Willow Glen Seniors

The Rewards of Volunteering

2009-08-11T21:19:00.000-07:00

Excerpts from article by Valerie Ulene | Source: Los Angeles Times | August 10, 2009

Behaving altruistically not only feels good, a growing body of research suggests, it actually improves a person's physical and psychological health. "One of the best things we can do for our health is to learn to be more caring and compassionate," says Stephen Post, director of the Center for Medical Humanities, Compassionate Care and Bioethics at Stony Brook University in New York.

A study published last year in the journal Science examined the relationship between philanthropy and well-being. Researchers analyzed the spending patterns of more than 600 men and women and questioned them about their general happiness. Money used to pay bills or buy things for themselves was considered "personal spending"; gifts for others and donations to charities were categorized as "pro-social spending." Personal spending was found to be unrelated to happiness, whereas pro-social spending was directly correlated to happiness.

The full article can be read at:

http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourmoney/work/articles/the_rewards_of_volunteering.html?cmp=NLC-RSS-DAILY-BULLETIN

Volunteer and you will benefit.

Tom Binder
Senior Real Estate Specialist

White House Reassures Medicare Beneficiaries

2009-06-15T11:08:00.001-07:00

Reducing Medicare and Medicaid spending by an additional $300 billion over the next 10 years will not affect coverage or quality

Following are excerpts from an article by Barbara Basler in AARPBulletinToday, June 9, 2009:

President Obama’s call to reduce Medicare and Medicaid spending by an additional $200 billion to $300 billion over the next 10 years to help finance health care reforms will “absolutely not” affect coverage, benefits or quality of care for Medicare beneficiaries, says Nancy-Ann DeParle, director of the White House Office of Health Reform.

Older Americans “can rest assured these are proposals that will help strengthen the Medicare Trust Fund and strengthen the Medicare program for beneficiaries,” DeParle said yesterday in an interview with the AARP Bulletin.

Obama originally had called for cost savings in Medicare and Medicaid totaling $309 billion over 10 years.

But in a letter last week to the heads of two Senate committees working on health care legislation, the president suggested squeezing an additional $200 billion to $300 billion from the programs, for total savings of up to about $600 billion. The new savings, Obama said, would come through such measures as better management of chronic diseases, elimination of duplicate tests and providing more preventive care.

The full article can be seen at:

http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/medicare/articles/medicare_beneficiaries.html?cmp=NLC-RSS-DAILY-BULLETIN

Sounds like good news, although none of us really know what's going to happen, regardless what is said!!

So let's hope for the best!!!

Have a great day.

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Older Adults Increasingly Turn to Yoga for Health

2009-06-10T15:22:00.000-07:00

Yoga can relieve back pain, improve sleep quality, boost overall fitness

Excerpts from AARPBulletinToday, June 9, 2009; by John Hanc.

The idea that older adults are involved in yoga shouldn’t really come as a surprise. After all, while it may sound as trendy as Twitter, as new and shiny as your next laptop, this form of mind-body exercise has been around, by some estimates, for 5,000 years. What’s more, many of the most influential Indian yogis are nonagenarians, notably 90-year-old B.K.S. Iyengar, founder of an eponymous style of yoga that is practiced worldwide.

Yoga as practiced in America today is different from what it was in the peace, love, consciousness-expanding days of the ’60s. The emphasis for most devotees now is on the physical, as opposed to spiritual, aspects of the practice.

More older adults are now taking their place on the mats. According to the study, 18.4 percent of practitioners are now over 55.

Health benefits have been reported in numerous studies, most of them done in the past few years, involving “yoga interventions” with older adults here and abroad. Researchers have found that regular practice led to reduced incidence of chronic back pain; improved sleep quality and mood; a better sense of well-being and quality of life; improvement in heart health, rheumatoid arthritis and type 2 diabetes; and greater overall physical fitness.

The full article can be seen at: http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/healthyliving/articles/older_adults_increasingly_turn_to_yoga_for_health.html

The number of older adults in yoga has definitely increased, says one Yoga teacher. “I would say half of our level-1 students are 55 and over. Just five years ago that wouldn’t have been the case … maybe 10 percent would have been in that age group.”

So, if you're not already actively exercising, maybe a Yoga class is the place to start addressing your physical well being.

Have a great day.

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

The Hidden Secret of Elder Abuse

2009-06-08T20:37:00.000-07:00

Excerpts from article from "Planning from Eldercare" June 5, 2009:

Many elderly people rely entirely on family or other trusted individuals to help them. Whether it is for physical needs or emotional needs, as people grow older they tend to need more and more help from others. This dependence on caregivers or family members makes an older person more vulnerable for abuse.

It is estimated that 5% to 10% of elderly Americans are suffering abuse.

According to the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse,
“Spiraling rates of elder mistreatment are reported by both practitioners and researchers. In a recent national study of Adult Protective Services (APS), typically the agency of first report concerning elder abuse, there were 253,421 reports of abuse of adults age 60+ or 832.6 reports for every 100,000 people over the age of 60 (Teaster, Dugar, Otto, Mendiondo, Abner, & Cecil, 2006). The National Elder Abuse Incidence Study (National Center on Elder Abuse, 1998) found that more than 500,000 persons aged 60+ were victims of domestic abuse and that an estimated 84% of incidents are not reported to authorities, denying victims the protection and support they need.”

The following is a list of indicators of abuse, neglect or exploitation. It is important to note that the following lists are merely indicators and may not always be violations.

Signs of Abuse:

Unexplained bruises, welts, fractures, abrasions or lacerations
Multiple bruises in various stages of healing
Multiple/repeat injuries
Low self-esteem or loss of self determination
Withdrawn, passive
Fearful
Depressed, hopeless
Soiled linen or clothing
Social Isolation

Read the entire article at:
http://www.longtermcarelink.net/article-2009-6-4.htm

This is not a fun subject, but something we need to be aware of.

Take care

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Computer and Internet Security Help

2009-06-02T16:40:00.000-07:00

Excerpts from Seniorresource.com E-zine, dated June 2.

As a public service, the government has established a web site to address issues related to computer and internet security. OnGuardOnline.gov provides practical tips from the federal government and the technology industry to help you be on watch against Internet fraud, how to secure your computer and protect your personal information.
You can minimize the chance of an Internet problem using "awareness" as your first line of defense. Being alert while online helps you protect your information, your computer, and your money.

Here are seven elements that should be part of your online routine

1. Protect your personal information. It's valuable.
2. Know whom you're dealing with.
3. Use security software that updates automatically.
4. Keep your operating system and Web browser up-to-date, and learn about their security features.
5. Keep your passwords safe, secure, and strong.
6. Back up important files.
7. Learn what to do in an emergency.
8. Learn more about these elements at http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/computer-security.aspx

In an effort to aid our readers we will from time to time provide a few excerpts from the government site.The first of these topics is "Email Scams."

We all get spam in our email inbox. However, some of these are bogus offers looking to take some of our money. Con artists know how to make their claims seem legitimate. Some spam messages ask for your business, others invite you to a web site with a detailed pitch.
Either way, these tips can help you avoid spam scams:

- Protect your personal information. Share credit card or other personal information only when you're buying from a company you know and trust.

- Know whom you're dealing with. Don't do business with any company that won't provide its name, street address, and telephone number.

- Take your time. Resist any urge to "act now" despite the offer and the terms. Once you turn over your money, you may never get it back.

- Read the small print. Get all promises in writing and review them carefully before you make a payment or sign a contract.

- Never pay for a "free" gift. Disregard any offer that asks you to pay for a gift or prize.

Learn more about these elements at http://www.onguardonline.gov/topics/email-scams.aspx

The internet is an incredible resource that can make our lives a lot easier. But, like many resources, we need to use it appropriately and safely (think of your car!!) So arm yourself with the best practices and use them to avoid problems!!

HAVE FUN ONLINE!!!!!!

And have a great day,

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Benefits to Wearing Hearing Aids Worth the Cost

2009-05-27T12:45:00.000-07:00

Excerpts from an article in Therapy Times, May 25, from the House Ear Institute:

With the struggling economy, everyone is trying to save money. People are eating out less and staying home instead of taking vacations. Unfortunately, at times like this, there also is a tendency for people with hearing loss to forego physician-recommended treatments, such as hearing aids.

“Patients are coming in to have their hearing tested and even after the tests show a hearing loss significant enough that a hearing aid would help them, patients are deciding not to get hearing aids right now,” says Alan Senne, AuD, director of audiology and hearing aid dispensing at the House Ear Clinic in Los Angeles.

Hearing professionals at the House Ear Institute (HEI) and House Ear Clinic encourage people experiencing a hearing loss to think twice before trying to save money by not getting hearing aids when recommended. The positive impact that today’s hearing aids can have on a hearing loss patient’s quality of life, including their career success, usually far outweighs the initial investment.

