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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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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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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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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.

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7 Ways You’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.  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)  If worrying about running out of money in retirement is keeping you up at night, you aren’t alone. Untold numbers of older adults have that concern, and for good reason. 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.

“Everybody is losing sleep” about retirement, says Bryan Kuderna, a certified financial planner. “It’s definitely a bigger one for women, who have longevity in their genes.”

You can’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 retirement​
    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. “One of the big things we see is as soon as people retire, they treat every day like it’s Saturday,” says Kuderna. “They 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.”

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

  2. Gifting too quickly​
    It’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. “The rule of thumb I tell my clients is first make sure you’re taking care of yourself financially,” says Matthew Curfman, a certified financial planner and president and co-owner of Richmond Brothers. “If you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t help others financially.”

    How to fix it: 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 downsizing​
    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. “They think they will downsize and will have all this equity from the house, so they buy a little condo up north and a little condo down south to do the snowbird thing. And all of sudden they didn’t downsize, they changed the situation,” says Kuderna.​

    How to fix it: Don’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 of​
    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. “It’s a pretty expensive proposition to need a full-time nursing home or at-home care,” says Curfman. “If you do nothing and something happens, you’ll have to pay for it somehow.”

    How to fix it: 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.​ More the DIY type, check out Ace Your Retirement a chatbot that asks you questions and offers up retirement advice.

  5. You have a lot of debt​
    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 you’re on a fixed income.

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

  6. You’re living on pretax income​
    Taxes are a big consideration when you begin withdrawing money from your retirement savings account. If it’s a traditional 401(k) or IRA, withdrawals are taxed as ordinary income. “It has a ripple effect on your overall tax situation and cash flow,” says Kuderna. “That $1 million is suddenly $700,000. It’s not going to last as long.”

    How to fix it: 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 don’t pay taxes on withdrawals once you’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 aren’t keeping up with inflation​
    The great wealth-eroding factor has always been inflation. That’s worse in 2022, with inflation running at a 40-year high of 8.6 percent. Diminishing purchasing power isn’t the only problem in high inflationary environments. Your investments have to work harder to hold their value over the long haul. “People entering retirement at 65 think they should be all cash or fixed income,” says Kuderna. “That money is for when they are 80. It can be in the markets and keeping pace with inflation.”

    How to fix it: 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

 

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

A new CNBC report said it all, “It’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. High inflation 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.

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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 isn’t worth much at all. That’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.

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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 is not a 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.  Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia – accounting for 60–80% of dementia cases.

What we know about Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s disease 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 Alzheimer’s lives four to eight years on average after diagnosis, but depending on other factors, can live as long as 20 years.

>>Read more.

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Gardening can offer older adults surprising benefits

It’s not just your imagination. Gardening is good for your health. Science tells us “interacting with plants can increase self-esteem and reduce feelings of anger, sadness and stress.”

This article, published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution March 2022, explains the science behind the good feelings you get while gardening.

As the weather continues to warm up, many of us will find ourselves back outside pruning, planting and playing in green spaces. This is good news for our bodies and minds, as gardening offers some big benefits for both physical and mental health.

Gardening can help combat depression, anxiety and loneliness

We likely know from our own experiences that bright blooms and warm sun can be a powerful antidote to a less-than-stellar mood. Getting outside and playing with the dirt, mindfully tending to a plant and watching it grow from seed, gives us both a sense of peace and accomplishment that can keep anxiety and depression at bay.

But science backs this up too.

A study from Texas A&M University AgriLife Extension Service found that interacting with plants can increase self-esteem and reduce feelings of anger, sadness and stress. It also helps keep people in touch with their communities and creates socializing opportunities. All of these factors are critical for maintaining positive emotional health.

Working in a garden keeps the brain sharp

One study found that daily gardening may reduce the risk of dementia by up to 36%. A 2019 study published in the International Journal of Environmental Health also found that planting a vegetable garden can improve brain nerve growth factors related to memory, and can improve functioning in the hippocampus, which is critical for memory, and cortical regions of the brain.

