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10 Best American Cities for Older Adults

by Guest Blogger
written by Guest Blogger

As the 80+ million baby boomers age, more and more Americans will reach senior status. By 2040, more than one in five Americans will be over the age of 65. While the classic picture of retirement involves moving to the Sun Belt, many older adults actually want to stay put and age in their home and communities in cities both large and small.

This desire is part of what prompted the Milken Institute—a non-partisan economic think tank—to rank the best large and small cities for older adults to live in. The Institute looked at 83 indicators from publicly available data that fell into nine major categories: general livability, healthcare, wellness, financial security, education, transportation and convenience, employment, living arrangements, and community engagement. They sorted 381 metro areas according to these variables and ranked them for three major age brackets: adults age 65 and over, adults in the 65-79 age range and adults 80 and older.

Using the rankings, the Milken Institute then determined the top 10 large cities for seniors who want to age in place without moving. Read on to find out why seniors love living in these large cities.

Provo-Orem, Utah

Provo-Orem in Utah regained the top spot in the latest round of the rankings. This western state features a very healthy, active population and tons of opportunities to get outside and enjoy nature. Utah has five state parks of its own. There are low rates of diabetes, obesity and Alzheimer’s in the area, and the proximity of Brigham Young University provides lots of opportunities for learning and enrichment. Plus, the stable economy in the area means low unemployment overall and low poverty for older adults.

Madison, Wisconsin

The capital of Wisconsin is a healthcare hub, with numerous providers across primary care, physical therapy and orthopedic surgery, all of which are relevant to aging adults. Many hospitals with geriatric, Alzheimer’s and rehab units are located in the area, and emergency room waits are often short if something unexpected does go wrong. There are lots of fitness centers and other recreational options, and many people walk to work. Not only is the capital the seat of state government, but it also hosts the University of Wisconsin, so the city’s population is very educated.

Durham-Chapel Hill, North Carolina

The recent explosion of population growth in the Research Triangle area caused this metro center to be added to the large cities list. The University of North Carolina and Duke University are both located in the area, and the metro offers numerous other civic and cultural institutions as well. Some of the nation’s best hospitals can be found near here, and seniors will have top-notch access to geriatric, Alzheimer’s, hospice and physical therapy services, as well as many primary care providers.

Salt Lake City, Utah

If the Provo-Orem area isn’t a perfect fit, there’s another metro area in Utah that’s also a great option for older adults: Salt Lake City. While no Silicon Valley, the area is a growing hub for finance and technology, and easy access to banks and financial services is readily available. There’s a high rate of older volunteers in the area giving back to the community, and many cultural and recreational amenities are offered to residents.

Des Moines-West Des Moines, Iowa

This Iowa city doesn’t just host one of the most notable presidential caucuses in the nation. It also offers an extremely affordable cost of living—including reasonably priced medical and long-term care services—not to mention it’s the U.S. leader in geriatric services with many rehab and Alzheimer’s facilities. It also features many libraries and recreational facilities, as well as funding for programs targeting older adults.

Austin-Round Rock, Texas

Austin is known for being a “weird” hangout for hip young people, but it’s also a vibrant community for older adults as well. The city offers a lot of entertainment and cultural options as well as a high-tech industry, a tax-friendly environment and thriving small businesses. Austin is also great at encouraging healthy behaviors, with low chronic disease rates, longer lives, and numerous recreational facilities.

Omaha-Council Bluffs, Nebraska-Iowa

Warren Buffett’s hometown is a stable, inexpensive place to live. The cost of living is affordable and ample jobs are available. There are low levels of poverty among older people, income inequality and reverse mortgages. Residents will find many orthopedic surgeons, rehab centers, geriatric facilities and hospice services in the area, and care is affordable thanks to the magnet and medical school-affiliated hospitals in the area.

Jackson, Mississippi

The capital of Mississippi is a very affordable place to live–it’s got a relatively low median home and rental prices, a low tax burden and low rates of reverse mortgages. Healthcare is also affordable, and there are many care options for seniors, including access to rehab and geriatric facilities and dialysis and diagnostic centers. If they wish, adults can also keep working here as they age since the metro has low unemployment among older adults.

Boston-Cambridge-Newton, Massachusetts-New Hampshire

Boston is a science and healthcare hub for companies, and fortunately, this translates into top-notch care options for senior residents as well. There are abundant home healthcare options as well as high-quality nursing homes, and most hospitals in the area are affiliated with a medical school. The historic neighborhoods are extremely walkable for anyone with a good pair of therapeutic shoes, and the metro area has strong public transportation offerings, including special needs accommodations.

San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, California

The economy in San Francisco is booming thanks to all the tech companies in the area, which means high-income levels and employment growth. The mild, warm weather of California suits many seniors, and many of the neighborhoods are walkable as well. The area boasts numerous five-star nursing homes, Joint Commission-accredited hospitals, enhanced independent living opportunities and many continuing-care facilities.

While many seniors can and do retire to the Sun Belt, that’s far from the only living option for older adults anymore. If you’re looking to stay put in your community as you reach your golden years, these 10 large cities are a great place to start.

