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 personโ€™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.

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 youโ€™ve claimed already or are planning your future, youโ€™ll want to get the most out of your Social Security. Estimate your earnings, get the latest on the Costโ€ofโ€Living Adjustment (COLA), understand how spouses, exโ€spouses and children can collect benefits, andย more.

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

>>Read the full article from AARP

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 โ€œflu.โ€
  • 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

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 โ€” but they may also be a window to your health. Your eye color may predispose you to certain medical conditions, such asย skinย 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.

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

Hereโ€™s a look at what your eye color can mean for your health. ย 

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

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

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 childrenย an inheritanceย is a blessing, but it can also be a curse, particularly if the items youโ€™re handing down require work, time, money or space.ย  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 youโ€™re giving away is too complicated to comprehend or hard to value, it could cause stress.ย 

โ€œWhen itโ€™s an asset people donโ€™t understand, itโ€™s very difficult,โ€ says Jean-Luc Bourdon, founder and wealth adviser at Lucent Wealth Planning. He once had a client who inherited a unique car but didnโ€™t know what to sell it for or whom to trust. Instead of unlocking the value, she held on to the vehicle.ย  โ€‹

Even IRAs and 401(k)s can be problematic, since they arenโ€™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.

โ€œThe most common assets [kids donโ€™t want] have some type of obligation attached to them to maintain value,โ€ says Joseph McNair, a certified financial planner at WA Asset Management. โ€œThe closer to cash the assets are, the less cumbersome they are.โ€

>>Read the full article here.

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 werenโ€™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 wonโ€™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 thereโ€™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 itโ€™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 parentโ€™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.

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, theย National Council on Agingย (NCOA) is celebratingย National Senior Center Monthย 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 moreโ€”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.”

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

Ask your physician about cognitive rehabilitation.

If a loved one is havingย 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 canโ€™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 rehabilitationโ€™s potential. โ€œAnecdotally, weโ€™re seeing a good number of people [with long COVID] make significant gains with the right kinds of interventions,โ€ said Monique Tremaine, director of neuropsychology and cognitive rehabilitation at Hackensack Meridian Healthโ€™s JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute in New Jersey.

>>Read more.

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 Medicareโ€™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 programโ€™s Part D drug benefits, including putting a limit on out-of-pocket payments for insulin and making vital vaccines free. 

โ€œThere was previously no limit on how much a person on Part D could have to pay in a given year,โ€ says Nancy LeaMond, AARPโ€™s executive vice president and chief advocacy and engagement officer. โ€œAnd 1.3 million enrollees spent more than $2,000 in 2020.โ€  

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. Hereโ€™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

What is Swedish Death Cleaning or dำงstรคdning?

It sounds worse than it is – dำงstรคdning 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 dำงstรคdning 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, dำงstรคdning. Translated to English, it means โ€œdeath cleaning.โ€ Margareta Magnusson used this concept, giving it a modern update when she wrote her book, The Gentle Art of Swedish Death Cleaning.

Magnusson writes, โ€œIf you care for your loved ones then it’s only fair to spare them the emotional and physical burden of cleaning up your stuff.โ€ 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.

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 areโ€ฆ 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%).ย ”

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

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 atย 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 cafรฉ 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 โ€” the 12% of the population who, according to AARP, are widowed, divorced or without adult children to care for them โ€” 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.

US News & World Report — Best Senior Living Communities

Known for its “Best” lists, US News & World Report is now out with its Best Senior Living list. You’re now able to search for what they’ve determined to be the “best” near you.

(From US News & World Report) For many older adults, there may come a time when living in their current home is no longer desirable or possible. Making a choice about what the right next steps are can depend a lot on their health and their preferences.

Someone who no longer wants the upkeep of a larger home and yardwork might choose an independent living or continuing care retirement community. If basic daily tasks are becoming a struggle or if theyโ€™re recovering from a hospitalization, an assisted living setting where there is some help available, either temporarily or longer term, is a good choice. Families concerned for a loved one with memory loss can consider a memory care community with staff to help with both daily activities and safety.

