Medicare has issued $50 million in reimbursements. Checks have been issued to 230,000 Medicare drug plan participants as refunds of premiums that they have paid this year. The problem is that all of these refund checks were issued by mistake.

Recipients of the checks will also get a letter telling them that their premiums will no longer be deducted from their Social Security checks. This is also a mistake.

Once found, the erroneous letters and checks were quickly followed up by a second letter explaining that the refunds were issued by mistake and that the money will have to be returned.

Many Medicare drug plan participants have their premiums automatically deducted from their Social Security checks. While transmitting some information on this group of people to Social Security, they were accidentally eliminated which caused the deductions to stop. It will take until October to resume deduction of premiums but the prescription drug coverage will continue for all beneficiaries that were involved.

For more info see Senior Journal.

Falls are responsible for more deaths than heart attack and stroke in people age 65 and over. 95% of hip fractures are caused by falls and more than half, 55% of all falls, occur in the home. Falls can lead to serious injury and those who fall 2-3 times are more likely to fall again.

The National Safety Council recommends that you modify your home environment to reduce the common risks that cause trips and falls. Here are some tips:

* Use contrasting colors on floors and walls, lighter colors on floors is recommended.

* Keep walking surfaces level as much as possible. Use skid resistant surfaces on floors, rough tiles or carpets with short, dense pile. Avoid shag carpets and changes in walking surfaces from room to room.

* Keep it well lit. As we age we need brighter light than we did when we were in our twenties.

* Mount light fixtures on the wall within reach and use fixtures that have two bulbs. Make sure light switches are at the entrance to rooms.

* Watch out for extension and phone cords. Keep them short and out of the way. Do not run them under carpet as it could be a fire hazard.

* Install handrails and grab bars in the bathroom to minimize falls in the tub and when rising from the toilet.

* Handrails on stairs should extend beyond the last step at both the top and bottom of the stairs. Remove padded carpet treads from stairs. If possible, use a strip of bright color at the edge of each step.

Other Resources:

WebMD – Preventing Harm in Your Own House

NSC.org – Designs on Building Safe Homes for the Elderly

Planning an active retirement? Are you looking for a well planned community which offers you the amenities you need and the activities you desire?

The Retirement Net dot com has a listing of the top 100 masterplanned retirement communities in the country listed by state.

There are also listings of communities geared specifically for both the avid golfer and the RV enthusiast.

Active retirees have different desires, different abilities, different needs, and the housing market for seniors responds in kind. There are many different types of retirement living…and The Retirement Net is your best resource for finding just the right match.

Reverse mortgages are of three different types but it is likely that only one will be appropriate to your circumstances:

1. Government agencies and nonprofit organizarions offer a reverse mortgage for specific needs, such as home repairs and improvements or property taxes. Although this type will have lower costs, it can only be used for the purposes specified and is intended mainly for low income applicants.

2. The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) which is insured through HUD, the department of Housing and Urban development. You must be advised by a government-approved housing counseling agency before applying for this type of loan.

3. Private loans through other lenders who offer proprietary reverse mortgages.

Remember, you must be at least 62 years of age and live in your own home to qualify for most reverse mortgages. Proceeds are tax-free but the interest is not deductible from your income tax until the loan is paid off.

The most important step to take before considering a reverse mortgage is to consult a financial counselor.