Senior Life Tips

7/28/2019 Senior Life Tips

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Time Marches On - Senior Life Tips

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Table of Contents

Senior Living Accommodations

Making a Home Senior friendly

Medicare

Medicare Prescription Coverage

Coverage for Catastrophes

Medicare Fraud

Reviewing Finances

Preparing a Will

Reverse Mortgage

Nutrition for Seniors

Exercise for Seniors

Employment for Seniors

Vacation Options for Seniors

Seniors and Transportation

Moving Your Parent(s) In


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Senior Living Accommodations

Accommodations

As people grow older, they are most likely to spend more of their time in

their own homes due to their infirmity, increasing age or to spend more

leisure time for themselves. Hence, the environment around them plays

an important role in how a person copes with aging.

Issues regarding environment, food, shelter, transportation, and other

important necessities for living can greatly influence senior people to seek

for retirement homes, apartments and other alternatives that would suit

their current state of living. The decision to move for retirement can serve

some implications to the senior people, Therefore it is important to

understand these issues.

At Home with the Family

Staying at home, in the care of family and relatives is considered a

primary arrangement for caring of senior people. It is usually the case for


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senior people to move in the homes of their older children. But there are

instances that relatives and friends may provide living accommodations

and when needed, assist in caring for seniors.

Living near a close family member or children or friends can be a fulfilling

arrangement to everyone involved as long as it is managed well. Living

accommodations for senior people that provides privacy and certain levels

of independence can help in lowering stress factors.

When senior people require assistance in their daily activities, a certain

understanding must be given in how much care should be provided

initially and how additional care may be provided when deemed

necessary. Direct family relatives or friends who are deciding to assist in

the care of a senior person should give consideration to some concerns on

who to provide care if the senior needs help with their daily activities or if

nursing care should be required.

Moving to a Lesser Space


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Moving to a home or residence that is maintenance-free and involves less

housekeeping work can also be appealing to many senior people. The

most popular choices are retirement homes and villages.

Accommodations in retirement villages may include apartments with

provided services, independent living homes, and care facilities which can

be also known as nursing homes and hostels.

As with living with family and relatives, moving to a smaller space can be

a good arrangement. The cost of moving to a smaller space may differ

depending on conditions and amenities provided. Most senior people find

that selling their residences and moving to a smaller home can generate

funds that they may use for investment or for leisure activities.

Certain factors contribute to the decision of senior people to move in to

retirement villages or nursing homes, which includes security, location

and maintenance. Senior people take comfort that moving to a village or

Home Park can be safe, provides companionship and support especially if

the senior is single or widowed; thus, enabling them to stay active and

involved in community activities.


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Senior Housings

There are a variety of senior housing arrangements available presently.

These include: Congregate Housing, Home Sharing, and Foster Care

among others. Living alternatives like these cost less than most housing

choices since services and accommodations may be limited. But, they still

can offer an attractive living alternative for senior people.

Communities that are described as senior retirement communities may

consist of grouped houses or apartments in medium or high structures

specially designed for senior people. Seniors who live in this type of

accommodations are usually expected to live independently. Usually in

these communities, the land owner is in charge of the maintenance for

the grounds and exterior of the structure. These facilities are usually rent

based and may vary depending on the amenities.

There are also board and care homes which can be another option for

seniors who are in need of assistance. Care homes provide meals, room

and help in daily undertakings.


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Nursing Care Facilities

Nursing care facilities provide round the clock skilled care for seniors. In

addition to staff which assists in daily activities, nursing facilities have

registered nurses on duty. Authorized physicians are on-call to provide

supervision for senior health care. Nursing care facilities are regulated

and licensed by law and other agencies and should be certified for

Medicare or Medicaid. Some of the differences in the care provided for

seniors in nursing care facilities are more a matter of degree than kind.

Making a Home Senior friendly

Senior Friendly

A home that may be convenient for people around the ages of 50 to 60

can actually be different when they reach the age of 70 to 80. Eliminating

clutter in homes is one of the first tips to consider in making your home

senior-friendly, since its one of the solutions in preventing accidents from

happening. Adding lighting is another good tip since senior people may

need twice as much light to see clearly.


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Doing simple makeovers for your home can beneficial for senior people

and may prevent unfortunate incidents and can make life easier for them.

Recreating your Bathroom

Increasing safety and accessibility in your bathroom is highly important,

since it is used countless times everyday. Not only should it be

comfortable and attractive, it should also be safe. Since most accidents

may occur in the bathroom than in any other part of the home.

Build roll-in showers with multiple showerheads which are fixed, height

adjustable and handheld. When using the shower, make sure that the

curtain is not held up by a tension rod, since grabbing it for support may

result to a fall, install grab bars for support. Also, place rubber mats

inside and outside the shower to avoid slipping and falling.

Lowering the bathroom sink and making sure there is proper knee

clearance is also needed. Faucets should also be properly labeled hot and

cold, color coding them with red for hot and blue for cold. Make sure that


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water temperature is set on a setting of 120 degrees or lower since most

senior people lose their sensitivity to temperature and may scald

themselves.

Install an elevated toilet to help senior people with problems in their leg

strength and balance. Add handrails on both sides of the toilet.

Lighting Settings

Older people need more light, they also need light to be evenly

distributed since it takes more time for the seniors eyes to readjust in

the changing light. The lighting should be indirect, aiming it at the ceiling

or the walls to prevent glaring.

Installing proper lighting at home can reduce accidents. The outdoor

areas, stairs, kitchen and the living room areas are some places where

the use of proper lightning is needed. Remodel dark hallways, especially if

they lead to the stairs or to brightly lit rooms.


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Placing flashlights which can be easily reached and looked for is also

needed, check on the batteries every few months. Emergency lights

should come on automatically in case of power outage.

Use rocker type switches for your lighting so you can turn them on or off

even with your elbows if your hands are full.

Kitchen Needs

The kitchen is another room which can cause physical stress for our

seniors. Certain parts of the kitchen are needed to be corrected to ensure

safety. Cabinets and drawer handles should be replaced with D-shaped

handles since they are more comfortable to grasp especially to people

suffering from arthritis. Cabinet shelves should also be sliding or pull out

in order to gain access to items efficiently.