Read the entire article at:
http://www.therapytimes.com/content=1902J84C4896549040A040441

Take care of yourself and have a great day.

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Health Discovery: Can You Still Build Muscle Mass at 80?

2009-05-26T12:19:00.000-07:00

Excerpt from article in AARP Bulletin Today, May 26, by John Hanc:

Can you reach a point where you’re simply too old to benefit from exercise? The results of a recent study at Ball State University in Indiana might be read that way.

Accent on might.

In the study, published in May in the Journal of Applied Physiology, six women in their 80s exercised on a machine designed to strengthen the quadriceps (thigh) muscles, three times a week for three months. Despite doing this consistent muscle-building exercise, MRIs showed that the women built no muscle mass over the course of the study.

So does that mean once you hit 80, you should cancel the gym membership or throw away the hand weights?

Not so fast!

While the women in the study didn’t gain muscle, they were still able to increase the amount of weight they lifted by a hefty 26 percent over the three-month period, through improved neurological efficiency. That is, their bodies became better at mobilizing and coordinating existing muscle fibers and neural pathways needed to perform the work.

Such functional strength is a vitally important outcome of a resistance training program. This is the strength needed, say, to lift yourself out of a tub or pick up a grandchild. “It’s the functional strength that really counts, and this study shows you can still achieve that even in your 80s,” says exercise scientist Hank Williford of Auburn University at Montgomery in Alabama.

So keep exercising and stay healthy!!

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Health Discovery: Best Foods for Eye Health

2009-05-20T13:16:00.000-07:00

Excerpts from article by Sid Kirchheimer in AARP Bulletin Today, May 19.

Eating chicken over beef isn’t just heart-healthy. It may also be the better choice for lower risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), the leading cause of vision loss in people over age 60.

After tracking the dietary and lifestyle habits of 6,700 Australians, ages 58 to 69, for four years and evaluating them for AMD 13 years later, researchers found that eating 10 or more servings of red meat per week raised the risk of AMD by 50 percent compared with having five or fewer servings weekly. However, eating chicken at least three times weekly was associated with a 50 percent reduced risk.

That’s not to say that chicken necessarily protects against the vision-robbing condition, says lead researcher Elaine Chong, M.D., of the Centre for Eye Research Australia at the University of Melbourne. Instead, her research—published April 1 in the American Journal of Epidemiology—provides more evidence that excessive consumption of red meat can raise AMD risk, while being the first to indicate that white meat does not.

Read the entire article at:
http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/discoveries/articles/discoveries_best_foods_for_eye_health.html

Eat healthy and stay healthy!!!!!

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

In Recession, Older Workers Hang in There

2009-05-13T10:09:00.000-07:00

In California, nearly 30 percent of people ages 65 to 69 are still working

Excerpts from article in AARP BulletinToday, May 12, by Michael Zielenziger

Since the recession started in December 2007, the number of employed workers over the age of 55 has actually grown by more than 800,000, according to figures released last week by the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). By contrast, during the same period some 5.7 million workers have lost their jobs, and the unemployment rate now stands at 8.9 percent

• The shift from defined-benefit to defined-contribution pension plans, which has increased the incentives to work later in life.

• Older Americans have less confidence that they can afford retirement. The 2008 Retirement Confidence Survey, released in April by the nonpartisan Employee Benefit Research Institute, found that “Americans’ confidence in their ability to afford a comfortable retirement has dropped to its lowest level in seven years.” Between 2007 and 2008 alone, the share of U.S. retirees who reported that they are “not too” or “not at all” confident that they have enough money to live comfortably throughout their retirement years increased from 21 percent to 34 percent.

• Changes in the Social Security program have created a financial incentive to continue working later into life. In 2000, for instance, Congress repealed a provision that had reduced the amount of Social Security benefits people ages 65 to 69 received if they had earnings from work above a certain threshold.

Read the entire article at:
http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourmoney/work/articles/in_recession_older_workers_hang_in_there.html

So if you find yourself still working, you're not alone.

Have a great day

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

The Importance of Discharge Planning and Transition Care

2009-05-11T15:07:00.000-07:00

The following was published in the May 2009 Senior Independence Update by Home Safety Services, and it highlights the importance of a specific transition plan after discharge from a hospital.

Re-hospitalizations among Medicare beneficiaries are prevalent and costly. This was the conclusion made by Jencks et al., in their recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine that examined 15 months of Medicare claims data to describe patterns of re-hospitalization among 12 million Medicare beneficiaries. Two-thirds were re-hospitalized or died within a year of discharge; 90% of re-hospitalizations were unplanned; and half of those re-hospitalized within 30 days had no evidence of having seen a doctor between hospital encounters. The cost of unplanned re-hospitalizations in 2004 was estimated to be $17.4 billion dollars. According to the study's authors, "a safe transition...requires care that centers on the patient and transcends organizational boundaries". Providers are thus encouraged to partner with other disciplines (e.g. home health, physical therapy, homecare, home safety, etc.) so as to ensure a continuum of care.

More information on safety in your home and Aging in Place can be found at the Home Safety Services link available on this site's opening page.

Take care and be safe at home!!

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

REGULAR EXERCISE SAVES MONEY

2009-05-06T20:44:00.000-07:00

Following are excerpts from an article in SeniorResource.com May issue of the E-zine

If the benefits seen in the mirror and on the scale aren't enough to convince you, new research shows that regular exercise can also have a dramatic impact on your pocketbook. The financial benefits are more pronounced for those who stand to gain the most physically from routine activity-older adults with chronic disease.

A January 2008 study funded by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tracked a group of participants in the Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program for two years, and found that they were admitted to the hospital less often and had lower overall healthcare costs. Participants in the study had significantly lower total adjusted healthcare costs, saving an average of $500 compared with a control group that did not participate. The more members participated, the more they saved. Participants who averaged at least two fitness center visits per week over two years incurred at least $1,252 less in healthcare costs in year two than did those who visited less than once per week on average. The savings were even more pronounced among those who visited more than twice a week.

To read the entire article, go to
http://seniorresource.com/ezine_exercise.htm#Aone

And make regular exercise a key part of your weekly routine.

Stay healthy!!!

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

SWINE FLU SYMPTOMS AND PREVENTION

2009-05-01T17:15:00.000-07:00

Following is from an article from AARP Bulletin Today by Katharine Greider dated April 28.

The symptoms of swine flu are essentially indistinguishable from the familiar misery of seasonal flu: fever, coughing, sore throat, body aches, headache, sometimes vomiting and diarrhea. The CDC suggests people worried about such symptoms call their doctor, especially if they live in a community with swine flu cases or have traveled to such an area. More serious problems like difficulty breathing call for emergency medical attention.

Just like regular seasonal flu virus, the swine flu virus is thought to spread on droplets emitted by coughing and sneezing or deposited on hands and surfaces, then transferred to nose or mouth. Thus, practicing the usual precautions will help prevent its spread:
* Use a tissue when you cough or sneeze, and throw it away promptly. If you don’t have a tissue, cough into your sleeve.
* Wash your hands thoroughly and often, especially after sneezing or coughing, using soap and water or an alcohol rub.
* Wipe surfaces like doorknobs using a regular cleaner.
* If you’re sick with flu-like symptoms, even if you don’t feel sick enough to go to the doctor, stay home from work or school to avoid giving the virus to someone else.

Take care of yourself!!

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

New Alzheimer's Report

2009-04-23T18:03:00.000-07:00

Some recent information from the website of the Alzheimer's Association http://www.alz.org/

• As many as 5.3 million people in the United States are living with Alzheimer’s.
• Alzheimer's and dementia triple healthcare costs for Americans age 65 and older.
• Every 70 seconds, someone develops Alzheimer’s.
• Alzheimer's is the sixth-leading cause of death.
• The direct and indirect costs of Alzheimer's and other dementia to Medicare, Medicaid and businesses amount to more than $148 billion each year.

These are just a few of the facts in our new report, 2009 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. The report is a comprehensive statistical abstract of U.S. data on Alzheimer’s disease that includes:
• prevalence
• mortality
• the costs of Alzheimer care
• caregiving
• a special report on Mild Cognitive Impairment and early-stage Alzheimer's

Memory loss that disrupts everyday life is not a typical part of aging. It may be a symptom of Alzheimer's, a fatal brain disease that gets worse over time and causes changes in thinking and reasoning skills. Every individual may experience one or more of these signs in different degrees. Below is a list of significant changes that, if experienced, indicate a doctors appointment.

10 warning signs of Alzheimer's:

1. Memory changes that disrupt daily life
One of the most common signs of Alzheimer's, especially in the early stages, is forgetting recently learned information. Others include forgetting important dates or events; asking for the same information over and over; relying on memory aides (e.g., reminder notes or electronic devices) or family members for things they used to handle on their own.
What's typical? Sometimes forgetting names or appointments, but remembering them later.

