How to Avoid Caregiver Burnout

Are you the primary caregiver for a sick, elderly or disabled spouse or relative in your home?  For many Baby Boomers, care giving is a loving act of kindness.  You may even appreciate the opportunity to spend time with a loved one in their final years.  In other cases, you may feel overwhelmed, but realize that you are only one in the family who is able to take on this responsibility.  Regardless of the reason you are a caring for someone in your home, it is not easy.

While you may be happy and willing to take on the responsibility for someone else, you also need to pay attention to your own needs and take care of them.   After all, if you become ill or collapse from exhaustion, you cannot help someone else.

Caring for the Caregiver

Pay attention to yourself.  Make sure you are getting enough sleep, that you are eating enough and that you are not feeling exhausted or run-down.

Think HALT.  This means do not let yourself become too hungry, angry, lonely or tired.  If you do, you are likely to become depressed, irritable or angry.  You could lash out at other members of your family, including the loved one who is in your care.  In extreme cases, this has even led to elder abuse.  You do not want this to happen to you.

Reach out to others for help.  Find out what resources are available to you.  Are there relatives who can give you a break once in a while?  Even getting a day off once a week, or a weekend off once a month can make a huge difference.  Does your city offer free or low-cost adult day care programs?  Does a nearby nursing home offer respite care or temporary care for the elderly or disabled?  These services can fill in the gaps when you do not have other family members who are able to help.

If there are problems, discuss them with your loved one's doctor.  When my mother, who has dementia, became angry, paranoid and difficult to deal with, my father, sister and brother-in-law discussed her behavior with her physician.  He prescribed an anti-depressant and almost immediately my mother's behavior improved.  Do not keep new symptoms to yourself.  Doctors may be able to help more than you think.

Do not isolate yourself.  Keep up your friendships.  Get out of the house and spend time with others as often as you can.

If your faith is important to you, maintain your religious affiliations.  Participate as often as possible.  Pray. You will benefit from the spiritual support and, sometimes, other members of your church can be helpful.

Treat yourself once in awhile to something you enjoy, whether it is a long bath, a funny movie, or a stroll around the neighborhood.  Keep up a few relaxing hobbies, such as reading your favorite books, needlework, or painting.  If possible, take an occasional short trip. 

Let go of any feelings of guilt.  You are not responsible for the health problems of your loved ones.  You deserve a good life, too.  Enjoy it to the best of your ability.

Resources for Caregivers:

If you are looking for additional help, contact these organizations:

Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116 or at www.eldercare.gov
Family Caregiver Alliance at www.caregiver.org

You may also be interested in reading:

Senior Living in a Med Cottage or Granny Pod
Alzheimers Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatment Options
Avoid Grapefruit When Taking Medications
Helping Caregivers Survive the Holidays

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo courtesy of http://www.morguefile.com

Senior Living in a Med Cottage or Granny Pod

(You can avoid sterile nursing homes.)

If you have an elderly or disabled relative who needs care, but the cost of a skilled nursing home is out of your reach, one new alternative is a Med Cottage, sometimes referred to as a Granny Pod.  These portable, backyard cottages are charming and can be personally decorated.  They also enable your loved ones to have privacy while keeping them close to their families. Even for people who can afford nursing homes, these small homes are far more appealing than a sterile, lonely room in a nursing home, removed from friends and families.  Granny pods can also be more far more affordable than paying for years of care in a nursing home.

Long Term Care in Your Own Backyard

Med Cottages are attractive portable homes.  They are delivered intact  to the backyard of your house where the cottage is then hooked up to the water, electricity and sewer system of your home.  The cottage operates like a portable nursing home with a private bathroom and kitchenette, as well as a washing machine and dryer.

Granny Pods enable family members to care for an elderly or disabled relative while allowing everyone to maintain their privacy.  At the same time, family caregivers are able to use the state-of-the art technology in the cottage to monitor the occupant, when necessary.

Advantages of Granny Pods

Many families have discovered that nursing homes are too expensive to afford for an extended period of time.  In some parts of the United States, nursing homes can cost $6000 a month or more.  Even in locations where nursing home fees are less expensive, having a Med Cottage in the backyard may be cheaper than paying to support a relative who lives in a nursing home for several years.

In addition, some nursing home patients become depressed and lonely if they are moved to a nursing home that is far away from their family, friends and old neighborhoods.  Having their own cottage just a few steps away from family members is a comfortable alternative than many seniors truly appreciate.

Facts About Med Cottages

There are currently three models of Med Cottages, ranging in size from 288 to 605 square feet.

Each one has a kitchenette that contains a microwave oven and a small refrigerator.  There is also a personal medication dispenser to help patients keep track of their own medicines.

The bathroom is handicapped accessible.

Special features make it possible for caregivers to monitor vital signs of the occupant.

For those with allergies and respiratory problems, the air can be filtered for contaminants.

The granny pods have been set up for easy communication between the cottage and the main home.  There are also special sensors that will alert caregivers to problems.  Some will notify family members in the main house if there are sounds that indicate the occupant may have fallen.

The prices that I have seen mentioned for the Med Cottages have ranged from $90,000 to $140,000, depending on the size of the cottage.  While this may seem like a lot of money, as mentioned before, nursing home care in many parts of the United States can run $6000 a month.  The Med Cottages may also be far less than the cost of building an addition onto your home and they can be easily removed when they are no longer needed.

Limitations of Granny Pods

Of course, granny pods will not keep everyone out of the nursing home.  They will not work for families that do not have a suitable backyard.  Local zoning restrictions may limit their use.

In addition, Med Cottages may not provide adequate care for those elderly patients who are seriously ill, need ongoing medical care or extensive physical therapy.  They may also not be appropriate for family members with severe dementia or Alzheimers, especially if they tend to wander away.

Despite these limitations, granny pods may be a caring way for many families to keep their elderly relatives nearby.

You can find more information about Med Cottages at http://www.medcottage.com

If you are looking for more medical and retirement information, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page.  It will link you to hundreds of additional helpful articles.

