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   Viewed 89 times - Published on Feb 26, 2010

Senior Living - Time To Dream Up Your Garden

SENIOR NEWS LINE
by Matilda Charles


My garden for this summer is already taking shape, at least on the kitchen counters, where dozens of little seed pots are lined up in flats. This year my goal is to grow vegetables for the food bank. I've already tried out my new PotMaker, a handy wooden gadget for making seed-starting pots out of newspaper.

I almost gave up gardening last year, mostly because of all the work. The stooping and bending was the worst of it. This year things will be up higher and easier to reach. A father-and-son team here in town are working on some trellises for me. Those will be for the climbing plants. When the weather is warmer, father and son will be over here building some extra-high raised beds.

A neighbor and I have gone in together on the cost of seeds. We have different ways of planting and growing, so we'll have to see which methods work best. (She goes for grow lights, while I prefer the sun, for one thing.)

So far, the menu-to-be consists of sweet peppers (mostly for the bright colors), tomatoes, carrots, three types of lettuce, radishes, cucumbers, green beans and climbing spinach.

If you don't have garden space, your town might have a site designated for a seniors' vegetable garden. Or if you live in a retirement center, ask about setting aside a communal area for residents to grow vegetables or flowers.

Here are some places to get a head start on planning your garden:

Burpee (www.burpee.com) Phone Orders: 1-800-888-1447

Park Seed Company (www.parkseed.com) 1-800-213-0076

Johnny's Seeds (www.johnnyseeds.com) 1-877-564-6697

To get started, all you need is pencil, paper, catalog -- and your imagination.

For tips on how to grow your own vegetables, see The Vegetable Gardening Guru at www.vegetablegardeningguru.com

Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com.

(c) 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.





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<b>Dear Savvy Senior:</b> My wife and I love to travel, but hotel costs eat up our budget so fast we can't stay as long, or go as often as we'd like to. I've heard that there are various alternative lodging options that offer free or low-cost accommodations to seniors. What can you tell us about this? <i> - Retired Travelers</i><br><br><b>Dear Retired:</b> It's true! You can save lots of money when you travel by skipping pricey hotels and opting for an alternative form of lodging. Here are some different options to consider. <br><br><b>Home Exchanges</b><br>One way to get free accommodations when you travel is by swapping homes with someone who's interested in visiting the area where you live. To make a swap, you'll need to join an online home exchange service where you can list your home, and get access to thousands of other listings. Then you simply email the owners of houses or apartments you're interested in - or they email you - and you make arrangements. Most home exchange sites like homeexchange.com, digsville.com, intervacusa.com charge membership fees ranging from $45 to $100, or try craigslist.org which offers a house-swap section for free.<br><br><b>House Sitting</b> <br>If you're willing to undertake a few household chores another way to get free lodging here in the U.S. and abroad is by house sitting. You live in someone else's home while they're away for a long weekend or even a few months. And in exchange for the free accommodations, you take care of certain responsibilities such as their pets, lawn, mail, etc. To find these opportunities try sites like caretaker.org, housecarers.com, housesittersamerica.com and sabbaticalhomes.com - they all charge a small membership fee.<br><br><b>B&B Clubs</b> <br>If you like staying in bed-and-breakfasts and have a spare bedroom yourself, consider the Evergreen Club (evergreenclub.com) or the Affordable Travel Club (affordabletravelclub.net). These are bed-and-breakfast clubs for older travelers that offer inexpensive lodging in the spare bedroom of other club members, or they may stay with you when they're on the road. You pay a modest gratuity of between $10 and $20 per night, with breakfast. And the clubs charge membership fees of $60 to $80 per year. <br><br><b>Hostels</b><br>Staying at a hostel is another inexpensive option to consider. While hostels have historically offered shared dormitory and bathroom accommodations with other guests, many hostels today are offering private rooms, swimming pools, hot tubs, free Internet, along with kitchens that guests can use to cook their own food. To search, see hostels.com and hostelworld.com. <br><br><b>Short-Term Apartment</b> <br>If you're planning on visiting a big city in the U.S. or foreign country for a week or more, renting a fully furnished apartment can save you the expense of a hotel and eating out every meal. Short-term apartment rentals are available through managed property brokers and individual owners. To search visit roomorama.com or craigslist.org and click on "vacation rentals." Or go to any online search engine and type in your destination city plus short-term apartments (for example "New York short-term apartments").<br><br><b>House or Condo Rentals</b><br>If you're traveling with your kids or grandkids you can save money by renting a house or condo versus multiple hotel rooms. Most properties rent by the week or month. To find these options try sites like pickpackgo.com, homeaway.com, zonder.com, rentalo.com, vrbo.com and craigslist.org. For resort destinations, check at resortquest.com. And for time share rentals see myresortnetwork.com and redweek.com. Or go to google.com and type in the place you want to visit followed by "vacation rentals." <br><br><i>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.</i><br> Alternative Travel Arrangements For Seniors
   from Sep 6, 2010



<b>Dear Savvy Senior:</b> Can you tell me about abdominal aortic aneurysms? My father died from one about nine years ago at the age of 76, and I'm wondering how that may increase my risk. What can you tell me?<br><i> - Feeling Fine</i> <br><br><b>Dear Fine:</b> While you don't hear much about them, abdominal aortic aneurysms are extremely dangerous and the third leading cause of death in men over 60. They also tend to run in families, so having had a parent with this condition makes you much more vulnerable yourself. Here's what you should know.<br><br><b>Silent Killer</b> <br>An abdominal aortic aneurysm (or AAA) is a weak area in the lower portion of the aorta, which is the major artery that carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. As blood flows through the aorta, the weak area bulges like a balloon and can burst if it gets too big, causing life-threatening internal bleeding. In fact, nearly 80 percent of AAA's that rupture are fatal, but the good news is that more than nine out of 10 that are detected through screenings are treatable.<br><br>The problem with AAA's is that - because they usually start small and enlarge slowly - they rarely show any symptoms. That is why screening is crucial. The most common symptoms, however, (with enlarged AAA's) may be a throbbing, or pulsation in the abdomen, or sometimes abdominal or lower back pain occurs. <br><br><b>Who's At Risk?</b><br>Around 200,000 people are diagnosed with AAA each year, but studies suggest that 1 in 20 Americans age 60 and older (over 2 million people) may have an AAA and not even know it. Here are the factors that can boost your risks:<br><br>- Age: Your risk of getting an AAA increases significantly after age 60 in men, and after age 70 in women.<br>- Gender: AAA's are five to 10 times more common in men than in women.<br>- Family history: Having a parent or sibling who has had an AAA can increase your risk to around one in four.<br>- Smoking: Ninety percent of people with AAA's smoke or have smoked. This is the number one risk factor and one you can avoid.<br>- Health factors: Atherosclerosis also known as hardening of the arteries, high blood pressure (140/90 or higher) and high cholesterol levels also increase your risk.<br><br><b>Get Screened</b><br>The best way to detect an AAA is to get a simple, painless, 10-minute ultrasound screening test. All men over age 65 that have ever smoked, and anyone over 65 that have a first-degree relative (father, mother or sibling) who has had an AAA should be tested. Talk to your doctor about your risks and getting screened.<br><br>You should also know that Medicare covers a one-time, free AAA screening to new enrollees. The screening, however, needs to be done within the first 12 months you have Medicare Part B. Men who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes during their life, and men and women with a family history of AAA qualify for the screening.<br><br><b>Treatment</b> <br>The treatment for an AAA will depend on the size of the aneurysm, its rate of growth and your general health. If caught in the early stages when the aneurysm is small, it can be monitored and treated with medication. However, if it is large or enlarging rapidly you'll probably need surgery. <br><br><u>Savvy Tips:</u> To learn more about AAA visit findtheAAAnswers.org. Also, check out Legs For Life (legsforlife.org, 800-488-7284), a national program that offers free AAA screenings in September in hundreds of locations nationwide, and the Society for Vascular Surgery (vascularweb.org) which provides a listing on their website of two-dozen health care facilities that provide free AAA screenings. Life Line Screening is another convenient resource to check into. This is a private company that travels all over the country offering AAA screenings for around $50 per test. To find an upcoming screening in your area visit lifelinescreening.com or call 800-449-2350.<br><br><i>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.</i><br><br>::::second::::<br> Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: A Silent Killer
   from Sep 6, 2010