Gardening also helps combat stress and low mood and increases feelings of joy and happiness, all of which contribute to a healthier, happier, more resilient brain.

>>Click here to read the rest of this article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

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Signs It’s Time to Get Organized

(Posted with permission from Mike DeLeon at Caring Transitions of Northeast Atlanta)

Has your “stuff” taken over your space?

The items that fill our homes can be cherished, but when those items start to get in the way, it may be time to clear clutter. If you care for your home and an aging loved one too, this can become even more complex.

We have signs to help you decide if your possessions are holding you or a loved one back from being organized. In both cases, we can easily become blind to the number of items we accumulate over time and grow accustomed to clutter being there. If you’re not sure you need to remove excess “stuff” from your living environment here are signs clutter has taken over and it’s time to get organized.

In Your Home

Streamlining in your home to save space will help you stop clutter from taking over your space. Each room should have designated spaces for everything that belongs in the room.

Signs you may have too much “stuff” in your home:

  • You planned to clear clutter and get organized for a while, but haven’t had time.
  • You have more clothing and shoes in your home than can be worn in a specific season and laundry has become overwhelming.
  • You have trouble finding items like keys or other daily essentials frequently.
  • You have multiple spaces where “stuff” consistently continues to accumulate.
  • You have a large amount of items connected to memories or emotions that have taken up too much space.

3 Tips to Start Getting Organized

  1. Create a plan. Start the process by deciding which items are most meaningful to you and what you need for your family’s daily routine. Then identify heirlooms and keepsakes you are certain you want to keep.
  2. Know your space. Understand the layout, limitations, and organization wishes for your home. Decide what you believe should comfortably be in each room.
  3. Sort your items. Decide which items you want to donate or consider selling. Evaluate the best options to help you with that task.

In Your Loved One’s Home

Here’s a list of significant changes that could indicate your parents may currently or soon need additional support streamlining or professional decluttering help:

  • You observe stacks of unpaid bills or late notices.
  • Your loved one has trouble finding important or daily use items.
  • Changes in housekeeping that indicate parents are having trouble with clutter.
  • Clutter is causing numerous safety concerns in the home, such as covering heat and air conditioning ducts or trip and fall hazards.
  • Clutter is leading to issues with disorganized medications, spoiled food in the fridge, lack of healthy food items, infestations or mold.

3 Tips to Help Loved One’s Streamline

  1. Help your loved one get rid of items that belong to other people. Have they held on to your childhood furniture and keepsakes or stored items for family and friends? If your answer is yes, start clearing those items.
  2. Dispose of broken and outdated items. In most cases, broken items are no longer useful or functional, but a hazard. Be sure to discard these items to clear room as well as for safety.
  3. Be patient and prioritize the well-being of everyone involved. In a world driven by immediacy, we often want instant results. Remember this is a process that works best with a plan and lots of patience. If the task exceeds what you comfortably do, experts like those at Caring Transitions can help.

If these signs describe your home or your loved one’s home, it’s time to reclaim your space and get organized! This can be an overwhelming task, but you don’t have to do it alone. Experts at Caring Transitions can help you clear space. Learn more by contacting Mike DeLeon at Caring Transitions of Northeast Atlanta – mdeleon@caringtransitions.com.

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Explaining medical and non-medical in-home care for seniors

When it comes to aging in place, there are a variety of resources available to provide support for seniors. However, many people are unsure about differences between services, especially when it comes to medical and non-medical in-home care. Both provide support in the home, but they serve different purposes.

Medical Home Care

This type of care is often recommended for seniors who need medical assistance following an illness or injury, when coming home from the hospital, or when managing chronic conditions. Care is provided by a nurse or other licensed medical professional.

Home health care may include services such as:

  • Medication administration including IV infusions or injections
  • Pain management
  • Care for tracheotomies, catheters, feeding tubes, or ventilators
  • Wound care
  • Post-operative rehabilitation

It is prescribed by a doctor and allows seniors to recover in the comfort of their own homes more safely and effectively. The home health provider ensures they are following the established treatment plan and can identify potential problems or complications.

