At Home

In 1776, when Thomas Jefferson wrote the wonderful Declaration of Independence, he listed the pursuit of happiness as an “inalienable right,” just after “life” and “liberty.”
Could he and John Adams and others have ever expected that some day people would ever think that “happiness” includes things like a huge TV set, a fancy watch or automobile, or a larger, more luxurious home, or some form of cosmetic surgery?

Dear Savvy Senior:
Is heartburn considered to be an uncomfortable inconvenience or a symptom of a more serious problem? I’ve had mild heartburn for years, but it has gotten worse since I’ve gotten older. What can you tell me and what should I do?
Rolaids Eating Ron

Dear Ron,
Almost everyone experiences the discomfort of heartburn or acid indigestion from time to time, but frequent episodes can signal a much more serious problem. Here’s what you should know, along with some tips and treatments to help relieve your symptoms.

Jim Miller is the creator of Savvy Senior, a weekly question-and-answer information column for older Americans. Savvy Senior was created as a means to channel useful information and valuable resources that is fun to read and easy to understand. Every week, Savvy Senior addresses a different issue chosen from the wide variety of topics relevant to senior living in the 21st Century.

Dear Savvy Senior,

My birthday is this week. I have always loved having a January birthday, because the New Year is also a new year for me.