<b>Dear Savvy Senior:</b> How much will the new health care reform law affect Medicare Advantage? My wife and I have used an Advantage plan for the past three years and would like to find out if we should stay with what we have, or go back to Original Medicare. What can you tell us? <i>- Concerned Retirees</i><br><br><b>Dear Retirees:</b> It is true that the new health care reform law will affect many seniors who have a Medicare Advantage plan, but how much change you can expect will depend on where you live and the plan you have. Here's what you should know.<br><br><b>Less Advantaged</b><br>Right now, around 24 percent of Medicare beneficiaries receive coverage through one of thousands of Medicare Advantage plans rather than Original Medicare. Advantage plans - private Medicare plans sold by insurance companies that are typically available through HMOs and PPOs - have become enormously popular over the past few years because they offer a host of extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn't provide like free eyeglasses, dental care, hearing aids and even gym memberships. <br><br>These extra benefits, however, have come at an extra cost. Since 2006, Medicare Advantage plans have received government subsidies that have been costing around 13 percent more than traditional Medicare. <br><br>But that's about to change. Starting next year, as a result of changes under health care reform, Medicare Advantage payments will be frozen at the current levels. And starting in 2012, Uncle Sam will begin reducing payments over the next two to six years to the insurers that administer these plans until they're getting the same amount of money, on average, that Original Medicare spends.<br><br>What all this means is that many of the 11 million seniors that have a Medicare Advantage plan can expect their premiums to gradually increase or the extra benefits to be reduced, or both, over the next few years. And some insurance companies may stop offering Medicare Advantage altogether.<br><br>But, not all Medicare Advantage plans will be affected. Payment cuts will depend on whether Medicare costs in your county are high or low. And starting in 2012, high-quality plans that have been around for a while and receive a 3.5 to 5 star government rating will be rewarded with bonus payments from the government that will offset some of the fee cuts. These plans will most likely continue operating with few changes. Newer and low-quality plans are the ones that will change. To check how your plan rates visit www.medicare.gov.<br><br><b>What To Do</b><br>Your best course of action is to review your Medicare Advantage plan this fall - you can expect to receive a mailing from your insurer sometime in October explaining any cost and/or coverage changes. <br><br>If you find that your insurer is dropping your plan, or if you don't like how your plan changes in the upcoming year, you can always switch to a different Advantage plan or move to Original Medicare during the annual open enrollment period, which is between Nov. 15 and Dec. 31. You can also make the switch during the Medicare Advantage open enrollment which is the first 45 days of 2011, between Jan. 1 and Feb.15. If you do decide to go back to Original Medicare, you'll probably want to purchase a Part D prescription drug plan and a Medigap supplemental policy to help cover deductibles and co-pays.<br><br>You can shop and compare all Medicare health plans, prescription drug plans and Medigap policies at www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan. Or, if you don't have Internet access, call 800-633-4227 and a Medicare representative can do the comparing for you over the phone. <br><br><u>Savvy Tips:</u> If you need additional help or have questions, call the Medicare Rights Center helpline at 800-333-4114, or contact your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) which provides free one-on-one Medicare counseling in person or over the phone. To find a local SHIP counselor visit www.hapnetwork.org/ship-locator, or call 800-677-1116. <br><br><i>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.</i><br><br><br>::::third:::: Senior Savvy: Changes To Medicare Advantage
   from Sep 6, 2010



<b>Dear Savvy Senior:</b> My 80-year-old mother lives alone about an hour from me and I worry about her health and safety. Outside of the telephone, what types of caregiving devices can you recommend that can help me keep tabs on her? <i> -Concerned Son</i><br><br><b>Dear Concerned:</b> There are many different tools and technologies available today that can help adult children keep tabs on their aging parent when they can't be there. Here are some popular options and new products to check into. <br><br><b>Senior Help Line</b><br>One of the biggest concerns among families that have an elderly parent or relative living alone is them falling and needing help. For this, a "personal emergency response system" or PERS is the most affordable solution. For about $1 a day (available through companies like lifelinesys.com, lifealert.com and lifefone.com) you can rent the equipment which includes a small transmitter (SOS button) that your mom would wear, giving her the ability to call for help any time she needs to. The drawbacks, however, are that many seniors forget to wear their SOS button regularly, and if they do have it on and fall, they still have to be alert enough to actually push the button. <br><br><b>Upgraded PERSs</b> <br>If you're willing to spend a little more (around $50 a month), there are several more sophisticated PERS on the market. One of them is Wellcore (wellcore.com), a new device that has fall detection sensors in the SOS button that can automatically summon help without the user having to press a button. Plus, it will beep to remind your mom to put it on, and if she doesn't, it will notify you. And, when paired with a compatible cellphone, it can even be used outside the home. Halo Monitoring (halomonitoring.com) also offers fall detection products, as does Philips (lifelinesys.com), maker of the popular Lifeline Medical Alert Service who just introduced an AutoAlert option. <br><br><b>Home Monitoring</b><br>Another more expensive option for keeping tabs on your mom is with a "home monitoring system." These systems come with sensors, placed in key areas of your mom's home that learn her daily patterns and notify you if something out of the ordinary is happening. For example, if your mom doesn't get out of bed at her usual time, or if she went to the bathroom and didn't leave it could indicate a fall or other emergency. The great thing about this type of system is it requires no input from your mom, and you can check in on her anytime through a password-protected website. You can find these systems at companies like GrandCare (grandcare.com), Healthsense (healthsense.com), and CloseBy (closebynetwork.com), with prices ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the options you choose. <br><br><b>Medication Management</b><br>If you're worried your mom not keeping up with her medications, there are a wide variety of pill organizers, medication dispensing and alarm systems (see epill.com) that can help. One of the best new systems on the market is TabSafe (tabsafe.com). A home-based device that dispenses medicine on schedule, providing reminders to ensure she takes it on time, and will notify you or other caregivers if her pills aren't taken. <br><br>Medication reminding services like OnTimeRx (ontimerx.com) or Check-in Friends (checkinfriends.com) can also be helpful. For a small fee, these services will call your mom to remind her to take her medication. Pillphone.com offers a similar service for wireless phones only. <br><br><b>Communication</b><br>Videophones have become an increasingly popular tool for keeping in touch with older loved ones from afar. If you're not familiar with them, videophones are like a telephone with a built-in camera and video screen that gives you the ability to see the person you're talking to in real time. Two of the best on the market today are the "ASUS Videophone Touch" that works with Skype (skype.com), and the "ACN IRIS 3000" (myacn.com). Both require a high speed Internet connection and are simple to use. Or, if your mom, and you, both have a home computer and a Webcam you can video chat online. <br><br><i>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.</i><br><br><br><br><br><br> Savvy Senior: Keeping Seniors Safe At Home
   from Jul 23, 2010



<b>SENIOR NEWS LINE<br>by Matilda Charles</b><br><br>::::start::::It's hard enough that we work to pay off our homes so that we won't have that payment at retirement, but now there's a scam targeting some seniors who've done just that.<br><br><b>Here's how it works:</b> When you have a mortgage, the Deed of Trust paperwork is recorded with the local county recorder. When a mortgage is paid off, a reconveyance deed is filed (by the trustee or title company) with that same recorder's office and the original is sent to you within 30 or 60 days. The paperwork says you've paid off your mortgage. Except for property taxes (and maybe condo fees) you don't owe anybody anything on your home. <br>That reconveyance deed is extremely important. Without it, you can't prove that you own your home.<br><br>Knowing that, here come the scammers. A number of seniors have received in the mail official-looking documents saying that their reconveyance deed is not on file. For a "small" fee, of course, they can fix the situation and ensure that a copy is filed.<br>Nowadays it's easy to get information online, and that's likely where the scammers are getting it. No doubt they're looking at the exact reconveyance deed online when they note your name and address and send you mail saying that deed is missing.<br><br>If you receive official-looking mail saying that your reconveyance deed is not filed, do not send any money to have someone else take care of it for you. Hunt up your own original and call the county recorder's office. Ask someone there to verify that your deed is copied or noted in the files.<br>I remember when people use to have deed-burning parties. The paid-off deed was incinerated in the barbecue grill in the backyard and a good time was had by all. It probably was never a good idea to do that.<br><br><i>Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com.<br><br>(c) 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.</i><br> Senior News Line: Paid-Off Mortgage Draws Scammers
   from Jul 23, 2010



