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Is cohousing the right choice for you?

One of the new trends for seniors is cohousing. So, what exactly is it?

If you Google it, you’ll see that it’s defined as “a type of living community that combines private homes with clustered living spaces. A senior cohousing community includes 20 to 40 single-family or attached homes arranged so that everyone shares the same lawn space and walkways.”

It’s a sort of communal living arrangement that allows for independence among people who also support one another. The elder cohousing concept came to the US from Denmark back in 1988 according to TheSeniorList.com. And its popularity is growing as active adults search for alternatives to traditional and extremely expensive senior living communities.

In many of these communities, residents share some responsibilities like cooking or cleaning and with that comes some financial savings. But, as with anything, cohousing comes with both benefits and costs to consider.

Kiplinger looks at a couple of these neighborhoods and how residents feel about this new approach to active adult communities.

>>Read the full article here.

Want to know more about cohousing in general? Visit cohousing.org. There are currently at least two cohousing communities in Georgia – East Lake Commons is intergenerational and Lake Claire Cohousing has residents up to the age of 50. You can learn more about both of these communities on the website.

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Why November 11th is so special.

On this Veteran’s Day, we honor all veterans. We mark Veterans Day on the anniversary of the end of WWI. Here is a bit more information about this special occasion.

>Originally known as Armistice Day recognizing the end of WW1 when an armistice between the Allied Nations and Germany went into effect on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.
>In 1926, Congress adopted a resolution asking President Coolidge to issue annual proclamations calling for the observance of November 11th with appropriate ceremonies.
>A Congressional Act was approved May 13, 1938 making November 11th a legal holiday – Armistice Day.
>In 1945, a WW2 veteran from Birmingham, Alabama named Raymond Weeks led an effort to honor all veterans on Armistice Day.
>The holiday was established on May 26, 1954 and, in June, was renamed Veterans Day.
>A 2-minute silence is recommended to be observed at 2:11pm EST on November 11th.

For more information about the history of Veterans Day, Visit:
History of Veterans Day – Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs (va.gov).

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What’s the best way to pull money from retirement accounts?

Did you know there’s a certain strategic order to follow when withdrawing money from retirement accounts and other investments? Taking the right steps at the right time can make a significant different in your finances as you get older.

Kiplinger and SmartAsset.com offer some great suggestions for seniors who may be looking at tapping into their savings — in addition to encouraging seniors to find and use a qualified financial advisor.

Among the suggestions they have:

  1. Look at investment income first
  2. Hold off on claiming Social Security benefits
  3. Delay withdrawing from 401K and IRA
  4. Don’t tap into your Roth too soon

Check out their article which explains each of their suggestions above.

>>Click here to read the full article.

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What are prescription discount cards?

You may have received one in your mailbox or grabbed one while checking in/out at your doctor’s office. Prescription drug discount cards are everywhere.

The prices of prescription drugs are climbing, and millions of seniors are simply unable to pay for the medications they’ve been prescribed. What’s worse is that many are skipping the prescriptions they need to remain healthy.

Companies have come out with discount cards but that, too, can be confusing for seniors who are trying to determine the best way forward. SeniorLiving.org is helping by breaking down the different cards and which offer which benefits. They tested different cards and are sharing what they found looking at GoodRX, WellRX, America’s Pharmacy, Choice Drug Card, SingleCare, and ValpakRX.

>>Read more about prescription drug savings cards at SeniorLiving.org.

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Will Social Security keep up with inflation?

A recent AARP article says a recent survey found that 90 percent of older Americans worry that Social Security will not keep pace with inflation. Those most concerned are individuals who are not yet receiving their benefits.

The article says, “72 percent of older adults who do not receive Social Security say they worry a lot or somewhat about their retirement benefits keeping up with inflation, compared to 61 percent of current beneficiaries.”

“Social Security benefits are adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers, which is used by the Labor Department to track price changes for various goods and services. So, although inflation has risen to its highest level since the 1980s, so too has the increase in benefits Social Security recipients will see from one year to the next.”

Visit AARP to learn more about the cost-of-living adjustment and the survey. You can also visit their online Social Security Resource Center.

>>Click here to read the entire article from AARP

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Georgia’s AG warns seniors not to get tricked!

(From the AG Office) Attorney General Chris Carr is urging Georgia’s older adults and their caregivers to stay informed on how to recognize and avoid some common scams. While these schemes can and do happen to people of all ages, the perpetrators often target older adults because they are frequently home during the day, have money saved, and may be too polite to hang up the phone or turn away a solicitor.

