Dear Savvy Senior, Which vaccines are recommended for Medicare seniors this flu season? Just Turned 65

Dear Just Turned, There are actually three different types of vaccines seniors should consider getting this fall to protect against a repeat of last winter’s “tripledemic” of respiratory illnesses, which included flu, RSV and coronavirus. Here’s a rundown of the different vaccines the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending and how they are covered by Medicare.
Senior-Specific Flu Shots For people age 65 and older, there are three flu vaccines (you only need one) that the CDC recommends over traditional flu shots.
These FDA-approved vaccines provide extra protection beyond what a standard flu shot does, which is important for older adults who have weaker immune defenses and have a greater risk of developing dangerous flu complications compared with younger, healthy adults. The three senior-specific options include the: Fluzone High-Dose Quadrivalent vaccine, which contains four times the amount of antigen as a regular flu shot does, creating a stronger immune response for better protection. Fluad Quadrivalent vaccine, which contains an added ingredient called adjuvant MF59 that also helps create a stronger immune response. FluBlok Quadrivalent vaccine, is a recombinant protein (egg-free) flu vaccine that contains three times the amount of antigen as compared with a regular flu shot.
There isn’t enough evidence yet to indicate whether one of these three vaccines provides superior protection over the other two for seniors.
As for side effects, you should know that the Fluzone High-Dose and Fluad vaccines can cause more of the mild side effects that can occur with a standard-dose flu shot, like pain or tenderness where you got the shot, muscle aches, headache or fatigue. While the side effects of Flublok tend to be a little less frequent.
All flu vaccines are covered 100 percent by Medicare Part B as long as your doctor, health clinic or pharmacy agrees not to charge you more than Medicare pays.
New RSV Vaccines Anyone age 60 and older, especially if you have any heart or lung conditions, diabetes, kidney or liver disorders that make you vulnerable to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) should consider getting one of the new FDA approved RSV vaccines (either Arexvy or Abrysvo).
These vaccines, recommended by the CDC, will help protect older and immunocompromised adults from respiratory illness, which is responsible for 6,000 to 10,000 deaths and at least 60,000 hospitalizations each year in seniors 65 and older.
The new RSV vaccines are covered by Medicare (Part D) prescription drug plans.
Updated Covid Booster If you haven’t had a Covid-19 booster shot lately, you should consider getting one this fall. Even though the Covid public health emergency has ended and the number of cases has gone way down, it has been surging in recent months causing an increase in hospitalizations, especially among the elderly.
The updated Covid vaccine targets the XBB omicron subvariants that are some of the most dominate coronavirus variants circulating in the U.S. It will also provide protection against the EG.5 variant (Eris), which is closely related to the XBB.
Covid booster shots are covered 100 percent by Medicare Part B.
When and Where Most health officials agree that it’s safe to receive the flu and Covid booster at the same time. But because the RSV vaccines are new this year, many doctors are recommending a two-week window between an RSV shot and the flu and/or the COVID shots.
You can find all three vaccines at most pharmacies, medical clinics and health departments, or you can do a search at Vaccines.gov.
Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book.

mailto:csibleyinsures@gmail.com

United States Representative Tom Cole received the National Distinguished Advocacy Award this week, the most prestigious award presented by the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), in recognition of his significant contribution in the fight against cancer to increase research funding.
ACS CAN, the advocacy affiliate of the American Cancer Society, presents the annual award to select lawmakers who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the area of cancer-related public policy advocacy.
“Representative Cole has repeatedly distinguished himself as a leader and true advocate on cancer advocacy issues, particularly through his commitment to increased biomedical research funding,” said Lisa Lacasse, president of ACS CAN. “His introduction of the Strengthen the Pediatric Research Initiative Act, to provide additional funding for childhood cancer research, is a true testament of his commitment to save lives from pediatric cancer. ACS CAN appreciates his steadfast leadership in investing in cancer research to improve public health nationwide.”
“Representative Cole is a true cancer leader”, said Howie Jackson, cancer survivor and ACS CAN Oklahoma CD-04 ACT Lead volunteer. “His commitment to providing additional funding for child cancer research is a testament to the value he sees in our next generation of Oklahomans.”
The award was presented on Sept. 19 as part of the annual ACS CAN Leadership Summit and Lobby Day. Nearly 700 cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones met with their elected officials to urge them to support policies that increase funding for cancer research and prevention programs and address barriers that prevent diverse populations from enrolling in clinical trials.