<b>Dear Savvy Senior:</b> A while back you wrote a column on how to seniorize a bathroom to make it safer and easier to use. What about the kitchen? At 80, my mother still loves to cook, but has arthritis and some mobility challenges that make it difficult for her. What senior-friendly kitchen tips can you recommend? <i>-Aching Cook</i><br><br><b>Dear Aching: </b> The standing, bending, reaching, gripping and lifting that often comes with cooking, makes the kitchen one of the most challenging rooms in the house for seniors to use. Here's what you can do. <br><br><b>Small Modifications</b><br>There are lot's of simple solutions and inexpensive add-ons that can make a big difference in making your mom's kitchen safer and easier to maneuver. Consider these tips for the: <br><br>- Cabinets: Start by reorganizing your mom's kitchen cabinets so that the items she frequently uses are within comfortable reach. You can also make her cabinets and pantry easier to access by installing pull-out shelves or lazy susans, or for the hard-to-reach upper shelves, a pull-down shelving system (see rev-a-shelf.com). D-shaped pull-handles for the cabinets and drawers are also recommended because they're more comfortable for arthritic hands to grasp than knobs.<br><br>- Lights: Aging eyes need more light, so install the highest wattage bulbs allowed in your mom's fixtures, and to brighten up her kitchen countertops add task lighting under her cabinets.<br><br>- Faucet: If she has twist handles on the faucet, replace them with easy-to-turn lever handles, or replace the entire fixture with an ADA compliant faucet with a single lever handle, or the new Delta touch technology faucet. And for safety purposes, set your mom's hot water tank at 120 degrees to prevent water burns.<br><br>- Stove: If her vision is poor, clearly mark the controls on her stove or replace her dial controls with larger easier to read dials. And if memory is an issue, an automatic stove shut-off device (see cookstop.com, stoveguardintl.com and pioneeringtech.com) is a smart solution.<br><br>- Microwave: If your mom's microwave is mounted above her stove, consider moving it to a countertop. It makes it safer and easier to reach.<br><br>- Other areas: If she has kitchen throw rugs, to reduce the possibility of tripping, secure them to the floor with double-sided rug tape or replace them with non-skid floor mats. If standing for long periods causes her problems, get a kitchen stool so she can sit down while she works. And to help her arthritic hands, invest in some OXO Good Grip (oxo.com) or other ergonomic kitchen utensils. <br><br><b>User-Friendly Appliances</b><br>If you're looking to buy your mom some new appliances, manufacturers like General Electric, Whirlpool, Bosch and Siemens make a variety of products designed with seniors in mind. Here's what to look for.<br><br>- Refrigerator/freezer: Side-by-side doors work well for seniors because the frequently used items (refrigerated and frozen) can be placed at mid-shelf range for easy access. Pull-out adjustable height shelves and water/ice dispenser on the outside of door are also very convenient.<br><br>- Dishwasher: Drawer designed dishwashers that slide in and out are very handy, and have it installed on a raised platform (6 to 10 inches) to eliminate bending over.<br><br>- Stove or cooktop: Look for one with the controls at the front so your mom won't have to reach over hot burners to turn it off, and make sure the controls are easy to read and use. Flat surface burners or continuous grates on gas stoves are also great for sliding heavy pots and pans from one burner to the next. And ask about automatic shut off burners.<br><br>- Oven: Self-cleaning ovens are a plus, and consider a side-swing door model. They're easier to get into because you don't have to lean over a hot swing-down door. Also consider a wall-mounted oven, installed at your mom's preferred height to eliminate bending.<br><br>- Washer and dryer: Front-load washers and dryers with pedestals that raise the height 10 to 15 inches are back-savers and easy to access. <br><br>For more kitchen modifications tips see www.aarp.org/families/home_design/kitchen and www.homemods.org.<br><br><i>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.</i><br><br><br><br> Savvy Senior: How To Make A Kitchen Senior-Friendly
   from Jul 10, 2010



<b>Dear Savvy Senior:</b> What tips or resources can you recommend for researching communities in the U.S.? My wife and I will both be retiring in a few years and are interested in relocating to a smaller house in a sunnier climate but could use some help. What can you tell us? <i> - Ready to Roll</i><br><br><b>Dear Ready:</b> For many, retiring to a new location is an exciting adventure and a great way to start a new chapter in life. Here are some tips to help you find and research a new community that meets your budget, and satisfies your wants and needs.<br><br><b>What to Consider</b><br>While nine out of 10 U.S. retirees stay where they are when they retire, the other 10 percent choose to relocate. Whatever your dream retirement location may be, you need to do your homework and learn everything you can about the area you're interested in. Here are some things to consider in helping you get started:<br><br>- The three Cs: Also known as crime, climate and cost of living. For most retirees these are high priorities in choosing a retirement location. To research these areas go to bestplaces.net, a fantastic Web resource that offers climate profiles, crime statistics, a cost of living calculator and more, and lets you compare cities side-by-side. You can also click on the "Cost of Living" tab, plug in your annual income, and find out how much you'll need to maintain your current standard of living. Also see homefair.com.<br> <br>- Taxes: Some states are more tax friendly than others. If you're planning to move to another state when you retire, you'll want to research your prospective state's personal income taxes, sales taxes, taxes on retirement income, property taxes and inheritance and estate taxes, which you can do at retirementliving.com - click on "Taxes by State." <br><br>- Healthcare: Does the community you're considering have good medical facilities nearby? Hospitalcompare.hhs.gov and qualitycheck.org are two good websites to help you research this. Also, to search for doctors in your new location that accept Medicare, visit medicare.gov and click on "Facilities & Doctors" or call 800-633-4227. Vitals.com is another good resource for researching new doctors. It's also important to keep in mind healthcare costs as they, too, can vary by market. Contact your insurer to research this. <br><br>- Transportation: If you plan to travel much, or expect frequent visits from your kids or grandkids, convenient access to an airport or train station is a nice advantage. Another consideration is public transportation. Since most retirees give up driving in their 80s, what services will be available? The area aging agency (call 800-677-1116 to get the local number) can help you with this. <br><br>- Recreation and work: Depending on your hobbies and interests - golf, fishing, art, music, continuing education and more - your retirement destination should meet your needs. Or, if you're interested in occupying your time with full time or part time work or by volunteering, what kinds of opportunities are available? <br><br><b>Test the Water</b><br>Once you find a location you're interested in, it's wise to make multiple visits at different times of the year so you can get a feel for the seasonal weather changes. It's also prudent to rent for a year before buying a home or making a commitment to a retirement community. You may find that you like the area more as a vacation spot than as a year-round residence. <br><br><b>More Tools</b><br>For more help researching a location, contact the prospective city's chamber of commerce. Also see epodunk.com, neighborhoodscout.com and relocateamerica.com - all excellent resources for learning more about thousands of locations across the country. <br><br>If you aren't sure where you want to retire, visit findyourspot.com and take their interactive quiz that poses dozens of questions on your preferences such as climate, recreation, community size and more. It then suggests possible destinations that match your preferences, and offers detailed reports on the suggested communities. Also, see greatplacestoretire.com, topretirements.com and consider getting a subscription to "Where to Retire" magazine (wheretoretire.com; 713-974-6903). <br><br><i>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.</i><br><br><br><br> Savvy Senior: Retirement Relocation Tips And Tools
   from Jul 10, 2010



