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Tips to protect from the unexpected: Necessary home essentials

2020-03-26T16:55:00

(BPT) – While spending more time at home, it’s important that you take the necessary steps to make sure your family is ready for the unexpected in the event a home fire or carbon monoxide (CO) leak occurs. You might be surprised to learn that CO poisoning is the number one cause of accidental poisoning in the United States each year and, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), three out of five fire deaths occur in homes without working smoke alarms. Make sure your family and home are prepared by following these tips and tools.

Every level, every bedroom.

Even if you have smoke and CO alarms in your home, you and your family may not be sufficiently protected if you don’t have enough devices throughout your entire home. To help ensure the highest level of protection, the NFPA recommends installing alarms on every level of the home, inside every bedroom and outside each sleeping area.

Test, maintain and replace.

Even though testing your alarms is as simple as pressing a button and waiting for the beep, a First Alert survey showed that more than 60% of consumers do not test their smoke and CO alarms monthly. Test alarms regularly, change the batteries every six months if battery-powered and be sure all alarms have a battery backup if hardwired, for protection during a power outage. To eliminate battery replacements for a decade, upgrade to 10-year sealed battery alarms to make battery replacements a thing of the past. Also, if you can’t remember the last time you installed an alarm, chances are, it’s time to replace it. Alarms are on duty 24/7 and need to be replaced at least every 10 years.

Double-up on safety.

While many homeowners know the importance of protecting their home from the threats of smoke and fire, studies show that fewer households are equipped with CO alarms. CO is responsible for an average of 450 deaths each year. CO is an invisible, odorless gas that is impossible to detect without an alarm. For ultimate home safety, install combination alarms for 2-in-1 protection, such as the First Alert Combination Smoke and CO Alarm with a 10-year sealed battery for long-lasting protection.

Be prepared to fight small flames.

According to the NFPA, the number one cause of home fires is unattended cooking. Cooking fires are expected to increase significantly with incremental cooking occurring at homes across the country right now, so it is important for you to stay alert and be watchful in the kitchen. Beyond alarms, having fire extinguishers — and knowing how to use them — is an integral part of a home safety plan. Place a fire extinguisher in the kitchen and keep it within reach so it is easily accessible in the event of a fire. First Alert manufactures a model, the First Alert Kitchen Fire Extinguisher, which is rated to fight flammable liquid and electrical fires and features a durable metal head.

Form an escape plan.

In the event that your family needs to evacuate your home, every second counts — and yet the NFPA reports that only 32% of American households have actually developed and practiced an emergency escape plan. Involve everyone in your household when developing an emergency escape plan. Identify two exits out of each room, including windows and doors, and set a dedicated meeting spot outside. Once outside, stay outside and call 911. Be sure to practice your escape plan with the entire family at least twice a year.

To learn more about how to keep your family and home safe, visit www.FirstAlert.com/BeReady.


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Are You Up to Date on the Latest Treatments For Your Heart? [Infographic]

2020-03-26T05:01:00

(BPT) – Knowing the latest science and treatment options to reduce your risk for heart disease can save your life. Twelve million people are at risk due to elevated triglyceride levels, which may increase their risk for cardiovascular events. Many people continue to unknowingly take outdated therapies such as fenofibrates and niacin, which are no longer FDA-approved and have been proven ineffective. Luckily, there are new FDA-approved therapies that reduce cardiovascular events and those are represented in the latest medical guidelines. Patients should consult with their doctor and visit truetoyourheart.com for more information on how to best protect their hearts.


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How to achieve a red carpet look in your outdoor space this summer

2020-03-25T08:01:00

(BPT) – Every glam-inspired yard needs a pop of showstopping color that is eye-catching and brings style to the space. This summer, those looking to brighten their shady outdoor spaces can turn to Beacon® Impatiens to dress their garden beds and containers with boldly colored flowers that thrive all season long.