• Unintentional falls are the most common, with an estimated 5,598,438 incidents yearly.
• Unintentional poisoning came second, with approximately 1,712,272 incidents each year.
• Unintentional firearm incidents are the least common, accounting for only 26,830 emergency room visits.

A new study reveals the non-fatal injuries that most frequently land Americans in the emergency room, with accidental falls being the top cause.

The analysis undertaken by experienced personal injury attorneys John Foy & Associates, used the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to uncover the leading injuries prompting adults to seek emergency medical assistance.
Unintentional falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries in America, resulting in around 5,598,438 ER visits annually across all genders and ages. This type of accident may occur due to circumstances like slippery, cluttered, or unstable walking/working surfaces.
The second most common is unintentional poisoning, with around 1,712,272 individuals affected each year. From foodborne illnesses to drug overdoses, poisoning comes in many forms and represents one the largest ER risks nationwide. This category excludes the unexpected adverse effects of correctly administered drugs and bacterial illnesses like food poisoning.
Unintentionally struck by or against takes third place and accounts for 1,591,827 visits each year. These visits typically involve incidents where individuals are struck by an object, animals or person, rather than a vehicle or machinery. They can occur in a number of circumstances, such as at a person’s workplace, while walking their dog, or rollerblading on the beach.
Occupants of motor vehicles are fourth, with an estimated 1,541,393 visits each year. These accidents affect occupants of cars, pickup trucks, SUVs, vans, heavy transport vehicles, and buses and most commonly occur as a result of traffic accidents.
Unintentionally cut or pierced is the fifth most common reason, accounting for an estimated 1,293,773 visits each year. Accidental incisions, slashes, perforations, punctures, and lacerations from household or occupational objects are common examples of this non-fatal injury.
The sixth-leading cause is overexertion, which can result from activities like heavy lifting or intense workouts, and accounts for more than 1,272,977 yearly emergency department visits.
Coming in seventh is unintentional bites and stings, causing around 427,255 emergency visits. This accounts for injuries such as snake and lizard bites, bee and wasp, scorpion stings, and even jellyfish stings. This also encompasses injuries involving penetration of the skin from plants or plant parts.
Other unintentional transportation-related injuries come in eighth, with about 350,007 cases each year. These injuries include pedestrians injured while boarding transport, accidents involving power scooters, go-karts, streetcars, and even space transport.
Presence of a foreign body is the ninth leading cause, with around 277,922 yearly incidents. Such incidents could involve accidental ingestion or insertion of foreign objects, such as toys, pebbles, or dirt, into the eye or other orifices of the body.

Rounding off the top ten is unintentional pedal cyclist injuries, with 229,312 incidents. This includes accidents involving bicycles and similar transport modes, such as losing control, colliding, or other traffic-related events on public roads.

John Foy, founder of John Foy & Associates, commented on the findings:

“The data provided further important insights, when looking at sex differences between male and female ER visits. For instance, women are more frequently victims of dog bites than men, which could be in part due to the fact that more than 70% of dog walkers are female.

“Additionally, the data suggests that occupants of larger vehicles, such as cars, trucks, or buses, are 590% more likely to sustain non-fatal injuries than motorcyclists.

“It’s also noteworthy that overexertion alone results in more emergency room trips than dog bites, pedal cycle incidents, and bites and stings combined.”

About John Foy & Associates:
John Foy & Associates helps victims of catastrophic injury, wrongful death, workplace accidents, and defective drugs. The firm has been serving the community for over 25 years, helping their clients secure the compensation they deserve.

Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Methodology:
The research utilized the latest data from the CDC to identify the leading causes of non-fatal injuries among American adults aged 18-85+. Child-specific injuries were excluded to prevent skewness. Injuries were categorized and ranked based on the estimated number of emergency room visits caused. The data was then cleaned to make it easily digestible, with ‘unknown’ or ‘unspecified’ injuries removed. Patterns, like gender differences in injury types, were also investigated to provide insightful conclusions.

