How can I determine if the health information on a website is trustworthy? I typically research a symptom, drug or health condition online. However, with so much information out there, I am not sure what I can trust.

There is an abundance of health advice on the internet today and it can be hard to tell what is credible. To help you sort through the advice and locate reliable, trustworthy health information, here are a few tips to follow, and top-rated websites you can turn to with confidence.

Savvy Searching

First, know that online search engines are not always the best place to start. You will increase your odds of finding reliable health information if you begin with websites run by government agencies (identified by URLs ending in .gov), medical associations (often .org) or academic institutions (.edu).

Commercial websites (usually ending in .com), such as drug or insurance companies may not have the most reliable or up-to-date information. To find out who sponsors a website and the source of its information, click on the "About Us" tab on the website's home page. Also, note that good health and medical information often changes, so it is always best to check the publication date to ensure the information is current.

Other areas to be wary of include online symptom checkers and artificial intelligence (AI) tools. While online symptom checkers may be a convenient resource for health questions, they are oftentimes inaccurate and can lead to misdiagnosis, and possibly delay necessary medical care. AI tools, like ChatGPT, can also be incorrect or generate false but scientific-sounding information.

You also need to be cautious about medical information sourced from social media and online forums. Comments in these places may sound authoritative but the authors may have no medical training or expertise.

Top Health Websites

While there are many excellent websites that provide reliable health and medical information, one all-purpose website that is recommended by Consumer Reports for researching symptoms and conditions is MedlinePlus (medlineplus.gov).

A service of the National Library of Medicine, the world's largest medical library, and part of the National Institutes of Health, MedlinePlus provides high-quality, trustworthy health and wellness information that is easy to understand and free of advertising.

Here are a few additional websites to help you find reliable information on specific diseases, conditions and treatments.

Cancer: National Cancer Institute (cancer.gov), American Cancer Society (cancer.org) and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (nccn.org).

Heart disease: American Heart Association (americanheart.org), National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (nhlbi.nih.gov).

Diabetes: American Diabetes Association (diabetes.org).

Alzheimer's disease: Alzheimer's Association (alz.org) and Alzheimers.gov.

Public health and vaccines: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov).

Alternative medicine: National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (nccih.nih.gov) and the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements (ods.od.nih.gov).

To receive the best medical treatment for your specific needs, consult with a qualified medical provider. Be sure to save or print any research you do online before seeing a doctor, including the website you got your information from, in case you wish to review it with your doctor.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

These scams have fraudsters frequently pretend to be representing a government agency and specifically target senior adults. They use carefully crafted strategies that are based on fear and deceit to exploit senior victims.

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel stated, "Scammers often target seniors, attempting to steal personal information through phone calls, emails or text messages by pretending to be from the IRS or other agencies or businesses. Preventing these types of scams requires assistance from many different places. By partnering with other federal agencies and others in the tax community, we can reach more seniors and other taxpayers to help protect them against these terrible scams."

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is Saturday, June 15, 2024. This day has been observed for nearly two decades and focuses on programs to reduce neglect and abuse of seniors. It attempts to recognize the cultural, social, economic and demographic factors that are used by fraudsters.

The IRS offers specific cautions that enable seniors to understand the threats. The fraudsters continue to become more sophisticated and use "spoofed" caller IDs to appear legitimate.

1. Impersonation of Government Agents — Fraudsters often claim to represent the IRS, Social Security Administration, Medicare and other public agencies. They frequently spoof the caller ID, and the victim believes that it is a legitimate call from a government agency.
2. Claim of Prizes or Problems — Scammers may promise large prize winnings or claim you owe a significant debt. You might be promised a substantial tax refund or told that you owe a large amount to the IRS. The scammer’s goal is to convince you that you are receiving a large positive benefit or facing serious trouble. In either case, the scammer will attempt to persuade you to disclose financial information.
3. Pressure for Prompt Action — Fraudsters are skilled at creating a sense of urgency. They craft dramatic stories that persuade you to take immediate action. The stories could threaten a senior with arrest, deportation or loss of a driver's license. The urgency of the fraudster’s threat is a major red flag.
4. Unusual Payments — A fraudster knows he or she must remain anonymous. The scammer will use unusual payment methods that can make it difficult to track the money. These payments might include cryptocurrency, wire transfers or gift cards. The fraudster will explain why the senior must respond immediately. Under pressure and because of the urgency of the demand, many seniors have shared the financial information on a gift card and then had their funds disappear.