Gardeners can plant Beacon® Impatiens to their heart’s content without the frustration, or fear, of Impatiens downy mildew, a destructive disease that has plagued impatiens, causing plant loss and devastation to shade gardens across the globe. This new plant from PanAmerican Seed offers high resistance to Impatiens downy mildew, ensuring a long-lasting, healthy garden this summer.

Here’s a look at how you can style your outdoor space in the shade this season with new Beacon® Impatiens.

Go bold with color

On music’s biggest night, acclaimed botanical artist Tu Bloom Designs® selected Beacon® Impatiens to bring vivid color to this year’s red carpet. As the music industry’s elite made their grand entrance and strutted for the cameras, they were surrounded by Tu Bloom’s 22 topiaries of Beacon® White Impatiens atop a lavish carpet of Beacon® Red Impatiens.

Thanks to Beacon® Impatiens versatility and reliable color, first-time and established gardeners alike can recreate this inspiring red carpet look in their own yards.

The most memorable looks on the red carpet never shy away from color, and Beacon® Impatiens offers a full palette of different shades to help create a similar, striking look to brighten and adorn your yard or patio. Choose from a variety of shades including bright red, violet, salmon, coral, orange and white. For a more textured look, the plants also come in mixed combinations, allowing gardeners to create their own floral masterpiece.

To embrace the red carpet look, search for a shady spot in your yard or patio and plant Beacon® Impatiens in the hue of your choice. Whether in a hanging basket, window box or patio container, you can create a foundation of bold, lasting color.

Beacon® shines the light

As well as being a red carpet-worthy upgrade for your outdoor space, you’ll also help make the world a better place.

In the spirit of bringing light and happiness to gardens everywhere, PanAmerican Seed donates 3% of its global Beacon® Impatiens seed sales to a charitable organization every year. The company prides itself on selecting a cause that isn’t as widely known, and for the 2020 garden season, the donation is going to the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation. The mission of the OI Foundation is to improve the quality of life for those living with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease, through research, education, awareness and mutual support.

To purchase Beacon® Impatiens, check your local garden center. To learn more about Beacon® Impatiens and how you can use them to create a red carpet look this summer, visit www.beaconimpatiens.com.


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Expressing sympathy during this new normal

2020-03-24T08:31:00

(BPT) – Experiencing the loss of a loved one is always difficult. In today’s environment of “social distancing”, we are even more challenged in finding ways to reach out and connect to those who need comfort at a time of loss.

While many of us may be adapting to new everyday routines, the etiquette of expressing sympathy by and large has not changed. Here are a few helpful tips from 1-800-Flowers.com:

1. Even if you don’t know the person well, saying, “I’m sorry for your loss” is always appropriate and meaningful. It’s acknowledging what has happened in an honest and direct way. And lets the person know they have permission to experience any uncomfortable emotions. Read more tips on how to comfort someone who is grieving here.

2. If they haven’t said anything on Facebook, neither should you. But if they have posted about it, it is appropriate to comment. Read more about the do’s and don’ts on expressing condolences on social media here.

3. Due to recent regulations on large gatherings in many states due to COVID-19, many funeral services are being postponed or livestreamed over the internet making it an extraordinarily stressful time for the immediate family. If you aren’t able to express your condolences in person at this time, deliveries of a gourmet food basket, houseplant or sympathy flowers to their home are appropriate ways to let them know you are thinking of them. Find these sympathy gifts and more for home delivery here.

4. And remember to support those who have experienced the loss of a loved one in recent months, and may be feeling a bit more aware right now; be it due to social distancing or an upcoming important date or anniversary. Rebecca Soffer, co-founder of Modern Loss provides some additional thoughts here. You can also explore complimentary sentiment ecards for Thinking of you and Sympathy to let them know you are thinking about them.

For additional resources on sympathy and remembrance, click here. If you are in need of expressing your condolences and not sure what to send, 1-800-Flowers.com sympathy specialists can help by calling 1-866-538-2259.