“We must do all we can to protect the most vulnerable among us, especially with con artists constantly inventing new ways to perpetrate their crimes,” said Carr. “Our Consumer Protection Division offers a number of resources to help older adults recognize and avoid scams, and we stand ready to assist those who may fall victim to this type of fraud.”

The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division offers the following information to help Georgians protect themselves and their loved ones from scams.

>>Here’s the list of common scams taking advantage of seniors and their families.

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Take Advantage of Retailer’s Senior Discounts

Retailers and food service are delivering a real treat for seniors and veterans. There are discounts and free items being offered — if you ask for them.

Check out senior and veteran discounts at retailers like Michaels, Rite Aid, Kohls and Lowes (among many others) and restaurants including Chick-fil-A, Chili’s, Outback and more. Check the list below which also includes travel discounts – airlines, hotels and rental cars.

>>See the full list – 2022 Biggest List of Senior Discounts (Restaurants, Retail, Travel & More) (theseniorlist.com)

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When is the right time to move to an assisted living facility?

senior packing

Today, there are so many options for senior living and when each option should be considered is different for everyone. But what is certain, is that there are discussions that need to be had with the senior and their family. And there are specific questions to ask.

A recent article in the online news outlet MinnPost, explored how a family knows when it’s the right time to look for space in an assisted living facility and they found that there is one major key factor in the decision. The article says, “One expert said the first and most important factor that should be considered is the older person’s feelings about leaving their home for a different living situation.”

The article has a great list of factors that trigger a next step discussion with loved ones including physical safety, whether being at home is isolating, and their existing neighborhood may be undergoing a change.

>>Read the full article in the MinnPost.

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Answers to your most pressing Social Security questions.

AARP has answers to some of the most popular questions about how to make the most of your social security. For more information, visit AARP.org.

(From AARP) Whether you’ve claimed already or are planning your future, you’ll want to get the most out of your Social Security. Estimate your earnings, get the latest on the Cost‐of‐Living Adjustment (COLA), understand how spouses, ex‐spouses and children can collect benefits, and more.

How much Social Security can you get?
*Age Matters
*Work Matters
*Inflation and Adjustments Matter
*Marriage Matters

>>Read the full article from AARP

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Important information about your health and flu shots.

It’s that time of year when the flu virus starts circulating and that means it’s time to go ahead and get that annual flu shot. It’s particularly important for seniors.

With Covid in the mix, it seems there are plenty of questions about yet another vaccine to take so The Council on Aging is providing some answers including:

  • When is it good to get your flu shot? Now is the best time for older adults to get their flu vaccines to protect against the influenza virus, also known as the “flu.”
  • Older adults with underlying conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, and lung disease, are at highest risk for developing life-threatening complications from the flu.
  • People who have had the COVID-19 vaccine or are planning to be vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely get the flu shot.

>>Read all the details in this article from The Council on Aging

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What your eye color says about your health.

Your eye color can actually be a warning for various health issues. AARP spells out which eye colors correlate with various conditions. Know what to look for and when to see your ophthalmologist or eye care professional.

(Article from AARP) They say that your eyes are the window to your soul — but they may also be a window to your health. Your eye color may predispose you to certain medical conditions, such as skin or eye cancer. And while actual changes in eye color are rare, they can also indicate an underlying health disorder that needs to be addressed.

“Eyes can appear to change color due to an undiagnosed disease, a new medication or even trauma,” says David Silverstone, M.D., a professor of ophthalmology at the Yale School of Medicine. Sometimes, he adds, it’s due to an actual change in the iris, the colored part of your eye, and sometimes it’s due to something going on in another part of your eye that appears to change the eye color.

Here’s a look at what your eye color can mean for your health.  

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Active Adults are Shopping for a Lifestyle

Today, seniors are different from previous generations. They’re living longer, healthier lives than ever before. And they’re different when it comes to real estate and downsizing. Real estate professionals have found that many seniors and active adults are really shopping for a lifestyle rather than the building itself.

It was the top of discussion at an investment conference in Washington DC recently — how seniors are driving changes in the senior housing market. While they’re active and want to be around other active adults, many are also seeking housing that will allow them to age in place, so they don’t have to keep relocating.

They found the pandemic had an effect on how 55+ individuals want to live moving forward – they want to be around other active adults, not isolated, and investors are responding to the need for that type of housing community.

>>Read more about the conference findings at rebusiness.com

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Georgia County Brings Back Veteran Transportation

(From the Rockdale Newton Citizen Newspaper)

Getting to medical appointments at the Veterans Hospital in Decatur and the VA clinics in Covington and Stockbridge just got easier for Rockdale County veterans.