You may also be interested in reading:

Healing Relationships with Your Adult Children 
Alzheimers Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatment Options 
Avoid Grapefruit When Taking Medications 
Helping Caregivers Survive the Holidays

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo of hospital bed courtesy of http://www.morguefile.com

Ten Ways to Make Money After Retirement

If you are worried about the need to increase your retirement income, one solution is to continue to earn money well after you have stopped working at your current job.  However, many people are unsure of the best way they can make money after retirement.

A number of the "officially" retired people I know are continuing to supplement their retirement income by working at a variety of part-time jobs.   Listed below are ten common ways to supplement your retirement income.

Where to Work after Retirement

1.  Continue your current career from home and work fewer hours.  This is the most common retirement career choice for many of the people I know.  A number of my friends have continued to earn money for years after their official retirement by working as substitute teachers, neighborhood Realtors, bookkeepers for small businesses and insurance agents.

2.  Work as a consultant for firms in your former industry.  Two petroleum engineers I know have chosen this route, which has allowed them to work from home.  They earn a high income while keeping their own hours.  They only take on as many projects as they can comfortably handle, so the work is less stressful.

3.  Keep your former job, but work fewer hours.  Many people decide to job share or work part-time for their former employer.  They find this can be a pleasurable way to earn money, stay in touch with co-workers and feel productive well into their late 60's or 70's.  They often discover that their job is less stressful when they work fewer hours, and they do not have to go through the process of finding a new employer or learning new skills.  This is a common choice for people who have worked for retail stores, restaurants, and similar jobs.

4.  Provide services to other senior citizens.  A large number of retirees are discovering that they have skills that could benefit other seniors.  They charge an hourly fee to help run errands for other seniors, drive them to appointments, complete their tax returns, handle their bills (especially complicated medical bills), organize their family photographs into albums, or assist them in writing a family biography.  Many seniors are willing to pay in order to have someone else help them with these chores.

5.  Teach a class.  Several seniors in my retirement community charge a small fee to lead yoga classes, give guitar lessons, or teach their peers how to use a computer.  The teachers often enjoy the interaction as much as their students.

6.  Become a bonded babysitter.  When we took our grandchildren on a trip to Palm Springs, we hired a sitter from a local babysitting agency to care for the kids while we went out to dinner one evening.  The woman was in her late 60's, and our grandchildren loved the fun activities she brought with her to keep them busy.  She told me she only babysits on Friday and Saturday evenings, and she enjoys the extra money she earns.  Depending on how many hours you want to work, you could earn several hundred dollars a month.

7.  Work for your local school district as a crossing guard.  According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, about one-third of crossing guards across the nation are over the age of 65.

8.  Apply for a job at your local senior center or retirement community.  Many of the employees of our local senior center and retirement community are residents who also live here.  Office workers, gate guards, receptionists and many other people who keep our community operating are, for the most part, over the age of 65.

9.  Try that little job that always interested you.  One former stockbroker we know went to work in a health food store after retirement.  Someone else went to work as a part-time receptionist in an art museum.  Several acquaintances of ours are working in gift shops, antique stores and art galleries.  Most of these people had intense jobs when they were younger, but always wanted to have a "fun" job that interested them in their later years.  There is no time like the present to take on an interesting little job that will enrich your life.  Earning an extra $500 to $800 a month can make a huge difference in the life of someone who is living on very little other than their Social Security benefits.

10.  Get creative!  One former Realtor we know is earning extra money on a regular basis by selling her paintings.  She is a prolific and talented artist who now sells her work at a number of Southern California art festivals throughout the year.  She loves being able to paint and earn extra money at the same time.  Other individuals, like myself, earn extra income by writing online articles or e-books.  I know women who sell their quilts and there are men in our community who build cabinets for people to use on their patios or in their garages.  All of these endeavors are a wonderful way to release that pent-up creativity and earn extra retirement money at the same time.

There is another advantage to earning extra money after retirement.  Since many retired workers will continue to pay into Social Security, depending on the amount they earn, their monthly Social Security benefits will be re-evaluated each year.  In some cases, their monthly benefits will be increased, especially if they have fewer than 35 earning years on their record.  This means that the extra money they earn in their 60's and early 70's can pay a small dividend for the rest of their lives. 

With so many employment opportunities for healthy, active senior citizens, there is no need to suffer quietly in poverty simply because you are no longer physically up to the demands of a stressful full time career.  With a little creativity, there are many ways you can supplement your income and increase your financial security as you grow older.

Looking for more financial or retirement ideas?  Use the tabs or the pull down menu at the top of this article to find links to hundreds of additional articles.

You may also be interested in reading:

Do You Need a Million Dollars to Retire?
Cheap Places to Retire
Best Places to Retire on $40,000 a Year
Why Some Seniors are Choosing Cohabitation

You are reading from the blog: http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo courtesy of www.morguefile.com

Maximize Your Social Security Benefits for an Easier Retirement

If you are dreaming of a more financially secure retirement, there are actions that even the average person can take to dramatically increase their Social Security benefits and make their retirement years much easier.

Many Retirees Earn Low Benefits

As mentioned before in this blog, the average American receives less than $1300 a month in benefits, according to Social Security Administration records.  In addition, approximately $104 a month will be deducted from that amount for those retirees who are also on Medicare.  In 2016, the Medicare deduction could increase to about $123 a month or more for many people, despite the fact that they will not receive an increase in Social Security benefits. 

The result of this is that many individuals will receive less than $1177 a month in benefits after Medicare is deducted; and the average couple will only receive about $2354 a month.  If this is not enough to cover your expenses, there is no reason why you have to accept the average payout as inevitable.  There are definite actions you can take during your working years that can make a significant difference after retirement.

How Your Benefits are Calculated

Did you know that the Social Security Administration calculates your benefits based on your 35 highest earning working years?  If you worked less than 35 years, this means that you may have a number of years with zero income averaged into your work history.  The more years you report an income, the better off you will be in retirement.   If you have worked 35 years, but earned very little income for some of them, replacing those low earning years with more recent years of work at a higher income will also make a difference.

