AgingOptions Blog

The AgingOptions blog (short for web-log) is a collection of stories, suggestions and thoughts by our qualified staff, and industry related information from other websites that we feel is relevant to our customers.

Our blog is the best way to keep up-to-date on current issues, new ideas and important considerations as you navigate your way through the elder planning process. You can simply click on any of the stories below, or choose from the options to the left of this page for specific topic-related posts. We encourage you to leave comments on our stories, we love to hear your feedback.

You can also choose to subscribe to our blog via RSS or receive email alerts each time we publish a new post (rarely more than one a day).


Weekly Round-up for Feb 4, 2012

HOUSING

FINANCE

  • Miss getting yoru social security statements in the mail? Well, if you are 60+, here they come again:

LEGAL

  • Taking care of mom for years did not give daughter license to use her funds for own use and she is convicted of defrauding her vulnerable mother – based on a suit started by her sister.

 

Weekly Round-up Health Related Topics for Feb 4, 2012

Understanding Alzheimer’s – if your parent had it will you get it?
Download this informative PDF to get answers and education about Alzheimer’s.

Preventative services covered by Medicare: There are many of these services covered by your Medicare insurance. Are you taking advantage of them?

Are your taste buds dull? This Yahoo story explains how aging taste buds demand more flavorful foods.

Why you need independent oversight over your loved ones in institutional care settings! Read this story on the NY Times website.

Radio Stories 01/28/2011

Housing:

Were you shut in your home this past snow storm?  Were you able to get around without difficulties?  Here is how your neighborhood scored on the walkability test.  Something that might help you decide where to retire!

 http://www.ceosforcities.org/pagefiles/WalkingTheWalk_CEOsforCities.pdf

Finance:

Are seniors and retirees are prepared and equipped to make sound financial decisions, as they grow old and their physical and mental capabilities diminish? How about our financial institutions and companies including investment advisers, brokers, insurance agents and others selling an array of financial products to a client or potential client who signals that he or she may lack the capacity to make financial decisions. Cognitively impaired investors are at risk for financial exploitation, and this threat underscores the urgent need to equip business, government, and the aging network with appropriate interventions.

http://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/research/public_policy_institute/cons_prot/2011/rr2011-04.pdf

Aging Options Radio 01-21-2012 (2nd hour)

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Aging Options Radio 01-21-2012 (1st hour)

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Radio Stories 01/21/2012

HEALTH

How stress affects caregivers?

Family caregivers are at added risk for emotional and physical health problems, including increased mortality, coronary heart disease and stroke.

http://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2011/health-risk.pdf

Nicotine patch may help memory?

http://vitals.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/01/09/10076447-nicotine-patch-may-help-improve-memory-study-finds

Walking clubs offer a free opportunity to stay in shape

http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Fitness/2012/20120117-WalkingClubs.htm

Start a walking club of your own. 

 http://www.mywalkingclub.org/registration/

Nutrition as a way to keep your brain healthy longer.

  http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Nutrition-Vitamins/2012/20120104-AgingBrainsMayStaySharp.htm

Find your diet e-buddy

 http://www.everydayhealth.com/forums/need-a-diet-buddy

 

HOUSING

Moving overseas to make your money last? 

 http://news.yahoo.com/first-person-stretching-retirement-budget-moving-overseas-170100788.html

 

FINANCE

What does the 2010 census tell us about income and insurance issues ?

http://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/research/public_policy_institute/econ_sec/2011/fs232v2.pdf

Top 10 financial scams to watch out :

http://www.ncoa.org/enhance-economic-security/economic-security-Initiative/top-10-scams-targeting.html

 

LEGAL

Top 10 elder law cases according to Elder Law Answers:

 http://attorney.elderlawanswers.com/home/news/id/9657

Holographic Will that is not recognized in Illinois finds validity in Indiana:

 http://www.in.gov/judiciary/opinions/pdf/01041201ehf.pdf

Buried treasure found in vacant lot ruled belonging to the State Medicaid agency:

http://www.eagletribune.com/latestnews/x1477832664/Judge-State-gets-178K-found-in-safe

Aging Options Radio 01-14-2012 (1st hour)

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Aging Options Radio 01-14-2012 (2nd hour)

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Radio Stories January 14, 2012

HEALTH

Technology and Health:

Counting calories – it just got easier.  Gadgets that you may want to consider.  http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/05/technology/personaltech/devices-to-keep-track-of-calories-lost-or-gained.html?