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Triglycerides as a Marker of CV Risk: Too Few Americans Are Aware of Triglycerides’ Important Role in Identifying Cardiovascular Risk

2020-03-24T05:01:00

(BPT) – The number of cardiovascular deaths is still on the rise—in fact, cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death for both men and women in the United States.[i],[ii] Heart attack and stroke each occur on average every 40 seconds, and one cardiovascular death occurs on average every 38 seconds.[iii],[iv],[v]

And while much attention has been devoted to achieving target cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of heart disease, what many people may not know is that independent of cholesterol, triglycerides are also a key factor in cardiovascular risk.

Triglycerides are an important piece of the heart puzzle

Controlling “bad” cholesterol, also known as LDL-C, is often accomplished through statin therapy, which has been shown to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events by 25-35%. But that still leaves 65-75% risk.[vi] This residual risk, or “persistent cardiovascular risk,” may apply to millions of patients, even if they’ve achieved target LDL-C levels.

Persistent cardiovascular risk is especially relevant for patients with high triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood, which can come from foods (like butter, margarine, and certain oils) or can be made in the body from excess calories consumed.

Elevated triglyceride levels are an important identifier of cardiovascular risk: Research shows that people with high triglycerides have 35% more cardiovascular events compared to people with normal triglyceride levels who are taking statins.[vii],[viii],[ix],[x]

Of the roughly 38 million patients in the United States who are on statin therapy, approximately 12 million have elevated triglyceride levels (>150 mg/dL). And more than half of those with elevated triglycerides are estimated to have established cardiovascular disease or diabetes and multiple other cardiovascular risk factors.[xi]

Do you know your numbers?

If you don’t know your numbers, you’re not alone. A recent survey[xii] found that only a little over a third of consumers knew their cholesterol levels; and for triglycerides, the number was just 31%. Those with established cardiovascular disease or diabetics with cardiovascular risk factors were more likely to know their levels. Still, too few are aware of the important measures that affect their cardiovascular risk.

Reducing your heart risk

As always, lifestyle choices remain a key part of reducing heart risk. Eat a healthy diet, rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, high in fiber, and low in saturated fats, trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium. Make sure to get enough physical activity to maintain a healthy weight, and to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. Don’t smoke. And avoid drinking too much alcohol.[xiii]

There are effective, FDA-approved treatments to further reduce your cardiovascular risk, even if you’re on a statin—but it’s important to do your research and stay up-to-date on the current FDA-approved methods. For instance, fibrates, though proven to lower triglycerides and cholesterol, have not been proven to reduce cardiovascular events—in fact, in 2016, the FDA withdrew its previous approval for the use of both fibrates and niacin along with statins, because they determined that the risks outweighed the benefits. Fish oil dietary supplements have not been clinically proven to be safe or effective in the prevention or treatment of cardiovascular risk, and are not FDA-approved to treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Talk with your doctor about FDA-approved options that can help further reduce your heart risk if you already take statins.

Visit truetoyourheart.com to learn more about cardiovascular disease and how to reduce your risk.


[i] American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2019 Update: A Report from the American Heart Association. Published January 31, 2019.

[ii] American Heart Association / American Stroke Association. 2017. Cardiovascular disease: A costly burden for America projections through 2035.

[iii] American Heart Association: Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2019 At-a-Glance.

[iv] American Heart Association. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics – 2019 Update: A Report from the American Heart Association. Published January 31, 2019.

[v] American Heart Association. 2017. Cardiovascular disease: A costly burden for America projections through 2035.

[vi] Ganda OP, Bhatt DL, Mason RP, et al. Unmet need for adjunctive dyslipidemia therapy in hypertriglyceridemia management. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018;72(3):330-343.

[vii] Budoff M. Triglycerides and triglyceride-rich lipoproteins in the causal pathway of cardiovascular disease. Am J Cardiol. 2016;118:138-145.