By Kaki Zell

Kaki is the Vice President and co-owner of Ames Walker. After graduating from Virginia Tech she went on to work for Pepsi for several years before joining the family business. When she is not working she enjoys running, hiking, traveling, Virginia Tech football & spending time with family & friends.

 

 

 

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How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar
Money Tips

How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Keeping a close eye and control over the finances is not always easy for the elderly or the people who are less tech savvy than our digital world requires. Sure, you can write down your expenses and make lists, but you may never get a bigger picture of your finances if you do not use a centralized method of keeping things in check. One of the seamless ways to achieve this isby using a printable calendar. Let us see today how you can make the best of it! How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar

1. Pick the Right Printable Calendar for Your Needs

Not all printable calendars are the same. You can go to calendartable.com and use the database to select the best timetablefor your needs. You should get a landscape format for a monthly calendar and research this resource as they also offer you completedays of the week/month explanations. You will want a calendarmarking weekend days or national/religious holidays for you to know when banks and institutions work or not. For a financial planning goal, this database has some of the most comfortableand most intuitive printable calendars to use.

2. Mark the Bill Dates, Costs, and the Payment Dates

One of the hardest financial issues we all need to handle better isbills. Place your printable calendar in a place where you can see it and use it on a daily basis (fridge door, living room coffee table, bedroom desk, etc.) At the beginning of the month, note down the arrival date of the bills, one after the other, and the money they require.

  • If you have a bill of $20 on 5 October and you plan to pay it on the fifteenth to stay within the deadline, circle the payment date, soyou have a reminder to pay it and schedule your day around that payment.

3. Use the Calendar to Mark the Recurrent Payments

Keeping the pace with your credit card bill, mortgage payment, loans, car payments, and so on is hard. Most people fall behind such duesbecause of poor money scheduling only to spiral down further into financial troubles.

  • Use a unique color pen to mark on the calendar the recurrent payments you need to make each month and make sure you plan your budget around those payments. If you know the sums in advance, write the amountsnext to each date, as seeing the numbers will help you calculate better your budget and help you make moreconsistentcash flow.

4. Use the Calendar to Schedule Other Payments and Expenses

One of the most significantproblems of our time is that we cannot get a firm grip on our finances because of variableexpenses. However, as we all know, planning is mandatory for all of us. Just as a daily schedule is essentialfor senior citizens for a higherquality of life, so is a regularbudget schedule for young, adult, and elder people alike.

  • Circle your shopping dates on your calendar. Whether you shop daily for basic groceries or you spend your Saturday for a week worth of food and household items, note the money you spent on each shopping trip.
  • At the end of the month, you can make a quick inventory of the items you still have (and you may have bought in excess) or the thingsyou feel were too expensive for their quality/practicalvalue so you can search for cheaper alternatives.
  • Noting down the money,you spent on food will give you a better idea on how to plan your finances better next month. Americans spend vast amounts of money on food– too much money, in fact – and if there is a place to start making changes, your fridge and pantry is that place.

5. Mark the Casual/Entertainment Expenses on Your Calendar

While we do not encourage anyone to become Scrooge any time soon, keeping track of your dailyexpenses or the ones you use for entertainment may give you a better idea where your money goeseach month.

  • If you eat out, go out often, attend events, etc., write down on the calendar the things you did and how much they cost (drinks with friends – $30; theatre and dinner out – $60, );
  • Keeping an eye on your leisure, entertainment, and everydayexpenses (clothes, guilty pleasures, etc.) will help you put some money aside for some events/activities you want to experience, allowing you to rearrange your budget depending on such needs. For instance, if you planned a trip for Labor Day or Columbus Day, circle the dates in advance, plan your budget for that particular weekend of fun, and redistribute your daily or weekly budget according to the expenses you prepared for the trip;

A calendar is an excellent tool for planningyour budget. Even if there are no holidays this month, at its beginning, write down in your printable timetable the activities you cannot skip and their costs. Doctor appointment, meeting with friends, concert attending, the visit of your family from another town, a book launch you want to attend and buy the newly released book, and so on – they all come with costs, be them bus tickets or dry cleaning bills.
We know life is full of variableexpenses, andwe have to adapt and adjust in real time, but we can, andwe should think ahead and mark down important dates and sums for events/activities that we know will occur for sure.