<b>Dear Savvy Senior:</b> In one of your recent columns (What Healthcare Reform Means for Seniors) you wrote that seniors with a Medicare prescription drug plan could get a $250 rebate check when they hit the donut hole. I've just hit it! What do I need to do to get my check and how long will I have to wait? <i>Signed, Need Help</i><br><br><b>Dear Need:</b> One of the key benefits for seniors in the new healthcare reform law is improved coverage for Medicare Part D beneficiaries. Here's what you should know: <br><br><b>Donut Hole Rebate</b><br>This year, seniors who have a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan are automatically eligible to receive a one-time $250 rebate check if they hit the "donut-hole" coverage gap and are not already receiving Medicare "Extra Help." Medicare expects around 4 million Part D beneficiaries will actually hit the donut hole in 2010. <br><br>The donut hole begins after you reach $2,830 in total prescription-drug spending and extends until your total drug costs for the year reach $6,440. Within that gap, you generally have to pay the bills out-of-pocket. After that, your Part D plan usually covers 95 percent of your remaining drug costs for the year. <br><br>Again, you just need to reach the donut hole to qualify for the rebate. You don't have to spend $250 within the coverage gap first. And you don't need to fill out any forms to get your check. Medicare will automatically send it when you reach the donut hole - you should receive it within 45 days. To make sure there are no delays, you may want to call your drug plan once you've hit the donut hole, to make sure they've notified Medicare of your eligibility. If you don't get your rebate check, call Medicare at 800-633-4227. <br><br><b>Scam Alert</b><br>The government also wants to warn seniors about possible con artists who may try to take advantage of the government rebate. If someone calls you claiming to need your personal information, like your Medicare or Social Security number, or bank account so they can process your Medicare rebate check, don't give it to them. It's a scam! Just hang up the phone, and call 1-800-MEDICARE to report it.<br><br><b>Coming Next Year</b><br>You also need to know that starting in 2011, Medicare Part D beneficiaries that hit the donut hole will receive a 50 percent discount on brand-name drugs and a seven percent discount on generic prescriptions. After that, beneficiaries will pay a smaller portion of their drug costs in the donut hole each year until 2020, when they have to pay just 25 percent of those costs. <br><br>Also starting next year, individuals who earn more than $85,000 (or $170,000 if married filing jointly) will have to pay a high-income surcharge for Part D Premiums, as they do for Part B. <br><br><b>Extra Help Changes</b><br>Another change to be aware of is Medicare's expanded prescription drug benefit to low income seniors (this is not part of healthcare reform). Changes in the law have now made it easier for about 1 million more seniors to qualify for "Extra Help" in paying their Medicare drug coverage. <br><br>To be eligible, your annual income must be less than $16,245 for an individual and $21,855 for a married couple living together. And your assets such as stocks, bonds and bank accounts must be limited to $12,510 for singles and $25,010 for married couples. The value of your home and automobiles are excluded. <br><br>Under the old law, applicants had to include the value of life insurance policies in calculating their assets. They also had to include as part of their income money received on a regular basis from relatives and friends to help pay household expenses. Under the new law, life insurance policies are no longer counted as assets and money received to help pay household expenses is not counted as income. To find out if you qualify call Social Security at 800-772-1213 or see ssa.gov/prescriptionhelp. <br><br><i>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.</i><br><br><br> Savvy Senior: Financial Aid Medicare Part D
   from Jul 10, 2010



<b>Dear Savvy Senior:</b> Is melanoma hereditary? My dad died of it a few years ago at age 71, and I don't want to follow in his footsteps. What can I do to guard against this deadly skin cancer? <br><i>- Sun Screened Cindy</i><br> <br><b>Dear Cindy:</b> While long term sun exposure and sunburns are the biggest risk factors for melanoma, your genes can definitely play a role too. Here's what you should know.<br><br><b>Who's at Risk?</b> <br>Each year, about 65,000 Americans develop melanoma - the deadliest form of skin cancer. While anyone can get it, those most often diagnosed are Caucasians, age 50 and older. And those most vulnerable are people with red or blond hair, blue or green eyes, fair skin, freckles, moles, a family history of skin cancer and those who had blistering sunburns in their youth. <br><br><b>Self-Defense</b><br>The best way you can guard against melanoma and other skin cancers (basal and squamous cell carcinomas), is to protect yourself from the sun, and if you're over age 50, get a full-body skin exam done by a dermatologist each year. Self-examinations done every month or so is also a smart way to detect early problems. Check your entire body, and be on the look-out for new growths, moles that have changed, or sores that don't heal. For self-examination tips and actual pictures of what to look for see skincheck.org. <br><br><b>Sun Safety</b><br>Even though you can't change your skin or family history, you can control your sun exposure. Here are some tips and products to help, and remember, it's never too late to start protecting your skin:<br><br>*Stay in: Avoid the sun when possible from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when the ultraviolet (UV) rays are most intense.<br><br>* Use sunscreen: Be sure to choose a "broad-spectrum" product that provides UVA and UVB protection and has a SPF (sun-protection factor) of at least 30. If you don't like the rub-on lotions, try the continuous spray-on sunscreens which are easier to apply and re-apply and less messy.<br><br>* Sun pills: There's a nonprescription sun-pill on the market called Heliocare that provides additional UV protection. The pills are intended to supplement sunscreen, and are sold at drugstore chains for about $60 for a bottle of 60 pills.<br><br>* Cover up: Thick or tightly woven cloths can help prevent the sun's rays from reaching your skin or you can purchase a variety of lightweight clothing and hats that offer maximum UV protection in their fabric. Coolibar.com and sunprecautions.com are good places to find such products.<br><br>* Wash-in protection: SunGuard laundry additive (sunguardsunprotection.com) is another option that allows you to wash an invisible shield of sun protection right into your clothes.<br><br>* Monitor yourself: Oregon Scientific Inc. (www2.oregonscientific.com) sells a handy UV monitor for $24 that will warn you when you've had enough sun exposure. Or, you can check sites like epa.gov/sunwise which provides UV Index ratings where you are.<br><br>* Wear sun shades: Sunglasses with UVA and UVB protection can help prevent cataracts and macular degeneration along with melanoma of the eye and skin cancer around the eyelids. <br><br><b>Treatment</b><br>If melanoma is caught and treated early, it's nearly 100 percent curable. But if it's not, the cancer can advance and spread to other parts of the body, where it becomes hard to treat and can be fatal. Standard treatment for melanoma is surgical removal. In advanced cases however, chemotherapy or radiation may also be used. <br><br><u>Savvy Tip:</u> In the spring and summer, there are a variety of places that offer free skin cancer screenings. Check with the American Academy of Dermatology (888-462-3376, aad.org/public/exams/screenings) which offers free screenings done by hundreds of volunteer dermatologists across the U.S. You can also find free screening through the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery (asds.net/skincancerscreening.aspx), and the Skin Cancer Foundation (skincancer.org). <br><br><i>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.</i><br><br> Savvy Senior: Smart Ways to Protect Against Melanoma
   from Jun 13, 2010



<b>Dear Savvy Senior:</b> What do elder law attorneys do? My parents need some legal help with an insurance problem and a long-term care issue but have limited funds. What can you tell us and where can we find help. <i>- Legally Gray</i><br><br><b>Dear Gray:</b> When it comes to specialized areas of law, most people are more familiar with corporate, criminal or even divorce law than they are elder law, but elder law has become one of the fastest growing fields in the legal profession. Here's what you should know.<br><br><b>Elder Law</b><br>Elder law is a sub-specialty within the practice of law that focuses on the issues specific to older citizens, as well as people with disabilities and their families. Some of the areas that fall under the umbrella of elder law include: estate planning, wills, probate, trusts, management and administration of estates; long-term care, nursing home or assisted living issues; claims and appeals for Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, SSI, disability, pension and insurance; end-of-life planning including durable powers of attorney, living wills, advanced directives, conservatorships and guardianships; and elder rights including age discrimination, elder abuse and fraud. <br><br>If you do decide to go with an elder law attorney, keep in mind that most don't specialize in all areas of elder law, so you'll need to choose someone who has the expertise that matches your parent's needs. <br><br>To help you locate an elder law attorney in your area, try the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys which provides a national listing on their Web site at naela.org. When you do your search, look for the CELA (Certified Elder Law Attorney) designation after their name. This indicates enhanced knowledge and experience in the field. <br><br><b>Free Legal Help</b><br>If your parents can't afford to pay attorney fees, there are a variety of other resources available that offer free or low-cost legal help to seniors and people with limited means. Here are some to check into:<br><br><u>Senior Legal Hotlines</u>: There are 27 states including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico that offer senior legal hotlines, where all seniors over age 60 have access to free legal advice over the telephone. To find the states that offer this service and their toll free number visit legalhotlines.org.<br><br><u>Legal Services for Elderly</u>: Coordinated by the Administration on Aging, this service may offer free or low-cost legal advice, legal assistance or access to legal representation to people over the age of 60. Your Area Agency on Aging (call 800-677-1116 to get your local number) can tell you what's available in your community.<br><br><U>Pro Bono programs</u>: Usually sponsored by state or local bar associations, these programs help low-income people find volunteer lawyers who are willing to handle their cases for free. You can look for a pro bono program at lawhelp.org.<br><br><u>Legal Aid</u>: Directed by the Legal Services Corporation, legal aid offers free legal assistance to financially eligible people of all ages. Each community program will differ in the services they offer and income qualifications. See www.lsc.gov/map to locate a legal aid program in your area.<br><br><u>AARP Legal Services Network</u>: This service provides AARP members a free legal consultation (up to 45 minutes) with an attorney in your area along with discounts on other legal services you may need. To locate a lawyer near you, visit aarplsn.com or call 866-330-0753.<br><br><b>Savvy Tip</b>: The American Bar Association also provides a nice listing of state resources on their Web site (findlegalhelp.org) to help you find legal assistance in your area. <br><br><i>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.</i><br> Savvy Senior: Legal Resources For The Elderly
   from Jun 4, 2010



