Should You Get Medigap Supplemental Insurance with Your Medicare?

As I mentioned in a recent post, within three months before or after your 65th birthday, it is important that you contact the Social Security Administration to sign up for Medicare.  This is true even if you already have insurance through an employer or the military.

Once you have completed the paperwork for Medicare, the next thing you will need to decide is if you want to get a Medigap policy (Medicare Supplement Insurance) or a Medicare Advantage Plan.  In this post I will go over the Medigap Supplemental Insurance plans, like the one that my husband has selected.  You may also want to read "Should You Get a Medicare Advantage Plan with Your Medicare?" and "How to Sign Up for Medicare." These articles will help you consider all the options available to you.

Medigap Supplemental Insurance  

The reason why someone would want to have a Medigap policy is because Medicare doesn't pay for everything.  While regular Medicare will cover most of your medical expenses when you are over age 65, there are large deductibles and expenses that are not covered.  Medigap policies are designed to "fill the gap" by covering some of those expenses like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles, so that patients do not end up with a lot of large medical bills.   Some of the Medigap policies also cover things that Medicare does not include at all, such as emergencies during foreign travel, although each plan is different so you need to shop around to make sure you are getting the coverage that meets your needs the best.

You will have to pay a premium with a Medigap policy, in addition to the premiums you pay for Medicare.  You cannot have both a Medigap policy and a Medicare Advantage policy.  You have to choose one or the other.

One of the reasons that people sometimes choose a Medigap policy rather than a Medicare Advantage Plan is because they want to stay with their current doctors rather than be limited only to the doctors that are part of a Medicare Advantage HMO or PPO list of approved providers.   

For example, my husband has CKD (chronic kidney disease) and he was very happy with the doctors who were treating him prior to his 65th birthday.   He contacted all the physicians that he sees and discovered that all of them accepted both Medicare and Blue Shield.  As a result, he chose to buy a Blue Shield Medigap policy so he could stay with his favorite doctors. Conversely, I was not that attached to my physician so I chose a Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage plan.  My plan is substantially less expensive, but his plan allowed him to stay with his current physicians, which was important to him.

My husband also chose a Plan "F" Medigap insurance policy.  This is the most expensive Medigap plan.  He pays about $275 a month in addition to the $135 that Medicare currently takes out of his Social Security.  However, when he had a heart attack, we paid no deductible or co-pay.  On the other hand, as of 2019, when this article was updated, I only pay the standard $135 a month to Medicare, which is deducted from my Social Security, to cover the cost of my Kaiser Medicare Advantage plan.  However, spending the same amount of time in the hospital and having heart surgery would have cost me at least $1000 in deductibles and co-pays.  In other words, my husband pays an extra premium, but no co-pays and deductibles.  I do not pay an extra premium, but I do have co-pays and deductibles ... although they are quite reasonable.  

Whatever policy you choose, if you are unhappy with it, you should know that once a year in the fall  open enrollment period (between October 15 and December 7) you can select a different plan to use the following year.  However, if you have end stage renal failure (which means you are on dialysis), there are severe restrictions on switching plans.  This is one reason my husband wanted to keep his current doctors.  He did not want to change doctors, end up unhappy, and then be stuck with new doctors he did not like.

You can find a lot more information on the Medicare website.  In addition, as you approach age 65, you will be contacted by a number of Medigap and Medicare Advantage companies in your state.  You may want to attend their seminars and learn about the differences between what the various companies offer before you make a final decision.

Contact Information for Medicare:

http://medicare.gov/

1-800-MEDICARE  (1-800-633-4227)
TTY 1-877-486-2048

Questions about Eligibility for Medicare:

Social Security Administration:  1-800-772-1213

To Get Personalized Insurance Counseling:

Call the State Health Insurance Assistance Program which is also called SHIP.  The number is different for each state. The one for California is listed below:

California SHIP:  1-800-434-0222

Related Articles You May Want to Read:

Should You Get a Medicare Advantage Plan with Your Medicare? 
How to Sign Up for Medicare

Regardless of your circumstances, nearly everyone should contact Social Security within three months before or after their 65th birthday and decide what they need to do.  This is the first step you should take in the process.

If you are interested in learning more about preparing for retirement, you may want to check out the tabs at the top of this page.  They contain links to hundreds of articles on family relationships after retirement, where to retire in the United States or overseas, financial planning and medical issues.

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

Photo credit: www.wikipedia.org/commons

How to Sign Up for Medicare

If you are approaching the age of 65, you need to make sure that you sign up for Medicare and select the medical plan that you prefer as soon as possible.  I have just gone through the process and thought that it was somewhat complicated, so I decided to help others understand what is involved in the process.

Contact the Social Security Administration

The first thing you will want to do is sign up for basic Medicare.  You can do this at the Social Security office nearest you or by going to Medicare.com.  Their website does a good job of helping you understand which parts of Medicare are the correct choices for you.  You have a seven month window in which you can sign up without paying a penalty later.  You can sign up during the three months before the month you turn 65, during the month of your birthday, and during the three months after your birthday month.

If you are already collecting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, in most cases you will automatically get Medicare Parts A and B on the first day of the month that you turn 65.  The same is true if you are disabled and already collecting benefits, even if you were under 65 when you began to receive payments.

If you are approximately 65 but not yet collecting Social Security, you still need to sign up for Medicare.  If you think that you have signed up, but you do not receive your Medicare card a month or two before your 65th birthday, you should contact Social Security.  Your card will look similar to the one in the attached photo.

Special Circumstances Involving Medicare:

There are specific situations that complicate things for certain people, as you see below:

For example, whether you are already collecting your Social Security benefits or not, you need to contact the Social Security Administration within three months of your 65th birthday if you have end stage renal disease (on dialysis).  This is the one illness that affects your Medicare insurance choices.

In addition, if you are still working and you are covered by medical insurance through an employer, you may initially choose to only get Part A and delay signing up for Part B, without penalty.

On the other hand, if you are on a COBRA plan from a former employer, you should not wait until COBRA ends before you get Part B coverage.  You should sign up at the same time you enroll in Part A.

If you are active duty military at the age of 65, you must sign up for both Part A and Part B of Medicare in order to keep your TRICARE coverage.

As you can see, signing up for Medicare is very complicated and different rules apply to different groups.  Not only that, if you make a mistake and delay signing up for Part A and/or Part B when you should have, you may be required to pay a penalty which will permanently make your premiums higher.

There are a number of variables that can affect different groups of people ... those who are already on a group insurance plan at work, those who have end stage renal failure, those who are on COBRA, and other groups.

Should You Get a Medigap Policy or a Medicare Advantage Plan?

Once you have signed up for basic Medicare, you need to decide if you will want to supplement it with a Medigap policy, to cover things that are not covered by basic Medicare, or whether you want to have your coverage assigned to a Medicare Advantage plan.

At the bottom of this article, see the links to the articles I also wrote about Medigap insurance and Medicare Advantage plans.  Most people will want to have one or the other.

Meanwhile, if you are getting close to your 65th birthday, you need to contact Medicare to make sure you are signed up for the basic Medicare plan that is right for you.  Below, I have given you some contact numbers, as well as some information about how you can get free personalized assistance in making the right decisions for you.

Contact Information for Medicare:

http://medicare.gov/

1-800-MEDICARE  (1-800-633-4227
 TTY 1-877-486-2048

Questions about Eligibility for Medicare:

Social Security Administration:  1-800-772-1213

To Get Personalized Insurance Counseling:

Call the State Health Insurance Assistance Program which is also called SHIP.  The number is different for each state. The one for California is listed below:

California SHIP:  1-800-434-0222

Regardless of your circumstances, nearly everyone should contact Social Security within three months before or after their 65th birthday and decide what they need to do.  This is the first step you should take in the process.