2. Challenges in planning or solving problems
Some people may experience changes in their ability to develop and follow a plan or work with numbers. They may have trouble following a familiar recipe or keeping track of monthly bills. They may have difficulty concentrating and take much longer to do things than they did before.
What's typical? Making occasional errors when balancing a checkbook.

3. Difficulty completing familiar tasks at home, at work or at leisure
People with Alzheimer's often find it hard to complete daily tasks. Sometimes, people may have trouble driving to a familiar location, managing a budget at work or remembering the rules of a favorite game.
What's typical? Occasionally needing help to use the settings on a microwave or to record a television show.

4. Confusion with time or place
People with Alzheimer's can lose track of dates, seasons and the passage of time. They may have trouble understanding something if it is not happening immediately. Sometimes they may forget where they are or how they got there.
What's typical? Getting confused about the day of the week but figuring it out later.

5. Trouble understanding visual images and spatial relationships
For some people, having vision problems is a sign of Alzheimer's. They may have difficulty reading, judging distance and determining color or contrast. In terms of perception, they may pass a mirror and think someone else is in the room. They may not realize they are the person in the mirror.
What's typical? Vision changes related to cataracts.

6. New problems with words in speaking or writing
People with Alzheimer's may have trouble following or joining a conversation. They may stop in the middle of a conversation and have no idea how to continue or they may repeat themselves. They may struggle with vocabulary, have problems finding the right word or call things by the wrong name (e.g., calling a "watch" a "hand-clock").
What's typical? Sometimes having trouble finding the right word.

7. Misplacing things and losing the ability to retrace steps
A person with Alzheimer's disease may put things in unusual places. They may lose things and be unable to go back over their steps to find them again. Sometimes, they may accuse others of stealing. This may occur more frequently over time.
What's typical? Misplacing things from time to time, such as a pair of glasses or the remote control.

8. Decreased or poor judgment
People with Alzheimer's may experience changes in judgment or decision-making. For example, they may use poor judgment when dealing with money, giving large amounts to telemarketers. They may pay less attention to grooming or keeping themselves clean.
What's typical? Making a bad decision once in a while.

9. Withdrawal from work or social activities
A person with Alzheimer's may start to remove themselves from hobbies, social activities, work projects or sports. They may have trouble keeping up with a favorite sports team or remembering how to complete a favorite hobby. They may also avoid being social because of the changes they have experienced.
What's typical? Sometimes feeling weary of work, family and social obligations.

10. Changes in mood and personality
The mood and personalities of people with Alzheimer's can change. They can become confused, suspicious, depressed, fearful or anxious. They may be easily upset at home, at work, with friends or in places where they are out of their comfort zone.
What's typical? Developing very specific ways of doing things and becoming irritable when a routine is disrupted.

The difference between Alzheimer's and typical age-related changes

Signs of Alzheimer's versus Typical age-related changes

Poor judgment and decision making versus Making a bad decision once in a while

Inability to manage a budget versus Missing a monthly payment

Losing track of the date or the season versus Forgetting which day it is and remembering later

Difficulty having a conversation versus Sometimes forgetting which word to use

Misplacing things and being unable to
retrace steps to find them versus Losing things from time to time

As our population ages, the the prevalence of Alzheimer's and other types of dementia will increase and a great many of us will have the challenge of dealing with an Alzheimer's patient in our family. So it is important that we all become more aware of symptoms and the techniques for mitigating the effects.

Some of the things that have been demonstrated to maintain our brains are:

Mental Activity
Physical Activity
Proper Nutrition
Social Connectedness

Two websites that can be accessed to get information about Alzheimer's are http://www.alz.org/ and http://www.alzheimers.org/.

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Long Distance Care Givers Receive Help

2009-04-10T17:57:00.000-07:00

From an article by the National Care Planning Council,

Living in a different city or state -- miles from aging parents -- can be very difficult. Keeping in touch by telephone and making long trips to help parents or aging relatives with their needs can be time consuming and not nearly as effective as being available full time in person.

According to a report by the Alzheimer's Association of Los Angeles & Riverside, California, there are approximately 3.3 million long distance caregivers in this country with an average distance of 480 miles from the people they care for. The report also states that 15 million days are missed from work each year because of long distance care giving. Seven million Americans provide 80% of the care to ailing family members and the number of long distance caregivers will DOUBLE over the next 15 years.

Professional care managers -- also known as Geriatric Care Managers, Elder Care Managers or Aging Care Managers -- represent a growing trend to help full time, employed family caregivers provide care for loved ones. Care managers are expert in assisting caregivers, friends or family members find government-paid and private resources to help with long term care decisions.
They are professionals -- trained to evaluate and recommend care for the aged. A care manager might be a nurse, social worker, psychologist, or gerontologist who specializes in assessing the abilities and needs of the elderly. Care manger professionals are also becoming extremely popular as the caretaker liaison between long distant family members and their aging elder loved ones.

Read the full article at http://www.longtermcarelink.net/article-2009-4-8.htm

Best regards and HAPPY EASTER!!!

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

ELDER CARE OPTIONS

2009-04-07T21:04:00.000-07:00

Following are some hints published in the Seniorresource E-zine published April 3, 2009:

With retirement saving taking a beating in the current economy, it's time to sharpen our pencils about the cost of elder care. Here are a few approaches to easing the cost for such care.

1. Consider adult day care. Based on a 2008 MetLife study, it is a more affordable option than private, in-home care. The national average rate for adult day-care services is $64 a day in comparison with an eight-hour rate of $160 for home-health aides.

2. Negotiate with candidate senior communities. With many assisted-living and nursing communities not filled to capacity, it is worth the effort to see if you can negotiate lower fees. This approach may be helpful even for those already in such a community.

3. Share a room. Many assisted-living communities have provisions for lower-income individuals to share a room.

4. Hire a geriatric-care manager. Such managers can assess the situation, identify potential solutions, and negotiate favorable terms at assisted living facilities. The savings in your time and efforts to negotiate may mitigate their fees (especially if you're not experienced in negotiation).

5. Part-time caretaker. If full time attention is not required, then someone to look in periodically may be all that is required. This person might be a neighbor, a local college student, or someone from a local service organization. He or she might help with such activities as cleaning, shopping, and meal preparation.

We are seeing many "adjustments" taking place during the current economic downturn, and the above are excellent tactics.

Have a great day

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

CDC Analysis Tracks Falls Related to Pets

2009-03-29T11:38:00.000-07:00

Wow, I hated to see this!!!!!!

You know how much I love dogs and am always preaching their benefits. However the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) has identified pets as one of life's hazards!! Following are a few excerpts from an article by David Brown in the AARP BulletinToday on March 27.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that an average of 86,629 Americans visit the emergency room each year after a fall caused by pets or their paraphernalia.

About one-third of the falls broke bones, about one-quarter caused bruises, one-fifth caused sprains and a little more than one-tenth caused cuts. About 62 percent of the dog-related falls and 86 percent of the tumbles involving cats occurred at home.

About one-quarter of the dog-related falls occurred during walks, about 3 percent while running away from a dog and one-half of 1 percent while breaking up a fight. In one-third of the falls, a person tripped over the dog. Being pulled by the animal caused a fifth of the falls.
About 12 percent of the cat-related injuries involved chasing the animal. In two-thirds of the falls, a person tripped over the cat.

The full article can be read at:
http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/healthyliving/articles/cdc_analysis_tracks.html

So, enjoy your pets but be careful!!!

Have a great day.

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Design for Older Folks

2009-03-26T07:13:00.000-07:00

Ever have a problem opening a packaging?? I think we have all struggled with this, and as we get older, it just seems to be getting tougher. But we are not being ignored.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is working on technologies used for designing products for Seniors. A project, AGNES, which stands for Age Gain Now Empathy System, involves a special suit which allow engineers to experience what it is like to be in their 70s. Exercise physiologist Rozanne Puleo helped a team of mechanical engineers develop AGNES. The goal: To teach engineers in their 20s and 30s how to design products that are easy for people in their 70s to use.
"There hasn't been one person who's put on this suit who hasn't said, 'Wow, I didn't know opening a package could be this difficult,' " Puleo said. "You can be somewhat empathetic, but you really never understand."

Joseph Coughlin founded the AgeLab to help businesses tailor products and services to the world's older folks. Coughlin says "It's about designing the lifestyle of the future"

You can read the article at http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2009/03/23/at_mits_agelab_growing_old_is_the_new_frontier/

After reading this, we Seniors can feel better about technology not just being for new video games for our grandkids!!

Have fun today.

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Little-Known Government Program Pays the Cost of Elder Care

2009-03-17T16:32:00.000-07:00

WHAT IF 33% OF ALL SENIORS IN THIS COUNTRY could receive up to $1,949 a month in additional income from the government to help cover their elder care costs? THEY CAN!