<b>Dear Savvy Senior:</b> What types of resources are available to help elderly drivers and their families? My 84-year-old mother still drives fairly well but her driving skills have diminished some over the past few years and I know the day is soon coming where she'll need to quit. <br>- Backseat Son<br><br><b>Dear Backseat:</b> With more and more Americans driving well into their 70s, 80s and beyond, there are lot's of programs, tools and resources that exist today to help older drivers and their concerned family members. Here are some good ones to check out along with a few tips. <br><br><b>Still Driving</b><br>To help keep your mom safe while she's still driving, see to it that she gets her eyes checked every year to ensure her vision is up to par, and that she isn't taking any medications that could impair her driving. <br><br>A few simple driving adjustments can also go a long way in keeping her safe, such as not driving after dark or during rush hour traffic, avoiding major highways or other busy roads, and not driving in poor weather conditions. It's also good to know the older driver's license renewal laws in your mom's state, which you can get by calling her nearby driver's license office or at iihs.org/laws/olderdrivers.aspx.<br><br><b>Self-Assess</b><br>To help you and your mom evaluate her driving abilities, a do-it-yourself assessment is a good way to start. The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety has some great resources on their Web site to help with this. Just go to seniordrivers.org and download "Roadwise Review," a free screening tool that will test your mom's physical and mental abilities that are important for safe driving. Then click on the "DriveSharp Calculator," another short test, created by Posit Science that will rate her crash risk. AAA also offers an online self-survey called the "Drivers 55-Plus Self Rating Quiz" that she can take at aaafoundation.org/quizzes, or call 800-305-7233 and have them mail you the brochure. Also see aaaseniors.com and safedrivingforalifetime.com, two new sites dedicated to helping older drivers. <br><br><b>Get Refreshed</b><br>Another option that can help tune-up your mom's driving skills is a driver refresher course. AAA and AARP both offer inexpensive older driver courses that may also earn her a discount on her auto insurance. To locate a nearby class contact your local AAA (aaa.com) or AARP (aarp.org/drive, 888-227-7669). Most courses can be taken in the classroom or online.<br><br><b>Find a Pro</b><br>If you feel your mom could use some extra help, get a professional assessment done by a driver rehabilitation specialist - they can cost several hundred dollars up to $1,000. They will evaluate her driving skills along with how well she and her car fit together, and provide recommendations and solutions based on her needs. To locate a trained professional, contact the Association of Driver Rehabilitation Specialists (driver-ed.org, 866-672-9466) or the American Occupational Therapy Association (aota.org/olderdriver). <br><br>Another good resource to check out is CarFit, a free assessment program that will help your mom adjust her vehicle for a better fit, making it easier and safer to drive. See car-fit.org to find an event near you. <br><br><b>Keeping Watch</b><br>If you're concerned about your mom's driving, a good way to keep an eye on her without impeding her driving is through the howsmydriving.com Senior Driving Program. This program puts a big How's My Driving ID sticker on her back windshield so other drivers on the road can report improper driving, which can be e-mailed to you. A similar service is available at backseatguardian.com.<br><br><b>Time to Quit</b><br>If you find that your mom's driving is not safe anymore and she needs to give it up, the Hartford Financial Services Group and MIT AgeLab has a resource that can help called "Family Conversations with Older Drivers." At www.thehartford.com/talkwitholderdrivers you can find worksheets for evaluating your mom's driving, tips for talking to her about quitting driving and what to do if she refuses to stop. <br><br><b>Alternative Transportation</b><br>When your mom does quit driving, the Area Agency on Aging (call 800-677-1116 to get your local number) is your best resource for locating available alternative transportation options. <br><br>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.<br><br><br><br> Savvy Senior: Elderly Driver Resources
   from May 27, 2010



<b>Dear Savvy Senior:</b> A few months ago you wrote a column on how to choose a cane. Can you now write one on how to choose a walker? My mom has some balance problems along with arthritis in her hip and could use a little more help than a cane provides to get around. What can you tell us? - Wobbly Walker<br><br><b>Dear Wobbly:</b> When it comes to choosing a walker there are lots styles and options to consider, but selecting the best one for your mom will depend on her needs and abilities. Here's what you should know.<br><br><b>Choosing a Walker</b><br>There are three basic types of walkers on the market today. To help your mom choose the right kind, consider the type and amount of support she needs, and take her to a home medical equipment store or pharmacy that sells walkers so she can test-walk a few. It's also a smart idea to work with your mom's doctor or physical therapist, and be sure to get a written prescription as Medicare can help cover the cost. Here are the different types she'll have to choose from: <br><br><u>Standard walker:</u> This is the most basic style of walker that has four legs with rubber feet. It's also very lightweight (around 6 pounds) and the least expensive option starting at around $50. This type of walker must be picked up and moved forward as you walk, and is best suited for people who need significant weight bearing and support. <br><br><u>Two-wheeled walker:</u> This is the same style as the standard walker except it has two wheels on the front legs. The wheels allow you to easily push the walker forward (without lifting), while the back legs without wheels scoot on the ground providing support while you step forward. These are priced at around $60 to $75.<br><br><u>Rollator walker:</u> This is a rolling walker that has wheels on all four legs (there are also three-wheeled rollators). This type works best for people who need some assistance with balance or endurance. If your mom needs to lean heavily on her walker for support, this may not be her best option because it can roll out from under her and cause her to fall. Rollators also come with hand-breaks for easy control, and most have built-in seats for taking periodic rests, baskets for carrying personal items, and typically run between $75 and $200. <br><br><b>Features to Check</b> <br>Before deciding on a walker here are a few extra things you'll want to double check: <br>- Weight capacity: Make sure the walker has a weight capacity that will support your mom. <br>- Height: Be sure the height is adequately adjusted. With your mom standing and her arms relaxed at her sides, the hand grips of the walker should line up with the crease on the inside of her wrist. <br>- Width: Will the walker fit through the doorways in her home. If your mom has narrow doorways consider offset door hinges as a simple and affordable way to widen them an extra two inches. <br>- Seat: If your mom chooses a rollator, make sure she can comfortably fit between the handgrips when sitting. <br>- Grips: Most walkers come with plastic or rubber grips but you have other choices. You might consider foam grips or soft grip covers if your mom's hands tend to get sweaty, or if she has arthritis in her hands or fingers she might prefer a larger grip. <br>- Accessories: Walkers have lots of accessories that can be added for convenience such as food tray attachments, tote bags for carrying personal items, and tennis ball walker glides that go over the feet of a standard walker to help it slide more easily across the floor.<br><br><i>Savvy Tip:</i> The Mayo Clinic provides an informative slide show on their Web site on how to choose and use a walker - see mayoclinic.com/health/walker/HA00060. <br><br>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.<br><br><br><br> Senior Savvy: Choosing A Walker
   from May 27, 2010



