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BDN SENIOR LIVING
bangordailynews.com
Angels ●
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August 24, 2018
among us
August 24, 2018 “What surprised me with caregiving was how quickly love replaces fear and courage overcame hesitations. Washing a client’s face with a rag, and being able to feel their features through the material. Here’s a precious person who needs a little help, and it humbles me, fills me with joy, fills me with honor that I’m there to help in such a simple way. Through doing small things, we are all great in our own way.”
—ISAAC SCHNEIDER, CARE ASSISTANT
couple of years ago I had the opportunity to listen to a very gifted
“We all have heard the old saying ‘timing is everything.’ In the eyes and hearts of our seniors who have chosen the homecare route, ‘our time is their everything!’ Things I love to hear from our clients is ‘Thank God you are here,’ ‘I have been waiting for you!’ or ‘I have missed you!’ Homecare offers the safety and security that seniors need daily. It also offers socialization and the one-on-one time nursing homes can’t completely offer. It’s an honor to be a caregiver. To put a smile on their face and make their day better. It means everything to me!”
speaker at a conference. Although I cannot remember the bulk of his
—TAMMY MORRIS, CARE ASSISTANT
COURTESY OF ALECIA PINEO, RN, OWNER, VISITING ANGELS
A
speech, one thing in particular has never left me. He spoke of the word
What he mentioned that day was the meaning of “Angel.” Angel comes from the Latin
“Working at Visiting Angels, I feel that we are their guardian angels to light the way and help them through their journey and struggles. We are ready to assist with managing hygiene tasks, cleaning, laundry, assisting with medications, and medical appointments, which all improve their quality of life. With an angel by your side you are never alone! I take pride in doing that.”
word angelus, meaning “messenger.” That is what struck me: messenger. That is precisely
—SHEILA BARTLETT, CARE ASSISTANT
“Angel.” This is a word we are all familiar with. It conjures up a
variety of images or feelings for many of us. A beautiful creature with wings, or perhaps a feeling of being protected from harm.
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bangordailynews.com
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BDN SENIOR LIVING
How to save for
retirement after 50 W
and many such professionals may feel a need to save
deficit of $4.3 trillion, meaning they have $4.3 trillion
a response to television ads urging
more as their retirements draw ever closer.
less in retirement savings than they should.
viewers to save for retirement, or
Saving for retirement might seem like a no-brainer,
Men and women over 50 who have retirement
their own financial savvy, many of
but the National Institute on Retirement Security
savings deficits may need to go beyond depositing
the
notes that, in 2017, almost 40 million households in
more money in their retirement accounts in order to
what we are, or have the opportunity to be, at Visiting Angels. A messenger of hope, of
importance of saving for retirement from the
the United States had no retirement savings at all.
live comfortably and pay their bills in retirement. The
comfort, of belonging, or a thousand other things nearly impossible to put to words.
moment they receive their first paychecks. But men
In addition, the Employee Benefit Research Institute
following are a few simple ways to start saving more
and women over 50 may not have been so practical,
found that Americans have a retirement savings
for retirement.
From that point on, at each orientation that I am present for, I share this story with
These are just a few examples of the caring hearts that surround Visiting Angels. What an honor to be part of
each new “Angel” as they begin their career with us. I challenge each person, myself
this amazing group of people. If we are lucky enough to be a blessing to our clients, believe me, we are equally
included, to pause a minute at the start of each shift and decide, “What am I going to be
blessed by them. An exchange of wisdom and comfort that is difficult to put to words but brings meaning and
a messenger of today?” There is power in that pause and it allows us to impact and be
value to each of our days. Thank you to all of our “Angels”—your work does not go unseen.
today’s
hether it’s advice from their parents,
young
professionals
recognize
impacted by those around us in ways that are often unexpected. Please read the stories of just a few of the “Angels” that I have the privilege of working alongside at Visiting Angels.
To read the complete stories, please visit our website at VisitingAngels.com/bangor. Call or email us to see how we can help you or your loved one.
REDIRECT NON-ESSENTIAL EXPENSES INTO SAVINGS. Some retirement accounts, such as IRAs, are governed by deposit limits. But others, such as 401(k) retirement plans, have no such limits. Men and women can examine their spending habits in an effort to find areas where they can cut back on nonessential expenses, such as cable television subscriptions and dining out. Any money saved each month can then be redirected into savings and/or retirement accounts.
RECONSIDER YOUR RETIREMENT DATE. Deciding to work past the age of 65 is another way men and women over 50 can save more for retirement. Many professionals now continue working past the age of 65 for a variety of reasons. Some may suspect they’ll grow bored in retirement, while others may keep working out of financial need. Others may simply love their jobs and want to keep going until their passion runs out. Regardless of the reason, working past the age of 65 allows men and women to keep earning and saving for retirement, while also delaying the first withdrawal from their retirement savings accounts.
RECONSIDER YOUR CURRENT AND FUTURE LIVING SITUATION. Housing costs are many people’s most considerable expense, and that won’t necessarily change in retirement. Even men and women who have paid off their mortgages may benefit by moving to a region with lower taxes or staying in the same area but downsizing to a smaller home where their taxes and utility bills will be lower. Adults who decide to move to more affordable areas or into smaller, less expensive homes can then redirect the money they are saving into interest-bearing retirement or savings accounts. Many people begin saving for retirement the moment they cash their first professional paycheck. But even adults over the age of 50 sometimes feel a need to save more as their retirement dates draw closer, and there are many ways to do just that.
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