Under the right circumstances, a little-known federal program will pay additional income to cover long term care costs for at least 1/3 of all US senior households -- that's how many war veterans or their surviving spouses there are in this country. But the provisions of this program are such a well-kept secret that only 4.7% of US seniors are actually receiving the benefit. The great news about this program is the Department of Veterans Affairs will pay you to hire your family, friends or just about anyone to take care of you (Caregiving spouses can't be paid under this program). The program is called "Veterans Pension."

Most people who have heard about Pension know that it will cover the costs of assisted living and, in some cases, cover nursing home costs as well. But the majority of those receiving long term care in this country are in their homes. Estimates are that approximately 70% to 80% of all long term care is being provided in the home. All of the information available about Pension overlooks the fact that this benefit can also be used to pay for home care.

It also comes as a surprise to most people that the Department of Veterans Affairs will allow veterans' households to include the annual cost of paying any person such as family members, friends or hired help for care when calculating the Pension benefit. This annual cost is deducted from household income and used to calculate a lower "countable income" which in turn enables families to receive this disability income from VA. Even though VA claims the benefit is for low income families, because of the special provision in the regulations -- allowing for deduction for care costs -- households earning between $3,000 to $6,000 a month or more can still qualify for Pension under the right conditions.

Read entire article at: http://www.longtermcarelink.net/article-2009-3-17.htm

I hope this will help many of you.

HAPPY SAINT PATRICK'S DAY !!!!!

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Time to buy a new home??

2009-03-16T21:28:00.000-07:00

The Real Estate market has been clearly in a “buyers” market for over a year. This means that it is a very good time to be buying a home. As seniors, we typically don’t think about actively looking for a reason to buy a new home; however, there are many circumstances that can make it attractive, maybe even necessary, to buy a new home and relocate. And now might be the time.

Although surveys show that most seniors want to stay in the home that they have lived in for many years, there are some very practical reasons to make a change.

LOCATION: Although a long distance from family might have been no problem in the past, as we age it can become more important to be close to family. This could mean more frequent visits, and maybe even some level of required caregiving. Or, convenient access to services and easy transportation could be more important now that we can't easily drive all over town anytime we want.

HOME SIZE: That large 4 bedroom home where we raised our children might be just too much for us now. Maintenance could be too costly now that we need to hire a handyman to do the work; that second story might be inaccessible because of the difficult stairs; maybe retrofitting to make it more useable by the elderly isn’t possible.

CAREGIVING: Now that we need almost full time caregiving, maybe a duplex, with “next door” availability of our primary caregiver, is the best solution.

INCOME: All of the asset equity in the home that we bought 30 years ago is not generating income for us as our expenses increase. Selling this home and investing the net proceeds in a safe, income producing asset could solve our current cash flow problems.

With the high level of available housing inventory, this might be the very best time to find a much more appropriate house to fit our needs today, and maybe in a better location.

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Farewell to Falls

2009-03-12T15:36:00.000-07:00

Thousands of older adults fall each year, with many of them experiencing multiple falls. And many of these can be prevented; research shows that the home environment is responsible for about 1/3 of all falls.

If you have fallen recently, within the last 30 days, you may qualify for a free, fall prevention program offered through the Trauma Service and Emergency Department at Stanford University. This program includes 2 initial home visits by a registered occupational therapist, and a third visit one year after enrollment. The program includes a balance and mobility assessment, a home safety survey, recommended fall risk reduction methods, and an exercise program.

You must be 65 years or older and have a television with VCR or DVD. For more information, call the Farewell to Falls Program at Stanford: 650-724-9369. And information can be found directly at the Stanford Hospital website:

http://www.stanfordhospital.com/newsEvents/newsReleases/2008/farewellToFalls

We should all use every available resource to help us with safety and health as we age.

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Elder Financial Abuse Scam

2009-03-05T15:24:00.000-08:00

Notice on the Willow Glen elist-March 5, 2009

We’ve gotten word from Willows Senior Center of a potential Elder
Financial Abuse Scam in the area. Individuals identifying themselves
as representing our centers are calling Seniors Citizens asking them
about their financial assets and offering to go to their homes to
discuss their assets. If asked for more information they hang up. We
would appreciate it if you could please alert your constituents.
Additionally;
> We’ve reported the incident to PD’s Financial Crimes Division We’ve
sent a Scam Alert to the media We are posting notices on the website
and at our facilities We’ll keep you posted if we receive any reports
of additional incidents.
> Thank you
Mona Favorite-Hill, Communications Manager Parks, Recreation &
Neighborhood Services City of San Jose

Balancing Work and Family Caregiving - Part 2

2009-02-22T16:04:00.000-08:00

In the previous post, we talked about the challenges associated with being employed and being a family caregiver.

Today we take a look at some key questions that a caregiver should be asking and some ideas concerning support resources in the community. The reality is that a caregiver just may not be able to carry the entire load; however, there are many resources that can be tapped to assure that the work load is shared. In addition, getting professional assessment of the care requirements will help develop the appropriate caregiving strategy, head off the dangers of caregiver burnout, and ultimately result in the best and most efficient care for the person in need of the care.

Following is a link to the second part of this topic:
http://www.poststat.net/rightathome/pub.59/issue.958/article.3952/

Please feel free to comment on this subject with your own experiences with family caregiving.

Regards
Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Balancing Work and Family Caregiving

2009-02-16T20:13:00.000-08:00

In early January, I posted a general look at Caregiver Burnout and we had some very good comments contributed to add to the discussion. In their December online newsletter, Caring, in home care provider Right at Home addresses the challenges of being a caregiver while holding down a full time job. This article not only looks at the emotional impact and the added stress resulting from the need to do both jobs, but also looks at some of the financial costs to the caregiver. These costs can be direct and measureable, or perhaps indirect and difficult to quantify; however, the total cost to the caregiver can be very significant.

If you are in this situation, there will be some valuable insights for you in this information. You can read the entire article at:
http://www.poststat.net/rightathome/pub.59/issue.927/article.3840/

If you have some personal experience with this, and maybe have some suggestions as to how to deal with some of these issues, please add your comments.

HAPPY PRESIDENTS DAY !!!

Regards
Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Proposed development at corner of Lincoln Ave. and Willow St.

2009-01-28T11:14:00.000-08:00

A new development is being proposed at 1130 Willow Street (corner of Willow and Lincoln). The overall project proposes landscaping, office space, public gathering areas, a parking garage, new retail stores, and restaurants with outdoor seating. Willow Street Pizza and Willow Glen Frozen Yogurt will remain open and will be integrated into this project.

A drawing of the view from Lincoln Ave. can be seen at: http://www.socialwave.net/attachments/1743/

Another drawing of a view from the corner can be seen at: http://www.socialwave.net/attachments/1739/

Questions, suggestions, or comments may be forwarded to Councilmember Pierluigi Oliverio at District6@kSanJoseCA.gov

This looks like an exciting addition to our downtown area.

Regards
Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Willow Glen AARP Meeting

2009-01-23T14:44:00.000-08:00

The Willow Glen chapter # 5193 of AARP will hold its monthly meeting on Monday, January 26, 1:00 pm in Room 11 at the Willows Senior Center. The program will be a presentation entitled "Maximizing Your Memory".

We continue to hear how the incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease increases as the average age of our population increases. It is the most common form of dementia and has no current cure. However, there are efforts worldwide to find better ways to treat the disease, delay its onset, or prevent it from developing. And the more we can learn about exercising and improving our memory, the more we will be helping ourselves deal with this issue.

The program will be presented by the Alzheimer's Association.

Socializing and refreshments will begin at about 12:45, with the meeting starting at 1:00. All visitors are welcome.

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage

2009-01-22T22:31:00.000-08:00

Excerpts from an article in AARP Bulletin Today, by Patricia Barry, October 24, 2008

Before deciding whether to sign up for Medicare drug coverage, you need to understand how the program works together as a whole. Grasping the big picture makes it easier to deal with the details.

Who can get Medicare drug coverage?
Anyone on Medicare (with either Part A or Part B) is entitled to drug coverage (known as Part D) regardless of income. No physical exams are required. You cannot be denied for health reasons or because you already use a lot of prescription drugs.

Do I have to sign up?
For most people, joining Part D is voluntary. However, if you now get your drugs from Medicaid, you must get them from a Medicare drug plan as soon as you become eligible for Medicare.
You won’t need to sign up if you have other drug coverage that is better than Medicare’s—for example, benefits from a current or former employer or union. (See Deciding Whether You Need Part D.)
But if you don’t have other drug coverage that’s considered as good as Medicare, and you delay signing up, you’ll incur a late penalty that adds to your premiums for as long as you’re in the program, except in certain circumstances.
Related Questions:
• What is the late enrollment penalty?
• Can I wait and sign up later when I need coverage?
• How can I avoid a late penalty?
• How do I tell if my current coverage is better or worse than Medicare’s?
For answers to these questions and to read the entire article, click on the following link:

http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/medicare/articles/how_medicare_part_d_drug_coverage_works.html

This article includes a lot of really good information.

