PLAN FOR YOUR CARE NOW

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), at least 70% of people over the age of 65 will require some long term care services at some point in their lives. You are at risk of losing your life savings if you do not properly prepare your estate before you or a loved one requires some form of long term care. The average yearly skilled nursing home cost in the USA is $77,745 per person per year, and the average nursing home stay in the USA is 30 months. Do the math and the cost per person over that time period would average $194,363!

Most people cannot afford that and do not want to be a financial burden on their family as they age. Despite this, a 2010 survey conducted by Genworth Financial showed that nearly 90% of retirees had not discussed long term care issues with their spouse or children.

Long-term care options to be aware of when planning for a situation where you cannot physically or mentally take care of yourself include the following. An important thing to keep in mind is that many of these options are “private pay” or require private pay for an extended period before some type of financial assistance can be accessed.

Home Health Care: These services are provided in your home. An aide may prepare and serve meals, shop for food, provide transportation, do light housekeeping, and assist with personal cares. Other providers may handle your business affairs, pay the bills, etc. These services may be provided by an individual or through an agency. Agencies and nursing staff may also be licensed to administer injections, set up and monitor your medications, change dressings, provide therapy, etc.

Independent and Assisted Living Communities: Independent and assisted living are available in senior communities. Seniors generally live in apartments that may vary from a studio to a 3 bedroom unit. Meal plans and a variety of activities are available to residents, which provide an opportunity to be active and socialize. Some communities provide services for assisted living such as personal cares and medication management in the resident’s apartment. Other communities have a separate unit where those needing more care reside. Assisted living is often viewed as a bridge between homebound care and skilled nursing care. As with skilled nursing, residential care homes and memory care, senior communities typically have a medical group who sees residents on a monthly basis if desired. Mobile medical services such as x-rays, lab tests, physical therapy and other services are also available as prescribed by one’s doctor.

Skilled Nursing and Residential Care Homes: These options are ideal for patients who require care at a much higher level, and if needed, care around the clock. Skilled nursing facilities have a nurse on staff 24x7. Residential Care Homes have awake staff 24x7 and a nurse on call 24x7.

Memory Care: Some senior living communities, residential care homes and skilled nursing homes provide special units for memory care. These residents suffer from dementia or Alzheimer’s. These specialized units and homes provide a safe environment where those with memory issues can engage in activities that are geared to their specific needs.

MEDICARE OPEN ENROLLMENT On a related note, reduce your financial risk by ensuring your health insurance and Medicare plan fit your current needs. Medicare's annual election period (AEP) "open enrollment" occurs every October 15 through December 7 for seniors already enrolled in Medicare. The Open Enrollment Period allows seniors to evaluate their existing prescription drug plan (Part D) to find one that will best suit their needs in the following year. An annual review should be free and dependent on the current prescriptions being taken, how often they are purchased and if purchased retail or by mail.  A Medicare licensed agent or broker should be able to help you find the plan that is right for you at no cost.

Ronald Kolb, CMP www.Minnesota Medicaid Planners.com – 952.442.4951

Peter Hallberg, CMP MNHI Network – 952.200.4094 myquote.mnhi.net

EPPIA is a networking group whose members are committed to the welfare of seniors in our community. EPPIA members meet to learn, exchange information and discuss issues in the field of aging. For more information on EPPIA and local senior resources, please visit our website at www.edenprairieaging.org.

Do I Need a Will?

Do you need a will? Do you need to hire an attorney to draft your will? The short answers are no and no. The long answers are a bit tougher, but here is a bit of advice to help you figure them out for yourself.

First, a proper estate plan will include a will or trust, as well as your selection of someone to make medical and financial decisions for you if you can’t make them for yourself. Second, a will only covers property you own in your own name. Assets covered by beneficiary designations or held in joint tenancy (typically how couples own their home) are not controlled by a will. At your death they will transfer to the beneficiary or survivor no matter what your will says.

A will lets you select guardians for minor children and to appoint a personal representative. The personal representative’s job is to collect and protect your assets, pay your bills, file your tax returns and distribute your estate.