[viii] Toth PP, Granowitz C, Hull M, et al. High triglycerides are associated with increased cardiovascular events, medical costs, and resource use: A real-world administrative claims analysis of statin-treated patients with high residual cardiovascular risk. J Am Heart Assoc. 2018;7(15):e008740.

[ix] Nordestgaard BG. Triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease – New insights from epidemiology, genetics, and biology. Circ Res. 2016;118:547-563.

[x] Nordestgaard BG, Varbo A. Triglycerides and cardiovascular disease. Lancet. 2014;384:626–635.

[xi] Fan W, Philip S, Toth PP, et al. Prevalence of United States adults with triglycerides ≥ 135 mg/dL: NHANES 2007–2014. Cardiol J. 2019;26(5). DOI: 10.5603/CJ.2019.0000.

[xii] Amarin unbranded campaign, consumer poll, February 2020

[xiii] “Preventing Heart Disease: Healthy Living Habits.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, https://www.cdc.gov/heartdisease/medical_conditions.htm



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5 things we wish we’d known: Advice from families who have lost a loved one to addiction

2020-03-23T07:01:00

(BPT) – Every day in America 185 people die from drug overdose — that’s like a plane crashing each day, day after day.

Families who have lost their loved ones have united to help other families impacted by the disease of addiction and to protect others from this tragedy.

If you love someone who is struggling with addiction, if you have a family member, a coworker or a friend in trouble because of alcohol or drug use, these pieces of advice are for you.

1. Pay attention to early substance use.

“Experimenting with marijuana at 16 was followed by experimenting with prescription pills and finally heroin. His face, my voice are words that echo in my head from the moment we lost him,” shares Lou from New Mexico, who lost her 19-year-old son Michael after a two-and-a-half-year struggle.

The earlier someone starts using substances, the greater their chances of developing an addiction later in life. Earlier initiation of use is also linked with a greater severity of illness.

“Use often begins with alcohol, nicotine or marijuana — the most commonly used substances among teens. Protecting the brain during this critical period of development is an important part of prevention,” explains Dr. Robert DuPont.

Talk to children about the importance of not using any substances. “Young people respond to the science of brain development; give them the facts to protect themselves and make the healthy choice of no use,” explains Dr. Caroline DuPont, an experienced addiction psychiatrist.

2. Don’t wait for rock bottom.

“People are told the disease has to ‘run its course’ and to practice ‘tough love’ until they hit rock bottom. Now with fentanyl, rock bottom was an overdose, a fatal overdose,” shares Justin from Indiana, who lost his son Aaron at age 20 to a heroin overdose.

Decades of research has proven that the earlier treatment starts, the better the chances for long-term recovery.

But how do you start that conversation with your loved one about treatment?

According to Dr. Mark Gold, a renowned addiction psychiatrist and professor at Washington University in St. Louis, “Start with affection, such as ‘You’re one of the most important people in my life,’ which helps reassure the person.

“Then cite specific behaviors that you are concerned about, whether episodes of impaired driving, arrests, missed work or other changes. Then suggest or even insist that they undergo an assessment.”

3. Recovery takes time.

Karla, mother of Alicia, age 28, shares: “I wish I would’ve known that recovery is not about 3 months, 6 months, a year in rehab. It’s a lifetime. When they release someone from rehab, it’s not the end. It’s the very beginning.”

A provider should work with your loved one to develop an individualized treatment plan, taking into account the severity of their disease, any co-occurring disorders, and a variety of other factors that help determine the best course of treatment. Patients with a moderate or severe substance use disorder will likely need a comprehensive three-to-five-year treatment plan; while those with a mild substance use disorder may require a lower level of care.

4. Find quality treatment.

Finding a treatment provider can be daunting. There are many factors to consider when choosing a provider and treatment plan that are right for your loved one.