When choosing appliances, look for refrigerators of freezers with side by

side doors so that everything that is needed can be easily placed on the


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mid shelf. On the other hand, it is also recommended to use drawer type

dishwashers installed in platforms to prevent seniors from bending over.

The kitchen needs to be user-friendly. Ensuring maneuverability and

adjusting the heights of countertops can spell the difference.

Aging in Place

Since many senior people prefer to age in place, living in their homes

than moving to a nursing home or an assisted facility. The need to make

a home senior-friendly is extremely important.

Doing simple remodeling of your home can be at times costly but, the

rewards to reap will not only benefit our senior people but everyone at

home as well. One floor living arrangements can also be done to lessen

the use of stairs.

There are a lot of options that may aid in the welfare of senior living.

Consulting home builders for remodeling can be arranged. All it takes is a


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little innovative designing. Some may consider that remodeling homes

can result to higher costs than average but investing on something like

this not only promotes safety but quality living as well.

Medicare

Medicare

Medicare is a government-sponsored program that people over the age of

65 and those who meet their special criteria turn to for their social

insurance. This program provides health insurance to a certain age group,

normally seniors. Medicare is also partly financed by payroll taxes by the

FICA of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act and the Self-Employment

Contributions Act of 1954.

What Is Medicare

Medicare is a social insurance programs by the United States. It was

initially singed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on July 30, 1965 to

make changes to the Social Security legislation. During the first signing of


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the bill, President Johnson registered former President Harry Truman as

the foremost Medicare beneficiary and gave him the first Medicare card.

Medicare is also administered by the CMS or the Centers for Medicare and

Medicaid Services, who also provides Medicaid and the SCHIP or the State

Childrens Health Insurance Program. The department responsible for

giving out cost projections and accounting information to the Medicare

Board of Trustees in order to help them assess the financial health of the

program is the Chief Actuary of CMS. The Board of Trustees, on the other

hand, is required by the law to issue yearly reports on the financial status

of the Medicare Trust Funds.

Ever since the start of the Medicare program, the Centers for Medicare

and Medicaid Services have bonded with privately-operated companies to

assist with the administration. Often, these contractors are already in the

health care or insurance area. The contracting process might involve

payment and claims processing, clinician enrollment, call center services

and fraud investigation.

What It Does and Does Not Cover


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Medicare can provide coverage for nursing care to those who require

long-term care. It can cover delivered care by inside skilled nursing

facilities for those beneficiaries who require long-term medical treatment.

However, Medicare can not actually pay for custodial care, including

assistance with bathing, eating and other daily living activities.

Aside from long-term medical care, Medicare can pay for outpatient

services that a beneficiary can get at a community mental health center

or a hospital under the outpatient prospective payment system. Such

outpatient services include emergency room visit, X-rays or radiology,

getting a cast, or stitches for a cut.

If you are 65 years older and you go out of the United States, Medicare

will not cover any health care expenses you incur outside the country.

However, there are rare cases, where Medicare can pay for the inpatient

hospital services that you receive in Mexico or Canada. While they may

provide you medical care services under special circumstances, it is handy

to have a good travel insurance plan when you are planning to go outside

the country.


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What is Medicare Part A

Originally, the Medicare program has two parts, namely Part A and Part

B. There are few cases where the original Medicare covers prescription

drugs. However, drug coverage was made possible as of January 2006

due to Medicare Part D.

Medicare Part A is for the Hospital Insurance. The section can cover

beneficiaries hospital stays, including those in a skilled nursing facility, if

definite conditions are met. Firstly, the stay at the hospital must be at

least three days, three midnights excluding the discharge date. The stay

at the nursing home must also be for a case diagnosed during the

hospital stay or for the main reason for the stay.

Also, the care being rendered to the beneficiaries must be skilled, when

they are staying at a nursing home. Part A of Medicare does not cover

non-skilled or custodial services, including assistance in activities of daily

living or ADL.


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What is Medicare Part B

For the products and services not covered by Part A, Medicare Part B can

help you. Part B of the Medicare program is generally for outpatient

services. It is not obligatory and can be postponed if the beneficiary or

their spouse is still working actively. More so, a lifetime penalty of 10%

per year can be imposed for not taking Part B if not working actively.

Some services included in Medicare Part B are physician services, such

as: X-rays, laboratory, nursing services, vaccinations for pneumonia and

influenza and diagnostic tests. In addition, Part B can also aid with DME

or durable medical equipment, including walkers, mobility scooters,

wheelchairs and canes for those patients with mobility impairments.

Medicare Prescription Coverage

Prescription Coverage

Part D of Medicare or the prescription drug coverage is a program created

to subsidize the costs of prescription drugs for the beneficiaries of


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Medicare in the United States. The program was created as a section of

the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of

2003, which was established in January of 2006.

The prescription coverage can cover both generic and brand-name

prescription drugs at involved pharmacies at specific areas. The programs

provides protection for those who have very high cost of drugs or others

that might have unexpected prescription drug bills in the future.

The Medicare prescription drug coverage can cover those who are eligible

for the programs, regardless of their resources or income, current

prescription expenses and health status.

The Enrollment Period

The enrollment for the program is completely voluntary. However, the

first enrollment period started from November of 2005 to May of 2006.

Those who were not able to enroll themselves to the program acquired a


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late enrollment penalty of 1% each month based on the average cost of

the premium until their enrollment.

Yearly enrollment periods for the programs start on the 15th of November

of the prior plan year. More so, the initial period of enrollment for the

second year of the Medicare prescription coverage began on November

2006. During its initial year, the beneficiaries eligible for Medicare and

Medicaid were moved from Medicaid prescription coverage to Part D of

Medicare on January 2006.

Recently, there are 1,824 Part D plans available and these plans are

stand-alone. The available plans also vary by number and region, with 27

as the lowest found in Alaska and 63 as the highest in Pennsylvania and

West Virginia. This kind of system allows beneficiaries to choose a plan

the best suits their needs. Plans they choose can cover diverse kind of

drugs at various co-pays. Additionally, they can also opt not to cover

some drugs at all.

