Election 2024 Questions Answered
NCRGEA contacted the candidates’ campaign offices for Governor and Treasurer, requesting responses to questions specific to government retirees.
There Are Black Spots on Your Gums. What Does It Mean?
Have you ever looked in the mirror and discovered that your gums, seemingly suddenly, have black spots on them? The good news is that several things may cause this, and most aren’t harmful. Gums are usually pink, but sometimes they can develop black or dark brown spots. However, black spots on your gums can be a warning sign of more serious conditions. AMBA is here to help explain the causes of dark spots in your mouth and what they mean.
What Causes Black Spots on the Gums?
- Bruises
Like any other part of your body, your gums can be injured. Bruises on the gums are usually dark red, purple, or black. Minor bleeding and pain may also accompany the bruise. Walking into a wall, falling and hitting your face, eating something with sharp edges, and even brushing or flossing your teeth too aggressively can cause your gums to bruise.
Bruises frequently heal on their own without medical treatment. If you start developing more bruises or discover your gums are bleeding, you may have thrombocytopenia or hemophilia, two conditions that make it difficult for your blood to clot. If this happens, be sure to inform your doctor so they can help you find the right treatment.
- Blue Nevus
A blue nevus is a harmless mole. It appears round and either flat or lightly raised. Blue nevi can be black or blue and usually resemble a freckle on the gums.
Your doctor can usually diagnose a blue nevus simply by looking at it. Although these moles typically don’t require any treatment, if their shape, color, or size starts to change, your doctor may do a biopsy, which involves removing a piece of the nevus to test it for cancer.
- Amalgam Tattoos
It’s not unusual for a deposit of amalgam to remain on your gums after you’ve had a cavity filled, creating a dark spot. Amalgam is the particle used for dental fillings. Amalgam can sometimes lodge in the area around the filling, causing a stain in the soft tissue. Your dentist can usually diagnose an amalgam spot just by looking at it.
Although amalgam tattoos aren’t removable, they’re harmless and don’t require treatment. To prevent the risk of an amalgam tattoo, ask your dentist to use a rubber dam when you need a filling. This can help separate your teeth from your gums and prevent particles from getting into the surrounding tissue during the procedure.
- Spots That Look Like Freckles
Melanotic macules are harmless spots that resemble freckles. Some people are born with them, and others develop them later in life. They can appear on different parts of the body, including the gums. Melanotic macules are usually between 1 and 8 millimeters in diameter and
Although doctors aren’t sure about the exact causes of melanotic macules, they don’t cause any other symptoms and don’t require treatment. If the spot’s shape, color, or size starts to change, your doctor may perform a biopsy to test for cancer.
- Oral Cancer
Black gums can also be a symptom of oral cancer. Additional symptoms associated with oral cancer include open sores, unusual bleeding, and swelling in the mouth. You may also have a chronic sore throat or notice a change in your voice. The most significant risk factors for developing oral cancer are drinking large amounts of alcohol and chewing tobacco or smoking cigarettes. Drink in moderation and avoid tobacco use to help prevent oral cancer.
While black spots on your gums can be harmless, they can also result from an underlying disease. If you notice black spots on your gums, especially if the spots are painful or change in size, shape, or color, schedule an appointment with your dentist. Many oral conditions, including oral cancers, are treatable when caught early. However, if left untreated, they can lead to severe complications, including reconstructive facial surgery and death.
Visit Your Dentist
Catching early signs of a potential problem can be as simple as going for routine check-ups with your dentist. As part of a routine dental examination, your dentist will usually inspect your entire mouth for abnormal areas that may indicate oral cancer or precancerous changes. A high-quality Dental Plan through NCRGEA and AMBA can help you keep up with your regular dental check-ups. The plan features checkups, access to any dentist you want with bigger savings by visiting one of the thousands of in-network providers, and significant savings on fillings, X-rays, and many other procedures. Learn more at www.AMBAdentalvision.com/NCRGEA or call 800-956-1228.
Sources:
The Person You Help Most by Volunteering Could Be…You!
5 Surprising Advantages of Taking Part in Community Activities
Community service and volunteering are meaningful and important ways to give back to society. But helping others is also an effective means to unlock a wealth of benefits for yourself. AMBA explores the numerous unexpected advantages that enrich both you and your community. Hopefully, these can inspire you to engage in these fulfilling activities!
1. Health Advantages
When we’re doing good, we feel good. Research has found that volunteering is good for physical and mental health among adults aged 60 and over. Research also shows that volunteering leads to lower rates of depression and anxiety, especially for people 65 and older.
Serving others can give volunteers a sense of purpose and belonging, which can positively impact their mental health and overall well-being. Feeling appreciated can also contribute to reduced stress levels.