Regards
Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Cell Phone - Do Not Call Registration

2009-01-19T13:39:00.000-08:00

Cell Phone Numbers Go Public this week.

REMINDER... all cell phone numbers are being released to telemarketing companies tomorrow and you will start to receive sale calls.... YOU WILL BE CHARGED FOR THESE CALLS

To prevent this, call the following number from your cell phone: 888-382-1222 .It is the National DO NOT CALL list. It will only take a minute of your time. It blocks your number for five (5) years. You must call from the cell phone number you want to have blocked. You cannot call from a different phone number.

HELP OTHERS BY PASSING THIS ON TO ALL YOUR FRIENDS.. It takes about 20 seconds.

I hope this is helpful.

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Note: I received a comment that this is isn't the actual situation. However, I registered just in case. Sorry for any confusion.

Penalty Waived for Retirees for Mandatory Withdrawals in 2009

2009-01-16T17:46:00.000-08:00

Article from the AARP Bulletin Today, By Carole Fleck, December 23, 2008

Thousands of older Americans who are legally required to take distributions from their shrinking retirement savings accounts will get a break this year (2009). President Bush today signed legislation that will temporarily waive the penalty on adults age 70 and a half and older who don’t withdraw their annual minimum required distribution (MRD) from their retirement accounts in 2009.

The law places a one-year moratorium on those penalties for IRAs, 401(k)s and 403(b)s, so that older people aren’t forced to take their withdrawals from savings plans that have incurred dramatic losses. AARP praised Congress for passing the Worker, Retiree and Employer Recovery Act of 2008, though it pressed lawmakers for a freeze that would be applicable this year as well. “By making minimum withdrawals from retirement savings accounts optional rather than mandatory for next year, older Americans are poised to hold on to more of their diminished nest eggs,” says AARP Legislative Policy Director David Certner. “Now every older American, who was forced to make a choice between taking a withdrawal that was calculated based on a much higher value in their retirement account or face a high tax penalty, will be eligible for this financial relief.”

Read the entire article at:

http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourmoney/retirement/articles/penalty_waived_for_retirees_for_mandatory_withdrawals_in_2009.html

Have a great day

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Discounts for Adopting and Owning a Pet

2009-01-15T19:54:00.000-08:00

Discounts for Adopting and Owning a Pet Date: January 15, 2009 Author: David Smidt, SeniorDiscounts From Seniordiscounts.com newsletter

Pets make great companions and research has shown that pets can increase their owners' quality of life. A study published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society concluded that independently living seniors with pets tend to have better physical health and mental well being than those without pets. Seniors with pets are generally more active, cope better with stress, and have better overall health.

Some of the benefits of owning a pet:
Pets Lower Blood Pressure - A recent study showed that people over 40 who own pets had lower blood pressure than people who did not have pets.
Fewer Trips to the Doctor - A US survey of 1,000 Medicare patients indicated that elderly people with pets sought doctor's services much less frequently than those without animal companions.
Less Depression - Studies show that seniors with pets do not become depressed as often as those without pets.
Seniors Become More Active - Seniors with pets go for more walks and are generally more active than those without pets.

Adopting pets from shelters is a great way to help animals that need homes. There are various services that provide assistance to older adults looking to take in pets. These national organizations can help with some or all of the adoption costs and may provide assistance with necessary vaccinations.
The Pets For the Elderly Foundation pays the fees at participating animal shelters throughout the United States for seniors who adopt a companion dog or cat from a participating shelter - this includes the adoption fee, pre-adoption veterinary exam and spay/neuter.http://www.petsfortheelderly.org
PAWS (Progressive Animal Welfare Society)Provides a "Seniors for Seniors" program where mature cats and dogs (typically over 7 years of age) are placed with qualified senior citizens who are 60 years of age or older. The PAWS "Seniors for Seniors" program offers a special reduced adoption fee, and includes many benefits to help seniors who are living on a fixed income.http://www.paws.org/cas/adopt/seniors.php

United Animal Nations helps ill or injured animals whose caregivers or rescuers cannot afford the cost of the lifesaving veterinary care they need.http://www.uan.org
There are dozens of other local programs to help older adults find and care for pets. We have posted a useful list of some of the local organizations around the country on our web site. Click here:http://www.seniordiscounts.com/articles/articles-sd-petservices.aspx

Many cities require that pet owners register their pets and pay a one-time or annual fee. We have found that most cities offer discounts on the registration fees to qualifying seniors. Check your local city's web site for details.
Many city shelters and humane societies will also provide discounts on pet adoption, as well as necessary vaccinations or to have one's pet spade or neutered.
Don't forget that there are hundreds of veterinarians and animal hospitals that provide discounts to seniors and their pets. Check with a local vet or visit the SeniorDiscounts search area on our web site to locate veterinarians in your area.
© SeniorDiscounts

Obviously I'm a pet lover and have talked about them before, and I believe pets can provide so many benefits to us seniors. I would love to get your comments about your experiences with pets.

Tom Binder
Seniors Real Estate Specialist

Year-End tax tips for Seniors

2009-01-14T20:36:00.000-08:00

Year end--Tax time--Some ideas

As the end of a challenging financial year comes to a close, many senior citizens are searching for new ways to save money during their retirement. Retirement expert Eric Bachman and Certified Public Accountant Jeanne Duhe share six year-end tax tips that are simple yet intelligent ways for senior citizens to save money on their 2008 taxes.

This article includes lots of ideas that we can all use. Read the entire article at:

http://rismedia.com/wp/2008-12-30/retirement-experts-share-year-end-tax-tips-for-senior-citizens/

Happy tax time!!!

Tom

Refining Medicare

2009-01-12T18:33:00.000-08:00

In the drive to fix the country’s ailing health care system, Medicare is likely to undergo some changes.

From article by Patricia Barry, AARP Bulletin Print Edition, January 7, 2009.

In the drive to fix the country’s ailing health care system, Medicare is likely to undergo some changes. Campaign promises from President-elect Barack Obama and a white paper issued by Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, suggest that some specific Medicare proposals will get serious consideration this year.

Longtime ideological battles over whether Medicare should be a public or privatized program won’t melt away overnight, but may ease, experts say. “I think if President Obama has any influence, he’ll try to steer Congress away from that,” says Paul Ginsburg, president of the Center for Studying Health System Change in Washington.

At a time of rising unemployment, Medicare’s finances could worsen faster than expected because of lost revenue from payroll taxes. Yet Medicare could lead the reform field if it reins in escalating health care costs. “The policies Medicare adopts are often taken up by private payers,” says John Rother, AARP’s director of policy. “Medicare is so large that it’s the only system with enough leverage to get doctors, hospitals and other health providers to change.”

See full article at:
http://bulletin.aarp.org/yourhealth/medicare/articles/refining_medicare.html

Regards
Tom Binder

Time for a Reverse Mortgage??

2009-01-07T12:38:00.000-08:00

During the current economic downturn, we are all taking a fresh look at our cash position and plans for meeting expenses in the future. Even though we may have a great deal of equity in the home that we have owned for many years, that equity isn’t helping us pay our day-to-day bills.

Reverse mortgages are ways to tap some of that equity to help us through this crunch. You may be dealing with one of a variety of situations, but a couple that have been identified are:

1. You have been living off of your investments but find that, with the current market slide, you no longer have the cash flow to meet your needs. Thus, a reverse mortgage can be structured to add some cash inflow to make sure you meet your expenses.
2. You haven’t needed to tap your investments in the past but have been approaching the point where you will need to begin using those assets. However, now with the market down and your nest egg is at a smaller value than a couple of years ago, you are reluctant to dip into that pool of money that is much smaller than you expected, and you really want to wait. A reverse mortgage could give you the cash inflow to further delay drawing on your nest egg with the plan to let it again appreciate as the economy improves.

While nobody really knows what will happen with the economy in the near future, and I would be the last to make a guess, a reverse mortgage might just give you the flexibility to put together a strategy that better fits your needs and expectations.

Although reverse mortgages had some bad press when they first came on the scene, and there were some mistakes and abuses early on, the industry has developed much better guidelines and processes that make them a safer and more secure financial approach. So if you are disciplined, do your home work, and work with a reputable, experienced lender, a Reverse Mortgage might be a good strategy for you.

Please share any opinions and experiences by adding your comments.

Regards
Tom Binder

Caregiver Burnout

2009-01-05T21:00:00.000-08:00

If you are a primary caregiver for a loved one, you are well aware of the daily stress and emotional and physical impact it can have on your health.

An article posted on About.com by Carrie Hill, PhD states:

“Caregivers who use respite care often tell me that although caregiving is one of the hardest jobs they've ever had, they wouldn't trade the experience for anything. Helping a family member or close friend who has Alzheimer's disease can provide a sense of purpose and great satisfaction. Still, the emotional and physical demands of caregiving make it hard to be a caregiver 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Without respite care -- a temporary break from the demands of caregiving -- you may be more susceptible to the effects of caregiver stress, such as depression, exhaustion and other health problems.

