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Latest Senior News
A Place for Mom: Making The Right Elder Care Choice
NAPSA
Finding the right elder care option for an aging parent is one of the toughest decisions an adult child faces. Though most people are aware of the traditional elder care options-such as nursing homes and assisted living-many may not know that there are quite a few new options for aging loved ones. "Some newer options that families may not be familiar with include Alzheimer's care, residential care homes, home care and independent living communities," reports Pamala Temple, president and co-founder of the free resource A Place for Mom, the nation's largest elder care referral service.
Temple offers this handy guide to help seniors and their children learn more about the different types of senior housing options available.
Independent Living Communities -Cater to seniors who are very independent with few medical problems. Residents live in fully equipped private apartments or townhomes. Dining services are offered and residents can choose to pay for a specified number of meals per day. The price range is from $1,000 to $3,000 a month.
Alzheimer's Care -Housing options for seniors with dementia or Alzheimer's are numerous. Services are typically delivered in an assisted living or nursing home setting. With the memory impaired, it is important to have 24-hour support and structured activities to ensure their safety and quality of life. Many families try to care for their loved ones at home, which can be extremely difficult given the skill that is required to care for a person with memory problems. Price range: $2,800 to $4,500 a month.
Residential Care Homes -Are private homes that typically serve residents who live together and receive care from live-in caretakers. These homes offer assisted care services for seniors who want a more private, homelike community. Assistance with activities of daily living such as bathing and dressing are typically provided. Price range: $1,500 to $3,000 a month.
Assisted Living Communities -Are designed for seniors who are no longer able to live on their own safely but do not require the high level of care provided in a nursing home. Residents live in private or semiprivate apartments, which frequently have a limited kitchen area. Staff is available 24 hours per day for additional safety. The price range here is $2,000 to $4,000 a month.
Nursing Homes -Provide around-the-clock skilled nursing care for the frail elderly who require a high level of medical care and assistance. Residents typically share a room and are served meals in a central dining area unless they are too ill to participate. Services may be offered in a free-standing or hospital-based facility. Price range: $4,000 to $8,000 a month.
According to Temple, her service receives over 22,000 family inquiries a month. To learn more about elder care options, visit www.aplaceformom.com or call (866) 333-3110.
Majority Of Retirees At Risk Of Outliving Retirement Assets
Joe Reali, NAPSA
Most Americans don't spend much time thinking about their financial security in retirement. Yet a recent study conducted by Ernst and Young on behalf of Americans for Secure Retirement finds that Americans who are near retirement or beginning their retirement face a very real danger of outliving their retirement savings. The study shows that almost three out of five new middle- income retirees will outlive their financial assets if they attempt to maintain their preretirement standard of living. This means that retirees will have to reduce their standard of living significantly in retirement to avoid outliving their retirement assets. Americans entering retirement now will have to reduce their standard of living by an average of 24 percent.
Those Americans seven years out from retirement are even less prepared and the study estimates that they will have to reduce their standard of living an average of 37 percent. These reductions will be necessary even though the study assumes retirees can maintain their same standard of living while earning 59 to 71 percent of their preretirement wages. But the good news is that the study finds that retirees are much better prepared to have a financially secure retirement if they have a guaranteed source of retirement income beyond Social Security, such as an annuity or a pension. Lifetime annuities are the only vehicle besides pensions and Social Security that provide a steady stream of income for life. Lifetime annuities relieve the risks and burdens of managing a nest egg and can maximize savings' value over the course of an individual's retirement years.
For policymakers, the report sends a clear message that more attention needs to be placed on promoting public policies that help Americans manage their retirement savings so that they last throughout retirement. One such proposal currently before Congress is the Retirement Security for Life Act. This proposal would encourage Americans to have a steady source of guaranteed income in retirement by providing a tax incentive to those who purchase a lifetime annuity. For the average American taxpayer in the 25 percent tax bracket, the legislation translates into average annual savings of $5,000. To read the full report, view a state-by-state analysis of retirement readiness and learn more about how you can improve your own financial security, visit www.paycheckforlife.org.
Mr. Reali is the Chairman of Americans for Secure Retirement, a broad-based coalition that works to raise awareness about the retirement challenges facing Americans.
How To Make Moving Less Stressful For Seniors
NAPSA
An estimated 1.6 million people over the age of 65 will move this year. Whether you're moving your parents to another home or a retirement community, this kind of move can be nerve-racking. Experts at Mayflower Transit say planning and organization are key to making the move less stressful, and they offer the following tips:
• Begin the conversation early. Enlist the help of friends, physicians or caregivers to ease the transition.
• Many people will have to scale down their belongings. Compare the new and old spaces. Visualize where current possessions will go and decide what to do with the rest.
• Whoever packs the belongings assumes liability for any breakage, so let a professional do the packing to ensure minimal stress and damage.
• Keep history alive by donating unwanted keepsakes to local antique shops, historical societies, etc.
• Follow a step-by-step timetable for packing and moving. A moving representative can give you a detailed calendar to follow.
For more information, visit www.mayflower.com.
Reduce Your Risk Of Cancer With Four Simple Steps
NAPSA
Cancer touches nearly everyone at some point in life. Chances are, you or a family member has confronted cancer. In the U.S., one in two men and one in three women will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. Most Americans understand the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but it may come as a surprise that even small lifestyle improvements can reduce the risk of developing cancer. To help Americans better understand how they can reduce their risk of cancer, C-Change, a national cancer coalition, is spearheading a communication initiative designed to facilitate the adoption of uniform consumer-tested messages by cancer and other health organizations for use in their respective public communication and education efforts. These messages center on the following simple steps adults can take to reduce their risk of cancer:
• Check Your Status -Talk to your doctor about the screenings recommended for you
• Improve Your Diet -Make fruits, vegetables and whole grains a larger portion of your diet
• Increase Your Activity -Find small ways, like taking the stairs or parking farther away, to get a few extra steps in each day
• Quit Smoking -Support groups, free hotlines and other resources are available to help you quit.
"We have an enormous opportunity as individuals to take steps to reduce our risk of cancer," said Tom Kean, executive director of C-Change.
"One of the goals of C-Change through its member organizations is to help Americans understand that small changes to your everyday lifestyle can make a big difference and, ultimately, help Americans reduce their risk of cancer."
Former President George Bush and Barbara Bush are starring in a new series of television public service announcements (PSAs), produced by the Ad Council, a member of C-Change, to further spread the message of prevention. The PSAs may also be adopted by C-Change member organizations in their own educational materials. A recent survey conducted on behalf of C-Change shows Americans are not aware of the important role they play in cancer prevention. Less than half of those surveyed felt knowledgeable about ways to reduce their risk, and only 47 percent of Americans over age 35 think they can make a difference in their cancer risk. According to the American Cancer Society, at least half of all new cancer cases could be prevented or detected at earlier, more curable stages through screenings. The C-Change survey revealed that only 52 percent of Americans regularly get medically screened.
For more information, visit www.C-ChangeTogether.org.
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