For the same reason, there is a definite Social Security disadvantage for self-employed people who have routinely reduced their reported income by using the maximum number of deductions.  Before you retire, you want to have reported income for as many years as possible and you want to report all your income.  In the long run, you will benefit from this decision, especially if you live a long life.

Advantages of Delaying the Age When You Collect Your Benefits

In addition, if at all possible you do not want to begin to collecting your Social Security benefits until you are at least your full retirement age of about 66 or 67, depending on your current age.  Although you are allowed to begin receiving benefits as early as age 62, you will be paid approximately 25 percent less in benefits for the remainder of your life!  If you become a widow, even your survivor's benefits will be decreased.  If you can postpone receiving your benefits until you are age 70, your benefits will increase by 8 percent for each year you postpone filing after your full retirement age.

Advantage of Continuing to Work After You Begin Collecting Your Benefits

There is another way to increase your Social Security benefits.  You may decide that you will continue to work for a few years, even after you have begun to collect your benefits.  Not only will you receive annual cost of living increases when everyone else does, you may also receive an additional increase in benefits each year because you will continue to pay into the system.  The Social Security Administration recalculates your benefits each year based on the SSI taxes you paid during the previous year. This recalculation increases what you will receive now and in the future.

There are other strategies that have helped many people maximize their benefits.  You may want to order one of the Social Security books from Amazon.com that will help you figure out if there are other strategies that will work for you.


Everyone should also make an appointment with their local Social Security Administration office to ask questions and get more information to help them decide which strategies make the most sense for them.  We have found most employees to be knowledgeable and helpful (although we have received a few incorrect answers on occasion).  In addition, you may want to use one of the online calculators, such as AARP's Social Security Benefits Calculator, in order to estimate what your earnings would be under different scenarios.

If you are interested in learning how to maximize your finances after retirement, you may also be interested in reading these articles:

Do You Need a Million Dollars to Retire?
Cheap Places to Retire
Women and Social Security
Financial Facts Affecting Baby Boomers in 2013

You are reading from the blog: http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo of social security card courtesy of www.en.wikipedia.org/commons

This content of this blog is the property of Deborah Diane and may not be reprinted without her explicit permission.  All rights reserved.

Cheap but Risky Timber Pines Florida Retirement Homes

Timber Pines Retirement Community in Spring Hill, Florida, just north of Tampa Bay, has many appealing reasons to recommend it.  However, there are also some possible issues with this community that prospective homeowners will want to know about.

In fairness, I want to present both sides in this article.  I have also included a comment that was left by a current resident.

Reasons to Buy a Home in Timber Pines, Florida

This community has many wonderful amenities that have attracted people to this highly rated community for many years.  Among the amenities are:

24 hour gated community
Minutes from the Gulf Coast beaches and fishing areas
A choice of single-family homes and attached villas
Four golf courses
Nature areas
Walk and bike paths
Tennis, shuffle board and bocce ball courts
Pools and spas
Dance Hall Lodge
Fitness Center
Facilities for woodworking, ceramics, painting, bridge, theater, choir and other activities
Nearby shopping and medical facilities

In addition, the homes in this community are very reasonably priced.  Currently, there are a number of lovely single-family homes in the $75,000 to $150,000 price range.  It sounds like the perfect place to live.  Right?  Keep reading.

The Risk of Buying a Home in Timber Pines, Florida

The area around Tampa, Spring Hill, and within the gates of Timber Pines have reported a number of sink holes.  These are not the dramatic sink holes that you see on the news that have swallowed up entire homes are neighborhoods.  These sinkholes are deep underground.  However, they could still be a serious problem.

We have relatives who live in the community.  They have reported to me that there are weeks when dump trucks drive by their home all day.  The dump trucks contain a special filling material that is pumped into the ground underneath the homes in order to fill in the underground voids and provide underpinning to the homes.  Our relatives had 12 dump trucks of this filling material pumped into the ground underneath their home.  Other people they know have required many more truckloads of material.

The real estate information site, Zillow, also had a contributor point out that there is no true warranty on either this underpinning work or on the repairs that have been made to the home.  In addition, if you purchase a home that has been repaired, it now has a pre-existing condition that may not be covered by your insurance company.  Therefore, if your home begins to crack again from another sinkhole, your insurance company may not cover it.  If the house has not been repaired, many sellers are unwilling to spend the $5000 necessary to have the ground under their home tested, so you won't know if the home has a sinkhole under it until you already own it.  In addition, some insurance companies will no longer insure against damage from sinkholes, even if it has not occurred under that home in the past.

On the other hand, one resident of Timber Pines who commented on this article (you can see their comment below), pointed out that there have been no sink holes in the community beneath the golf courses, roads or common areas.  This could indicate that some homeowners have overreacted to the possibility of sinkholes.  Whatever your thoughts on the topic, it is important that you are aware of the issue before buying a home there.

Here is the comment by TB.  I wanted to make sure everyone had the opportunity to read a recent comment by a current resident of the community:

" I am a new resident in Timber Pines. (June 2015) and my property was a sink hole activity property that was repaired in 2011-2012. I truly believe that most of the claims of sink holes in this community were not true sink holes. During a certain period of time a lot of claims were being made that were not true sink holes and the insurance companies fell for it. Think about it….there have been no reported sink holes on the roads, golf courses (4 of them), club house, lodge, pool areas etc. There are thousands of acres developed and undeveloped in this community and it seems that only the houses have reported sink holes. This raises a big doubt in my mine if all the claims were true sink holes. Sink holes don't pick and choose a certain area to open up in. With all that said, the whole state of Florida is prone to sink holes not just Timber Pines. Timber Pines is a wonderful community that is very well maintained and affordable. The golf courses are some of the best in the state of Florida."

Should You Buy Property in Timber Pines, Florida?

All this does not necessarily mean you should not buy property in Timber Pines.  Some of the homes rent for as much as $2000 a month during the winter when the "snowbirds" come down from Canada and the Northern United States.  If you purchase one of these homes for an average price of about $90,000 and rent it out, you can receive a very high return on your investment.

Second home buyers may also enjoy owning one of these homes because they are so cheap to purchase.