Conclusion

Far from becoming a person obsessed with every spent cent, planning our monthly budgets is a reasonable thing to do in this economy. The printable calendar can stay up and visible for the entire family to see and offer input. The calendarcan help you save money (as you look atwhat you spend and how), but it is more of a guidance tool. After a few months of using a printable calendar, you can look back at your expenses and make a better assessment of your past and future finances.
By Sean Blaney
Sean Blaney is the co-founder of CalendarTable.com. Among other things, Sean’s business provides access to highly personalized calendar printout formats so people can add photos, quotes or other inspiring material. That way, they can get the most out of the day, week or month, depending on how they plan their time.
How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar
How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar

How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar

How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable CalendarHow to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar How to Keep Your Finances in Check Using a Printable Calendar

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5 Secrets to Building Up Your Neuroplasticity
Healthy Living

5 Secrets to Building Up Your Neuroplasticity

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Up until recently, we believed our brain plasticity was stagnant and fixed. Dr. Norman Doige, a psychiatrist from the University of Toronto, helped to reveal that this isn’t the case. Neuroplasticity is something fluid that you can build up, and that means… you can create new neural pathways for the rest of your life. 5 Secrets to Building Up Your Neuroplasticity
Why is this important?
Like any other muscle in your body, when it comes to your brain, you either use it or lose it. To keep your cognition strong and to help set yourself up for successful aging, it’s important to create growth experiences for yourself that build up your neuroplasticity.
That’s why I’ve gathered these five secrets to help you build up your neuroplasticity:

1. Set meaningful goals

Too often I meet seniors who’ve lived a life of duty, where they dedicated their lives to the hustle bustle of work, family and responsibilities. This is a completely honorable commitment.
The main fallback is… your dream list of meaningful goals oftentimes gets trapped in a hope chest and by the time retirement hits, maybe you’ve not only lost sight of your dream list but you’ve also lost interest in creating meaningful challenges for yourself.
One of the ways to increase your neuroplasticity is to create new and exciting challenges for yourself, and the way to create new and exciting challenges for yourself is to set meaningful goals.
What’s the best way to set meaningful goals?
Find clarity through some serious self-reflection. This can really help you uncover some of the passions that you have deep inside you, which ultimately can help create some of your most vibrant new neural pathways in your brain.

2. Adopt a growth mindset

Once you have your meaningful goals, a powerful way to chase them and to keep your brain activated is to adopt a growth mindset.
A growth mindset is based on Dr. Carol Dweck’s idea that you can “grow your brain’s capacity to learn and solve problems.” It’s a perspective that believes you’re not born either smart or not-so-smart, but instead you’re born with the ability to learn.
The hard part?
It takes work. A critical ingredient of adopting a growth mindset is to embrace challenge. When we’re faced with any pitfalls and “fails” in life, especially when we’re willing to try something new and exciting, it’s easy to give up and run away from any challenges or roadblocks.
If you can learn the skill of learning and train yourself to look forward to those hard and challenging moments, you’ll be that much more likely to accomplish any of your personal goals.
Some more tips on developing a growth mindset:

  • Focus on the process and not the outcome– if you can get in the habit of enjoying the journey, you’ll be less focused on the destination, which in turn will allow your brain to better engage in the act of learning
  • Seek constructive criticism and not opinions– it’s a tough thing to let go of approval from others, but if you can instead learn to seek constructive feedback from other people, you’ll likely be more drawn to the learning process
  • Create a new goal for every goal that you complete– this’ll keep you in the mindset of lifelong learning and can help you continue to engage your brain over and over again in the long-term

3. Tackle your goals using micro-steps

A powerful way to accomplish any goal is to break it down into smaller chunks I like to call micro-steps. This does four promising things for you:

  • It keeps you less overwhelmed by the big picture goal
  • It makes your goal more achievable and realistic
  • You’ll know exactly what to tackle next
  • It builds up your momentum and nurtures a habit of working consistently toward your goal

The most important takeaway from using micro-steps is that you want to get in the habit of being consistent in tackling each one. In order to make lasting changes in your brain pattern, you need to be diligent about giving yourself a learning process. Continue to challenge yourself on a regular basis. If setting and achieving new meaningful goals can become habitual, that’s when the neuroplasticity magic can happen for you.

4. Be self-aware and mindful

According to Roberts Wesleyan College, you make nearly 35,000 decisions a day, which means a ton of those decisions are made while your brain is on autopilot. If you can learn to engage the decision-making part of your brain, your prefrontal cortex, you can increase your neuroplasticity.
A way to do this is to practice mindfulness so that you’re more self-aware and more likely to make value-based(vs autopilot) decisions throughout the day.
Researchers Bas Verplanken and Rob Holland found that people make value-based choices only when those values are cognitively activated.
Some ideas on how to practice mindfulness:

  • Meditate, practice yoga or do breathing exercises
  • Connect with nature and be more aware of your physical surroundings
  • Keep a journal and write about things you’re grateful for
  • Exercise regularly
  • Spend less time on digital devices and social media
  • Watch less TV

5. Align your social circle with growth experiences

Your circle of influence is everything when it comes to how your daily habits are impacted. You become who you most spend time with so be sure to align your social circle with your personal goals and good habits.
There are stats that highlight the power of association, like these:

  • If your friend is obese, you’re 57% more likely to gain weight
  • If your friend gets a divorce, your chance for divorce goes up by 75%

