Stories from November, 2025
Stories from November, 2025
The California Department of Public Health (CDPH) is reminding all Californians that vaccines against respiratory viruses like COVID-19, influenza (flu), and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are the most effective and safest ways to protect themselves against severe illness this winter. "Prioritizing transparency and a reliance on science continues to be a core value in our mission to provide Californians with the information, guidanceand recommendations they need to protect...
Scientists have discovered why older people are more likely to suffer severely from the flu, and can now use their findings to address this risk. In a new study, which is published in PNAS, experts discovered that older people produce a glycosylated protein called apoplipoprotein D (ApoD), which is involved in lipid metabolism and inflammation, at much higher levels than in younger people. This has the effect of reducing the patient's ability to resist virus infection,...
According to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health, older Americans with chronic low back pain who received acupuncture had greater improvement in physical function and reduced pain than those who received usual medical care only, generally prescribed medications or physical therapy. Chronic low back pain is the leading cause of disability worldwide and affects more than one-third of older adults in the United States. Treatment options range from pain-relieving...
As we get older, our muscle strength slowly declines – increasing our risk of falls, injuries, and loss of independence. In particular, we rely on our lower body strength for many essential daily activities such as walking and climbing stairs. Strength training can help offset the weakening of muscles, but not everyone has the means (or even the desire) to hit the gym for regular weightlifting sessions. Researchers at Tohoku University have discovered a solution that...
Dr. Joseph Ford, urologist, hit a milestone on September 30, performing the 2,500th da Vinci Xi robotic surgery at Kaweah Health. “That means 2,500 patients have received less-invasive surgery, allowing for quicker recoveries at the skilled hands of our physicians,” said Jag Batth, Kaweah Health chief operating officer. “This is a testament to Kaweah Health’s substantial investment in innovative robotic technology.” Dr. Ford is one of more than a dozen specially trained surgeons across several disciplines who...
Can your personal medical history be used to predict the health problems you might face in the next two decades? Researchers from the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have now shown that this is possible. They have developed a generative AI model that uses large-scale health records to estimate how human health may change over time. It can forecast the risk and timing of over 1,000 diseases, and predict health outcomes...
On July 4, 2025, a landmark piece of legislation known as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) was signed into law, setting in motion some significant changes to the American financial and healthcare systems. For the nation's retirees and those planning for their golden years, the OBBBA is not just another piece of political news; it is a complex and multifaceted law that will directly impact their financial stability, healthcare access, and long-term planning for years to...
The Social Security Administration announced on October 24 that Social Security benefits, including Old-Age, Survivors, Disability Insurance, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payments for 75 million Americans will increase by 2.8% in 2026. On average, Social Security retirement benefits will increase by about $56 per month starting in January. Since 2016, the cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) increase has averaged about 3.1%. The COLA was 2.5% in 2025. Nearly 71 million Social Security beneficiaries will see a 2.8%...
A new analysis from The Senior Citizens League (TSCL) shows the average senior who retired in 1999 has lost nearly $5,000 in Social Security payments as a result of the government using the wrong price index to calculate Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs). The COLA is currently calculated with the CPI-W, a price index that tracks inflation for people who work and live in cities. Instead, it should be using the CPI-E, which is designed to reflect seniors' budgets and tends to...
Increased 2026 tax deductible limits for long-term care insurance have just been announced by the IRS, according to the American Association for Long-Term Care Insurance (AALTCI). “The tax deductibility of tax-qualified long-term care insurance premiums is an incredible benefit potentially for many aging Americans,” said Jesse Slome, director emeritus of the AALTCI. “The 2026 deductible limits are significant and few people, especially small and mid-sized business owners, are aware that premiums paid for long-term...
Historically, Visalia is known for its many interesting places, events and activities. It's the birthplace of the Visalia Stock Saddle, home to the California Civil War military post called Camp Babbitt, and it was headquarters for the infamous train robbers known as Evans and Sontag. All of these and many more make Visalia an interesting study in local history. But there was another event that is oftentimes neglected when one looks at the town's history - automobile racing....
Every year around this time, I get flooded with questions from people on Medicare or approaching Medicare age — and almost all the marketing they’re seeing is for Medicare Advantage. That’s not an accident. Insurance companies and salespeople push these plans like crazy because they make big commissions when they sign you up for an Advantage plan instead of traditional Medicare. These plans have become so common that about half of all Medicare participants are now enrolled in them. I’ve called them “Medicare...
At its October 7th meeting, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors recognized local centenarians for achieving their monumental milestone by proclaiming the day as Centenarian Day in Tulare County. Congratulations were given to this year's honored centenarians, which included Margaret Rosa (100), Howard Davidson (100), Betty Ellison (100), Elpidia Villa (100), Norris Jernigan (100), Lou Tidwell (100), Kenneth Albert (101), Annabelle Enlow (101), Helen Davidson (101),...
