April 6, 2020 Your weekly link to news and information from credible newspaper and magazine publications, and electronic news media outlets nationwide.

Have peace of mind knowing that if something happens, someone will know.  Snug  is a friendly, free check-in service for seniors living alone, and an added layer of protection during the Coronavirus pandemic.

HEALTH:

What to Know Now About Masks and Coronavirus: Should you wear a mask in public to protect yourself from COVID-19? The CDC is now advising it, but we talked to experts to help you sort through the confusing advice. Consumer Reports, April 3.

CDC Says Diabetes, Lung Disease, Heart Disease and Smoking May Increase Risk of Severe Coronavirus Illness: People with diabetes, chronic lung disease, heart disease or those who smoke may be at increased risk of developing severe complications if they get infected with the coronavirus. CNBC, March 31.

Managing High Blood Pressure During the Coronavirus Pandemic: It’s important to keep hypertension well-controlled and take medication as recommended. U.S. News & World Report, April 2.   What People With Diabetes Should Know About Coronavirus: While having diabetes may put you at higher risk for COVID-19-related complications, there are ways to reduce that risk. U.S. News & World Report, March 31.

Easing the Isolation During the Coronavirus Crisis: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has much of the world sheltering in place. While it may be frustrating and challenging for many of us, this increased isolation is especially hard on the mental and physical health of older adults — the same group most at risk of getting the virus with and severe consequences of infection. Next Avenue, April 3.

MEDICARE:

Medicare Beneficiaries Who Get Coronavirus May Face a Price Shock: While some Medicare beneficiaries have additional insurance that covers the program’s out-of-pocket costs — i.e., copays and deductibles — others pay more than their peers for hospital stays and various medical services. CNBC, March 30.   Compare 2020 Medicare Part D Plans—Which One Is The Best For You? The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recommends that seniors use the Medicare Part D Plan Finder for 2020 to compare drug plans. Here are some things to consider when doing so. Parade, April 1.

MONEY:

Ways to Bolster Your Finances Due to the Coronavirus: The coronavirus outbreak, we know, is a health crisis and a national economic crisis. It’s also, for many Americans, a personal-finance crisis. Next Avenue, April 2.   Retirees, Pick the Perfect Financial Planner: When you’re trying to get a handle on your money, from investments and savings to figuring out retirement and preparing for your future, you might need help from an expert in the financial planning world. But finding the right person can be more complicated than rebalancing your portfolio. Kiplinger, April 1.

Now Is the Perfect Time to Convert Your IRA to a Roth: With coronavirus tanking the stock market, it doesn’t feel like a great time to be an investor. One potentially smart move you can make right now: Convert your IRA to a Roth. Money, March 30.   Here's What to Do if Your Company Cuts its 401(k) Match During Coronavirus: In times of financial crisis, when liquidity is at a premium and companies are trying to hold onto every nickel they can find, guess where they sometimes look for cuts? The employee 401(k) match. Money, April 2.   3 Ways the COVID-19 Stimulus Law May Help Your Financial Problems: In normal times, it’s not wise to dip into your retirement savings for purposes other than retirement. But the coronavirus pandemic has made this anything but normal times, and you may be desperate for cash. Next Avenue, March 31.

Self-Employed? Take These 3 Steps to Get Your Retirement Savings on Track: Working for yourself means your retirement savings plan falls entirely on your shoulders. With the day-to-day operations of running your own business, it can be easy to let investing for the future fall by the wayside. Money, April 1.

RETIREMENT:

How to Evaluate an Early Retirement Offer: During economic downturns, some companies offer early retirement packages to reduce their number of paid employees. If your employer asks you to consider stepping away now, the decision is not one to make lightly. U.S. News & World Report, April 1.

SOCIAL SECURITY:

The IRS Changed the Tax Filing Rule for Social Security Recipients — Why That’s a Good Thing: The decision could cause some people to miss out on the coronavirus stimulus money. MarketWatch, April 2.

LEGAL ISSUES:

How to Get Your Estate Plan Done While Under Coronavirus Quarantine: If you are quarantined or under a lockdown and can't get to a notary, how can you get your will, trust and other documents executed? There are ways to get it done without leaving home. Kiplinger, 3/30.

SCAMS:

Online Coronavirus Tests Are Just The Latest Iffy Products Marketed To Anxious Consumers: The FDA and the Federal Trade Commission jointly issued warning letters on March 9 to seven companies for selling “products that fraudulently claim to prevent, treat or cure COVID-19.” Kaiser Health News, March 31.   4 Coronavirus Scams That Could Cost You: Because so many people are feeling vulnerable right now, it's a prime time for scammers to strike. These fraudsters take advantage of the fear and uncertainty many Americans are experiencing, and there are four common scams that could cost you a lot of cash. The Motley Fool, April 1.

TECHNOLOGY:

A Free App Helps Senior Stay Safe at Home During the Coronavirus Outbreak:  Snug is a free daily check-in service for seniors living alone. Have peace of mind that if something happens, Snug will make sure someone knows. Over 350,000 check-ins so far.

Virtual Connections Have Never Been More Popular: Video-calling services, connected tablets, smart-home assistants and other online devices have become lifelines for older people whose regular routines have been disrupted and for whom social isolation can lead to physical and mental health problems. Next Avenue, March 30.   6 Medical Alert Systems That Can Help You Keep Tabs on Loved Ones from Afar — and How Much They Cost: Medical alert systems are growing in popularity as the coronavirus pandemic makes it harder to have physical contact with older loved ones. Money, March 30.

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