By surrounding yourself with like-minded people who care about the same meaningful things that you do, you’re much more likely to continue to conquer your goals and expand your growth experiences. This is what’ll keep your neuroplasticity built-up and strong.
Tip: Spend less time with people in your area of concern, which is the area that highlights negativity, gossip, the news, the stock market, drama, regrets, fear, etc.
So there you have it – five practical tactics that’ll help you build up your brain health and neuroplasticity.
Which secret will you tackle first? How will you continue to create new and meaningful growth experiences for yourself?
—
Founder of Second Wind Movement, Cyn Meyer offers education + coaching to help seniors transition into amazing next chapters and age successfully in place. By helping seniors live out active, healthy, happy “retirement” years, they can better fend off depression, loneliness, Alzheimer’s and nursing home occupancy.
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Ultimate Skill Refresh Guide for 50+ Year-Old Workers
Aging

Ultimate Skill Refresh Guide for 50+ Year Old Workers

by Kimberly Johnson
written by Kimberly Johnson

Last year in Bangkok, I met a very happy couple. She was 59, and he was turning 60 in few days. Noone I met before had ever poured on me such a bubbling fountain of liveliness as they did. Ultimate Skill Refresh Guide for 50+ Year Old Workers
What made them so joyful? Maybe the fact that it was the second marriage for her, and fourth marriage for him. Maybe, their collection of Harley Davidsons. Or maybe, the fact that they were solidly employed, well paid, and highly valued specialists. Ultimate Skill Refresh Guide for 50+ Year Old Workers
***
Getting to your senior years, you can become a valuable human asset for any business. Your expertise can aid people. Furthermore, proper employment and solid education are proven to be the secrets for feeling confident and content in older age.
If you’re curious about your options for establishing yourself as an invaluable expert in any age, this article is here to help you. Ultimate Skill Refresh Guide for 50+ Year-Old Workers
First, we’ll clarify why you should hone your skills. Second, find out how you can tweak your expertise to align with modern jobs market requirements. And finally, go into details about how you can refresh your education to become unique and competitive.

Overcome fear of change

Anxiety about shifting your gears might be keeping you behind. Being nicely tucked into your 9-to-5 with regular paychecks gives you the feeling of comfort, coziness, and predictability. Why would you want to change anything? There are at least three reasons.
First, because in the modern world you need to evolve to keep that 9-to-5. Half of the workers over 50 years of age believe they would need to obtain additional education to find another job with a similar salary if they lost their current position to AI, according to Gallup research.
Second, because learning lets you achieve your full potential. Recall all the paths you have looked into. Now you have more spare time on your hand to master the photography, writing or entrepreneurship the way you always wanted to.
Third, because it improves quality of your life. Manfred Diehl, Ph.D., a developmental psychologist who studies processes of aging, names engaging in mentally challenging activities and learning new things the keys to positive aging. Skills training can also make you more resilient to dementia, according to the American Psychological Association.

The problem is not being older

Most often the issue is being out of date with your skills. Good news – this is solvable. With a willingness to evolve, you have lots of options available.
Your huge benefit is that you already have a set of qualifications that took you through decades of career. Now brush up your capabilities a bit to make them relevant to the digital era.
Tech-savviness is first and foremost. While 80% of Americans in age between 65 and 69 used the internet in 2016 (Statista), the vast majority of them still needs someone to help walk them through the process of acknowledging with new devices or using the social networks, according to Pew Research study from 2014. Being comfortable with the web is a must today. Tap in it – the sooner the better.

Where to find the learning opportunities and how to get most out of them

Before you get to learning, assess your skills. Leveraging on your specialization is always a good idea, as you only have to upgrade, not start from scratch.
If you come from a writing-related profession (think journalism and PR) then all you need is to get a grasp of digital tools to get into essay assistance, resume consultancy, or business writing spheres. Bookkeeping is a perfect background for a virtual financial assistant. Engineers can tap into math teaching or technical writing. Same goes for every skill set.
Evaluate the degrees and certifications you have and figure out what you’re lacking. If you can do with a web course or certificate program, you don’t need to overspend on community college.
Now when you know your needs, look for a solution that suits them best.

Self-education via online courses

Find tons of courses for every subject on following sites. Hundreds of them come free of charge. However, to get a valid certificate, you’ll need to enroll a paid course.

Community colleges

Keep in mind that there’s no age limit for getting the subsidized loan, and you can also seek for it as a part-time student. Stafford loan is a low-interest loan from the government for educational purposes. Research scholarships and grants offered by colleges, non-governmental groups, and foundations. Check this site for a full list. Ultimate Skill Refresh Guide for 50+ Year Old Workers

Certificate programs & Intensive learning seminars

These are usually more affordable and focused on the specific qualifications. Consider them if you have limited resources and need to add to your skill set fast. Some of them, like Osher Centers and the Oasis Institute, are widely available across states.

Programs for older workers, Part-times, and Internships

One by one, well-respected corporations such as Morgan Stanley, IBM, Deloitte, and Ford launch the “returnship” programs to attract and keep older workers. Benefits here go both ways, Forbes states. While interns get a chance to re-enter job market from a different angle and update their skills, the companies get diligent workers who act professionally and have a deep understanding of business processes.
Another way is part-time employment. It’s a good move when you want to test-drive your dream business before the career change.