Other Articles You May Want to Read:

Should You Get Medigap Supplemental Insurance with Your Medicare?
Should You Get a Medicare Advantage Plan with Your Medicare?

If you are interested in learning more about preparing for retirement, you may want to check out the tabs at the top of this page.  They contain links to hundreds of articles on family relationships after retirement, where to retire in the United States or overseas, financial planning and medical issues.

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

Photo credit: www.wikipedia.org/commons
 

Retire to Robson Ranch near Dallas, TX

When I sold real estate in Dallas, Texas in the 1990's, there were a number of senior apartment complexes and assisted living facilities, but there were no age-restricted over-55 luxury retirement communities in the area.  Although there were many beautiful gated, golf communities where retirees often lived, they were not exclusively designed for seniors.  The nearest age-restricted development was Del Webb's Sun City Georgetown, Texas community near Austin.

Because of my knowledge of the area, I was delighted to hear that Robson Resort Communities, a premier builder of luxury retirement homes in Arizona, has now opened a lovely development just 35 miles north of the Dallas-Fort Worth area, near Denton.

Amenities at Robson Ranch, Texas

* Lovely gated community with a roving security patrol

* 17,500 sq. foot Wildhorse Clubhouse with a lovely ballroom, plus activity and meeting rooms

* Indoor and Outdoor Swimming Pools

* Sports center which, in addition to the pools, also has a fitness center, aerobics exercise room, massage and steam rooms, tennis courts, volleyball courts, pickleball courts, and a gymnasium.

* Creative Arts Center with studios and gallery

* Gorgeous outdoor areas including a dog park, walking trails, children's playground, and a fishing lake

* Championship 18-hole Golf Course


Activities at Robson Ranch

With so many high-quality amenities, no one could possibly participate in all the choices that are available to the residents of Robson Ranch, including the emeritus life-long learning classes sponsored by the nearby University of North Texas and held in the Wildhorse Clubhouse, as well as a number of club activities, charitable events, golf tournaments, art classes, dance classes, a choir, and a wide selection of fitness classes.  There are plenty of choices for anyone who wants to live a healthy, stimulating life after retirement.

Attractive, Modern Homes at Robson Ranch, Texas

The beautiful new, energy-efficient homes in this lovely community are luxurious, yet affordable.  Prices range from about $210,000 for a 1624 sq. foot two bedroom home, to approximately $335,000 for a 3228 square foot home, and $400,000 for a 3746 square foot home with three bedrooms and 4 1/2 bathrooms.  All of the homes have two-car garages.


More about Denton and the Dallas-Fort Worth Area

Nearby Denton, Texas is home to the University of North Texas and Texas Women's University.  Consequently, the residents at Robson Ranch have all the conveniences you would expect in a college town ... access to live performances as well as plenty of restaurants, bars, shopping centers and movie theaters.


If you wish to attend professional sporting events, enjoy the symphony, shop at Neiman-Marcus, or take the grandkids to Six Flags amusement park, all of those possibilities and more are easily available to you in the nearby cities of Dallas and Fort Worth.

If you are considering a move to Texas from another state, you will be interested to know that Texas does not have a state income tax, although property taxes are a bit higher than they are in other states.  You will have to weigh these two taxes against each other to decide whether or not you are better off.

Texas Weather 

As a former resident of Dallas for over 25 years, I did want to let people know about the infamous Texas weather.  Winters are typically mild and pleasant, with an occasional dusting of ice or snow.  Summers can be brutally hot, with temperatures shooting up to over 100 degrees during the afternoon.  Summer nights, however, are comfortably warm and perfect for an evening barbecue with the neighbors.  From spring through the fall, there will be periodic thunderstorms, which can spark an occasional tornado ... although it is relatively rare for anyone to be injured.


Source:

http://www.robson.com/communities/robson-ranch-texas

If you are looking for more places to retire, in the United States or overseas, or you are interested in learning more about other retirement related concerns, use the tabs at the top of this page to find links to hundreds of other articles.

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

Photo credit:  Photo of Dallas skyline is courtesy of www.morguefile.com

Surviving a Brain Aneurysm

Until recently, brain aneurysms were not something that I ever thought about.  They are not one of the medical conditions that we regularly see featured on the news, and no one I know had ever suffered from one.

Last week, however, one of our daughters collapsed when an aneurysm burst in her brain.  She is 47, in good health, and she has not smoked or used alcohol (two of the risk factors), in over 20 years.  She was fortunate because, when she passed out, a paramedic happened to be nearby.  He got her to the hospital within a few minutes.  Over the next 36 hours, she was transported by helicopter to another hospital and had brain surgery.  She was one of the lucky ones.  Approximately 40% of the people who have a burst brain aneurysm die before they reach the hospital.  Another 20% reach the hospital too late to be treated.

After doing research on this shocking disorder, I learned that they are much more common than I had ever realized, and there is a reasonable possibility that they could affect you or someone in your family.

According to the Brain Aneurysm Foundation:

About 1 in 50 people have an unruptured brain aneurysm
In the United States, an aneurysm ruptures about every 18 minutes
When an aneurysm ruptures, about 40% of the patients will die immediately
Approximately 2/3 of the survivors suffer some permanent damage
There are usually no warning signs

As a result of these numbers, I felt that this was a topic that Baby Boomers and their families might find life saving.  In fact, many of you may wish to be screened to make sure that you do not have one of these hidden time-bombs inside your head right now.

What is an Aneurysm?

An aneurysm occurs when an artery wall becomes weak and bulges out in the shape of a balloon.  If this bulge begins to leak, the blood can damage and even destroy nearby cells.

Brain Aneurysm Risk Factors

There are a number of risk factors that may cause the initial damage to the artery wall or cause an aneurysm to form and/or start leaking:

Hardening of the arteries
High blood pressure
Heredity
Smoking
Head Injury
Alcohol use
Drug use, particularly cocaine

Once the artery wall has been damaged, it usually will not repair itself.  However, nothing may happen for a long time. An aneurysm can start to form years or even decades after the initial damage to the artery wall.  For example, you may be born with a damaged spot on your artery; or drug use and other behaviors in the early twenties can weaken the artery.  Years later, during a time of stress that causes a spike in blood pressure, an aneurysm can begin to form and start leaking.

Symptoms of a Brain Aneurysm

There is no way to know that you have a brain aneurysm unless it is revealed in a brain scan.  However, once it starts to leak, you may only have minutes before you lose consciousness.  If you are alone, you may not survive unless you get help quickly.  Therefore, it is important to recognize the symptoms, whether you or someone you love is the victim.  The quicker the patient gets treatment, the more likely they are to survive.  Here are the most common symptoms:

The most severe headache you have ever experienced
Nausea and vomiting
Neck stiffness
A brief blackout
Vision or speech problems
Confusion or sluggishness
Jerky movements
Clumsiness
Paralysis or weakness on one side of the body (similar to a stroke)

What Happens Once You Reach the Hospital

As frightening as all this sounds, once the patient reaches the hospital their outlook increases substantially.  The medical staff will do a CT Scan, an MRI, an arteriogram and/or a spinal tap.  These are used to diagnose the aneurysm and locate the bleeding.

Surgery Options

In the past, the primary type of surgery for a brain aneurysm involved opening the skull and clipping the bulge in the artery.  This surgery was very invasive and risky.