<b>Dear Savvy Senior:</b> I've been taking care of my elderly mother for nearly a year now and it's wearing me out both physically and financially. Is there any way I could get paid to be her caregiver? <i>- Tapped Out</i> <br><br><b>Dear Tapped:</b> To get paid as your mother's caregiver there are several possibilities you should check into, and a variety of support services that can help, too. Here's what you should know. <br><br><b>Caregiving for Pay</b><br>If your mom is eligible for Medicaid, you may be able to get paid a small amount by the government. In 15 states, Medicaid offers a Cash and Counseling program (see cashandcounseling.org) that provides direct financial assistance to their beneficiaries, and that money can be used to pay in-home caregivers. A few other states have similar programs for low-income seniors, even if the person receiving care doesn't quite qualify for Medicaid. To find out about these options contact your local Medicaid office or visit benefitscheckup.org - an online service that helps seniors and their families find and enroll in federal, state, local and private benefit programs.<br><br><b>Other Options</b><br>If your mom has financial resources of her own, find out if she can afford to pay you herself. If she agrees, it may be a good idea for both of you to draft a short written contract detailing your work and payment arrangements. Or, if your mom has long-term care insurance that includes in-home care coverage, in some cases those benefits can be used to pay you. <br><br><b>Tax Breaks</b><br>The IRS may also be able to help you out if you can show that you pay at least half of your mother's yearly expenses, and her annual income was below $3,650 in 2009 (not counting Social Security). If so, you can claim her as a dependant on your taxes, and reduce your taxable income by $3,650. Your mom doesn't have to live with you to qualify as a dependent. IRS Publication 501 (see www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p501.pdf or call 800-829-3676 to get a copy mailed to you) has a worksheet that can help you with this. <br><br>If your mom's income, however, is over $3,650, you can't claim her as a dependent. But if you're paying at least half her living expenses, you can still get a tax break if you're helping pay her medical and long-term care costs and they exceed 7.5 percent of your adjusted gross income. You can include your own medical expenses in calculating the total. See the IRS publication 502 (www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p502.pdf) for details. <br><br><b>Support Services</b><br>If you don't qualify for caregivers pay or a tax break, you can still get some financial relief through the National Family Caregiver Support Program (NFCSP). This is a federally funded program that provides aid for specific caregiver needs like respite care or adult daycare to give you a break, counseling and support groups, and supplemental services including the purchase of medical supplies, SOS emergency response systems and even home modifications. In addition to the NFCSP, you should also check into home delivered meal programs, volunteer companion programs, and even home and personal care services. These, too, can lighten your load. To locate all the various programs and support services near you, contact your Area Agency on Aging. Call the Eldercare Locator at 800-677-1116 to get your local number or visit www.eldercare.gov. <br><br><u>Savvy Tip:</u> The best Web resource to search for caregiver support services and programs in your area is the Family Caregiver Alliance at caregiver.org. When you get there, click on "Family Care Navigator," or call 800-445.8106. <br><br><i>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.</i><br><br><br><br> Senior Savvy: Weary From Caregiving
   from Apr 14, 2010



<b>Dear Savvy Senior: </b>My 60-year-old husband has become a terrible snorer, especially over the past few years. It's gotten to the point I can't stand to sleep in the same room as him anymore. What can help us? </i>- Sleepless Sandy<br> <br><b>Dear Sandy: </b>Most people don't think there's much they can do to fix their snoring problems, but that's not true anymore. Today, there are number of viable tips and treatments that can make a big difference for snorers and their suffering spouses. Here's what you should know. <br><br>Snoring is very common. If fact, it's estimated that nearly half of all adults in the U.S. snore at least occasionally, and 25 percent snore habitually. But men are the ones who tend to be loud problem snorers, as well as people who are overweight. And snoring often gets worse with age. <br><br><b><u>Self-Help Remedies</b></u> <br>While there's no sure-fire cure for snoring, there are a variety of things your husband can try to help reduce or eliminate the problem, including: <br><br>- Slim down: If he's overweight, a 10 percent loss of body weight can help open up his airway and reduce snoring.<br><br>- Stop smoking. If your husband's a smoker, quitting will help. Smoking causes inflammation in the upper airways that can make snoring worse. <br><br>- Avoid alcohol and sedatives: Sleeping pills, painkillers, tranquilizers and alcoholic beverages all relax the muscles in the throat which makes snoring more likely. He should avoid all of these three to four hours before bed time. <br><br>- Change sleeping positions: Snoring is more common when you sleep on your back. To prevent this, sew a tennis ball in the back of a t-shirt or his pajama top. This will make sleeping on his back uncomfortable and teach him to sleep in a more breathing friendly side position. Or, buy a snoring pillow that's designed to promote side sleeping. The Sona Pillow (SonaPillow.com) and Sleepright Side Pillow (Amazon.com) are two popular brands.<br><br>- Tilt the bed: Raising the head of the bed by four inches can also help reduce snoring by helping him breath easier. He can do this by placing some bricks or boards under the headboard legs, or purchase some inexpensive bed raisers. Or insert a foam wedge under the head of the mattress. <br><br>- Clear nasal passages: If nasal congestion is causing your husband to snore, nasal strips such as Breathe Right may help, or if allergies are the cause, try steroid or saline nasal sprays. Antihistamines can help with allergies, but can worsen snoring. Also consider purchasing a humidifier for the bedroom. This can help to reduce congestion and moisturize the throat.<br><br><b>When to See a Doctor</b><br>Loud snoring can be a sign of obstructive sleep apnea (see SleepApnea.org), a serious condition in which the snorer stops breathing many times a night. Left untreated, it can cause high blood pressure and can sharply increase the risk for stroke and heart attack.<br><br>If your husband is frequently sleepy during the day, stops breathing during sleep, or snorts awake, gasping for breath, then it's time to see an otolaryngologist or a sleep specialist who may recommend an overnight study at a sleep center (SleepCenters.org). And even if he doesn't have these symptoms, these types of doctors can help ease his snoring if the other remedies have failed. <br><br>A common treatment for sleep apnea and severe snoring is a Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) device. This involves sleeping with a snorkel-like mask that's hooked up to a machine that gently blows air up your nose to keep the passages open. <br><br>Other treatment options include an oral appliance that fits into the mouth over the teeth like a removable mouth guard or retainer. And the new Provent therapy (ProventTherapy.com), which are small nasal devices that attach over the nostrils to improve airflow and breathing.<br><br>If these don't work, surgery is an option too. There are several procedures that are offered today that can help including the new minimally invasive pillar palatal implant that has a 75 percent success rate. <br><br><i>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.</i><br><br><br> Senior Savvy: Help! My Husband Snores...
   from Apr 14, 2010



<b>Dear Savvy Senior:</b> What can you tell me about food stamps or food assistance programs for seniors? I'm a 65-year-old widow struggling to make it on Social Security. <i> - Struggling Senior</i><br><br><b>Dear Struggling:</b> Food stamps help put food on the table for more than 38 million Americans each month, including millions of seniors. Here's what you should know about this invaluable entitlement program, and where you can find additional assistance.<br><br><b>Food Stamps</b><br>If you're not familiar with the Federal Food Stamp Program the first thing you need to know is that it changed its name. It's now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP (your state may use a different name), and it's available to lower-income families and individuals. To apply, you'll need to fill out a state application form, and SNAP benefits are provided on an inconspicuous plastic card that's used like a debit card and accepted at most grocery stores.<br><br>For seniors (age 60 and older) to be eligible, your assets must be under $3,000, not counting your home, car, retirement or pension plans. And your "net income" must be under the federal poverty guidelines, which is less than $903 per month for an individual or $1,215 for a family of two. Net income is figured by taking your gross income minus allowable deductions like medical expenses, rent or mortgage payments, heating and cooling costs, insurance, taxes and more. To find out if you qualify, use the SNAP pre-screening tool at www.snap-step1.usda.gov. The maximum amount of benefits you can receive as an individual is $200 per month. A family of two can get up to $367 per month. To learn more or apply, contact your local SNAP office. Call 800-221-5689 for contact information or visit www.fns.usda.gov/snap. <br><br><b>Other Food Programs</b><br>In addition to SNAP, another great program you should check out is the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program which provides coupons that can be exchanged for fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs. This program is available in 41 states to seniors, age 60 and older, with monthly household incomes below $1,670, or $2,246 for a family of two. For more information visit www.fns.usda.gov/wic and click on "SFMNP State Agencies," or call 703-305-2746.<br><br>Two other programs that can help are the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which distributes food to low-income people in need at local food banks, and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (available in 32 states) which provides food packages to seniors at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty line - that's under $1,173 for an individual, $1,578 for two. To learn more about these programs contact your local food bank or your state distributing agency. See www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/contacts/sdacontacts.htm or call 703-305-2662 for contact information. <br><br><b>Senior Meal Programs</b><br>Depending on where you live, senior nutrition programs are another option you should investigate. These are programs that provide free or low-cost hot meals that are typically served in a congregate setting at senior centers, churches or housing projects. Some facilities even offer transportation to the sites, or will deliver the meals to your home if you can't get out. Also check out Meals on Wheels, a home meal delivery program that's very affordable (usually between $2 and $6) or it may be free to very low-income seniors. To locate senior meal programs in your area visit MealCall.org, or call your Area Agency on Aging (call 800-677-1116 to get the local number). <br><br><b>Search for Benefits</b><br>To look for other helpful programs you may be eligible for - like SSI, Medicaid, extra help with prescription drugs, Medicare Savings Programs, help with utility bills and more - see BenefitsCheckUp, a comprehensive Web site that contains a database of more than 1,800 public and private assistance programs. Just go to BenefitsCheckUp.org and type in your personal and financial information and the site will give you a list of the different benefits you may be eligible for and will show you how to apply. If you don't have Internet access, your local public library can probably assist you with this. <br><br><i>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.</i><br><br><br> Senior Savvy: Food Assistance Programs
   from Apr 14, 2010



