Posts Tagged ‘senior communication’

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New Year, New You: did you make your resolutions happen?

Monday, March 5th, 2012

We’re in the danger period of New Year’s resolutions, according to Johanna Gilland, co-owner of Home Helpers of Southern Maine. Apparently most of us give up within 30 to 60 days of vowing to eat less, exercise more, or keep things a little neater. More from Johanna:

While change sounds great, over 90% of people are said to abandon their New Year resolutions and revert to their comfort zone in the first thirty to sixty days following. This year, rather than setting overly ambitious goals and fizzling fast, focus on habits and behaviors that are important to you.

Remember the Best-Selling book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®? Each of Stephen Covey’s seven habits is more about discovery and determination than the specific result. For example, Habint #2 is “Begin with the End in Mind.” Instead of encouraging people to set a goal like “Lose 25 lbs.” or “Reduce your credit card debt by $3000,” Covey poses questions which may seem trite. “Are you–right now–who you want to be, what you dreamed you’d be, doing what you always wanted to do?”

As we begin another new year, what areas or aspects of your life would you most like to focus on to be the new you? “As the leading provider of in-home care and companionship for people facing challenges due to aging, illness and injury, we often hear what people value most,” said Johanna Gilland, co-owner of Home Helpers of Southern Maine. The four questions below will help you get to the heart of the matter.

What aspects of aging are most important to you and your family?

  • Examples:  Being physically active and mobile, keeping your mind sharp, maintaining your independence, remaining in your own home, attending your grandchild’s weddings.
  • Importance:  Determining what’s most important and what you value can help you set health goals and priorities for the long term.
  • Perspective:  People often indicate they do not have time for exercise or eating right, yet they are forced to find the time when a crisis occurs. Don’t wait for the crisis, set a goal to start now. 

Who are the people in your life that are most important to you? 

  • Examples:  Spouse/significant other, parents, children, friends and neighbors.
  • Importance:  Deciding what relationships you want to invest more time and energy into now before time gets away, is a great way to start. 
  • Perspective:  “…we’ll get together then…If I could just find the time” are a few of the lyrics from Cat Steven’s song Cats in the Cradle that remind us of the importance of being purposeful with our time. Don’t wait for ‘then’, make plans to get together and nurture those relationships now. 

What do you want to accomplish in life?

  • Examples:  Learn a new language, play a musical instrument, skydive, volunteer your time and invest more in causes that are important to you, or travel to a special place you’ve dreamed of visiting.
  • Importance:  Making time for the things that are important to you, gives you a reason to get up in the
  • morning and brings you a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
  • Perspective: While the movie the Bucket List may be a bit far–fetched, it does encourage people to dream and not give up hope. What are things you’ve always wanted to do? What will it take to make them happen? Put a plan in place now.

What are things you’ve put off doing but really want to address?

  • Examples: Organizing and labeling old photos, remodeling a room in your home, getting your affairs in order and purging clutter, expressing your wishes (advance directives – Power of Attorney, Living Will) in regards to your personal affairs and health care, enjoying life more by accepting help from a professional caregiver with driving, activities of daily living and more. 
  • Importance:  Completing projects and making choices are often things people take for granted, especially as life becomes increasingly challenging due to aging, illness or injury.  
  • Perspective: Maintaining a desirable quality of life and being in control are things that matter most and are often given little consideration until they are at risk. January is National Get Organized Month and you can find tips on getting organized and planning advance care directives on our website.

These are just a few ideas to help you get started thinking about the New Year. There is no time like the present to consider enhancements you want to make to be the New You. While habits can be hard to change, people who have adopted new behaviors indicate the benefits are numerous.

If you’re not sure where to start or what to consider, think about the qualities and characteristics of the people you know. Are there certain behaviors and relationships that you admire most? If so, what is it that you find appealing and how can you start making strides to emulate and enjoy those things in your life?