In the past seven years, however, surgeons have developed a process called cerebral coiling.  A catheter is threaded from the groin, up through the body and into the brain where a stint is placed inside the damaged artery and a tiny platinum coil is inserted into the aneurysm.  This coil causes a blood clot to form and seals it off, stopping the bleeding.

Post Surgery

After surgery, the amount of damage done by the aneurysm can vary widely from person to person.  Nearly every patient will be extremely tired, experience headaches and will be sensitive to bright lights, although these problems will eventually diminish.   Either their long-term or short-term memory could be affected.  They may have trouble with double-vision or their speech, and there could be weakness on one side of their body.

They may need physical therapy and other types of rehabilitation.

While the healing process may seem slow and even discouraging to the patient, it is important to remember that they are the lucky ones ... they survived.

At the time I am writing this, our daughter has spent nearly two weeks in ICU.  She has retained her motor skills and memory.   She still had headaches and is light-sensitive.  She will have a few restrictions for the next few months ... no roller coasters or other intense activities.  She will not be allowed to drive alone for a couple of weeks after she returns home.  However, the good news is that the brain damage she suffered was minimal and she is expected to recover fully.

My hope is that others will recognize the symptoms of an aneurysm as quickly as the paramedic recognized what was happening to our daughter.  Once more people are aware of this danger, outcomes will hopefully improve and lives will be saved.

Sources:

http://www.brainaneurysm.com/
http://www.bafound.org/brain-aneurysm-basics
http://www.bafound.org/brain-aneurysm-basics
http://www.kramesstaywell.com (Booklet #11271 "Brain Aneurysm Understanding, Care and Recovery")

If you are interested in learning about more medical issues and other retirement concerns that could affect you, use the tabs at the top of this page for links to hundreds of additional articles.

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

Photo credit:  www.morguefile.com

Move to the Abruzzo Region of Italy

Baby-Boomer-Retirement.com has covered a variety of overseas retirement options, including locations in South and Central America, the U.S. territories, and Thailand.  Only rarely have I mentioned locations in Europe because so many of them are as expensive, and sometimes more expensive, than retiring in the United States.

Recently, however, I have learned about a few European locations that are charming, convenient and affordable!  The first one I wish to cover is the Abruzzo region of Italy.

Cost of Living in Abruzzo

According to some estimates, an American couple could live comfortably in Abruzzo for about $1500 to $1700 a month, including renting an apartment or house for about $450 to $700 a month.  (If you prefer to buy, homes can also be purchased in the $50,000 to $150,000 price range.)

In addition to rent, an estimated monthly budget would include $100 a month for local transportation, $50 for utilities, $125 for phone/internet/cable service, $125 a month for household help, $300 for groceries and $300 for entertainment and other expenses.

(Note:  I took the above figures from articles that were written in 2013 and 2014.  None-the-less, one person in the comments section suggested that the figures should be increased.  You may want to adjust these numbers substantially upward if you are planning to retire there in 2020 or later.  Even with a 20% increase, it would still be possible to live there for less than $2500 a month, an average amount for a retired couple living solely on Social Security.)

Senior citizens in Italy are frequently offered restaurant discounts and there are express lines for seniors in many public locations, including grocery stores.

Not only is the cost-of-living for Abruzzo well within the means of most American couples who are living solely on Social Security, but many couples will also be able to occasionally tour around Europe or visit the United States.  The region is only about an hour's drive away from Rome, and residents have easy access to both train and air travel.

Climate and Quality of Life in Abruzzo

Americans moving to this region of Italy will find a very appealing climate.  Summer temperatures are warm and can reach into the low 90's.  Temperatures in the spring and fall will typically range from the 60's to the 80's.  In the winter, the average daytime temperature is in the 40's or 50's, although temperatures can become colder and there is increased precipitation the further inland you are from the sea.  It is very rare for the temperatures to be freezing along the coast of the Adriatic Sea, while snow can fall in the nearby mountains.  Consequently, you can live in this area of Italy and still choose the climate you think your would prefer.

Like Southern California, in a typical Abruzzo winter it is possible to visit the mountain ski slopes in the morning and relax at the beach that afternoon.

This picturesque region is full of lovely vineyards, gorgeous castles and romantic stone villages.  There is a low crime rate and residents can expect to find friendly, caring neighbors.  The hillsides are gorgeous ... as you can tell from the above photo of fall foliage in Abruzzo.

Italian Healthcare System

Americans cannot utilize the Medicare system when they are living in another country.  It is also unlikely that you will qualify for the national health plan service in Italy.  However, you can pay privately for your medical care and it tends to be quite affordable ... about $30 for a doctor visit and $200 a night for a hospital stay.  The quality is quite high, as well.  Italy's healthcare system is ranked second in the world by the World Health Organization, far above the United State's 37th ranking.  If you have a serious, chronic condition which could require frequent treatments and doctor visits, however, it may be worth it to contact a hospital in the area to get a realistic idea of what you would need to spend per year to maintain your health.

Risks of Moving to Italy

It is important that people understand that there are risks when moving to another country and you have to take precautions to protect yourself.  In particular, you should know that you cannot buy some types of homeowner's insurance which are common in the United States.  Some types of natural disasters are not covered by insurance.  Since this could change over the years, it is important you speak with an attorney and insurance agent to learn more about specifically what would and would not be covered should your home be damaged or destroyed in a wild fire, earthquake or flood.

In addition, you should be careful about putting down what Americans call "earnest money" when purchasing a property.  According to an Italian woman who contacted me, "Tell buyers never to advance money to the realtor or to the owners. In case an advance of money is requested, go to the Notary for the "rogito" (passage of property), and always ask to send the money the the "clients account" of the Notary. Be careful in Italy. There are two forms of advance money.  One is called "accounto" and the other "caparra confirmatoria". The "acconto" goes back to the potential buyer , should he decide that he changed his mind; but if the Notary registered the advanced money as "caparra confirmatoria" the money is lost if the potential buyer steps back."

As you can see, it is very important that buyers understand the laws before entering into a real estate transaction.   The same can be true if you decide to start a business or engage in any business dealings in Italy or any other foreign country.  It is always wise to be well informed.

Sources:

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/on-retirement/2013/10/15/retire-to-italys-most-enticing-affordable-region

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/18/best-places-to-retire-2013_n_3460170.html

http://www.expatfocus.com/expatriate-italy-abruzzo

If you are thinking about moving to another country, you may also be interested in using this Amazon link to the book:  "How to Retire Overseas: Everything You Need to Know to Live Well (For Less) Abroad."

If you are making your retirement plans, use the tabs at the top of this page to find links to hundreds of articles about places to retire in the United States and overseas, financial planning, medical concerns, family relationships, and more.

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

Photo credit:  www.morguefile.com

Relax - Slight Memory Loss is Normal!

In the past couple of months, I have written several posts about Alzheimer's disease and dementia.  It is an issue that concerns nearly everyone over the age of 60.  However, the good news is that most of us will NOT become seriously disabled by dementia.  Since that is true, we certainly do not want to worry ourselves sick every time we forget a name or lose our keys.  How can we tell the difference between real dementia and normal memory loss?

Slower Recall is Normal as We Age

If you have been a jogger, hiker or tennis player most of your life, you probably accept the fact that your ability to perform these activities has slowed down a bit as you aged.  (Let's be honest, it may have slowed down a lot.)  At the same time, if you are a little less quick to remember a name or some other information, your slower thinking ability is as normal as your slower physical ability.

Here's how you can tell the difference:  If it just takes you a few extra minutes to recall the information or, when prompted, you can instantly confirm that the suggested information is correct, this means you still have the memory and it has not been completely lost.  It is normal to have trouble recalling all our memories as we age.