Likewise, volunteering has been linked to the release of endorphins, the body’s natural mood enhancer. This is why volunteering has been known to provide a “Helper’s High.”
2. Social Advantages
Social interactions are at the core of volunteering, so by assisting others, you’re simultaneously helping yourself to meet new people. Volunteering can be an incredibly effective way to create a network of meaningful connections and supportive relationships.
3. Community Improvement
Performing community service helps people become more aware of their community’s needs and learn how to work together as a team to address issues and create positive change.
Community service fosters a sense of civic responsibility and belonging, encouraging citizens to be more active in their communities. Plus, by helping others, you recognize your contribution can help others in your community!
4. Skill Development
Volunteer work can help you enhance or acquire valuable skills. These can include improved problem-solving, adaptability, and creativity, making it a brain-boosting activity.
Volunteers also learn to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and needs. This can help them develop resilience, cope with stressful or challenging situations, and adjust to new environments or changes swiftly and efficiently.
5. Cultural Sensitivity
Community service offers a platform for interacting with diverse groups, promoting cultural sensitivity and mutual understanding. This can help develop crucial emotional intelligence abilities and how to treat everyone with sensitivity and care.
Ultimately, volunteering can boost overall happiness, give people a sense of purpose, and enhance life satisfaction.
Your association provides many opportunities to rub elbows with peers – from association meetings to volunteering opportunities to group travel. There’s no reason to go it alone. Join the group! Visit your association’s website to learn about memberships and opportunities to volunteer.
Sources:
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-are-the-mental-health-benefits-of-volunteering-5248549
https://tmhdc.org/2023/05/02/building-a-stronger-community-the-social-impact-of-volunteering
Home is Where the Heart – and Healing – Is
Jane Austen once wrote, “There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort.” That sentiment is especially true regarding recovery after a surgery or health development. Not everyone is comfortable laying in a medical bed, away from their own home and loved ones. If a patient doesn’t require extensive therapy or constant medical surveillance, recovering at home can not only decrease costs and length of hospital stays, but it – even more importantly – can improve a patient’s mood and outcome.
Here are five reasons why a Home Health Care plan, sometimes called Short-Term Care, could be the better choice for your family.
1. Recovery Can Be Faster with a Home Health Care Plan
With Home Health Care, the services and therapies come to the individual. This provides a familiar and comfortable recovery environment, which can improve the healing process and result in a faster recovery.
When patients receive care in their homes, they are more comfortable and more likely to follow the treatments and exercises their skilled nursing specialist recommends.
2. Home Health Care Services Are More Beneficial for Chronic Conditions
Serious medical conditions require constant medical care. People with chronic conditions like cancer, heart disease, COPD, and strokes can all benefit from Home Health Care.
Unless an individual invests in home health services, they will have to find long-term care in a hospital setting, where they’ll often spend more money on the same level of quality healthcare and a less personalized experience.
3. In-Home Health Care Provides More Freedoms
Home Health Care eliminates the rigidity and strict schedule of a hospital setting. Instead, it gives individuals more freedom and a greater sense of normalcy. This can make it easier to live your day-to-day life with minimal medical interruptions.
4. Reduced Exposure to Further Illness
Hospitals can provide excellent healthcare, but they are also filled with sick people who are in close contact with each other. For patients with weakened immune systems or who are dealing with chronic illnesses, increased exposure to others with diseases can be a considerable health risk.
Home Health Care allows people to have more control over the cleanliness and people in their environment. This helps minimize a substantial number of health risks.
5. Home Health Care Can Reduce Costs by as Much as 52%
A hospital visit – even just for a few hours – can cost thousands of dollars. When that hospital stay extends to days and weeks, the financial toll of the accumulating medical bills can be staggering.
With in-home care, patients can save substantial money while receiving high-quality medical care. Studies have shown Home Health Care is frequently the more affordable option.
Be Prepared for the Future
The sooner you plan, the better your chances of avoiding financial challenges later. Protect yourself now by getting the Home Health Care plan from AMBA and your association. This plan’s coverage will be paid directly to you or a medical provider that you designate. Plus, your benefits are provided in addition to any other healthcare coverage you may have! You deserve to have access to the help you need. Call AMBA at 866-615-4063 or request a free Benefits Review with a knowledgeable AMBA agent.
Sources:
How to Keep Your Money Working After You’ve Retired
AMBA’s Strategies for Older Americans
People who have worked and saved up for decades can feel that reaching retirement age means it’s time to enjoy the fruits of their labor. The risk is that people can go overboard and spend it all in a few years.
