Dear Savvy Senior,
Can you explain the differences between the coronavirus and seasonal flu? I’m 70-years-old, and usually get a standard flu shot, but would like to find out what else I can do to protect myself this winter.

Worried Senior

Dear Worried,
Great question! Because of the dual danger of Influenza (flu) and COVID-19, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently warned that this fall and winter could be the worst ever for public health. Understanding this, knowing the differences and similarities between the viruses, and knowing what you can do to protect yourself is the best way to stay healthy and safe through this difficult time.
Flu vs COVID
Because many of the symptoms of flu and COVID-19 are similar, it may be hard to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone, so testing may be needed to help confirm a diagnosis. With that said, here are some similarities and differences you should know.
For starters, seasonal flu symptoms come on pretty quickly, whereas COVID-19 develops gradually over a period of a few days and then either fades out or gets worse. Common shared symptoms include fever, sore throat, muscle aches, cough, headache, fatigue and even chest pain. Pinkeye and a dry cough are associated with COVID-19, while it’s now thought that a fever is more likely with the flu, as are diarrhea and nausea.
Many people are having their temperatures taken these days before entering public spaces. But fever occurs in only half of COVID-19 cases. Fever does not rule out COVID-19, but the absence of fever makes flu unlikely.
You’re also unlikely to have a runny or stuffy nose with the flu, but you may with COVID-19. What sometimes happens within the nose with COVID-19 is loss of smell and, often as a consequence, loss of taste, too.
To learn more about the similarities and differences between flu and COVID-19, visit the CDC website ?at CDC.gov/flu/symptoms/flu-vs-covid19.htm.
How to Protect Yourself
While there is currently no vaccine available yet to prevent COVID-19, the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to this virus. So, stay home as much as you can. If you have to go out, wear a mask and keep at least 6 feet away from other people. And every time you come home, wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds.
There’s also evidence that suggests that people who are deficient in vitamin D may be at higher risk of getting COVID-19, than those with sufficient levels. So, make sure you take in around 800 to 1,000 international units (IUs) of vitamin D from food or supplements daily, and get outside as much as you can.
And to help guard against the flu this year, you should consider getting a flu shot that’s specifically designed for people 65 and older. The “Fluzone High Dose Quadrivalent” or the “FLUAD Quadrivalent” are the two options that provide extra protection beyond what a standard flu shot offers. You only need one flu shot, and if you haven’t already gotten it, you should do it now because takes up to two weeks to build immunity after you receive it.
Pneumonia Vaccines
If you haven’t been vaccinated for pneumonia, you should also consider getting the pneumococcal vaccines. Both flu and COVID-19 can lead to pneumonia, which hospitalizes around 250,000 Americans, and kills around 50,000 people each year. But these numbers could be much higher this year.
The CDC recommends that all seniors, 65 or older, get two vaccinations – Prevnar 13 and Pneumovax 23. Both vaccines, which are administered one year apart, protect against different strains of the bacteria to provide maximum protection.
Medicare Part B covers both flu and pneumonia shots.
To locate a vaccination site that offers any of these shots, visit VaccineFinder.org and type in your location.
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.