On the other hand, if you cannot remember something at all and, even when prompted by someone else, the name or event does not seem familiar to you, then you really are losing portions of your memory.  That is the beginning of dementia.

Distractions Can Make it Harder for Anyone to Remember Things

In addition to recalling information more slowly, we may also have a lot on our minds, especially if we lead busy lives ... which is true for most of us Baby Boomers.  Are you still working, involved in family activities, belong to clubs, caring for relatives, planning trips, paying bills, and feeling overwhelmed at times by all the demands on your time?  As we age and tire out more easily, all these obligations may make it even more difficult to recall details or retrieve new information ... such as where we set down our keys or the doctor's appointment we made.

If you are busy and preoccupied, with a number of thoughts running through your head, it is not unusual to have difficulty recalling certain details and automatic actions, no matter what your age.  That is normal.

On the other hand, if you are relaxed and have plenty of time and opportunity to focus on what is going on, and you still cannot recall important events or information, then that could be a sign of dementia.

Flipping the Dementia Statistics

When I reported a few weeks ago on the University of California - Irvine study that showed the prevalence of Alzheimers and dementia in our population, I realize the article focused primarily on the bad news ... that a small number of us will develop dementia and the percentage doubles every five years.

In other words, I pointed out that by age 90 approximately 10% of the people who are still alive will have dementia.  That means that 90% of people will NOT have dementia, even by the age of 90.  At age 85, only 5% of us will have dementia ... leaving 95% of us with normally functioning memories ... despite the fact that our thinking may be a bit slower. 

According to an article in the "2014 Answers Guide" published by the Orange County Council on Aging, people who are aware enough to ask whether or not their memory loss is normal, do not usually have a serious problem ... which is certainly a relief to know.

Relax.  Dementia is something that most of us will not have to worry about!  Now ... where did I put my keys?

Source:

"What is 'Normal' Memory Loss," 2014 Answers Guide, Orange County Council on Aging, page 40.

University of California-Irvine, 90+ Study on residents of Laguna Woods Village

If you are interested in other medical issues that will affect us as we age, check out the Medical Concerns tab at the top of this article.  You will also find tabs with suggestions on where to live after retirement, financial planning, family issues and more.

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

Photo credit:  www.morguefile.com

Is It Alzheimers or a Treatable Disease?

One of the biggest fears most of us will have as we get older is that we may develop Alzheimer's Disease or another form of dementia.  Every time we lose our keys, forget a friend's name, or can't remember why we entered a room, we worry that this could be the beginning of our mental decline.

Baby Boomers take vitamins, get exercise, work crossword puzzles and play video games, all in an attempt to do everything they can to ward off dementia.  The good news is that these efforts can sometimes be successful at slowing down our mental decline. 

However, did it ever occur to you that your forgetfulness, brain fog and periodic bouts of confusion may actually be caused by a treatable disease? The problem comes in determining which cases can be treated and which cases cannot.


While we all dread receiving a diagnosis of Alzheimer's or dementia, sometimes our memory loss and mental confusion is actually caused by a treatable illness and none of us would want our doctors to overlook this possibility!

According to the April, 2014 AARP Bulletin, in an article entitled "Am I Losing My Mind?" there are at least eight health issues that can "masquerade as dementia."  If you suspect that one of these problems could be causing your memory loss, you will want to have your doctor test you for them.

Eight Treatable Causes of Memory Loss and Confusion

Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) - Fluids are putting pressure on your brain.  This problem may be corrected with a shunt.

Medications - If you become forgetful, especially after taking a new medicine, tell your doctor about all your medications and supplements; you may be having a reaction and a simple adjustment could restore clear thinking.

Depression or other mental health problems - Depression, anxiety, bi-polar disorder and similar mental illnesses can cause us to lose focus and have trouble thinking clearly.  Medications, exercise and/or cognitive therapy may be able to  resolve the issue.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) This one was a surprise!  However, infections of any kind, including UTI's may be asymptomic.  This means you may not realize you have an infection. However, once discovered, it can be treated with antibiotics and lifestyle adjustments.  Infections, especially UTI's, are a common cause of foggy thinking.

Thyroid disease - Although it can be detected with an easy blood test, many people go years without having their thyroid disease detected.  Once discovered, it can be treated with medication or, in some cases, surgery.  Symptoms include depression, foggy thinking, weight gain and feeling cold.  If you are experiencing these problems, be sure to have your thyroid checked.

B-12 deficiency - This is a type of anemia that cannot be treated with iron; however, injections of B-12 about once a month can make a tremendous difference in helping you to think more clearly and have more energy.

Diabetes - This is a very serious disease which, if left untreated, can even result in death.  It is important to catch and treat this disease early in order to reduce its affect on the brain

Alcohol abuse - It is amazing how many physicians do not consider the possibility of alcohol and drug abuse when they are attempting to diagnose the cause of dementia.  While the dementia can sometimes be resolved by simply abstaining from alcohol, in some cases it may be necessary to reverse the brain damage by using thiamine replacement therapy or similar treatments.  It is encouraging, however, to know that there are treatments that may make a significant difference in how clearly you think, even after years of alcohol abuse.

If you suspect that one of these issues could be causing memory loss for you or someone you love, make sure that you or your loved one receives all the possible tests and treatments.  Do not assume that dementia cannot be reversed and do not give up your quest for an alternate diagnosis too soon.  None of us want to suffer for years from a problem that could have been easily treated if it had been caught earlier.

Sources:

"Am I Losing My Mind?" AARP Bulletin, April 2014, pgs. 18-20

http://video.aarp.org/video/Treatable-Causes-of-Memory-Loss

If you are interested in reading about other issues that could arise as you age, check out the tabs at the top of this page, particularly the one on health concerns.  You will find links to hundreds of other articles that have been written for this blog.

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

Photo credit:  www.morguefile.com

How to Talk to Someone with Alzheimers or Dementia

After completing my post on the "UCI 90+ Study at Laguna Woods Village," I thought this would be a good time to follow up with a little more information about dementia and Alzheimer's Disease.

My mother has dementia and it has become quite advanced.  She can only remember most things for a very short time.  As I have come to understand, speaking to someone with dementia or Alzheimers can be extremely frustrating.   My mother lives with my sister, so I only call a couple of times a month to talk with her.  I know she probably does not remember that I called, but I like to touch base with her, anyway.  I've done some research on how to talk to someone with dementia, so that our phone conversations are less frustrating. 

Typically, dementia patients may repeat themselves endlessly and they sometimes become anxious, hostile, angry, abusive or exhibit other negative emotions and behaviors. In addition, they may not remember who you are, the last time they spoke with other family members, what decisions they have agreed to in the past, or where they have stored things.  In my case, my mother seems to know who I am, but she repeats the same stories every time I call.  I have found it helpful to keep our conversations short and not ask too many questions, because they seem to frustrate her.

What are some other ways to communicate with a dementia patient, while reducing their anxiety and keeping them calm?  The Alzheimer's Association provided me with a handout at a recent Senior Summit that I attended.  I found their suggestions so helpful, that I have condensed them below.

Do's and Don'ts for Talking to the Memory Impaired:

Do's

Be kind
Speak in short, simple sentences
Be patient, cheerful and forgiving
Allow plenty of time for a response
Repeat your statements exactly the same way
Agree with them, even it if is just to reassure them
Leave the room, rather than have a confrontation with them.
Accept blame for problems, even if you aren't actually to blame for the problem


Don'ts


Don't test their memory loss.
Don't confront or blame them.
Don't try to reason with them.
Don't take forgetfulness personally. 
Don't remind them they forget things.
Don't argue, correct or contradict them.
Don't ask open-ended questions; they are too complex.
Don't forget that they are frightened because of their memory loss.