The Formularies


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Plans of Part D are not obligated to pay for all the drugs covered by Part

D. They create their own formularies or a roster of drugs covered by the

programs for which they can make the payment. However, the formulary

and the structure of the benefit must not be found by the CMS to cause

discouragement in the enrollment of certain Medicare beneficiaries.

Those plans that follow formulary categories established by the United

States Pharmacopoeia must first pass the discrimination test. The Plans

can also change the drugs on their formulary over the course of a full

year with sixty days notice to the involved parties.

In general, the formulary of the plans is organized into tiers and each tier

is associated with a set co-pay amount. Often, most of the formularies

have 3 to 5 tiers.

The Drugs Excluded

The CMS does not have an established formulary and the Part D drug

coverage excludes those drugs that are not accepted by the Food and


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Drug Administration. In addition, drugs that are not available by

prescription purchase in the United States, not for use in their medically

established suggestion and those drugs for which payments would be

available under Parts A and B of Medicare are also excluded.

Excluded drugs from the Part D coverage may include drugs that are used

for weight loss or gain, and anorexia, drugs used for erectile dysfunction,

drugs that are used to promote fertility, drugs used for the symptomatic

relief of colds and cough, and drugs that are used for cosmetic purposes.

Barbiturates, prescription vitamins and minerals, and benzodiazepines are

also excluded.

The Things You Should Consider

In order to obtain Medicare coverage for the prescription drugs you use,

you must first choose and join a drug plan. In spite of how a drug plan

decides to offer this kind of coverage, there are some important key

elements that can vary.


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Some of the factors that might be important to you than others include

the cost, convenience, and coverage. Costs for the drug plan are available

in three categories, namely premium, deductible, and the co-payment or

co-insurance.

As for the coverage, you must decide what formulary you can use, the

prior authorization and the coverage gap. Also, the drug plans must be

contracted with the pharmacies in your local area in order to provide

convenience.

Coverage for Catastrophes

Catastrophes

Be it young or old, natural disasters can affect everyone either financially

or emotionally. No one is exempted when Mother Nature strikes back and

often times, seniors are the ones who get a hard time recovering from

the damage. There are several options that members of the senior citizen

can do in order to prepare themselves and their property for possible

catastrophes.


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While Medicare does not normally cover catastrophes or damages dealt to

your property, there are other insurance that you must look upon in order

to provide you with a greater range of solutions. However, you can still

rely on Medicare to help you with your hospitalization and drug

prescriptions if the damage of the catastrophe is dealt not onto your

property but to your health.

Homeowners Insurance Coverage

Homeowners insurance coverage is an option that you can explore if you

are living in a disaster-prone area. However, before even attempting to

apply for one, you should ensure that you are knowledgeable about the

insurance and the things it can do for you.

The Homeowners insurance coverage is a standard policy that can give

financial help to your house or property within your house. Normally, the

policy can cover natural disasters and theft. However, there are some

exceptions that might include earthquakes and flood protections, which

might require additional coverage. The Homeowners insurance coverage


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can also cover damages caused by household pets and legal liabilities to

anyone caused harm by family members or yourself on your property.

There are four areas required to assess the amount of the house

insurance, such as: personal property, home structure, liability for

protection to others and additional costs related with the repairs to your

property.

How Much Coverage You Need

If you are considering homeowners insurance, it is important to

determine how much coverage you need. This might require you to fully

examine your situation and realize what you can with regards to the

aspects of home insurance for your location.

Normally, you must know the approximate costs of replacing your home if

a natural disaster occurs. Doing so would help you decide on the amount

of coverage you need and is actually appropriate. After that, you will be

able to create and decide on the best choice the suits your needs. There


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are policies that operate with a certain amount of limits; you may be able

to use this in order to locate the one that best fits your homes limits.

In addition, it may also be necessary to acquire more coverage that you

normally would need. This provides flexibility in the event of problems in

the future. If you already have a homeowners insurance policy, it is only

evident that you have a protection that can cover the damages to your

property.

However, there are some losses that cannot be covered by the policy. In

other cases, the policies will only cover specific types of disasters. If you

find no coverage that suits you, you may obtain certain coverage through

state-sponsored funds for catastrophes, also known as win pool

programs.

Preparing Yourself for the Catastrophe

The necessary preparation before any catastrophe is an important

element of any risk management procedure. If you are living with


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someone in you home, it is important to properly educate them about

what all of you can do in order to survive a calamity. You must be aware

of the weather patterns of the area where you live and what tools and

measures you need to do to prepare for emergencies.

The first step is to prepare emergency supplies in your home. Usually, the

best disaster kit is stored in a portable container like a camping backpack

or a duffle bag. You should also protect the items within the kit by placing

them in waterproof plastic bags. The most important item in your disaster

kit should be the first-aid kit and other essential medications.

You should also set aside some cash to help you get through after the

disaster. If an expected catastrophe is about to occur, important

documents must be stored in an area that can help protect such

documents. More so, you must procure copies of the important

documents beforehand in case the originals are damaged.

The Aftermath


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After any catastrophe, it is important to assess just how much damage is

dealt and what repairs can you do. If a certain area of the house is

destroyed, you must rebuild it in a way that it can meet the building

standards that it did not meet before the storm. Additionally, this is the

time to check the damages that can be covered by your homeowners

insurance policy but always be prepared to pay for additional costs for the

repairs not normally covered by the policy.

Medicare Fraud

Fraud

The process of deliberately billing Medicare for services that were neither

received nor provided is called a Medicare fraud. Millions of Americans are

being affected by Medicare fraud. Recently, fraudulent schemes have

developed more elaborate and bolder procedures, thus resulting in

hundreds of millions of dollars in false billings to Medicare. Such actions

can cause misuse of taxpayer dollars and misdirection of funds, which are

intended to aid the beneficiaries.


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Although the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is doing

appropriate measures to eliminate the Medicare fraud, you must also be

aware of such fraudulences in order to protect yourself from them.