Dr. Gold explains, “It’s critical to know which physicians in the community are trained in Addiction Medicine or Addiction Psychiatry to find quality addiction treatment. Some important things to look for in a program include whether the program is licensed and accredited. Do they use a validated assessment tool to determine what level of care their patients need? Do they have a full-time Psychiatrist or how many hours a week do they have Psychiatrists, Addiction Medicine and other experts on site? Do they have experience providing therapy and medications for patients with opioid or alcohol use disorder? How do they develop a patient’s treatment plan? Is it personalized? How long does it last? Do they do follow up, after treatment assessments, for 1 or 3 or 5 years? Addiction is a chronic disease and requires long term planning and care.”

5. Find support.

“It feels like you’re drowning when you’re worried about your kid and desperately trying to find help. And the stigma around this disease can mean backlash and judgment from some of the people closest to you, but help does exist,” shared Doug Griffin from New Hampshire, who lost his daughter Courtney at age 20 to a heroin overdose.

There are support networks, family groups, and other ways to find help and lean on others in crisis. Call the Addiction Policy Forum helpline at 833-301-HELP to speak to a counselor or visit the addiction resource database to find local services: https://www.addictionpolicy.org/.

Finding help, friends and experts is key to navigating this difficult chronic health issue. With more than 20 million people struggling with substance use disorder in the United States, you are not alone.


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5 things we wish we’d known: Advice from families who have lost a loved one to addiction

2020-03-23T07:01:00

(BPT) – Every day in America 185 people die from drug overdose — that’s like a plane crashing each day, day after day.

Families who have lost their loved ones have united to help other families impacted by the disease of addiction and to protect others from this tragedy.

If you love someone who is struggling with addiction, if you have a family member, a coworker or a friend in trouble because of alcohol or drug use, these pieces of advice are for you.

1. Pay attention to early substance use.

“Experimenting with marijuana at 16 was followed by experimenting with prescription pills and finally heroin. His face, my voice are words that echo in my head from the moment we lost him,” shares Lou from New Mexico, who lost her 19-year-old son Michael after a two-and-a-half-year struggle.

The earlier someone starts using substances, the greater their chances of developing an addiction later in life. Earlier initiation of use is also linked with a greater severity of illness.

“Use often begins with alcohol, nicotine or marijuana — the most commonly used substances among teens. Protecting the brain during this critical period of development is an important part of prevention,” explains Dr. Robert DuPont.

Talk to children about the importance of not using any substances. “Young people respond to the science of brain development; give them the facts to protect themselves and make the healthy choice of no use,” explains Dr. Caroline DuPont, an experienced addiction psychiatrist.

2. Don’t wait for rock bottom.

“People are told the disease has to ‘run its course’ and to practice ‘tough love’ until they hit rock bottom. Now with fentanyl, rock bottom was an overdose, a fatal overdose,” shares Justin from Indiana, who lost his son Aaron at age 20 to a heroin overdose.

Decades of research has proven that the earlier treatment starts, the better the chances for long-term recovery.

But how do you start that conversation with your loved one about treatment?

According to Dr. Mark Gold, a renowned addiction psychiatrist and professor at Washington University in St. Louis, “Start with affection, such as ‘You’re one of the most important people in my life,’ which helps reassure the person.

“Then cite specific behaviors that you are concerned about, whether episodes of impaired driving, arrests, missed work or other changes. Then suggest or even insist that they undergo an assessment.”

3. Recovery takes time.

Karla, mother of Alicia, age 28, shares: “I wish I would’ve known that recovery is not about 3 months, 6 months, a year in rehab. It’s a lifetime. When they release someone from rehab, it’s not the end. It’s the very beginning.”

A provider should work with your loved one to develop an individualized treatment plan, taking into account the severity of their disease, any co-occurring disorders, and a variety of other factors that help determine the best course of treatment. Patients with a moderate or severe substance use disorder will likely need a comprehensive three-to-five-year treatment plan; while those with a mild substance use disorder may require a lower level of care.