Even if this is going to be your primary residence, you may decide that the affordability of properties in Timber Pines makes buying one worth the risk.  This is a perfectly reasonable decision, as long as you are aware of the potential problems.

To find more information about Timber Pines, you can contact their community association at (877) 862-7767 or go online at www.timberpines.com.  As you will see from their website, it is a beautiful community.

If you are interested in exploring some of the other places you might retire, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional articles.

You may also be interested in reading these additional blog posts:

Over 55 Retirement Communities by Four Seasons 
Over 55 Retirement Communities by Del Webb
The Best Sunny Places to Retire
Sun City Texas is a Premier Retirement Destination

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo of entrance to Timber Pines courtesy of www.en.wikimedia.org

Baby Boomers and Pradaxa

If you, your aging parents, or anyone you know takes the blood thinner Pradaxa, you will want to pay careful attention to the information in today's post.  While Pradaxa and other blood thinners can be an important part of our medical care, there are also risks involved in taking these medications.  

From time to time, I allow guest posts on this blog when I believe the topic is something that will be of importance to my Baby Boomer readers.  The following guest post was written specifically for this blog by Alanna Ritchie from the website DrugWatch.com:

Baby Boomers and Pradaxa

"Doctors prescribe blood thinners to millions of people to prevent blood clots that can cause health problems like stroke, heart attack or pulmonary embolism. People also take blood thinners to inhibit clots from forming in the legs after knee or hip replacement surgery; and to manage atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat).

Pradaxa, which is a blood thinner, was approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2010 and quickly became a popular choice, used by more than 3.7 million patients so far.

Baby boomers taking Pradaxa or another blood thinner need to learn about their medication and take precautionary measures to avoid complications and bleeding emergencies.

Here are some guidelines to consider if your doctor prescribes Pradaxa.

1.      Evaluate Data on Pradaxa

Health safety organizations and university-sponsored studies have found evidence that Pradaxacan increase the risk of bleeding incidents and heart problems.

Because blood thinners stop the body's healing mechanism whereby clots form to slow bleeding, even minor injuries can turn into a bleeding emergency. There is no antidote for Pradaxa bleeding, which contributed to 542 deaths in 2011. 

Studies by the Cleveland Clinic and the American College of Cardiology compared Pradaxa with warfarin – an older blood thinner -- and discovered that there was an increased risk of heart problems with Pradaxa. These heart problems include heart attack and symptoms of heart disease such as dizziness, chest pain, shortness of breath, and loss of consciousness.

2.      Decrease Risk of Bleeding 

Blood thinner patients can reduce the risk of bleeding by taking precautionary measures inside and outside the house — all designed to guard against accidents that could escalate quickly.

Safety Indoors
 

·        Use knives and scissors slowly and in good lighting

·        Use electric razors, which do not have exposed blades

·        Wear shoes or non-skid slippers

·        Use care when trimming toenails

·        Use toothbrushes with soft bristles
 

Safety Outdoors
 

·        Wear close-toed shoes, instead of sandals

·        Use gloves when working with sharp tools

·        Wear protective gear when playing intense sports

·        Use handrails when walking down stairs

3.      Consider Alternatives

Patients who have been prescribed Pradaxa can ask their doctor about alternative blood thinner options, like warfarin, Xarelto and Eliquis. Warfarin is an effective and cheaper option for many patients. It does require that patients undergo regular blood tests and monitor their intake of select vegetables. Warfarin's greatest advantage is that it has an antidote -- vitamin K – that can stop bleeding in emergency situations.

Xarelto and Eliquis were both developed within the last two years and do not have antidotes. As they are new competitors in the blood thinner category, it remains to be seen whether they prove to be a better choice as far as safety and efficacy.  

 

Alanna Ritchie is a content writer for Drugwatch.com, which reports news about prescription drugs and medical devices."

You may also be interested in reading these other blog posts:

Tighter Restrictions on Vicodin and Hydrocodone Painkillers

FDA Advice about Statin Drug Dangers 

Alzheimers Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatments 

Aging and Tips to Prevent Hip Injuries  (another helpful guest post from DrugWatch.com)

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Article and photo provided courtesy of DrugWatch.com

Tighter Restrictions on Vicodin and Hydrocodone Painkillers

The Drug Enforcement Administration recently requested that the Food and Drug Administration exert tighter controls on Vicodin and other painkillers that contain hydrocodone.  Hydrocondone products are the most widely prescribed narcotic painkillers in the United States.  According to the DEA, they are also among the most frequently abused.

An FDA panel has voted to place greater restrictions on these painkillers, as a result of the DEA request, and the full FDA is likely to follow through with their recommendations.  This change is likely to affect many Baby Boomers and their families, since the older we are the more likely we are to use painkillers.  For example, they are commonly prescribed after major surgery, such as a knee or hip replacement.

Reasons for the Tighter Restrictions on Vicodin Prescriptions

Frankly, it is about time the government made this change.  At the California high school where I work, our police liaison officer has repeatedly reported that the source of most of the drugs our students abuse is not a scary drug dealer in a back alley.  Most of our students find their drugs in their parents' or grandparents' medicine cabinets!

There are only two ways to protect our young people from these dangerous drugs. The first way is for parents and grandparents to keep their prescription drugs locked up.  The second way is for the federal government to make it more difficult for people to obtain these drugs in the first place.

Unfortunately, adults (including senior citizens) who have legal prescriptions are also abusing these drugs, since they are highly addictive.  According to federal statistics, about three-quarters of all drug overdoses in the U.S. are the result of prescription drugs.  The number of deaths from prescription drug overdoses have tripled since 1999.  Since 2008, there have been more deaths from drug overdoses than from car accidents, making it one of the leading causes of accidental deaths in our country!  (See http://www.drugwarfacts.org/cms/Causes_of_Death for more detailed statistics.)

The New Restrictions on Vicodin and Hydrocodone Prescriptions

Once these new guidelines have been implemented, automatic refills of Vicodin and similar painkillers will no longer be allowed.

Only written prescriptions from a doctor will be permitted each time you get your prescription refilled.  Faxed and phoned in prescriptions will not be allowed.

