Computer and Internet Security Help

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

CDC Analysis Tracks Falls Related to Pets

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

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

Time to buy a new home??

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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??

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

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

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

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