Our voice of reason reflects the stories, hopes, dreams and struggles we’ve heard from our clients and their families over the years. While people place tremendous value on the services they receive from Home Helpers, let’s face it, no one wants to find themselves needing care and assistance. Despite the hype, findings from research prove time and time again, that the lifestyle choices we make now impact our health in the long term.  Making simple changes now can reap large rewards later. Whether the challenges people face are due to nature or nurture, personal choices or factors outside of people’s control, Home Helpers is committed to providing the care and assistance people need and Making Life Easier SM. If you or someone you know may benefit from assistance with daily living activities, we would be happy to provide a FREE in-home consultation. 

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Georgianna Preacher: Brunswick poet exhibits at USM

Thursday, February 16th, 2012

Congratulations to Georgianna Preacher, a resident of Thornton Oaks in Brunswick who is featured as a solo exhibitor at the Chappell Center for Book Arts at USM. The exhibit is open from February 1 to April 30. Mark your calendar for her artist’s reception Saturday, April 7.

 


















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Maine State Plan on Aging: Add Your Opinion on Home Care

Monday, February 6th, 2012

To better understand the needs of senior caregivers in Maine, and whether they’re being met, the Maine Association of Area Agencies on Aging is conducting an online caregiver survey. It’s interesting and easy. If you are a home care provider or senior caregiver providing care for an adult over 60, you have all the information you need to complete the survey. It’s important that real caregivers share their experience. Please take the survey, and forward to any of your friends who are caregivers. Here’s the link to the survey:  https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/MaineCaregiverSurvey

Every four years, Maine is required by the federal government to create a state plan on aging.  The different area agencies on aging (there are 5 in Maine the cover the entire state) must also create area plans that match the goals of the state plan. 

The state and area plans help leaders allocate Older American Act funds, and serve as a roadmap on aging for state and municipal policymakers. Jessica Maurer, executive director of the Maine Association of Area Agencies on Aging, is assisting the state in the planning process.

If you need assistance in completing the survey, you can contact Jessica at: 

Jessica L. Maurer, Esq., Executive Director, Maine Association of Area Agencies on Aging

Cell:  207-592-9972     jmaurer@maine4a.org 

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High School Community Service Project: Empowering Seniors with Technology

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Empowering Seniors With Technology

by Cynthia Sargent, former Yarmouth teacher, urges increased support for senior computer literacy and suggests that high schools students could earn their community service hours by developing computer tutoring programs for seniors.

In 2003 my 84 year old father attempted to modernize his life by purchasing a basic computer. I was delighted to see him enter the age of technology with a tool that could enhance his life. By e-mailing children and grandchildren, he would bridge the miles that separate us and be more connected with our lives. He could satisfy his intellect by researching topics through cyberspace. What might have been a life-enhancing step toward modernity, became a frustrating experience resulting in his cancellation of Internet service, reducing this powerful tool to a simple word processor. If he had obtained technological support, he would have succeeded in joining the digital age.

Today, adults can access technology instruction through employers, local community services, libraries, professional consultants, retail stores and on-line. But, these services are not easily accessible to all. I recently contacted several local community service directors, librarians, and activities directors in senior centers. They reported that technology support exists for adults and seniors in Cumberland County, but are centered primarily in larger communities (Portland and Brunswick) and newer assisted living residences.  It is impressive and encouraging that such providers are committed to this mission. While efforts are being made to broaden senior citizens’ use of computers, the services in Cumberland County appear inconsistent. And, while worthwhile programs exist, access is difficult for seniors who are confined. Communities could develop a bank of competent volunteers who could help seniors use computers in their homes. High school students could earn community service hours in this effort.

Many baby-boomers and their parents (from The Greatest Generation) are “digital immigrants” (Marc Prensky, 2001). They approach technology like a foreign language, timidly and lacking confidence.  In contrast, modern youths are “digital natives,” speaking the language of the computer age from their earliest years. In 2002, I experienced the challenges of a digital immigrant as a 7th grade teacher when  the Maine Laptop Initiative was introduced. Similarly, many adults learn technology in the workplace, their skills practiced and acquired over time. Yet, I remain concerned for isolated seniors who lack the access necessary to build their computer understanding and skills. I challenge individuals and communities to expand resources for seniors, particularly those who are confined.

