture has long been known for its benefits of relieving muscle pain and tension and has become an increasingly popular choice for treating lower back pain. As long as you meet certain requirements, your Medicare plan may cover as many as twenty treatments in a single year. This is a great option to possibly provide needed pain relief.

What is Acupuncture?

The practice of acupuncture has been around for thousands of years and is thought to have originated in China. The treatment involves applying thin needles to various points along the body. These points are determined by a map of meridians throughout the body thought to be energy (Qi) pathways. Many experts believe that this works by stimulating the central nervous system; however, there are many different theories about the specific mechanisms of it. It is usually considered to be a safe treatment. The risks and side effects associated with acupuncture are rare, provided that a trained and licensed acupuncturist is providing the service.

Providing Relief

Many studies have confirmed that acupuncture can be an effective short-term solution for lower back pain. Because of the aid it provides in managing pain, it may also help decrease the need for pain medications. Depending on the situation, acupuncture may also be used in combination with other treatments. Always talk to your doctor about the best comprehensive approach for your lower back pain.

Medicare Coverage

Medicare may cover acupuncture for chronic lower back pain only, provided that the pain has lasted for at least twelve weeks. You may receive up to twelve treatments within a 90 day period. However, if the condition is improving, Medicare may approve an additional 8 treatments. Medicare does not cover lower back pain associated with surgery or pregnancy.

Acupuncture may be just what you need to find relief from chronic lower back pain. With the opportunity to receive treatment and avoid or minimize the need for pain medications, this is a great option to consider. You should consult with your doctor if this is an approach you are interested in.

Restorative Yoga

March 14, 2025April 13, 2021 by Cali Naughton

A Gentle Approach

Restorative Yoga offers a gentle and more accessible approach to yoga while providing benefits such as easing muscle tension, relieving stress, and improving sleep. It is a slow quiet practice that focuses on relaxation, deep stretching, and opening your mind to a meditative state. It provides a great option to those unable to keep up with the physical demands of more traditional yoga practices. This style of yoga utilizes many props such as blocks, blankets, straps, and bolsters. Through restorative yoga, you can alleviate muscle strain and fully relax into the poses.

Origins of Restorative Yoga

Restorative yoga was first introduced by B.K.S. Lyengar. His goal was to create a form of yoga that provided deep stretching and relaxation while fully supporting the body to avoid any strain. Unlike traditional forms of yoga where it is common to flow from one pose to another after short periods of holding, restorative yoga will have you holding a single pose for ten minutes or as long as thirty minutes. This allows a slow gentle opening of the body while also challenging the mind to be still. This form of yoga really deepens the meditative aspect of yoga. You may find that the biggest challenge during this practice is in fact the quieting of your mind.

Health Benefits

The deeper relaxed stretches of restorative yoga will help to alleviate stiffness and tension throughout the body. Over time you will find an increase in your flexibility and you will become more in tune with your body. Restorative yoga has a tremendous impact on mental wellness. The meditative aspect of it helps to relax the mind and relieve stress and anxiety. After committing to a regular practice, you will likely find that you are sleeping better and feeling more at ease throughout the day. This is because restorative yoga helps to calm the sympathetic nervous system which controls the fight-or-flight response and instead activates the parasympathetic nervous system which allows for relaxation and regulation of our heart and breath rate. In turn, we begin to bring balance back into stressed, tired, or overworked bodies.

How to get started

There are several options to get started. You may be able to find a local restorative yoga instructor offering classes in your city. Many instructors are now offering classes online through various video platforms. If budget is a concern, you may be able to find pre-recorded videos online offered at no cost. Getting started will require a few props such as a yoga mat, blankets, and pillows to help support your body during the class. Depending on the class, you may find you will want to also have yoga straps, a block, and bolsters. The props needed will likely vary depending on the poses your instructor is guiding you through during class.