<b>Dear Savvy Senior:</b> What will happen to my property and money if I die without a will? <i>~ Don't Have Much</i><br><br><b>Dear Don't:</b> If you die without a will, what happens to your assets will depend on the state you live in, and which of your family members are living at the time of your death. Here's what you should know.<br><br><b>Who gets what</b><br>No one ever really dies without a will. That's because even if you don't get around to creating one yourself, the state you resided in will make one for you. But that also means the state gets to determine who get's your property and money - not you.<br><br>The state laws that determine how your estate will be distributed if you die without a will are called intestacy laws, and they can vary greatly from state-to-state. The best way to find out how your state works is to go to MyStateWill.com. This is a free, user-friendly site that has an intestacy calculator for every state so you can get an exact breakdown of how your estate would be distributed. <br><br>In the meantime, here is a general (not state specific) breakdown of what can happen to a person's assets - depending on who they leave behind. <br><br><b>Married with children:</b> When a married person with children dies without a will, all property, investments and financial accounts that are jointly held automatically goes to the surviving spouse, without going through probate, which is the legal process that distributes a deceased person's assets. But for all other separately owned property or individual financial accounts, the laws of most states award one-third to one-half to the surviving spouse, while the rest goes to the children.<br><br><br><b>Married with no children or grandchildren:</b> Some states award the entire estate to the surviving spouse, or everything up to a certain amount (for example the first $200,000). But many other states award only one-third to one-half of the decedent's separately owned assets to the surviving spouse, with the remainder generally going to the deceased person's parents, or if the parents are dead, to brothers and sisters. (Note: Jointly owned property, investments, financial accounts, or community property automatically goes to the surviving spouse.) <br><br><b>Single with children:</b> All state laws provide that the entire estate goes to the children, in equal shares. If an adult child of the decedent has died, then that child's children (the decedent's grandchildren) split their parent's share.<br><br><b>Single with no children:</b> In this situation, most state laws favor the deceased person's parents. If both parents are deceased, many states divide the property among the brothers and sisters, or if they are not living, their children (your nieces and nephews). If there are none of them, it goes to the next of kin, and if there is no living family, the state takes it.<br><br><b>Simple Wills</b><br>If you don't like the idea of your state handling your financial affairs after you're gone, you can change that by creating a simple will, and with all the self-help resources available today it's quick, easy and inexpensive. For example, Web sites like Buildawill.com and Legacywriter.com create a will for you by asking you questions and inserting your answers. The whole process takes less than 30 minutes from start to finish and costs only around $20. Or if you need a little extra help, try Legalzoom.com for $69. This site works like the others, but then has a specialist double-check your answers for completeness. <br><br>Or, if you don't find the online resources appealing check out Nolo's "Quicken WillMaker Plus 2010" (Nolo.com, 800-728-3555), which offers a downloadable computer software program for $40, or a CD for $42. Nolo also offers a new online will service for $50. And if you don't have a computer, there's Nolo's "Quick & Legal Will Book" ($13), which comes with legal forms and step-by-step instructions. <br><br><i>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.</i><br><br>::::second::::<br><br> Senior Savvy: What Happens If I Don't Leave A Will?
   from Mar 26, 2010



<b>Dear Savvy Senior:</b> What can you tell me about food stamps or food assistance programs for seniors? I'm a 65-year-old widow struggling to make it on Social Security. Any and all advice you can provide is greatly appreciated. <i>~ Struggling Senior</i><br><br><b>Dear Struggling:</b> Food stamps help put food on the table for more than 38 million Americans each month, including millions of seniors. Here's what you should know about this invaluable entitlement program, and where you can find additional assistance.<br><br><b>Food Stamps</b><br>If you're not familiar with the Federal Food Stamp Program the first thing you need to know is that it changed its name. It's now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP (your state may use a different name), and it's available to lower-income families and individuals. To apply, you'll need to fill out a state application form, and SNAP benefits are provided on an inconspicuous plastic card that's used like a debit card and accepted at most grocery stores.<br><br>For seniors (age 60 and older) to be eligible, your assets must be under $3,000, not counting your home, car, retirement or pension plans. And your "net income" must be under the federal poverty guidelines, which is less than $903 per month for an individual or $1,215 for a family of two. Net income is figured by taking your gross income minus allowable deductions like medical expenses, rent or mortgage payments, heating and cooling costs, insurance, taxes and more. To find out if you qualify, use the SNAP pre-screening tool at www.snap-step1.usda.gov. The maximum amount of benefits you can receive as an individual is $200 per month. A family of two can get up to $367 per month. To learn more or apply, contact your local SNAP office. Call 800-221-5689 for contact information or visit www.fns.usda.gov/snap. <br><br><b>Other Food Programs</b><br>In addition to SNAP, another great program you should check out is the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program which provides coupons that can be exchanged for fresh fruits and vegetables at farmers' markets, roadside stands and community supported agriculture programs. This program is available in 41 states to seniors, age 60 and older, with monthly household incomes below $1,670, or $2,246 for a family of two. For more information visit www.fns.usda.gov/wic and click on "SFMNP State Agencies," or call 703-305-2746.<br><br>Two other programs that can help are the Emergency Food Assistance Program, which distributes food to low-income people in need at local food banks, and the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (available in 32 states) which provides food packages to seniors at or below 130 percent of the federal poverty line - that's under $1,173 for an individual, $1,578 for two. To learn more about these programs contact your local food bank or your state distributing agency. See www.fns.usda.gov/fdd/contacts/sdacontacts.htm or call 703-305-2662 for contact information. <br><br><b>Senior Meal Programs</b><br>Depending on where you live, senior nutrition programs are another option you should investigate. These are programs that provide free or low-cost hot meals that are typically served in a congregate setting at senior centers, churches or housing projects. Some facilities even offer transportation to the sites, or will deliver the meals to your home if you can't get out. Also check out Meals on Wheels, a home meal delivery program that's very affordable (usually between $2 and $6) or it may be free to very low-income seniors. To locate senior meal programs in your area visit MealCall.org, or call your Area Agency on Aging (call 800-677-1116 to get the local number). <br><br><b>Search for Benefits</b><br>To look for other helpful programs you may be eligible for - like SSI, Medicaid, extra help with prescription drugs, Medicare Savings Programs, help with utility bills and more - see BenefitsCheckUp, a comprehensive Web site that contains a database of more than 1,800 public and private assistance programs. Just go to BenefitsCheckUp.org and type in your personal and financial information and the site will give you a list of the different benefits you may be eligible for and will show you how to apply. If you don't have Internet access, your local public library can probably assist you with this.<br><br>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><br><br>Contact the Community Center of Hope for information on the Hope Senior Center and weekday lunch program. Call (812) 546-4499.<br><br>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> <br><br><i>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.</i><br><br><br> Senior Savvy: Food Assistance For Seniors
   from Mar 26, 2010