Story by Darl Devault

The Tealridge Retirement Community in Edmond started a successful new Zoom series because reinventing how people get reacquainted with senior living services is important. Knowing the COVID-19 pandemic has changed many peoples’ lives, Tealridge needed to find a new avenue of communication with the greater community to change with the times.
With the extra precautions in place to limit visitor interactions with retirement communities, they knew they had to get creative in how they connected with those who needed to learn about their services.
Tealridge created a newsworthy internet-based Health & Wellness September Zoom series to connect with others. Zoom events are where one person hosts and all other participants have equal footing. The host can share hosting responsibilities with other participants. Any participant can share their input and ask questions from their computer screen. Our research has found this series is the first of its kind in the Oklahoma City metro area. This robust presentation series allows retirement privileged Oklahomans to keep up with their need for information as close as their computers by viewing live presentations.
“The feedback on this series has been positive,” said Melissa Mahaffey, MHA, Tealridge executive director. “The words newsworthy, informative, and great have been used to describe what we are creating. The response to the series has been positive. The audience has been interactive. The presenters have been helpful to answer questions.”
These free-for-the viewers Zoom presentations harness the original software-based presentation and feedback solution now being used around the world. Everyone with access to a computer can use these Tealridge sponsored Zoom meetings to incorporate health, wellness, education, as well as entertainment topics into their lives.
The first Zoom event was held on Sept 2; with their first speaker, Dr. Richard Vetrees Smith with the Meinders NeuroScience Institute at Mercy. Dr. Smith took the audience through a thorough yet easy to understand presentation on how a stroke is formed within the body. He explained how the same formation can lead to heart attacks. He followed with many ways to prevent a stroke from occurring.
Other topics include: Downsizing: You Can Do This! Family Relationships & the Pandemic, VA Benefits, What does Retirement Living During a Pandemic Look Like?
Tealridge plans to continue this success with many more presentations to come.
Mahaffey has worked diligently to connect the greater community with the retirement community. Prior to COVID-19 restrictions the Tealridge community has heard from other speakers at events. Some of the speakers in the past year have been News 9 Sports Director Dean Blevins, Kim Lopez, TRIAD Coordinator, Bruce McIntyre, executive director of the Oklahoma Parkinson Foundation, Miss Oklahoma Addison Price, and Jay Wilkinson, a motivational speaker.
Mahaffey says if a person can connect with retirement resources by learning about retirement living early on and be proactive, they can make a better transition from home to a retirement setting. Given as much information as possible, the fear of the ‘unknown’ decreases. She says retirees are better able to make the right choice about what retirement looks like for them.
This robust new series finds a new way to connect with the public while bringing exciting events to their senior retirement residents who access via Zoom.
Tealridge is recruiting speakers to fill their next Zoom series for October. Look for informative topics coming to Oklahoma City audiences through this series.
Latest topics included:
Sept 22 – “What is Home Health Care?” and “How Can I benefit From This Service While Living in an Independent Living Community?”
Sept 29 – 11 a.m. “What does retirement living look like during COVID?” Presented by Melissa Mahaffey, MHA
Oct 5 – 11 a.m. Meet Kadi Cox, Nurse Practitioner. How can a traveling nurse practitioner assist you to have a quality of life while living in a retirement community? Kadi Cox will educate the audience on what a nurse practitioner can do to assist you to obtain the quality of life that you would like to have while living in retirement community. She will discuss ways for you to keep yourself healthy.
Oct 7 – 11 a.m. Do you Know someone with Congestive Heart Failure, Renal Disease or suffer from Dehydration? Learn the benefits of “Zoe” presented by Complete Home Health & Hospice.
Oct 12 – 10 a.m. Tealridge Retirement Community Grief Support Meeting with Jill Nichols, LPC.
The organizers genuinely want to help others find the information they are curious about.
Tealridge Retirement Community, located at 2100 NE 140th Edmond, Okla., is a full care retirement provider offering the full spectrum of options including independent living, assisted living as well as memory care services.
The facilities have undergone a large remodeling project during the last year. The 30-year Edmond mainstay saw $1 million in improvements to their campus.
If you would like more information or would like to be added to the email list, please email: mmahaffey@tealridge.com or call 405-608-8020. Please contact Mahaffey if you would like to schedule a time to interact by Zoom or visit in person.

By Oklahoma Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to affect our lives, patients are deferring routine medical visits or preventive services out of concern for their safety and health. However, these visits are critical, especially for people with certain medical conditions and older adults who are at the highest risk of contracting influenza and pneumonia. With Medicare reimbursing for telehealth visits, patients can now use video or telephone instead of face-to-face encounters for their preventive visits. Medicare beneficiaries pay nothing for most preventive services if the services are administered from a doctor or other health care provider who participates with Medicare. To protect your health during the current crisis, consider taking advantage of the following three Medicare preventive services for free:
1. Annual Wellness Visit If you have had Medicare Part B for longer than 12 months, you can get a yearly wellness visit. You pay nothing for this exam if the doctor accepts assignment. This exam is covered once every 12 months.
2. Depression Screening Mental health is just as important as physical health. For many, COVID-19 has been a source of anxiety, worry and depression. Please reach out if you need help. Medicare covers a depression screening once per year, and you pay nothing if your doctor accepts assignment.
3. Obesity Screening and Counseling According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, having obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) or 30 or adobe, increases your risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Medicare Part B covers BMI screenings and behavioral counseling to help you lose weight if you have a BMI of 30 or higher. An easy and essential way to stay healthy during this pandemic is to get disease prevention and early detection services like exams, shots, lab tests, screenings and counseling. These services will help you take care of your body and mind and get the advice and guidance you need. Our Medicare Assistance Program (MAP) also provides free, unbiased counseling and information to help Oklahomans understand preventive services covered by Medicare.
To view a full list of preventive services covered by Medicare, visit www.oid.ok.gov/consumers/information-for-seniors/preventative-services or contact the MAP division at (800) 763-2828.
If you have questions about other insurance issues, contact the Oklahoma Insurance Department at 1-800-522-0071 or visit our website at www.oid.ok.gov.