How to Determine a Medicare Fraud

Determining what may cause a possible fraud can help you protect

yourself from it. There are several ways to detect a Medicare fraud and

you should always be suspicious of providers that tell you something that

is beyond your knowledge. For instance, if the provider tells you that a

certain test is free but he or she only requires your Medicare number for

his records, you must know that the provider is trying to pull a scam on

you. Always remember that for clinical laboratory tests, co-payment is

not required and the provider can state that the test is free, in good faith,

since there is no charge for the tests to a person with Medicare.

In addition, be suspicious if the provider tells you that Medicare requires

you to have the item or service. Other fraud indication may include the

provider telling you that they know how to obtain Medicare to pay for the

service or the more tests they give you the cheaper will it cost you.


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Lastly, be suspicious of a provider that tells you the service or equipment

is free and it would not cost you anything.

How to Report a Fraud

As a Medicare beneficiary, you must be aware of the healthcare services

that you have acquired. When you receive your Medicare Summary

Notice, it is important to make sure that you understand all the items

listed.

If in case you do not remember a procedure listed, you must first call

your physician, supplier or provider that is also listed in your report.

These people can help correct simple mistakes and can help you obtain

information regarding your report that you might have forgotten.

However, if the mentioned people cannot help you with the questions or

concerns you have, you should call or write the Medicare company that

paid the claim. The name, telephone number and address of the company


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is also listed on your Medicare Summary Notice, which also shows what

Medicare services are already paid.

How to Avoid the Fraud

In order to help prevent a Medicare fraud, you should report any

suspected instances. If you have received a payment notice from

Medicare, it is important to review that notice. The notice can include the

billed Medicare, paid Medicare and how much you owe. Always ensure

that Medicare was not billed for any health care services or supplies that

you did not receive.

To help you avoid a fraud, remember not to give out your Medicare

Health Insurance Claim Number indicated on your Medicare card to

anyone except to your physician or other Medicare provider.

In addition, avoid providers or health care services or products who tell

you that the item or service is not normally covered but they are

knowledgeable on how to bill Medicare to get it paid.


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How to Protect Yourself from the Scam

There are several ways that can protect yourself from Medicare frauds

that are rampant everywhere. Always be vigilant and suspicious of

providers that will charge you co-payments on clinical laboratory tests

and other Medicare covered preventive services, such as: prostate

specific antigen or PSA tests, PAP smears and pneumonia or influenza

shots.

Also, avoid providers that actively waive co-payments on any services

without even checking your ability to pay. More so, if a provider claims

that they represent Medicare, make sure that you know his or her name

and check with your provider. Lastly, be suspicious of providers that use

door-to-door and telemarketing techniques as marketing tools and others

who pressure or scare you in buying high-priced medical diagnostic tests

or services.

Reviewing Finances

Finances


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If you are nearing retirement, it is time for you to know if the money you

have saved is enough to help you get through after retirement. This is the

time to review your finances and plan everything carefully. There are

several help resources that you can easily find everywhere, from books to

the Internet. This is a good way to know how you can start ahead of time

and achieve a financial stability that you require once you are ready to go

into retirement.

There are several benefits in terms of services that you may receive as a

senior citizen. However, this does not mean that you should just rely on

those benefits and not think about emergency situations that may happen

in the future. Learning from the experts may be very helpful but you too

can do something to help you budget your finances easily.

What is Financial Planning

Financial planning is a dynamic process that allows you to visualize your

personal goals and model the financial consequences of your choices. This

process adds a holistic factor to the method of financial planning through


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the consideration of non-financial decisions that you make throughout

your life.

The activities related to financial planning are directed toward achieving

certain personal goals instead of building affluence and maintaining

financial security for the future. When trying out financial planning, you

must understand that most financial advisors are not comfortable with

advising on non-fiscal matters no matter how understanding they can be

to the increasing need of taking more holistic approach to seniors.

In financial planning, the advisor normally explores the issues of your life

as they usually relate to money. The advisor then facilitates a dialogue in

order to communicate his or her interest to you as a whole person. This

can also be accomplished without taking the advisor too far out the tide

of psychology.

Importance of a Financial Planner


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A financial planner is important as he or she can help you manage your

money. They use a client-centered approach and help you see the

wisdom in developing a plan for which you can use your money to make a

life after having spent most during your money-making life. You might

find that you can be receptive to professional who have the ability to

draw out your vision of your life and help you in facilitating the

materialization of that vision.

If having a financial planner is important, financial planning per se is also

important. This process can help you explore the meaning of money to

your life as a senior and define the tangibles and intangibles that you

expect your assets to provide you. In addition, you can anticipate events

and transitions in your life and make your financial preparations for those

occurrences.

Financial planning can also assist you in creating financial goals that can

facilitate your life goals. Lastly, through financial planning, you will be

able to acquire a network of professionals that you can be referred to for

further assistance.


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Budgeting for the Future

Budgeting can help you build a personal and financial freedom. The

budget is also the main necessity of any financial planning because

without it, you cannot make your dreams into reality. Through the

process of budgeting, you can organize current financial information as

well as your long-term financial situation.

Planning for a financial security in the future is important. Setting goals

and realizing what you have saved can help ease the budget since these

are important tools in the process.

Budgeting can be hard but it is fairly easy to locate the areas in your life

where you are probably overspending. By identifying those areas, you will

be able to sport financial problems even before they harm you. If you

have a budget, you can find methods of eliminating your debt and start

saving for your goals.

Tips on Budgeting


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One tip to budget properly is to look at your spending habits. Although

being a senior normally entails lesser purchases, it does not mean that

you are not vulnerable to debt and money shortage. If you find an area

that can become problematic, you can easily find ways to change it.

Once you get the habit of creating a budget, you should not just file it

away. Instead, the budget must be reviewed frequently and remember to

keep an eye on it. If there may be times you need to revise categories, or

trim costs, you can easily do so by retrieving your past budgets and

eventually weigh your options.

Preparing a Will

Preparing a Will

Nowadays, accident happens everywhere you turn. When the time comes

you are ready to leave your loved ones behind, remember that memories

are not the only things you must leave. Although you may not have

gained that much property or money during your lifetime it is still

important to create a last will and testament to help distribute anything

you might have left behind. Without doing so can cause arguments


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between your loved ones and might even lead into court, thus resulting in

some sort of legal problems.