Veterans can now take advantage of the Veteran Transportation Program, which provides a specially-designed vehicle called the Eagle, to transport them to medical appointments. The service is available to honorably discharged Rockdale County veterans of any age.

Veterans may be picked up for the trip at either their home, the Veterans Affairs Office, or at Rockdale Senior Services. The Veteran Transportation Program offers additional personnel to assist the veteran in and out of their appointments along with open spots for caregivers to attend the appointment with their loved one.

>>Read more here

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4 Assets Your Kids May Not Want to Inherit

Leaving assets to your children has long been considered a thoughtful gift but it can become a burden for recipients. AARP recently published an informative article that may have you rethinking your estate plans especially when it comes to the four assets they highlight.

(From AARP) Leaving your children an inheritance is a blessing, but it can also be a curse, particularly if the items you’re handing down require work, time, money or space.  Consider complicated assets like an antique car or a digital wallet full of cryptocurrency. Sure, your kids will appreciate these assets, but if the possession you’re giving away is too complicated to comprehend or hard to value, it could cause stress. 

“When it’s an asset people don’t understand, it’s very difficult,” says Jean-Luc Bourdon, founder and wealth adviser at Lucent Wealth Planning. He once had a client who inherited a unique car but didn’t know what to sell it for or whom to trust. Instead of unlocking the value, she held on to the vehicle.  ​

Even IRAs and 401(k)s can be problematic, since they aren’t easy to transfer to the next generation or your children hold on to them for sentimental value. The same goes for expensive furniture, ceramics and collectibles that take up space or are hard to get rid of.

“The most common assets [kids don’t want] have some type of obligation attached to them to maintain value,” says Joseph McNair, a certified financial planner at WA Asset Management. “The closer to cash the assets are, the less cumbersome they are.”

>>Read the full article here.

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10 Tips for Safely Organizing Your Parents Home

(From Caring Transitions of Northeast Atlanta)
As our parents reach a certain age, many prefer to stay in their home, rather than move to a senior community or living facility. The unfortunate truth is many times our parents live in homes that weren’t built with the safety and health of a senior adult in mind. But there are avenues we can take as the adult child, or caretaker, to help create a safer environment so our parents in age-in-place with peace of mind.

  1. Store at Waist Height
    As we age, our joints, strength and balance deteriorate. This means that bending down and reaching above our heads is difficult for most seniors. Make sure to check that all the items your parents need is stored at waist level, or in easy to reach places that won’t cause them discomfort to find.
  2. No Clutter by the Steps
    Ideally, seniors should avoid the stairs as much as possible. We even recommend arranging their home so your parents can stay on the first floor of their home. But if they insist on taking the stairs, check that it is clear of all clutter and there is a sturdy hand railing for balance support installed.
  3. Light The Way
    Our eyesight grows worse as we age so having good lighting throughout your parents’ home is essential to avoid health crises like a fall. Make sure all the bulbs are fresh in the hallways, basement, attic and anywhere you know your parents spend the most amount of their time.
  4. A Basket by the Stairs
    Find a basket to attach on the wall by the stairs. This is a great device for seniors carrying items back and forth, as well as reminding them what they need to bring with them, up or down.
  5. Rolling Carts for the Kitchen
    Rolling carts are great for the kitchen or rooms without carpet. Your senior parent can use it to move items like groceries, pots, pans, etc. without much effort.
  6. Important Documents All In 1 Place
    We highly recommend keeping all essential documents in one place, such as a wellness folder with all important medical information. This makes it easier to grab in case there’s an emergency, or if your parents need to find their passport, social security card or any other document they may need.
  7. Medication List on the Fridge
    Most seniors take a laundry list of medication as they get older. And for many, keeping track gets harder and harder as their memory starts to falter. Put a list on the fridge, with the day and amount to take. This is a great place as it’s in a prominent area that your parents will visit often and see daily.
  8. Remove Those Rugs
    A change in elevation can be a sudden shock for a senior adult whose reflexes are low and eyesight is bad. Check that all unnecessary rugs have been removed from walking spaces to prevent accidents.
  9. Safety Bar in the Bathroom
    With balance and possible nerve damage from diseases like diabetes, a senior may have trouble lifting themselves out of a seated position. Installing grab bars in the shower and by the toilet are essential support items to have in your parent’s home.
  10. Who Does What List
    As they say, it takes a village, right? Taking care of a home can be overwhelming, especially with caretaking for aging parents added to that. Splitting the tasks between your family members, caretakers and a friendly neighbor will be important so no one person carries the entire load alone. Create a list of who will do which task, and when, so you can have peace of mind that Mom and Dad will be well taken care of moving forward

Read more at: 10 Tips To Safely Organize The Home For Mom & Dad > Caring Transitions and visit Caring Transitions of Northeast Atlanta – Caring Transitions to learn more about Caring Transitions senior relocation services including liquidations, relocations and more.