In addition, pharmacies and distributors will be required to store these drugs in special vaults, which will make it harder for thieves to steal these drugs during a burglary.

While the above restrictions should go a long way towards making it more difficult for people to obtain and become addicted to Vicodin and other hydrocodone containing drugs, doctors will need to become more cautious about writing these prescriptions in the first place.  In addition, patients who have legal prescriptions for these medications will also need to be more careful about monitoring their medications.

If you or a family member has a prescription for Vicodin, count your pills and keep track of how many you use.  If some of your pills mysteriously disappear, lock up the remainder.  It would be heart-breaking for a beloved family member to die from an overdose of your prescription medication.

In addition, if you know someone who has been struggling with an addiction to these drugs, watch them for signs that they may be buying and using illegal heroin, instead.  Sadly, some people are switching one addiction for another.

If you are interested in learning more about other health issues that can affect you, or finding other retirement information, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of other useful articles.

You may also be interested in reading:

FDA Advice about Statin Drug Dangers   check

How to Avoid Phony Online Pharmacies

You are reading from the blog: http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo of Vicodin tablets courtesy of www.en.wikimedia.org

Over 55 Retirement Communities by Four Seasons

Are you looking for a well-built, comfortable retirement home in an active adult community?  You may want to consider one of the many Four Seasons age restricted communities built by K. Hovnanian builders for residents who are over age 55.

Where are you interested in living?  You can find developments built by K. Hovnanian in Southern California, Northern Delaware, Southeast Florida, Maryland, Arizona, Georgia, Illinois, North and South Carolina, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Texas, New Jersey, Virginia and in Minnesota near Minneapolis/St. Paul. All of these locations have lovely developments and many of these developments have been specifically designed as Four Seasons age-restricted communities. Other developments are very appealing, but are open to residents of all ages.

The variety of locations makes it possible for people to live on either the East Coast or West Coast, in the Sun Belt or in the Upper Midwest.  Many people will find that they can experience an enjoyable retirement lifestyle while still living within driving distance of their adult children and grandchildren.

Amenities at Four Seasons Over-55 Communities


K. Hovanian Homes offers diverse home styles as well as a variety of locations.  Depending on the community you select, you can choose from a condominium, a townhome or a single family home.  Prices vary widely, as well.  For example, the Four Seasons at Beaumont in Southern California and the Four Seasons at Bakersfield in Central California both have single family homes with prices starting around $200,000.  Home prices may be higher or lower depending on the location that interests you.

I have visited the lovely community in Beaumont.  It is a gated community with a gorgeous lodge that contains a restaurant, pool, movie theater and space for club meetings and other activities.  The community also offers an exercise room, billiards room, ballroom, shuffleboard courts and nature trails where you can take an afternoon stroll.  Although there is no on-site golf course, there are a number of public golf courses in the surrounding area.  While Beaumont is not near the California coast, it is only a little over an hour drive away.


Whichever style of home you prefer, the goal of Four Seasons active adult communities is to provide you with a "resort-at-home" experience.  They offer a variety of recreational activities that are available the year around.  Living in a gated community with other retired adults offers you security, peace-of-mind and an endless variety of opportunities for friendship and socializing.  Many people have found this to be a more desirable lifestyle than living alone in their former neighborhoods.


You can learn more about the different  K. Hovanian communities, both those that are age restricted and those that are not, at http://www.khovfourseasons.com.

If you are looking for other wonderful places to retire in the United States and abroad, us the tabs at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of other articles.

If you are exploring your retirement home options, you may also be interested in reading some of these articles:

Over 55 Retirement Communities by Del Webb
Sun City Texas is a Premier Retirement Destinations 
Living in an RV after Retirement 
Tellico Village Retirement Community 
Best Places to Retire on $40,000 a Year

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FDA Advice about Statin Drug Dangers

In early 2013, the Food and Drug Administration updated their health advisories on the safety of statin drugs.  Statin drugs are commonly prescribed to millions of Americans to help lower their cholesterol. 

The FDA deputy director for safety in the Division of Metabolism and Endocrinology Products, Dr. Amy G. Egan, assures patients that statins have been clearly shown to prevent heart disease.  However, she also wants people to be aware that they need to educate themselves about potential side effects so they can let their doctor know if they experience any strange symptoms.

With that thought in mind, here are the FDA advisories:

Liver Injury

The good news is that liver injury is so rare that doctors have been told they no longer need to routinely monitor liver enzymes.  In fact, this monitoring has never been shown to be effective at preventing or predicting serious liver damage.

On the other hand, everyone should be aware of the symptoms of liver damage.  If you experience these symptoms, you will want to notify your doctor as soon as possible so liver enzyme tests can be performed at that time.  The symptoms to watch for are: unusual fatigue, discomfort in the upper right abdomen, loss of appetite, dark colored urine, and yellowing of either the skin or the whites of the eyes.

Memory Loss or Fogginess

Some patients have reported unfocused or fuzzy thinking.  The good news is that these symptoms are reversible once patients stop taking the statin drugs.  However, the FDA recommends that no one should stop taking their statin medications without first talking to their doctor.  The risk to their hearts may be too serious.

Diabetes Risk

Some people have experienced a small increase in their blood sugar levels and the development of Type 2 diabetes after taking statin drugs.  However, the FDA also feels that this small risk is outweighed by the benefits of statins.

Muscle Damage

One well documented risk associated with statin use is myopathy, or muscle injury.  This is characterized by unexplained muscle weakness or pain.  This is more common when patients are taking lovastatin (for example, Mevacor), especially in combination with other drugs.  Once example of this is Advicor which is lovastatin combined with extended-release niacin.  If you experience unexplained muscle pain or weakness, notify your doctor as soon as possible.

Resource Information

Whether you take statin drugs or other prescription medications, you may want to subscribe to FDA updates.   Check out the FDA website at http://www.fda.gov/ConsumerUpdates.