Volunteering

Volunteering for nonprofits gives you a sense of fulfillment, yes, but also a boost in career skills and networking. NGOs are businesses, after all. Join them to learn fundraising, grant writing, running events and social media management.

Employer-provided training

Training is a critical component of any plan to retain older workers for the companies, strongly encouraged by the government. Along with the internal trainings, many employers offer tax-free tuition help programs. Make sure to let your employer know about your desire to learn, and be specific about subjects.

Simple steps to stay a sharp professional:

  • Stay up to date with technological trends and demonstrate it when you network
  • Network a lot!
  • Participate in the industry events in your area
  • Write articles to share your knowledge
  • Prioritize your development when choosing work projects

Takeaway

To bolster your value in the job market and compete with up-and-comers, you can find hundreds of educational opportunities both online and offline. Keep your skills up-to-date and network – these are the two fail-proof strategies for you to remain marketable and flexible.
 
By Samantha Engman
After a decade of successful career in marketing, Samantha Engman switched to content creation for aspiring businesses and deserving causes. Don’t miss out her articles at Bid4papers and Twitter for useful tips on building your success online.

Ultimate Skill Refresh Guide for 50+ Year Old Workers

Ultimate Skill Refresh Guide for 50+ Year Old Workers Ultimate Skill Refresh Guide for 50+ Year Old Workers Ultimate Skill Refresh Guide for 50+ Year Old Workers Ultimate Skill Refresh Guide for 50+ Year Old Workers Ultimate Skill Refresh Guide for 50+ Year Old Workers Ultimate Skill Refresh Guide for 50+ Year Old Workers

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The Complicated Relationship Between Alcohol & Dementia Care
Caregiving

Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care

by Richard Bitner
written by Richard Bitner

The decision to move your mom or dad into a care facility is never easy. But this decision gets especially tough when it forces your parents to live apart from one another. This situation is more common than many people realize. Spouses rarely age at the same rate, and many elderly couples are forced apart when one of them requires a high level of care due to physical or cognitive decline. Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care
Separating elderly couples can have terrible consequences. The loss of a long-term spouse is linked with mental health concerns, increased risk of poor physical health, and a lower average lifespan. While separation is sometimes impossible to stop, it is almost always better to keep elderly couples together when possible.
That’s where home care services come into play. Home care services allow many elderly couples to age in place together, even when one spouse develops serious physical or cognitive health concerns. Certain home care providers can even keep elderly couples together when both spouses require different types of care services.
But keeping elderly couples together with home care services isn’t always simple or easy. Sometimes, it requires detailed planning in advance. It could also mean being more selective when choosing a care agency for your parents. Additionally, you may need to start home care services early in order to keep mom and dad together for as long as possible.
While that can be tricky, it’s not impossible. So, if you’re concerned about how you’ll help your parents age in place together, here are some of the things you’ll need to think about.

Plan Ahead and Start Home Care Early

The earlier you begin planning for home care, the easier it will be to keep your parents together and allow them to age in place. Many families avoid discussing care until the last minute, leaving them with few options for care and even less time to choose. By planning for care in advance, you can get ahead of worst-case scenarios and extend the time your parents spend in one another’s company.
One of the smartest steps you can take is to get started with home care early. Most people assume that caregivers help seniors age in place only by helping out after physical or cognitive decline has taken place. This isn’t true. In fact, caregivers can help stave off decline before it occurs. By providing in-home assistance, home care can delay the difficulties that lead seniors to nursing care in the first place.
Many people worry about the costs of professional home care. But care costs are substantially lower early on. Instead of waiting for your mom or dad to become overwhelmed caring for their spouse, you can hire a caregiver for a few hours a week. The caregiver can handle the toughest aspects of care, while your other parent can perform the care tasks that are easier to handle. This way, you keep care costs low, maintain quality of life for one parent, and prevent your other parent from becoming overwhelmed.
Even if you don’t get started with home care immediately, planning ahead offers other benefits. You’ll be able to plan ahead financially, giving you a better sense of what will be best and most realistic. You’ll also get the chance to research local home care providers, so that you have a better idea of your parents’ options for care.

Home Care for Elderly Couples

Another reason home care services are popular with elderly couples is flexibility and customization. Nursing homes and assisted living facilities typically focus on a certain level of care, or offer a limited number of specialty services. If both of your parents require senior care, but each parent has unique care concerns, they may struggle to find a care facility that can meet both of their needs.
On the other hand, many home care agencies are experienced in providing care for couples — even if spouses have different care needs. Many agencies offer a range of specialty care services, with flexible scheduling and service plans. So, if one of your parents requires personal care due to limited mobility, and the other needs home dementia care for Alzheimer’s, a high-quality home care agency can accommodate both parents’ care needs.
Similarly, a caregiver who you originally hired to care for one parent could eventually care for both your mom and your dad. While many elderly adults are hesitant to request home care services, it is easier for them to get started with care when a professional caregiver is already in their home. An experienced caregiver can also spot signs of decline. So even if your mom or dad believes themselves to be in good health, you’ll have someone there to let you know when they need help.
Wondering where you’ll find high-quality home care services suitable for your mom and dad? We suggest starting your search with your local Visiting Angels. Our home care providers frequently work with couples, helping families keep mom and dad together in the home they love. Call 800-365-4189 today or contact your local Visiting Angels office to learn more.

Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care

Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care Keeping Elderly Couples Together with Home Care

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You Are Never Too Old
Healthy Living

You Are Never Too Old

by Kendall VanBlarcom
written by Kendall VanBlarcom

People are living longer than they have in previous generations. As you age, it is important to remember that you are never too old to create the life you want. You Are Never Too Old
Creating happiness is something that can be done at any age, yet it is common for people to equate aging with the idea of being too old to learn new things. You are able to bring new activities and connection into your life at any point, provided you are motivated to do so and are willing to seek out the right tools and guidance.

Is It Too Late For Me?

Sometimes, as life changes, people find themselves living a life they never planned on, and yet they are unsure what to do next. Why is this? Well, often it is because children grow up, move away, and have children of their own. Or jobs change and people retire. Sometimes retirement happens before you want it to, either through staffing changes or economic shifts. When any of these life changes happen, it’s time to take stock in your life and figure out what you’d like to do next.

What Do I Want?

For some people, this is a scary question. But it’s important to keep yourself open to new friendships, opportunities, and experiences. You are never too old to improve your life. Believing you are too old will only stifle your growth, making it difficult for you to move forward. Make yourself and your own happiness a priority.

You Are Never Too Old To Make Change

  • Purse a hobby. Either revisit a hobby you enjoyed in the past or find a new interest. Shared hobbies can also be a great way to bond with your spouse or others in your life.
  • Start journaling. Writing down your ideas can help you to discover your dreams. Plus, writing your thoughts and emotions down can be a path to healing. Some find it helpful in dealing with past traumas, because writing can be a way to break through emotional blocks.
  • Listen to books. Think of the books you have wanted to read and look into audio books. You can relax, take in the tale, and allow your imagination to soar.
  • Spend time with friends and family. Make dinner plans with people you miss or invite someone over to your house if you want company at home. If some relationships have weakened, make an effort to reach out. Sometimes it is easy to complain about people moving out of our lives, yet we have stopped making the effort as well.

Life is full of possibilities. Yes, your abilities and interests might change, but you are never too old to pursue the life you dream of. Change your thoughts about aging. Getting older can be an experience to enjoy if you allow yourself to learn new things and make new connections. You may find yourself having fun. Inspiration to live life fully could follow.
Want to make a change? You can. Talk through your problems and discover your path to health and happiness.

You Are Never Too Old

You Are Never Too Old You Are Never Too Old You Are Never Too Old You Are Never Too Old You Are Never Too Old You Are Never Too Old You Are Never Too Old You Are Never Too Old You Are Never Too Old You Are Never Too Old You Are Never Too Old You Are Never Too Old

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How To Withdraw Needed Cash From Your IRA
Money Tips

How To Withdraw Needed Cash From Your IRA

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

7 Ways You Can Withdraw from your IRA Without Penalty

An IRA is one of the most important retirement investments available. It allows you to take deductions on your contributions while accumulating tax-deferred earnings. How To Withdraw Needed Cash From Your IRA
You are generally not allowed to withdraw money from a traditional IRA until age 59-1/2 without paying a 10% penalty on top of ordinary income taxes on your withdrawal — and generally, you do not want to withdraw funds early because of the loss of tax benefits and the reduction in earnings.
However, there are cases where you may legitimately need to access your IRA funds, and the IRS has made exceptions to the early withdrawal rule to account for these cases. These exceptions are sometimes known as Rule 72(t) provisions after the applicable section of the Internal Revenue Code. Here are some of the primary allowable exceptions:
1. Initial Home Purchase – For purposes of buying or building/rebuilding your first home, you can take a penalty-free early IRA withdrawal up to $10,000 or $20,000 for couples. To qualify as a “first home,” you and your spouse must not have owned a home for two years prior to the home sale.
2. Medical Expenses – You can withdraw funds penalty-free to pay for any unreimbursed medical expenses that go beyond 10% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) for the tax year. The withdrawal must take place during the same year as the medical expense.
3. Disability – Should you become disabled, you can qualify for the early withdrawal exemption if your disability meets severity requirements.
4. Health Insurance – If you have been unemployed for at least twelve weeks because of the loss of a job, you can take penalty-free early withdrawals to pay for health insurance for you and your family. Make sure that the distribution is in either the same year or the following year after receipt of unemployment benefits.
5. Revise to an Annuity – It is possible to avoid a penalty by setting up your withdrawals as a series of annuity payments that are calculated according to your life expectancy. You must take the distributions for five years or until you reach age 59-1/2. The withdrawal method must follow IRS-approved guidelines, so it is wise to seek professional help when choosing this path.
6. Educational Expenses – Certain payments on higher education expenses may be covered by penalty-free IRA withdrawals if the educational institution qualifies and other requirements are met. Contact a tax professional and your school to verify if your educational expenses apply.
7. Inheritance – When you inherit an IRA, you can take withdrawals without the 10% penalty, but you must leave it as the inherited IRA instead of rolling it over into your own. Once rolled over, an IRA is treated as your own and subject to the same rules as your existing IRA.
For a full list of exceptions and further information, check the IRS website.
Roth IRAs (established using after-tax funds) work a bit differently with respect to penalties. The contributions that you have made may be withdrawn at any time tax-free and penalty-free. Penalties only apply on earnings if the withdrawal takes place less than five years after the initial IRA deposit and you are below age 59-1/2.
The same exceptions that apply to traditional IRAs apply to Roth IRAs in this case, but if the withdrawal takes place after the five-year mark, penalties do not apply even if you are below age 59-1/2. Taxes apply on the earnings withdrawn before the five-year mark regardless of your age.
We suggest that you keep all of your IRA funds in place whenever possible. However, if you truly need to access your IRA funds, see if your reasoning falls under one of the Rule 72(t) provisions — and if it doesn’t, then you will have to decide if the need is strong enough to be worth absorbing a tax hit and the corresponding 10% penalty.
Let the free MoneyTips Retirement Planner help you calculate when you can retire without jeopardizing your lifestyle.
-MoneyTips.com

