Everyone’s concerned now that I’m turning 65
- col-teri-stein
- June 9, 2022
- 646
I’m nearing my 65th birthday, and I’m rather happy about it because the alternative is not better. But as an almost 65-year-old, I haven’t been this popular since the last United States presidential election.
Just like an election, everyone is calling me, putting notices on my social media and sending me mail because they want me to pick them. I’m not sure how everyone found out such personal information as my birthday when we are not even Facebook friends, but they all have that date.
Soon, I’ll officially be a senior. Although the last time I was a senior, it was a lot better — at 17 I and my fellow high school classmates were on top of the world, or our school at least. Now being a senior — not so much fun — but I’ll make the most of it.
Anyway, these people contacting me now are extremely concerned I’m going to miss my Medicare enrollment period. I need to call them immediately and make sure I speak with a licensed insurance advisor. Those are the only people who can understand all these plans and what you need. I sure can’t.
There is so much to think about — monthly premiums, deductibles, hearing aids, shots and vaccines, co-pays, dental care and dentures, telehealth visits, preventative screenings, hospital visits, doctors, drug coverage and more. It’s mind boggling.
Even an internet-based company I’ve never heard of before thinks I’m calling their toll-free number just because they sent me a postcard from Minnesota warning me about the end of my Medicare enrollment period. No thanks.
Other seemingly nice people also have sent me letters including their family pictures so I can see their cute, smiling kids and attractive spouses and promised to take care of all this Medicare stuff for me. The whole process is so crazy.
One of the best things I like about some of the insurance policies, though, is the senior fitness programs. When I was working in a former job, I spent a lot of time providing activities for people with developmental disabilities. I was not going to let someone with an exercise goal go it alone. I’m going to encourage them and exercise with them. I didn’t want them to think exercise was not important.
And now, after two years of sitting around and enduring pandemic atrophy, these senior fitness programs are a breath of fresh air. I already joined a gym, got the app on my phone and am tracking all my fitness efforts on and offline. It’s great, and I can already feel the benefits.
But there’s more to getting old than just picking the right insurance. One thing Joe and I have recently been at odds about is the senior discount. You can start getting a lot of these at the young age of 55, but the problem is I never remember to ask. I always forget I’m old enough to get a senior discount. I don’t see that it’s a big deal.
Now that I’ve joined the ranks of those on a fixed income, I’m all about reading senior tips, so an article on money mistakes that seniors make caught my eye. One of the biggest mistakes is not asking for your senior discount. You shouldn’t pay more when you can pay less, the author reasoned. It’s money you’ll never get back that you didn’t even have to pay. OK, looks like Joe is right on this one. Let’s not tell him, though.
I am old. I am old. I am old. I need to ask for my senior discount.
My late father-in-law once owned a hat that said, “Don’t forget my senior discount.” I need to get one of those. So if you see me out shopping or picking up food, please ask me, “Did you get your senior discount?” At my age I’m going to need the reminders.