To help seniors and their families make these decisions, residents and families from over 3,000 independent, assisted and memory care communities were surveyed. They were asked to rate their experience with the things that matter most โ€“ the kindness of staff; variety of activities; quality of the food and dining experience; whether local transportation is provided to doctor’s appointments, grocery stores or other daily needs; the quality of on-site caregiving and more. The top-rated communities for each level of care have been rated Best Senior Living in their categories.

>>Read the full article and search for communities near you.

Establishing a Healthy Aging Plan

A great article in Forbes Health about how families can go about establishing a Healthy Aging Plan which includes exploring senior living communities which provide a safe environment with various levels of support which may be needed. Senior living facilities and communities are popping up everywhere and this article gives families are road map to planning a senior move.

(From Forbes Health) As we age, we can acquire health and physical issues that can impact our ability to live independently. In such situations, living at homeโ€”especially aloneโ€”might not be the safest option. Fortunately, planning ahead for aย more suitable living environmentย can boost their overall quality of life. Read on to learn more about how various forms of senior living can fit positively into a balanced future and the importance of assisted living planning for a smart and healthy aging plan.

>>Read the full article

Long Covid Symptoms Often Overlooked in Seniors

If you have a senior loved one who had Covid, be aware of long Covid symptoms that they could be experiencing weeks after recovering from the virus. Doctors say family members often mistake the symptoms for normal aspects of the aging process.

The Washington Post reported “in a study published in the journal BMJ, researchers estimated thatย 32 percent of older adults in the United States who survived covid infections had symptoms of long covidย up to four months after infection” with some suggesting the effects can go on beyond a year post-infection.

So, what do families look for and why are seniors so vulnerable? Click here to read the complete Washington Post article.

7 Ways Youโ€™re Blowing Your Retirement Savings

We’re fairly certain in this crazy economy, pretty much everyone is wondering if they’ll have enough money to retire comfortably.ย  This great article from AARP addresses just that and asks a few questions that might have you rethinking your current retirement strategy.

What keeps you up at night?

(By Donna Fuscaldo for AARP)ย  If worrying about running out of money in retirement is keeping you up at night, you arenโ€™t alone. Untold numbers of older adults have that concern, and for good reason.ย Inflation is soaring, gas prices hit a national average of over $5 per gallon, and people are living longer. All of which means your money has to work harder to last.

โ€œEverybody is losing sleepโ€ about retirement, says Bryan Kuderna, a certified financial planner. โ€œItโ€™s definitely a bigger one for women, who have longevity in their genes.โ€

You canโ€™t control inflation and gas prices, but you can take steps to control how long your money lasts in retirement. If any of the actions below sound familiar, it may be time for a reset.

  1. Too much spending in the early days of retirementโ€‹
    Your entire working life was spent amassing money for retirement, so who can blame you if you want to spend it early on. But do too much of that and you may run into problems down the road. โ€œOne of the big things we see is as soon as people retire, they treat every day like itโ€™s Saturday,โ€ says Kuderna. โ€œThey go into retirement projecting their expenses today will stay that way the rest of their lives. A few extra vacations and trips with family and friends, and before they know it, they spent their retirement account in year one or two.โ€

    How to fix it?ย Rein in your expenses or get a part-time job to supplement your income. Not sure where to begin, AARP’sย Money Mapย helps you create a budget and build emergency savings.

  2. Gifting too quicklyโ€‹
    Itโ€™s natural to want to help your children and grandchildren out, but too much of a good thing can leave you penniless. Before you book that cruise for the entire family or give your child the down payment for a home, make sure you can afford to. โ€œThe rule of thumb I tell my clients is first make sure youโ€™re taking care of yourself financially,โ€ says Matthew Curfman, a certified financial planner and president and co-owner of Richmond Brothers. โ€œIf you donโ€™t take care of yourself, you canโ€™t help others financially.โ€

    How to fix it:ย Learn to say no, at least for now. Make sure you have enough cash in the bank to live comfortably in retirement, and then lend a helping hand.

  3. Upsizing instead of downsizingโ€‹
    Some people go into retirement with the intention of downsizing to a smaller home, but then end up doing the opposite. Instead of saving on housing, they spend more. โ€œThey think they will downsize and will have all this equity from the house, so theyย buy a little condo up north and a little condo down south to do the snowbird thing. And all of sudden they didnโ€™t downsize, they changed the situation,โ€ says Kuderna.โ€‹

    How to fix it:ย Donโ€™t treat the equity in your home as a windfall. Count it as an income stream you can live off of in retirement.

