{"id":7263,"date":"2023-04-19T07:00:38","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T11:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.silvercentury.org\/?p=7263"},"modified":"2023-04-19T07:00:38","modified_gmt":"2023-04-19T11:00:38","slug":"so-this-is-my-life-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/78.142.243.82\/~silvercentury\/2023\/04\/so-this-is-my-life-now\/","title":{"rendered":"So This Is My Life Now?"},"content":{"rendered":"

After decades of being underinsured and, luckily, remarkably healthy, it had been quite some time since I participated in regular health care. I signed up for Medicare on turning 65 and found a new primary care provider. Thinking long term, I hoped to find a geriatrician, but where I live, the need exceeds the demand, and I couldn\u2019t find one taking new patients. A client of mine introduced me to his osteopathic doctor; I liked how the doctor interacted with him, and he seemed thorough and very available. <\/span><\/p>\n

Right away, I was in front of the calendar, making appointments for the adjunct providers. The gastroenterologist ordered a colonoscopy. The sleep doctor ordered a sleep study and then a fitting for a CPAP. (And then a second, and another fitting, before I abandoned it altogether.) The gynecologist ordered a mammogram. The dermatologist removed some spots and then called for a follow-up. The cardiologist ordered a battery of tests in the hospital. Before too long, it will be time for annuals and more follow-ups.<\/span><\/p>\n

It takes some time to schedule these appointments. I don’t work a regular nine-to-five job, so I can dedicate a morning or afternoon to tend to this task. People with less flexible work commitments must take time off from work. Other time-savers: I can get test results through a portal, so I don\u2019t have to sit by the phone, waiting for a doctor\u2019s office to call, and I have my pharmacy app on my phone.<\/span><\/p>\n

But I live alone, and my daughters aren’t in the neighborhood, so when I need rides, friends or Uber get me to and from\u2014add <\/span>that<\/span><\/i> to the scheduling challenge. If anesthesia is part of a procedure, Uber won\u2019t do; the doctors require you to have someone to escort you from the office or hospital to the car and promise to walk you into the house. Fortunately, I have a reciprocal arrangement with another single mom.<\/span><\/p>\n

Without something like that, it can be hard to ask for help when you can\u2019t return the favor. If that\u2019s the case, local ride services may be available, if you make arrangements ahead of time and are prepared to wait if you aren\u2019t the only rider that day. Or perhaps your senior center can connect you with rides. <\/span><\/p>\n

Good health is a luxury I won\u2019t take for granted, but maintaining it as I get older is going to be a challenge. I\u2019m going to need a bigger calendar.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

After decades of being underinsured and, luckily, remarkably healthy, it had been quite some time since I participated in regular health care. I signed up for Medicare on turning 65 and found a new primary care provider. Thinking long term,…<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more So This Is My Life Now?<\/span> ›<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n

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