If you want additional health information that is geared specifically to Baby Boomers, you may also be interested in reading:

Alzheimers Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatment Options
Healing Relationships with Your Adult Children
Choose Optimism for a Happier, Healthier Life
HIV AIDS and Baby Boomers

You are reading from the blog: http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

Photo of pills courtesy of http://www.morguefile.com

Alzheimers Symptoms, Risk Factors and Treatment Options

Did you know that the U.S. government has a website devoted to providing information specifically about Alzheimer's Disease?  There are also other websites that provide valuable information to the families of people who are suffering from Alzheimer's. 

These resources are especially important because the U.S. government estimates that there are over five million people in the United States who are currently living with Alzheimer's Disease.  As Baby Boomers age, the number of these patients is expected to increase dramatically to 15 million by 2030.

Alzheimers is the most common type of dementia.  It causes behavioral problems as well as memory loss.  Eventually it can lead to death.  The more we know about this serious illness, the better prepared we will be if it affects someone we love.

Reliable Alzheimer's Disease Websites

First, everyone needs to know how to find reliable and current information online.  Below are two websites, one from the government and one from the Alzheimer's Association.

http://www.alzheimers.gov/medical_treatment.html
http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_standard_prescriptions.asp

The remainder of this article summarizes the detailed information that can be found on these websites.

Like many of you, my family has also been affected by this tragic disease and we have seen the effect it can have on both patients and their families.  Everyone should be familiar with the symptoms and treatment options.

Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease

It can be difficult to diagnose Alzheimer's because the symptoms can be similar to those caused by other health problems.  Here are the most common symptoms:

Memory loss
Trouble finding words
General disorientation
Difficulty making decisions
Changes in behavior and personality (often this can mean hostility, becoming suspicious, or exhibiting anger)

The longer the person has the disease, the more likely they are to also exhibit some of these additional problems:

Sleeplessness
Agitation
Wandering
Anxiety
Anger
Depression

If you are the caretaker of a person with Alzheimer's, it can be exhausting to continually watch over them, especially if they become agitated and angry.  It is very important that caregivers seek outside assistance.  They also need to take care of their own physical and emotional health without feeling guilty.  Caregivers need to be able to leave the patient with others while they spend time in relaxing and enjoyable activities.

Risk Factors for Alzheimer's Disease

Although there is no clear cause of this disease, there do seem to be certain factors that make us more likely to develop Alzheimer's.  However, even if you have several of these risk factors, there is no guarantee than you will develop the disease.  There is still a great deal about Alzheimer's that is not understood.  The most common risk factors are shown below, and are frequently beyond our control:

Aging (the frequency doubles every five years after age 80)
Genetics
Downs Syndrome
Other intellectual or developmental disorders
Repeated concussions in the past
A traumatic brain injury

Alzheimer's Treatments

There is no cure for Alzheimer's, but there are some medications that seem to delay the symptoms and may even improve the patient's quality of life:

Cholinesterase Inhibitors and Memantine

These drugs, which are sold under the names Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne, Cognex and Namenda, help treat memory loss, confusion and similar problems with reasoning and thinking.

In some cases, high doses of Vitamin E may also be prescribed.

Other Medications

In addition, medications may be prescribed to help with other symptoms of Alzheimer's, such as depression, insomnia and anxiety.  While these do not stop the progression of the disease, they may make the patient happier and improve their quality of life.


If you are interested in learning about dementia, Alzheimers and aging you may be interested in reading these excellent articles:

The Mind Diet Reduces Alzheimer's Risk:

http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com/2015/07/mind-diet-reduces-alzheimers-risk.html

Is it Alzheimer's or a Treatable Disease?:

http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com/2014/05/is-it-alzheimers-or-treatable-disease.html

How to Talk to Someone with Alzheimer's:

http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com/2014/05/how-to-talk-to-someone-with-alzheimers.html

The UCI 90+ Study at Laguna Woods Village

http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com/2014/05/the-uci-90-study-at-laguna-woods-village.html



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Over 55 Retirement Communities by Del Webb

If you are looking for a retirement community in the coming years, one over-55 community builder that should be on your list is Del Webb.  This company is one of the top developers of retirement communities in the United States with attractive homes and amenities that appeal to many retirees.  Before my husband and I chose our current retirement community, we looked at some very appealing Del Webb communities.  While we were just looking in the Southern California area, I was surprised to learn that Del Webb builds retirement homes across the United States.  Consequently, I thought my readers would like to know more about what these communities have to offer.

Locations Where You Can Find a Del Webb Retirement Community

Del Webb has retirement communities in Northern California, Southern California, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Tennessee, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Massachusetts and Connecticut.  As you can see, they are not limited just to the Sun Belt.  They have communities in nearly every region of the United States.

Typical Community Amenities

A typical Del Webb retirement community has a large, beautiful clubhouse, swimming pools, tennis courts, clubs, classes, social events and volunteer opportunities.  Many of them also have golf courses.  These communities are designed to help residents lead an active lifestyle after retirement.

Examples of  Del Webb Retirement Communities

Below you will find information on two retirement communities that were built by Del Webb, with homes built by Pulte, the major home builder that owns Del Webb.  This will give you an idea of prices, sizes and community amenities.

Solera Diamond Valley in Hemet, California

Prices in this community range from about $225,000 to $350,000.  Homes range in size from 1511 to 2340 square feet and have two to three bedrooms and bathrooms.  Community amenities include a fitness center, indoor and outdoor pools, indoor walking track, courts for tennis, bocce ball and pickle ball, hobby rooms, clubs and classes.

Sun City Shadow Hills in Indio, California (near Palm Springs)

Prices in this community range from about $250,000 to $500,000.  The houses range in size from 1321 to 2955 square feet and have two to three bedrooms and bathrooms.  This community has an 18 hole golf course, an 18 hole par 3 golf course, an 18 hole putting course, indoor and outdoor pools, courts for tennis and bocce ball, a library, amphitheater, ballroom, hobby rooms, clubs and classes.

Where to Find More Information

If you believe that you might want to find a Del Webb retirement community in your area, you can get more details at: http://www.delwebb.com/

If you are looking for more places to retire in the United States or abroad, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of this article.  They contain links to hundreds of additional articles on where to retire, financial planning, health issues and more.