I plan to keep this list handy when I talk with my mother on the phone because I have noticed that she gets very confused when I ask her about recent events ... such as what she and Dad did during the past week.  I realize now that a question like that is too open-ended.  She does better with yes and no questions or simple statements.  In addition, when she does remember something, she repeats it over and over again.  For example, my mom and dad recently had dinner with my dad's sister.  When I called the next day, my mother told me several times about their dinner together.  I just patiently listened.  I was delighted that she had such a pleasant memory of the dinner.

Of course, if you are living with someone who has dementia, there may be times when they become hostile, angry or irritable, and you may not know what to do.  My brother-in-law has told me that this sometimes happens with my mother, which is hard on him.  If this happens in your family, there is a hotline that you can call for advice ... and I highly recommend that you use it before you become frustrated and upset, too. 


Need Immediate Help?  Call the Alzheimer's Hotline:  1-800-272-3900

You may also want to read additional information about Alzheimer's and dementia, possible treatments, research in the field, and the ways in which the Alzheimer's Association is able to provide assistance to caregivers.  To find out more, use the website below:

Source for Information about Communication with the Memory Impaired:
  
https://www.alz.org/

Are you concerned about other medical conditions that can arise as you and your spouse age?  Use the tab at the top of this blog in order to find links to a number of articles about Medical Concerns.  In addition, check out the other tabs for links to hundreds of articles about where to retire in the United States or overseas, financial planning and similar retirement issues.

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

Photo credit:  www.morguefile.com

The UCI 90+ Study at Laguna Woods Village

On May 4, 2014, the CBS television show, "60 Minutes" featured a study that is taking place in the retirement community where I live, Laguna Woods Village in Southern California.

The study is being conducted by Dr. Claudia Kawas, a medical doctor and professor of neurology at the University of California in Irvine.  However, the study actually started about 30 years ago ... long before Dr. Kawas was in Irvine.

Between the years of 1981 and 1984, UCI researchers sent surveys to the residents of Laguna Woods Village (then called Leisure World).  Nearly 14,000 residents completed them.  The surveys asked a wide range of questions over topics such as health, marital status, the activities in which they participated, foods they ate, vitamins they took, alcohol consumption, etc.

The average participant was 73 years old at the time of that first survey.  Two-thirds of them were women.  Most were white and about 40% were college graduates.   During the following years, the original group of participants were asked to update their information in 1982, 1985, 1992, and 1998.  Gradually, of course, the group got smaller.

Then, in 2003, UCI researchers took these dusty old folders off the shelf and decided to see how these people were doing.  They were able to find nearly 1900 of them who were still alive and in their 90's or older.  Approximately 1600 of them enrolled in Dr. Kawas' current study and agreed to submit to extensive testing. 

In addition, 306 people in this group agreed to donate their brains to the researchers after death.  So far, they have done autopsies on approximately 210 of those brains.

The research has been fascinating and I have summarized it below after watching both the "60 Minutes" episode as well as a YouTube video by Dr. Kawas.

UCI Research on Longevity:

*  Vitamin consumption did not seem to help people live longer, although it may help in other areas, such as preventing fractures, etc.

*  Drinking a glass or two of alcohol of any type (not just red wine) occasionally (not necessarily daily) seemed to help people live longer.

*  Caffeine from all sources, including soft drinks, chocolate, tea and coffee did make a difference.  People who consumed about 200 mg. of caffeine a day (2-3 cups of coffee) seemed to live longer.  People who consumed too much or too little did not live as long.

*  Being of average weight or heavier seemed to be protective; being too thin was associated with an increased risk of early death.  People who were underweight in their 70's had a 50% increase in their mortality rate.  People who were of normal weight or overweight in their 70's had a 3% lower mortality rate for each year they lived.

*  While having low blood pressure was healthier for younger seniors, having high blood pressure seemed to benefit those who are over the age of 90.

*  It was beneficial to stay mentally, physically and socially active as long as possible.  About 45 minutes a day of physical activity seemed to help people live untill their 90's.  More time spent in exercise did not make a difference.  In addition, the activity did not need to be intense in order to benefit this age group.  It did not have to be jogging and it did not have to be all at once.  It could be broken up into two or three periods of activity a day.

*  As for leisure/social activities, those were also associated with a longer lifespan.

UCI Research on Dementia:

*  There are more than 100 pathologies that can lead to dementia.  Alzheimer's is only one form of dementia, although it is one of the most common.  The more different pathologies you have, the higher your risk of developing dementia.

*  Researchers have long believed that plaques and Amyloid tangles in the brain are related to Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia.  However, the brain autopsies that have been completed to date are bringing this into question.  So far, half of the people with dementia had plaques and tangles, while half did not.  In addition, the reverse has also been true.  Half of the people without dementia had plaques and half did not.  Dr. Kawas is now concluding that plaques and Amyloid tangles may not be as closely related to Alzheimers and other forms of dementia as we first thought, although there is still some reason to believe that it does matter.  Researchers are concluding that dementia is more complicated than they first thought.

*  Three or more microinfarcts or mini-strokes in the brain can multiply your chances of having dementia by five times.

*  Age seems to matter the most in regard to dementia.  By age 85 about 5% have dementia; at 90, 10% of all seniors have dementia; by age 95, 20% have dementia; by 100, 40% have dementia.

*  Low oxygen levels in the blood, especially below 93%, doubled your chances of developing dementia.

*  Low walking speed resulted in an eleven times great risk of dementia.

*  People with a weak hand grip had a five times greater risk of dementia

*  High blood pressure and high cholesterol apparently REDUCES your chances of dementia (although these are still related to a higher incidence of heart disease and strokes).  Researchers are now studying whether it is the blood pressure and cholesterol themselves, or if it is the drugs that are given for these illnesses, that provide the protection.

This report was fascinating ... and they are not finished, yet.  They intend to continue studying this group of people until they have all died.  Who knows what other incredible facts are still to be discovered?

If you want to watch the entire "60 Minutes" episode for yourself, which also includes an update on the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, you can find it here:

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/over-a-barrel-90/

If want to see an even more in-depth lecture by Dr. Kawas, here is a YouTube video of her giving a guest lecture at the University of California in Davis:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXWhCniCWck

If you are looking for more interesting information to assist you with aging and retirement, use the tabs at the top of this blog.  They contain links to hundreds of articles to help you.

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

Photo credit:  Photo of a clubhouse at Laguna Woods Village was taken by author, Deborah-Diane.  All rights reserved.

New Blog for the Single Retiree

There are so many new adventures in store for people who are retired or planning to retire soon, that it is nearly impossible to cover every possible scenario.  That is one reason why I periodically introduce my readers to new books, articles or blogs that I think you will find helpful.  I have no desire to limit your research to just the articles I have written.  My goal is to expand your horizons and knowledge as much as possible.

In fact, I feel that one of the benefits of reading my blog is that I try to either summarize the information I discover and save you time, or I try to provide you with direct links to sources of information that would be too cumbersome to summarize on this blog.  In this way, I feel that I am providing my readers with comprehensive retirement information from a wide range of sources.  I hope to be the one site you can come to for all types of useful resources to help you get the most out of your senior years.

