Our loving husband, father, and grandfather, (Retired USAF Major) Ruben A. Grijalva was born in El Paso, Texas and departed this life on Saturday, November 3, 2012 in San Antonio, Texas. A visitation service is scheduled for Sunday, November 11, 2012 at Sutton-Sutton&Woodard's Mortuary from 2:00-8:00 p.m. The Rosary will be celebrated at 5:00 p.m. Graveside service will be conducted at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, November 12, 2012 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

(StatePoint)

 Health care costs are on the rise. Between a maturing baby boom population and an explosion of available tests, treatments and devices, Americans spend about twice as much per capita for healthcare compared to other western countries.  Some experts warn that despite legislation like the Affordable Care Act that promises to expand quality coverage to everyone, there are still a lot of unknowns about the future of healthcare in this country. “Getting savvy about your health and the future of healthcare politics can help protect you and your family, no matter what trends we see in the years to come,” says Virgil Simons, Founder and President of The Prostate Net, a non-profit patient education and advocacy organization.

Here are some important steps to consider:

 • Know your health risks. Some populations are more susceptible to certain diseases than others, and if you have a family history of a particular disease, you may be genetically predisposed for a certain condition. Take advantage of free screenings where possible and make realistic and appropriate decisions about what diagnostic exams are important for you to receive. Testing for the sake of testing can add enormous costs to your health care bills and may not be worth the price tag.

 • Disparity in quality of care is often due to lack of knowledge. Empower yourself to get better care with free resources. For example, The Prostate Net’s bi-monthly “In the Know” newsletters serve as a thorough review of information and developments in healthcare of critical importance to men. You can access the free newsletters online or order a print edition at www.ProstateNet.com/intheknow_a.htm.

 • A recent study conducted by the Commonwealth Fund found that uninsured and underinsured U.S. women are more likely to skip care because of costs than women in 10 other industrialized nations. Be an advocate for affordable care by becoming an active voter and engaging your elected officials.

• Seek alternate sources of information. Health symposiums and conventions, for example, bring together patients and doctors for a healthy exchange of information not normally available. The Prostate Cancer Educational Symposium is a series of events that are free to attend and will address risk awareness, treatment options, and disease management. To register, visit www.TheProstateNet.org/Symposium.html. • Take steps to reduce your chance of being diagnosed with a life-threatening disease. You can start by eliminating risky habits like smoking, reducing your intake of alcohol and highly processed foods, and eating a diet rich in vegetables, lean meats and whole grains. Obesity increases your risk for diseases like cancer, heart disease and diabetes. Incorporate exercise into your day to help maintain a healthy weight. No matter what the future holds politically for healthcare reform, Americans can become their own health advocates by getting informed.

(StatePoint)

These days, 60 is the new 40. A few worry lines and gray hairs aren’t stopping baby boomers from staying active and redefining retirement. But along with the benefits of active lifestyles, older Americans are feeling the pains of “boomeritis,” as the warranty on some body parts runs low. One body part significantly affected as we age is the eye. For some, this means holding the newspaper at arm’s length, or giving up night driving. Yet, many overlook eye health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only half the estimated 61 million adults at high risk for serious vision loss visited an eye care professional in the last year. Fortunately, you can protect your eyes, and even reverse signs of eye aging with a few simple steps.

• Everyone 50 or older should get yearly comprehensive eye exams. This allows for detection of eye diseases in early stages, before you experience vision problems, some of which may be permanent.

• Adults over 50 should be mindful of symptoms of common age-related eye diseases, such as cataracts, the leading cause of reversible blindness in the U.S. Blurry vision and needing more light to read even while wearing glasses can be early signs. With a cataract, the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, allowing less light to pass through, making vision blurry. In early stages, symptoms may not hold you back, but vision may worsen as the cataract grows. It’s important to get examined as soon as you notice changes in vision, even if they seem minor. In later stages, you may experience poor night vision, colors looking dull, difficulty with glares or halos, and double vision. Cataracts are more treatable than ever. That’s good news, considering half of all Americans will be diagnosed with cataracts by age 80. “In the U.S. alone, cataract affects over 24 million Americans 40 and older,” says Richard J. Mackool, M.D., director, Mackool Eye Institute, and senior attending surgeon, New York Eye and Ear Institute. About 3 million people have cataracts removed in the U.S. each year, making it one of the most common procedures. The eye’s cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial intraocular lens (IOL). Traditional IOLs can correct distance vision, but new advanced technology IOLs can also help correct pre-existing eye conditions like astigmatism and age-related presbyopia. These new IOLs can potentially eliminate the need for glasses. Baby boomers don’t have to accept deteriorating vision as a natural part of aging and give up favorite hobbies. “Cataract removal has a very high success rate. Most people can return to normal routines within 24 hours,” notes Dr. Mackool. Seniors should talk to their doctors and visit the National Institutes of Health National Eye Institute website, www.nei.nih.gov, to learn about cataracts and treatment options.