If you are trying to choose a retirement community that is right for you, you may also be interested in reading:

Over 55 Retirement Communities by Four Seasons

Cheap Places to Retire

The Best Sunny Places to Retire

Finding Niche Retirement Communities

Best Places to Retire Outside the US

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Help Soon for Boomers Without Health Insurance

Several Baby Boomer women I know are in the uncomfortable position of having lost their health insurance.  This happened because they were paying for their insurance through their husband's employer.  When the husband retired, sometimes sooner than they had planned because of an illness or job loss, the husband was able to go on Medicare if he was at least 65 years old.  Unfortunately, if the wife was under 65, they were not eligible for Medicare.  Some of these women have been able to obtain expensive personal policies, often through COBRA.  However, others are just hoping and praying they stay healthy until they are old enough to go on Medicare, too, especially if the high cost of COBRA or a pre-existing medical condition makes the cost of health insurance prohibitive.  I'm sure this same situation has happened to men who are dependent on their wife's employer for health insurance, too. 

New Health Insurance Exchanges

Fortunately, this should no longer be a problem after the end of this year. Beginning in 2014, insurance companies can no longer refuse to insure adults who have pre-existing conditions.  Starting this October, most states will have online insurance exchanges that will enable people of any age to begin shopping for affordable insurance policies, whether they have a pre-existing condition or not. The AARP Bulletin for January - February, 2013 recently reported on the status of the new health insurance exchanges, which were mandated by the Affordable Healthcare Act.

According to AARP, most states have already begun to decide how they will handle these exchanges.  Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have announced that they will operate their own exchanges; five states will partner with the federal government; eighteen states have said they will accept the default exchange that will be operated by the federal government; the remaining states have not made a decision.

How the Health Insurance Exchanges will Work

These exchanges will operate online.  They will be open to small businesses and individuals who cannot get affordable insurance through their employer.  The exchanges will also help people identify if they are eligible for any financial assistance through tax credit premium subsidies.  This will make it possible for even low income people to afford health insurance.

The goal of a health insurance exchange is to help anyone who does not have insurance, or who loses their insurance for any reason, to be able to replace their policy quickly, efficiently and at a reasonable price, even if they have a pre-existing condition such as a history of cancer, kidney disease or diabetes.  If the exchanges work as planned, they will give couples on the verge of retirement one less reason for worry.

There is another reason why we may experience some financial relief as a result of these exchanges.  Many Baby Boomers I know have been helping their adult children pay for health insurance.  Others are assisting their adult children by helping to pay off large medical bills their children incurred because they were uninsured.  The new insurance exchanges should bring us all some peace of mind.

If you are a Baby Boomer concerned about health issues, you may also be interested in reading these articles:

Sexually Transmitted Diseases After Age 50
Doctor Housecalls Provide Home Medical Care
How to Avoid Phony Online Pharmacies
Planning for Long Term Medical Care

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Top Retirement Cities for Single Baby Boomers

With so many Baby Boomers either divorced or widowed by the time they reach retirement age, many are looking for fun, affordable and interesting places to live when they retire.  They want places to meet other seniors, good spots for walking both indoors and outdoors, restaurants, entertainment, sports teams, cultural activities and diversity.

AARP has created a list of the cities which they believe have a lot to offer single Baby Boomers, both those who are still working, as well as those who are retired.

Criteria for the Best Retirement Cities for Single Baby Boomers 

AARP used as their criteria cities that are either recognized for their friendliness or their tolerance of newcomers, communities where a large percentage of the residents are over the age of 65, places where there are plenty of interesting things to do, and cities known for their excellent health care choices.  While most of the cities also have a moderate cost of living, some of the cities on their list, such as San Francisco and New York, are quite expensive.  However, AARP decided to include them because they have so many other good attributes.

Before moving to any of these cities, seniors will want to do their research.  There were a couple of areas that particularly concerned me with this AARP list. Nearly all of these cities have at least some areas with high crime rates.  St. Louis, for example, was rated according to FBI crime statistics as the most dangerous city in America, just a couple of years ago. Many of these cities also have problems with traffic and air pollution.  It would be wise to spend some time visiting and getting to know these cities before buying a home or making a financial commitment.

AARP List of Good Cities for Single Seniors

Baltimore

This waterfront city has the nickname "Charm City."  It has historic neighborhoods, and a friendly atmosphere.  It is near Washington, DC, but it tends to be more affordable.  You can enjoy a wide range of restaurants, theaters and sporting events either in Baltimore or nearby Washington.  The median home price for a single family home is $277,640 and the median household income is about $40,000, which is within the reach of many retired singles.

Minneapolis - St. Paul

The Twin Cities, as they are known, have one of the nation's lowest death rates from heart disease.  The area is known for its friendliness, abundant parks, and numerous outdoor activities.  It also has a world class symphony, theaters and plenty of active, energetic people of all ages.  The median price of a home is $225,000 and the median household income is about $63,000.

St. Louis

St. Louis is a charming city that has been rated one of the most liveable cities in America.  It also has a high crime rate. On the other hand, there are sports teams, a symphony, an opera, museums and a large park system, including Forest Park.  The St. Louis Zoo is one of the top ranked zoos in the United States.  More than 10 percent of the population is over the age of 65.  It is also very affordable.  The median price for a single family home is $144,000 and the median household income is about $34,000.  I have a nephew who is a St. Louis fireman.  He owns a two-story duplex.  He lives on one floor and rents out the other, which keeps his cost of living very low.  There are thousands of these types of duplexes in the city, which provides a great opportunity for anyone living on a tight budget.

Cleveland

Cleveland is the home of the Rock 'n Roll Hall of Fame, and considers itself the Rock 'n Roll Capital of the World.  It also has a number of theatrical, ballet and dance companies.  In addition, it has a high percentage of residents over the age of 65.  In fact, the suburb of Beachwood has over 32 percent of its population over the age of 65.  Home prices are also exceptionally reasonable, with the median price for a single family home only about $90,000.  The median household income is approximately $28,000.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a friendly, historic city with a wide range of restaurants, a zoo, ballet, Museum of Art and many other places where singles can meet and mingle.  The city is also moderately priced, with a typical single family home costing under $200,000 and the median household income about $40,000.

