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How Medicar handles second medical opinions Dear Savvy Senior Does Medicare cover second medical opinions? The doctor I currently see thinks I need back surgery, but I would like to get some other treatment options before I proceed. What can you tell me? Searching Senior Dear Searching, Getting a second medical opinion from another doctor

It’s the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States, affects more than 5 million Americans and one out of every three seniors will die from it. Yet misconceptions surround Alzheimer’s disease. Contrary to what many people think about Alzheimer’s, it’s not a normal part of growing older. And while there’s not yet a way

While teenagers are the age group most associated with suicide risk, the terrible truth is that another group is killing themselves at even higher rates: seniors. Adults aged 65 to 84 are nearly twice as likely to commit suicide as 15 to 24-year-olds, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Beyond age 85,

Most years during the busy session, amidst the debates and committee hearings, a wonderful thing happens — the Missouri General Assembly, in its exclusive way, honors some of our fellow Missourians, past and present. In 2014 Cedar County mourned the loss of Deputy Sheriff Matthew Chism. Deputy Chism was shot and killed following a vehicle

Honoring Fallen Heroes Last week began with Americans from coast to coast marking Memorial Day by honoring those who gave what President Lincoln called, “the last full measure of devotion” for the good our country embodies. I was honored to join the veterans of Centralia VFW Post 6276 and area residents for their annual Memorial

The new MIND diet may help prevent Alzheimer’s Dear Savvy Senior, I’ve heard that there’s a new diet that can help prevent Alzheimer’s disease. What can you tell me about this? My 80-year-old mother has Alzheimer’s and I want to do everything I can to protect myself. Concerned Daughter Dear Concerned, It’s true! Research has

Silver screen icon Bette Davis once famously pronounced “getting old ain’t for sissies.” Caring for yourself or a loved one with age-related health issues is no picnic, either. Of all the health issues you may face as you age, vision problems can be particularly devastating. Yet, a new study reveals that many people still don’t

View from the Capitol Honoring our Fallen Heroes As you read this, Americans from coast to coast have enjoyed the Memorial Day weekend, the traditional start of the summer vacation season. As we enjoyed time with family and friends, let us not forget to take the time to honor the brave men and women in

My Fellow Missourians: Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Major General John A. Logan

by Mark Hughes Lawmakers have headed back to their districts, but the 2016 session of the Missouri General Assembly is not yet over. Not quite. There are still several days and a bit of work to be done before most of the bills passed this year can become law. Since at least the Missouri Constitution