There are several famous people who have not left a will and they caused

unfed children and unhappy spouses. Although there is no way of

knowing if it is your time already, being ready can help pave your way to

actually resting in peace.

What is a Will

A will is a legal document that allows you to control the disposition of

your assets after you pass away. If you own an automobile, a home,

possessions with sentimental or financial value or a bank account, there is

always something that will be left behind when you die. The will can help

you decide who will receive your assets and the directives regarding the

disposition of your estate.

If a will is the last thing on your mind while you are alive, there are

several effects this action can cause after you pass away. Firstly, if there


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is no will found after youve died, the court will be the one who will

distribute your assets, which no matter how contrary to your wishes is

necessary.

If for instance you are single and died leaving two children behind, the

court will dictate how your assets shall pass to your two children equally.

Even if you do not want to equally distribute your assets to your children,

without a formal will, you cannot ensure that the child who should get

most of the assets you left behind will receive what he or she deserves.

Importance of a Will

You may have worked all your life to provide your family with a suitable

nest and some for your money. While people do not usually like to think

about death, one thing is certain and that is death is inevitable. Therefore

preparing a will can help you ensure that your family is taken care of

when you die.


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No matter how small you will leave behind after you die, it is important to

take control of your legacy and write a will. It is estimated that seven out

of ten Americans die without a will, or in testate; you should not belong

to that seven.

How to Prepare a Will

One of the main reasons why people die without a will is for the fact that

they think it is too morose to ponder on their own demise while they are

still alive. Also, there is the reason that people think too much of the cost

of the wills production and storage, and no requirement for young people

since death is so far in the future.

You must remember that creating a will can be done cheaply and legally.

There are several kits available out there if you want to write your own

will. In addition, there are also solicitors who can prepare standard

versions of wills at reasonable costs. If you consider the trouble and

expense of dying in testate, it is considerably advantageous to die with a

will.


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When preparing a will, you must think about those you will leave behind,

especially the children, if there are any. Always ensure that the children

end up with your choice of guardians and how your estates will be

distributed. This process is important especially if your net worth amounts

to thousands or millions of dollars as this is normally the limit where

inheritance tax applies.

Some Facts You Need To Know About a Will

You know that a will can help you easily distribute your estate to anyone

you might have left behind after your death. However, there are other

facts that you might want to know about a will.

Firstly, you can appoint your executor in your will. The executor is

someone who has the task of administering your estate after your death

and makes sure that your assets are distributed according to your will. In

case you do not have one, the court will appoint a person, usually one of

your heirs, to distribute your estate.


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You can also help your estate pay fewer taxes with a will. Through a

properly prepared will, your estates can pay less death tax. This is

especially true if your estate is subject to federal estate taxes.

Reverse Mortgage

Reverse Mortgage

Reverse mortgage is gaining popularity to seniors because it provides a

solution to those who cannot keep up with the traditional mortgage.

Nowadays, reverse mortgages are easily the best salvation for seniors

who have mounting retirement and health income that have combined

with the interest rates and the stock market.

Reverse mortgages allow seniors to live independently and comfortably

right where they want to be. The loan can be any amount depending on

the value of the property, the equity of the property and the interest rate.

More so, there are no restrictions on using the loaned money. Borrowers

can utilize the money to supplement retirement income for the required

upgrades or repairs to their homes.


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What is Reverse Mortgage

Reverse mortgage is a credit available to seniors and can be used to free

the equity of the home as multiple payments or a single lump sum. The

only obligation of the borrower is to repay the loan, which is deferred

when the borrower dies, the owner leaves or the home is sold.

In the tradition mortgage, the homeowner is required to make monthly

amortized payments to the lender. The equity will then increase after

each payment and eventually after the end of the term, the mortgage has

been paid in full and the property can be released from the lender.

However in reverse mortgage, the owner makes no payments and the

interest is added to the lien on the property. In case the owner collects

monthly payments, or a payment in bulk, the debt on the property raises

each month.

In case the property has improved in value after the reverse mortgage is

taken out, it is still possible to acquire a second reverse mortgage over


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the increased equity in the home. However in certain areas of the globe,

the reverse mortgage must the foremost and the only mortgage on the

property.

The Requirements for a Reverse Mortgage

In order to qualify for a reverse mortgage, you must be at least 62 years

old. Fortunately, there are no minimum credit or income requirements for

reverse mortgage though there are other requirements that the

homeowner should reach before qualifying for the loan.

For most cases, the money obtained from the reverse mortgage can be

used for any purpose. There are also other homes that do not qualify for

the mortgage, like mobile homes, although they have their own special

requirements.

Before borrowing, you must seek financial counseling from a source,

which can be approved by the HUD. The counseling can help you and


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your family to be safe and ensure that you understand what a reverse

mortgage really is and how it can be obtained.

The Pros of Reverse Mortgage

Reverse mortgage is an excellent alternative for seniors who own their

own home and desire to extract equity from it in the form of cash. More

so, there are no payments required on this kind of mortgage until the

home is sold either by the home owner or the estate.

If the value of your home becomes less than what is owed, the HUD will

make up the difference. This is an absolute advantage since there is no

debt incurred to your heirs or descendants. In addition, the revenue you

obtain from a reverse mortgage is considered as a loan and therefore not

taxable.

The Cons of Reverse Mortgage


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With all those advantages of reverse mortgage, there are certainly

disadvantages. Knowing these two key elements can help you better

decide whether reverse mortgage is right for you.

Firstly, once approved by the HUD, the federally insured mortgage can

top out a little over $360,000. If you live in the San Francisco area, the

amount is 50% or less of the median home price on the market. There

are also cases where reverse mortgages do not allow seniors to access all

their equity or even most of their money from the equity.

If you generate a relatively low income and depend on your SSI or

Medicaid, you cannot get more in monthly reverse mortgage payments

than you are going to spend. The money from a reverse mortgage placed

in a bank account can help you be placed over the acceptable limit for

liquid assets set by the assistance programs that you rely on.