The IRS offers several protections for seniors. If you receive an unexpected call because you have not previously been notified by mail from the IRS regarding any issues with your taxes, you should hang up. You can contact the IRS at 800-829-1040 to verify the name and IRS department of the caller. You also can set up an online account on IRS.gov to review your tax information and status.

If you think you have been scammed, you can report it on the IRS Impersonation Scam Reporting form or call 800-366-4484.

Always keep in mind that there are four "never” rules that are followed by IRS staff.

1. Never Demand — The IRS emphasizes it will not demand immediate payment with a debit card, gift card or wire transfer.
2. Never Threaten Arrest — The IRS will not threaten you with arrest by police or a local law enforcement agency.
3. Never Skip Appeal — The IRS will never demand payment without giving you an opportunity to dispute the tax amount or proceed through an appeal process.
4. Never Demand Numbers — The IRS will never demand information from your credit, debit or gift card.

Finally, the U.S. Department of Justice has a National Elder Fraud Hotline. If you are a victim of elder fraud, you may call 833-372-8311. There are operators available who speak English, Spanish and other languages.

The Veterans Administration’s (VA) Aid and Attendance benefit program can help wartime veterans and their surviving spouses pay for a variety of long-term care costs. Aid and Attendance is a monthly benefit for eligible veterans and surviving spouses that is in addition to any existing VA pension. In 2024, the benefit pays a maximum of $2,727 per month to married veterans, $2,300 per month to single veterans or $1,478 per month to a surviving spouse. The money is tax free and can be used to pay for assisted living, memory care, nursing home or in-home care services.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, a veteran must meet certain service requirements and not have been discharged dishonorably. Single surviving spouses of wartime veterans are eligible if their marriage ended due to death.

To medically qualify, a veteran must be either disabled, or over the age of 65 and need help performing activities of daily living such as eating, bathing, or dressing. Veterans who are blind, residing in a nursing home due to disability or receiving Social Security Disability or SSI also qualify. Single surviving spouses have no age restrictions, but must need assistance with activities of daily living to be eligible.

Veterans and their spouses must also meet certain thresholds for financial need to be eligible for benefits. To financially qualify, an applicant’s net worth, which includes assets and annual income combined, must be below $155,356 in 2024.

To calculate net worth, add up all assets including real property, investments and personal property but do not include the primary home or vehicle. Next, add up the applicant’s income over the past year (including Social Security, pensions and interest income from investments and annuities) minus any out-of-pocket medical expenses, prescription drugs, insurance premiums and long-term care costs over that same period. The total net annual income combined with the asset total is the applicant’s net worth.

The VA has a three-year lookback period to determine if an applicant transferred any assets before filing the claim. If assets were transferred during that period for below market value and those assets would have disqualified the applicant, a penalty period of up to five years may apply.

How to Apply

To apply for Aid and Attendance, you will need to fill out VA Form 21-2680 and mail it to the appropriate Pension Management Center (PMC). A health care provider will need to prepare the examination information section. Applications can also be submitted in person at a VA regional office.

For more information or to download application forms see VA.gov/pension/aid-attendance-housebound. The VA can also be reached at 800-827-1000 if there are additional questions. If you need assistance, a Veteran Service Officer (VSO), a VA-accredited attorney or claims agent can be appointed to represent your interests. To locate accredited representatives, visit VA.gov/ogc/apps/accreditation/index.asp.

It can take months for an application to be processed. Once the application is approved, the VA will send a lump sum retroactive payment covering the time from the date of filing to the date it was approved. After receiving any retroactive payment, regular monthly payments will be made.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

There is extensive interest by IRS staff in using artificial intelligence (AI) to uncover scams. Williams commented, "We need you to bring your expertise as to other ways that we can creatively and safely and responsibly use AI to disrupt scams and schemes."

The IRS is in the process of pursuing a "full-spectrum solution and an alert system to communicate across agencies and other stakeholders." This new communication effort could include the IRS, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the banking industry.

The IRS and its Security Summit partners continue to provide guidance to taxpayers on avoiding tax and financial scams. There are specific strategies that help taxpayers reduce risk.