How To Withdraw Needed Cash From Your IRA

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5 Tips for Aging in Place
Age-In-Place

5 Tips for Aging in Place

by Jeff Dailey
written by Jeff Dailey

When Joanne Harrison’s spouse passed away, the 78-year-old had no interest in moving. She’s healthy, has many friends, and her two sons live nearby. Plus, she’s a confident driver and gets herself to doctor’s appointments and the grocery store. 5 Tips for Aging in Place
Those are all important prerequisites for people who want to stay in their homes as they grow older, or “age in place.”

According to an AARP survey, nearly 90% of those over age 65 want to stay in their homes for as long as possible. But Sullivan and others, who want to stay put as they grow older, “need to have a plan—and a support system—in place that allows them to stay in their community, ideally in their home, as long as possible, and to ensure that they’re living safely and independently,” explains Suzanne Schmitt, vice president for family engagement at Fidelity. 5 Tips for Aging in Place
Here are five things that aging singles or couples—and their children, other family members, or caregivers—should keep in mind when assessing the living situation.

1. Explore the Benefits of Staying Put

There are many reasons why aging in place can be a win. For starters, “it may be financially advantageous,” Schmitt says. For instance, depending on the situation, staying in a home can be less expensive than moving to an assisted-living community. There are the upfront costs of moving, an often steep entrance fee, and monthly payments for room and board, which can easily top $3,000 a month.
Even more important are the psychological payoffs of not moving away from one’s established community of friends, medical professionals, and faith community. Though these factors are hard to place a financial value on, they are a vital component of healthy aging.
“The single most predictive factor of whether you’re going to age well—meaning be able to be independent and live a long and healthy life—isn’t money,” says Schmitt. “And it isn’t even necessarily your health. It’s your social connections, which may get lost [if you move], because many people focus more on their finances.”

2. Do a Home Safety Check

The first step in an “aging in place” plan is to run a complete safety check of your home. “Many people don’t know what to look for,” says Schmitt. “There are some hazards that you might take for granted—for example, furniture obstructing pathways or stairs.”
Sullivan’s children did just that. They walked around her house with an eye for any potential hazards that might cause trouble should her vision or mobility begin to deteriorate. Then they hired a home modification professional to help make needed changes.
The good news is that many of the improvements that may make it easier to stay in your house—such as raising electrical outlets to make them more accessible and installing brighter outdoor lighting—aren’t expensive.
Sullivan’s home was retrofitted by installing secure handrails alongside the stairs to the front door, switching doorknobs to levers, adding automatic lights to hallways, removing rugs that might become tripping hazards, and placing grab bars in the shower.
“There are plenty of easy options to modify a home,” says Schmitt. “The sooner you start preparing, the better.”

3. Assess Transportation

“Driving may be your lifeline and independence,” Schmitt points out. “Coming to the ‘I don’t think I can drive’ moment is tough, but it can’t be avoided.”
And, although driving might not be a concern now, it may ultimately become one.
If you are at the point that you can no longer drive or walk to the grocery store or reach other important services, consider other transportation options. “If you have public transit, great, but it doesn’t exist in a lot of places,” explains Schmitt. In that case, you may need to make other arrangements, such as ride sharing with friends and neighbors, or transportation assistance that many companion-care services may offer. When it comes to groceries and getting things like prescriptions filled, automatic delivery or online delivery can be a great option. A family or friend can help manage orders and accounts and can track order history to help make sure you are getting what you need.