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh is an energetic city with a population that is growing younger rather than older.  In addition to the many cultural events, there are even programs that organize walking groups for residents over the age of 50.  The foreclosure rate is also very low in this city where the median home price is only about $125,000 and the median household income is around $40,000.

Milwaukee

Milwaukee is a fun, friendly city that is more like a collection of small villages.  There are plenty of local restaurants and bars where people get together, in addition to the symphony and several museums.  The median home price is $140,000 and the median household income is around $37,000.

Boston

While Boston gets more than its fair share of harsh winter weather, residents seem to enjoy living there.  The city boasts world class universities, sports teams and cultural opportunities.  While traffic can be terrible, the excellent mass transportation makes it much easier to access the various parts of the city.  Boston is more expensive than some of the other cities on this list, with the median price of a home $467,000 and the median household income about $52,000.

San Francisco

San Franciso is a very single friendly city, although it has a high cost of living.  It also has a very diverse population, including a large number of gay and lesbian residents.  This tolerant city has plenty of restaurants, clubs, museums and sporting events.  My husband and I just spent Christmas Eve in San Francisco with our family, and had a delightful time in the city.   Affluent retirees will have a lot of fun here. The median home price is $1,000,000 and the median income is $75,000 ... although many of those residents have either owned their homes a long time, are renters, or they belong to the new class of affluent residents.

New York

Very little needs to be said about all the diversity, excitement, cultural opportunities and sporting events that New York City has to offer.  It can also be affordable if you are willing to live in one of the boroughs other than Manhattan ... for example, in Queens or the Bronx.  Overall, the median home price in New York is $575,00 and the median household income is about $52,000, although both vary widely.  In Manhattan, the median home price is closer to $1,000,000.

If you would like to learn more about these great cities for single seniors, read the full AARP article at: http://www.aarp.org/home-family/livable-communities/info-06-2012/great-cities-for-older-singles.html

If you are looking for more information about where to retire, financial planning, health issues and family relationships, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of additional helpful articles.

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Eleven Important Retirement Stories from the Past

Before we begin to research the news stories that will affect the retirement plans of Baby Boomers in the future, I thought you would all be interested in seeing the eleven important retirement stories from the past, in case you missed any of them. 

Not surprisingly, most of these stories dealt with finding good places to retire, maintaining our health, inter-generational relationships, and our retirement finances.  One significant difference I noticed during the past year was that more of our readers seemed to be giving serious consideration to retiring abroad. 



Important Retirement Stories You May Have Missed

Best Places to Retire Outside the US 

This is one of the top ten most read articles since this blog has been in existence. It includes the AARP list of the best places to retire abroad, along with a small amount of information about each location.  You can also find more detailed articles on this blog about some of these locals.

Best Sunny Places to Retire 

This list brings us back to the United States to review the communities here that have at least 250 sunny days a year, a low crime rate, strong local economies and plenty of fun activities for retirees.  The surprising news in this article was that not all of these communities are in the south.  In fact, both Oregon and Utah are represented on the list!

Why Retire in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands or Guam

Moving to one of the U.S. territories, such as Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, America Samoa or Guam, is a great choice for those who want the feeling of living abroad without actually living in a foreign country.  You do not need a passport, learn a new language, or obtain foreign health insurance.  If you are contemplating moving to another country, you may want to read this article first.

Do You Need a Million Dollars to Retire? 

Many people fear they will never be able to retire because they will never be able to save enough money.  However, you may not need as much money as you think.  Learn how you can stretch your Social Security benefits as much as possible so you will only have to supplement your income a little.  You may be closer to retirement than you think!

Healing Relationships with Your Adult Children 

This article was based on some sad facts I read in an AARP magazine about the increasing number of Baby Boomers who have become estranged from their adult children.  While there are many reasons why this may happen, with a little help this situation can sometimes be reversed.  If you are in a stressful relationship with any of your adult children, this article could help.

Sexually Transmitted Diseases After Age 50 

Our adult children may not want to think about it, but many divorced or widowed Baby Boomers are actively dating again.  While they no longer need to worry about birth control, unfortunately STD's are a serious problem.  In fact, one quarter of the people in the US who are living with HIV/AIDS are over the age of 50!  Learn how you can protect yourself. 

Retiring Former Hippies Spark a New Generation Gap 

This article was actually at the top of my list for several months.  Now that the Baby Boomer generation is reaching retirement age, we rarely think about the differences between our values and those of our still-living parents.  However, the generation gap that existed in the 1960's is making a comeback, as our generation becomes active in existing retirement communities where we once again find ourselves living with "the generation before us."

Finding Niche Retirement Communities 

What activities are important to you when you retire?  Several retirement community developers are building niche retirement communities that cater to the needs of special groups, including Asian-Americans, gays and lesbians, RVers, nudists and artists.  If you are interested in finding a niche retirement community, this article will give you resources to help with your search.

Retiring in Luxury to Hua Hin, Thailand 

This lovely, beachside town in Thailand is extremely affordable, with apartment rentals running from $400 to $1000 a month and a full-time housekeeper available for as little as $250 a month.  Consequently, some American ex-patriots are finding that a couple can live there comfortably on their Social Security benefits alone.

Americans Retiring in Panama 

Another country that has become popular with American retirees is Panama.  One advantage of moving to this Central American country is the fact that the U.S. dollar is the official currency of Panama.  Although the major cities in Panama have become expensive, many smaller communities are much more affordable.

Coping with Divorce after 50 

Because this issue is so important to many Baby Boomers, I expanded the list of articles from ten to eleven important stories to be sure to include this one.  While the divorce rate for other age groups has decreased in the United States during the past 20 years, it has actually doubled for people over the age of 50.  Getting divorced at this age can have serious consequences, so it could be helpful for those who find themselves in this situation to read this article if they missed it earlier this year.

If you are looking for additional retirement information, use the tabs or pull down menu at the top of the page to find links to hundreds of other helpful articles on where to retire, financial planning, health concerns, family relationships and more.

You are reading from the blog:  http://www.baby-boomer-retirement.com

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