Images of the tables used in this release can be found here:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1Mz2XkCoYG4RmiZYQmLEZEm8mgDzZ9ikV?usp=sharing

Story and links provided by https://www.johnfoy.com

Elizabeth Von Gunten

(Right) 100 years old. Naomi Elizabeth (Oursler) Von Gunten of Stillwater is Always very active in her church & community, she regularly Facetimes & Zooms her family using her own iPad, but being the mother of wonderful children who contribute to their communities & churches is her special honor. Words of wisdom: “Go to church, be active in it & develop a strong religious faith!”

Leon Campbell

(Left) 100 years old. Leon Campbell served in the Army during World War II, had a career as an aircraft mechanic, and had many hobbies. He was a competitive dancer winning many awards. Words of wisdom to us are: Love the Live You Live and Dance Like No One is Watching!

Betty Jean Shuttee

(Right) 100 years old. Betty Jean (Field) Shuttee of Enid is a retired pediatric nurse, enjoys all music by Lawrence Welk, reading, gardening, singing, Netflix & angel food cake. Her travels have taken her to 39 countries & to every state in the US. She received a proclamation from the Mayor & a special poster made by a class of preschoolers. Words of wisdom: “Be patient, be positive and be kind to everyone!”

Phil Morgan

(Right) 102 years old. Phil Morgan is a veteran of WWII. Words of wisdom: “Put God first, go to church and develop a close walk with the Lord. Cherish your family, spend time with them, time goes fast, and kids grow up too quickly. Honor the military, respect the United States of America.”

KNOW A CENTENARIAN?
Please visit http://centenariansok.com/ and download and submit our form.

Throughout the month of September, the University of Oklahoma Food Pantry will be competing with the University of Texas’s food pantry, the UT Outpost, to see which pantry can receive the most shelf-sustainable food.
The competition has been named the “Red River Food Fight” and the winner will be named the “Red River Food Fight Champion.”
Matt Marks, campus care coordinator and director of the OU Food Pantry, said they are hoping this competition will help both universities as they try to combat the above-average rates of food insecurity within each of the respective states.
“It’s a fun way to celebrate a historic rivalry,” Marks said. “There’s a lot of competitiveness on the football field, but we are coming together to combat food insecurity and hunger, which plagues both our states. Texas and Oklahoma are two of the hungrier states in our nation and this is a great way to come together to take steps to solve this problem. We’ve got a great relationship with the pantry down in Texas, and just had great conversations with them to bring this together and unite around a very heated game to try to take care of people within our communities.”
Royce Coleman, sophomore biochemistry major in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences and OU Food Pantry associate director of campus engagement, said he began having conversations with UT last fall.
While there was immediate interest, the timeline was too near to effectively execute the drive. But this year, the timing was right.
“The initial goal of the competition was to utilize our historic rivalry and our extremely passionate fanbases toward benefiting both of our food pantries, which in turn would allow us to better provide for our students and staff,” Coleman said. “We are hopeful that the many fans of this rivalry (the greatest college rivalry in the nation, if I may say so myself) will join us in promoting this competition and help us combat the food insecurity that exists on our campuses.”
Valeria Martin, assistant director for basic needs at the University of Texas at Austin, said there was no hesitation when the OU Food Pantry representatives approached them.
“We were so excited when the OU Food Pantry team approached us with the idea to collaborate in a friendly competition for the benefit of our campus pantries,” Martin said. “Our goal for the Red River Food Fight is to raise awareness about UT Outpost in our community. Drawing on the rivalry and competition helps energize our campus around supporting UT Outpost and keeping the pantry stocked while making more students aware of UT Outpost as a resource.”
The winner of the Red River Food Fight will be announced on Oct. 7, the day of the Red River Rivalry football game. Boxes to donate canned goods and shelf-sustainable food to the OU Food Pantry have been scattered across campus; donations also may be made directly to the food pantry. Other items and monetary donations are always welcomed but will not go toward the competition.