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It is only when a person ages does he or she realizes that aging actually

begun since the day of birth. Even the society and the environment ages

and slowly catches up to you. With the issue of aging, there is always the

issue of health. The number of diseases in the modern age is vast and

although evading them can be an arduous task, only through living

healthy can you actually lessen your chances of acquiring them.

Luckily for those who realized the importance of health in their early

years, aging can be a breeze as they can easily and gracefully transition

into retirement. However, for those who have yet to grasp the importance

of having a healthy lifestyle, now is the time to act and start achieving a

healthier you. Conversely, even if you aged gracefully, it does not mean

that you should start neglecting your health. Continuous health

management can help you maintain the health you have long worked for

to gain.

Bodily Changes

Life is a never-ending process of change. From a small zygote to a full

grown kid and from teen to becoming an adult, our body changes every


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time we undergo these changes in our lives. Similarly, transitioning from

adulthood to late adulthood entails some changes in the body. The body

changes in correspondence to aging due to the fact that there are

changes occurring in the individual cells and in whole organs. These

changes can result in modifications in the bodys functions and

appearance.

The cells in the body ages and as they age, they also function less well.

Ultimately, old cells must die and this is a normal part of the bodys

function. Sometimes, old cells die because they are programmed by the

body to do so. This process is also known as apoptosis and is sometimes

known as cell suicide. This is important to make room for new cells.

The amount of muscle strength and tissue in the body also decreases.

Also called sarcopenia, this process normally begins around the age of 30

and continues throughout life. By the time you reach 75, the percentage

of muscle mass is usually half of what it was during your adulthood.

Additionally, the levels of testosterone and growth hormones in the body

also decrease.


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Changes in Your Nutrition

Aging not only entails changes in the body but also in nutrition. Moreover,

the change in your nutrition must compliment the existing changes in

your body. There are several specific nutrient needs the body requires as

people age. For instance, the calorie intake must be altered because there

is more body fat than lean muscle in the body.

Protein is the only health element that usually does not change as we

grow older. However, protein intake can vary because of chronic

diseases. It can be a challenge to balance needs and restrictions of the

body. Although the protein absorption in the body may decrease due to

age, it does not mean that protein should be routinely increased.

Fiber is also important for the body since it can help maintain normal

bowel functions. The fiber is also thought to decrease the risk of intestinal

inflammation. You can gain fibers from eating grain products, cereals,

fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts.


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Importance of Health for Seniors

Staying healthy can help you live independently longer. Healthy living is

extremely important for seniors to help them better cope to their

surroundings. With the several changes occurring in the body, the better

way to cope with these changes is to maintain your health.

In addition, maintaining good health can help protect you from diseases

that are widespread to the society today. Although there are some

diseases that cannot be avoided since you can carry their genetic

markers, it is still possible to help reduce your risk of developing them.

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy

There are several things that you can do to stay healthy. For starters,

changing into a more appropriate diet is advisable. You can do so by

eating a variety of nutrient-rich food products. Choosing whole grains and

fat-free dairy products can help reduce the risk of certain ailments. You

can also remain healthy by limiting your fat, sodium and sugar intake.


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Always bear in mind that the essential part of staying healthy and living

independently is maintaining good nutrition. By practicing a good healthy

diet, you can reduce your risk for developing chronic illnesses.



In spite of the number of anti-aging products, one cannot neglect the fact

that aging is inevitable and everyone will go through this process at some

point in their lives. This is living healthy not only through eating healthy

but through exercise as well is very important.

As with the number of exercise routines available from Pilates to weight

lifting, the number of exercises for seniors is vast. From swimming to

stretching and Pilates to strengthening, there are several exercise

alternatives that you can apply. However, you must first ensure that the

exercise you are about to embark on suits your age and the trainer is

knowledgeable about which exercises best suit your age group.


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Importance of Exercise

There are tons of reasons why exercising is important to the body,

especially for the aging body. There are recent studies stating an

emphasis on exercise for the elderly. Nowadays, the society is currently

inundated with advertisements on billboards, television, magazines and

the Internet, and the multitude of other places that stress the benefits of

exercising to the body.

There is no question that the benefits of exercise being conveyed by the

media reach the children and young adults. However, it is important to

provide focus and extend the message to the continuously increasing

baby boomer population.

The importance of exercise is not limited to providing balance to the

body. It is also important to maintain cardiovascular health. Exercise also

provides an improved sense of well-being and control over ones life.


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Almost everyone knows that aging is related to dementia. However with

exercise, there is an evident decrease in the risk of dementia and the

natural dulling of the mind or senility commonly experienced by elders.

Effects of Exercise to the Aging Body

The effects and benefits of exercise to the body is vast. Firstly, as a

person grows older, there is an evident loss of muscle quality and

strength in the body. Some scientists even claim that muscle mass

declines about 4 percent each decade from the age of 25 to 50. As such,

exercise is important to help maintain stability in your muscle.

Endurance exercises are also important because similar to the loss of

muscle to the body, there is also a loss of aerobic fitness. It is believed

that loss of aerobic fitness contributes to the reduction of mobility later in

life. And so, if you want to continue doing to ADLs or activities of daily

living yourself and live independently, exercise can help you achieve that

goal.


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As with muscles and oxygen intake in the body, the joints can also tend

to lose their flexibility as a person ages. If not taken care of, this can lead

to stiffness of the joints and a decrease in the range of motion and

probably risk of further injuries.

Exercise can also improve and maintain your balance. It is estimated that

there are 300,000 patients suffering from broken hips each year. Falling

is sometimes that main cause of injury to seniors. However, this can be

avoided through balance training to help you maintain your independence

and mobility.

Body Strength for Seniors

One exercise routine that you can do is strength training. This kind of

exercise has incredible benefits, especially for seniors. However, there

may be some restrictions to this exercise if you are experiencing high

blood pressure, osteoporosis or arthritis.


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You can start by lifting weights for all the muscle groups at least two days

each week; you are not required to do this consecutively. Begin with light

weights, such as dumbbells but you can always opt for machines or

resistance bands. Do the exercise at least for one set of ten to fifteen

repetitions. You must also use enough resistance that you can only do in

a 15-minute routine.