With that thought in mind, today I want to introduce you to a new blog that was recently started by a friend of mine.  It is:

http://singleretiredandhappy.blogspot.com

As you can guess from the title, Elizabeth, the author of the blog, discusses some of the joys and challenges of being a single retiree.  For example, she recently covered the problem of grocery shopping for yourself when you live alone and you have injuries or medical issues that could make it difficult for you to shop for your own groceries.  She explains how online grocery shopping works.

I found this article, and others that she has written, to be interesting and I thought that some of the readers of my blog might also be interested in following Elizabeth.  I hope that you will bookmark both of our blogs on your computer and check back frequently.

After all, it is quite likely that many of us will spend as least part of our retirement as a single person, either because of divorce or the death of a spouse.  Knowing how others have addressed the challenges could make life much easier for us.

I hope you enjoy her blog and consider it an enhancement to what you are learning from mine.  Meanwhile, I will continue to read and research more information that I believe you will find useful.

If you are retired, or planning to retired soon, be sure to use the tabs at the top of this blog to find links to hundreds of additional articles on where to retire in the United States and overseas, financial planning, medical issues, family relationships, travel and more.

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

Photo credit:  www.morguefile.com

How is Your Nutritional Health?

When I attended the Senior Summit in Laguna Woods Village a few weeks ago, one of the topics I learned about was the problem of maintaining nutritional health when people age in their own homes.  The problem that many people face when they live alone is that they tend to not eat as well as people do when they have meals in the company of others.  Often, the elderly find themselves snacking on unhealthy foods or they skip meals altogether.

There are other issues that can affect the quality of your diet, as well.  Everyone over the age of 60 should periodically ask themselves the questions listed below.

Questions to Determine Your Nutritional Health

* Do you have a health problem that affects the kind or amount of food you eat?

* Do you eat less than two meals a day?

* Do you avoid eating vegetables, fruit and/or dairy products?

* Do you drink three or more moderate servings of alcoholic beverages a day?

*  Do you have tooth or mouth problems that make it hard for you to eat?

*  Do you lack the money to buy the food you need?

*  Do you eat alone most of the time?

*  Do you take three or more medications a day, whether they are prescribed or over-the-counter?

*  Have you unexpectedly gained or lost 10 or more pounds in the last 6 months?

*  Are you physically unable to shop, cook or feed yourself, even if you only have this problem occasionally?

Be honest with yourself.  If you answered yes to several of these questions, there is a good chance that your nutritional health is at risk.

Solutions for People Who are at Nutritional Risk

Fortunately, there are programs available to help you, if you will reach out for them.

*  Apply for food stamps, if the cost of food is part of your problem.  Many senior citizens who are primarily living on Social Security or a pension will qualify.

*  Go to a food bank for additional assistance.

*  Contact your local senior center; many of them offer low-cost meals in a group setting.  This gives you the opportunity to eat a good, warm meal while socializing with other people.

*  If you cannot get out of your home to go to the senior center, contact Meals-on-Wheels.  They will deliver nutritious meals to your home ... either on a temporary basis after surgery or on a permanent basis, if you need it.

The additional benefit of regularly dining at a senior center or having Meals-on-Wheels delivered to your home is that someone will be expecting to see you every day.  If something happens, you are more likely to receive timely assistance.

Statistics Behind the Nutrition Questions

Here are the statistics that explain why the above questions are so important:

*  Four out of five elderly adults have chronic diseases that affect their diet, including depression and memory loss.

*  Only 13% of adults eat what is considered the minimum amount of fruits and vegetables.

*  One in four older adults drink too much alcohol.

*  Approximately 40% of older citizens have very low incomes. If they are not spending enough money for food, they are probably not getting enough to eat.

*  One in three senior citizens eat alone; this can cause them to eat poorly or skip meals completely.

*  One-half of older Americans take multiple medications, some of which can have side effects like decreased appetite, drowsiness, diarrhea, nausea and other problems that can cause nutritional harm.

*  Unexplained weight gain or loss can be a sign of poor health.

*  One out of five older people have trouble shopping, buying and cooking their own food.

As you can see from the above statistics, nearly everyone will experience at least one or two of these barriers to a healthy diet as they age.  Many people will be affected by several of these issues.

Source for questions and statistics:

For more information on this topic, you may wish to read the full document from the Nutrition Screening Initiative http://www.cdaaa.org/images/Nutritional_Checklist.pdfat

If you are interested in more information about retirement, use the tabs at the top of this blog.  They contain links to hundreds of articles about topics that include where to retire in the United States and Overseas, financial planning, medical concerns, family issues and more.

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

Photo credit:  www.morguefile.com

The Best Years of Your Life - After Age 65

Have your ever thought about what you are going to do with the final two or three decades of your life?  While many people retire from their jobs sometime in their 60's, they may continue to live an active, healthy life for another 20 to 30 years.  If you feel healthy and active as you approach your retirement years, what do you plan to do with all that time?

Well known broadcast journalist, Jane Pauley, addressed this issue in her outstanding book, "Your Life Calling: Reimagining the Rest of Your Life."  

By using the link above, you will be taken directly to its Amazon page where you can read the first section of her book and decide whether or not you think it might inspire you.  You can also read the review I wrote for the online magazine Squidoo here:  Book Review: Your Life Calling.

Even aside from the Jane Pauley book, we need to explore the many options we have for spending our lives after retirement.  We may choose to travel, immerse ourselves in a hobby, take care of our grandchildren, or enjoy the free time we will now be able to finally spend with our family and friends.  All of these are worthwhile pursuits that can bring us a great deal of satisfaction and joy.

However, some people choose to completely transform the second half of their lives.  A few may decide to pursue an occupation that they hope will change the world.  Others may choose new career goals that are much more modest.

Whatever you decide to do, it is important to realize is that age 65 does not need to be the end of your working careers ... it can be the beginning of something that truly inspires you.

Because of this, I highly recommend Jane Pauley's book.  It is the perfect way to start re-thinking the term "retirement."  Instead of planning to spend those years in a comfy recliner, you may find yourself looking forward to the best years of your life.

If you are planning your retirement and you would like more helpful information, use the tabs at the top of this article to find links to hundreds of articles about the best places to retire in the United States and overseas, medical issues, financial planning, family relationships, and more.

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

(Photo credit:  Photo of book cover is courtesy of www.Amazon.com)

Aging Services in the United States

I recently attended the Orange County Senior Summit that was held in one of the clubhouses at the retirement community where I live in Southern California.  The speakers at the summit included:

Nora Eisenhower of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Laura Mosqueda who is a Professor of Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine

Lisa Gibson, a registered dietitian and consultant for Age Well Senior Services

Marilyn Ditty, DPA, a Gerontology expert and the CEO of Age Well Senior Services

Karen Roper, MBA, the Executive Director of the Orange County Commission to End Homelessness (a serious issue in some parts of affluent Orange County)

The topic of the conference was Aging in Place with emphasis on the resources that are available to people who hope to age in their current homes.

The information that I gleaned from these experts was fascinating and, over the next few weeks, I plan to share a bit of what I learned with my readers here at Baby-Boomer-Retirement.com.

Today I thought people would be interested in the amazing effect that Baby Boomers are about to have on American society, per Karen Roper.

US Population Age 60 and Over

2005:     49,712,000
2020:     76,986,000     

In a 15 year period, the population of people over age 60 will have increased 55% ... and the population is expected to continue to increase dramatically over the next 20 years.  The population of the extremely elderly is expected to grow rapidly, as well.  For example, between 2005 and 2020, the population of people age 85 and over is also expected to have increased by 55%.