<b>Dear Savvy Senior:</b> What tips or products can you recommend to make a bathroom more senior-friendly. My husband and I are looking to adapt our home for our elderly years and would like to start with the bathroom. What can you tell us? <i>- Aging Gracefully</i><br><br><b>Dear Aging:</b>Because more accidents and injuries happen in the bathroom than any other room in the house, this is a great place to start seniorizing. Here's what you should know. <br><br><b>Small Changes</b><br>To avoid hygiene hardships as you get older, let's start with some simple tips and a few low-cost add-ons that can make a big difference in making your bathroom safer and easier to maneuver.<br><br>* Floor: To avoid slipping and tripping, get non-skid bath rugs for the floors or secure existing floor mats or rugs with double-sided rug tape.<br><br>* Lights: The older we get the more light we need, so install the highest wattage bulbs allowed for your fixtures, and get a plug in nightlight that automatically turns on when the room gets dark.<br><br>* Entrance: If the doorway into the bathroom is not wide enough to accommodate a wheelchair or walker, you can easily widen your doorways (two inches) with inexpensive offset door hinges.<br><br>* Bath/shower: To make bathing safer, buy a non-slip rubber mat or put down self-stick strips on the tub/shower floor, and install grab bars for support. If you use the shower, it's a good idea to put in a shower curtain rod that screws or bolts into the wall (versus a tension-mounted rod), so that if you lose your balance and grab the shower curtain, the rod won't spring loose. Another safety precaution is to put in a water-resistant, wall-mounted phone in or near the bath/shower in case of a fall. And many seniors with mobility or balance problems need to shower sitting down. If this applies to you, install a hand-held, adjustable-height shower head, and buy a portable bath/shower chair.<br><br>*Toilet: Install grab bars next to the toilet too if possible, or purchase a toilet seat riser. This adds two-to-four inches of height making it easier to sit and rise.<br><br>* Faucets: If you have twist handles on the sink, bathtub or shower faucets, replace them with lever handles. They're easier to turn, especially for seniors with arthritis or limited hand strength. Also be aware that it takes only 130-degree water to scald you, so turn your hot water heater down to 120 degrees or get anti-scald devices for your faucets.<br><br><b>Bathroom Products</b> <br>If you're thinking about remodeling, there are a variety of practical and stylish products on the market that can make your bathroom more age-friendly. <br><br>For bathing, prefabricated "curbless showers" and "walk-in bathtubs" are two popular options today. Curbless showers have no threshold to step over so access is a breeze and ideal for wheelchair users. Theses showers also typically come with a built-in seat, grab bars, an adjustable hand-held shower head, and a slip resistant textured floor. Or, if you like to take baths, a walk-in bathtub with a front door may be the way to go. You can find these products at sites like Accessible-Showers.com and Premier-Bathrooms.com. <br><br>If you're interested in getting a new toilet, go with an ADA compliant "comfort height" toilet that's 17 inches high, versus a standard toilet that's only 15 inches. Kohler (Kohler.com) and American Standard (AmericanStandard-us.com) make a nice variety. <br><br>And if you're putting in a new sink, install it at a level that reduces bending. For wheelchair access wall-mounted or pedestal sinks, or a sink built into a cabinet that's open underneath will let you roll in nice and close. And if you get a new faucet, the single lever handle style is great for those with arthritis.<br><br><u>Savvy Tips</u>: For more information on senior-friendly modification tips visit aarp.org/families/home_design/bath and Homemods.org. Also contact your nearby independent living center (ilru.org, 713-520-0232). These are nonprofit centers that provide modification information, and many even offer free or low-cost home assessments. Your Area Agency on Aging (800-677-1116) is also a good referral resource. <br><br><i>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.</i><br><br> Creating A More Senior-Friendly Bathroom At Home
   from Mar 6, 2010



<b>SENIOR NEWS LINE<br>by Matilda Charles</b><br><br><br>My garden for this summer is already taking shape, at least on the kitchen counters, where dozens of little seed pots are lined up in flats. This year my goal is to grow vegetables for the food bank. I've already tried out my new PotMaker, a handy wooden gadget for making seed-starting pots out of newspaper.<br><br>I almost gave up gardening last year, mostly because of all the work. The stooping and bending was the worst of it. This year things will be up higher and easier to reach. A father-and-son team here in town are working on some trellises for me. Those will be for the climbing plants. When the weather is warmer, father and son will be over here building some extra-high raised beds.<br> <br>A neighbor and I have gone in together on the cost of seeds. We have different ways of planting and growing, so we'll have to see which methods work best. (She goes for grow lights, while I prefer the sun, for one thing.)<br><br>So far, the menu-to-be consists of sweet peppers (mostly for the bright colors), tomatoes, carrots, three types of lettuce, radishes, cucumbers, green beans and climbing spinach.<br> <br>If you don't have garden space, your town might have a site designated for a seniors' vegetable garden. Or if you live in a retirement center, ask about setting aside a communal area for residents to grow vegetables or flowers.<br><br>Here are some places to get a head start on planning your garden:<br><br>Burpee (www.burpee.com) Phone Orders: 1-800-888-1447<br><br>Park Seed Company (www.parkseed.com) 1-800-213-0076<br><br>Johnny's Seeds (www.johnnyseeds.com) 1-877-564-6697<br><br>To get started, all you need is pencil, paper, catalog -- and your imagination. <br><br>For tips on how to grow your own vegetables, see The Vegetable Gardening Guru at www.vegetablegardeningguru.com<br><br><i>Matilda Charles regrets that she cannot personally answer reader questions, but will incorporate them into her column whenever possible. Write to her in care of King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475, or send e-mail to columnreply@gmail.com.<br><br>(c) 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.</i><br><br> Senior Living - Time To Dream Up Your Garden
   from Feb 26, 2010



<b>Dear Savvy Senior:</b> What can you tell me about home genetic tests that predict the risks of developing certain diseases? My mother died from breast cancer and dad died from a heart attack many years ago, and I'm wondering if these diseases are in my genes too. <i>-- Genetically Concerned</i><br><br><b>Dear Concerned:</b> It used to be that genetic tests were only available through doctors' offices. But today dozens of companies offer at-home genetic test kits for the early detection of hereditary diseases like heart disease, diabetes, various types of cancers, Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and more. In addition, many people interested in genealogy also turn to home gene tests to learn about their ancestry. Here's what you should know.<br><br><b>At-Home Tests</b><br>If you want to try an at-home genetic test, all's you need to do is order a kit from a gene-testing company like deCODEme.com, 23andMe.com or Navigenics.com. The cost: between $200 and $1,000 depending on the company and options you choose, and you'll have to pay for it out-of-pocket. Some health plans including Medicare may cover some gene tests ordered by health care providers but not by consumers themselves. <br><br>Once you receive the kit, you'll need to give a DNA sample either by spitting into a collection tube or swabbing your cheek, and then mail it to the company laboratory for analysis. Your results are usually sent back or are posted online in about a month, and some companies offer genetic counseling to help you interpret the results.<br><br><b>Pros and Cons</b><br>While there are definite advantages to home gene testing - it's quick, easy, and convenient and doesn't requite a trip to the doctor's office - you also need to be aware of the risks and limitations. There's little government oversight of commercial home tests, and many experts in the field warn that without guidance from a healthcare professional you may not understand or misinterpret the results, or not have enough accurate information to make informed health care decisions.<br><br>If you do decide to try an in-home gene test, the Federal Trade Commission, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention all recommend that you: <br><br>- Talk to your doctor before you buy a kit to make sure you understand the benefits and limitations of the test. <br><br>- Ask your doctor or get a genetic counselor to review your test results with you. <br><br>- And double check the privacy policy of any online testing companies to make sure the Web site is secure and your information is protected.<br><br>You also need to note that if you do get tested, keep your information private. While federal law prohibits the use of genetic information to deny health insurance or employment to asymptomatic people, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act does not protect against discrimination in disability insurance, life insurance, or long-term care insurance coverage. <br><br><b>Family Health History</b><br>Another way to learn what genetic disorders you may be at risk for is to chart the illnesses of your siblings, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and other blood relatives. To do this, the U.S. Surgeon General offers a free Web-based tool called "My Family Health Portrait" (see FamilyHistory.hhs.gov or call 888-478-4423 to receive a free printed copy) that will help you organize the information. Also see GeneticAlliance.org/familyhealthhistory. <br><br>If you find patterns in your family history that concern you and you're thinking about genetic testing, consult your doctor and ask for a referral to a genetic counselor. You can also find one through the National Society of Genetic Counselors' Web site at www.nsgc.org, or call 312-321-6834. They're trained to analyze your family history, evaluate your risk of developing or passing along an inherited disease, offer advice about whether genetic testing is warranted, interpret your test results, and provide you with additional support.<br><br><u>Savvy Tip:</u> For more information on genetic testing and conditions visit the National Library of Medicine's Genetics Home Reference at www.ghr.nlm.nih.gov. <br><br><i>Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of "The Savvy Senior" book.</i><br><br> Home Genetic Tests: Are They Worth It?
   from Feb 26, 2010


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