Body Stretch for Seniors

Another great exercise that you can delve into is stretching. However, like

with any forms of exercise, it is important to consult your doctor first and

see that you are allowed to perform the routine.

There are several kinds of stretching. There is the hamstring stretch that

you can do while sitting on a chair and stretching one leg out on another

chair. There is also the torso stretch, which you can perform while

standing and clasping your hands straight up overhead.




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In todays age, everyone is working to get through a tough day.

Unfortunately, there are some seniors who still decide to postpone their

retirement and continue to work. Although they are considered as

valuable assets to modern-day companies, no one can image the toll their

body handles for working past their prime.

There are several employments available for seniors. In addition, seniors

are likely to be employed due to their experience. The baby boomer

population is reaching its maturity and they possess wisdom and

knowledge about several aspects of business. This is sometimes that

main reason why several companies keep a hold of their senior

workforce.

Why Others Need to Work

There are several reasons why other seniors choose to work. Probably,

they are still unsure if they will be able to attain their goal once they go

into retirement. There are others who are compelled to work because

they are deprived of luxury and do not expect someone to support their


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needs after retirement. Yet there are also others who simply want to be

completely independent after retirement and do not want to be perceived

as useless once they go into retirement.

However, there are other seniors who choose to still work because they

are aware of the incredible knowledge they possess. The baby boomer

population is considered as a valuable asset to corporate America because

they have experienced so much and they can be a great source of

knowledge. There are seniors belonging to this group who bestow

knowledge to newcomers to the business.

Available Jobs for Seniors

Although the range of jobs available for seniors are vast, if you plan to

work, it is important to consider key factors that play major roles in

aging, especially your health. There are several opportunities available for

the senior citizens and even though they can be less tedious, they are still

important to some seniors because they still allow them to be active.


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Similar to the number of job opportunities for seniors, the number of

governmental, public and private organizations that can help seniors with

regards to education, career guidance, job training and placements,

interview and resume skills is plenty. However, if you do not want to go

through all that again, there are still jobs that require little or no

qualifications at all.

One is babysitting. This is a perfect opportunity for a senior to relive their

younger years and provide a grandparent to a childe because,

unfortunately, many children do have the luxury of having grandparents.

You would not find it hard to look for a baby sitting job because most

parents are happy to leave their kids to a more experienced and more

mature seniors as compared to a teenager.

Another is housesitting where you will tend for someone elses house.

Recently, many people have started traveling to see their friends or

relatives to far away locations. Often, these people are willing and happy

to know that their property is being taken care of by someone who is

capable.


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Working Part Time

Part time jobs are also excellent since they do not eat most of your time.

Several seniors choose to work part time because they still want to

remain active and delay or even avoid dementia, which is usual to elders.

If you still want to enjoy your free leisure time while earning some extra

cash, part time home-based jobs are the right choices. There are several

work from home opportunities that companies everywhere offer. You can

choose from telemarketing to multilevel marketing, which is quite popular

nowadays. However, always ensure that the company hiring you is not a

scam since there are several fraudulences out to get seniors and their

money.

Tips on Looking for a Suitable Job

Looking for a job is not that difficult since you have experienced it all.

However, it you are still having a hard time looking for one, you can start


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by doing the conventional method of browsing the classified ads on your

local newspaper.

The Internet is also a great resource. It can provide you any information

that you want including job hiring. Simple searches can do the trick and

all you have to do is to choose the one that suits you best from the list.



After going into retirement, you have all the time in the world and what

better way to spend it than to go on a vacation. There are several senior-

friendly vacation spots both in and out of the country. Also, the usual

tours and cruises popular for early adults can still be tried by seniors. The

options when it comes to vacationing are endless and there is a myriad of

alternatives available.

The basic rule of vacationing still applies whether you are young or old,

which is to sit back, relax and enjoy. Even though you are nearing your


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70s, it does not mean that you cannot enjoy a vacation. In fact, this is

the perfect time for you to relax since you have already paid your dues.

Tips on Choosing a Vacation Spot

When planning a vacation, keep in mind to choose the right travel

agency. There is a number of traveling companies that specialize in giving

services to seniors. If you are not that of a travel person, and want to go

somewhere you are some sort of unfamiliarity with, you should look for a

company that specialized in that certain aspect.

There are travel agencies and agents that are not well-equipped to

prepare you for your trip. Always keep in mind to look for an experienced

travel company that can ensure the safety of your trip and make it

memorable. Also, do not think that companies geared towards seniors

only provide trips that are boring and unadventurous. In fact, senior-

oriented traveling agencies can help you satisfy whatever you wish. If you

are adventurous, they can provide you with a tour of some exotic tourist

spot but if you like to just sit back and relax, they can offer a comforting

cruise on the Caribbean.


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Aside from choosing the right traveling agency, you can also have the

option of making your vacation a group trip. Since it is not advisable for

seniors to travel alone, inviting your family or friends for a vacation is an

excellent idea. Nothing beats enjoying a wonderful vacation with your

loved ones close to you.

Vacation Spot for You

If you are looking for the perfect vacation spot now that you have retired,

there are several destination spots that you can visit. One of the top

destinations for seniors is Tuscany, Italy. Visiting Tuscany can enable you

to enjoy delicious food, excellent wine and some of the worlds best

sunshine.

Although there is not actually any senior vacation spot, do not hesitate to

visit wherever you want since most of the places you plan to visit are

senior-friendly. The most important element that you should remember

when vacationing is fun. Vacations should be fun and memorable and do

not let your age get in the way.


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Going on Tour

Nowadays, seniors are active and healthy and they want to do things they

have never tried before or even out of the ordinary. If you are the

adventurous type, offbeat tours are exceptional. There are several

companies specializing in such vacations so you shouldnt have a hard

time looking for one that can provide you such a memorable vacation.

If you are adventurous and in perfect physical shape, do not hesitate to

try dog sledding. This kind of tour offers a dog sled ride where you can be

a dog driver or a passenger. You have a pack of six huskies that will drag

you at their fast pace through the snow; you might even see a reindeer

along the way. The best place to experience this kind of tour is going to

the Scandinavian country.

