Good morning and welcome to agebuzz… Headlining today’s topics:

-Ryan’s Hope: Speaker Paul Ryan And The Fate Of Medicare

-Twist Of Fate: Ways To Get Around Your Cardiac Genetic Predisposition

-The Doctor Will See You: Is It Time To Visit A Geriatrician?

-League Of Their Own: Why Men In Iceland Live So Long

-Travel Light: Great Products For Senior Travelers

-Two Of A Kind: Ellen Burstyn And Gloria Steinem On Death, Sex And Money

-The Last Word

Ryan’s Hope: Speaker Paul Ryan And The Fate Of Medicare: The election of Donald Trump and the Republican control of the House and Senate will likely have tremendous consequences for legislation signed into law over the coming years. Speaker Paul Ryan has made no secret of his desire to make significant changes to Medicare. But according to a recent article in The Washington Post, Ryan seems to be ignoring the basic facts about Medicare’s current status in order to build his case. While everyone’s entitled to their own opinions, facts should not be up for negotiation. See why the Speaker’s comments have earned him four Pinocchio noses Here.

Twist Of Fate: Ways To Get Around Your Cardiac Genetic Predisposition: While it’s been said that your DNA is your destiny, that may not always be the case. A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine confirms that even if you have a predisposition to heart disease, the way you live your life can significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack. It’s common wisdom that if you have a parent or sibling die at a youngage from cardiac disease, you too are at much greater risk for such an occurrence. But researchers analyzed the data of over 55,000 people and determined that those who engage in healthy eating, exercise, and other good habits are able to cut their risk in half, despite their genetic make-up. To learn more about ways to cheat your genes, read and listen to this NPR report Here.

The Doctor Will See You: Is It Time To Visit A Geriatrician?: As we get older, we might want to dismiss the growing number of medical concerns we experience as just individual events. But at some point, it may be valuable to step back and look at the bigger picture- and if you’re smart, you’ll allow an expert to take a look with you. Geriatricians are specially trained physicians who provide comprehensive expertise for the broad range of health issues that can arise as you begin to age. They often work in tandem with other health professionals to provide a truly holistic approach to aging, something few other physicians have the time or expertise to provide. And there’s no reason to wait until you’re in the “old old” category.  Even younger, healthy seniors can benefit from a check-in with a geriatrician. As writer and expert Jane Gross explains, you may need to swallow your pride when you make the appointment, but you’ll likely be glad you did.  Read about her experience Here.

League Of Their Own: Why Men In Iceland Live So Long: It could be the serene and stunning beauty of the place. Or the fact that fresh cold water fish is a major diet staple. Or maybe that according to the Global Peace Index, it’s the least violent place on earth. Or, it could be a host of other reasons. But one thing is very clear: Men in Iceland live longer than men anywhere else on our planet. With state of the art medical care and robust public health programs, it’s no wonder that men in Iceland live an average of 81.2 years, compared to 76 years in the US. To find out more about male longevity in the Land of Ice and Fire, Read Here.

Travel Light: Great Products For Senior Travelers: Be it the elections or the holidays, many of us are considering travel. But it’s no picnic these days to pack a bag and hop on a plane or train. Crowds, baggage limits, tight quarters, all mean packing smartly can make the difference between a pleasant trip and a disaster. The experts at My Itchy Travel Feet have a terrific list of 20 useful products, all under $20, to help make you a smarter and happier traveler. From collapsable slippers to smart pouches for your clothes or electronics, you’re sure to find something to lighten your load and help you on your way. Check out their useful list Here.

Two Of A Kind: Ellen Burstyn And Gloria Steinem On Death, Sex And Money: When 84-year-old Academy Award winner Ellen Burstyn sits down to chat with iconic feminist Gloria Steinem, you’re going to want to listen. Steinem, now 82, has had an enormously interesting and influential life.  Her journey has been both trailblazing and yet familiar to so many women, including two stints as a family caregiver- once for her mother when she was a young girl and once for her dying husband much later in life. On the podcast Death, Sex and Money, Burstyn and Steinem talk taboo topics and reveal intimate thoughts from the personal to the political. Listen in to their conversation Here.

THE LAST WORD: “Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.” Maria Robinson