by Greg Schwem

I have never been a fan of restaurants owned by, or associated with, celebrities. I could be if, while dining, the celebrity whose name is on the door and the menu were sitting near me or, preferably, being told the wait is “over an hour, since you don’t have a reservation.”
So far, that hasn’t occurred. I’ve never spotted Michael Jordan devouring a T-bone at Michael Jordan’s Steak House; never saw Jimmy Buffett – may he rest in peace – working the blender at Margaritaville or encountered Robert De Niro dunking tuna sashimi into soy sauce at Nobu. During Oprah Winfrey’s six-year run as a partner in Chicago restaurant The Eccentric, I visited one evening and pointedly asked the waiter if Oprah was really in the kitchen, whipping up a side dish known only as “Oprah’s Potatoes.”
She wasn’t.
Also, a visit to a celebrity-owned restaurant invariably ends with a bill that could easily be paid by a celebrity but not us common folk. The same holds true in grocery or liquor stores. I’ll happily save a few bucks and not purchase the Guy Fieri barbecue sauce or the Nick Jonas tequila. My football tailgates won’t suffer.
And yet, I recently found myself feeling sorry for actor Paul Newman. And not because he’s dead.
Newman, star of classics including “The Sting,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” and “The Color of Money,” not to mention the owner of steely blue eyes, launched a line of “Newman’s Own” salad dressings in 1982. According to newmansown.com, the line grossed $300,000 in its first year. None of those profits came from me, for I remember picking up a bottle of Newman’s Italian dressing while in college, glancing at the price and immediately placing it back on the shelf. My date, who I promised to cook for, “Italian style,” had to settle for generic dressing, which did its best to compliment the other generic products that dotted the menu. Cash-strapped college students were not Newman’s target demographic.
Eventually Newman parlayed his success into other foods, including pizza, spices, olive oils and spaghetti sauces. It was the latter that caught my eye during a recent grocery visit. Newman’s Own Marinara, Tomato & Basil and Sockarooni (“so delicious it could knock your socks off,” the website proclaims) sauces were among the CHEAPEST on the shelves.
College students, there’s a SALE in aisle five! Paul Newman has been officially marked down!
How did Newman allow brands like Rao, Barilla and Classico to dominate the “too lazy to make your own sauce” market, charging upward of $2 more for sauces? Sad to say, I think it’s because the name “Newman” no longer carries the relevance it used to. Cool Hand Luke died 15 years ago this month. The more time that elapses, the more likely shoppers will pick up a bottle of Newman’s Own and say, “Who?” before putting it back.
Yes, we are a celebrity obsessed culture, but we also want to feel like we have a connection with the celebrities we support. If Taylor Swift launched a line of gum and charged $5 per stick, I am certain sales would still explode, for what young girl doesn’t want their breath to smell like Taylor’s?
Now fast-forward 15 years. Taylor will be 48. Probably married with a couple of kids. Maybe doing a 90-minute Vegas residency as opposed to a three-and-a-half-hour stadium show. Will her gum still be a hot commodity? Or will it be alongside the gossip rags and the disposable lighters in the grocery checkout aisle while a new female singer, who probably is currently in preschool, is charging $10 per stick. And making millions.
This time, I tossed two jars of Newman’s sauce into my cart, not because they were cheap but because I don’t want Paul Newman, whose films I still watch, to fade away. Besides, the labels say, “100% profits to help kids” and, as vague as that sounds, kids need all the help they can get these days.
Now I just have to find that college girl and invite her over for a dinner that will knock her socks off.

(Greg Schwem is a corporate stand-up comedian and author of two books: “Text Me If You’re Breathing: Observations, Frustrations and Life Lessons From a Low-Tech Dad” and the recently released “The Road To Success Goes Through the Salad Bar: A Pile of BS From a Corporate Comedian,” available at https://www.amazon.com/. Visit Greg on the web at https://www.gregschwem.com/.
You’ve enjoyed reading, and laughing at, Greg Schwem’s monthly humor columns in Senior Living News. But did you know Greg is also a nationally touring stand-up comedian? And he loves to make audiences laugh about the joys, and frustrations, of growing older. Watch the clip and, if you’d like Greg to perform at your senior center or senior event, contact him through his website at https://www.gregschwem.com/)