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Which home upgrades matter?

Home upgrades can sell your home 40% more quickly than homes without upgrades. So, which projects will benefit your bottom line when you sell? SRES from the National Association of Realtors says that projects in your kitchen and bathrooms will help you sell your home more quickly. And, SRES reports that a full-on renovation isn’t necessary – paint, new carpet, vanity upgrade or power wash can all help you close the deal more quickly.

Read more in an analysis by Knock (https://www.knock.com/blog/home-improvements-buyers-love/) about what makes homes sell faster.

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Why you should check out your local senior center.

It’s a fantastic local resource for seniors and their families.

Olivia Haydel Senior Center in Conyers, GA

(Release from the National Council on Aging) This September, the National Council on Aging (NCOA) is celebrating National Senior Center Month by showcasing how these vital community hubs connect older adults to each other and to valuable services to stay healthy and independent.

The nation’s 10,000 senior centers are one of the most widely used services among America’s older adults, connecting 1 million individuals each year to programs that improve their health, economic security, engagement, purpose, creativity, mobility, nutrition, and more—all in a social and fun environment. Over the past three years, senior centers also have become integral to health care delivery by providing COVID-19 guidance, vaccine education, and vaccinations to participants.

“Every day, senior centers bring our grandparents, parents, older neighbors, and friends together to build community and share trusted services and information to help all age well,” said Dianne Stone, NCOA’s Associate Director of Network Development and Engagement. “Research shows that compared with their peers, people who attend senior centers have higher levels of health, social interaction, and life satisfaction.”

The theme for this year’s National Senior Center Month is Strengthening Community Connections. Centers across the country will be hosting special events, programs, and celebrations throughout September to raise awareness about the services they offer.

NCOA’s National Institute of Senior Centers (NISC) sponsors National Senior Center Month every September. NISC is setting the standard for the future of senior centers by promoting research, promising practices, professional development, and advocacy.

“There’s never been a better time to come home to your senior center,” Stone said. “Come see everything your local center has to offer.”

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Thank you, Norcross First United Methodist Church!

I was so happy to make a presentation today to the senior group at the Norcross First United Methodist Church. We talked about the challenges seniors face when it comes to downsizing, selling a home and relocating. We discussed universal design — what it is and why it’s important to look for as we age. This group had wonderful questions and it was such a pleasure to meet everyone. Their hospitality was only exceeded by the delicious lunch.

If your organization is interested in a speaker to discuss real estate and, in particular, the unique real estate needs of active adults and seniors, please let me know. Contact me by clicking here.

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Forgetful? Good news – it may just be Covid-related brain fog.

Ask your physician about cognitive rehabilitation.

If a loved one is having difficulty sustaining attention, organizing activities and multitasking, don’t immediately suspect dementia. It could be a lasting effect of Covid… and there’s a treatment that can help. The AJC recently published an article about cognitive rehab being used to address lingering brain fog.

(From the Atlanta Journal Constitution) In a recent development, some medical centers are offering cognitive rehabilitation to patients with long COVID (symptoms that persist several months or longer after an infection that can’t be explained by other medical conditions). According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 1 in 4 older adults who survive COVID have at least one persistent symptom.

Experts are enthusiastic about cognitive rehabilitation’s potential. “Anecdotally, we’re seeing a good number of people [with long COVID] make significant gains with the right kinds of interventions,” said Monique Tremaine, director of neuropsychology and cognitive rehabilitation at Hackensack Meridian Health’s JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in New Jersey.

>>Read more.

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Many will be feel relief from Medicare changes

Will the Inflation Reduction Act help you?

AARP is explaining how the Inflation Reduction Act will help seniors — especially those dependent on insulin. The Act is aimed at addressing inflation by reducing the deficit, investing in domestic energy production, and lowering drug prices.

(Article from AARP) For the first time in Medicare’s history, the amount of money that beneficiaries in drug plans will have to pay for their prescriptions each year will be capped, thanks to provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The new law makes other changes to the program’s Part D drug benefits, including putting a limit on out-of-pocket payments for insulin and making vital vaccines free. 

“There was previously no limit on how much a person on Part D could have to pay in a given year,” says Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement officer. “And 1.3 million enrollees spent more than $2,000 in 2020.”  