Are wrinkles sign of  healthy aging ?

Is there anything more worrisome than keeping wrinkles at bay as we age?  Not a surprise.  Read to see if these are the same issues you have.  And if you do – are you of the opinion that there is nothing you can do or have you done something about it?  http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24279474/ns/health-aging/

Does memory loss means diagnose of Alzheimers ?

Silent strokes lead to memory loss.  Are you having memory loss?  Is this something you can discuss with your doctor?   http://seniorjournal.com/NEWS/Alzheimers/2012/20120103-NewClues.htm

Eight ways to prevent falls:

How to avoid falls in wintery conditions.  Eight simple ways to prevent falls.   http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/239907.php

How to avoid brain shrinkage ?

Nutrients may help prevent brain shrinkage.  Simple things that you can do something about.   http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/239762.php

 

HOUSING

Non-Profit  vs  For-Profit Nursing Homes:

Are non profit nursing homes better than for profit ones? If you need to go to a rehab center or a nursing home, should you look for a non-profit nursing home?  You can get a list of all nursing homes at www.agingoptions.com.   http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/04/happier-staffers-at-nonprofit-nursing-homes/?ref=health

 

Future of Adult Day Health in WAshington:

Adult Day Health brought back from the brink of death in CA – what will the fate be in our state?  We are going through this issue in our state.  Will you act to save our day health services?  You’re your senator or representative or the Governor.  http://www.kaiserhealthnews.org/Stories/2012/January/04/California-Adult-Day-Care.aspx

 

FINANCE

Presidential Candidate Rick Santorum advocates for Social Security Cuts:

Social Security should be cut for all – and now: Santorum.  Scary – specially if you are looking forward to retiring!    http://news.yahoo.com/santorum-trim-social-security-now-even-painful-210617928.html

LEGAL

Strong corelation between marriage and wills:

Will and Marriage found to be products of undue influence and set aside.  Second marriage traps that you can do something to avoid.  What an amazing story.  http://www.tsc.state.tn.us/sites/default/files/smallmanropn.pdf  http://www.tsc.state.tn.us/sites/default/files/smallmanmdis.pdf (dissenting opinion)

SMARTMOVERS = Connecting “Dots”

Hey… if you’ve arrived here chances are you were hangin’ out with us at the SMARTMOVERS launch event this past Friday the 13th (Yea… “scary”!).  Good guys like Pat Cashman, Martin and Monte from Sozo Wine, Rajiv, Chef Gabe and Jerry Kingen, owner of Salty’s, all pulled together to make for good food, good wine, good times and the good cause of providing meals through the Federal Way Foodbank.

Or…. maybe you’d like to be hangin’ with these SMARTMOVERS  down the road, at one of the next events we pull off. (Sorry to those that we had to turn away this time…don’t you hate it when its a “Sold Out” scenario?)

Or… you ‘ve got a business in mind that you think SMARTMOVERS should shine its light on for exposure.

Or… maybe you’d like to launch your own “home version” of connecting the dots; of “good-guy” businesses + good food and drink +  good cause. We can help with that.  It’s actually pretty dang easy to launch your very own SMARTMOVERS Club. Martin and Monte at Sozo Friends will show you how.

Anywho… let me know what’s on your mind. Seriously, I like to know what you’re thinking about these days, especially when it comes to helping Boomers navigate life with more good waypoints on their map. Leave me a comment below… I’ll have my “people” get with your “people” (I guess the proper term is “peeps”, according to my teen-aged daughter.)

Best!

Mike