  4. No long-term care plan to speak ofโ€‹
    Close to 70 percent of Americans 65 and older will need long-term care in their lifetime, according to the Urban Institute and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Some have family members to rely on, but close to half will need to pay for long-term care on their own, and many have no plan to do so. โ€œItโ€™s a pretty expensive proposition to need a full-time nursing home or at-home care,โ€ says Curfman. โ€œIf you do nothing and something happens, youโ€™ll have to pay for it somehow.โ€

    How to fix it:ย Add long-term care coverage to your retirement savings plan. Depending on your situation, it may mean setting aside money, getting a long-term care insurance policy, or working with a financial adviser to devise another tax-efficient strategy.โ€‹ More the DIY type, check outย Ace Your Retirement a chatbot that asks you questions and offers up retirement advice.

  5. You have a lot of debtโ€‹
    Lingering or new debt can be a big blow to your retirement savings. It may have been easy to manage when you were collecting a paycheck, but it can hurt your cash flow and lifestyle when youโ€™re on a fixed income.

    How to fix it:ย Try not to bring any debt with you into retirement. If you do, work on paying it off and resist accruing new debt.

  6. Youโ€™re living on pretax incomeโ€‹
    Taxes are a big consideration when you begin withdrawing money from your retirement savings account. If itโ€™s a traditional 401(k) or IRA, withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. โ€œIt has a ripple effect on your overall tax situation and cash flow,โ€ says Kuderna. โ€œThat $1 million is suddenly $700,000. Itโ€™s not going to last as long.โ€

    How to fix it:ย Move some of your retirement savings into a Roth IRA or convert your traditional 401(k) into a Roth 401(k). With both investment vehicles, you donโ€™t pay taxes on withdrawals once youโ€™ve had the account for five years and are 59 1/2 or older. Keep in mind that the conversion is a taxable event.

  7. Investments arenโ€™t keeping up with inflationโ€‹
    The great wealth-eroding factor has always been inflation. Thatโ€™s worse in 2022, with inflation running at a 40-year high of 8.6 percent. Diminishing purchasing power isnโ€™t the only problem in high inflationary environments. Your investments have to work harder to hold their value over the long haul. โ€œPeople entering retirement at 65 think they should be all cash or fixed income,โ€ says Kuderna. โ€œThat money is for when they are 80. It can be in the markets and keeping pace with inflation.โ€

    How to fix it:ย With inflation soaring, a portfolio checkup may be in order to ensure your investments are allocated properly. The goal is a well-diversified portfolio that has just the right amount of risk.

>>Read more from AARP – A Recession Guide for Retirees

ย 

Why 2022 has been a dangerous time to retire โ€” and what you can do about it

A new CNBC report said it all, “Itโ€™s a scary time for new retirees. Stocks have plunged this year. Bonds, which traditionally serve as a ballast when stocks falter, have also been pummeled. Both trends are worrisome for seniors who rely on investments for their retirement income.ย High inflationย also means retirees need to draw more income to afford the same items and make ends meet.”

So, what’s a baby boomer to do?
What steps should you take to protect yourself from loss?
Of course, the #1 recommended action to take is “spend less” but there are other things to be mindful of. Click here for the full article.

Veterans Benefits Helping with Long Term Care

What you need to know about VA Aid and Attendance benefits.

As Seniors Real Estate Specialists, we come across many veterans who are preparing for alternative accommodation due to their health conditions and they are not always aware of some of the benefits that they may be eligible to receive. Our initial consultations often reveal details that allow us to offer support and or services that will assist them on their journey.

Veteran benefits are just one of the services we have shared with our clients that allow them more flexibility to afford their preferred senior living community. Such as in the case of Mr. & Mrs. B, who would have settled in a place not close enough to their adult children, if we didn’t help them find out about a veteran benefit that would help them. It provided them with more than $2,000 per month which would go directly toward their living expenses for a beautiful 2-bedroom cottage located in a Senior Living Community within 10 miles of their children (they were over 40 miles away before the move!).