There is no requirement that that you have a will. But, you may want one. If you die without a will, the state has a plan to distribute your assets after you die. The good news for non-planners is that your estate, if married, will go to your spouse. If you are not married and die without a will, your estate will pass to your children, or if you have no children to your closest relatives. However, if you or your spouse have children by a prior relationship, it gets complicated as to who gets what.

You may want a will if: 1) your net worth is more than $50,000; 2) if you have minor children; 3) if your family life is complicated, 4) if you own real estate, and 5) if you have special wishes as to who gets what from your estate.

At what point do you need a will? That’s a personal decision, but as your wealth, family and personal life gets more complex a will or some sort of estate plan becomes the more responsible choice. It’s also typically quicker and less expensive for your surviving loved ones if you leave some guidance for them and the probate court.

Do you need an attorney to help you prepare a will? No, but your chances of having your wishes realized are greater when you hire one. Can you prepare your own will with free or inexpensive software? If you can easily read, understand and follow legal questions and instructions - you may be able to find and use a quality will generating program. Of course, your chances for a good result are better if your financial affairs, family and personal preferences are relatively simple.

One important reason to be wary of do it yourself will software is that there are no do overs. If you buy Turbo tax and don’t understand the questions, or enter wrong data, you get to do it over. You can amend and refile. But if you’re dead you’re dead.

Do you need a will and legal help to draft it? No simple answers. But, as your life, family and financial picture becomes more complex, you may want a will and help drafting it. Most estate planning attorneys offer a free initial consultation to help you understand the law. Your job at that meeting is to help the attorney understand your family, your assets and your wishes. After the meeting they typically can give you options and estimate costs.

Rick Jensen, Attorney
www.jenslaw.com
952-944-0406

                
EPPIA is a networking group whose members are committed to the welfare of seniors in our community. EPPIA members meet to learn, exchange information and discuss issues in the field of aging. For more information on EPPIA and local senior resources, please visit our website at www.edenprairieaging.org.

The Art of Downsizing

What comes to your mind when you think of downsizing? To some people it is loss, drudgery, an overwhelming task that one scarcely knows where or how to begin. Conversely, others might see downsizing as a feeling of freedom, simplicity, and even joy. No matter how you feel about downsizing, it is something that almost everyone has to do sooner or later for themselves, their parents, relatives, or friends. Some tips to help you take downsizing to the next level are outlined below. Note that downsizing is an art and what works best for you might not be the same as what works for the next person. Also, the amount of downsizing you need to do will depend on several factors including how much you have to begin with and whether you are staying in your current home or moving someplace smaller.

One way to look at downsizing is by category such as clothing, dishes, cookware, furniture, books, knickknacks, pictures, linens, etc. Assess your needs and take a good look at what you really use, wear, read and want to keep. Some people want to keep it all. This is not downsizing. Some people (albeit a much smaller number) want to get rid of almost everything. These are two extremes and your goal should be somewhere in the middle. Some “don’ts” of downsizing include: don’t keep clothes that don’t fit you and/or that you don’t wear. Don’t keep things just because they were a gift or inherited – if you don’t use them, like them, or want them let them go. Don’t keep things that are broken that you have never fixed even though you think you might do this “some day.” If that is true, make “some day” “today” or kiss it goodbye.

A few “do’s” to keep in mind include: do keep sets of matching linens, do keep the best things whether they are clothes, furniture, dishes, art, pictures, books, etc. Do keep the things you use and like the most. Keep the things that give you joy. Take pictures of belongings you plan to sell or donate if you need to have a visual memory of them. Take family pictures out of frames and put them in an album. Make an album of your favorite scenes and pictures from trips you have taken, the “best of” so to speak.

So let’s assume that you are making your way through this process and downsizing. What do you do with all of your stuff? If your family doesn’t want it, you can sell it or donate it, depending on what you would like to get rid of. Selling options include consignment stores, estate sales, on-line estate sales, e-Bay, Craig’s List, and garage sales. The approach you take depends on how much you have and what its value is. There are numerous charities where you can donate items; some will come to your home and pick items up (sometimes a fee is involved for this service). And, some things you eliminate might be more appropriately recycled; this includes household and yard chemicals, paper, metal, glass, and plastic. The last and final resort is the garbage. If no one can use it and it is not recyclable, put it in the trash!