story and photos by Darl Devault

Insurance leaders fear seniors are susceptible to Medicare fraud as scams are being ramped up this year. Instead of being retirement privileged, many seniors are being retirement harassed. As the Medicare open enrollment period begins, owner Ginny Curtis with MCM Insurance, LLC, explains her concern for Oklahoma seniors.
“This year more than ever we are seeing many TV commercials elude to benefits clients are not eligible for and telemarketers use high pressure fear techniques,” Curtis said. “These scammers generate repeated phone calls from local numbers asking health related questions appearing to be a customer service call. We have seen instances of insurance agents claiming of new benefits that have not been released to the public.”
Her office has seen an increase in scammers targeting older adults. They appear to target seniors with serious long-term health conditions who appear to have a higher risk for serious illness.
Curtis says she has had many of her clients calling in to tell her they have been manipulated into giving out their information. Some have even been enrolled in Medicare plans they don’t qualify for, only to be cancelled off their current insurance because of that activity.
Curtis says, other than your doctor, health care provider, or other trusted representative, never provide your Medicare number or personal information to anyone who contacts you through unsolicited calls, texts, or emails.
MCM is a family owned local insurance agency. The main location is 2232 W Hefner Rd, found between Pennsylvania and May Avenue on Hefner Road in the Village right next to the post office. MCM’s 50 licensed agents have a combined 100 years of experience.
The agents pride themselves in providing exceptional education on Medicare and the many options its clients have. The agency is licensed with all the Medicare Advantage companies and services. It features all the Medicare supplement companies, along with all the Part D prescription plans available in Oklahoma.
More important than ever this year they teach a no-cost, hour-long Navigating Through Medicare educational seminar offered as individual sessions with their clients or in group presentations. This year the agency is also offering a virtual presentation, member meetings and phone appointments. Agency agents still offer face to face appointments at their office or in their client’s homes.
“I’ve been serving my client’s needs for 35 years,” Curtis said. “I enjoy my job helping others. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t be here.”
As 2020 begins to wind down, one of the most important times of the year for seniors begins rapidly approaching. The Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) occurs annually from (Oct. 15-Dec. 7). OEP is a time in which current Medicare beneficiaries can choose to change part of their coverage.
Clients can change their Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) and/or Prescription Drug Plan (Part D). It is a time to reevaluate their coverage based on their benefits, health, and finances. If they find a plan is a better fit for their needs than their current plan, they can then switch to, drop or add a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.
During OEP Curtis’ agency goes into overdrive to make sure everyone who needs help making the changes coming their way is reached. “It’s very important to us each person who comes through our agency chooses their plan based on their specific needs,” Curtis said.
During an appointment with the agents from MCM, they will compare plans based on the customers list of medicines and doctors to narrow down which plan will cover all their needs the best.
“The first two weeks of October is a great time for clients to shop, ask a lot of questions. Clients can find the information they need without feeling the pressure of having to make a decision,” Curtis said. “By Oct. 15 they can schedule a time to figure out what’s best for them and make a decision.”
“We are a little different than some agencies, in that we represent all the Medicare Advantage companies,” Curtis explained. “We have a great relationship with every carrier. They all pay our agents the same fees so there’s no reason for us to sway a client one way or another.”
If you would like to schedule an appointment with a MCM agent to attend a Navigating through Medicare session, or schedule a presentation, you can reach the office at 405-842-0494. Clients can view the agencies’ calendar and get more info about the one-hour seminar at:
www.navigatingthroughmedicare.info.
During the open enrollment period for Medicare, clients can find agents in their offices Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. October 1st through December 15th. Beginning December 16th, they returned to normal business hours of 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
If you would like more info, their website is:
www.mcmmedicare.com.
The firm also has offices in Tulsa and Shawnee.