In today’s economy, families are having to make tough financial choices, but some have relief available when it comes to long-term care for their loved ones. Veterans Aid and Attendance benefit (not widely known about), is a government program that can help families better manage the costs of caring for an elderly veteran or dependents.

So, what is Aid and Attendance?

VA Aid and Attendance is a monthly pension benefit that provides tax-free payments to Veterans who served during wartime. In addition to being available for Veterans, single surviving spouses and dependent children are also eligible for this benefit.

You may be eligible for this benefit if you get a VA pension, and you meet at least one of these requirements.

  • You need another person to help you perform daily activities, like bathing, feeding, and dressing, or
  • You have to stay in bedโ€”or spend a large portion of the day in bedโ€”because of illness, or
  • You are a patient in a nursing home due to the loss of mental or physical abilities related to a disability, or
  • Your eyesight is considerably limited

For more detailed information please visit VA.gov.

4 Types of Value Attached to Family Heirlooms

(Published with permission of Caring Transitions of Northeast Atlanta)

What is a family Heirloom? Heirlooms are usually possessions passed down from generation to generation, holding a story about a piece of important family history. But not all heirlooms share the same type of value outside of your family circle. To most, that same heirloom isnโ€™t worth much at all. Thatโ€™s because everyone attaches a different value to their heirlooms, making it priceless in their mind.

There are four types of value we attach to family heirlooms — sentimental, functional, monetary and social. It’s beneficial to understand the value we put on items passed down from generation to generation — especially as we talk about these items with younger family members.

>>Click here to read more.

8 Money Tips for Seniors Suffering from Inflation

Kiplinger is out with what they call eight financial survival tips. It’s a great read with some terrific suggestions of things to keep in mind as we deal with inflation and a recession.

(From Kiplinger) Why is this year different from all other years for seniors? Inflation. The latest numbers show a whopping inflation rate thatโ€™s the highest since 1982.  This means that everything you buy will be more expensive.  You see this impact at the gas pump, the grocery store, the doctor and, frankly, all over. The issue is that you donโ€™t have a choice not to buy certain things.

Itโ€™s interesting, because, we sort of have a love-hate relationship with our financial world.  We love that the economy is back roaring at a full-employment rate and that almost anyone can get a job if they want one.  We also love that wages are going up and that we are back in the car and eating out and traveling. But at the same time, we hate that this growth breeds inflation, resulting in costs for everything rising.  We also may support the Ukrainians in their war with Russia, but we hate the costs to us.

>>Read the full article from Kiplinger

Do you know the difference between dementia and Alzheimer’s?

You’ve probably had it happen with a loved one – they’ve forgotten something that is obvious, or their forgetfulness is completely uncharacteristic. You immediately think, “is it the beginning of Alzheimer’s?”

More often than not, it’s simply a natural part of aging. It’s important to know and understand the difference — and be able to recognize the signs of Alzheimer’s as early as possible to ensure safety and hopefully slow the progression.

Recently, Atria Senior Living published a great article explaining the differences between dementia and Alzheimer’s, as well as the signs to look for.


(Published by Atria) Dementia isโ€ฏnotโ€ฏa disease, but a broad term that refers to various conditions of more serious cognitive impairment. It is caused by damage to brain cells which can affect thinking, behavior and feelings. There are many types of dementia including Lewy body dementia, mixed dementia, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia and more. โ€ฏAlzheimerโ€™s is the most commonโ€ฏformโ€ฏof dementiaโ€ฏโ€“ accountingโ€ฏfor 60โ€“80%โ€ฏof dementia cases.

What we know about Alzheimerโ€™s

Alzheimerโ€™sโ€ฏdisease is one of the most prevalent health concerns among adults ages 65 and older and is the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. It is a degenerative disease resulting from brain cell damage where dementia symptoms gradually worsen over time.

Scientists are working hard to identify what causes this damage. They do know that, as this damage spreads, the brain cells lose their ability to function and then die. This causes irreversible changes in the brain that leads to memory failure, personality changes and problems carrying out daily activities. A person with Alzheimerโ€™s lives four to eight years on average after diagnosis, but depending on other factors, can live as long as 20 years.

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