Cruising for Seniors


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If you do not want offbeat vacations, cruise ship travel is an excellent

alternative. Cruise travels are safe and secure and offer a wide variety of

activities. More so, they are also a budget-friendly and provide indoor

amenities and medical facilities ideal for seniors.

Luckily, there are cruises that offer age-specific vacations, often geared

for seniors. Normally, these kinds of cruises restrict individuals younger

than 55 and those unmarried individuals under the age of 25 and married

individuals over 21. This is perfect opportunity for you meet people who

are in your age group and enjoy the vacation with them.



Seniors are sometimes discriminated in the road due to their age; this

makes driving and transportation a very sensitive topic for seniors. What

one should remember is that it is never too late to learn how to drive

safely and the importance of this education cannot be stressed enough.

Similarly, for those who think that seniors should not drive must

understand that seniors are longing for their independence and do not

usually want to depend on someone else to do things for them.


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There are driving courses and training procedures dedicated for seniors.

In addition, there are also other options for seniors aside from driving a

car.

When to Stop Driving

There is not the right time for you to stop driving. Only when you feel like

you are becoming a hazard or cannot continue to drive because of a

certain illness will you be able to determine when to stop. However, as

long as you are still capable of driving and still manage to follow traffic

rules and road safety, you must not be afraid of driving.

There are several seniors who continued to drive until the time of their

death. In fact, the reason for their death is not driving-related. This

means that you should not be scared of driving once you reach past your

prime. If you really want to achieve independence, you must still be able

to apply the basic principles of driving in order to ensure your own safety.


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Options for Seniors

If you are affected with a debilitating disease, getting around the house

can be extremely difficult, not to mention driving a car on your own. In

addition, if you are used to moving or driving around during your younger

years, you might find it arduous just to walk or drive when you reach a

certain age. This is because mobility is limited as a person grows older.

When mobility is limited, there are people who turn to wheelchairs since

they provide an easier method of moving around. However, being in a

wheelchair still requires you to have someone to wheel you around or rely

on your arms, which could be strenuous. The perfect solution is the

electric scooter.

Electric scooters are functional and offer safe method of transportation.

These equipments are quite popular for seniors with limited mobility.

They are also useful for seniors who can still walk short distances but

require aid on long distances. As for outdoor use, there is the four-

wheeled heavy duty electronic scooter. The design used for the

equipments makes them perfect for outdoor trips. They also have safety


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In driving, age should not be the determining factor in acquiring a drivers

license. In fact, no matter how old, there are individuals who can be

serious threats to others on the road and they can cause severe

problems.

According to the American Association of Retired Persons, every person

ages differently. More so, aging does not necessarily mean that a person

becomes a safety hazard on the road. It pretty much depends on the

drivers mental and physical health.

There are people who aim at stopping elderly people from driving but it is

important not to mind them. What matters is what you think of yourself.

You are the only one knows more than you. If you think that you are

having issues with your hearing, consult your doctor and ask him if you

are still able to drive. Otherwise, it might be the right time for you to give

the steering wheel to someone else and settle on the passenger seat.




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At some point in your life, you may have to take care of your parents who

have spent so much time, love and money for you as you grow up. Those

who are tasked in taking care of their aging parents have to make

decisions that can greatly affect both their parents lives and their lives.

Although there are many who easily turn to assisted living environments

in order to help deal with extra work, there are still others who decide to

bring their parents into their own homes. Consider this as an opportunity

for you to share the remaining time they have here. Even those who only

have the best intentions for their parents at heart can find it difficult to

take care of them. However, with some helpful tips, you can make the

most out of your emotional moments together.

How to Take Care of Your Parent(s)

If its time for you to move your parents in your own home, always

remember to encourage social interaction. As much as possible, strive to

involve your parents with any social activities both at home and in your

community. It does not mean that you are moving your parents in your

home and they should be isolated from all social interaction.


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There are several socially interactive areas that they can visit, including

senior clubs, churches, salons or even bingo. By encouraging social

interaction, you are helping in maintaining their mental and physical

health. Always keep in mind that it is important to help them maintain the

quality of their lives as long as possible.

Additionally, you can consider hiring visiting attendants, especially if you

are trying to balance your career and children with your parents; with so

many things to do always remember to save some of that time for

yourself. If you try to refuse taking time for yourself, you may find it hard

to cope with the new environment. As such, you always have the option

of hiring someone that can look for your aging parents while you are out.

Dealing with an Elderly in Your Home

Dealing with an elderly in your home can be difficult and it can be more

difficult if your parents are suffering from some kind of illness. Be it

Parkinsons disease, stroke or simply old age; remember that you are the

only person who can help your parents cope with the new situation.


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There are several things that you should consider when you are moving

your parents in your own. Firstly, you must ensure their safety and

mobility. There should not be any accident-prone areas in your home.

More so, the environment you provide must be interactive and motivate

them socially, mentally and physically to help their mind get off aging.

The Three Principles

Although the disadvantages of moving your parents in your home

outweigh the advantages, you should always focus on the positive. When

moving your parents in, you must be sure to yourself that you feel

confident on inviting them to move in with you.

If you are one of those people, you should consider the three basic

principles that can aid in keeping the peace. Firstly, the topic of moving

your parents in your home should not be a taboo.


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Also, if your parents can still follow some guidelines, it is helpful to draw

up some house rules. This way, conflicts can be avoided and the

environment will remain peaceful and conducive.

Lastly, always learn to take some time off. Even professional caregivers

need some time off and it does not mean that you should not. There are

several community groups that can provide sitting services for your

parents if you want to take some time off; this is perfect opportunity for

you to provide some time for yourself.

Ensuring Safety for Your Parent(s)

Safety is the number one issue when you are moving your parents in.

Because your parents still want to live independently, you should provide

an opportunity for them to do some activities that they can perform

without the help of others. However, you must remember that these

activities should not endanger or harm them in any way.

Your aging parents are fragile in every aspect and it is your task to

ensure that they do not break. If you have a second floor in your house,

th t th h d il t d d t t h

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