Brad Benefield hasn’t tested positive for Covid-19 since April.
But as spring turned to summer, and now fall, Benefield is growing increasingly concerned about his bout with the virus known technically as SARS-CoV-2.
“One thing everyone told me to do once I was symptom-free was to donate plasma to help others recover, or donate blood for antibody studies,” said Benefield, whose wife, Beth, works for the Oklahoma Medical Research Foundation. “I haven’t donated yet. Thing is, they said to be symptom-free.”
Although he tested positive for Covid-19, Benefield’s initial encounter with the virus was mild. After losing his father-in-law to complications from the virus, he considered himself lucky.
“No fever, no loss of taste or smell,” the 38-year-old Moore resident said. “I just felt cruddy. I had a cough and was always tired.” But months later, he said, he continues to feel fatigued. “That has me worried. It’s alarming to get winded and have to rest after moving a 5-pound glass punch bowl to the car.”
While the virus has cleared Benefield’s body, its fingerprints remain. That means he joined an unenviable club: the Covid long-haulers, as they’ve come to be known.
As the pandemic marches on, physicians around the world are reporting an increasing number of people feeling the lingering effects of the virus. In one study in Europe, researchers found that of 143 people with Covid-19, more than half reported fatigue and 43% had shortness of breath an average of two months after their symptoms started.
“A growing number of patients report dealing with a sort of ‘brain fog’ that makes it hard to concentrate. Others report breathlessness, muscle aches, lingering cough and chronic fatigue,” said OMRF President Stephen Prescott, M.D. As confirmed Oklahoma cases have now surged past 80,000, Prescott said, accounts like Benefield’s should serve as a warning to those who have relaxed their precautions surrounding the coronavirus. And at OMRF, researchers are part of a worldwide effort to understand the virus, including its long-term symptoms.
OMRF scientist Linda Thompson, Ph.D., is leading the foundation’s study of the body’s immune response to Covid-19. Thompson, an immunologist, attributes the long-term symptoms to the initial havoc the virus wreaks.
“It’s not that the virus is sticking around in the body,” said Thompson, who holds the Putnam City Schools Distinguished Chair in Cancer Research at OMRF. “The body’s immune response seems to go haywire, leaving lasting damage behind. In some people, we’re seeing it in the lungs. Others in the heart. Some even in the brain. Only time and more research will tell the extent.”
However, social media posts suggesting the virus might go dormant like varicella, the virus that causes chickenpox and can later rear its head as shingles, are unfounded. “Some viruses incorporate themselves inside of our genetic material. Covid-19 does not behave this way,” said Thompson.
For long-haulers like Benefield, the virus doesn’t need to reactivate to cause long-term issues. Half a year after testing positive for Covid-19, he still doesn’t feel back to normal.
“When I got sick, my biggest fear was the unknown,” said Benefield. “Almost seven months later, that remains my biggest fear. Just because you beat it doesn’t guarantee you get better, and I don’t know if or when I ever will.”

by Nick Thomas

When Halloween returns each October, so do the 50-year-old memories for actress Judith O’Dea who starred as Barbra in the 1968 horror classic “Night of the Living Dead” as one of several characters taking refuge in an isolated farmhouse under attack from flesh-eating ghouls.
O’Dea remembers watching the film on the big screen for the first time when it premiered in her hometown of Pittsburgh, where the film was also shot, although she recalls identifying more as an audience member rather than one of the cast.
“I looked at myself and began critiquing my performance,” said O’Dea from Los Angeles. “Then suddenly I found myself forgetting it was Judith O’Dea up there and became wrapped up in the storyline. That was a wonderful indication of a powerful story that could hold people’s attention.”
Over the years, O’Dea has also learned to look beyond the film’s horror scenes and appreciate director George Romero’s filmmaking skills.
“There’s a scene where I’m pressing the button on a musical box which George was shooting from the floor up,” she explained. “He was shooting right through the box and for a fraction of a second you see Barbra’s eyes which I thought was a beautiful artistic shot. Then at the end when it alternates between still shots of the bodies and live-action, that was a great effective use of the camera.”
The film, says O’Dea, broke barriers in the industry.
“As an independent movie made outside Hollywood, it raised its own money which I guess you could call one of the first Kickstarter’s for a film. It was also filmed almost like a docudrama – unusual for the 60s – and there’s no happy ending because everybody died.”
Shot on a shoestring budget of just $114,000, O’Dea says her final scene being dragged from the farmhouse still haunts her.
“In your mind it’s all pretend, but you get involved in the scene,” she said. “With all those ghoul hands grabbing at me, it was actually quite frightening and took me back to the fear I felt as a child when I saw Vincent Price’s face fall apart in the (1953) ‘House of Wax.’ That scared me so badly my folks had to take me from the theater. Whenever I’m called upon to be frightened in a role, I just think of that Vincent Price scene.”
Another memorable scene from the film produced one of the classic lines in all horror films, said to O’Dea’s character by actor Russell Streiner who plays her brother in the opening cemetery scene shot at the Evans City Cemetery in Pennsylvania.
“I don’t think a week goes by that someone doesn’t come up to me and say, ‘They’re coming to get you Barbra!’” said O’Dea, laughing. So has she grown weary of hearing the quote through all these years?
“How could I be tired of hearing something that has changed my life so considerably?” she says. “I love it when fans repeat the line to me. I feel so lucky to have been a part of something that was so different and has lasted so long.”

Nick Thomas teaches at Auburn University at Montgomery, Ala., and has written features, columns, and interviews for over 850 newspapers and magazines.

George Salem, M.D., a fellowship-trained gastroenterologist at OU Medical Center Edmond, specializing in the study, diagnosis and treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease will be holding a Doc Talk on the subject from noon to 1 p.m., Thursday, October 8.
The live Zoom event is open to anyone interested in learning more about IBD. The presentation will be followed by a live question and answer session.
There is no cost to participants, however, registration is required. To register, visit http://bit.ly/OUIBD