The potential of computer literacy is limitless. Consider the extensive life experience and knowledge the aging population offers, how they can enhance their own lives and also contribute to others. Imagine a myriad of blogs focused on common interests, comments exchanged across digital space on topics both intellectual and practical. Think about the excitement of finding a former classmate through social media or previously unknown ancestors from a genealogical search. In addition to personal interests, there are many essential practical uses. Institutions (banks, utilities, retailers, etc.) increasingly expect clients to communicate via technology.  Computer literacy has become a necessity, not merely a luxury. The State of Maine has taken steps to improve computer access and skills through the  Maine State Library BTOP Grant (Department of Commerce, 2010). This funds “projects to establish new public computer facilities or upgrade existing ones that provide broadband access to the general public or to specific vulnerable populations, such as low-income individuals, the unemployed, seniors, children, minorities, and people with disabilities.” It is reassuring to know that seniors are among the targeted groups.

Seniors can attain goals that improve their computer skills, knowledge, confidence, and enjoyment, which can enrich and empower their lives. I challenge our communities to develop or expand resources to improve seniors’ computer literacy, offering them a helping hand into the present.

My father remained mentally alert until his death three years later.  Imagine the opportunities he missed without access to the Web: pursuing interest in history, traveling the world on virtual tours, reading breaking news about the stock market and world events. Medical websites could have helped him manage his health. While I cannot change my father’s experience, I can encourage communities to assist aging citizens with technology. Building seniors’ skills and understanding of computers can enrich their lives.


Cynthia H. Sargent, 7th Grade Teacher,Yarmouth (Retired 2009). Language Arts, Social Studies, B.A. English. University of Massachusetts, 1970   M.S. Ed. in Literacy Education, University of Southern Maine, 1992

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Senior iPad Apps: Online assistive technology

Thursday, October 13th, 2011

About 25% of Internet info is accessed over mobile devices, from people who regularly read their email on their smart phone to students whose research depends entirely on Internet access vs. library access.

A recent article about iPad use at a Florida nursing home echoed my recent immersion in AARP’s national conference vendor area, where I was taken with just how many assistive apps are being developed for iPads and other tablets. One company developed a whole house full of lick-and-stick sensors that reported back to a tablet on the number of times refrigerators were opened, front doors unlocked, toilets flushed or electric devices operated. While such electronic surveillance might seem a little creepy, it’s a simple, unobtrusive way to monitor safety while assuring independence.

I spent a little time looking around for apps that might help seniors or family members. There are dozens, ranging from touch screen apps that put a voice to words to all sorts of specific physical therapy modules that lead viewers through exercises for regaining strength and mobility.

How can you tell if an app is worthwhile? Fortunately, many are quite inexpensive, in the $2.99 range. Look at the reviews, and read the descriptive text. One particular company I saw made the same spelling error in all 30 apps that they published on the same day. It’s clear they never even went on-line to review their descriptons, and that’s a sign of shoddy development.

You can ask your doc or therapist for app suggestions as an adjunct to their therapy. For many seniors, the ability of tablets to blow up text size is a plus, and the stroking movements make page turning easier. And there are many games that are essentially brain stimulating and small-motor improving fun sessions.

A recent article in the Press Herald noted the iPads move into senior communities, and I believe we’re just beginning to see the advance of tablet-based assistive technology.

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Maine Hospitals Share Info: Suddenly You’re a Caregiver!

Saturday, October 1st, 2011

Mid Coast Hospital and Parkview Adventist Medical Center, the two hospitals that serve the midcoast Maine region, have created the Community Health Information Partnership with Curtis Memorial Library in Brunswick.

The new information partnership’s first offering is a health series called Suddenly You’re a Caregiver. The monthly program is held at the Morrell Meeting Room at the library (22 Pleasant St. in Brunswick) and begins at 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday, October 5, Legal Matters. Legal issues for seniors and caregivers, presented by attorney Linda Wood.

Wednesday, November 2, Medical Matters. Managing common medical and mental health changes encountered as part of aging with Jane Colton, nurse pracitioner.

Wednesday, December 7, Care Planning for Daily Living. Brunswick community police officer Terry Goan joins Mid Coast Hospital dietitian Alison Fernald and Parkview AMC occupational therapist Kim Morin to talk about senior issues involved in activities of daily living.  