Retirement planning can be challenging at any age, even if you think you’re financially secure. There are also factors like inflation, savings programs that might not have produced projected returns, and emergency expenses to consider. AMBA can provide the tips to help you enjoy a successful retirement.
How to Keep Your Money Working for You After Retirement
1. Budget your expenses
A budget becomes even more critical when you’re no longer working. Most likely, your income will come from your pension, savings, and Social Security.
As you create your budget, include any new costs you plan to incur. For instance, extra travel or other pursuits. This will help you realistically determine how easily you can afford some of your ideas.
Having a clear picture of these things, you can now take tactical steps to create a realistic spending plan.
2. Withdrawals at the right time can add money to your balance
If financing your retirement requires you to use income from your savings, take steps to minimize taxes and maximize what you get to keep. Everyone’s financial profile is different, so you should research how to determine the most suitable time to use certain types of income.
For instance, making withdrawals from tax-deferred accounts such as employer-sponsored plans or traditional IRAs should generally occur during the years when your tax rate is lower to help minimize the amount of income tax you owe.
3. Downsizing your home can upgrade your lifestyle
Moving to a smaller home that’s less costly to maintain or an area where the cost of living is lower can improve your cost of living in many ways. Factors like reducing the expense of your property taxes or costs of maintenance can go a long way. Changing residences could provide some extra money to add to your retirement nest egg.
4. Rebalance your investment portfolio
The right mix of stocks, bonds, and cash for you will depend on your risk tolerance, time horizon, and financial goals. Typically, it’s advised to invest in a more conservative, lower-risk investment mix as we age to avoid subjecting savings to market volatility and a potential downturn.
Continue to monitor and reassess your plan. Revisiting your retirement plan at least annually can be a smart way to ensure that your fiscal health remains on track.”
5. Consider an Annuity from AMBA
Or you might want to safeguard your money from the market’s ups and downs and enjoy guaranteed income with the Tax-Deferred Asset Protection from AMBA and your association to help protect your retirement. This annuity is an intelligent and safe way to diversify your savings and can earn much more interest than CDs or savings accounts. Your association and AMBA’s Tax-Deferred Asset Protection Plan features a tax-deferred accumulation of interest, a guaranteed competitive interest rate, multiple payout options, and a nursing home waiver.
Get more information at myAMBAbenefits.info or speak with a knowledgeable AMBA Call Center representative at 1-866-610-4558, M-F, 8am-5pm CT.
Sources:
https://www.truist.com/money-mindset/principles/investing-in-your-values/retirement-planning-tips
AMBA’s September Recipe: Chicken and Wild Rice Harvest Bowl
With the temperatures dropping and the autumn harvest approaching, September is the perfect time for a hearty, healthy harvest bowl. This recipe shared by AMBA features a base of wild rice blend cooked in a flavorful broth, tender chicken, colorful veggies, hearty grains, and savory cheese. It’s layer upon layer of texture and flavor!
Best of all, this recipe is easy to swap for your favorite substitutions. For example, you can use white rice, farro, quinoa, or couscous instead of wild rice. Switch out the baby kale for spinach or spring greens. Or use butternut squash and broccoli in place of the sweet potato and Brussels sprouts. There are so many ways to make this recipe new every time you make it!
How to Make AMBA’s Chicken and Wild Rice Harvest Bowl
Ingredients:
For the Bowl:
- 1 2 lb. rotisserie chicken
- 1½ cups wild rice blend
- 3 cups chicken broth
- 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
- 2 cup fresh baby kale
- 1 Honeycrisp apple, cored and cubed
- ½ cup crumbled goat cheese
- ¼ cup roasted, salted almonds, coarsely chopped
- 1½ tsp. kosher salt
- 1 lb. Brussels sprouts, trimmed and cut in half
- 2 small sweet potatoes, cut into ½ inch cubes
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1 tsp. garlic powder
- 1 tsp. paprika
- ¼ tsp. cayenne
For the Balsamic Vinaigrette:
- 3 Tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- 2 tsp. honey
- 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
- 1 garlic clove, grated
- ¼ tsp. kosher salt
- ¼ tsp. ground black pepper
- ¼ cup olive oil
Directions
- Preheat oven to 450°F.
- Place the rice blend in a fine mesh sieve. Rinse the rice under water, using your hand to move it around for approximately 1 minute. Place the rice in a medium saucepan with the broth, butter, and ½ teaspoon salt. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and cook until the rice is tender, 45 minutes. Remove the pot from the heat and cover the rice for 15 minutes. Fluff the rice with a fork.
- Meanwhile, line a large baking sheet with foil. Add the Brussels sprouts and sweet potato. Drizzle the vegetables with the olive oil, tossing to coat. Sprinkle with the remaining teaspoon of salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, and cayenne, tossing to coat. Roast until the vegetables are tender and browned, about 25 minutes, stirring halfway through.