As with many of the other provisions in the new law, the changes to Part D out-of-pocket spending will roll out over the next several years. Here’s a look at how the new cost-sharing rules will work and when the savings will start. 

>>Read the rest — click here to go to AARP.com

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What is Swedish Death Cleaning or dӧstädning?

It sounds worse than it is – dӧstädning is really just the process of getting affairs in order.  It’s a Swedish cleaning exercise that involves the family and paring down what we have as we grow older.  Here in the US, we downsize and cleanout but dӧstädning is really about selecting those things we want around us and thinking about what will happen to our things when we pass. If you want a family member to inherit an item, go ahead and pass it on to them. Make your wishes known and enjoy life with less clutter and only those most meaningful items around you. And, let family and friends go ahead and enjoy the things you want to share with them.

Senior relocation company Caring Transitions introduces us to Margareta Magnusson who wrote the popular book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning.

(Published with permission of Mike DeLeon with Caring Transitions of Northeast Atlanta) A  decluttering phenomenon has swept the world, called Swedish Death Cleaning (SDC). Traditionally, this is an old tradition within Swedish culture known as, dӧstädning. Translated to English, it means “death cleaning.” Margareta Magnusson used this concept, giving it a modern update when she wrote her book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning.

Magnusson writes, “If you care for your loved ones then it’s only fair to spare them the emotional and physical burden of cleaning up your stuff.” This is the basic concept of SDC, letting go of the amount of items in your life because when you pass on. This way your loved ones are not handling a mountain of unmanageable items which could cause stress or, even worse, in-fighting amongst them.

>>Click here to read the article and see an interview with Margareta Magnusson.

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13 Tax Breaks for Homeowners & Buyers

A quick and informative read from Kiplinger

Uncle Sam has a few tax tricks up his sleeve to help you buy a home, save on home-related costs and sell your home tax-free. Some of them are complicated, limited or come with hoops you have to jump through, but they can be well worth the trouble if you qualify. And if your budget is already stretched thin, you need all the help you can get. So, without further ado, here are 13 tax breaks that can help you buy a home and prosper as a homeowner.

  1. Using retirement funds for down payment
  2. Mortgage points deduction
  3. Mortgage interest deduction
  4. Mortgage interest credit
  5. Home office expense deduction
  6. Credits for energy saving improvements
  7. Credit for electric vehicle charging equipment
  8. Deduction for medically necessary home improvements
  9. Deduction of rental expenses
  10. Property tax deduction
  11. Foreclosure or short sale debt forgiveness
  12. Capital gain exclusion when selling home
  13. Increased basics when selling your home

Read more about each of these: 13 Tax Breaks for Homeowners and Home Buyers | Kiplinger

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Meet the Solo Ager

What is a Solo Ager? One online definition is, “older adults that are making decisions about their future independently. You might be a solo ager if you are… An individual or couple without children. An individual who never married or had children. An individual living alone since the divorce or death of a partner.”

AARP says solo agers face many of the same struggles as their married or partnered peers, but they do have a sense of optimism. A recent AARP article says, “most solo agers associate living alone as they age with positive feelings like independence (60%), satisfaction (50%), and happiness (38%). Few report feeling sad (13%) or angry (2%). ”

What to know more about his group of aging adults sometimes called “elder orphans?” Read AARPs interesting research on the solo ager.

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New Trends in Retirement Living

What are the latest trends in retirement living? There’s a definite move toward accommodating retirees focusing on health, wellness and nature. Here’s a great article from Next Avenue about the latest trends.

In 2008, Janice Barton was vacationing at Serenbe, a biophilic, or nature-centered, community in the Chattahoochee Hills about 30 miles outside of Atlanta. She fell in love with the village’s English-style cottages, outdoor artist studio, nature trails, local shops and café all within walking distance, and decided to buy her forever home there.

“In a typical suburb, you drive into your garage, shut the door and that is it,” explained Barton, who at 73 is a solo ager. “Maybe you know your neighbors on either side or across the street but you don’t have anything in common so you don’t want to invest the time and energy. At Serenbe, I feel younger because I am engaged and I’m living a more vibrant life.”

Serenbe and other new amenities-laden retirement communities illustrate how the senior living industry is going through a transformation that has accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-pandemic Americans age 65+ expressed the desire to stay living in their homes as long as possible; the social isolation imposed by the pandemic has solo agers — the 12% of the population who, according to AARP, are widowed, divorced or without adult children to care for them — rethinking the desire to age alone at home.

>>Read the full article from Next Avenue.

***What is Next Avenue? A very cool concept – click here to learn more about this resource for older Americans.