Another interesting statistic that Ms. Roper mentioned was that in 2020 (which is only 6 years from now), 20% of the U.S. population will be over the age of 65 and 20% of the U.S. population will be under the age of 16.  This will be the first time ever that the number of elderly and the number of children in the U.S. were approximately equal.

The aging population means that there will need to be a significant increase in the services that are available to help an aging population such as:

Adult Day Care
Elderly Nutrition Programs
Transportation
Elder Abuse Prevention
Affordable Housing
In-Home Care
Legal Assistance
Case Management

How these services are going to be managed is something we all need to be thinking about.  We are fortunate that there are people who are already planning for ways they can help us as we age.  For example, many communities have already set up adult day care programs.  These are services that are available to help people care for loved ones who have dementia.  Being able to leave your spouse or parent with an agency during the day can make a difference between being able to care for them in your home or finding it necessary to institutionalize them ... at great expense.

Community nutrition programs for senior citizens organize services such as low cost hot lunches at senior centers and Meals-on-Wheels for the home bound.  These can make a significant difference in the ability of a person to successfully age in place.

Organizations are also helping to arrange transportation for the elderly to doctor's appointments.  Sometimes volunteers will drive them and sometimes the elderly are eligible for services like low cost taxi vouchers.  These are helpful solutions for people who are no longer able to drive.

Elder abuse is a problem that I have talked about in the past.  While this can mean physical abuse, more frequently it involves financial abuse when trusted family members or advisers swindle money from the elderly.  While there are organizations that try to watch for this type of situation, it can be difficult for people outside the family to detect.

Some of the other discussion topics at this year's summit included helping seniors find affordable housing, locate in-home care or accessing legal assistance.  If you or someone you know could benefit from these services, they should contact case carriers from the state Social Services department or talk to someone at their local senior center to find legitimate sources of help.

In the next couple of weeks, this blog will cover some of the other issues that were discussed at the senior summit, including maintaining your nutritional health as you get older and how to talk to people with Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of dementia.

If you are getting near retirement age, you may also wish to check out the tabs at the top of this blog.  They contain links to hundreds of other articles to help you, including where to retire in the US and abroad, medical issues that could arise, financial planning, and more.

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

Photo taken by author, Deborah-Diane; all rights reserved.

Where to Retire Near St. Louis, Missouri

Many people in the mid-west have deeply established roots in the area where they currently live ... including their relatives, churches and community involvement.  While they may enjoy spending time vacationing in the warmer states to the south, they don't want to permanently stray too far from home.

Because of the strong feelings these people have about staying near their current location, I want to include retirement information on this blog about a wide variety of cities throughout the United States.  The first one of these will be the area around St. Louis, Missouri.

Climate in St. Louis

Missouri clearly has four seasons.  In January the average daily high is 42 and the average low temperature is about 21; at the other extreme, in July the average daily high is 90 and the average low temperature is 66. The temperature extremes can be even greater than is indicated by these averages.  For example, in the winter the weather can hover around 0 to 10 degrees; in the summer, you will occasionally see days when the temperature rises to nearly 100 degrees.

Missouri gets enough precipitation to remain lush and green throughout the summer.  There are a multitude of lakes and rivers in the region which makes the state very appealing for people who enjoy water sports in the summer such as fishing and boating.

Cost of Living in Missouri

The cost of living in Missouri is lower than in many locations along the east and west coasts.  The state sales tax is 4.225%, and food is only taxed at a 1.225% rate.  State income tax rates range from 1.5% to 6%.  Property taxes are typically about 1.1%.  High income Social Security recipients may have to pay state income taxes on half their benefits.  Pensions are taxed if they are greater than $6,000 a year.

Retirement Communities and Independent Living Apartments

There are at least 30 independent living communities in and around St. Louis, including some on the Illinois side of the Mississippi River.  Virtually all of them are independent living apartment complexes, which enable residents to have greater security than those who live in the general population of the city. In addition, residents of these complexes do not have to worry about dealing with snow, yardwork and home maintenance.  While you can find a fairly complete list at the website for "A Place for Mom," here is a selection of some appealing ones that are either within St. Louis or its nearby suburbs:

McCormack House at Westminster Place
Tower Grove Manor
Homer G. Phillips
Alexian Court Apartments
Pacific Place Retirement Community
Tesson Heights
Orchard Terrace
The Rockwood
Crestview Senior Living
St. Catherine Retirement Community
The Hallmark of Creve Coeur
Desmet Retirement Community
The Villa at Riverwood
Lakeview Park
Fairwinds - River's Edge
The Gatesworth
Aberdeen Heights

For those retirees who wish to live in an over-55 community that has private homes, the closest one I could find was the upscale and beautiful Heritage of Hawk Ridge, a community of privately owned homes built by Del Webb in the Lake St. Louis area.  The amenities in this community include a 10,000 square foot clubhouse, a 9-hole par 3 executive golf course, swimming pool, fitness classes, bocce ball and more.  Home prices start at around $175,000.

Another option for people who are looking for an affordable retirement community in Missouri is the Village of Boulder Creek, which is located near Cape Girardeau, about two hours south of St. Louis.  They offer the privacy of single-family, maintenance-free, 2 bedroom rental homes in an over-55 age restricted community.

For seniors who wish to age in place in the homes where they currently live in the city, St. Louis also has seven senior activity centers which offer a variety of services including exercise classes, dances and other programs designed to assist senior citizens.


Sources:

If you are interested in retiring in the St. Louis, Missouri area, you will also want to check out the information available on the websites listed in this resource section.  I've compiled this list to make it easy for you to find the information you need quickly and easily.

http://www.aplaceformom.com/independent-living/missouri/st-louis
http://www.thegatesworth.com/
http://www.retirenet.com/location/communities/122-st-louis-metro/53-all-active-retirement-communities-and-homes/
http://www.delwebb.com/retirement-communities/missouri

Book:  "Where to Retire: America's Best and Most Affordable Places" (See ad in the sidebar of this blog.)

If you are preparing to retire, you will also want to check out the tabs at the top of this page.  They contain links to hundreds of articles about where to retire in the US or overseas, financial planning, medical issues and more.

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

Photo credit:  www.morguefile.com

Are You Too Young for Retirement Planning?

When I was in my twenties, retirement was the furthest thing from my mind.  While my husband and I had a few investments and bought our first home, we only had a vague idea about creating a long range plan.  In addition, we made several poor investment decisions at that stage of our lives which we might have avoided if we had been given the right information.  Getting our advice from other people in their twenties was not the best decision.

Our behavior back then is still common today.  Most young people do not put a lot of thought into what they will be doing in another 40 years.  It just doesn't seem real to them.

Unfortunately, when young adults wait too long to start their retirement planning, it will be very difficult for them to make up for lost time.  The advantages of techniques like compounding and dollar cost averaging are more effective when investors start at a young age.

As a result, when one of our daughters graduated from college a decade ago, we gave her the Suze Orman book which is available on Amazon at "The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous & Broke."

She liked the book so much that she purchased another copy of it to give to one of our other daughters.  Both of them continue to refer to the book frequently.

You can learn more about this book from the review I recently wrote on Squidoo: 

http://books.squidoo.com/review-the-money-book-for-the-young-fabulous-broke

One of the beauties of this book is that it provides far more information than simply helping young adults make good investment decisions.  It also helps them understand their credit score and gives them tips on making major financial decisions such as buying their first home and car.

While some of the information in the book may not seem directly related to retirement, any time we make a bad investment decision we are affecting our future ability to have a successful retirement.

Whether you are a young adult yourself or you are related to one, you may want to get a copy of this book.  No adult is too young to start planning for retirement!