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Senior Health Expo: Life without Limits

Tuesday, September 6th, 2011

Join Maine Senior Guide and at least 50 other exhibitors Tuesday, September 20, at the Cooks Corner Mall in Brunswick for Life without Limits, a senior fair on the art of aging sponsored by Spectrum Generations. The free expo runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. with demonstrations, free samples and testing, and lots of opportunity to ask questions and receive information from exhibitors ranging from nutrition and yoga practioners to audiologists and insurance specialists.

There’s plenty of free parking, and the expo will also feature a cafe called Cohens on the Green. Join us and get the resources you need to live life to the fullest!

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AARP Names Portland, Maine a “Best Place to Live”

Friday, July 29th, 2011

I just got my September/October issue of AARP Magazine. While overlooking the fact that it’s July 29 and I felt deeply resentful that AARP was rushing my summer away, I paged through and discovered that Portland, Maine, has made the top ten list of  Best Places 2011. 

I really like Portland, so I’m OK with that. But then the articles starts with “Cheap housing, affordable tax rates, low cost of living: These cities are a bargain – and you can’t beat the lifestyle.” It goes on to list the cities (five in the magazine and the other five included in the expanded on-line version) and I discover that, even in this short list, Portland has the highest median housing costs ($202,800) often by $50,000 or so.   Try as I might, I can’t put that in the “cheap housing” category, especially since I have found very few houses that are even that low in the Greater Portland area.

We’re witnessing a conundrum. There’s a housing slump all over the US. If you CAN sell your house, you’re probably not getting top dollar for it. And then you decide to move to Portland, where the median house cost is almost certainly higher than where you came from. So is the cost of electricty. And wait….food costs aren’t any cheaper, either.

I think you should move to Maine, but you need to do it because you love the particular town or the whole darn state. You enjoy the slightly-slower pace, the fabulous turn of seasons, the opportunity to immerse yourself in nature even in our biggest city. You like the first rate museum in Portland, the great theater in Monmouth, the wonderful skiing in Kingfield and the immense fields and forests near Presque Isle. But in my opinion, you certainly can’t move here thinking you’re getting a bargain, unless you’re coming from a Big City. Then, I suppose, housing will seem like a deal.

What do you think?  Do you see Portland, or any other town in Maine, as a bargain spot for retirees?What’s your story? Let me know if you really found the Good Life for Less, as AARP writes, and I’ll share your experiences with others.  Thanks!  Deborah McLean, dmclean@maineseniorguide.com

 

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Senior Money: Deferred Annuities Part II, Immediate Annuities

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

Kerry Peabody, Long Term Care Insurance Specialist at Clark Insurance

We’re talking about “deferred annuities” this week, in a three part series. Here’s Part II: Immediate Annuities.

We’ve talked about “deferred annuities,” which are tax-advantaged savings & growth tools. Now let’s take a look at the other way annuities can be used – to create a guaranteed lifetime income. A pension is simply an annuity. If you don’t happen to have a pension from an employer (and we know that far fewer of us have these than used to) you can actually “buy” one, using an immediate (income) annuity.

An immediate annuity takes a lump sum and converts it to a guaranteed stream of income. The amount of income created is based upon the amount of the lump sum and the age of the annuitants, and how long you want the annuity to pay.

For instance, let’s say that Ted is 70. He’s collecting social security of about $1,600 per month, and he takes $1,000 per month of income from his IRAs. Combined, his monthly income is $2,600. He has $150,000 in CDs. He’d like to have a little bit more money to spend every month, but he’s hesitant to start drawing from his savings accounts, because he’s afraid he’ll spend them all down.

Ted decides to purchase an income annuity with $75,000 of his CD money. At age 70, this would result in $535 per month, every month, for the rest of his life, no matter how long he lives. If Ted lives to 110, that check will still be coming, every month, guaranteed. He’s giving himself some extra income, he’s still got $75,000 in savings for emergencies, and he’s guaranteed that this check will never stop coming, no matter what.

