LIFE GOES ON: The 3/4 Life Crisis
THE 3/4 LIFE CRISIS We’ve all heard about the mid-life crisis. But there is also what I call THE ¾ LIFE CRISIS. OK, so you’re 60+and starting to feel OLD. You may be…
CT Golden Years: Disabled? Elderly? Got a Plan?
The aging of the population brings its own set of medical problems and foremost among these is the increased likelihood of disability due to diseases or other causes. Although care for the elderly and care…
Politicians and Unions Hiding Real State Pension Liabilities
When politicians and unions representing state employees tell you that pension and retirement liabilities are under control – don’t believe them. Why? Because by changing one variable on how the liability is calculated, the liability…
LIFE GOES ON: Not All Mothers Are Nice
Here’s the problem. It’s MOTHER’S DAY. Hallmark Card moments. Television commercials recommending hearts and flowers. Beautiful gifts. But, what if you don’t have a great relationship with your mother? What if your mother has abused/neglected/disappointed…
LIFE GOES ON: How Do I Know My Marriage Will Last?
DEAR DOCTOR KATHLEEN, I am 28 years old and my boyfriend of 1 year is 33 and has been divorced. We are about to be engaged but I worry that we could get divorced too….
Ct Consumer Complaint: Hospitals Stop Wasting Health Care Dollars On Worthless Advertising
Call me a curmudgeon, but is anyone else annoyed by the proliferation of hospital advertising? You literally cannot open a newspaper or turn on the radio or TV without being bombarded with advertisements for hospitals…
LIFE GOES ON: What is CBT?
WHAT IS CBT? Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, CBT, is a method of psychotherapy that enables one to deal with negative feelings and behaviors by tackling issues that cause discomfort in daily life. Let me take you…
CT Golden Years: Hospice Facilities Bill Approved by Legislature, to Provide Alternative Care for Terminally Ill
The state Legislature has approved a bill that would provide terminally ill people with the option of receiving hospice care in a special facility. It awaits the signature of Gov. Dannel Malloy. Proponents of the…
Skechers To Pay $40 Million In Refunds To Settle Federal Charges Of False Claims That Shape-Ups Improve Appearance
Consumers Who Bought Shape-ups, Other Toning Shoes Will Be Eligible for Refunds If you got sucked into buying a pair of Skechers Toning Shoes believing that they would help you lose weight, strengthen and tone…
CVS Caremark To Pay $5 Million For Misrepresenting Prices Of Medicare Part D Drugs
Following a public comment period, the FTC has accepted as final an order with CVS Caremark settling charges that it misrepresented the prices of certain Medicare Part D prescription drugs, including drugs used to treat…
Company Promising To Build Websites For Consumers To Earn Money Shut Down By Feds As A Scam
The Federal Trade Commission halted an operation that allegedly lured consumers into spending thousands of dollars for Internet websites and advertising by misrepresenting that they could make lots of money by linking the sites to…
CT Golden Years: Elder, Disabled Advocates Vow Continued Fight After Legislature Passes Forced Unionization Bill
The state Legislature bailed out Gov. Dannel Malloy’s efforts to force unionization on day care and home care workers for the disabled and elderly, but that doesn’t mean the issue is decided. State Sen. Joe…
LIFE GOES ON: K.I.S.S. – Kindness Is So Simple
K.I.S.S. – KINDNESS IS SO SIMPLE Imagine two people in an argument. You can see them but you can’t hear their words. One is animatedly gesturing, appears to be yelling, and is making severe facial…
Ct General Assembly Passes Two Important Condo Owners Protection Bills
The Connecticut General Assembly passed two important bills late last night that will help protect condo owners as well as make condo associations more democratic. The two bills – 5511 and 5536 – have been…
Health Disparities Between Blacks and Whites Widening Instead of Narrowing
Written by Lisa Chedekel Health disparities between blacks and whites in categories including maternal deaths and advanced-stage breast cancer diagnoses are worsening, while only a handful of disparities related to race, ethnicity or income showed…
Myspace Settles FTC Charges That It Mislead Users About Privacy
Settlement Will Require Regular Privacy Assessments for the Next 20 Years Social networking service Myspace has agreed to settle Federal Trade Commission charges that it misrepresented its protection of users’ personal information. The settlement, part…
LIFE GOES ON: Today & Tomorrow
TODAY AND TOMORROW Are you lonely? Loneliness comes in many forms. Isolation, social phobia, self-imposed retreat, lack of family or friends. The happiest people have a sense of community within their families, friends, neighborhoods, churches,…
CT Golden Years: Euthanasia, Death Penalty for Connecticut’s Seniors?
In April Connecticut officially abolished the death penalty for people convicted of murder, making it the 17th US state to do so, even though a majority of state residents wanted to keep it intact. But…
LIFE GOES ON: JAPAN Part 2: Conversations in the NOW
JAPAN Part 2: CONVERSATIONS IN THE NOW In last week’s column, Japan Part 1: LIVING IN THE NOW, I wrote about letting go of the need to know the future. I learned that children…
Connecticut Nursing Homes Fined For Patient Death, Failure To Administer Drugs
Five nursing homes have been cited and fined by the Department of Public Health for patient care lapses, including an incident at Aurora Senior Living of Cromwell in which a resident with eating problems died…