Non-Medical Home Care

This type of care focuses on supporting seniors with activities of daily living and maintaining their independence. It does not require a doctor’s order and can be scheduled for a few hours a week or several hours per day depending on the individual’s needs.

Non-medical in-home care may include services such as:

  • Light housekeeping
  • Meal preparation
  • Bathing, dressing, or toileting
  • Assistance with errands
  • Escorting on outings
  • Medication reminders
  • Nighttime and wake-up routines
  • Companionship
  • Respite care

Caregivers tailor care to each senior’s unique needs, allowing them to function independently as much as possible while offering the appropriate level of support. They can also spend time with aging adults reminiscing, playing games, or discussing current events to provide socialization and companionship to reduce loneliness and isolation. However, they do not offer direct medical care.

>>Read the full post here.

Posted with permission of Always Best Care Senior Services
www.alwaysbestcare.com | (678) 487-3803

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Helping your parents declutter

Caring for your family can bring joy to your life. If you are caring for your parents and children, this can become complex. As your parents age, their needs and abilities change. If you’ve started to consider the next best move for Mom, Dad or another senior loved one, we have guidance on trigger moments that signify it may be time to talk about a plan.

Here’s a list of significant changes that could indicate your parents may currently or soon need additional support such as home care, decluttering help, financial advising, or assisted living: 

  • Difficulty keeping up with finances. Observe stacks of unpaid bills or late notices.
  • Changes in personal hygiene or housekeeping that indicate parents are having trouble with personal grooming or housework.
  • Your parent repeats themselves often in the same conversation, seems confused, highly emotional or exhibits unusual paranoia. This could be caused by medications or other more serious cognitive issues.
  • Excessive shopping through TV or online outlets, or an unusual interest in online sweepstakes that require their personal information, phone numbers, addresses, social security or banking information.
  • Your parent is extremely isolated due to loss of a spouse or loss of personal mobility.
  • Numerous safety concerns in the home, such as heat, air conditioning, leaks, crumbling plaster, trip and fall hazards, steep stairways, loose carpeting and outdated electrical.
  • Health concerns: disorganized medications, spoiled food in the home, lack of healthy food items, infestations or mold
  • Recent diagnosis of a chronic health condition that requires a variety of care services provided by multiple practitioners.

If you noticed any of the trigger moment changes above, it may be time for your loved one to consider rightsizing or a move that benefits their health condition. Here are 5 tips to help you prepare them to “Rightsize” for whatever comes next.

Help your loved one get rid of items that belong to other people. Quite often, the first place you can begin to clear is where other people’s items gather. Have they held on to your childhood furniture and keepsakes or stored items for family and friends? If your answer is yes, start clearing those items. Contact family members and friends to find out if they want their items back or no longer have use for them.

Dispose of broken and outdated items. In most cases, broken items are no longer useful or functional, but a hazard. Items like chipped or broken decorative items can be especially harmful depending on the material the item is made of, the paint used to decorate it, or if the item has sharp or jagged edges. Be sure to discard these items to clear room as well as for safety. Also consider discarding well worn, old, holey, or torn clothing, bed linens, and towels as well as chipped or broken dinnerware.

Start the process by identifying items your loved one absolutely loves and needs. After deciding what items are needed to live safely and comfortably, such as a bed, place for clothes or eating utensils, you can then consider which items they love most that are not essential to daily life or comfort.

Be patient and prioritize the well-being of everyone involved. In a world driven by immediacy, we often want instant results. Remember that Rightsizing is a process that works best with a plan and lots of patience. This is a conscious decision to set the next phase of your life for comfort and healthy living. If the process exceeds what your family can do comfortable, consider hiring experts like Caring Transitions.

For every milestone in our lives, we use space differently. Quite often, embarking on new territory can be both exciting, and in some cases frightening. Having open and honest conversations with your loved ones about the next steps in their life can ease some of the anxiety and uncertainty surrounding this topic.

Published with permission of the senior relocation specialists at Caring Transitions.