When you have found your way through this process, take time to reflect and celebrate your accomplishment and enjoy your new, decluttered, fresh home!

Holly Hansen, Partner
Brilliant Moves
612-605-7303
www.BrilliantMovesMN.com

EPPIA is a networking group whose members are committed to the welfare of seniors in our community. EPPIA members meet to learn, exchange information and discuss issues in the field of aging. For more information on EPPIA and local senior resources, please visit our website at www.edenprairieaging.org.

Four Pillars of Successful Aging

Research tells us that we are not victims of our DNA, as we maybe once thought. One can think of our DNA like the blueprints of our "house." Your blueprint was created at conception. Got Grandma's hips? Uncle Albert's nose? These are heredity's gift to you--your genealogical legacy--embrace them! Although we are not able to change the design of our "house", what we CAN do is choose the materials we use to build our house, so that we can age in a healthy way, well into our golden years.

Ever see a 50-year-old house that is crumbling due to neglect, or a 100-year-old house that is still structurally sound and beautifully maintained? What is the difference between these two homes? Obviously age plays a role in these two very different outcomes, but more and more we are realizing the importance of a strong foundation, and regular maintenance over time.

So, how does this translate to us? Research has shown that there are four key areas that help to determine our overall wellness. We call them "The Four Pillars of Successful Aging." They are; 1) Brain Fitness, 2) Physical Fitness, 3) Nutrition/Dining Experience and 4) Social/Spiritual Engagement. When you build these Four Pillars into your everyday life, you will be helping to build a strong foundation for health and longevity. Even if you have gotten into a rut and find yourself sitting in front of your TV watching "Judge Judy" or "Leave it to Beaver" reruns all day-- there is hope! Making small adjustments to your routine can make a big difference over time, and it's never too late to start building these Four Pillars into your lifestyle. 

We all hope to maintain our mental clarity as we age. However, as you probably know--"hope" is NOT a strategy. Action is required. There are simple things that you can do to help give your brain a workout. Online programs such as Luminosity and Dakim Brain Fitness are wonderful tools. Playing cards with friends, listing to music, doing crossword puzzles, etc. are activities that help to keep your brain active. Just like a muscle, the brain needs to be challenged and engaged, in order to stay strong.

If you want to work on your physical health, there is no need to become a long-distance runner in order to reap the benefits of exercise. The body was designed to move. Movement is LIFE! So, take steps (literally) to get your body moving and active each day. Conversely, when the body is continuously sedentary, the breakdown process begins--much like a home that has been left abandoned. It may be time to clear out those cobwebs and take a walk around the block!

There is no doubt regarding the role that nutrition plays in your health. Don't worry. I am not going to tell you that you must start eating organic kale at every meal. However, I would suggest looking at your food in a new way--as building blocks for your "house". Make healthy choices each meal and each day. Incorporate more "bricks" (vegetables, fruit, lean proteins, whole grains, water, etc.) and fewer "sticks" (sugary foods, highly processed foods, artificial sweeteners, etc.) to build a stronger "house" over time.

Lastly, take the time to socialize with friends over a cup of coffee, and enjoy a laugh. Connect with your spiritual source of strength, and do your best to remain optimistic and grateful. These are just a few ways to experience the benefits of regular social and spiritual engagement.

Wherever you are in life, and no matter the age or state of your "house," it is never too late or too soon to begin incorporating the Four Pillars into your life, and reaping the rewards of health, happiness, and personal fulfillment.

Sarah Vilmain
Lighthouse of Waconia
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

EPPIA is a networking group whose members are committed to the welfare of seniors in our community. EPPIA members meet to learn, exchange information and discuss issues in the field of aging. For more information on EPPIA and local senior resources, please visit our website at www.edenprairieaging.org.