4. Find quality treatment.

Finding a treatment provider can be daunting. There are many factors to consider when choosing a provider and treatment plan that are right for your loved one.

Dr. Gold explains, “It’s critical to know which physicians in the community are trained in Addiction Medicine or Addiction Psychiatry to find quality addiction treatment. Some important things to look for in a program include whether the program is licensed and accredited. Do they use a validated assessment tool to determine what level of care their patients need? Do they have a full-time Psychiatrist or how many hours a week do they have Psychiatrists, Addiction Medicine and other experts on site? Do they have experience providing therapy and medications for patients with opioid or alcohol use disorder? How do they develop a patient’s treatment plan? Is it personalized? How long does it last? Do they do follow up, after treatment assessments, for 1 or 3 or 5 years? Addiction is a chronic disease and requires long term planning and care.”

5. Find support.

“It feels like you’re drowning when you’re worried about your kid and desperately trying to find help. And the stigma around this disease can mean backlash and judgment from some of the people closest to you, but help does exist,” shared Doug Griffin from New Hampshire, who lost his daughter Courtney at age 20 to a heroin overdose.

There are support networks, family groups, and other ways to find help and lean on others in crisis. Call the Addiction Policy Forum helpline at 833-301-HELP to speak to a counselor or visit the addiction resource database to find local services: https://www.addictionpolicy.org/.

Finding help, friends and experts is key to navigating this difficult chronic health issue. With more than 20 million people struggling with substance use disorder in the United States, you are not alone.


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“You’re talking about me” – Giving a voice to people at higher risk for COVID-19 due to chronic illness: 84% feel vulnerable

2020-03-21T06:01:00

(BPT) – — Webcasts by disease are open to the public; Survey is tracking concerns —

The COVID-19 global pandemic has disrupted daily life in the United States, leaving many people concerned. One of the key at-risk groups of COVID-19 includes people with serious chronic medical conditions.

“If anything, I’m feeling more at risk.”

“I have not left my house in 10 days.”

“It feels a little like we are under siege.”

“I may not look sick, but I have a condition no one can see.”

If you or someone you know is living with a health condition, these concerns probably sound familiar. They were shared by patients with respiratory conditions on a March 19 webcast about the novel coronavirus. Health Perspectives Group and Health Stories Project, its social sharing community of people living with or caring for those with chronic conditions, is hosting the series of webcasts focusing on COVID-19 and how it is impacting people with specific health challenges. The webcasts are open to the public (see section below to register).

Concurrently, an ongoing series of surveys is tracking questions and concerns that 1,300 patients with a range of conditions have about COVID-19. And the numbers are rising. Among survey respondents on March 18, 84% of patients feel vulnerable to COVID-19, an increase from 73% in the first full survey on March 11.

The survey also shows that people with chronic diseases are seeking information and support not only from their doctors (49%) but also from each other — 77% have talked to others with their condition about their concerns, a significant increase from 58% in the first full survey.

Register for an upcoming webcast here: Health Stories Project

If any of the health conditions below affect you, the public is invited to register to listen in on upcoming webcasts featuring a health professional and patients living with each condition:

(All webcasts take place at 1:30 p.m. ET)

Oncology – Tuesday, March 24

Cardio/Metabolic – Thursday, March 26

HIV – Tuesday , March 31

Pregnancy – Thursday, April 2

Parkinson’s Disease – Tuesday, April 7

Mental health – Thursday, April 9

Medical disabilities – Tuesday, April 14

Renal disease – Thursday, April 16

Pediatric diseases – Tuesday, April 21

People affected by any health condition are also invited to share their stories in the Health Stories Project community: https://healthstoriesproject.com/

Survey tracks COVID-19 concerns among people with chronic conditions

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), six in 10 U.S. adults have a chronic disease, and four in 10 have two or more chronic diseases. This represents millions of Americans whose health is more at risk due to the pandemic.

