Ask Our Experts
By: Source: AARP Bulletin Today Date Posted: 2003-10-23 08:27:24
The AARP Bulletin's Ask Our Experts column provides answers to important questions affecting older Americans. Read below for this month's column, or review our archive of previously published questions and answers sorted by topic. (Note: Recent news or changes to regulations may affect the guidance offered in this previously published column.)
Submit your own question to the Ask Our Experts column via our easy-to-use online form.
Q. I'm retired and run a small business out of my home. If I had money to buy more materials, I think I could expand. Does the government make business loans to older people?
No, there are no loan programs based on age. The federal Small Business Administration (SBA) does, however, run several loan programs. One provides "microloans" up to $35,000 to help new small businesses. Under the program, the SBA makes funds available to nonprofit, community-based lenders that in turn make the actual loans. You can find out about lenders in your area by calling the SBA at (800) 827-5722 or going online at www.sba.gov/financing/microparticipants.html. Each participating lender has credit and lending requirements applicants must meet.—Expertise provided by Jules Lichtenstein
Q. There's been a lot in the news lately about obesity. How can a person find out if he or she is obese?
Researchers have developed a calculation called the Body Mass Index (BMI) as a measure of whether an adult is overweight or obese. To find your BMI, divide your weight in pounds by your squared height in inches and then multiply by 703. If the resulting BMI number is 25 to 29.9, you are considered overweight; if your BMI value is 30 or more, you are considered obese.
Several BMI calculators are available online. The National Institutes of Health offers one at www.nhlbisupport.com/bmi/bmicalc.htm. For tips on trimming your weight, visit AARP's health website at www.aarp.org/health.—Expertise provided by Susan Raetzman
Q. I have psoriasis and recently heard about a new drug to treat this condition. Where can I get reliable information on it?
The best thing to do is to talk to your physician to find out about the drug, its possible side effects and whether it's right for you. You should check with your physician or pharmacist to make sure the drug will not cause an adverse reaction when used with other medications you may be taking. In addition, you can seek information about the drug online at www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/
druginformation.html. This website, run by the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, contains information on thousands of prescription and over-the-counter medications that is presented in non-technical language.—Expertise provided by David Gross
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