1. Slow Down - Scammers often use urgency to pressure victims. The IRS emphasizes that the process for audit and collection is deliberate. If a scammer demands immediate action, you should pause and ask questions. By slowing down and exploring the situation, you are much less likely to get into trouble.
2. Check Out Person - If you are contacted by an individual claiming to be from the IRS or another government agency, you should check the specific details. Find out who the individual is and their job title and role with the organization. You can use your favorite search engine to check the name, background and credibility of the person or the organization that is claiming to contact you. An effective method is to enter the name of the individual or organization and the word "scam" when doing your search.
3. Do Not Send Money or Gift Cards - The scammer will frequently demand an immediate transfer of funds to pay taxes or for another purpose. They may deliberately rush you into using an unusual payment method. This might be a gift card, cryptocurrency or a wire transfer from your bank. If the caller requests immediate payment with unusual methods, you should recognize it as a scam and refuse to send the funds.

If you think you are a victim of a scam, you should retain any emails, messages or paperwork. You can send emails to the IRS at phishing@IRS.gov . If you discover a false tax return was submitted in your name, use the IRS Identity Theft Affidavit (Form 14039).

If you sent your credit card number or bank account information, contact the bank or credit card company immediately. Their fraud transaction division may be able to return your funds and stop additional transactions. If you used a gift card or wire transfer, contact the issuer or your bank. There may still be a possibility of stopping the transaction.

Finally, if you have given the fraudster your Social Security number or other personal information, the three major credit agencies (Experian, TransUnion and Equifax) can place a fraud alert on your credit report. This makes it more difficult for the scammer to open new accounts based on your stolen information.

There are two different options that allow Social Security beneficiaries to reverse their claiming decision. To be eligible, specific conditions must be met. Here is what you should know.

Withdrawal Benefits

If you are in your first year of collecting retirement benefits, you can apply to Social Security for a "withdrawal of benefits." Social Security will let you withdraw your original application for retirement benefits, but it must be within 12 months of the date you first claimed your benefits.

If you opt for a withdrawal, Social Security will treat it as if you never applied for benefits in the first place. However, opting for a withdrawal requires you to repay all the benefits received, including those of any family members who have been collecting benefits on your earnings record, such as a spouse or minor child. This requirement also includes repayment of any money that was withheld from your Social Security payments - for example, to pay your Medicare premiums.

You can only withdraw your application for Social Security benefits once, and you can apply for benefits again later when the monthly amount would be larger. To withdraw your benefits, fill out Social Security form SSA-521 (ssa.gov/forms/ssa-521.pdf) and send the completed form to your local Social Security office. If you change your mind, you have 60 days from the date Social Security approves your withdrawal to cancel the request.

Suspend Benefits

If you are not in the 12-month window or repaying your Social Security benefits is not financially feasible, there is another option to reverse benefits although you must be at full retirement age or older to be eligible.

Full retirement age is 66 and 6 months for those born in 1957, but it rises in two-month increments every birth year to age 67 for those born in 1960 and later. You can find your full retirement age at SSA.gov/benefits/retirement/planner/ageincrease.html .

At full retirement age, you can "suspend" your Social Security benefit without the need to repay benefits. Choosing to suspend will stop your monthly Social Security benefits and those of any dependent family members (except a divorced spouse).

During the suspension, you will also accrue delayed retirement credits, which will increase your monthly retirement benefit by up to two-thirds of 1% for each suspended month (or 8% for each suspended year) up until age 70.

Suspended benefits would automatically resume at 70. Alternatively, you could choose to resume Social Security benefits earlier, but you would only receive delayed retirement credits for the period when benefits were suspended.

You can request a Social Security suspension over the phone (800-722-1213), in writing or in person at your local Social Security office. The suspension would begin the month after you make the request.

If Social Security benefits are withdrawn or suspended and you are enrolled in Medicare Part B, you will start receiving a quarterly bill from Medicare for payment by mail or electronically. Normally, Medicare Part B premiums ($174.70 per month in 2024 for most beneficiaries) are deducted directly from monthly Social Security payments. You can also sign up for Medicare Easy Pay, a service which automatically deducts your premium payments from your savings or checking account each month.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Most people do not think about practicing to maintain their balance but having good balance can be important to staying healthy. Our balance may decline if we do not stay active. Poor balance can potentially lead to falls which may cause injuries.

Every year, more than one in four people who have reached age 65 or older experience a fall. This risk increases with age. Here is what you should know about balance, along with some exercises to improve your stability.