https://www.navigatingmedicare.com/

Died During the December Attack on Pearl Harbor

Robert Thomas Stout was in El Reno, Oklahoma on Feb. 27, 1920 and enlisted at Denver, Colorado as a Seaman Apprentice.
Robert reached the rank of Fire Controlman 3rd Class (FC3c) with duties included operating, maintaining, inspecting and repairing the weapons control systems used on combat ships. He also operated range finders, optical fire control equipment, repaired electrical firing circuits and manned fire control stations in action.
Robert’s Duty Stations included the USS Oklahoma in April, 1941 until death, USS Rigel in 1940, Elementary Fire Controlman School in 1940 at San Diego, USS Oklahoma in 1939 and the Naval Training Station Great Lakes, IL in 1939.
Awards and decorations included the Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal (Fleet Clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal (Bronze Star) and the World War II Victory Medal.
Robert Thomas Stout, Fire Controlman 3rd Class died during the Dec. 7 attack on Pearl Harbor, will be buried in the Cottonwood, Cemetery, 20499 1st Street, Cottonwood, California on September 15.
Families of Sailors that died in the Pearl Harbor attack are offered a choice to either have the family member re-interred at NMCP, or choose an alternate location, such as a veterans’, private family site, or Arlington National Cemetery. Navy Mortuary, a branch within Navy Casualty, will coordinate the movement of remains, which typically arrive a couple days prior to the burial.

csibleyinsures@gmail.com

The Oklahoma Historical Society (OHS) is now accepting nominations for its annual awards program. Recipients of these awards will be honored at the OHS Awards Banquet to be held Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City.
The OHS is seeking nominations for the following awards:
*Oklahoma Historians Hall of Fame: This honor recognizes distinguished and long-term contributions to Oklahoma history through demonstrated excellence.
*Bruce T. Fisher Award: This award recognizes the significant contribution of an individual or organization for history-related projects, including exhibits, short-form publications, collections care, film, programming, and digital projects completed in the previous year with a budget under $20,000.
*Linda Williams Reese Award: This award recognizes the outstanding dissertation or thesis on Oklahoma history completed in the previous year. It includes a $500 award.
*Joseph B. Thoburn Award: This is awarded to a junior or senior in high school who exhibits outstanding achievements in the presentation or interpretation of state and local history. It includes a $500 scholarship.
*William D. Pennington Award: This award acknowledges an outstanding social studies teacher—one who makes a lasting impact on students and provides remarkable support for Oklahoma National History Day projects.
To nominate an individual or a history project, visit www.okhistory.org/awards and download the nomination form specific to the award. Current members of the OHS Board of Directors and current employees of the OHS and its museums, sites and affiliates are not eligible. The completed form must be submitted no later than October 20 to larry.odell@history.ok.gov or mailed to Larry O’Dell, 800 Nazih Zuhdi Dr., Oklahoma City, OK 73105.

A discovery at the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation could lead to a new treatment for a heart valve condition impacting more than 6 million Americans.
In mitral valve prolapse, the heart’s mitral valve doesn’t open and close completely, leading to inadequate blood flow. The disorder results from a birth defect or natural wear and tear over time. It can cause fatigue, stroke and, in severe cases, heart failure.
OMRF scientist Sathish Srinivasan, Ph.D., studies the lymphatic system, which transports tissue fluid throughout the body with the assistance of lymphatic valves. He wondered whether lessons learned from the lymphatic valves could also be applied to the heart valves.
“Lymphatic and heart valves are different, but we wondered, do the same molecules play roles in their function?” Srinivasan said. “It turned out to be a good guess.”
Srinivasan’s study, published in the journal Circulation Research, found that two proteins essential for lymphatic valve function – PROX1 and FOXC2 – are also key for good heart valve function.
In people who don’t have one or both of the proteins, Srinivasan said, valves continue to enlarge out of check. Preventing this overgrowth may be an effective new approach to treat dysfunctional valves.
“We tested a treatment that can imitate the job of the two proteins in research models, and the valves showed major improvement in function,” Srinivasan said.
This discovery is just the beginning, said Yen Chun Ho, Ph.D., a postdoctoral researcher in Srinivasan’s lab.
“We have observed that other molecules known to operate in the lymphatic system are also present in the heart valves, so we know this is a promising direction for future work,” Ho said.
The research was supported by grant R01HL163095-01A1 from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health, and funding from the Oklahoma Center for Adult Stem Cell Research, a program of TSET.