Health Minute

Wellness, Medicare, caregiving, and living well at every age.

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By T. Blackmann · September 4, 2026

The Silent One — High Blood Pressure

High blood pressure earns its nickname because it rarely announces itself. No pain, no obvious warning — just quiet damage building over time. Here's what you actually need to know.

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Getting Ready for Medicare Open Enrollment

Health Minute

By T. Blackmann · September 9, 2026

Getting Ready for Medicare Open Enrollment

Medicare Open Enrollment opens October 15th. That gives you a few weeks to review your current plan, compare your options, and make changes that take effect January 1st. Here's how to prepare.

Medicare

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F.A.S.T. — The Four Letters That Could Save a Life

Health Minute

By T. Blackmann · September 13, 2026

F.A.S.T. — The Four Letters That Could Save a Life

Face drooping. Arm weakness. Speech difficulty. Time to call 911. Four letters, four signs, and the difference between catching a stroke in time and not. Every adult should know this.

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Health Minute

By T. Blackmann · September 22, 2026

The Fall That Changes Everything

A fall is never just a fall after a certain age. It can be the event that reshapes everything — living situation, independence, family dynamics. Here's what to do before one happens, and after.

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Health Minute

By T. Blackmann · October 2, 2026

Flu Season Is Here

October is when flu season starts in earnest, and for adults over 65 the stakes are higher than for most. Here's what the current guidance says about timing, which shot to ask for, and why it matters.

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Health Minute

By T. Blackmann · October 6, 2026

It's Breast Cancer Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and for Black women the statistics carry extra weight. Here's what the current screening guidelines say and why showing up for your mammogram is an act of self-respect.

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One Blood Test, Months of Information — A1C

Health Minute

By T. Blackmann · October 10, 2026

One Blood Test, Months of Information — A1C

The A1C test gives your doctor a three-month average of your blood sugar — not just a snapshot from one morning. If you're over 45 or have risk factors for diabetes, this is a number worth knowing.

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The Brown Bag Review — Medication Safety

Health Minute

By T. Blackmann · October 15, 2026

The Brown Bag Review — Medication Safety

Put every pill, vitamin, and supplement you take into a bag and bring it to your next doctor's appointment. This one habit — called a brown bag review — catches dangerous interactions that no single prescription can see.

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