- For the balsamic vinaigrette, add the balsamic vinegar, honey, mustard, garlic, salt, and pepper to a mason jar. Place the lid on the jar and shake vigorously until the ingredients are well combined, about 15 seconds. Add the olive oil and shake the closed jar again until the dressing is well emulsified. Store in the refrigerator and shake well before using.
- Remove the skin and bones from the chicken. Shred or cut the meat into cubes, as desired.
To serve: Divide the baby kale among four bowls. Spoon on the wild rice and divide the Brussels sprouts, sweet potato, chicken, apple, goat cheese, and almonds. Drizzle with the balsamic vinaigrette.
Do you have a recipe you’d like to share?
State Health Plan Open Enrollment Begins September 30
Open Enrollment (September 30-October 25) is an ideal time to review your current coverage and your State Health Plan options for the coming year.
Protecting North Carolina’s Seniors
About half of the investment scams that our Securities Division investigates involve fraud being targeted at senior citizens. Be on the lookout for scams and follow this advice.
Legislative Update
Since the supermajority has power to override any budget veto by the Governor, your communication with your legislators is imperative now.
Hard Facts About Falling
How to reduce your risk of fall-related injuries and why an emergency medical transportation plan is essential
Among people over 65 years of age, falls are the primary cause of severe injuries and accidental death. About 3,000,000 older Americans are treated for fall injuries annually in emergency departments.
Most falls are due to a combination of risk factors, which may be personal or environmental-related. The more risk factors at any given time, the greater the chances of falling.
But if you reduce the number of risk factors, you can prevent a fall and avoid injury. Follow AMBA’s tips to help you stay safe and reduce your risk of falling.
Did You Know?
More than 25% of older Americans suffer a fall each year. Falls are the most common cause of traumatic brain injury.
Sensory Deficits
It’s common for vision, hearing, and sense of balance to become increasingly compromised as people age. These limitations can lead to issues like tripping on unseen hazards or being unaware of audio warnings, such as the sound of a nearby pet. Likewise, the ability to maintain balance and stability (and to regain it quickly once one stumbles) tends to reduce with age.
It’s important to create a safe environment in your home. Improving your home to mitigate or prevent sensory-related risks can help keep you safe:
- Install more lighting throughout the house, including each room, hall, and stairway.
- Turn off the television as you leave a room to reduce background noise.
- Remove clutter and obstacles on or close to the floor, such as cords and cables.
- Replace low chairs that are difficult to sit in or rise from.
- Install grab bars and handrails throughout the home.
- Place nonslip matting in the bath or shower.
Health Conditions
Many diseases and conditions typically associated with aging are directly tied to the risk of falling.
People with diabetes, heart disease, neurological conditions, and other chronic diseases are at a higher risk for falls. If you have health issues, starting and maintaining a doctor-recommended exercise routine is essential. Tai Chi can be an excellent option because it emphasizes lower body strength, stability, and balance—all critical for reducing the risk of falls.
Physical Factors
As people age, the wear and tear of decades accumulate. Degeneration, inflammation, swelling, and instability in joints, bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, or nerves can all affect the ability to balance. Disorders like arthritis that can cause pain in the hips, knees, feet, ankles, back, neck, arms, and feet can reduce mobility, limit activity, and contribute to falls.
Conditioning and exercise are important first steps for people who struggle with walking discomfort. If the issue worsens, ask a doctor for recommendations for pain management or if surgery is an option.
Medications
There is evidence that falls become a greater danger when more than three prescription drugs are taken regularly. Pharmaceuticals most likely to increase fall risks include psychoactive medications, antihistamines, muscle relaxants, and blood pressure medications. You can review with your healthcare professional whether they recommend stopping or reducing your medications to help prevent falls.
Still, accidents that require emergency medical attention are a risk that can happen to anyone, anywhere, at any time. A ground ambulance or air transport could cost thousands, and Medicare may not cover this. Protect yourself from the high cost of emergency medical transportation with the Medical Air Services Association (MASA) plan from AMBA and NCRGEA. Services are paid in full, with no deductibles, co-pays, or dollar limits. Whether home or traveling, MASA covers your ambulance or airlift, regardless of age or medical condition. Learn more at www.AMBAmedtransport.com/NCRGEA or call AMBA at 800-956-1228 M-F 9am-6pm CT.
https://www.ncoa.org/article/what-medications-increase-the-risk-of-falling-among-older-adults
https://www.cdc.gov/steadi/pdf/STEADI-Brochure-CheckForSafety-508.pdf