The Health Perspectives Group survey provides a window into the concerns of this at-risk group, whose worries extend beyond their health: 89% of respondents expressed concern about the outbreak hurting the economy. As they seek information about their illness, 62% of respondents do not feel the media is adequately addressing concerns for their specific conditions. The survey also follows availability of COVID-19 tests. In the most recent survey pulse, 27% of respondents have a friend, colleague or acquaintance that have been tested, and 15% know someone who has tested positive as of March 19.

These survey statistics come from a series of ongoing surveys of up to 1,300 people living with or caring for those with chronic conditions conducted by Health Perspectives Group, a patient engagement company. Survey participants span 17 chronic disease areas across age groups (18-92), genders, race/ethnicities, education level and location (urban, suburban, rural). Key questions from the survey are being re-administered in a pulse survey every several days over two weeks to track changes in patient concerns, disease status and access to information in real time.

“As we face this unprecedented global medical event, we are committed to sharing the voices of patients living with chronic diseases and highlighting needs that are not being addressed effectively by hosting webcasts and continuing our survey of Health Stories Project members,” said Cheryl Lubbert, President and CEO of Health Perspectives Group. “We are grateful to those patients who have raised a hand to share their experiences and concerns, and we invite anyone with a health condition to listen in on any upcoming webcasts and to join Health Stories Project to share their own story as well.”


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Three ways to simplify retirement income planning

2020-03-20T19:01:00

(BPT) – Having enough money to live comfortably in retirement is the primary saving and investing goal for most Americans. Retirement means different things to different people — it can be a time to travel, spend more time with family or pursue a personal passion. But while we look forward with anticipation to finally reaching that goal, flipping the switch from working and having a steady stream of income to tapping into decades’ worth of hard-earned savings can be very overwhelming, confusing and let’s face it — scary.

According to a recent survey* from the investment firm Charles Schwab, 52% of Americans within five years of retirement feel overwhelmed by how they will manage different income sources once they make the transition into retirement. With 10,000 Baby Boomers turning 65 every day**, people need help turning their savings into steady income and making their money last in retirement.

Schwab’s survey also found that nearly three-quarters of pre-retirees are worried about running out of money in retirement, so if that idea scares you, you’re not alone.

Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to better manage your income needs in retirement:

  1. Have a plan about how much you can spend in retirement. Schwab’s survey found that retirement income planning is more overwhelming than other financial topics often considered stressful including the financial impact of losing a job, buying a home or paying for college. Mapping out a plan for how much money you’ll need, how to strategically withdraw money along the way and how to manage your investment portfolio will give you more confidence that you’re on the right path. You wouldn’t go on a long road trip without mapping out your journey — approach your retirement the same way.
  2. Think about how to invest. Just because you’ve hit retirement and are starting to draw down from your savings doesn’t mean you should stop investing. A portion of your assets should remain invested in order to help contend with inflation and make your money last in retirement. Half of the pre-retirees surveyed by Schwab admit they find it difficult to know how to invest, so for some people it might help to get investing guidance from a professional.
  3. Don’t forget about taxes. According to Schwab’s survey, 70% of pre-retirees are unfamiliar with the tax implications of withdrawing money from their retirement accounts. How you manage tax obligations will depend on your specific situation, but it can be important to think about diversifying your account types, including tax-deferred, taxable and tax-free Roth IRA accounts. And don’t forget about required minimum distributions from retirement accounts.

To help meet the needs of people making the transition into retirement and to simplify the steps above, Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. recently launched Schwab Intelligent Income™, an automated income solution available with Schwab Intelligent Portfolios, designed for people who want a simple, modern way to pay themselves in retirement, or any other time, from their investment portfolios. For those who want a comprehensive financial plan and unlimited guidance from a Certified Financial Planner™ professional, Schwab Intelligent Income is also available through Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium™.