The downside to a “life only” annuity is that Ted might step in front of a bus before the entire $75,000 is paid back to him. If that’s a concern for Ted, we can fix that by adding a “period certain” to the annuity. For instance, we could say that we want Ted’s annuity to pay for the rest of his life, no matter how long he lives, or for at least 15 years. In that scenario, Ted’s monthly check would be $464 per month. If he passes away before the 15 year period certain ends, the check would go to his beneficiary every month. So, he’s guaranteed to get at least $83,520 out of the annuity – no matter what.

Also, when the money’s being paid from the annuity, only a portion of it will be taxable. For instance, in the Life Only version above, a portion of the monthly check is Ted’s money, and a portion is the growth within the annuity. In this scenario, only $145 of the $535 per month is considered taxable income.

So, once again, annuities offer guarantees, tax-advantages, and the flexibility to make your money do what you need it to do. If you have money that’s sitting idle in savings, CDs, or money market accounts, or in retirement accounts that you don’t want to leave at risk of market losses, then you can use annuities to create guaranteed savings and income for life. By combining the benefits of both deferred and immediate annuities, you can build a guaranteed, bulletproof income stream that you and your spouse cannot outlive.

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Senior Money: Part 1 Indexed Annuities

Monday, July 11th, 2011

Kerry Peabody, Long Term Care Insurance Specialist at Clark Insurance

Let’s talk a little bit more about “deferred annuities” this week, in a three part series. Here’s Part I: Indexed Annuities.

A deferred annuity is a tax-advantaged savings & growth tool. As we said before, you agree to leave a portion of your money with an insurance company, for a pre-determined period of time. In return, the company promises to pay you a minimum return. While the money grows inside the annuity, you’re not taxed on any of that growth each year, as you would be in a CD. Over time, this means that you benefit from faster growth.

Deferred annuities typically pay a higher return than CDs will. While the difference may not be huge, when you add in that your money grows tax-deferred, it can make a significant difference over time.

Usually, the longer the annuity period – the amount of time you agree to leave your money with the company – the higher your guaranteed return will be. For instance, today, 5 year annuities will guarantee anywhere from 2.15% to 3.25%, depending on the company you choose and the amount you deposit. A 10 year annuity would pay anywhere from 3.05% to 4.25% per year.

There are also annuities that give you the opportunity to make even more, by “indexing” your returns to the stock market. These are called fixed, indexed annuities. It’s important to understand that your money is not in the stock market, and it’s not subject to market risk. The carrier is taking the market risk with an indexed annuity, not you.

Here’s how a fixed, indexed annuity works: You put your money with the insurance company, but instead of a guaranteed, flat rate, you choose an “index,” such as the S&P 500. If the S&P 500 goes up, your money goes up. If the S&P 500 goes down, you’re guaranteed not to lose any of your money. So, you go up when the market goes up, but you don’t go down when the market goes down! This is the best of both worlds. “But,” you say, “this sounds too good to be true. How does the insurance company do this?” It’s actually quite simple.

An indexed annuity also has a “cap.” The cap is the maximum you can earn if the market goes up. For instance, today, you could purchase a 7 year indexed annuity with a 6.5% cap. If your index goes up this year, you’d go with it all the way to 6.5%. If it goes up more than that, you still get “just” 6.5% return. The carrier keeps anything above that. If it goes up less than 6.5% – let’s say it goes up by 4% – you’d get the full 4%. If it goes down, you don’t lose anything.

So, by “indexing” the returns, you now have the potential to make more, but you’re still protected against the dips in the market. Not a bad deal.

Most indexed annuities also offer you a fixed option, and you can usually change your allocations every year. For instance, if you feel that the upcoming year is going to be a bad year for the market, you could change to the fixed, guaranteed option, and know that you’d make a minimum return. If the next year looks better, you could switch to the index option, to take advantage of the market’s ups, without any risk of downs.

As always, you should only put money into a deferred annuity if you’re fairly confident you can leave it alone for the entire annuity period. You will be penalized if you pull it all out early, because you agreed to leave it there. Keep in mind, though, that many annuities will let you pull some money out early – often as much as 10% per year – without penalties, as part of the contract.

Next time, we’ll look a bit more closely at “immediate annuities,” and ways to use both deferred and immediate annuities to strengthen your retirement security.

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