Conditions that Affect Balance

Balance is something many people take for granted until it is impacted by a medical condition, medication or advanced age. These factors can affect a person’s balance and make an individual less stable over time.

Poor balance can also lead to a vicious cycle of inactivity. If you feel a little unsteady, you may curtail certain activities. If you are less active, you may not be challenging your balance systems or using your muscles as much. As a result, both your balance and strength may suffer. Simple activities like strolling through a grocery store or getting up from a chair become more difficult.

Balance Exercises

Some individuals have balance problems tied to illness, medication or other specific causes. If you are experiencing problems with your balance, you should always consult with your doctor before starting any new exercise program. While your healthcare provider may recommend specific therapies based on your condition, here are four simple exercises some people use to help preserve and improve balance:

• One-legged stands: Stand on one foot for 30 seconds or longer, then switch to the other foot. Stand near a wall or chair for assistance if needed. For an extra challenge, try closing your eyes or standing on a throw pillow.
• Heel-to-toe walking: Take 20 steps while looking straight ahead. Try to walk in a perfectly straight line.
• Standing up: Without using your hands, get up from a straight-backed chair and sit back down 10 to 20 times. This improves balance and leg strength.
• Tai chi: Research has shown that the practice of tai chi, which uses a combination of slow, graceful movements, meditation and deep breathing, can help improve balance and reduce the risk of falls.

For more information on different balance exercises you can do at home, there are a variety of balance and strength exercises available online, including beginner tai chi instructional videos. Additionally, some senior fitness programs offer online classes that guide you through exercises you can do at home.

Visit with a Doctor

If you have already fallen, are noticeably dizzy, unsteady or have a medical condition affecting your balance, you should consult a doctor. The doctor might refer you to a physical therapist or to an appropriate balance-training class in your community. It is important to know that many medicines and medical conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, diabetes and inner-ear disorders can affect balance.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel stated, "Free File remains an important part of the IRS portfolio to help taxpayers file their taxes for free. We were pleased to see growth in the program this year, and we look forward to continuing this important collaboration with the tax software industry."

Free File has been available for 22 years. Currently, there are eight private Free File partners who provide their software at no charge to qualified taxpayers. To qualify, the Free File programs are for individuals with 2023 adjusted gross income (AGI) up to $79,000.

The IRS also indicated it is making plans on the future of the Direct File program. Bridget Roberts, Director of the IRS's Direct-File program, noted during a Washington conference on May 22 that "We are anticipating making a decision in the coming weeks."

The pilot version of Direct File allowed taxpayers in 12 states to file returns. Over 140,000 taxpayers filed returns with Direct File. The new program involved an IRS expenditure of $24.6 million for development costs. The IRS is currently communicating with the Electronic Tax Administration Advisory Committee, the IRS Advisory Council and the Council for Electronic Revenue Communication Advancement about the future of the Direct File program.

Over 130 Senators and Representatives sent a May 15 letter to the Department of Treasury and encouraged continuation of the Direct File program.

The lawmakers noted, "Taxpayers want and deserve a free and easy filing option, and thanks to this year's pilot, taxpayers used Direct File to claim over $90 million in tax refunds and save $5.6 million in estimated filing fees, with 90% of surveyed users rating their experience positively and 86% saying their experience with the tool increased their trust in the Internal Revenue Service."

The IRS conducted surveys of Direct File users and claimed this program was a "clear and resounding success." Additional data shows 96% of users were satisfied with the integrated state filing and 82% to 87% of users would recommend Direct File to others.

The lawmakers noted that the Direct File program survey showed that it was easy to use. It also saved both time and money — on average, Americans spend $150 and 9 hours to file their taxes. The letter concluded, "We hope Direct File will support additional sources of income, integrate with more states, offer more flexible identity verification procedures, and accommodate additional tax benefits, with a focus on refundable credits available to low- and middle-income families."

There is no doubt that gardening can be hard on a body. Joints stiffen up, prolonged kneeling causes discomfort and bending and reaching can strain muscles. But that does not mean you have to give up your hobby. You may need to garden differently by adding some specialized tools and knowing your limits. Here are some tips that may help.

Limber Up

With gardening, good form is very important as well as not overdoing any one activity. A common problem is that gardeners often kneel or squat which puts extra pressure on their knees. To provide relief from these positions, gardeners will then stand and bend over for long stretches to weed, dig and plant. This prolonged standing and bending places strain on the back and spine.