Be on the lookout for caregiver burnout. It can creep up on you without your noticing it. Caregiver burnout symptoms can include:
-depression
-anxiety, irritability, or anger
-feelings of exhaustion
-self-criticism
-Withdrawal from usual activities
-trouble with handling caregiving responsibilities
-substance abuse

Read the full article on Caregiver Burnout at the following link:

http://www.longtermcarelink.net/article-2008-12-17.htm

Good food for thought!!!

Tom Binder

Employment for Seniors

2008-12-30T18:41:00.000-08:00

As our population becomes increasingly composed of Seniors, many companies are recognizing that this age group is an untapped source of skilled and talented labor. And the “Baby Boomer” mentality of this age group is very different from previous generations for whom just reaching retirement was a very typical goal. However, in years past, the broad availability of well funded pension programs allowed a large proportion of our working population to reach retirement age, stop working, and “relax” with the grandkids.

But, not only is it now more difficult to have secured that financial security, many people who reach the magical age, or number of years on the job, just aren’t emotionally ready to remove themselves from the active and social life that employment provides. Consequently, we are seeing many people who are in the “Senior” category either continue to work at their careers of many years, or maybe return to employment after a few years in a completely different line of work.

Employers are taking advantage of this because it can be a source of workers who have experience, are reliable, have a strong work ethic and exhibit a lower rate of turnover. Also, Seniors are often willing to work only part-time and have a more flexible work schedule than a younger employee with family responsibilities at home.

So, if you are considering going back to work to gain a little financial freedom to do more, or to afford a few luxuries, or if you just want to re-engage socially with a set of co-workers, don’t be afraid to start your search. There are a lot of resources that specialize in finding the right match between employers and seniors.

And who knows? You might find a whole new career that will give you a good adjunct to your current income.

Good luck on your search.

Tom Binder

Heart-Healthy Holiday Season

2008-12-21T17:11:00.000-08:00

Right at Home, a provider of In Home Care and Assistance services included a timely article in their Newsletter "CARE" on how to maintain a healthy heart during the holiday season. The article is by Dr. Rita Redberg, a leading cardiologist at the University of California San Francisco. Although the holidays can be a hectic time, Dr. Redberg provides 10 tips for getting through the season feeling healthier and less stressed.

The two I like best are:

1. When going for the chocolate, start with "dark chocolate with intense flavors and savor a small piece of it. If it keeps you from eating that whole box of milk chocolates, it's done the trick."

2. When shopping, "take the stairs. Or pass up that parking space closest to the store and walk a little farther. Every step helps." You know my feelings about exercise: we never get enough!!

You can read the entire article by clicking on the link below.

http://www.poststat.net/rightathome/pub.59/issue.927/article.3843/

So, don't wait until your New Years resolutions start on January 1. Start now to help your heart stay healthy over the holidays.

Happy Holidays

Tom Binder

Campbell Senior Resource Fair, January 20, 2009

2008-12-21T16:43:00.000-08:00

Do you ever wonder about services available
for seniors in Santa Clara county?

Stop wondering and come by the Senior Resource Fair to visit 50 vendors who service seniors. This is for all people 50+ years old. Open to the general public. You will meet many service providers that can answer your questions.

Come to: Campbell Community Center: Orchard City Banquet Hall
1 West Campbell Avenue
Campbell, CA 95008

Refreshments and great door prizes! Sponsored by Senior Roundtable

See you there.

Tom Binder

What is a Grandparent

2008-12-15T22:00:00.000-08:00

A little insight for all grandparents!!!

WHAT IS A GRANDPARENT?? (Taken from papers written by a class of 8-year-olds)

-Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no little children of their own. They like other people's.
-A grandfather is a man & a grandmother is a lady!
-Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when we come to see them.
-They are so old they shouldn't play hard or run.
-It is good if they drive us to the shops and give us money.
-When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars.
-They show us and talk to us about the colors of the flowers and also why we shouldn't step on cracks.'
-They don't say, 'Hurry up.'
-Usually grandmothers are fat but not too fat to tie your shoes.
-They wear glasses and funny underwear.
-They can take their teeth and gums out.
-Grandparents have to be smart. They have to answer questions like 'Why isn't God married?' and 'How come dogs chase cats?
-When they read to us, they don't skip. They don't mind if we ask for the same story over again.
-Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don't have television because they are the only grownups who like to spend time with us.
-They know we should have snack time before bed time and they say prayers with us and kiss us even when we've acted bad.
-A 6 YEAR OLD WAS ASKED WHERE HIS GRANDMA LIVED. ''OH,'' HE SAID, '' SHE LIVES AT THE AIRPORT AND WHEN WE WANT HER WE JUST GO GET HER. THEN WHEN WE'RE DONE HAVING HER VISIT, WE TAKE HER BACK TO THE AIRPORT.''
-GRANDPA IS THE SMARTEST MAN ON EARTH! HE TEACHES ME GOOD THINGS BUT I DON'T GET TO SEE HIM ENOUGH TO GET AS SMART AS HIM!
-It's funny when they bend over, you hear gas leaks and they blame their dog.

This helped me understand my grandkids!!!!

Tom Binder

Seniors Real Estate Specialist

2008-12-12T15:33:00.000-08:00

I have been asked several times, “What is an SRES (Seniors Real Estate Specialist)?” So here is an abbreviated explanation.

As our expected life span continues to increase and the average age of our population increases, the Real Estate community has recognized that this shift in demographics will result in a new set of housing demands. And almost every issue dealing with housing will have its own special twist related to Seniors. Consequently, a special training program has been developed to help REALTORS® understand these requirements and opportunities. And those who take this special training are awarded the SRES designation.

Some of the topics covered which can be unique for Seniors include the following:
-Homes with features specifically to accommodate the needs of Seniors
-Overall concept of “Universal Design”
-Taxes
*Capital gains issues with death of spouse
*Tax base transfer when moving
*Tax base step up with death of spouse
*Tax deferral on investment property through Internal Revenue Code 1031 Exchanges
-Aging in Place resources and services
-Services available to assist in logistics of moving and downsizing after many years in one home
-Estate Planning issues and need to utilize an estate planning expert
-Housing alternatives for Seniors

Recognizing the constantly changing rules and regulations, SRES provides us a newsletter and frequent programs to help monitor all of the relevant changes. In addition, we participate in organizations and meetings like the Senior Roundtable to develop a network of service providers for Seniors so that we can bring the best expertise to our clients when needed.

I will be pleased to discuss housing issues with anyone who may be thinking about making a change. Also check my earlier postings, Staying in Your Home or Downsizing, http://wgseniors.blogspot.com/2008/11/staying-in-your-home-downsizing-or.html and Caregiving for Seniors, http://wgseniors.blogspot.com/2008/11/caregiving-for-seniors.html.

I hope you're farther along with your holiday preparations than I am! I really should start doing some shopping soon!!!

Best regards
Tom Binder

Baby Boomers' Plans to Move

2008-12-11T15:03:00.000-08:00

A poll conducted for AARP shows some very interesting information concerning the intentions of Baby Boomers concerning moving or staying in their current home.

One in four baby boom generation households (26%) expects to move from their current home in the future, with the majority looking for a single-level home that is more comfortable or convenient, according to a new survey prepared for AARP.

Echoing past surveys, most boomers (79%) say they would like to stay in their current home for as long as possible. Some – less than 10% -- said they would like to stay in their current home but don’t think they will be able to do so.

Many of those who expect to move said they will be looking for a better house, a better climate or a home that is closer to family and friends. More than half of those boomers (age 45-64) planning to move expect to look for a home that’s all on one level (59%). About half said they will look for a newer home (50%) or a smaller home (49%).

The poll conducted by Opinion Research Corporation for AARP was released to coincide with the announcement of the 2008 Livable Communities Awards from AARP and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) honoring innovative thinking in the field of home and community design.

Older boomers are significantly more likely than younger boomers to think that they will move into a single level home (68% vs. 54% of those planning to move), but age is not the only factor that affects expectations. Boomer men are more likely than women to believe they will move into a newer home (61% vs. 42%) or move into a home in a warmer or better climate (41% vs. 25%) Boomer women are more likely than men to think they will move into a smaller home (54% v. 41%).

Thanksgiving Vacation

2008-11-24T11:23:00.000-08:00

After being diligent about having new and interesting information for you for the last 2 weeks, I'm heading off on a little vacation and will miss a few days. Seattle has been the location of choice for family holidays together for several years, especially since the grandkids arrived. Picture at the left shows grandson T.J., and granddaughter Sadie Rose; ages 8 and 7. This was during a hike on Whidbey island in Puget Sound.

If you are a new reader, please take time to check out my previous postings and add any comments to complement my ideas. And if there are any specific topics that you would like me to research for you, please let me know.

