Tag: seniors

By Dr. Karen DeVore 

Aging is a privilege, but how we age is largely within our control. While genetics play a role, lifestyle choices and proactive health management significantly impact our vitality, mobility and overall well-being. The good news? You don’t have to accept aches, fatigue and chronic diseases as inevitable. You can age on your own terms by implementing a few key strategies.

1. Annual Check-Ins & Lab Work: Stay Ahead of the Game

Prevention is the cornerstone of longevity. Annual health check-ups allow you to track changes, address concerns and monitor key health markers before minor issues become major problems. Many conditions—such as metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis—develop silently over time, making regular lab work essential for early detection and intervention.

Too many people avoid these appointments due to frustration with dismissive healthcare providers. If your practitioner isn’t listening to you or supporting your health goals, find a team that will. Healthcare should be a partnership, not a battle.

Key Lab Markers to Monitor:

• Inflammation & Metabolic Health: CRP, fasting insulin, A1C

• Hormonal Balance: Thyroid panel, testosterone, estrogen, progesterone, DHEA

• Nutrient Status: Vitamin D, B12, ferritin, magnesium

• Cardiovascular Health: Lipid panel, homocysteine, ApoB

2. Listen to Your Body: Symptoms Matter

Your body is always communicating with you. Fatigue, brain fog, unexplained weight changes and joint pain aren’t just random annoyances—they’re signals. Ignoring them doesn’t make them disappear; it only allows problems to worsen over time.

Being proactive about your health doesn’t mean dismissing symptoms in the name of “natural” healing. It means staying in tune with your body, recognizing patterns and addressing imbalances early. You know your body better than any textbook or algorithm—if something feels off, advocate for yourself.

3. Know Your Family’s Aging Patterns

While lifestyle choices have the greatest impact on longevity, understanding your genetic predispositions can help you make informed decisions. Look at how your parents and siblings are aging. Are they dealing with cognitive decline, cardiovascular issues or bone loss?

Genetics don’t determine your fate, but they do provide insight into potential vulnerabilities. By identifying patterns, you can take proactive steps to mitigate risks through targeted lifestyle and medical interventions.

4. The Fundamentals Never Get Old

Some health advice remains timeless because it works. If you want to age gracefully, these fundamentals are non-negotiable:

• Movement is medicine. If you don’t use it, you lose it. Regular exercise supports mobility, cardiovascular health and cognitive function.

• Hydration matters. Dehydration contributes to fatigue, joint pain and poor circulation.

• Sleep is the ultimate reset. Quality sleep is essential for hormone balance, brain function and immune resilience.

• Laughter truly is the best medicine. Joy and social connection improve mental and emotional health while reducing stress and inflammation.

• You are what you eat. A nutrient-dense, whole-food diet fuels longevity and vitality.

5. Muscle Mass: The Fountain of Youth

One of the most powerful predictors of longevity? Muscle mass. Research consistently links muscle maintenance with reduced mortality risk, improved metabolic health and greater resilience against age-related diseases such as osteoporosis, diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

Why Muscle Matters:

• Improves metabolism and helps regulate blood sugar

• Reduces fall risk by supporting balance and coordination

• Strengthens bones through mechanical stress, helping prevent osteoporosis

• Supports cognitive health by enhancing blood flow and reducing inflammation

The takeaway? It’s never too late to build muscle. Resistance training—even starting in your 70s or 80s—can lead to significant improvements in strength, mobility and longevity.

Aging on Your Own Terms

Aging gracefully isn’t about avoiding every wrinkle or pretending time isn’t passing. It’s about maintaining independence, vitality and quality of life for as long as possible. It’s about making informed choices, staying proactive with your health and surrounding yourself with a supportive healthcare team.

Longevity isn’t just about adding years to your life—it’s about adding life to your years. Take care of your body now, and it will take care of you in the decades to come.

I’d be honored to support you on your wellness journey. Let’s create a personalized plan that nurtures your unique body, helping you feel vibrant, strong and at ease as you age gracefully. Schedule a consultation with me at the Tortoise Clinic (850.267.5611)—because you deserve to feel your best, every step of the way.

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By Christian Regalado

Every day, another 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65. If you’ll be one this year and wonder, “What do I do next?”, one of the first things you’ll want to handle is enrolling in Medicare Parts A and B. If you’re receiving Social Security benefits, you will automatically get your Medicare card, but if you don’t plan to collect Social Security benefits until a later date, you’ll have to request it.  This process can be easy for some and challenging for others.