Schwab Intelligent Income helps answer critical and often complex income-related questions about how much to withdraw, how to invest based on individual goals, risk tolerance and time horizon, and how to withdraw from a combination of taxable, tax-deferred and Roth enrolled accounts in a tax-smart and efficient way.

So much of the focus is on savings and investing for the future, and rightfully so, but having a plan in place to manage your savings once you hit your golden years is equally important.

More information about Schwab Intelligent Income is available here.

*Online survey of 1,000 Americans aged 55 and older with $100,000 or more in investable assets. Respondents self-defined as within five years of retirement.

**Pew Research survey

Please read the Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Solutions™ disclosure brochures for important information, pricing, and disclosures related to the Schwab Intelligent Portfolios and Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium programs.

Schwab Intelligent Portfolios® and Schwab Intelligent Portfolios Premium™ are made available through Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. (“Schwab”), a dually registered investment advisor and broker dealer. Portfolio management services are provided by Charles Schwab Investment Advisory Inc. (“CSIA”). Schwab and CSIA are subsidiaries of The Charles Schwab Corporation.

Schwab Intelligent Income™ is an optional feature for clients to receive recurring automated withdrawals from their accounts. Schwab does not guarantee the amount or duration of Schwab Intelligent Income withdrawals nor does it guarantee any specific tax results such as meeting Required Minimum Distributions.

(0220-08A3)


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Confronting Stigma with Science: What Asian Americans Should Know about Lung Cancer and Tumor Mutations

2020-03-20T14:01:00

(BPT) – Sponsored by AstraZeneca

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US. Among Asian Americans, there is a higher risk of being diagnosed with a specific type of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) — one that tests positive for tumor mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) gene. Up to 50% of Asian patients diagnosed with a common type of NSCLC called adenocarcinoma have an EGFR mutation. Knowing whether they have this mutation could affect their treatment options.

Metastatic NSCLC patients with an EGFR mutation can be treated with targeted therapies, called EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors, that come in the form of a pill and are designed to target that specific mutation, which may help stop the cancer from growing and spreading. EGFR mutations can be detected by a blood test and by testing a tissue sample removed from a tumor. Both may be necessary to receive a complete diagnosis. Testing the makeup of a tumor for mutations, biomarker testing, can give physicians more information about a patient’s lung cancer type and help determine the best treatment options for them.

Yet, awareness about the role of mutations and biomarker testing remains low, due in part to the cultural stigma surrounding lung cancer in the Asian American community. Unfortunately, this stigma may also be a barrier to testing for EGFR mutations at diagnosis of metastatic NSCLC. Biomarker testing rates among Asian Americans with metastatic NSCLC remain suboptimal and inconsistent nationwide, despite clinical practice guidelines recommending that mNSCLC patients with certain biomarkers may benefit from targeted therapy. These guidelines also recommend that testing for mutations including EGFR, ALK and ROS1 must be performed on all metastatic lung cancer patients with an adenocarcinoma component.

Experts say the best way to combat the stigma is to educate metastatic NSCLC patients about the importance of biomarker testing at diagnosis, as increased awareness can help patients better advocate for themselves.

“Noninvasive biomarker testing is critical for treatment planning for patients,” said medical oncologist, Dr. Bing Xia of the Keck School of Medicine at University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles. “It’s important for patients to know with recent scientific advances, we’ve had a high success rate in identifying the mutation that is responsible for an individual’s lung cancer and treating based on biomarker testing results.”

Metastatic NSCLC patients should talk to their doctors to ensure that they have received a complete lung cancer diagnosis and that they’re getting the best treatment for their type of lung cancer. Not all lung cancers are the same, and treatments can vary from person to person, so the more patients and their healthcare providers know, the more personalized their treatment plan can be.

For more information, visit TreatYourLungCancer.com.

US-33957 Last Updated 2/20