So in case I don't get back on early this week, my best wishes to you for a very Happy Thanksgiving.

Tom Binder

Willow Glen AARP meeting: Monday Nov. 24

2008-11-22T12:33:00.000-08:00

The Willow Glen chapter 5193 of AARP will be meeting this Monday, Nov. 24, 1:00pm at the Willows Senior Center, Room 11. The program for Monday will be a very timely presentation by Financial Advisor David Samuels of Corinthian Wealth Management. His subject will be “Your Retirement Assets: How to Make Them and Keep Them”

Dave will be accompanied by an Elder law attorney who specializes in Estate Planning, Lisa Bryant.

So this will be a great opportunity to hear the most current information concerning the management of your finances and to ask any questions to some real experts.

All visitors will be welcome and refreshments will be served.

Hope to see you there.

Regards and have a great day.

Tom Binder

Senior Dogs for Seniors

2008-11-21T10:52:00.000-08:00

I just attended a presentation by Carol Adler of the Santa Clara Valley Medical Center about how she uses a dog, Alma, in assisting with the rehabilitation of disabled and seriously injured people at the hospital. It is remarkable how Alma can make almost instant connection with the patient, although people involved (doctors, nurses, therapists, and even family) can have a very difficult time making that personal connection. If you ever have a chance to see Carol’s presentation, do it! It is awesome!

Carol described the Canine Companions for Independence program that provides highly trained assistance dogs to enhance the lives of people with disabilities. These dogs add a whole new dimension to the lives of the people who are limited by their disabilities. You'll enjoy see how this organization works at http://www.cci.org/ .

But dogs can also be a very positive addition to the lives of seniors. They can bring companionship and result in all kinds of enjoyment and new experiences. And the Senior Dog Project promotes “Senior” dogs as the best way for Seniors to acquire a companion pet. Some of the benefits of a mature dog that they identify are:
-Housetrained
-Won’t chew inappropriate things
-Knows what “no” means
-Good at giving love
-Instant companion
-Time for yourself; fewer demands
-Are mature, won’t change over time;
-you don’t need to start with a puppy!! Most of us know “puppy” stories that might discourage anyone from getting a dog.

Information about the Senior Dog Project can be found at:
http://www.srdogs.com/Pages/srcitz.html

Golden retrievers are my absolute favorite dogs. When I see one being walked in my neighborhood, I always need to stop and visit. There is a golden retriever rescue program that acquires unwanted goldens and make them available to good homes; check this at: http://www.golden-rescue.org/

Walking your dog can be really good exercise for both you and the dog. But don’t forget your plastic bags (this responsibility isn’t really all that bad), and the bending over to clean up after the dog is additional exercise.

Hearing about your experiences with dogs will be interesting for all of us.

Have a great day.

Tom

Time for exchanging your rental property??

2008-11-20T14:22:00.000-08:00

Investment Property: What can I do in this market??

Many people who have invested in property are probably wondering to themselves: “What the heck should I do now??” Does the current Real Estate market allow any opportunity to make, or reason to make, changes to my investment property portfolio? In many cases, the answer can be “yes”!! And executing a 1031 tax-deferred exchange now could provide some definite advantages.

Owners of rental homes or multi-unit rental properties could find this an excellent time to exchange into different property investments and accomplish a variety of investment goals:
1)Portfolio diversification: numerous smaller properties, and properties in other areas
2)Exchange non-income-producing raw land for rental units that can create positive cash flow.
3)Exchange a fully depreciated property into a higher valued property that can be depreciated further.

And if you’re tired of managing your rental properties after all these years, exchanging into a Tenant-in-Common investment (TIC) can relieve you of a lot of work, improve your cash flow, and diversify you into other geographical areas that offer better property appreciation.

So instead of hunkering down and just doing nothing because the Real Estate market is going through a transition, you can take advantage of the situation to make some very beneficial, and maybe overdue, changes to your investment property portfolio.

Let me know what you think. And comment with your opinions for other readers.

Regards
Tom

Humor for Grandparents

2008-11-19T17:45:00.000-08:00

My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, '62.' He was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, 'Did you start at 1 ?'

My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, 'Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?' I mentally polished my halo while I asked,'No, how are we alike?' 'You're both old,' he replied.

A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather's word processor. She told him she was writing a story. 'What's it about?' heasked. 'I don't know,' she replied. 'I can't read.'

When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, 'I'm not sure.' 'Look in your underwear, Grandpa,' he advised. 'mine says I'm four to six.'

Grandchildren can always make us smile!!!!!

Enjoy

Tom

Joy Johnson - Our Exercise Hero

2008-11-18T07:17:00.000-08:00

If my pitch yesterday didn't convince you that you can exercise, read this !! Willow Glen has it's own exercise hero. Joy Johnson is an 81 year old Willow Glen resident who can be a model for all of us. She has just completed her 21st New York City marathon run (that's 26.2) miles!!
Joy started running in her late-50s and has become one of the best Senior runners in the country. Maybe the best!
Joy has won her age group in the NYC marathon for 5 of the last 11 years. And when she found that her running time was beginning to drop off this past year, she decided to just train harder. Training at Willow Glen High School, Joy started doing extra speed work, and running the bleachers. And as a result, she improved her time for the Marathon by 50 minutes.
I also do some running at WGHS and when I see Joy doing her workouts, she is a real inspiration for me.

Have a great day
Tom Binder

Seniors: GET MOVING !!

2008-11-16T16:24:00.000-08:00

Exercise is an activity that can make our senior years much more enjoyable. And it is so easy!!! And you don't need to join a gym or buy a lot of equipment. Exercising for endurance can be as simple as walking and you don't need to go out and buy a fancy treadmill. You can, if you're a real gadget lover, but save the money! Here in Willow Glen, our weather is so good most of the time that walking around your neighborhood is a great way to get some endurance exercise and get reacquainted with your neighbors.

AARP earlier this year got a lot of people started on a walking program "Step Up to Better Health" and passed out pedometers to all participants. See a summary of benefits of walking at http://www.aarp.org/health/fitness/walking/a2004-06-17-walking-numerousbenefits.html

And a few little hand weights is all you'll need to get started on a good strength program.

Following are website locations for National Institute on Aging and National Institutes of Health that provide a lot of great information on the benefits of exercising.
http://www.nia.nih.gov/HealthInformation/Publications/exercise.htm
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/exercise/toc.html

Exercise, in addition to just making you feel better, will also prevent or delay diseases like diabetes, heart and vascular problems, and many diseases associated with being overweight.

While virtually everyone can benefit from exercise, it is a good idea to check with your doctor before the start of an active exercise program. If you think you want to have the help of a personal trainer to get started, let me know an I can pass along a couple of names.

My daughter Katie, who is a doctor, tells me the story of interviewing a patient and asking him if he gets any exercise. He said "Sure; every time I want a cigarette, I need to walk downstairs, go outside, smoke my cigarette, walk back in and walk up the stairs!!!" That's not what I'm suggesting!!!

So GET MOVING!!!

Regards
Tom

Caregiving for Seniors

2008-11-15T11:41:00.000-08:00

The good news: We’re all living longer !!
But what now??: A whole new set of challenges !!

At the beginning of the last century, the average life expectancy for newborns was 47.3 years. Today it is 77.8 years!! And that is only the average, as we all know people who are living well into their 80's and 90's. While that sounds great, this change in demographics for our population presents new challenges that society is just now beginning to understand and tackle. And one of the biggest challenges: what types and quantity of services and resources will be needed and how will they be delivered as the proportion of “elderly” in our population increases significantly. The term “caregiving” has evolved to generally include this broad range of services.

A short, but not comprehensive, list of some currently available options for elderly “caregiving” could include the following:
-Family caregivers
-In-Home Care Providers
-Home Health Care
-Adult Day-Care facilities
-Independent Living Communities (IL)
-Assisted Living Communities (AL)
-Dementia/Alzheimer’s Care
-Retirement Communities
-Rehabilitation Facilities

I will not even attempt to detail the specifics of each type, but will mention that the traditional approach has been that the family of the elderly person actually performs all of the caregiving. As we enjoy these longer lives, it is becoming more and more unrealistic to expect family caregivers to continue to provide all of the caregiving. With families being spread all over the country, with special medical care being needed, with special facilities being required, and with caregiving needed over much longer periods of time, families cannot cope with all of these issues.

Most families don’t do any real planning for the caregiving of their elderly until it is crisis time and something must be done quickly, or until the old approach of family members carrying the entire burden collapses because the work is overwhelming. And by then the primary family caregivers need their own special help. My goal is to raise the issue for you before the crisis comes.

If you have needs now or can see them on the horizon, I can provide contact information for true experts in this field who can help you determine a game plan for being prepared and moving ahead. Please either add a comment to this post or email me directly with any specific questions or needs, and I will get an expert to help with providing the best information.