The cumulative effect of social advantages across a lifetime – from parental warmth in childhood to friendship, community engagement and religious support in adulthood – may slow the biological processes of aging itself. These social advantages appear to set back "epigenetic clocks" such that a person's biological age, as measured by analyzing DNA methylation patterns, is younger than their chronological age. The research, which appeared in the October issue of the...
The 2025 Tulare & Kings County Walk to End Alzheimer's at Quail Park at Shannon Ranch on October 4 raised nearly $20,000 for the care, support and research programs of the Alzheimer's Association. The top fundraising team was the Quail Park Communities team, raising nearly $10,000. "It was incredibly meaningful to see our residents, families, and team members unite in such a powerful way to support the Alzheimer's Association," said Jeff Moyer, executive director of Quail...
Question: With the Holiday Season quickly approaching, what are some ideas to give my grandparents as gifts. I always feel like they already have everything they need. Answer: Seniors always treasure the gift of time with you, which is priceless. Taking them out for lunch, letting them join you on a short vacation or even a simple visit to share your thoughts. These are the most sought-after gifts you can give your grandparents. Too often we get wrapped up in the chaos of our own lives, that we forget that they are still...
The California Commission on Aging (CCoA) and Eldera have announced a statewide recruitment drive inviting Californians age 60 and older to support youth (ages 6–17) through weekly, virtual conversations that build resilience, reduce loneliness and strengthen communities. The partnership advances the California’s Master Plan for Aging goal to create a California for all ages and abilities by 2030. Under the initiative, adults 60+ can enroll now, complete brief training and a background check, and be matched with a young...
A new place for seniors to call home is on the way in Visalia. Crescent Meadows, an affordable rental community designed especially for older adults, will bring comfort, connection, and housing stability to local residents. The development is a partnership between Self-Help Enterprises, a nonprofit with a long history of affordable housing across the San Joaquin Valley, and Visalia Senior Housing, a local group devoted to serving low-income seniors. Together, they are...
Autumn is in full gear now. This is a great time to plant almost any tree, shrub, perennial, ground cover, wildflower seeds and the last of spring-flowering bulbs. Days are shorter and storms may affect our ability to work outdoors, but November is still a great month for outdoor work. Planting In the cool autumn weather, transplanted plants will experience less shock. If we haven't received enough rain to saturate the soil, fill the planting hole with water and let it drain,...
From poached to pan fried, when it comes to eggs, it's all sunny side up, according to new research from the University of South Australia, which confirms that this breakfast favorite won't crack your cholesterol. Long blamed for high cholesterol, eggs have been beaten up for their assumed role in cardiovascular disease (CVD). Now, UniSA researchers have apparently shown that it's not dietary cholesterol in eggs but the saturated fat in our diets that's the real heart health...
In Greece, salad is more than a side dish – it's a celebration of heritage, flavor and the Mediterranean way of life. Greeks gather around a tradition that has nourished body and soul for generations. It is also an important part of the Mediteranean diet, which is associated with living a longer and healthier life. The Greek salad – or horiatiki – is a culinary icon that reflects the essence of the land – sun-ripened tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, sharp onions, crunchy...
Dr. Donya Ball, international keynote speaker and best-selling author, will be the keynote speaker at the 2026 Heart of Seniors event, scheduled for Thursday, February 12, at the Wyndham Visalia Hotel, 900 W. Airport Dr., Visalia. As a professor and seasoned mentor with more than two decades of experience, Dr. Ball has guided countless leaders to navigate the challenges of leadership with confidence and clarity. She is the author of two best-selling books, Adjusting the...
"Sergio Dondoli's Happy Life" is a joyful and heartwarming documentary that captures the passion and spirit of one of the world's most celebrated gelato artisans. Set in the stunning Tuscan countryside, the award-winning film offers a rich, sensory journey through the life of Sergio Dondoli, whose infectious enthusiasm for his craft - and for life - has captivated visitors from around the globe. "Sergio's journey from a modest upbringing to gelato master is incredibly...
"The Senior," the new movie produced by Wayfarer Studios, tells the incredible true story of Mike Flynt. At 59, Flynt may have been too old to play college football - but he wasn't too old to settle unfinished business. Nearly four decades after leaving his team, he returned to his alma mater to confront the moment that changed everything. Bruised, doubted and nearly broken, he fought for one last game - not for glory, but for the teammates he lost, the family he fractured...
Two folk music legends will share the stage when Judy Collins and Tom Rush perform live at the Visalia Fox Theatre in Downtown Visalia on Tuesday, November 12. The night will celebrate the artistry, humor and enduring influence of two of America's most influential singer-song writers. Collins, a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter, has captivated audiences for over six decades with her luminous vocals and poetic songwriting. Known for timeless renditions of "Both Sides Now" and...
Hello all, let's just jump into it. I want to talk a bit about service connection. Service Connection is the Veterans Affairs' recognition that a veteran's current medical condition or disability is linked to their military service. Remember the article back in February that talked about the VA? That, my friend, is what's in the industry, known as a call-back, but I digress. To establish this connection, a veteran must demonstrate three elements: 1) a current diagnosed...