4. Ensure a Supportive Community or Network

This is a linchpin: Communications—social connectivity. Think about how supportive the community is where you live.
Isolation can be a stumbling block to aging well. And it can creep up slowly. No matter how safe the inside of a home is, if there isn’t enough interaction with a community, a plan can fall apart.
“Are you lonely? Part of aging in place successfully is being able to stay connected, and not fall into the depression that many people experience because they are isolated,” says Schmitt.
Are you comfortable on a computer? Can you connect online with your children, grandkids, and others?
You might also investigate some of the companionship services available in the community, through websites such as Caregiving.org.
Start to pull together a list of people and professionals who can step in and help if you need someone to go along to a doctor’s appointment or someone to help with errands, or for lunch or dinner dates. If your family doesn’t live nearby, you may want to have a pipeline to neighbors you can call for periodic checkups.
A growing number of communities use the “village” concept for services and support to seniors. The idea, originating in the Beacon Hill neighborhood of Boston, is to create a nonprofit organization that arranges for services—including transportation, home repair, and social activities—for a fee. 5 Tips for Aging in Place

5. Make it an Ongoing Process 5 Tips for Aging in Place

“One of the myths is that people think they can make a plan once, and they’re done,” says Schmitt. “This is something that needs to be reviewed regularly by you and your family member or caregiver.”
Once the home is retrofitted, keep an eye open to see if you are having trouble. Friends and family members may want to look out for any unexplained bruising on the aging person’s arms or legs. “It can be an indicator that they may be having trouble moving around,” Schmitt notes. Also, look around the home when you visit. Is there a pile of mail? Are things in disarray? Check the refrigerator. Is it bare? Is food spoiling?
What if you experience a health event, such as a bout of pneumonia that requires a lengthy hospital stay, or a fall that affects your cognitive ability or mobility. These are going to be very important points when you have to take a look at whether the plan you put in place is still going to work going forward.
“In an ideal world, we will age gracefully in place, but that doesn’t happen very often without careful preparation,” says Schmitt. “Take the time to sit down and get the aging-in-place conversation going.” 5 Tips for Aging in Place
Article from Fidelity.com

5 Tips for Aging in Place

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How Denial About Decline Compromises Senior Care
Housing Tips

Data helps seniors determine where to live

by Carol Marak
written by Carol Marak

Seniors want data when searching for the best place to retire. While the younger people have their own lifestyle criteria, older adults have stricter requirements because as they grow older, their needs expand. Data helps seniors determine where to live
AARP claims Social Security is the foundation of retirement and 84 percent of people age 65 and older receive benefits. Social Security provides more than a third of income for retirees which is hardly enough to survive since the average benefit in the U.S. is $17,189/year according to the Census survey. Data helps seniors determine where to live
So what do seniors look for when evaluating areas to retire? The majority want to keep working and live in a state where housing is affordable. Data helps seniors determine where to live
Using the U.S. Census data and other government surveys, let’s compare three states in the country based on work and housing to see which would be the best state to retire. I’ve selected Arizona, Minnesota, and Texas for my own analysis.

Arizona

  • There are 215,982 seniors living alone in Arizona. Of these, 68% are female.
  • Average social security income is $18,179/year
  • The median household income for an Arizona senior is $39,445
  • The number of seniors working in the state is 13 percent
  • 83 percent own a home and 21 percent of the owners spend over 35% of their monthly budget on a mortgage
  • The number of people aged 65 and over in Arizona is projected to rise 101% over the next 15 years, from 1,181,358 to 2,371,354.

Minnesota

  • There are 201,459 seniors living alone in Minnesota. Of these, 72% are female.
  • Average social security income for all seniors is $17,798/year
  • The median household income for a Minnesota senior is $37,329
  • The number of seniors working in the state is 16 percent
  • 78 percent own a home and 32 percent have a mortgage. Those with a house payment, 20 percent spends over 35% of their monthly budget on it.
  • The number of people aged 65 and over in Minnesota is projected to rise 54% over the next 15 years, from 774,390 to 1,193,124.

Texas

  • There are 638,725 seniors living alone in Texas. Of these, 70% are female.
  • Average social security income is $16,334/year
  • The median household income for a Texas senior is $36,915
  • The number of seniors working in Texas is 17 percent
  • 81 percent own a home and 32 percent have a mortgage. Those with a house payment, 20 percent spends over 35% of their monthly budget on one.
  • The number of people aged 65 and over in Texas is projected to rise 67% over the next 15 years, from 3,112,883 to 5,186,185.

At initial glance, from the perspective of a single female, aging alone, Texas is a better fit for me since there are more people in my predicament (solo agers.) My first assessment is crude, but the housing and mortgage numbers tell me that homes are more affordable in Texas and Arizona. Plus, both project to have a higher rate of people my age down the road.
Even so, having a job helps people thrive, and having one is vital to me. The Harris poll found 54 percent of workers (age 60+) say they will work part or full-time after retirement. Texas has a slightly higher number of working seniors than Arizona or Minnesota.
The city guides can give you much more insight than the little I give today. You can do your individual assessments by using the data provided for over 8,000 cities across the country. Data helps seniors determine where to live Data helps seniors determine where to live Data helps seniors determine where to live

Data helps seniors determine where to live

Data helps seniors determine where to live

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