More and more people now have a Social Security account set up online at ssa.gov. Do you? I’ve helped many seniors with this process, and it’s getting easier. If you haven’t already, you’ll need to set up a username and password and be prepared to take multiple steps to verify your identity. If you’d like assistance, give us a call and we’ll be glad to help you.

Once you get into your SS account, there are two options, and this is where things can start to get complicated. The first option simply says, “Sign up for Medicare.”  There is a little blue box with an (APPLY ONLINE) option. Most people should select this and start the application. The second option says, “Sign up for Part B Only” and that blue box will say, “Get Started.” This is for folks who already have their Part A or delayed enrolling in Medicare Part B because they stayed on an employer group plan past the age of 65.

Keep in mind that once your application is complete, it will take 2-4 weeks before you receive your Medicare card. In the meantime, you’ll want to learn about the various options you have for health and prescription coverage once you become a Medicare Beneficiary. Changes in healthcare are ongoing, and you’ll also want an idea of what’s coming ahead. For instance, in 2025, as part of the Inflation Reduction Act, seniors who choose a Medicare Supplement plan and a separate Medicare Part D prescription plan will find prescription out-of-pocket costs capped at $2000. This will have a significant impact on people currently managing high prescription costs.

Choosing a Supplement and Part D plan provides maximum coverage. Alternatively, there are highly rated $0 premium Advantage plans that include prescription coverage in our area.

There are a lot of choices to be made once you become Medicare eligible. It can get confusing, and what’s best for you, personally, will depend on your needs and budget.  We can help educate you on your options, as well as help direct you to make sure you are getting the most of your Medicare benefits.  Contact us anytime.  There is no fee for our services and we are always happy to help. Reach me, Christian Regalado, by phone at (850) 687-7606 or email christian@evergreenhealthins.com.

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Panhandle Assistant Care (PAC) is a team of dedicated healthcare professionals committed to in-home assisted care excellence. And with over 20 years of experience in the field, PAC has mastered the art of creating independence with peace of mind. “With every client interaction, that is our goal; to bring peace of mind to both the client and their families,” says owner and founder, Cheri Allen. “Above all, we promote and support an independent lifestyle for our client, empowering and assisting him or her to live their best life, while in the safety and comfort of their home.”

Cheri was born and raised in Minnesota and adopted into a large, God-loving family. At the age of 5, Cheri’s love and passion for helping others began when the family moved into an elderly building that her family would manage.

“In a sense, I grew up with 70 sets of grandparents,” she said. I fell in love with caring for and assisting others. It gave me a sense of purpose and pride to bring peace, joy and comfort to others.”

After graduation, Cheri pursued her passion and enrolled in the Lakeland Medical Academy in Minneapolis.  She has spent the last 20 years caring for others. Four years ago, after much prodding from friends, Cheri decided to open her own business in Minnesota. Now, she has relocated to Florida and chosen the Panhandle to fully invest herself, her passion for others, and share her experiences to better the lives of those on the Emerald Coast.

“Our Mission is to provide compassionate, personalized in-home care for clients of all ages, ensuring their comfort, safety, and dignity,” Cheri says. “We are dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for our clients by offering supportive, independent care right at their doorstep. We have a team of skilled assistants committed to delivering exceptional service with warmth, respect, and professionalism, fostering a sense of independence and well-being for every individual we serve.”

Panhandle Assistant Care Services

Each client receives a personalized, care-giving plan, tailored to their individual character, hobbies, health, and capabilities. A few of the most popular services requested are In-home care, 24-hour care, personalized care plans, travel staff, live-in staff, meal preparation, help with errands and tasks, technology, household chores, visiting local senior centers, grocery shopping, nails and hair, attending church services and more.

Cheri and Company are guided by a set of core values;

First, compassion: “We listen with empathy, respond with kindness, and are committed to understanding and addressing the unique needs and concerns of our clients with the utmost care and respect.”

Next is honesty: “From our transparent pricing to our straightforward advice, we pride ourselves on creating an environment where clients can expect nothing but genuine and honest service.”

Third is professionalism: “Entrusting someone else to assist with a loved one you care deeply about is a big decision, one that requires immense trust and confidence. We believe professionalism is fundamental to providing high-quality compassionate care.

And finally, reliability: “We understand that our clients count on us, which is why we’ve made reliability a Core Value — always exceeding expectations, and being there when our clients need us the most.

Cheri Allen and the Panhandle Assistant Care team are dedicated to providing the highest quality care and attention for you and your loved ones. If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please contact Cheri at (850) 517-5745, panhandleassistantcarefl@yahoo.com or visit www.PanhandleAssistantCare.com.

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