Tom Binder

Computer Classes for Seniors

2008-11-14T15:46:00.000-08:00

SeniorNet Computer Classes: Willows Senior Center

If you are reading this, you just might be well along the learning curve for the Information Age. But there may be a lot more to learn that will make your computer so much more useful, and fun.

There is no question that access to the Internet has become our window on the world and puts an unbelievable amount of information literally at our fingertips. Regardless of the scope of our interest in daily activities, from worldwide politics to local Willow Glen book signings, the Internet is the most comprehensive and the most accessible source of information.

And communication!!!! I once proposed that we change the name “computer” to “communicator” since the greatest usage of the PC is really communicating with family, friends, and just about anyone. But no takers!!

And once you have your PC, there are so many ways it can be used to support your other activities. Downloading pictures from your digital camera, and emailing them to family anywhere in the world can be come the easiest way to preserve and share memories. And buying a book online, or making travel reservations online, or just checking the latest sports scores and schedules and be done quickly and accurately with very minimal effort.
The SeniorNet classes are designed for people over 50 and you can select from a wide range of courses that will complement your existing knowledge. So whether you are a computer novice, or already have a good start along this path, there will be SeniorNet courses that will be valuable, and fun, for you. And they are held locally at the Willows Senior Center at 2175 Lincoln Ave. Check at http://www.snlcsj.org/ for specific information.

Is now the time to sell your home??

2008-11-13T20:38:00.000-08:00

I was talking to an 84 year old client and she has decided that it is not prudent for her to continue to live alone in her current house which is way too big for her now. She asked if she should consider selling her home of 35 years in the current housing market. As with many questions, the first answer is often “It depends”.

1)Timing: If she is going to definitely move within the next 2-3 years, now is probably as good a time to sell as anytime soon. Nobody knows what the housing market will do in the near term future, but there isn’t a lot of hope for a positive change soon. And with prices in most areas declining, selling sooner would seem better than selling later.
2)Equity: Since she has owned her house for many years, she probably has a significant amount of equity built up in her home. Three years ago, home equity seemed to be a great place to hold your assets. But that isn’t true now and a good financial planner could assist her in taking the proceeds from selling her home and investing in much safer income-producing assets.
3)New home: And where she intends to live after selling her home will affect her decision. If she wants to downsize to a smaller, single story, ground level condo, then she needs to also work on the issues of buying a new place, and now is a great time to do that. But if she is planning to move into a Senior Community, then financial stability and investment cash flow numbers need to be worked out.

And things like capital gains tax and tax base transfer all need to be considered.

Let me know if you have any related questions about selling your home.

Tom

AARP Willow Glen

2008-11-12T18:30:00.000-08:00

Many of us are members of AARP and benefit from the variety of information that we get through various channels. But most of us don’t know that we have a local chapter of AARP here in Willow Glen. This chapter meets monthly and has programs that are both educational for Seniors and entertaining. Recent meetings have included presentations on Lighthouses of San Francisco Bay, Election review by the League of Women Voters, Lung Health for Seniors, and Tai-chi Exercises.

The program for the next meeting, on Monday, November 24, will be “Your Retirement Assets-How to Make Them and Keep Them”. This is a very timely program in light of the current problems in the financial markets.

In addition to the monthly special program, each meeting includes a legislative report which brings members current with how our state government in Sacramento is dealing with issues affecting Seniors.

The meetings are the 4th Monday of each month at the Willows Senior Center, 2175 Lincoln Avenue, in Room 11. Also each meeting includes refreshments plus time to socialize with other members.

Senior Humor of the Day

2008-11-12T07:29:00.000-08:00

Perks of reaching 50 or being over 60 and heading towards 70, or beyond that!

01. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.
02. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.
03. No one expects you to run--anywhere.
04. People call at 9 pm and ask, did I wake you?
05. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.
06. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.
07. Things you buy now won't wear out.
08. You can eat supper at 4 pm.
09. You can live without sex but not your glasses.
10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.
11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.
12. You quit trying to hold your stomach in no matter who walks into the room.
13. You sing along with elevator music.
14. Your eyes won't get much worse.
15 . Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off.
16. Your joints are more accurate meteorologists than the national weather service.
17. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either.
18. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to manageable size.

Have a great day!!!

Tom

Staying in your home or downsizing

2008-11-11T21:12:00.000-08:00

As a large segment of our population ages into their “Golden Years”, the great majority of them want to continue living in the home that has been their castle for the previous 20+ years. Many of the reasons to want to stay-put are very understandable and can include:
– Location/Convenience
– Family
– Social
– Lifestyle
– Independence
– Familiarity
However, as we age, there are other issues that should make us evaluate whether staying in the same home is really the best decision. These can include things like:
• Home Maintenance
• Available Services
• Financial Requirements
• Transportation
• Family/Neighborhood/Transportation
• Caregiver Access
• Health/Safety/Security
There are many circumstances that can cause the challenges to outweigh the reasons to stay put, and downsizing can then be the best alternative. In addition, downsizing to a new location can actually better solve many of the perceived reasons not to move. A better location can make vital services more convenient and help resolve the general transportation problem. And most important, a new home can be selected to specifically solve some of the difficulties being encountered in your existing home: steps to negotiate, narrow hallways, inaccessible storage areas, and availability of a required caregiver.

What is the best alternative? What do you think?

Prop 60 and Prop 90 Related to Proposition 13

2008-11-11T13:35:00.000-08:00

Many people have asked exactly how the Prop 60 and Prop 90 work be able to take their Property Tax Base under Proposition 13 with them to a new home, and what the differences are.

The first rule is that one of the parties must be 55 years or older. (Make sure to confirm cooperation from the County in question prior to making a decision based upon this information as the participating areas and counties occassionally change their acceptance policy).

Proposition 60 applies if you move within your same County Proposition 90 applies if you move to a co-operating County.

Props 60 and 90 apply if you "trade down" (i.e. the new home costs less than the sales price of the old home).

> If you buy a New Home 1st; then sell the Old Home, you must go down in price.
> If you sell the Old Home1st; then buy the New Home: In 1st 365 days after the sale of Old Home, you may go up 5% in the purchase price of New Home.
> If you buy New Home more than 1 year from the sale of Old Home, but less than 2 years, you may go up 10%.

SUMMARY:
You have to buy down and take your base with you OR
You can purchase a home for what you sell for sales price + 5% within the 1st year after you sell OR
You can purchase what you sell for sales price + 10% after 1 year from sale of prior home.

IE: a $2 million sale would mean you could buy maximum $2.2 million after 1 year.

CAPITAL GAINS: The other issue that you MUST talk to your Tax Accountant is the possibility of Capital Gains in the sale of your home. If you have had your home long enough to still have your Proposition 13 in effect, your basis is probably very low. In the sale of your home, you will have an exclusion of $250,000 each, ($500,000 per married couple), from taxable gains – gains over that amount - chances are pretty good that you may have a taxable gain event.

OVER 55? CALIFORNIA PROPERTY TAX RELIEF

Since its passage, Proposition 13 prohibits property tax increases until property ownership is changed.
If either spouse is over age 55 (when the old home is sold), PROP 60 allows replacement of a primary residence with a new home of equal or lesser value (but see below) within the same county and transfer of the Prop 13 assessed valuation from the old home to the new property. This is allowed once in your lifetime, and a spouse who has done it before 'taints' both spouses.

PROP 90 allows counties to elect to accept transfers of Prop 13 values for moves from other counties when a primary residence is replaced with a less expensive (but see below) home. If you are over 55 and move into a county which accepts Prop 90, you may take your old, lower Prop 13 value, regardless of from which county you move.

Using Prop 90, you can sell your $400,000 San Francisco home [assessed value $80,000] and move to a new $300,000 home in San Mateo; the new San Mateo assessed value will be $80,000!

7 COUNTIES WHICH ACCEPT PROP 90 (Current as of 6/1/2008)
Alameda, Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, San Mateo, Santa Clara, and Ventura. [Contra Costa, Inyo, Kern, Riverside, Modoc, Monterey, and Marin have dropped out of the Prop 90 program.]
As always, speak with your own personal Tax Consultant prior to making any moves involving your tax basis.

Dawn O'Neal

Welcome to Willow Glen Seniors blog

2008-11-11T13:14:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome to the Willow Glen Seniors Blog. Since I do a lot of my Real Estate work with Seniors, I have developed a broad network of associates who provide services to Seniors. These services cover a very wide variety of needs for Baby Boomers and Seniors and I’ve found that most often people, who need such services, don’t know where to find them. Hopefully this blog will be a resource for exchange of information that many Seniors can use.

I will be posting information on many different subjects and will be soliciting information from experts on those subjects in which I have only little knowledge. So please feel free to comment on any of my Posts and ask any questions that might make the information more useful to you, your family, or your friends.

In addition, I have included links to some additional web sites, Senior Sites, that might be a primary source of information for you. If you have any suggestions for the Willow Glen Seniors blog, please let me know.

Best regards and have a great day.
Tom