To help protect your body, you should warm up before beginning. Start by stretching, concentrating on the legs and lower back. Once you start gardening, it helps to frequently change positions and activities. For instance, do not spend hours weeding a flowerbed. After 15 minutes of weeding, stand up, stretch and switch to another activity like pruning the bushes. You should also take rest breaks.

It is also important that you recognize any physical limitations and do not try to do too much at once. When lifting heavier objects, remember to use your legs to protect your back. You can do this by keeping the item close to your body and keeping your back as vertical as possible when squatting.

Get Better Tools

The proper gardening equipment can also help. Kneeling pads can protect knees while garden seats can limit back and knee pain. Lightweight garden carts and collapsible wheelbarrows make hauling mulch, dirt, plants or other heavy objects much easier. Long-handled gardening and weeding tools ease back strain by keeping you in a standing upright position versus bent over.

There are also ergonomic gardening and pruning tools with larger handles and other design features that can make lawn and garden activities less painful. Your local garden store or online retailer may sell a variety of specialty lawn and garden tools that will ease the stress on your body.

Make Watering Easier

The chore of carrying water or handling a heavy, awkward hose can also be difficult for some gardeners. Watering alternatives include lightweight fabric or expandable hoses, soaker or drip hoses that can be snaked throughout the garden, thin coil hoses that can be used on the patio or small areas, a hose caddy and reel for easier hose transport around the yard or a self-winding hose. There are also a variety of ergonomic watering wands that are lightweight and easy to grip to reach those hard to-get-to plants.

Bring the Garden to You

If your backyard garden has become too much to handle, you should consider elevated garden beds or container gardening with big pots, window boxes, hanging baskets, barrels or tub planters. This is a much easier way to garden because it eliminates much of the bend and strain of gardening but still provides the pleasure of watching things grow.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living" book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization's official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.

Finding and researching doctors is easier than it used to be. Today, there are a variety of websites you can turn to that provide databases of U.S. doctors, their professional medical histories, and ratings and reviews from past patients on several criteria. Here are some good tips to help you find the right doctors.

Searching Tips

To help you locate doctors in your area, the first step is to get referrals from trusted friends, or any doctors, nurses or other healthcare professionals you know. You should also check with your insurance provider. Your insurance provider can provide you with a list of approved doctors or confirm whether the doctor you are considering is in-network.

If your parent is enrolled in original Medicare, you can use the care compare tool at Medicare.gov/care-compare – and click on “Doctors & Clinicians.” This will let you find doctors by name, medical specialty or geographic location who accept original Medicare. If your parent is enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, call or visit the plan website to get a list of approved candidates. Once you find a few doctors, you should call their office to verify that they accept your insurance and are accepting new patients.

You should also consider hospital affiliation. Your choice of doctor can determine which hospital you visit, if needed, so find out where the doctor has admitting privileges. Then, use hospital ratings services like Medicare.gov/care-compare (click on “Hospitals”) to see how it compares with other hospitals in the area.

Researching Doctors

If you find a doctor that you are interested in, there are various websites you can consult with to help you evaluate them. For example, some medical organizations may offer tools that list a doctor’s board certifications, educational background, active state licenses and whether or not they have been disciplined by a state medical board.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is also a good source for researching doctors. The CMS website has a tool to help determine how many times a doctor has performed a particular procedure and their prices. To find this tool, go to Data.CMS.gov/tools and click on “Medicare Physician & Other Practitioner Look-up Tool.” To learn about the financial relationship that doctors have with drug and medical device companies, visit OpenPaymentsData.CMS.gov.

Physician rating websites also offer an online database of doctors, dentists and hospitals. These websites provide information on education and training, hospital affiliations, board certification, awards and recognitions, professional misconduct, disciplinary action, office locations and accepted insurance plans.

Some websites may also offer rating scales from past patients on issues such as communication and listening skills, wait time, time spent with the patient, office friendliness and more. However, keep in mind that while physician rating websites can be helpful, they can also be misleading and unreliable.

Savvy Living is written by Jim Miller, a regular contributor to the NBC Today Show and author of "The Savvy Living” book. Any links in this article are offered as a service and there is no endorsement of any product. These articles are offered as a helpful and informative service to our friends and may not always reflect this organization’s official position on some topics. Jim invites you to send your senior questions to: Savvy Living, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070.