If you are starting to think about retirement, you will also want to use the tabs at the top of this blog to find links to hundreds of other helpful articles.

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

Photo credit:  www.morguefile.com

Are You A Retirement Planner, Procrastinator or Crasher?

When researching Continuing Care Retirement Communiites recently, I came across an interesting quote by an industry expert.  He said that most people fall into one of three groups when it comes to moving into a CCRC ... they are planners, procrastinors or crashers.

For those of you who are regular readers of this blog, I assume that most of you fall into the role of planners.  You are already thinking about your options for the near-term, as well as for the more distant future when you may need more services. 

What is the difference between the three groups?

Continuous Care Planners

These people are in acceptance of the fact that they will probably need help or extended care at some point in the future.  They also do not want to be a burden on their adult children or other members of their family.  They want to have fun and enjoy life as long as they can, while feeling comfortable that they have taken steps early to assure that they will be taken care of when the time comes and they need more help.  These are the people who explore their options early, decide where they would like to live when they are ready, and let other family members know about their decision.

Continuous Care Procrastinators

Procrastinators are similar to planners except they postpone investigating continuing care facilities as long as they possibly can.  Sometimes they later regret their procrastination, later admitting they wish they had made the decision and moved sooner.  They just didn't realize how much more fun they could have been having by moving to a community where they no longer had to worry about meal preparation, cleaning and similar day-to-day chores.

Continuing Care Crashers

These are the people who do not believe that they will ever need help.  Sometimes you may hear them say things like, "I don't expect to live that long," or "With a heart like mine, I'll probably die suddenly," or "I eat right and take care of myself so I don't think I will ever need someone to help care for me."  No matter which opinion they hold, there is a good chance that they will be wrong.  With today's modern healthcare advances, people often do end up living longer than they expect and discover that they do need assistance later in life, whether they ever thought that would happen or not.  What frequently happens with this group is that they go directly from independent living in their own home directly into a skilled nursing facility, skipping the transition period of living independently in a continuing care community.

Which Is the Right Choice for You?

There is nothing wrong with falling into any of these categories.  Of course, the managers of Continuing Care Retirement Communities would prefer that people move into their facilities when they are in their late sixties or early seventies.  However, for people who are still working or active, this may not be the right decision.  Becoming a procrastinator may be the right decision for a large percentage of people.  I know my husband, who still works, enjoys our traditional over-55 community that does not provide continuing care.  I don't think he would be happy living in a CCRC where no one else had a job.

In fact, there is a good chance that many people, like my husband, would be perfectly happy to be labeled as "Crashers."  He plans to continue to work for several more years and has no intention of moving out of our current community until he is ready for a nursing home.  Circumstances may change as we get older, but that is how he feels at the moment.

On the other hand, if I were a widow in my seventies, I would probably be perfectly happy in one of the Continuing Care Retirement Communities in our area (and there are a number of lovely ones.)  I know that I do not always prepare healthy meals for myself when I am home alone and it would be nice not to have to worry about it.  I also enjoy being around other people and would love to be in a social community where my meals are prepared and there are planned trips, outings and parties I could enjoy, as long as I also had my own, private apartment or cottage.

This is a decision that each of us has to make on our own.  The important issue is not which category you fall into.  What is important is that you make the decision consciously.  Personally I've always believed that the best inheritance we can give our children is the knowledge that they will not have to spend their senior years taking care of us when we are sick and fragile.  I am investigating various CCRC's because I want to know that regardless of the type of illness or dementia that may befall me, my children will not have to feed and care for me 24 hours a day in my later years. 

If you are interested in learning more about Continuing Care Retirement Communities, you may be interested in reading this article that I wrote last week:

Choosing a Continuing Care Retirement Community

In addition, be sure to check out the tabs at the top of this page to read more about where to retire, family relationships, medical issues and financial planning, including topics like long-term care insurance and its alternatives.

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

Photo credit:  www.morguefile.com

Healing Your Plantar Fasciitis

Now that I am in my 60's, it seems as if at least a quarter of the women and ten percent of the men I know suffer from Plantar Fasciitis.  According to the Mayo Clinic, it is the most common cause of heel pain.  It's an inflammation of the plantar fascia, which is the band of tissue that runs across the arch of your foot from your heel to your toes.  Plantar Fasciitis is the name of the condition you develop when your plantar fascia begins to tear away from the heelbone and becomes inflamed.  It can be extremely painful.

Some people only experience the pain when they first stand up in the morning.  As the plantar fascia warms up, the pain goes away.  Other people suffer from it whenever they have been seated for a long time, or if they have been standing or walking a lot.

It is a very common ailment for people who have been runners or dancers, those who have to stand up on their jobs, those who are overweight, and people who wear shoes that do not provide a lot of support.  It also becomes more common as we get older. In my case, my doctor suspected that the sandals and flats that I typically wore were probably the cause of the problem, along with the fact that I was getting older and I had worked for years at a high school where I spent a lot of time on my feet.

Once you are experiencing pain, it is possible to heal your injured foot.  However, it can take months for the pain to go away, even when you immediately begin a treatment plan.  Despite this fact, it is important that you begin treatment as quickly as possible.  If you try to ignore the pain, believing that it will eventually go away on its own, it will only get worse and you could develop foot, knee, hip and/or back problems.

Treatments vary.  In my case, my podiatrist gave me a shot in my heel to reduce the inflammation and pain.  Then, he created a mold of my foot and had custom orthotics made to fit in my shoes.  Unfortunately, even though they were custom made, I did not use the orthotics very often because I did not think they were comfortable.

When I discussed this with my internist, she said that frequently a patient just needs a change in shoes in order to heal the foot.  Both my internist and podiatrist told me that I should wear shoes that were slightly more elevated in the heal than the toe, and my podiatrist gave me the names of some shoe brands to try.

Much to my delight, I have found several attractive, stylish and comfortable brands of shoes that I am able to wear.  Best of all, I haven't felt any pain in my heal in over six months.

While I was experimenting with the different brands, I wrote a series of articles for the online magazine, Squidoo, where I am their "Retired and Loving It Contributor."  These articles were about the different brands of shoes I tried out in an attempt to find the styles that were most comfortable for me, personally.  I am including links to those articles later in this article, so that you can learn more about these brands and see photos of the shoes they offer.

Since I live in Southern California, I particularly wanted to find some flip-flops that I could comfortably wear to the beach in the summer without further inflaming my feet.  Rainbow flip-flops were the ones that worked for me, and there is an article about them below, too.  Both Rainbow flip-flops and Birkenstocks have styles that are also designed for men.

I own at least one pair of every type of shoe mentioned in the list below ... and several pair of the Easy Spirit Travelers that turned out to be the style that was most healing for me.  If you suffer from this common problem, the articles below could be very helpful to you.

Links to Articles about Shoes for Sore Feet:

Easy Spirit Shoes for Women with Sore Feet
Rainbow Sandals for Sore Feet
Comfortable Mephisto Shoes for Women with Sore Feet
Dansko Shoes for Women with Sore Feet
New Balance Walking Shoes for Women with Sore Feet 
Birkenstock Shoes for Men and Women with Sore Feet


Source of information about Plantar Fasciitis:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/plantar-fasciitis/basics/definition/con-20025664

If you are interested in information about other health problems that could affect you as you age, be sure to check out the tab on Medical Concerns at the top of this blog.  It contains links to a number of other interesting articles.  In addition, you may want to check out the tabs on great places to retire in the U.S. and abroad, financial issues, and other topics of interest to people who are retired or planning to retire.

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

Photo credit: www.morguefile.com